Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 3401 to 3425 of 3852 results

Numbers 10:11-36

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... the face of impurity or disobedience. Such an emphasis prefigures the narrative in the next major section of the book. The future is never certain, as we will see in Numbers 11. Additional Notes 10:12 The verb set out has to do with breaking camp, originally with pulling up and driving in tent pegs. The exact location of the Desert of Paran is uncertain, but it is often thought to be in the northern Sinai peninsula, and south of the Negeb and Kadesh Barnea, with an eastern border probably running from the ...

3402. Quail from the Lord

Numbers 11:4-35

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... fire from the LORD burns some of the outskirts of the camp. Moses intercedes for the people and the punishment recedes. The location was named Taberah, which means “burning.” Most commentators agree that this brief narrative and the one to follow originate from the time of the monarchy and are part of the prior narrative strands that the Priestly tradents have included in Numbers. This section is an aetiological narrative which explains the name “Taberah,” a place of uncertain location. Also the ...

3403. Report on the Exploration

Numbers 13:26-33

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... Near East (Numbers, p. 138). 13:29 The Amalekites are a traditional enemy of Israel, a strong nomadic group south of the Negev; see Exod. 17:8–16. The Hittites are the remnants of the powerful empire in Asia Minor. The Jebusites are the original inhabitants of Jerusalem. The Amorites and the Canaanites are here distinguished by geography, with the Amorites in the hill country and the Canaanites near the sea and along the Jordan. The Amorites came from Mesopotamia; their name often refers to those who were ...

3404. The Bronze Snake

Numbers 21:4-9

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... to this story in John 3:14–15 and Jesus’ being lifted up on the cross. Additional Notes 21:1–35 It is likely that the chapter is composed of early narratives incorporated into the Priestly project, including several poetic fragments. It is impossible to determine the origin of the various parts. 21:1 Arad is south of Hebron and perhaps here should be thought of as a region with Hormah as its capital. The road to Atharim may be a route from south of the Dead Sea to Hormah; see Budd (Numbers, p. 230 ...

3405. Balaam's Fourth Oracle

Numbers 24:15-19

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... or even mention of the divine spirit is here; Balaam simply speaks as a prophet of God. The opening of the fourth oracle is almost identical to that of the third. One line is added: who has knowledge from the Most High, further indication of the divine origin of Balaam’s words. Balaam then prophesies that one will come out of Israel. That interpretation seems better than interpreting the him in the first part of verse 17 as Israel. The next lines say, A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out ...

3406. Balaam's Final Oracle

Numbers 24:20-25

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... to be used of Cyprus itself. Eber may be the ancestor of the Hebrews (Gen. 10:21–25; 11:14–17). The references to these place names constitute an enigma. The text of vv. 22–24 is particularly problematic. Budd suggests that the oracle originally referred to the coming of the Sea Peoples and was revised at later times. That accounts for the state of the text (Numbers, p. 271). His hypothesis is plausible, but interpretation of the details of vv. 20–24 remains uncertain. 24:25 In 1967 archaeologists ...

3407. Joshua to Succeed Moses

Numbers 27:12-23

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... effort to produce a male heir for the property. Presumably Zelophehad had no such brother, or his wife was dead, and so Levirate marriage was not an option. The customs of Jubilee and redemption (Lev. 25) also are intended to bring property back to its original tribe and family. Behind all these practices is the view that the land finally belongs to God. A further question about the case of the daughters arises in the last chapter of Numbers: If the daughters marry outside the tribe, does the property go to ...

3408. Sabbath Offerings

Numbers 28:9-10

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... of chaos, sin, and impurity. Such a concern is important for this new generation as it prepares to enter the land. Modern readers of Numbers do well to remember the community function of these festivals rather than inconclusive debates about their origin. Additional Notes 28:1–29:40 This material certainly bears all the marks of being brought together by the Priestly tradents. Most commentators suggest that these chapters provide some of the most mature instructions on worship in the promised land. Lev ...

3409. Monthly Offerings

Numbers 28:11-25

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

3410. Feast of Weeks (II)

Numbers 28:26-31

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

3411. Unacceptable Sacrifices

Leviticus 22:17--23:2

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... lands and also indicates the perspective of looking toward living in Canaan.) Blemished animals such as those listed are also not to be sacrificed if they are purchased from the hand of a foreigner. Such animals would carry the further question of unknown origins, presumably in a land and among a people not the holy land and people. The concluding sentence of verse 25 summarizes this section. The word translated deformed here may indicate mutilation, though the term is a rare one. These verses mention again ...

3412. Day of Atonement (II)

Leviticus 23:26-32

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... is also prohibited. This observance is a serious one because it is about atonement in relationship with God. The ritual is at the heart of ancient Israel’s life. Those who do not engage in the self-denial of fasting face serious consequences of divine origin. Verses 30–31 make very clear the solemnity of the injunctions about the Day of Atonement. Anyone who works on that day will be eliminated from the people, perhaps a penalty of capital punishment. Verse 32 describes the day as a sabbath of rest and ...

3413. Israel Routs the Philistines

1 Samuel 14:15-23

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... that a significant amount of territory was recovered from Philistine control and that the war was not over. The victory was assigned to the LORD and his saving power, a statement that may be general theologizing. Or the writers may be pointing out that in the original action of Jonathan and in the ensuing confusion, the results were not those of human power or skill, particularly not of Saul. Additional Notes 14:16 It would be easier to see what was going on from Geba than it would from Gibeah, and it is ...

3414. David at Gath

1 Samuel 21:10-15

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... Hereth, his next port of call, is also unidentifiable. The prophet Gad appears without any introduction. He apparently remained with David throughout his long career as a significant adviser (2 Sam. 24; 2 Chron. 29:25), but we are told nothing of his background or origin. 22:6 Virtually every reference to Saul in these chapters has him with spear in hand. His spear was a symbol of his kingship and possibly had some function in the court scene that was taking place. However, it is also possible that the ...

3415. David at Adullam and Mizpah

1 Samuel 22:1-5

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

3416. David and Ziba

2 Samuel 16:1-4

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... panoramic views of surrounding countryside, in this case of the city of Jerusalem. Although such worship centers later became identified with pagan worship and were strongly discouraged, there is no suggestion of that at this point. The people of Hushai the Arkite were originally Canaanites, but their territory became part of Ephraim (1 Chron. 1:15; Josh. 16:2). As an Ephraimite, Hushai might have been expected to follow Absalom and was less likely to create suspicion than if he had been a Judean. That he ...

3417. Shimei Curses David

2 Samuel 16:5-14

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

3418. David Mourns

2 Sam 18:19–19:8

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... likely that the young man exhibits diplomatic skills, imitating Joab’s wiliness. 18:33 David’s desire to have died instead of his son may be an expression of parental grief but seems likely to portray his own sense of responsibility. However, it is not clear whether he saw his original actions with Bathsheba and Uriah, or his handling of Absalom before and after Amnon’s death, as the key factor. Perhaps the two cannot be separated.

3419. The Validity of Jesus' Testimony

John 8:12-30

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... just what I tell you” and even (as a question), “Why do I speak to you at all?” One ancient papyrus has a longer reading: “I told you in the beginning what I speak to you now,” and although this reading is probably not original, it may represent an early paraphrase that captured the intended meaning. 8:28 When you have lifted up the Son of Man: For “lifting up” as an allusion to crucifixion, cf. 3:14. The apparent implication that the Jewish authorities themselves crucified Jesus is surprising ...

3420. The Children of the Devil

John 8:42-47

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... (he is a liar and the father of lies) could also conceivably be read as a reference to the devil’s father (i.e., “even his father is a liar”). Such possibilities may have provided a basis for later Gnostic speculation about the devil’s origins, but in the absence of any such speculations elsewhere in John’s Gospel or Epistles, it is virtually certain that the meaning implied by the NIV translation is correct. The first clause of the verse might be paraphrased, “You are ‘of the Father,’ all ...

3421. The Claims of Jesus About Himself

John 8:48-59, John 8:31-41, John 8:42-47

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

3422. Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

John 14:15-31, John 14:1-4, John 14:5-14

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... for fear.” 14:2 In my Father’s house are many rooms: The “many mansions” of the AV has been changed in most modern versions because of the incongruity of “mansions” within a house. Rooms is literally “dwelling places” (Gr.: monai), the original meaning of “mansion” (from the Latin manere, “to dwell”); cf. Jesus’ promise in v. 23 that he and the Father will come and “make our home” (lit., “dwelling” [monē]) with the person who loves and obeys Jesus. The phrase my Father’s ...

3423. The Disciples' Grief Will Turn to Joy

John 16:17-33, John 16:5-16

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... takes the initiative in granting them an answer (vv. 20–22). The attitude taken toward questions as an aid to revelation in this chapter is articulated a half century later in the Shepherd of Hermas, an edifying Christian narrative of a series of visions originating in the church at Rome. True prophecy (i.e., a “spirit which is given from God”) is distinguished from false prophecy by the fact that it is not “asked questions” or consulted like an oracle. A spirit that is consulted speaks on human ...

3424. Jesus Prays for His Disciples

John 17:6-19

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... me in your presence (v. 5), he presents them to the Father with the acknowledgment that they were yours; you gave them to me (v. 6)—as tangible evidence that his work is done. With this, the intercession begins: Jesus prays in verses 9–19 for the original disciples, while in verses 20–23 he turns his attention to those who will believe in me through their message. The latter section is short because the petitions of verses 9–19 are assumed to apply to the larger group as well. Verses 20–23 simply ...

3425. Jesus Sentenced to be Crucified

John 19:1-16, John 18:28-40

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... , so too does he (cf. 3:31; 8:23). He chooses not to make the answer explicit, and in fact gives Pilate no answer at all. Yet when Pilate makes the claim that Jesus’ fate is in his hands (v. 10), Jesus responds significantly that not only his origin but his destiny is from above, in the sense that it rests with God and with him alone. Pilate’s claim of authority over Jesus, when translated literally, sounds like a feeble echo of Jesus’ own claim in 10:18. The similarities can be shown as follows: 10 ...

Showing results