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 3551 to 3575 of 4963 results

3551. The Plague of Locusts

Exodus 10:21-29

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... that the Lord again hardened his heart. The Lord promised to harden Pharaoh’s or the Egyptians’ hearts in the future (“I will harden,” 4:21; 7:3; 14:4, 17). The balance of the references to his hard heart remind us that Pharaoh himself was responsible for his hard heart (7:13–14, 22–23; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 34–35). He enslaved and oppressed the people of his own volition long before the Lord began this hardening. God claimed to harden the pharaoh’s heart (thereby prolonging the slavery of ...

3552. The Song of Moses and Miriam

Exodus 15:1-21

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... s song is the refrain with which Moses’ song began (v. 1). Sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea. The two songs work together to provide verse and refrain as well as call and response. The only difference between them is the main point. Miriam sang and called Israel to sing with the plural imperative (you all) “Sing!” while Moses sang, “I will sing.” Miriam and all the women lead the singing and dancing in celebration of the Lord’s victory ...

3553. Water from the Rock

Exodus 17:1-7

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... is to judge their ingratitude and lack of faith as ridiculous, causing the reader/hearer to feel superior. The second response may be closer to the intention of the biblical narrative: to recognize one’s own enduring tendency to serve self- ... interest, not to recognize the Lord’s presence, and not to trusting God for daily needs. This second response carries forward into the tradition to be sung by later generations in Psalm 95:7b–8: “Today, if you hear his voice, do ...

3554. Offerings for the Tabernacle

Exodus 25:1-9

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... would live in the midst of a people who had said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die” (20:19). God’s concern for the detail in the tabernacle is partly a response to this problem. God’s intention was to be present without overwhelming the people. God sought the intimacy of daily relationship (as in the details of the law) and presence, yet also required differentiation from the people. God is immanent as well as transcendent. We can see ...

3555. The New Stone Tablets

Exodus 34:1-28

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... a synonym for God’s “forgive” (v. 7, nasaʾ, lit., “lift a burden”). Moses was saying, in effect, “Please apply your commitment to be a forgiving God in this particular case of the golden calf.” As we shall see, the Lord’s response is an implied, “Yes, I will.” Crisis Resolved: Yahweh Renews the Covenant · In 34:10–28 God responds to Moses’ prayer of acceptance (vv. 9–10) by making a covenant. The content of the renewed covenant demonstrated the Lord’s persistent intention to ...

3556. Israel Fights the Remaining Canaanites

Judges 1:1-36

Understanding Series

Cheryl A. Brown

... because as it has presently been identified, it lies far to the north or to the west of Judah’s allotted territory, in the area allotted to the tribe of Manasseh or Ephraim rather than Judah. Judges 1:1–36 implies that each tribe was responsible for conquering its own territory, so what was Judah doing so far away from its inheritance? Related to this is the question of identifying Adoni-Bezek. A similar name, Adoni-Zedek (Josh. 10:1, 3), appears in some Greek manuscripts of Joshua as Adonibezek, with ...

3557. The Song of Deborah

Judges 5:1-31

Understanding Series

Cheryl A. Brown

... that “and Barak” was a later addition, probably suggested by the reference to Barak in verse 12. 5:2–5 The Song begins with a statement of the occasion for singing: an enthusiastic response to the muster call. Two groups respond, the princes in Israel and the people, both leaders and followers. Why would something as earthy as a response to a call to arms occasion a song of this importance? Deborah answers in lines 3–5. The people in reality are responding not to Deborah but to the LORD. Princes and ...

3558. The Genealogy of David

Ruth 4:13-22

Understanding Series

Michael S. Moore

... -“sustainer” (kalkel, Gen. 45:11). Third, the final focus of this choros is on Ruth. Whatever roles Boaz, Yahweh, and Naomi might play in this drama, Ruth is ultimately the person responsible for giving birth to Obed. In this sense Ruth is the hero of the story, the person ultimately responsible for bringing order out of chaos (Sasson, Ruth, p. 202). Without her willingness to love Naomi, without her willingness to abandon her homeland, without her willingness to beg publicly, without her willingness ...

3559. David Numbers the Fighting Men

1 Chronicles 21:1-22:1

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... in his hand extended over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell facedown. David’s renewed petition to God (in 1 Chron. 21:17, which is a heavily adapted form of the source text in 2 Sam. 24:17) shows that David takes responsibility for the wrongdoing of the census. He therefore asks, O LORD my God, let your hand fall upon me and my family (“my house”), but do not let this plague remain on your people. He realizes that this incident has implications for Yahweh’s eternal ...

3560. Cyrus Helps the Exiles to Return

Ezra 1:1-11

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... the mission of 1:1–4. This section relates the official restitution of temple “vessels” (NRSV) to the returning group (1:7–11). 1:5–6 First, however, we find an introductory passage that details the close correspondence between Cyrus’ edict and the response it triggered, step by step. The events that follow fulfilled the commands in the divinely inspired proclamation. Having been told to go back to rebuild the temple in verse 3, God’s people took steps to do so. Their Gentile neighbors duly ...

3561. Builders of the Wall

Nehemiah 3:1-32

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... the Jerusalem population were represented in the communal project, from priests and other temple staff to laity such as merchants and guild members. Judeans from a number of towns in the province, such as Jericho (v. 2), came to the city and took responsibility for certain sections. In a number of cases they were grouped under the leadership of officers in charge of administrative regions in the province, who were officially assigned to the project, as verse 17 (for his district) seems to indicate. 3:1–5 ...

3562. Ezra Reads the Law

Neh 7:73b–8:18

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... to rejoice is reminiscent of Ezra 3:12–13, where official rejoicing mingled with lamenting dissatisfaction. Here, however, the grief was evidently due to the content of the reading, which prompted a healthy recognition of falling short of its standards, like King Josiah’s response to the reading of the Torah in 2 Kings 22:11–13. Yet the sacred duty of the day as devoted to the joyful worship of God made tears inappropriate. Rejoicing over the Lord is described as a source of protection, the people’s ...

3563. Haman's Plot to Destroy the Jews

Esther 3:1-15

Understanding Series

Timothy S. Laniak

... than half the empire’s economy. For these figures, see Fox, Character, p. 51. It is unclear if Haman is offering his own funds or those at his disposal (i.e., in the provincial treasuries). 3:11 Do with the people as you please: The king’s unhesitating response to Haman’s accusation and proposal betrays a flaw that Xerxes did not admit. A portion of one of his inscriptions describes just the kind of king he isn’t in the story of Esther: “What a man says against a man, that does not convince me ...

3564. Sayings of the Wise

Proverbs 22:17--24:22

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... decision is to be made at the gate of the city. 24:8–9 These verses are linked by the word “scheme” (Hb. zmm), which is associated with evil and folly. 24:10–12 These verses probably go together, urging one to a sense of responsibility for others. The translation of verse 10 in the NIV fits into this context. However, the NIV deliberately separates verse 10 from verse 11 and understands it in a general sense. Reaction to stress is an indication of one’s strength (so also McKane, Proverbs). The ...

3565. Wisdom is Meaningless

Ecclesiastes 1:12-18; 2:1-26

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Huwiler

... ). The analysis consists of reflection on the meaning, value, and permanence of those results. The project, then, has a philosophical purpose, although it involves physical as well as mental endeavor. Qohelet’s evaluative comments take the reader through a complex series of responses. The section begins and ends with negative evaluations: “What a heavy burden God has laid on men! I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind” (1:13–14 ...

3566. A Time for Everything

Ecclesiastes 3:1-22

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Huwiler

... the third commendation of enjoyment of life (3:22). Because people do not know what happens after their lifetimes, the best they can do is enjoy life while it lasts. The closing rhetorical question (who can bring him to see, 3:22) anticipates a negative response. This is the first specific reference to lack of knowledge of the future, which will become an important theme later in the book. Additional Notes 3:2 A time to be born: The translation to be born makes excellent sense given the pairing with “to ...

3567. Riches Are Meaningless

Ecclesiastes 5:8--6:12

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Huwiler

... one who is stronger must also be God. The lack of explicit mention of God may be an expression of human (even Qohelet’s) inability to contend with this stronger one, or it may be a rhetorical ploy by which the readers are pushed to take responsibility for their own inferences. Readers may find some irony in the rejection of wordiness at this point. Qohelet has already warned against many words (5:3, 7). Even if the book were to end here, Qohelet could be accused of repetitiveness and, in fact, the second ...

3568. Wisdom

Ecclesiastes 7:1--8:1

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Huwiler

... of the deity to this point. It is, however, in keeping with a strain of Israelite monotheism that insists on God’s responsibility for everything, the bad as well as the good. See, for example, Job 2:10, 2 Samuel 24, and Isaiah 45:6–7. The ... closing verse, with its brief affirmation of happiness, emphasizes God’s responsibility for both good and bad times and returns to the theme of human ignorance about the future. Where Is Wisdom? (7:15–29): ...

3569. Not One is Upright

Jeremiah 5:1-31

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

... the leaders, not the poor who are in the streets. He is quickly disillusioned (5:3–6), and finally, on this basis, God proclaims that his coming judgment is just (5:7–9). 5:1–2 The challenge goes out, presumably to Jeremiah in the light of the response in verses 3–6, to find a righteous person, that is one who deals honestly and seeks the truth. If such a person can be found, then God says he will forgive the whole city. Such a statement is reminiscent of Abraham’s bartering with God over the ...

3570. Jerusalem Under Siege

Jeremiah 6:1-30

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

... There are multiple roads the journey of life can take, but the ancient/good path is the one that conforms to God’s desire for the nation. Here is where they will find rest. They are at the crossroads and are called upon to make a decision. The people’s response is quick and to the point. They utterly refuse. With that, God says he set up watchmen, an obvious reference to the prophets (see use of this metaphor in Ezek. 3:17; 33:1–9). When they see trouble, they are to blow the trumpet (ram’s horn) as ...

3571. A Letter to the Exiles

Jeremiah 29:1-23

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

... letter is addressed to all the exiles. Of interest in the description of the addressee is the fact that God tells them that it was he (all those I carried into exile) that sent them to Babylon, again making clear that it was God’s ultimate responsibility and that Nebuchadnezzar was the unwitting tool of his judgment. The message is forcefully stated. The exiles will be in Babylon for a long time. They are not coming back in the near term. Thus, they should settle in by building houses and planting gardens ...

3572. Jeremiah in Prison

Jeremiah 37:1-21

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

... . He asks him “Is there any word from the LORD?” It is clear Zedekiah was hoping for something different than what he heard. The oracle was short and to the point: you will be handed over to the king of Babylon. The text does not record Zedekiah’s response to this harsh oracle. Rather Jeremiah now has a private request for the king. He wants the king to better his condition. Jeremiah pleads that he has committed no crime. He knows why he is in prison: it is because he is a prophet who told the truth ...

3573. The Fall of Jerusalem

Jeremiah 52:1-30, Jeremiah 52:31-34

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

... Hag. 1:1; Zech. 3:1; 6:11, see also comments at Jer. 51:59). Zephaniah might be the person of the same name in Jer. 21:1; 29:25–29; 35:4; 37:3. Also listed, though not by name, were the three doorkeepers, priests who were responsible to guard the entrances to the temple. In terms of political figures, none are mentioned by name, but rather by position. These include the officer in charge of the fighting men, seven royal advisors, the secretary who was chief officer in charge of conscripting the people of ...

3574. I am the Man Who Has Seen Affliction

Lamentations 3:1-66

One Volume

Tremper Longman III

... of Lamentations was written. The next verse (v. 38) asserts that good and bad things come from God. He decrees all things. After his second test, Job came to the same conclusion: “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:10a), and with this response Job passed the second test posed by God to his piety (“In all this, Job did not sin” [Job 2:10b]). All of this leads to the conclusion that people should not complain if they are being punished for their sin. If an innocent sufferer like ...

3575. Rend Your Heart

Joel 2:12-17

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... now wants his people to act on that word. He therefore first addresses an imperative call to the priests to take the leadership in calling the people to a fast of repentance, 2:15–16. 2:15–16 The religious leadership of any community is first of all responsible for that community’s relation to God, for it is the religious leaders who have been set apart by special call and office to lead the people in the way of the Lord (cf. Exod. 5:22; 33:12). Priests in Israel were to “distinguish between the ...

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