Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: touch, feel, sense of touch, tactile sense, tactility, contact, using one's hands, sensation, sense, suspicion, sneaking suspicion, notion, inkling, hunch, fancy, apprehension, presentiment, premonition, foreboding, love, care, affection, fondness, tenderness, warmth, warmness, emotion, sentiment, emotional state, compassion, sympathy, empathy, fellow feeling, understanding, concern, solicitude, solicitousness, tender-heartedness, brotherly love, sensibilities, sensitivities, self-esteem, ego, pride, opinion, belief, view, impression, intuition, instinct, estimation, guess, theory, hypothesis, thought, way of thinking, point of view, atmosphere, ambience, aura, air, mood, climate, character, overtone, undertone, tenor, spirit, quality, flavour, colour, aptitude, knack, flair, bent, talent, gift, skill, art, trick, faculty, ability, propensity, inclination, sensitive, warm, warm-hearted, tender, tender-hearted, caring, soft-hearted, sympathetic, compassionate, empathetic, responsive, receptive, intuitive, thoughtful

Antonyms: bad feeling, acrimony, animosity, animus, antagonism, antipathy, aversion, bitterness, detestation, disgust, dislike, disrelish, enmity, friction, grievances, grudges, hatred, hostility, loathing, malevolence, malice

Showing 2626 to 2650 of 3285 results

2626. Samuel Subdues the Philistines at Mizpah

1 Samuel 7:2-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... limited to Bethel and Mizpah, in the central hill country down to Gilgal, near Jericho in the Jordan Valley (7:16). Yet, he is said to have gathered “all Israel” at Mizpah (7:5), and the historian asserts that “all Israel from Dan to Beersheba” knows of Samuel’s prophetic abilities (3:20). What this information illustrates is the historian’s interest in making clear that events and people associated within a limited area often have broader implications for the entire nation.

2627. Samuel Anoints Saul

1 Sam 9:1–10:8

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... indicates that he will be “changed into a different person” (10:6), which likely refers to the ecstatic state or prophetic frenzy that will overcome Saul in the encounter with the Spirit of the Lord. The event might reflect the historian’s pro-prophet stance by asserting that some prophetic ability is necessary for a monarch to be acceptable. Whatever the precise significance, Saul recognizes that God is with him to bless and strengthen him.

2628. Saul Made King

1 Samuel 10:9-27

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... king of Israel. When Saul returns to his hometown of Gibeah he enjoys the support of many valiant men. The tribe of Benjamin was renowned for its excellent warriors, and now one of their number is king of the whole land. Some of the people are dubious about Saul’s abilities, however, and openly withhold their support.

2629. Israel Routs the Philistines

1 Sam 14:15-52

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... victory. Why should he be put to death for being courageous? Whatever their arguments were, which are not specified, the people convince Saul to let Jonathan live, a happy outcome. Even so, the entire event signals that Saul’s judgment and leadership ability is already in decline and suffering from the reversal of God’s blessing (13:10–14). Moreover, the complications caused by Saul’s curse prevent the Israelites from taking full advantage of the disarray of the Philistines. Many of the Philistines ...

2630. David’s Struggles with Saul

1 Samuel 18:1-30

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of his friendship. Jonathan’s sword, in particular, must have been highly treasured by David. In spite of Saul’s increasing ill will toward David, he continues to give David additional military assignments and a high rank in the army due to David’s ability and successes. When Saul and David return home after another defeat of the Philistines, the women of the land come out to greet them with singing and dancing, much like when Miriam and the women of Israel celebrated the victory over the Egyptians at ...

2631. David Becomes King Over Israel

2 Samuel 5:1-5

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the southern capital to anoint David (5:1–5). Many soldiers, representing all of the tribes, come together to make an agreement with David and to acclaim him as king. They acknowledge that the Lord has chosen him and that he has demonstrated his leadership ability over the years. Even during Saul’s reign, some soldiers from the northern tribes have defected to David (1 Chron. 12:1–22), but now the entire nation rallies around him. David is almost thirty-eight years old, and he will remain king until ...

2632. Absalom Returns to Jerusalem

2 Samuel 14:1-33

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of a “banished person” to God may be an allusion to David’s own restoration after he committed murder; it is also a powerful metaphor for God’s love of and desire for all sinners. As a final argument, the woman refers to David’s ability to make just decisions, such as a divine messenger would make. Although this may be partly flattery, David does possess excellent judgment—except when it comes to those close to him. By this point in the conversation David realizes that Joab has sent the woman ...

2633. Victories over the Philistines

2 Samuel 21:15-22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Goliath story as one akin to George Washington and the cherry tree—it may not be historically factual but it is true in a larger sense, since it accurately reflects the man’s character. After all, the whole account of David’s rise to the throne is predicated on his ability to defeat the Philistines, and the story of the slaying of Goliath is used as the catalyst for his amazingly quick move into the national spotlight.

2634. Israel Rebels Against Reheboam

1 Kings 12:1-33

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... madding crowd may not have been the brightest ploy, and Rehoboam barely escapes without being stoned himself. In response to the crowning of Jeroboam, the gathering of a substantial host (12:20–24) is either a reflection on Rehoboam’s improved leadership abilities or, more likely, a declaration of loyalty by the south to the line of David. Only a prophetic word spoken by Shemaiah (mentioned only here) averts a civil war. This word is directed to Rehoboam and “the remnant” of the people (KJV), and ...

2635. Victory over the Nations and Administration in Israel

1 Chronicles 18:1-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... on David’s military victories over the Philistines (Gath), Moab, Zobah, and Damascus, groups representative of southwestern (Philistines), southeastern (Moab), and northern (Zobah/Damascus) powers outside traditional Israelite lands. Control of Philistia and Moab gave David the ability to tax the two great international trunk highways (Way of the Sea, King’s Highway), providing resources to sustain a royal court. Zobah and Damascus were centers of (at times) powerful Aramean kingdoms to the north of ...

2636. Nehemiah's Prayer

Nehemiah 1:1-11

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... that Nehemiah mentions here his position as “cupbearer to the king” (1:11) may indicate that he now understands God has put him in this strategic position for a purpose. The cupbearer had a high position in the Persian court. The king apparently cares for Nehemiah and recognizes his many abilities, for he is about to give him political power to help his people and even overturn official decrees against them. The Jews in Judah are not yet aware of it, but God is about to change their sorry situation.

2637. The Work Begun

Nehemiah 2:11-20

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... God’s sovereignty and power; he reminds the neighbors that they do not share the same convictions, legal claims, or historical legacy as the returned Jews. The roster of builders reveals a lot about the disposition of the people to work together and about Nehemiah’s abilities to organize the work (3:1–32). Although it is in the third person and includes details even to the finishing touches on the gates (6:1 and 7:1), it is likely part of the Nehemiah memoirs. It constitutes one of the most detailed ...

2638. Opposition to the Rebuilding

Nehemiah 4:1-23

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

4:1–6:14 Review · Opposition to rebuilding the wall:Any effective work for God can expect opposition, from either humans or evil powers, or both. The ability of a leader can be judged by how he or she confronts crises and reacts to opposition. We can learn from Nehemiah’s example as he faces different kinds of opposition. This lengthy section depicts the progress in reconstructing the wall in spite of and in response to opposition, both ...

2639. The First Two Feasts – Vashti Is Deposed

Esther 1:1-22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... refuses to obey the orders and leaves her husband publicly humiliated and irate in the presence of his awaiting guests (1:12). It is likely that the queen has previously experienced such ordeals when the king’s drunkenness has seriously affected his ability to make moral decisions. Her unflinching response to the king’s request seems to indicate so. The biblical text provides a number of accounts where reckless decisions are made by drunk leaders. For example, King Belshazzar (Dan. 5:2), Nabal (1 Sam ...

2640. Zophar

Job 11:1-20

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... will be copious. Zophar then quips out what surely is a clever witticism complete with Hebrew alliteration (11:12), though precisely what it says and what Zophar means by saying it is not entirely clear. The saying contemplates, literally, a “hollow” person’s ability to become learned. After this, things get muddy. One option is that such a person will become wise only when a wild ass is born a human being (NJPS). The NIV represents another direction: that a witless person will no more become learned ...

2641. Psalm 8

Psalm 8:1-9

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... rule over his creation (8:6–8). Significance—God’s greatness (8:9). David assumes that God is the Creator of heaven and earth, which are not themselves self-existing or self-sustaining. God empowers humans to conquer against overwhelming odds (8:2) and to manage what is beyond their ability to comprehend (8:6–8). David surrounds the psalm with an inclusio of praise regarding God’s majesty (8:1, 9).

2642. Psalm 30

Psalm 30:1-12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... -death encounter with his enemies (30:1–3); as a result, David praises God (30:4–5). God then establishes David, making his life secure (30:6–7a). But God seemingly deserts David; so, in anguish, David cries out to him for mercy, for life, and for the ability to praise his faithfulness (30:7b–10). God once more turns David’s mourning into rejoicing (30:11–12). Psalm 30 is the finale of a four-act play that reveals how David’s hopes and concerns in chapters 27–29 play out in the drama of his ...

2643. Psalm 62

Psalm 62:1-12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

The near repetition of 62:1–2 in 62:5–6 conveys David’s ability to remain confident despite experiencing danger (62:3–4) and provides the foundation for his charge to God’s people to rely on him as their powerful protector (62:7–8). David concludes (62:9–12) by reinforcing his already-stated views: the world system, being transitory, cannot be relied on; it is God alone, being powerful and loving, who can and must be relied on.

2644. Psalm 94

Psalm 94:1-23

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ’s people, particularly on the helpless (e.g., widows, foreigners, and orphans) (94:1–6). The wicked arrogantly assume that God has no idea what they are doing (94:7). Yet their beliefs about God are illogical; for the one who created the ability to hear, see, and think most certainly knows all about their sinful actions (94:8–11). This all-knowing, compassionate God justly disciplines his people so that they might follow his truth (94:12–16). Likewise, he deals with his enemies in justice, issuing ...

2645. Psalm 135

Psalm 135:1-21

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

The words rendered “praise” and “bless” (NIV “praise”) dominate the beginning (135:1–4) and concluding sections (135:19–21) of Psalm 135. Comparing verses 5–7 and verses 15–18 reveals contrasts between God and idols: God’s ability to control creation—idols’ inability to control themselves. In verses 8–14, God powerfully overthrows idol-worshiping nations for the benefit of his people. Psalms 135 and 136 share three themes: God’s rule over creation (135:6–7; 136:6–9), God ...

2646. Proverbs of Solomon

Proberbs 10:1--22:16

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... verses 20–21 describes speech’s dual effects and fits the disputational context well. The words that we speak can satisfy like fruit, but we may have to harvest and eat our words (18:20). No wonder people love (and should fear) the tongue’s ability to dispense both life and death (18:21). Proverbs 18:22–24 fits well with the initial emphasis on companionship, especially the poor person’s lack thereof in 19:1–7. Verse 22 begins with the most intimate of human relationships, affirming that finding ...

2647. Sayings of the Wise: Admonitions for Societal Relationships

Proverbs 22:17--24:22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the next topic. Proverbs 23:1–3 and 6–8 are linked by the repeated phrase “do not crave his delicacies” (22:3a, 6b; cf. Sirach 31:12–32:2), suggesting that the focus in verses 1–3 is not on improper conduct when your abilities bring you into the presence of a powerful person. (One can also translate “what” in verse 1b as “who” [see NIV note]; the word is perhaps intentionally ambiguous.) Drastic measures may be needed to curb an uncontrolled appetite or inordinate desire (22:2–3). Such ...

2648. Toil

Ecclesiastes 2:17-26

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... and happiness” to the one “who pleases him” (NIV; literally “good before him”). In contrast, the “sinner” (Hebrew hote; contra NJPS, “him who displeases”) may gather possessions only to pass them on without ever enjoying them, if God withholds that ability. Ecclesiastes 7:26 and 8:12–13 (cf. also 9:2, 18) indicate that this benefit has a moral basis rather than resting on God’s “unpredictable and totally arbitrary pleasure” (so Loader, 32). Qoheleth thus concludes his first inquiry ...

2649. Recognize that Bad Days Can Bring about Good

Ecclesiastes 7:1--8:1

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... by comparing wisdom and wealth, support the possibility that verse 1a may continue the main theme of 5:10–6:9. Both wisdom and inherited property are beneficial, providing protective “shelter” for their owner, but sagacity is superior in its ability to preserve life, as affirmed in numerous proverbs. 7:13–14 · These concluding verses parallel the introductory verses (6:10–12) and are dominated by three positive imperatives, beginning with “Consider [literally “see”] the work of God!” (KJV ...

2650. Ariel

Isaiah 29:1-24

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... prophet renews his proclamation of “woe” on the people who plan and scheme as if Yahweh does not know or see (29:15–24). The people are the clay and the Lord is the potter, but the clay is skeptical and critical of the potter’s abilities (29:16). Thus far Isaiah has portrayed a number of the people’s reactions: apathy (29:9–10), disbelief in the relevance of the prophetic word for their time (29:11–12), formalism and hypocrisy (29:13–14), and dependence on human scheming and planning apart ...

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