Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 4101 to 4125 of 4681 results

4101. Seven Angels With Seven Plagues

Revelation 15:1-8

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... that champions the sovereign rule of God, and there is no room for compromise. Perhaps this is why he begins this particular vision with echoes of the Exodus (cf. Boring, Revelation, p. 173): the bowls from which the wine of God’s wrath is poured bear a “family resemblance” to the plagues of Egypt. In John’s vision of the bowl-plagues, the true Israel stands protected by God on the other side of the Sea, made “Red” with fire. The remnant plays its harps rather than Miriam’s tambourine; but ...

4102. The Fall of Babylon

Revelation 18:1-24

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... -on-the street” to Babylon’s demise: secular power, conceived of in political or economic terms, is self-corrupting because it forms a functional atheism that denies the sovereign rule of God. 18:1 John envisions yet another angel coming down from heaven, bearing God’s indictment of earthly Babylon. The importance of his message is expressed by its visage, for this angel had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. The glory of the angel’s coming is in stark contrast with the ...

4103. The Rider on the White Horse

Revelation 19:11-21

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... thus the power of proclaiming a gospel centered by him. Who can possibly stand against its claims or deny the surety of its promises? Christ’s vindication as Lord over earth and the realization of the gospel’s promises within history simply bear testimony to what heaven has already confirmed. This third name for Jesus is written on his robe and on his thigh. Many have wondered why John would report how Christ will publicize his name; all assume the name carries theological significance in relationship ...

4104. The New Jerusalem

Revelation 21:1-27

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... of God’s salvation, first entrusted to God’s prophets and now fulfilled through Christ. The essential difference between God’s revelation in Christ and God’s revelation to Israel is not one of content but one of intent. The apostles did not bear witness to a “brand new” thing, as though God revealed one thing to Israel and another thing to the church; God is one God. Rather, they recognized that the biblical promises given to Israel through the prophets were now fulfilled in the ministry ...

4105. Jesus Is Coming

Revelation 22:7-21

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... is the occasion to dispense justice to all evildoers, whose reward is punishment (cf. 22:11). Christ’s exhortation, then, is directed to the faithful as a pastoral word of encouragement, but also to the disobedient as a prophetic word of rebuke. Because he bears definitive testimony to the word of God, Jesus Christ now claims that the eschatological judgment of everyone’s deeds lies with me. His authority to mediate God’s coming judgment is based upon his exalted status as Alpha and Omega (cf. Rev. 1 ...

4106. The Burnt Offering

Leviticus 1:1-17

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... brings an offering to the LORD, that person is to follow the sacrificial procedures. The term used (‘adam) is the same one used in the Priestly creation account in Genesis 1:26–27, a text which emphasizes that humans (‘adam), both male and female, bear the image of God. Certainly ancient Israel was a patriarchal society with a cult dominated by males, but women were not excluded; indeed, in some places women are instructed to bring offerings (e.g., Lev. 12; 15). In the last phrase of verse 2, bring ...

4107. Clean and Unclean Animals

Leviticus 11:1-47

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... be the case that these creatures are wild and consume meat and blood. The text does center on dead carcasses. When alive, these animals may compete with humans for food resources and so disrupt wholeness by introducing disorder. Such animals might include bears, lions, monkeys, or dogs. These verses emphasize the chapter’s concern with uncleanness. 11:29–38 The interest here is in smaller animals that move about on the ground. They can contaminate food, water, utensils, and clothes. First the text lists ...

4108. Discharges Causing Uncleanness

Leviticus 15:1-33

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... , waiting. Impurity associated with menstruation was common in the ancient Near East, but in Leviticus menstruation was accepted as normal, as was the emission of semen. No atonement or sacrifices are indicated. It is often suggested that early marriages and frequent child-bearing may have made menstruation less of a factor for women in ancient Near Eastern society than it is today (Budd, Leviticus, p. 219; Milgrom, Leviticus 1–16, p. 953). While aesthetics of female bleeding may be part of the reason for ...

4109. Eating Blood Forbidden

Leviticus 17:1-16

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... limit human control over any kind of life. 17:15–16 Anyone eating of the meat of an animal found dead is unclean until the evening. If the person does not wash and bathe, then the person will be held responsible, will bear guilt. This circumstance is serious and has consequences, but it does not require sacrifice or ostracism. Leviticus has already described the uncleanness associated with carcasses (11:8); verse 15 makes clear that the uncleanness attends to carcasses whether they have died or ...

4110. The Purity of the Camp

Numbers 5:1-4

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... and able to have children. 5:29–31 These verses contain a sort of postscript, the law for a husband’s jealousy, which summarizes the section in characteristic Priestly style. The husband is declared innocent of any wrongdoing, but the woman will bear the consequences of her sin. Verses 11–31 will seem odd to modern readers for a number of reasons. The ordeal procedure itself seems almost magical. Such customs were ancient. Here the procedure is brought under divine and priestly auspices to deal ...

4111. Offerings at the Dedication of the Tabernacle

Numbers 7:1-89

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... the Priestly version of the community’s history become proclamation for a later audience. The repetitious style of this chapter demands much from readers today, but the task of interpretation calls for reading in sympathy with the text—and such a reading bears fruit. Additional Notes 7:3 Covered is a plausible rendering of tsab, but the precise meaning of the term is uncertain. NIV follows the clues of the ancient translations. The syntax with the plural ‘eglot carts, or “wagons,” is unusual. 7:9 ...

4112. Fire from the Lord

Numbers 11:1-3

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... seventy elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people (v. 16). They are to gather at the Tent of Meeting, and God says, I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. These elders will help Moses bear the burden of leadership. 11:18–23 The divine instruction to Moses then continues. Moses is to tell the people to prepare to eat meat. They are to eat more meat than anyone ever desired or dreamed of—until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it ...

4113. Korah, Dathan and Abiram

Numbers 16:1-50

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... for the people. They addressed God as God of the spirits of all mankind. The God of all can easily cause destruction. The entire camp is not in rebellion against God and God’s chosen leaders here, as it was in Numbers 13–14. Korah and his group bear the guilt. It appears from the content of the prayer in verse 22 that Korah is the main culprit and is considered to be the instigator of the problem at hand. Moses and Aaron boldly pray that God will not judge the whole people because of Korah’s ...

4114. Duties of Priests and Levites

Numbers 18:1-7

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... 10; 13; Ezek. 44). The NT attends to support for leaders in Matthew 10:5–15; Luke 10:1–12; 1 Corinthians 9:13–14; and 1 Timothy 5:17–18. Religious leaders are to depend on divine support (Num. 18:20). Additional Notes 18:1 To bear the responsibility for offenses is to assume the consequences or punishment for any violation of the sanctuary. Priests and Levites are fully answerable in this area and must pay the penalty for any violations. 18:2 The verb join comes from the root lawah, which suggests a ...

4115. Daily Offerings

Numbers 28:1-8

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... important for this new generation as it prepares to enter the land. Modern readers of Numbers do well to remember the community function of these festivals rather than inconclusive debates about their origin. Additional Notes 28:1–29:40 This material certainly bears all the marks of being brought together by the Priestly tradents. Most commentators suggest that these chapters provide some of the most mature instructions on worship in the promised land. Lev. 23; Num. 15 and texts in Exod. 23; 29; 34; Deut ...

4116. David and Bathsheba

2 Samuel 11:1-27

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... wait until the city’s stores ran out. Unless the general decided to finish the situation quickly and attack the city, casualties were unnecessary. If the surrounding troops got too close to the walls, casualties were inevitable. Joab’s instincts were to attack and bear the cost of the casualties; David’s were to avoid the death of as many of his troops as possible. From this point on, David found it increasingly hard to manage Joab and impossible to replace him. David’s actions had consequences that ...

4117. Absalom’s Death

2 Samuel 18:1-18

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... the presentation of news to further his own ends. Ahimaaz wanted to take the news of victory to David. Joab knew that however glad David was of victory, the messenger who thought to gain credit for being the first to proclaim victory was likely to bear the brunt of David’s distress at Absalom’s death. Joab wanted to protect the young and gifted Ahimaaz, perhaps seeing him as a potential future leader. Therefore a Cushite, probably a slave, was sent instead. Ahimaaz was an intelligent man, and he picked ...

4118. Introducing Job

Job 1:1-5

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... Gen. 10:23; 22:21; 36:28; 1 Chr. 1:17, 42. Two of these passages, Gen. 36:28 and 1 Chr. 1:42, relate Uz to Edom (in lists of descendants of the Horite kings of Seir/Edom). The final two chapters of Proverbs bear introductory superscriptions (30:1; 31:1) attributing the material to non-Israelite sages—Agur and Lemuel. Both of these superscriptions use the term massaʾ, which often describes a prophetic “oracle.” However, since “king” Lemuel is unknown among the kings of Israel and Judah some have ...

4119. Job's Reply to Eliphaz

Job 6:1–7:21

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... that Eliphaz has attacked (4:1–6). Job then turns to a counterattack on the fickleness of some friendship (vv. 14–23). He concludes chapter 6 with a pointed demand to know where sin resides within him that is commensurate with the punishment he bears (vv. 24–30). 6:1–4 Job’s impetuous words are the consequence of unbearable anguish and misery. Using the metaphor of the market scale, he claims his suffering is beyond measure—exceeding even the imponderable mass of all the sand of the seas ...

4120. Job’s Reply to Zophar

Job 12:1--14:22

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... against Job. As we have seen, Job’s name (Heb. ʾiyyob) is based on the Hebrew root ʾyb, meaning “be an enemy to” (see the discussion on 1:1 in §1). Some have suggested an intentional symbolism because the central human character of this work bears a name that means “enemy; opponent.” Since Job is unaware of the heavenly counsel of chapters 1–2, he cannot know that God has already declared Job “my servant” (Heb. ʿabdi) and affirmed his blameless and upright character (1:8; 2:3). On the ...

4121. Job's Second Reply to Eliphaz

Job 16:1-17:16

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... of the grave in terms of the closest familial relationships. So corruption becomes Job’s father and the flesh-consuming worm is his mother or sister. This is full capitulation to the inevitable future that the friends, with their easy assumption of light in darkness, cannot bear to contemplate. Job calls his hearers to join in a search for the hope the friends have offered so easily. Like one leading a group of small children in a game of “I Spy,” Job asks, where then is my hope? Who can see it? Is ...

4122. Mercy for the Languishing

Psalm 6:1-10

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... sin and guilt, an awareness that one suffers illness as a punishment? Because this identical petition opens Psalm 38, which explicitly refers to sickness (vv. 2–10, 17) and to sin and divine punishment (vv. 2–5, 18), some interpreters believe Psalm 6 must bear the same assumptions. But the similarity of their opening petitions makes the absence of any confession of sin in Psalm 6 all the more striking. It does not draw an inevitable connection between sin and sickness; it simply prays, Be merciful to me ...

4123. Acquittal for the Falsely Accused (Ps. 7)

Psalm 7:1-17

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... of God by Hb. participles (“who searches,” “who saves,” “who judges,” “who is indignant”), which are characteristic of “doxologies of judgment” (Amos 4:13; 5:8–9; 9:5–6). They give praise to God who judges decisively. Among them Zeph. 3:5 bears a close resemblance to Ps. 7:11: “Morning by morning he dispenses his justice.” 7:12–13 If he does not relent, he will sharpen his sword: The Hb. text is as ambiguous as the English. There are several options. (a) “If God does not ...

4124. Jesus Begins to Preach

Matthew 4:12-17

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... Sea of Galilee to the Mediterranean) and along the Jordan (that is, to the west, as it would be to the Assyrian invaders). The inhabitants of Galilee are pictured as living in the dark land of death (cf. Ps. 23:4), a Hebrew metaphor for “impenetrable darkness” (Beare, p. 115). They have seen a great light; a light that will dawn as the morning sun, dispelling all darkness. That great light is the message of the kingdom, which Matthew is about to describe in detail (chaps. 5–7). 4:17 Verse 17 marks a ...

4125. How Long, O Lord?

Psalm 13:1-6

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... . They suggest that anything but speedy action will be too late. Responding to the opening God-lament, “How long, O LORD,” is the affirmation, O LORD my God, which supports the petitions for God’s favorable attention. Here the psalm reminds “the LORD” that he bears an obligation to those who call him “my God.” 13:5–6 Verse 5 is a confession of trust, but it also argues that God should intervene on the worshiper’s behalf. The opening but connects it to the preceding motif by way of contrast ...

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