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 3976 to 4000 of 4770 results

3976. Warnings against Infidelity

Proverbs 6:20-35

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... (6:24–35). It also takes up the topic of Proverbs 5, developing the grave consequences of sexual immorality more fully. Presumably one ties the commands of both parents “around your neck” (6:21) in order to keep them plainly in view when deciding which direction to head. Verse 22 cites three daily situations in which such instruction proves useful, offering guidance, protection, and a conversation partner—metaphorically speaking, both a proper path to follow and a light to illumine it (6:23a ...

3977. Sayings of the Wise: Admonitions for Societal Relationships

Proverbs 22:17--24:22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... and effective (24:5–6), and too lofty and unattainable for fools (24:7). Accordingly, those who devise ways to harm others gain a reputation as a master schemer or conspirer (24:8; cf. 12:2; 14:17). Ironically, this capacity for forging shrewd plans is viewed positively in Proverbs 1–9 (the same Hebrew noun the NIV translates as “schemer” in 24:8, it translates as “discretion” in 1:4; 2:11; 3:21; 5:2; 8:12). Such actions are described further as foolish, sinful, and socially repulsive (24:9). In ...

3978. More Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 26:1-28, Proverbs 25:1-28, Proverbs 27:1-27

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... employing proverbial pairs (i.e., two consecutive related verses) to do so. Verses 2–5 lay the foundation for verses 6–15, which address court officials, although one could apply them more broadly. Verses 2–3, which have the ideal ruler in view, affirm a hierarchy in authority of God–king–subjects. The purposes of both God as Creator and monarch as shrewd and insightful statesman may remain inscrutable, but the latter should be honored for his skills. Accordingly, the wise king strengthens the ...

3979. Everything is Ephemeral

Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... exclusively in Ecclesiastes (twenty-nine times, with the variant expressions “see the sun” [6:5; 7:11; 11:7] and “under the heavens” [1:13; 2:3; 3:1]). It designates the earthly realm of existence and activity as humans experience and view it apart from divine revelation regarding the final judgment and the eternal dimension. Qoheleth largely restricts himself to the former perspective throughout the book, while not denying thereby that the latter exists. Verse 3 suggests that verse 2 is not making ...

3980. Pleasures Accomplish Little

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... his unrivaled status and accomplishments (2:9) and opportunities for self-gratification (2:10a) and concludes positively (2:10b) that his heart (i.e., the core of his being) “took delight in all [his] work” and in the fruits of his labors. Such efforts ultimately can be viewed as only temporary and futile, like pursuing the wind, since they bring no lasting gain or benefit (2:11, answering the question posed in 1:3). Precisely why this negative conclusion is warranted will be explained in 2:17–23.

3981. Wisdom and Folly

Ecclesiastes 2:12-16

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Next, in 2:12–16, Qoheleth investigates wisdom and its converse, madness and folly (2:12a; cf. 1:17). Verse 12b is viewed by some commentators as unintelligible or displaced but may serve to anticipate 2:18–21, which also deals with the king’s successor. Verse 12b, translated literally, asks, “For what kind of person is it who will come after the king, in the matter of what has already been done?” ( ...

3982. Social Relationships: Oppression, Toil, Friendliness

Ecclesiastes 4:1-12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... sense and turns work into a “miserable business.” Companionship is preferable to isolation, for partners can share together in the fruits of their labors. The author then expands on the benefits of companionship in 4:10–12. These verses are not to be viewed as an independent section, since they lack the key elements of the other subunits (i.e., “I saw,” a “better” saying). Despite the popularity of these verses as a wedding text, they refer rather to one’s needs during a journey: assistance ...

3983. Warnings against Wrong Attitudes Toward God and Government

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... , as in Eccles. 3:1). The NIV’s “be surprised” is too weak a translation for the Hebrew verb here. The reason for this admonition is literally that “a high one is keeping watch over a high one, and high ones over them.” If one views the author’s basic attitude toward government as positive, this statement could be taken as pointing to the benefits of hierarchical levels of jurisdiction, especially if one takes the plural as a superlative (i.e., the highest one, God). “Do not be upset—other ...

3984. Hermeneutical Reflections

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Ps. 51:6; Prov. 2:6; Eccles. 2:26) and frequently describes God as a shepherd, these two concepts are not combined elsewhere. Interestingly, Psalm 78:72 notes that King David employed wisdom in shepherding Israel, while Ecclesiastes 12:9 implies that Qoheleth viewed public instruction as a proper means for guiding the people. Verse 12 is difficult to translate. The NJPS prefers “A further word” (as in 12:9, similarly NKJV), while the NIV translates the Hebrew phrase as “in addition to” (as in Esther ...

3985. How Beautiful are You

Song of Songs 4:1-16

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... oils, perfumes, and even foods and potions considered aphrodisiacs), all serving to heighten the erotic and the sensual. 4:16–5:1 · The two-character interpretation understands this section as the climax of the love poem. According to this view, the maiden has succumbed to the king’s passionate wooing, willingly offering him the “fruit of her garden,” and the king happily “possesses” the garden, consummating their marital relationship. This approach assumes that the imperative “awake” (4:16 ...

3986. How Beautiful Your Feet

Song of Songs 7:1-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... adoration of the maiden (recalling the ecstasy of the sexual intimacies experienced the previous night according to the two-character interpretation). The language of the passage is the most erotically explicit of the poem. The three-character understanding of the poem views the passage as Solomon’s last attempt to betroth the maiden and add her permanently to the ranks of the royal harem. The descriptive song of the bawdy onlookers (7:1–5) is particularly sexual in focus, lacking the sensitivity and ...

3987. Babylon

Isaiah 13:1--14:23

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ; 22:1; 30:6). Similar collections are found in Jeremiah 46–51 and Ezekiel 25–32. This collection of oracles forms the second major division of Isaiah and prepares the reader for the “Apocalypse of Isaiah” (chaps. 24–27). 13:1–14:23 · Isaiah views the Lord’s judgment on Babylon as an expression of his rule over the earth (13:1–16). He commands the armed forces of the nations. The “holy ones” are the warriors mustered and consecrated for battle (13:3 NIV 1984). The Lord sovereignly rules ...

3988. Ariel

Isaiah 29:1-24

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... were hoping for a strong political and economic resurgence. Yet Isaiah had already prophesied that Assyria was to be the instrument of God’s judgment—even on Judah (8:7–8; 10:5). With the possibility of an independent Judah on the horizon, the people viewed the prophet’s words with skepticism. After all, it had seemed that the prophet spoke about a doom greater than could be realized. The future of Judah would be determined by the people and their political skills rather than by the word of God. The ...

3989. A Marriage about to Break Up

Jeremiah 2:1-3:5

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... about status, implies a negative answer: No, Israel’s destiny was not to be some servant or slave. Second, God raises a question about Israel’s ravaged condition (2:14b). Since the lion was the insignia for Assyria, that country may be in view. Noph, which is ancient Memphis, was the capital of the pyramid-building Pharaohs. Tahpanhes was a Nile Delta fortress city. Egypt had “cracked [Israel’s] skull.” The expression certainly refers to a defeat or humiliation brought on by Egypt, possibly a raid ...

3990. Examining Public Worship

Jeremiah 7:1-29, Jeremiah 7:30--8:3

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

The basic mode of poetry in 2:1–10:25 is interrupted by a prose sermon. The sermon, a sharp attack on moral deviations and misguided doctrinal views about the temple, stirs up a vehement response, as we learn from a parallel account in Jeremiah 26:1–15. Attack on venerated tradition is risky business (cf. Acts 7). The sermon, on worship, leads to some instructions designed to correct misguided worship (7:16–26) and to halt bizarre ...

3991. God and Idols

Jeremiah 10:1-16, Jeremiah 10:17-22, Jeremiah 10:23-25

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

The blistering tirade against idols (10:1–16) is directed against “Israel,” which as an umbrella term includes both Israel and Judah. Here Judah is particularly in view. Judah is warned about the astral deities commonly worshiped in Babylon. Some scholars claim an exilic setting for the poem and many deny its unity and that Jeremiah wrote it. The contrast between homemade idols and the living God has seldom been better drawn. With cutting sarcasm, the Lord describes ...

3992. Jeremiah's Complaint

Jeremiah 12:1-4, Jeremiah 12:5-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... surrounding nations have beset her, as a flock of birds is known to peck at an odd speckled bird (12:9). Or perhaps the scene is one of a hen with hawks circling overhead. The raids of hordes, including the Moabites and Ammonites, could be in view in verse 10. Kings were commonly called shepherds in the ancient Near East. Successively God loses his vineyard, his field, and in fact, his entire portion. As in the previous lament (11:20–23), Jeremiah’s challenge to God’s justice becomes an excuse to ...

3993. Restoration of Isarel

Jeremiah 30:1--31:40

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... God.” The new covenant marks the end of the teaching profession. The new covenant passage, the longest Scripture quoted in the New Testament (Heb. 8:7–12), is said to be fulfilled in Christ. Quite possibly, judging from verse 33, originally only Israel was in view. Later, Judah was included (31:31). The New Testament promise includes the Gentiles. Just as the first half of the poetic Book of Comfort ends with an oathlike statement (30:23–24), so also here (31:35–37). The creation is an expression of ...

3994. Things Great and Unsearchable

Jeremiah 33:1-26

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... extends to both city and country (33:1–13). When judgment has been completed, wholeness will be God’s gift. God’s general stance of goodwill contrasts with the wrath that precipitated the destruction. Both Judah and Israel are in view. God mercifully forgives sin and iniquities. The city of Jerusalem and God’s people generally are intended as a prime exhibit of his goodness, which should prompt repentance. Celebrations will mark the future, in stark contrast to earlier mourning. The empty ...

3995. Obedience

Jeremiah 35:1-19

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 601 (see 35:11). The Rekabites are from the clan of the Kenites, a people who associated themselves with Israel (1 Chron. 2:55). The Rekabites were a conservative, if not reactionary, group. No evaluation of the rightness or wrongness of their views is given, but their tenacity for obedience is applauded. Theirs is the prospect of a perpetual ministry. Jeremiah’s commentary on the incident (35:12–19) contrasts the absolute and unquestioning obedience of the Rekabites to their ancestor with Judah’s ...

3996. The Burning of a Scroll

Jeremiah 36:1-32

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 26). The reverence with which the scribes treat the message shows that some spiritual sensitivity remains in Judah (36:11–18). It also indicates the credibility of Jeremiah. The officials, however, show contempt. The hiding of Jeremiah and Baruch is well advised in view of 26:20–23. To tear their clothes (36:24) would be a sign of self-humiliation. The report seems deliberately to contrast Jehoiakim with his father, Josiah (cf. 2 Kings 22:11–20). Severe judgment comes on Jehoiakim, who rejects a word ...

3997. The Fall of Jerusalem

Jeremiah 39:1-18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

From a narrative point of view this chapter is the climax of the book. Repeated threats have now been fulfilled. Chapters 34–38 provide the reasons for the catastrophe; chapters 40–44 tell of the sequel. The siege begins in January 588, lasts some eighteen months, and ends in July 587. Zedekiah breaks faith and rebels ...

3998. Tyre

Ezekiel 26:1-21

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... on her. The date for this sermon, the eleventh year, first day, is 587 (or 586 if “eleventh month” is inserted). Tyre rejoices in Jerusalem’s demise, as did Ammon and Moab. Her unusual name for Judah is “the gate to the nations,” indicating that Tyre views Judah as a trading rival. Now she would have the market to herself. God has something to say about this. He will bring nations against her “like the sea casting up its waves” (26:3). Here is the utter relentlessness of the ocean. No one wave ...

3999. Resurrection and Reunification

Ezekiel 37:1-14, Ezekiel 37:15-28

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of the two nations divided for hundreds of years. One day the Spirit of the Lord transports Ezekiel to a valley full of bones, somewhere in Babylon. He is led on an inspection tour of the site by the Spirit and is given a close-up view of the horrendous extent of death. The question put to Ezekiel—“can these bones live?”—is followed by Ezekiel’s response—“Sovereign Lord, you alone know” (37:3). Some have interpreted this as an evasive reply. Ezekiel was fairly certain that the answer to the ...

4000. The Temple Area

Ezekiel 40:1-47

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Is there any possible connection with Ezekiel 40:1? For a second time Ezekiel is transported in a vision to Jerusalem. The first excursion for the prophet was to witness Jerusalem’s abominations and destruction (chaps. 8–11). This trip is for the purpose of viewing Jerusalem’s and the temple’s restoration. Ezekiel is set down on the temple mount. There he sees what “[looks] like a city” (40:2), which is more than likely a reference to the walled complex of the temple (40:5). (The phrase “that ...

Showing results