We begin with the words “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens†(v. 19). Fellowship? is enjoyed by those in God’s family and with His people, however, today God dwells in people. The early Christians devoted themselves t …
In the culture in which Solomon and his lover lived it was improper to show public affection except between family members. Therefore, his beloved wished that her husband was like a brother so that it would be acceptable for her to display affection for him at any time (v. 1). Verses 6 and 7 …
This portion of Scripture deals with dead works. God makes it plain that He doesn’t need or really want sacrifice. His first requirement is integrity. Sacrifices only show a worshiper’s outward obedience. Even for Christians, it is often easier to do the outward …
Do you love the Lord? True love is demonstrated by obedience to the Lord’s commandments (v. 15). If you are married, the same is true of your marriage vows. Love is not some emotional …
Amos condemned the rich, powerful leaders for living in luxury gained through violence and for ignoring the poor of the land (vv. 1-7). One of the main reasons Israel’s spiritual life had declined was because God’s people had grown complacent (v. 1). They had grown smug and sel …
A description is given of the most frightening holocaust in human history, the Battle of Armageddon (vv. 17-21). The name “Armageddon” means that mount of slaughter. The place is in Palestine on the edge of the plain of Esdraelon. The participants are several hostile groups led …
The key statement in this chapter is, “Let not your heart be troubled†(v. 1). We can understand why the disciples would be troubled. Jesus had told them that He was going to die, that one of them was a traitor, that Peter would disown Him three times, that Satan was at work against them …
The letter to Smyrna, the shortest of the seven letters, was written to Christians being persecuted not only by pagan Gentiles but also by hostile Jews and by Satan himself. Smyrna, a large city, rebuilt by Alexander the Great, was wealthy and famous…
Bible scholars attribute this Psalm to Solomon and say that it describes his reign. It opens with prayer that God would give the king ability to judge righteously (vv. 1-2). It is one thing to be the king and quite another to reign righteously. In the early days of being king, So …
For the third time in his speech, Elihu requested that his audience of four hear him out. He argues that if God were unjust, there could be no just government on earth (vv. 16-20). If God had been unjust in the world, men would have wanted to condemn Him (vv. 16-17). Yet they wou…