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 3826 to 3850 of 4963 results

3826. David and Jonathan

1 Samuel 20:1-42

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... somewhat defensively to bring the conversation back to the problem of getting information about Saul’s reaction. Jonathan’s sensitivity to David’s need for reassurance is profound. He will inform David within the first two days of the feast about Saul’s response. Jonathan also gives a categoric assurance backed up by an oath that he will ensure David’s safety if Saul’s reactions are negative. Not only that, he is well aware that David will replace his father, gives his blessing to David, and ...

3827. David at Nob

1 Samuel 21:1-9

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... priests, but they could also have been only too well aware of Saul’s problems and had a clear perception of how unjust such action would be. Doeg had no such qualms, and the destruction that Saul had been unwilling to apply to the Amalekites in response to God’s command was applied without mercy to the little town of Nob. The repetition of herem language in verse 19 (cf. 15:3) shows that the writers were well aware of the irony of this parallel. Only one of the priests, Ahimelech’s son Abiathar ...

3828. David Again Spares Saul's Life

1 Samuel 26:1-25

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... find in chapter 24. David reiterates the arguments. He is guilty of nothing that could justify Saul’s relentless pursuit. If the LORD has incited Saul then, even if David were guilty, an offering would be enough to make atonement. If human beings are responsible, and Saul is implicitly included, then they deserve to be cursed before the LORD, that is, put outside of covenant fellowship with God and his people. They deserve the punishment that they have in effect given to David, to be driven out of Israel ...

3829. David and Bathsheba

2 Samuel 11:1-27

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... despot. He behaved as if he was above the law. The account makes it clear that both king and people must realize that it is unacceptable to God for power to be abused in this way. Verse 5 tells us that a child was conceived. It was thus David’s responsibility to do something about it. 11:6–13 The easiest way to solve David’s problem was for Uriah to be made to think that the child that had been conceived was his. So Uriah was recalled from active service, used by Joab to send dispatches to David, and ...

3830. David Flees

2 Samuel 15:13-37

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... it reflected deep sorrow at what had happened to David. 15:24 Abiathar, who had been with David since his previous days in exile, probably led the Jerusalem priests until he was deposed by Solomon (1 Kgs. 2:27). However, Zadok seems to have had special responsibility for the ark of God and therefore took the lead in this instance. The two men worked closely together over a long period of time. The mention of the covenant in relation to the ark reinforces David’s words concerning God’s control over the ...

3831. Absalom’s Death

2 Samuel 18:1-18

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... (14:26), became his downfall. He was left, helpless and humiliated, hanging in a tree as his transport disappeared from beneath him. Everyone was aware of David’s wishes about Absalom’s safety, and because of this, no one would take the responsibility of killing him. Joab, with harsh realism, believed that Absalom had to die. He understood that the young prince, whom he had previously encouraged and supported, was too dangerous to be allowed to live. He took the initiative, and his personal bodyguard ...

3832. David Returns to Jerusalem

2 Samuel 19:9-43

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... for him. He was offered a position in the king’s household, but he did not need the financial reward and was too old to appreciate the status. He preferred to stay at home. But his son Kimham, presumably a younger son who would not be responsible for managing the family estates, would be delighted to take up David’s offer. Providing Kimham with a significant position in David’s court kept good relations with the surrounding tribes and confirmed David’s reputation as a worthy ally to have. 19:41–43 ...

3833. The Gibeonites Avenged

2 Samuel 21:1-14

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... in behalf of the land. That is, presumably, the famine ended, perhaps as a result of the rain that fell on the crops as well as on the exposed bodies. This answer to prayer could be seen as a further endorsement of David’s lack of responsibility for these events. It was all a demonstration of God’s sovereignty, expressed first in judgment and now in grace. Additional Notes Shimei’s cursing of David (ch. 16) presupposes the death of Saul’s family, although his words are too general for certainty on ...

3834. Silent Comfort: Job’s Three Friends

Job 2:11-13

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... seven days; see Gen. 50:10; 1 Sam. 31:13; also Sir. 22:12; Jdt. 16:24). Among Jews the period of mourning after the funeral is known as Shiva, from sheva ʿ, “seven.” The nature of the mourning here is extreme and exhaustive, in response to the extreme and exhaustive nature of Job’s suffering. The extended silence—no one said a word to him—mirrors the traditional Jewish practice of the guests remaining silent until the primary mourner speaks. “Comforters are not permitted to say a word until the ...

3835. Mercy for the Languishing

Psalm 6:1-10

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... , in particular, were probably recited right at the sickbed and overseen by a liturgist or elder. This psalm’s abrupt shift from despair (vv. 6–7) to confidence (vv. 8–10), inspired by the certainty that “the LORD has heard my cry,” may be the response to a “salvation oracle” delivered by a priest between verses 7 and 8. The reference to a sleepless night (v. 6) may suggest our psalm was to be recited in the morning. This would be consistent with the previous psalms, which appear to be either ...

3836. The Baptism of Jesus

Matthew 3:13-17

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... boy. Since Joseph does not appear in later accounts (e.g., no mention is made of him at the wedding at Cana, John 2:1–12), and since it appears that he was quite a bit older than Mary, most writers conclude that Jesus, as the eldest son, took responsibility for the family when Joseph died and provided for them until he entered into his public ministry (about thirty years of age, Luke 3:23). 3:13–15 Jesus travels from Galilee to the Jordan River where John was baptizing all who came out to him (cf. v. 5 ...

3837. The Calling of the First Disciples

Matthew 4:18-22

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... call is not unlike that of Old Testament prophets (cf. 1 Kings 19:19–21). To leave one’s work and quite literally “follow after” Jesus is what it means to be a disciple (this reflects the practice of many famous teachers of antiquity). The response was immediate. Peter and Andrew leave their nets and follow Jesus. Shortly after this another set of brothers, James and John, were working on their nets in a boat with their father Zebedee. When called by Jesus they abandon their work and follow Jesus ...

3838. Thanksgiving for the King’s Victories in Battle

Psalm 21:1-13

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... of verse 1 shows, “Yahweh, in your strength the king rejoices.” The blessings here bestowed upon the king are not automatic, nor are they the king’s divine right. Rather, Yahweh has “granted him” (Hb. nātattâ lô in both vv. 2 and 4) these blessings in response to specific requests from the king (the request of his lips in v. 2 and he asked you in v. 4). (The interplay of the king’s “asking” [Hb. šʾl] and Yahweh’s “giving” [Hb. ntn] is prominent in 20:4–5; 21:4; 2:8.) In other ...

3839. The Voice of the Lord in the Thunderstorm

Psalm 29:1-11

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... forests bare (here we may think of lightning sparking a forest fire); the LORD makes Mount Hermon skip . . . like a young wild ox; the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh. Appropriately, this powerful and majestic display elicits a response: and in his temple all cry, “Glory!” This cry is also a response to the opening twofold imperative to ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name, which name is the God of glory (v. 3). This title is reminiscent of the “King of glory” in 24:7–10, another liturgy ...

3840. The Trustworthy Lord Over Nature, Nations, and Armies

Psalm 33:1-22

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... focus on human obligations but on pure theology: a declaration of who Yahweh is. The psalm presents a revelation of God, not demands. (b) Its ordering of this content is to move from general theological claims to specific human responses. The psalm is careful to specify the responses that are appropriate. In verses 13–15 “from heaven the LORD looks down” and “considers everything” people do, but what he is looking for is not stated until verse 18. He seeks not the “righteous” or the “upright ...

3841. Betrayed by God in Battle?

Psalm 44:1-26

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... not forthcoming, this should not catapult us into doubting all other testimonies of God’s salvation that we have heard and made ourselves. We may be offended at the direct way Psalm 44 accuses God, especially of betrayal. But in fact, this psalm shows us a response to disappointment with God that is better than what we tend to make. When we encounter tragedy, we sometimes in our heart of hearts blame God. We may not even admit this to ourselves, let alone to God, since our piety tells us that fault must ...

3842. The Cost of Following Jesus

Matthew 8:18-22

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... to discover whether the man’s father was in fact dead, on the point of dying, or would die sometime in the future. In ancient cultures the obligation to bury one’s parents was a weighty responsibility. For the Jews it was a filial duty implied by the fifth commandment (cf. Tob. 4:3; 6:14). Jesus’ response to the hesitant disciple was, Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead (v. 22). This enigmatic statement is often interpreted to mean that the task of burying the physically dead is to be ...

3843. God’s Reputation and the Destruction of Jerusalem

Psalm 79:1-13

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... do so from the clear perspective of the Former (e.g., 1–2 Kgs.) and Latter Prophets (e.g., Isa.; Jer.). We may wonder how there could be any legitimate view other than to see it as deserved divine judgment. But the Bible itself also embraces the human response, even one that expresses complaint and frustration to God (v. 5, cf. esp. Ps. 74), though without presuming the people stand in the right (vv. 8–9). Psalm 79 has two main parts: the laments (vv. 1–5) and the petitions (vv. 6–13). 79:1–5 ...

3844. The Vinedresser and the Plundered Vine of Israel

Psalm 80:1-19

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... his vine, and the enemies as cleared weeds and stones (v. 9) and as beasts (vv. 12–13). The final conception is that of God and his divinely appointed king, “the man at your right hand” (v. 17). Each image places God in a role of responsibility for his people. This imagery enables the speaker to present clearly to Yahweh the ironies of the present distress. 80:1–3 The introductory petitions pick up hymnic language which, by its very utterance, serves as praise of God but also functions to remind God ...

3845. A Servant Appeals to His Lord for Protection

Psalm 86:1-17

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... quickly assume this refers merely to a future reality at the end of time, because other psalms describe foreign nations offering tribute to Yahweh at the preexilic temple (see Ps. 47, esp. v. 9, and Ps. 68, esp. vv. 18, 29; cf. 66:4). In response to this affirmation of nations’ bringing “glory to your name,” the worshiper petitions that I may fear your name, and then vows, I will glorify your name forever. This petition seeks for Yahweh’s influence not only in the worshiper’s actions but also in ...

3846. The Creator and His Providential Ordering of Creation

Psalm 104:1-35

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... at his presence (note again his personal engagement: he looks and touches) continues the theophanic language of the God of the skies begun in verses 1–4. There, attention was given to his activity in the skies; here, it is given to the earth’s quaking response (cf. 18:7; 68:8; 77:18; 97:4; 144:5). Although modern readers may enjoy the notions of singing and meditation in verses 33–34, the wish expressed in next verse seems to spoil an otherwise pleasant psalm: may sinners vanish from the earth. But ...

3847. The Lord of Reversals: Thanksgiving of Desert Wanderers, Prisoners, the Sick, and Sailors

Psalm 107:1-43

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... s judgment on sin; sometimes they are attributed to Yahweh; sometimes they are just there. The consistency among these verses is that Yahweh delivers when called upon. 107:33–43 Verses 33–41 break from the pattern of crying to Yahweh and his saving response by showing a series of reversals. They recount how Yahweh turned . . . a fruitful land into a salt waste, because of the inhabitants’ wickedness, and how he turned the desert into pools of water for the hungry, whom he blessed and increased. Then ...

3848. A Festival Procession for Giving Thanks

Psalm 118:1-29

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... forever) and to give thanks (vv. 1–4). This points to a verbal “thank you” and to thanksgiving psalms and thanksgiving offerings (see Pss. 30; 116, esp. v. 17), which are also implied by the later reference to the altar (v. 27). In response, a representative liturgist (or liturgists) testifies to the congregation (vv. 5–18). Typical of thanksgiving psalms, he recites a brief report of distress, of his “crying to the LORD,” and of Yahweh’s “answering” (vv. 5–7). (In v. 5 the NIV misses ...

3849. Marriage at the Resurrection

Matthew 22:23-33

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... the Latin, levir, “husband’s brother”). Deuteronomy 25:5–10 taught that if a man dies without leaving a son, his brother (if they are living together) must marry the widow and raise children to the dead brother (cf. the case of Onan who is responsible to lie with Tamar and produce offspring for his brother Er; Gen. 38:7–8). The Sadducees asked what would happen if seven brothers all followed this instruction with the same wife and then died. At the resurrection, whose wife will she be? The line ...

3850. The Day and Hour Unknown

Matthew 24:36-51

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... to “manage [the] household staff” and “issue … rations at the proper time,” NEB). The wise (or sensible) servant is the one who, when the master returns, will be found to be faithfully carrying out his or her responsibilities. The master will reward such a servant by placing him over the entire estate. The servant who is wicked is the one who is led to believe that the master will be away for a long time and therefore seizes the opportunity to bully fellow servants and spend time carousing ...

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