The Lord confronts the nations and the islands in judgment (v. 1). The reference to nations and islands suggest all the world’s people. God told the nations that because He controls history, they really have no control over the future (vv 2-4). The Lord affirms that He is …
Misunderstandings are often very difficult to untangle, because one misunderstanding often leads to another. This is what had happened to Paul as he was forced to make a change of plans (vv. 15-22). In Paul’s initial itinerary, he had intended to go immediately from Ephesus to Corinth and …
There were great multitudes that followed Jesus everywhere He went because they did not want to miss the tremendous excitement of the “signs†which he did (vv. 1-4). They had just traveled along the northern shore of the sea of Galilee through rugged terrain to get to where He was. Jesus was …
God had already given the eastern bank of Jordan to the two and one-half tribes. In those days there were no survey crews with scientific instruments for determining the property lines. People cited towns and geographical features when they wanted to determine boundaries. The Jew …
This passage applies primarily to Jews, but it applies also to all lost souls around the world. Dr. E. Meyers Harrison, a veteran missionary and professor of missions, says there are four reasons why the Church must send out missionaries …
Paul sends word to Timothy to hurry and come to Rome to be by his side (v. 9). It seems that in the face of approaching death the apostle craves to have his beloved “child in the faith” Timothy with him. He is lonely and in need of Timothy because most of his co …
In an agricultural society, where grain was a major means of exchange, the hoarding of corn could drastically effect prices. The person who sold his grain and did not hoard it was a blessing to others and would be blessed by God (v. 26). We might compare this today with someone w …
In this chapter Paul explains that “You were not justified by keeping the Law and neither can you be sanctified by keeping the Law.” Laws only have power over people who are alive (v. 1). To illustrate this truth, Paul uses an illustration of the marriage relationship (vv. 2-3). When a man …
David let God be his defense (v. 10). He appeals to God to ascend to His judgment seat. God tests the hearts and minds (v. 9). Nothing is hidden from God. This can be either terrifying or comforting. We don’t have to try to impress God or to put on a false front. Instead, we can trust God to help us …
Beginning at verse eight Syrian invasions of Israel are noted. The first incident involved marauding bands of Syrians who made border raids against the Jews (vv. 8-9). Ben-haded II, king of Aram, planned to pitch his camp on the border from which he could strike unexpectedly. G …