The name “Jerusalem†means “city of peace.†History reveals that it has been associated more with conflict than with peace. In (Psa. 122:6) it says, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem."? We might ask our self the question, “Why pray for Jerus …
Moses calls Israel together and exhorts them with four key words (vv. 1-2). The words are hear, learn, keep, and do. It is a restating of the Law, but the emphasis is still on love and obedience. What the Lord demanded of Israel is still required of His people today (v. 3). The only difference …
After the Lord Jesus ascended Peter became the recognized leader of the disciples. He was bothered by the empty space left by the treachery and suicide of Judas, and had decided that someone must replace the missing member of the Apostolic ranks. With this mind a prayer meeting w …
Moses teaches Israel the principles of the Hebrew bond- slave and the conditions for setting him free (vv. 12-18). The Lord had previously made it clear that six full years of a person’s life were enough to have to work as a slave for defaulting on a loan (Exodus 21:2). At the end of that time …
In giving instructions about the tabernacle God progressed from within to the courtyard outside the tabernacle. A large altar of acacia wood covered with brass rested outside (vv. 1- 8). It was about seven feet square and almost five feet high which was large enough to burn the sacrifice…
The northern Israelites were living beneath a pious veneer of religion, worshiping idols, and oppressing the poor. Amos is identified as a sheep-breeder (vv. 1-2). He is a fiery, fearless, and honest shepherd from the south who confronts the people with their sin and warns them of the …
Moses returned to his father-in-law Jethro since he could not depart for Egypt without first returning the flock (Ex. 3:1) and he also wanted Jethro’s blessing on his going. He told Jethro that he wanted to go back to Egypt and see if his family was still alive (v. 18 …
Be on guard! Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack (v. 8). You must resist the devil and stay strong in your faith knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by Christians all over the world (v. 9). But God shows undeserved …
Jeremiah makes a charge against these backsliding people. He paints four verbal pictures (vv. 20-28): An animal that had broken its yoke (v. 20) – Judah had broken off the yoke that had bound her to her Lord and followed after the gods of her heathen neighbor. A choice vine that bec …
Firmly committed to build the temple, the people were soon to face some difficult questions. How beautiful would this temple be and how would its glory compare with Solomon’s temple (vv. 1-3)? As work progressed and plans were formed for the new temple, inevitable comparisons wer …