Sermon and Worship Resources

Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on

Showing 3351 to 3375 of 4943 results

3351. The Lamb and the 144,000

Revelation 14:1-5

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... the heavenly voices, suggest soothing and melodious words of divine praise. John identifies their lyrics as belonging to a new song that the redeemed chorus sings before the throne of God. If we understand that the words of this new song are in continuity with those of the earlier “new song” found in 5:9–10, as well as with the remnant’s subsequent songs of “Moses and the Lamb” found in 15:3–4, then this particular eschatological hymn also celebrates God’s deliverance of the faithful ...

3352. Seven Angels With Seven Plagues

Revelation 15:1-8

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... God commissions those sacred tasks which complete the promised salvation. John qualifies the importance of the temple as the site of the angelic commissioning with the appositional phrase, the tabernacle of the Testimony. This phrase would seem to suggest that John continues to use the Exodus narrative as a template to arrange the events of his vision. Accordingly, after crossing the Reed Sea, Israel received the Decalogue (Exod. 19–20) and preserved a copy in the ark of the covenant, which they then ...

3353. The Fall of Babylon

Revelation 18:1-24

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... felt and acknowledged through the creative arts of God’s creatures in testimony of the Lord’s rule over creation (cf. Rev. 4:11). Since Babylon has become a “home for demons,” the light of a lamp will never shine. And marriage, a symbol of continuity, is no longer relevant since the great city Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again. The relationship between the last two sentences and the rest of the song is not apparent, except to repeat and therefore to emphasize the two great evils ...

3354. The Grain Offering

Leviticus 2:1-16

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... (Rom. 12:1–2; Heb. 13:15–16). Also relevant is Jesus’ reference to believers as “the salt of the earth” (Matt. 5:13). As salt is an agent of seasoning and preservation, so believers are to “season” life from the basis of a preserved or continuing relationship with God. When Jesus refers to himself as “the bread of life” (John 6), he calls the community of faith to partake of bread and wine as sacrificial food, a memorial portion for all believers, an act of faith in the one who gives life ...

3355. The Sin Offering

Leviticus 4:1--5:13

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... to the fore. A purification offering of a young bull is thus necessary. The elders of the congregation then, as representatives of the community, press their hands against the head of the bull—an act of identification with the sacrifice. 4:16–21 The ceremony continues to resemble the purification offering for the high priest, with cleansing by blood, the burning of fat, and the proper disposal of the rest of the animal. For the first time in the passage about sin offerings, in verse 20 we find a phrase ...

3356. Oil and Bread Set Before the Lord

Leviticus 24:1-9

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... concerned to keep the light burning regularly during the day and through the night. Against the background of darkness or chaos, light symbolizes order, goodness, and stability. 24:5–9 These verses give instruction about the bread that is also to be in the sanctuary continually. The bread is mentioned in Exodus 25 as well. It is called holy bread or “bread of the Presence” and is in some sense offered to God. At the same time, the bread is part of the priestly portion for their nourishment. The title ...

3357. A Blasphemer Stoned

Leviticus 24:10-23

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... and consequence. This chapter is interesting in that it shows Priestly legislation to be flexible. The purpose seems to be to bring order and appropriateness to the community. In so doing, the text promotes a perspective which respects life as a divine creation. Jesus continues that literary and theological pattern in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:38–39 when he goes beyond the lex talionis to turn the other cheek. Leviticus 24 also connects worship in the first section with order, or ethics, in the ...

3358. Redeeming What is the Lord's

Leviticus 27:1-34

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... one who dedicated it. If the field is not redeemed or is sold to someone else, the right of redemption is forfeited. If the field has not been redeemed by the Jubilee, it becomes the property of the priests; it will become holy. Does the original owner continue to hold legal right over the land even though it has been dedicated to the Lord? That would allow a sale of the property (v. 20), but exactly what is referenced is not clear. When the property becomes the priests’, it is considered devoted to the ...

3359. The Kohathites

Numbers 4:1-20

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... is uncertain. Most translators associate the term takhash with an Arabic word that does make likely some type of sea creature. Others associate the term with an Egyptian word; the NRSV translates it “fine leather” (Davies, Numbers, p. 39). 4:7 The bread that is continually there is a phrase which occurs only here. Budd translates “the regular bread” (Numbers, p. 48). 4:18 The use of shebet, tribal, in reference to a subdivision of a tribe is unusual. It usually refers to one of the main tribes. 4:19 ...

3360. The Passover

Numbers 9:1-14

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... Exodus 40, and the cloud that covered it. The cloud as a symbol of divine presence descended on Sinai and came to be associated with the tabernacle as the divine dwelling place. In the evening, the cloud took on a fiery appearance. The cloud continued with the tent at the center of the camp and became the visible symbol of divine guidance. Whenever the cloud lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. The camp was meticulous in obeying the divine ...

3361. Fire from the Lord

Numbers 11:1-3

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... (v. 16). They are to gather at the Tent of Meeting, and God says, I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. These elders will help Moses bear the burden of leadership. 11:18–23 The divine instruction to Moses then continues. Moses is to tell the people to prepare to eat meat. They are to eat more meat than anyone ever desired or dreamed of—until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it. So God “hears” the murmuring and provides meat—but with a twist, because the ...

3362. Korah, Dathan and Abiram

Numbers 16:1-50

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... with fire and incense in them before the LORD. God will then choose the one who is holy. Moses concludes his response with a reply to the claim that he and Aaron have gone too far (v. 3) by saying, You Levites have gone too far! Moses’ reply continues in verse 8 with an address to Korah, although the message is clearly to all the Levites. Moses reminds the Levites that they have already been given a special status and task: The God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the Israelite community. In ...

3363. Boundaries of Canaan

Numbers 34:1-29

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... and Hazar Enan. The eastern border (vv. 10–12) then runs from Hazar Enan to Shepham . . . to Riblah, east of Ain, to the eastern slopes of the Sea of Kinnereth. This body of water is the Sea of Galilee or Lake Gennesaret of the NT. The border then continues down the Jordan River to the Dead Sea, or Salt Sea. The Priestly tradents have preserved an ancient tradition of the extent of the promised land. This description is similar to that in Joshua 15:1–12 and Ezekiel 47:15–20; 48:1, as well as that in ...

3364. The Philistines Capture the Ark

1 Samuel 4:2-11

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... - Lost and Regained: Having introduced the problems of leadership in Israel, only partially resolved by Samuel’s new role, the narrative moves on to prepare the reader to hear the story of Israel’s kingship. The underlying theme of the nature of power continues: can God’s power be manipulated by manipulation of the sacred ark, which represents God’s presence in Israel? The answer to this question is clear, but it is not explicitly stated. It is likely that the writers make use of a source detailing ...

3365. Israel Asks for a King

1 Samuel 8:1-22

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... the monarchy to proceed. When in spite of Samuel’s clear warnings the desire for a king remained, the request was duly authorized. The monarchy then was seen as a gift from God. 8:21–22 It is usually taken for granted that Samuel continued to view kingship in a negative light, but this chapter, after recording his initial displeasure, gives no indication of his personal feelings. He puts forward all the negative arguments in obedience to God’s will and then with equal obedience acquiesces to God’s ...

3366. Samuel's Farewell Speech

1 Samuel 12:1-25

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... to be unsuccessful. If Samuel is to be credible as the one who acts in the appointment of David, the reader must be sure of Samuel’s integrity. 12:6–11 Having clarified that point, Samuel moves on to a history lesson. The concept of historical continuity was important to all the OT writers, and it was common in this kind of speech to review previous events and actions. The purpose of this was to remind the current generation of the unchanging power of God and to challenge them to behavior that was ...

3367. David Saves Keilah

1 Samuel 23:1-6

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

Saul Seeks Out David: 23:1–6 David’s exile did not mean that he had lost his vision for Israel’s security or his concern for the well-being of his fellow Israelites. The news of particular problems at Keilah stimulated his desire to continue fighting on behalf of God’s people. The Philistines were not taking tribute from the Israelite farmers but were looting the threshing floors. They were waiting until the Israelites had done all the hard work and then depriving them of their livelihood for the ...

3368. David, Nabal, Abigail

1 Samuel 25:1-44

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... shrine around his tomb—in the way that was common in Egypt and other surrounding nations—was not appropriate. We can only speculate whether either David or Saul or both were present at the national assembly called to mourn Samuel’s death. 25:1b–3 David continued to move around the territory and returned to his old haunts in the Desert of Maon (23:24–25). The term desert can give a false impression. Parts of the land were able to provide grazing for animals, even if arable crops needed to be grown ...

3369. Abner Goes Over to David

2 Samuel 3:6-21

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... Israelite groups. David had no doubts that Abner was able to carry out his promise of bringing all Israel over to David. Nevertheless, he introduced one condition that would serve as a sign of Abner’s and Ish-Bosheth’s good faith and would also provide a continuing link with Saul’s family that could help David to unite the country. He insisted on the return of his wife Michal. Nothing in the text indicates that David still had feelings for Michal, and it is hard to see this as anything other than a ...

3370. Wars Against Philistines

2 Samuel 21:15-22

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... a good ally and a fierce enemy also gave them greater security against outside attack. “Lamp” is used elsewhere as a symbol for life (Job 21:17; Prov. 20:20), and the symbol of the lamp continuously burning in the temple may be in mind here (cf. Anderson, 2 Samuel, p. 255). This would emphasize the continuity David was seen to provide. 21:18–21 The site of Gob cannot be identified precisely, but it, like Gath, is part of the hill country west of Judah. There are minor problems of identification with ...

3371. David Counts the Fighting Men

2 Samuel 24:1-17

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... chapter 22 and the oracle of 23:1–7 leave the reader with a strong sense of the character and purposes of the God of Israel. In addition, this final story reemphasizes the nature of human perfidy and God’s faithfulness and mercy. It also provides a context for the continuing story as recorded in 1 and 2 Kings. God still has a purpose for Israel, God still desires worship and service, God still acts on Israel’s behalf. The site is purchased, the sacrifice is made, the plague is over, life in the land ...

3372. Zophar

Job 11:1-20

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... the debate. Thus his own silence will appear tantamount to vindication of Job’s viewpoint.) Zophar’s call to refute Job’s words is a public declaration that he considers Job a fool, and not wise. 11:3 Zophar continues to undermine Job’s speech. His volume of words is suspect, and one wonders whether he is just a glib talker. His speech is idle talk (Heb. bad, “empty/idle talk; chatter”) not worthy of a hearing. Even more negatively, Zophar accuses Job of mockery (Heb. lʿg, a sort ...

3373. The King’s Thanksgiving for Military Victories

Psalm 18:1-50

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... of refuge (v. 30). The rest of this psalm’s thanksgiving (vv. 4–6, 16–19) sticks to the general motif of deliverance from death, which is typical of thanksgiving psalms (e.g., Pss. 30; 116) and says nothing directly of battle. 18:4–6 The thanksgiving continues by narrating the distress, the speaker’s cry to my God (an expression at home in the psalms of the individual, also v. 2) and the claim that he has heard. As is typical, the description of the distress does not detail any particulars, so as ...

3374. A Victory Procession and Instruction for Temple Entry

Psalm 24:1-10

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... “the LORD Almighty,” v. 10), “a warrior (Hb. gibbôr) mighty in battle” (v. 8), is now the King of glory (vv. 7–10) over all the world (v. 1). These verses alert us to the fact that creation order is not a given, rather Yahweh must continue to exert his heroic strength to maintain it. This is a message that we in the nuclear and environmentally critical age must take to heart. 24:3–6 Now why is this victory celebration that consistently runs through verses 1–2 and 7–10 interrupted by verses ...

3375. Betrayed by God in Battle?

Psalm 44:1-26

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... referring to God in the third person. As in verse 8, reference is made to God’s name (also v. 5), and the title God has probably replaced the name “Yahweh” (the Lord) in verse 21 (see above). Because verse 22, which is closely connected (“yet,” Hb. kî), continues the direct address of God, these verses appear to ask God a question about God. In effect, they ask him to judge his own conduct! Mention of his penetrating knowledge is often made when he acts as judge (7:9; 11:4; 17:3; 26:2; 139:1–24 ...

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