Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: Levi, disciple, evangelist, tax collector, the 12, the twelve, apostle, sermon on the mount, jewish audience, beatitudes, lord's prayer, great commission, parables, olivet discourse, mount of olives, olivet, synoptic

Showing 3551 to 3575 of 4942 results

3551. Victory over the Nations and Administration in Israel

1 Chronicles 18:1-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

First Chronicles 18–20 follows up on the statements made in the dynastic oracle in chapter 17, showcasing Yahweh’s fulfilling his promise to subdue all David’s enemies and make his name great on the earth (see 1 Chron. 17:8, 10) and revealing why David’s involvement in blood and war (1 Chron. 22:8–10) will make his son Solomon the candidate for building the temple (1 Chron. 17:11–12). David’s many victories will provide the peace essential for the building projects Solomon will undertake and also the ...

3552. Victory over Ammon and Aram

1 Chronicles 19:1-19

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Chapter 19 continues the series of accounts in 1 Chronicles 18–20 that traces David’s victories over his enemies, which are a fulfillment of Yahweh’s promise to him in 1 Chronicles 17:8–10, as well as justification for why David as man of blood and war is not allowed to build the temple (1 Chron. 22:8–10). First Chronicles 19:1–5 highlights the incident that causes tension with the Ammonites. It appears that Ammon has been on friendly terms with David, possibly because David and the father Nahash shared a ...

3553. Other Pursuits

2 Chron 8:1–9:31

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Having completed his description of Solomon’s temple building (chaps. 2–7), the Chronicler now offers some insight into Solomon’s other activities, which reveal the ways Yahweh blesses Solomon for his faithfulness to the temple project. This new phase of the account begins with a summary note in 8:1, which identifies the period in view as after the completion of the temple. The first set of activities (8:2–11) is secular and includes construction projects and the organizing of human resources. Urban areas ...

3554. Rehoboam Fortifies Judah

2 Chron 11:5-23

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Rehoboam’s obedience to the prophet in 11:4 foreshadows the second phase of his reign, one characterized by faithfulness, which follows in 11:5–23. Here Rehoboam becomes an exemplar of the Chronicler’s historical principle, showing that with obedience and religious reform (11:13–17) comes divine blessing in the form of military fortification (11:5–12) and abundant progeny (11:18–23). It is interesting that the religious reform is linked to the return of priests and Levites from the north who rejected ...

3555. The Reign of Asa

2 Chron 14:2-19

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

As is the trend throughout the post-Solomonic account in 2 Chronicles, the reign of Asa begins with a summary note, describing his accession after the death of his father Abijah in 14:1–2. Asa’s reign is divided into three basic phases, with an early phase of preliminary religious fidelity rewarded by military success (chap. 14), a middle phase of heightened religious renewal in response to the prophetic word (chap. 15), and a later phase of infidelity through foreign alliance and plundering of the ...

3556. Later Opposition Under Xerxes and Artaxerxes

Ezra 4:6-24

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Ezra 4:6–23 is a parenthetic statement that tells how opposition to the Jews continued in the time of kings Xerxes I (486–465 BC) and Artaxerxes I (464–424 BC). Thus, this parenthesis must include a period of nearly eighty years, from the events of Ezra 5 (520 BC) until the early part of Artaxerxes’ reign, before Nehemiah is sent to Jerusalem (445 BC). Why does the author skip ahead chronologically? He apparently thought it important to emphasize the continuing opposition, possibly to justify the decision ...

3557. Resolution: The Temple Building Continued and Finished

Ezra 5:1-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Ezra 5:1 takes up the account from 4:24. Sixteen years have passed since 4:1, when the neighboring “enemies” were able to halt the work. The people have good excuses for not trying to build the temple; after all, their neighbors stopped them when they tried to build. But according to Haggai (1:9–10), who was preaching in Jerusalem at that time (520 BC), they have become more interested in building their own houses and are guilty of putting their own comfort before their responsibility to God. God expects ...

3558. Opposition from Within: The Crisis of Intermarriage

Ezra 9:1-15

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

In this second movement of the book (Ezra 7–10), the crisis or conflict is the problem of mixed marriages with pagan neighbors. It is an outright disobedience of God’s commands and threatens the future of the covenant community. This episode takes place four months after the events of chapter 8 (see Ezra 10:9). Ezra has been teaching God’s written word. He does not try to do everything himself; his policy is to prepare leaders through teaching the law of God. Throughout this chapter there are many ...

3559. Ezra Reads the Law

Neh 7:73b–8:18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

7:73b–12:26 Review · Spiritual Renewal According to the Torah:Now that the reconstruction of the wall is finished, no time is wasted in making sure the community keeps its priorities in order. The people recognize the influence that times of spiritual renewal have had in their own past history under Asa (2 Chronicles 14–15), Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29–31), and Josiah (2 Chronicles 34–35). The seventh month was an ideal time to seek another renewal, for the first day was the Feast of Trumpets, which later ...

3560. The New Residents of Jerusalem

Nehemiah 11:1-36

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

11:1–12:26 Review · Nehemiah’s concern about the lack of population in Jerusalem (Neh. 7:4–5, 35) is taken up again in chapter 11. The author follows a very logical sequence in this final section (Nehemiah 8–13). First are the revival and the people’s covenant to be faithful to God. The next step in the consolidation of the community, as well as the community’s worship, is the repopulation of Jerusalem. After this we will see another emphasis on the genealogical list, then the dedication of the wall ( ...

3561. Prologue

Job 1:1-5

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Notice: This commentary on the book of Job does not explore the book chapter by chapter. Every reader can experience the book in that fashion. Rather, we have focused on sections and characters, attempting to present to the reader a vista that sees the whole of them in a less fractured setting than the setting in the story. This context will then complement a chapter-by-chapter reading. 1:1–2:13; 42:7–17 Review · Prologue and Epilogue: A significant poetic story plays out between these two bookends, but ...

3562. Job's Second Reply to Bildad

Job 19:1-29

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Though Job seems to jab right back at Bildad by opening with Bildad’s own first words from his previous speech, “How long” (19:2; cf. 18:2; NIV does not reflect the precise repetition in the Hebrew), Job, as is now the pattern, has all the friends in mind (19:1–6). The friends continue to grieve, humiliate, and abuse Job. The friends’ abuse, however, is matched by God himself (19:7–12). Job, again using figurative images of assault (cf. 16:7–17), utters a lament of God’s mistreatment of him. As Job ...

3563. The Lord Speaks

Job 38:1--41:34

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

38:1–41:34; 40:3–5; 42:1–6 Review · God’s Speeches with Job’s Responses:The polyphony in the words and ideas that have cut across the respective characters’ monologic points of view grinds nearly to a halt with God’s thunderous voice. Job finally gets to stand before God. The wish is granted. But, teasingly, this will be no dialogic interchange. This is monologue. God has a different set of values, other premises than those held by Job. God’s barrage of questions, though in the form of an invitation to ...

3564. Psalm 2

Psalm 2:1-12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Whereas in 1:2 the righteous meditate on God’s truth, in 2:1–2, the wicked plot (literally “meditate”) God’s destruction and that of the Messiah (the Anointed One). Psalm 2 inaugurates the second major theme of the Psalms: the Messiah as final resolver of the problems believers encounter. The nations rage at God, seeking their own way, but God laughs at their folly, countering with his own fury that shakes them to their core (2:3–5). The psalmist reveals the relationship between God and his appointed king ...

3565. Psalm 21

Psalm 21:1-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

In an inclusio of praise to God for his strength, David and his people delight in their God (21:1, 13). Between those two declarations, David reveals God’s exercise of strength toward his servant (21:2–7) and against his enemies (21:8–12). God responds to the desires of the king’s heart, overwhelming him with riches, long life, military success, and eternal blessings (21:2–6). God, moreover, makes the king immovable, because the king trusts in him (21:7). In 21:8–12, David depicts God as controlling, ...

3566. Psalm 27

Psalm 27:1-14

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Confidence in the Lord permeates David’s thought (27:1, 3, 5, 10). He places his trust in the Lord and urges himself to increase that commitment (27:4, 8, 14). The description of David’s dedication here parallels that found in chapters 23–26. Psalm 27, however, emphasizes potential or real enemies and problems far more than those other psalms (27:3–6, 10–12). Yet, despite facing such dangers, David declares that he is not afraid, because God is his light, salvation, stronghold, protector, helper, and ...

3567. Psalm 32

Psalm 32:1-11

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

This psalm is the first of three sequential psalms that offer God’s blessings (cf. 32:1–2; 33:12; 34:8—cf. Ps. 1:1; 2:12). In 32:1–2, David introduces two blessings that point to God’s forgiveness, and he extends the second to encompass those who conceal no sin. Experientially, David knows these blessings to be true. After he attempted to hide his sin but discovered that God relentlessly ripped joy from his life (32:3–4), David’s confession and God’s forgiveness ensure God’s blessing. David, acknowledging ...

3568. Psalm 36

Psalm 36:1-12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Psalm 36 is a proverbial psalm; essentially every verse describes either the wicked and how they act (36:1–4, 11–12) or God and the godly and how they act (36:5–10). Only rarely does David reveal his presence (36:1, 9, 11). Being self-absorbed and intentionally destructive of others, the wicked care nothing about God (36:1–2, 4). They enjoy that which is sinful and harmful rather than that which is good (36:3–4). God, however, displays a rich love toward all people regardless of their status (36:5–7, 10). ...

3569. Psalm 71

Psalm 71:1-24

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

The author presents his ideas in Psalm 71 in a stair-step fashion: (A) God is good to the psalmist even though he has not yet rescued him from the troubles his enemies are causing him (71:1–13); (B) the psalmist has full confidence in God and will praise him (71:14–16); (A´) God is good to the psalmist even though he has not yet rescued him from the troubles he is causing him (71:17–21); (B´) the psalmist has full confidence in God and will praise him, for he has begun his deliverance (71:22–24). Several ...

3570. Psalm 77

Psalm 77:1-20

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

At the beginning of this psalm, God’s people know him; at the end, the world knows and fears him (76:1–2, 12). (Salem [76:2] is an early name for Jerusalem.) Discouraged with life’s problems, Asaph turns to God in extended prayer but finds no resolution to his troubles (77:1–2). Thinking about God seems to exacerbate his problems, causing him to lose sleep (77:3–4). Pondering the past brings no comfort, only questions: has God given up on his people (77:7)? Has God’s eternal character faltered (77:8)? Does ...

3571. Psalm 78

Psalm 78:1-72

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Psalm 78 begins in hope (with Israel’s forefathers transmitting God’s word from generation to generation; 78:1–7) and ends in hope (with God establishing his dwelling place among his people and choosing his servant David to shepherd his people; 78:65–72). In between, Asaph records God’s miraculous works on Israel’s behalf (78:12–16, 23–29, 42–55, 65–66), Israel’s trivializing of those miracles and rejection of God’s word (78:8–11, 17–20, 22, 32, 36–37, 40–42, 56–58), God’s merciful but powerful judgment ...

3572. Psalm 143

Psalm 143:1-12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Many elements of Psalm 143 parallel those of Psalm 142. David cries out to God for mercy (142:1; 143:1) because his enemies are beyond his capability to handle (142:6; 143:3). He wants God to rescue him (142:6; 143:9) from his enemies’ grasp (142:7—prison; 143:3—darkness). His spirit is worn down (142:3; 143:4); he needs God’s protective care (142:5; 143:9). In Psalm 143, David, unable to worship God freely, seeks freedom from his enemies. He is near to death—exhausted, simply trying to survive (143:1, 3–4 ...

3573. Psalm 144

Psalm 144:1-15

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

In five sequential psalms, David seeks God’s help in terrible crises. Psalms 140–43 highlight his desperation because of his enemies’ overwhelming power and, at times, picture his physical or spiritual life succumbing to pressure. By contrast, Psalm 144 depicts God as a conquering warrior, who sweeps down from heaven on behalf of helpless people and, with great power, defeats their enemies (144:3–6). That same God at times overwhelms his people with blessings at home, in business, and in the world (144:12– ...

3574. Lady Wisdom Exemplified

Proverbs 31:10-31

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Proverbs 31:10–31 is stylistically distinct from the preceding set of admonitions. (The only imperative [command] is in the final verse.) In a twenty-two-verse alphabetic poem, in which each succeeding verse begins with the next Hebrew letter, a woman is presented who embodies all of wisdom’s skills and virtues, from a to z. In context this section serves to counterbalance the initial admonition against sexual promiscuity in verse 3. At the same time, it takes up the sustained contrast within Proverbs 1–9 ...

3575. Recognize that, in the Light of Death, One Must Redeem the Time

Ecclesiastes 9:1-12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Chapters 9–10 of Ecclesiastes address the subjects of how one should live in light of the certainty of death and in light of the theoretical and practical limits of wisdom. The exact demarcation of these respective sections is less clear. Ecclesiastes 8:16–17 could serve as the introduction to 9:1–10, and 9:11–12 could be taken as addressing either the first or the second topic. Verse 11 refers to the wise, while verse 12 may refer to death, and the use of first-person verbs in chapter 9 (vv. 1, 11, 13, 16 ...

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