Sermon and Worship Resources

3176. Leadership in Israel: Judges and Kings

Deuteronomy 16:21--17:7

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... anger than probably any other offense. Defective sacrifices (17:1) were a mark of a careless and ungrateful people—again, signposts on the slippery slope to outright covenant violation (cf. 15:21; Lev. 22:17–25; and Mal. 1:6–14). 17:2–7 This case illustrates the operation of the judicial procedure. An accusation of breaking the first commandment would be the most serious case likely to come before any court in Israel (cf. ch. 13). This would be evil in the eyes of the LORD . . . in violation of his ...

3177. Law Courts

Deuteronomy 16:18-20

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... anger than probably any other offense. Defective sacrifices (17:1) were a mark of a careless and ungrateful people—again, signposts on the slippery slope to outright covenant violation (cf. 15:21; Lev. 22:17–25; and Mal. 1:6–14). 17:2–7 This case illustrates the operation of the judicial procedure. An accusation of breaking the first commandment would be the most serious case likely to come before any court in Israel (cf. ch. 13). This would be evil in the eyes of the LORD . . . in violation of his ...

3178. Witnesses

Deuteronomy 19:15-21

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... by all the parties, especially the elders of the cities, who were the primary judicial adjudicators. As to how the systern worked, Deuteronomy avoids the intricate details of Numbers 35:6–34. Instead it states the basic rule (vv. 1–3), explains and illustrates it (vv. 4–7), expands it where necessary (vv. 8–10), qualifies it with an obvious exception (vv. 11–13), and bases it on a fundamental theological and legal principle (vv. 10 and 13). It is this final principle that attracts interest. What ...

3179. A Rebellious Son

Deuteronomy 21:18-21

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... of parental discipline, vv. 18–21, so praised in Prov., cf. Callaway, “Proverbial Wisdom and Law.” 21:20 He is a profligate and a drunkard: These are not so much the accusation as part of the evidence. They are publicly visible illustrations of the real crime, namely, persistent rebellion against parents. The young man is not to be executed for gluttony and drunkenness in themselves, but for incorrigible flouting of the fifth commandment in ways that were squandering and endangering the family’s ...

3180. Various Laws

Deuteronomy 21:22--22:12

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... help should be given to a neighbor in difficulty (v. 4). The significant phrase in these verses is do not ignore it (vv. 1, 3, 4), lit. “Do not hide yourself from it,” which counteracts the instinctive human reaction “not to get involved,” as supremely illustrated by the priest and the Levite who pass the injured man on the Jericho road (Luke 10:30–35). Care for others means care for what they own and giving practical help in time of need. It is a fundamental principle of biblical ethics. Indeed ...

3181. Ahab Defeats Ben-Hadad

1 Kings 20:13-34

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... rejects them (vv. 5–9). Refusal elicits threat (cf. 19:2), followed by taunt (vv. 10–11). Battle becomes the only option (v. 12). 20:13–21 The mystery of God’s quiet ways, in guiding human affairs through politics, war, and the rest, is well illustrated in what happens next. So far, Ahab has known only prophetic opposition. Now, at the very point when (we know) the future holds only death and destruction for Ahab’s house (19:15–17), he receives from a prophet, for the first time, good news. The ...

3182. A Prophet Condemns Ahab

1 Kings 20:35-43

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... rejects them (vv. 5–9). Refusal elicits threat (cf. 19:2), followed by taunt (vv. 10–11). Battle becomes the only option (v. 12). 20:13–21 The mystery of God’s quiet ways, in guiding human affairs through politics, war, and the rest, is well illustrated in what happens next. So far, Ahab has known only prophetic opposition. Now, at the very point when (we know) the future holds only death and destruction for Ahab’s house (19:15–17), he receives from a prophet, for the first time, good news. The ...

3183. The Shunammite's Son Restored to Life

2 Kings 4:8-37

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... ; a God who brings life from death. It is also the final proof that the God of Elijah is now the God of Elisha. Elisha is unusually endowed with spiritual power and insight—as the marked contrast between his and his servant’s healing, cooking, and providing illustrates. We hear echoes of this story, of course, in the feeding narratives in the Gospels (Matt. 14:13–21; 15:29–39; Mark 6:30–44; 8:1–10; Luke 9:10–17; John 6:1–15); in the face of incomprehension, food is multiplied to provide ...

3184. Death in a Pot

2 Kings 4:38-41

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... ; a God who brings life from death. It is also the final proof that the God of Elijah is now the God of Elisha. Elisha is unusually endowed with spiritual power and insight—as the marked contrast between his and his servant’s healing, cooking, and providing illustrates. We hear echoes of this story, of course, in the feeding narratives in the Gospels (Matt. 14:13–21; 15:29–39; Mark 6:30–44; 8:1–10; Luke 9:10–17; John 6:1–15); in the face of incomprehension, food is multiplied to provide ...

3185. Feeding of a Hundred

2 Kings 4:42-44

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... ; a God who brings life from death. It is also the final proof that the God of Elijah is now the God of Elisha. Elisha is unusually endowed with spiritual power and insight—as the marked contrast between his and his servant’s healing, cooking, and providing illustrates. We hear echoes of this story, of course, in the feeding narratives in the Gospels (Matt. 14:13–21; 15:29–39; Mark 6:30–44; 8:1–10; Luke 9:10–17; John 6:1–15); in the face of incomprehension, food is multiplied to provide ...

3186. Shallum King of Israel

2 Kings 15:13-16

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

Israel’s Last Days: With the death of Jeroboam II, we have reached the “fourth generation” of the divine promise to Jehu (2 Kgs. 10:30). We expect a return to the unstable government, implied by 1 Kings 14:15 and illustrated in 1 Kings 14–16, that preceded the houses of Omri and Jehu. That is what we now find. Reigns change in quick succession, as Israel plunges speedily towards its doom. All deliverance has ceased, and judgment lies just around the corner. 15:8–12 Scarcely has Jeroboam’s son ...

3187. Menahem King of Israel

2 Kings 15:17-22

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

Israel’s Last Days: With the death of Jeroboam II, we have reached the “fourth generation” of the divine promise to Jehu (2 Kgs. 10:30). We expect a return to the unstable government, implied by 1 Kings 14:15 and illustrated in 1 Kings 14–16, that preceded the houses of Omri and Jehu. That is what we now find. Reigns change in quick succession, as Israel plunges speedily towards its doom. All deliverance has ceased, and judgment lies just around the corner. 15:8–12 Scarcely has Jeroboam’s son ...

3188. Pekahiah King of Israel

2 Kings 15:23-26

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

Israel’s Last Days: With the death of Jeroboam II, we have reached the “fourth generation” of the divine promise to Jehu (2 Kgs. 10:30). We expect a return to the unstable government, implied by 1 Kings 14:15 and illustrated in 1 Kings 14–16, that preceded the houses of Omri and Jehu. That is what we now find. Reigns change in quick succession, as Israel plunges speedily towards its doom. All deliverance has ceased, and judgment lies just around the corner. 15:8–12 Scarcely has Jeroboam’s son ...

3189. Pekah King of Israel

2 Kings 15:27-31

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

Israel’s Last Days: With the death of Jeroboam II, we have reached the “fourth generation” of the divine promise to Jehu (2 Kgs. 10:30). We expect a return to the unstable government, implied by 1 Kings 14:15 and illustrated in 1 Kings 14–16, that preceded the houses of Omri and Jehu. That is what we now find. Reigns change in quick succession, as Israel plunges speedily towards its doom. All deliverance has ceased, and judgment lies just around the corner. 15:8–12 Scarcely has Jeroboam’s son ...

3190. Jerusalem's Deliverance Foretold

2 Kings 19:1-13

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... do so to protect the reputation that Sennacherib’s words have called into question (cf. 19:9–19, 34). God will also do so for the sake of David his servant (v. 34). This allusion to the Davidic promise (cf. 1 Kgs. 11:13, 32; 2 Kgs. 8:19) illustrates well the position in which Judah finds herself in these latter days. Hitherto in Kings this promise has been invoked only to explain why the Davidic line continued to rule over Judah even though a particular king was apostate (1 Kgs. 11:9–13, 32–39; 15:4 ...

3191. Hezekiah's Prayer

2 Kings 19:14-19

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... do so to protect the reputation that Sennacherib’s words have called into question (cf. 19:9–19, 34). God will also do so for the sake of David his servant (v. 34). This allusion to the Davidic promise (cf. 1 Kgs. 11:13, 32; 2 Kgs. 8:19) illustrates well the position in which Judah finds herself in these latter days. Hitherto in Kings this promise has been invoked only to explain why the Davidic line continued to rule over Judah even though a particular king was apostate (1 Kgs. 11:9–13, 32–39; 15:4 ...

3192. Isaiah Prophesies Sennacherib’s Fall

2 Kings 19:20-37

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... do so to protect the reputation that Sennacherib’s words have called into question (cf. 19:9–19, 34). God will also do so for the sake of David his servant (v. 34). This allusion to the Davidic promise (cf. 1 Kgs. 11:13, 32; 2 Kgs. 8:19) illustrates well the position in which Judah finds herself in these latter days. Hitherto in Kings this promise has been invoked only to explain why the Davidic line continued to rule over Judah even though a particular king was apostate (1 Kgs. 11:9–13, 32–39; 15:4 ...

3193. Joash Repairs the Temple

2 Chronicles 24:1-16

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... advice the king abandoned the temple of the LORD and turned to Asherah poles and idols again. He and his people did not even listen to those prophets who were sent by the Lord to call them back from their wicked ways. This is particularly illustrated in the Chronicler’s own material inserted here. He narrates the event where Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest was inspired by the Lord’s spirit to prophesy against the king. His message bears key concepts of the Chronicler’s theology: because you have ...

3194. The Wickedness of Joash

2 Chronicles 24:17-27

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... advice the king abandoned the temple of the LORD and turned to Asherah poles and idols again. He and his people did not even listen to those prophets who were sent by the Lord to call them back from their wicked ways. This is particularly illustrated in the Chronicler’s own material inserted here. He narrates the event where Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest was inspired by the Lord’s spirit to prophesy against the king. His message bears key concepts of the Chronicler’s theology: because you have ...

3195. Contributions for Worship

2 Chronicles 31:2-21

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... , the verb, well known from other passages in Chronicles, is probably a wordplay on the name of King Hezekiah.) The abundance of the freewill offerings so that the “priests and Levites” had enough to eat and plenty to spare (31:10) is a clear illustration of this devout attitude. 31:11–19 On account of the abundance of the freewill offerings that were brought to the temple, the king gave orders to prepare (kun) storerooms in the temple of the LORD, and this was done (kun). The contributions, tithes ...

3196. The Book of Law Found

2 Chronicles 34:14-33

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... of the LORD (34:31). The Chronicler took over the source text in 2 Kings 23:1–3 in his construction of the present subsection. However, the one prominent change he made in 2 Chronicles 34:30, as well as the addition in 34:32–33, again illustrates the writer’s inclusive attitude. In 34:30 the Chronicler includes the priests and the Levites in the group who had to convene in the temple. In Kings the reference is rather to “the priests and the prophets.” This alteration is in line with the Chronicler ...

3197. Josiah Celebrates the Passover

2 Chronicles 35:1-19

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... the legal stipulations of the Pentateuch. One possible explanation for the Chronicler’s expression (which is also accepted by many commentaries) is that the Chronicler deliberately intertwined two different Pentateuchal legal traditions in this narrative. The Chronicler thereby illustrated his adherence to both the Priestly tradition (Exod. 12) and the Deuteronomic tradition (Deut. 16). 35:14–16 and 35:20 Many commentators refer to the important role that the verb kun (“to order/prepare”) plays in ...

3198. Later Opposition Under Xerxes and Artaxerxes

Ezra 4:6-24

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... the narrator for the delay to end. The content, however, is not irrelevant. No official document from the early period could be found, but copies of these letters were available in the Jerusalem archives. Although they were written long after the temple was completed, they illustrate the general point the narrator makes in verses 4–5. It is clear from 6:14 that he was well aware that Artaxerxes was a later king than Darius, who reigned from 522 to 486, and so he was consciously breaking the time sequence ...

3199. Haman's Rage Against Mordecai

Esther 5:9-14

Understanding Series

Timothy S. Laniak

... the robe to her. Once Amestris found out about the transaction, she had Artaynte’s mother (the sister-in-law and other mistress of Xerxes) mutilated—again, by forcing the king to honor the same open-ended promise (made at his birthday party). This story incidentally illustrates the way in which the royal word (be it promise or edict) can bind even the king (Herodotus, Hist. 9.109–111; cf. Mark 6:23). 5:8 Come tomorrow to the banquet: The rationale for Esther’s decision to ask for a second banquet ...

3200. The Branch of the Lord

Isaiah 4:2-6

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... the earlier demand for human action in 1:15–18. Yet this is no reversion to cheap grace. Renewal involves a white-hot purging by a spirit of judgment (see on 1:21) and of fire (see 1:25, 31). This first occurrence of spirit in Isaiah well illustrates the Hebrew word’s capacity to move between spirit, wind, and breath, to bring disaster as well as renewal (see 30:28; 40:7). In seeking to stand on high as Yahweh does (2:10–22), people evade any need for other security. This security is therefore removed ...