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 3951 to 3975 of 4681 results

3951. Allotment for Ephraim and Manasseh

Josh 16:1–17:18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... goes further by telling them that even though the Canaanites are strong and have technologically superior military hardware, the Joseph tribes should still be able to dispossess them. Although the author ends the exchange without providing any resolution, what bears asking is whether Joshua’s perspective or that of the Joseph tribes represents a more accurate reflection of reality. To answer the question, it must first be noted that Joshua never disputes the Joseph tribes’ presentation of facts. The ...

3952. Jephthah

Jud 10:6–11:40

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... action as they get rid of the foreign gods among them and return to the Lord. While it may be easy to assume that the Lord’s eventual willingness to save his people indicates that he accepts their repentance, the text suggests otherwise. The Hebrew root qtsr—translated as “could bear no longer” in 10:16—often conveys the idea of being weary (2 Kings 19:26 = Isa. 37:27; Zech. 11:8) or impatient (Exod. 6:9; Num. 21:4; Job 21:4; Prov. 14:17, 29; Mic. 2:7). Particularly in 16:16, the word is used in ...

3953. Israelites Fight the Benjamites

Judges 20:1-48

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Lord’s promise of victory, for they go out and do exactly what they have planned to do all along, almost annihilating the entire tribe of Benjamin. The battle strategy Israel adopted was likely inspired by memory of their victory against Ai in Joshua 8. The two bear remarkable resemblances in that both involve a fake defeat to lure the enemy out, an ambushing unit to take the largely defenseless city, and the setting of the city on fire so that the smoke will serve as a signal to those in the front line ...

3954. Widows and Their Worries: Back to Bethlehem

Ruth 1:1-22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... to offer them by way of future marriage options, she warns, once a widow always a widow as long as they remain with her. As widows they can hope for nothing more than poverty and destitution, an empty and bleak future. While she can bear the precarious nature of her own situation, Naomi does not want to subject Ruth and Orpah to such circumstances. Naomi also appeals to a religious drawback. As is typical of the ancient Near Eastern mindset, Naomi attributes divine disfavor as the source of her inexplicable ...

3955. Ruth’s Proposal

Ruth 3:1-18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ( 3:1–5 ) · Ruth works in Boaz’s field for about three months and continues to live with Naomi (2:23). But living together was never Naomi’s long-term plan for Ruth. Now that Boaz and Ruth have providentially met, and given that Boaz bears a legal family responsibility, Naomi attempts to secure a new home and identity for Ruth. She hopes to restore the coveted family name and reputation along with any inheritance. Naomi seizes the opportunity to inform Boaz of his responsibility by sending Ruth to ...

3956. David and Goliath

1 Samuel 17:1-58

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Israelites’ fear and before long informs King Saul that he will fight the “uncircumcised Philistine.” In view of David’s age and inexperience, however, Saul at first rejects his offer. But David reminds Saul that as a shepherd he has killed a lion and a bear, both of which are far more agile than Goliath. David is confident that since God has saved him from wild animals, he will also save him from Goliath. Convinced of David’s faith and courage, Saul gives him his blessing and offers David his own ...

3957. Absalom Returns to Jerusalem

2 Samuel 14:1-33

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Since David responded so well to Nathan’s indirect approach in 12:1–7, Joab decides to use the same method with reference to his cousin Absalom (14:1–11). The story told by the wise woman bears some resemblance to the struggle between Amnon and Absalom, but it is disguised to the extent that David can make an objective decision before applying it to his own case. He rules in the woman’s favor and in doing so creates tension between his ruling and his banishment of ...

3958. David’s Census

2 Samuel 24:1-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

For the second time in the appendixes David has to face the wrath of God (cf. 2 Sam. 21:1–14), but this time he bears more of the blame. It is a hard lesson for David and his people, though the chapter ends on a note of worship that paves the way for the building of the temple. A comparison of verse 1 with 1 Chronicles 21:1 reveals a startling difference about the identity ...

3959. Jeroboam Rebels Against Solomon

1 Kings 11:26-43

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... a reversal of fortune. Like the kingdom of Saul (who is on the wrong end of a garment-tearing episode in 1 Samuel 15), Solomon’s kingdom—with all the building projects that impress a consumer culture—is about to be dismantled. We should bear in mind that Ahijah’s word makes clear that Jeroboam’s kingship is conditional from the outset, predicated on his “listening” (exactly what Solomon has not done). If he is obedient, he will have a lasting kingdom. No response from Jeroboam is recorded, but ...

3960. Amaziah King of Judah and Jeroboam II King of Israel

2 Kings 14:1-29

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... : despite an evil disposition, he does oversee an expansion of Israel’s landholdings to an extent not seen since the days of the Solomonic empire. This reclamation project is undertaken at the prompting of the prophet Jonah, whom the reader later meets in the book that bears his name. For the second time in as many chapters the narrator reflects on the quality of divine mercy (vv. 26–27), and so it is that Israel’s dominance during this period is due less to Jeroboam II’s acumen and more to God’s ...

3961. Opposition from Within: The Crisis of Intermarriage

Ezra 9:1-15

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ’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 allusions to and echoes of passages in the Law and the Prophets. Ezra’s teaching is bearing fruit; the leaders become conscious of the critical situation in regard to mixed marriages. Ezra’s dismay and humility are seen in 9:1–5. There is a conscious allusion to passages in the Pentateuch that name these various inhabitants of Canaan (9:1 ...

3962. Job's Third Reply to Bildad

Job 26:1--31:40

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... it appears to be a self-contained reflection on wisdom and where one may find it. The impasse between Job and his friends has increasingly heightened. One wonders whether the storyteller is here sending down a sounding to find our bearings. None of the characters has yet found wisdom. We have seen firsthand the limitations of human understanding. The storyteller therefore embarks, in Greek choruslike fashion, on a contemplative musing about wisdom. The poem opens by considering earth’s precious metals ...

3963. Psalm 89

Psalm 89:1-52

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... psalm of despair—or does it? From the outset, this psalm explodes with praise to God (89:1–37). Yet, were it not for the “added” verse of praise to end book 3 (89:52), this psalm would end much like Psalm 88 does, with the psalmist bearing the brunt of God’s wrath (89:38–49)—plus the extra burden of his enemies’ scorn (89:50–51). Verses 1–37 and verses 38–51 are seemingly diametrically opposed, yet both sets of verses proclaim truth. The psalmist’s words are shocking. He almost ...

3964. Warning Against Rejecting Wisdom

Proverbs 1:20-33

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... folly and repeatedly spurning her corrective counsel (1:22–27). As a result of their resistance, when “calamity” strikes, the roles will be reversed (1:26). These youths will then call out for help (1:28; cf. 1:24), only to be ignored and mocked by her and abandoned to bear their self-inflicted—and potentially fatal—troubles alone (1:28–33).

3965. Recognize that, in the Light of Death, One Must Redeem the Time

Ecclesiastes 9:1-12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 10)! Share this joy with your marriage partner! This is not a license for unbounded self-indulgence (cf. also Eccles. 11:9), for it is balanced by a call to strenuous, skillful, and smart work (9:10). What is the basis for such advice? (1) Such a course of action bears God’s stamp of approval, since it is his gift (9:7b; cf. 3:13; 5:19), our lot in life, and the reward for our labor (9:9b). (2) Our opportunities for both work and pleasure under the sun are limited. Our days are hebel, and we all are ...

3966. Cush

Isaiah 18:1-7

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... heat or an isolated cloud. Suddenly, the Lord seizes the moment and cuts down the nations like the branches of a grapevine (18:5). A vinedresser prunes the vines over the summer for cosmetic purposes and to increase the grape harvest. Once pollinated, the flower bears fruit, but the fruit takes three to four months to mature. God is likened to a vinedresser who, instead of waiting for the fruit to mature, comes in the heat of the summer to his vineyard and cuts off the shoots and the spreading branches ...

3967. Judgment and Hope

Isaiah 31:1-9, Isaiah 32:1-8, Isaiah 32:9-20

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... for the fullness of redemption. As Christians, we believe the day of redemption is closer since the coming of the Lord Jesus. Yet, along with the saints of the Old Testament, we must have a real sense of hope and longing for the fullness of redemption to which the prophet bears witness.

3968. The Suffering Servant

Isaiah 52:13--53:12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... and obediently. He is compared to a lamb led to the slaughter or to a sheep being sheared (53:7). Quietly he received the judgment from God because he bore that judgment for others. The servant suffered not for himself but rather to bear “our suffering,” “our transgressions,” and “our iniquities” (53:4–5). The benefits of the vicarious suffering of the servant include reconciliation to God and forgiveness. He carried the sins and guilt of the people; therefore, he was able to bring the people ...

3969. Assurance

Isaiah 55:1-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... is gracious and free. The gift of God is an everlasting covenant, such as the Lord made with David (2 Sam. 7:8–16). The people of God will join with the Davidic Messiah in leading nations into the covenant fellowship. The nations will submit to the witness-bearing role of God’s people. The prophet joins the invitation of Yahweh with a call to the people to have faith in him and to openly show their faith by repentance from their evil works (55:6–9). There is still the possibility of reconciliation and ...

3970. Dealing with Drought

Jeremiah 14:1--15:21

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... recognition of evil (literally “crookedness, perversity”) and acknowledgment of their continual “turning” and their sin (literally “missing the mark”). “For the sake of your name” (14:7) refers to the name Yahweh, which means, “I am present to save.” To “bear your name” (14:9) is to belong to God. People chide God for being uninvolved and for failure of nerve. They seek consolation from old assurances and, in bargaining fashion, ask that God forget their sins. The finality of God’s ...

3971. Addressing Rulers and Governments

Jeremiah 21:1-14, Jeremiah 22:1-30

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... reason for that message (11–20). Beginning with this section we are more securely locked into datable historical, though chronologically disarranged, events. We hear of kings: Josiah, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah. We meet prophets: Hananiah, Ahab, Zedekiah, Shemaiah. The leaders bear major responsibility for Judah’s evil condition. Prose narrative dominates, which speaks of Jeremiah in the third person. 21:1–22:9 · The first of two delegations (21:1–10) from Zedekiah to Jeremiah is to be dated ...

3972. The Cup of God's Wrath

Jeremiah 25:15-38

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... is a code name for Babylon formed by substituting b b l (letters in the second and twelfth positions in the alphabet) with their counterparts when numbering the alphabet backward. Jeremiah, as foretold (1:10), is a prophet to the nations. Jerusalem is the city that bears God’s name. If God’s people are not spared because of their sin, how will others, whose sin is presumably greater, fare? The poem of 25:30–38, a repetition and reflection of verses 15–29, begins and ends with an angry God. The poem ...

3973. Vision of the Four Beasts

Daniel 7:1-14, Daniel 7:15-28

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a human being, and the mind of a human was given to it” (7:4). Though it appeared to be the kingdom of the gods, the kingdom was as frail as any other human kingdom. The bear with three ribs in its mouth represents the coalition of powers. The three ribs between its teeth and its readiness to eat its fill of flesh may symbolize the Persian conquest of Lydia (546 BC), Babylon (539 BC), and Egypt (525 BC). The third animal has four heads. These ...

3974. Punishment of Destruction

Hosea 13:1-16

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... their situation in the land and soon forgot that God gave it all to them. They became proud and self-sufficient and did not think they needed God’s help. Consequently, God will turn against his people and attack them like a ferocious lion or an angry mother bear who has lost her cubs (13:7–8). Just like a wild beast rips open and tears apart the helpless body of its prey, so will God attack the people of Israel. The people who are primarily responsible for the sins of the nation are the wicked political ...

3975. The Hope of Final Restoration

Amos 9:11-15

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... . This verse became very important when the early Christian church was trying to decide if they should allow uncircumcised Gentiles into the church. James’s quotation of Amos 9:12 resolved the issue (Acts 15:16–17), bringing a unified acceptance of Gentiles who bear God’s name just as Amos prophesied. Although the history of Israel demonstrates great hatred between Edom and Israel (1:11–12), through the witness of the seed of Abraham, God will extend his blessings to other people (Gen. 12:1–3; Isa ...

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