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Showing 3301 to 3325 of 3926 results

3301. King Artaxerxes’ Letter to Ezra

Ezra 7:11-28

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... more dangerous because of robbers on the way. It certainly indicates that the king trusts Ezra. The articles to “deliver to the God of Israel” are those mentioned in 8:25, donated by the king and his officials. Why does the king command the provinces to give so much support to the Jews (7:21–22)? The Persian kings wanted the favor of all the gods. In addition, it was important to Artaxerxes that there be peace in this area of his empire, for in 460 BC there was a revolt in Egypt, and in this same year ...

3302. Further Opposition to the Rebuilding

Nehemiah 6:1-14

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... God because (1) a leader should not fear, and (2) Nehemiah, a layman, is prohibited from entering the temple (6:11–13). He realizes that Sanballat and Tobiah are using their contacts within the community to either intimidate or kill him. There are also apparently other prophets who do not support the wall-building project.

3303. The Agreement of the People

Nehemiah 9:38--10:39

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... , responsibility to the needy, and responsibility to the environment. The chapter teaches us to submit to the authority of God’s Word, to recognize the holiness of the Christian community, and to take seriously our commitment to Christ (cf. Rom. 12:1–2). It teaches us to be faithful in supporting those in full-time Christian service.

3304. Nehemiah's Final Reforms

Nehemiah 13:1-31

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Levites’ ministry (13:10–11). Nehemiah resolves the problem by expelling the Ammonite, purifying the desecrated areas, and putting responsible, trustworthy men in charge of the storerooms (13:12–13). When order is restored, the people again are faithful in giving their support for the priests and Levites. Nehemiah also notices the backslidden condition of the people in their failure to keep the Sabbath (13:15–22). When the people drift away from the Lord, they become lax in obeying God’s will. The ...

3305. Job's Reply to Eliphaz

Job 6:1–7:21

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... them all for turning their backs on expected loyalty (NIV’s “devotion,” Hebrew hesed). By doing so, they forsake “the fear [pious reverence] of the Almighty”—a very telling statement out of Job’s mouth. This bond should be the foundation of acceptance and support, but frightened by Job’s plight, they accuse him of wrong. Job wants none of it: “Be so kind as to look at me. Would I lie to your face?” (6:28). Job is innocent. The friends should affirm this. Job now turns his attention ...

3306. Job's Second Reply to Bildad

Job 19:1-29

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... he has no access to defend his case before God, a theme heard in his last speech (16:18–17:16). There as well, Job has teased out the notion of a witness in heaven, an advocate (16:18–21). To that thought, to that wish for a supporter on high, Job now adds a belief that, should he die without facing God, his “kinsman-redeemer” (Hebrew goel; NIV “redeemer”) will take his case and confront God. The goel—an Israelite sociological phenomenon—is a near relative whose role is to assist a family or ...

3307. Psalm 17

Psalm 17:1-15

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

In five of the twelve direct commands/entreaties in this psalm (cf. 17:1, 6), David asks God to hear his prayers. In the remaining seven (cf. 17:7–8, 13–14), he desires God’s protection and support. In the three indirect commands, David seeks God’s favorable assessment regarding his attitudes and actions (cf. 17:2) and desires that God would overwhelm him with his presence (17:15—literally “when [I am] awakened, may you [fully] satisfy [me] with your likeness”). David portrays his enemies as ...

3308. Psalm 18

Psalm 18:1-50

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 15), angels (18:10), and darkness (18:11, 28). David also has complete confidence that he has a relationship with that all-powerful God. Not only is the Lord David’s God (18:2, 6, 21, 28–29), but he is also David’s rock, fortress, shield, support, and Savior (18:1–2, 18, 46). God gives David a remarkable victory over his enemies—empowering him to fight, honoring him after the battle, and causing the defeated nations to tremble before him (18:31–45). God does all this because he delights in David ...

3309. Psalm 35

Psalm 35:1-28

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... to falter because of the misery they have caused him (35:4–8, 11–16, 19–21, 26). He also declares his intent to praise God when God overcomes those enemies (35:9–10, 18, 28). Verse 27 is a rarity in the Psalms—David indicates that some people apparently support him. He urges them to praise God for watching over him.

3310. Psalm 82

Psalm 82:1-8

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 81:13–16, God answers them in generic terms: “Listen to me . . . follow my ways.” Now, in 82:1–2, God gives them specifics. He redirects their question back to them: “How long” will you, O Israel, contradict all that I have taught you, by supporting the wicked and forsaking the helpless? Defend the defenseless; rescue those dominated by the world (82:3–4). In verses 1 and 6, God refers to his people as “gods” (cf. John 10:22–39). He uses that term metaphorically to describe those who are ...

3311. Sayings of the Wise: Admonitions for Societal Relationships

Proverbs 22:17--24:22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... .) Drastic measures may be needed to curb an uncontrolled appetite or inordinate desire (22:2–3). Such food may be “deceptive,” intended as a test of your self-discipline rather than simply as a calorie-rich diet. Verses 4–5 support this interpretation, warning against exhausting efforts to acquire fleeting riches. Verses 6–8 involve a begrudging host (literally “one evil of eye”), complementing the equally deceptive host of verses 1–3. The much cited translation of verse 7a, “as he ...

3312. Pleasures Accomplish Little

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... and sexual delight (2:8b). The NIV notes that the translation “harem” for Hebrew shiddah is uncertain. A similar Hebrew word, shad, means “breast” and occurs together with the word translated here as “delights” in Song of Solomon 7:6–7, supporting this understanding (compare Judg. 5:30, literally “a womb or two”). He summarizes his unrivaled status and accomplishments (2:9) and opportunities for self-gratification (2:10a) and concludes positively (2:10b) that his heart (i.e., the core of ...

3313. Time and Eternity

Ecclesiastes 3:1-22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... cf. Deut. 4:2; 12:32). The best course for humans, then, is to revere God, since, unlike humans, who cannot produce anything fundamentally new (cf. Eccles. 1:9–10), God can even “call the past to account” (3:14–15). This rendering is supported by 3:16–17, which continues the theme of divine judgment. An alternative translation of the difficult wording of verse 15b is “God seeks out the persecuted,” which does not fit the context as well, or “God can seek (successfully) that which already has ...

3314. Wealth is Meaningless

Ecclesiastes 5:8--6:12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... portrayal, offering minimal details and thus facilitating a broader application. Hoarded wealth can harm its owner, perhaps through distorting values and lifestyle, leading either to decadence or to miserly self-deprivation (5:13). Verse 17 along with 4:8 may support the latter interpretation, in describing life as lived “in the dark” (contrasted with light in Eccles. 2:13; 11:7–8), plagued by psychological, physical, and emotional pain (cf. Eccles. 2:23). Wealth also can be easily lost. The Hebrew ...

3315. One Should Embrace Wisdom and Avoid Folly

Ecclesiastes 9:13-10:20

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... root hata (cf. 9:18) as “errors” rather than “sins” (only here of almost six hundred Old Testament occurrences), takes this word as referring instead to the cause of the ruler’s anger (as in Prov. 10:12). The former interpretation is supported by verse 5: Qoheleth has observed the type of “evil” or harmful “error” (here shegagah, as in Eccles. 5:6) that powerful leaders can promote. Social structures are turned upside down, with fools and servants being promoted and wealthy leaders and ...

3316. Be Joyful & Reverent

Ecclesiastes 11:7--12:8

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... are editorial in nature and similar to ancient Near Eastern colophons. As will be noted below, many of the key words in this section occur repeatedly throughout the book, though sometimes with a different nuance. This fact could support either a common author or an editor’s intentional imitation. The more significant consideration is how one assesses this proposed editor’s attitude toward Qoheleth’s wisdom. Since the nineteenth century, there have been interpreters, including those responsible ...

3317. Tyre

Isaiah 23:1-18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... prophecy, while it reflects historical events, has eschatological overtones. It is difficult to find a precise fulfillment for the restoration of Tyre except that in the middle of the third century BC Tyre again became a trading city. However, Tyre did not send a portion of its revenues to support the temple worship in Jerusalem. Tyre, representing all of the port cities and trading capitals of the world, is symbolic of God’s judgment on national wealth if that wealth is not used for the kingdom of God.

3318. Terror on Every Side

Jeremiah 20:1-6, Jeremiah 20:7-18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... as an innocent sufferer. To shout violence is the equivalent of the modern “Emergency!” Jeremiah’s personal frustration in dealing with an irresistible urge to speak is compounded by external opposition. “Friends” (20:10) is a tongue-in-cheek designation. His “support system” has collapsed. They mock him with the slogan of his own message, “Terror on every side.” The statement of confidence about God as warrior (20:11) harks back to Jeremiah’s call (1:8, 19). God’s vengeance contrasts ...

3319. Submit to Babylon’s Yoke!

Jeremiah 27:1-22, Jeremiah 28:1-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... sign acts (chaps. 13, 19, 32, 43). The accompanying message is compelling. Ancient kings surrounded themselves with prophets and soothsayers. The latter were forbidden in Israel (Lev. 19:26; Deut. 18:10–11). Jeremiah brands as liars prophets who give their support to the planned insurrection. Jeremiah fights for a hearing both inside and outside of Judah. Everywhere he preaches his unwelcome message of disaster (and now of surrender), it is contested and contradicted. The same message is given to the king ...

3320. Ezekiel’s Call

Ezekiel 2:1-3:15

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... . He is not to be results-oriented. Rather, he is to be obedience-oriented. He is to speak God’s words to them. There is no record that Ezekiel ever faced opposition, like Jeremiah did, even though his flock is far from inviting, encouraging, and supportive. Chapter 2 anticipates trouble, but it never emerges. But to be forewarned is to be forearmed anyway. One thing Ezekiel must not do is lower himself to the people’s spiritual level (2:8). His obedience must become a model and stimulus for them rather ...

3321. Idolatry in the Temple

Ezekiel 8:1-18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the national council is corrupt. The text names one of these elders: Jaazaniah son of Shaphan (8:11). He is from a distinguished family in the time of Josiah. Shaphan was secretary to Josiah (2 Kings 22:3). One of his sons (Ahikam) was a staunch supporter of Jeremiah (Jer. 26:24). Another son (Gedaliah) was appointed governor of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 25:22). Jaazaniah is apparently the black sheep of the family. It is not clear why the people perform their acts of homage in the darkness (8:12 ...

3322. Two Eagles and a Vine

Ezekiel 17:1-24

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Zedekiah, and the other great eagle to which the seedling is attracted is the king of Egypt, Psammeticus II (595–589 BC). The branches that stretch out to the second eagle are various parties and emissaries Zedekiah sent to Egypt to gain assistance and support in overthrowing the Babylonian presence in Israel. For such malfeasance God condemned Zedekiah to execution in exile (17:16). Pharaoh (the second eagle) will be of little help to him then. Zedekiah’s sin is that he despised the oath and broke the ...

3323. Individual Responsibility

Ezekiel 18:1-32

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of the previous generation (18:2). If the children’s teeth (those in exile?) are set on edge, it is because they have eaten sour grapes, and not their fathers. After disposing of this misconception, Ezekiel constructs a theological/legal argument in support of the thesis of individual responsibility. To establish his case, he uses a three-generational model. The first generation is represented by the righteous father (18:5–9). He is characterized by no fewer than twelve virtues. He is free of cultic ...

3324. A Prophecy Against Egypt

Ezekiel 29:1-21

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... is not a new metaphor but goes back to Isaiah. The Assyrian Sennacherib sneered at Hezekiah for depending on “Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff” (Isa. 36:6), in a time of crisis. The point here is not that Egypt failed to provide sufficient support and aid to Judah in her fight against the Babylonians. Quite the opposite. Her fault is that she even encouraged Israel to look on her as a source of confidence (29:16). She gave every impression of collaborating with Israel in her fight for independence ...

3325. A Lament for Egypt

Ezekiel 30:1-26

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Ezekiel predicts that a sword will come against Egypt (30:1–19). Egypt will take six of her supporters with her to her doom: Cush, Put, Lydia, Arabia, Libya, and the people of the covenant land. This last expression refers to foreign mercenaries serving in the Egyptian armies. The general declaration of Egypt’s demise (30:1–9) is followed by a specific announcement of how this demise will ...

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