Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 4176 to 4200 of 4884 results

Job 26:1--31:40

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Zophar's speeches occur in 11:1–20; 20:1–29; 27:13–23. All three friends share a core assumption about Job: he is guilty of sin. But beyond that, they do differ. In the first cycle, Eliphaz grants Job’s suffering as but a hiccup in a near perfect life. Bildad would have Job focus on the moral lesson of Job’s children: they are dead; Job is not. Job is therefore more pious than they but still has within him impurity, which he must address (Job 18). Zophar is straight to the point: sin—so much sin ...

4177. Psalm 26

Psalm 26:1-12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... , 11), willing to be tested by God (26:2), faithful to God’s word (26:3), an avoider of sin and sinners (26:4–5), and a man of worship in the midst of a godless society (26:5–12). But does he believe that he is perfect, without sin? Though sounding much like the Pharisee in Jesus’s parable (cf. Luke 18:9–14) who conceitedly announces his “spiritual greatness,” David speaks truth about his actual godliness and, like the tax collector in that parable, recognizes his need for God’s mercy (26:11 ...

4178. Psalm 33

Psalm 33:1-22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Psalm 33 begins with a series of commands (occurring in this combination in no other chapter of Scripture) to praise God with joyful music (33:1–3), because he is a God of perfection who loves what is best for humans (33:4–5). He is also the Creator, whose commands brought creation into existence (33:6–9). Intimately involved in his creation, he oversees it to accomplish his plans (33:10–15). God alone—not governments, military might, or individual power—is able ...

4179. Psalm 87

Psalm 87:1-7

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Zion, that is, Jerusalem—God’s holy mountain, God’s chosen dwelling place, the perfection of beauty from where its Maker shines, a city loved by the Lord, the place from where God judges (bringing joy to its people) (Ps. 2:6; 9:11; 50:2; 78:68; 97:8; 132:13)—that city of God forms the focus of Psalm 87. Five heathen nations ...

4180. Invitation of Wisdom and of Folly

Proverbs 9:1-18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Woman of Wisdoms” (9:1, an intensive plural, also 1:20) is competing with Lady Foolishness (9:13, only here in the Old Testament). The former, Wisdom, is characterized as diligent and prosperous by her extensive preparations of house (its seven columns imply perfection) and banquet and her employment of servants (9:1–3a). The latter, Folly, makes no preparations and is labeled explicitly as loud, gullible, and ignorant (9:13). Both own a house (9:1, 14) and station themselves “at the highest point of ...

4181. Recognize that Bad Days Can Bring about Good

Ecclesiastes 7:1--8:1

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... some rather pagan-sounding advice: do not be overrighteous, overwise, overwicked, or a fool (7:16–17). According to some interpreters, this constitutes a recommendation of moderation in all things, “the golden mean,” as if a little godlessness is perfectly acceptable as long as one does not attract God’s attention! Although numerous suggestions have been made, a contextually plausible solution may be to see here a presentation of varying degrees of righteousness: relative (7:15), pretentious (7:16 ...

4182. Where has Your Lover Gone

Song of Songs 6:1-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... chorus by which the queens and concubines praise the extraordinary beauty of the maiden (6:9). The interrogative “Who is this?” is identical in form to the expression in 3:6 and also appears in 8:5. The threefold repetition of the question constitutes a perfect foil, summarizing the drama of the love poem: 3:6 Who is this? The maiden arriving in Jerusalem with Solomon, bereft of home and lover. 6:10 Who is this? The maiden unsurpassed in beauty, unmatched in loyal devotion, praised by the harem women. 8 ...

4183. The Messiah

Isaiah 9:1-7

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... free his people from their enemies and bring the actualization of the Davidic ideal. The child (9:6) is the Immanuel (7:14). He is God’s gift to humanity’s predicament. He is fully human (“child,” “born,” “son”), but he is also divine, with all the perfections of kingship in himself: supernatural wisdom, might, paternal beneficence, and peace. This son will reign forever in justice, righteousness, and peace. The certainty of his kingdom is guaranteed by “the zeal of the Lord” (9:7).

4184. The Helper of Israel

Isaiah 41:1-29

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... are mere vanity. The identity of the servant of the Lord has long been a subject for discussion. In this context several arguments favor identifying the servant first with Israel (see 41:8–9) and then in a greater way with the Messiah, in whom the perfection of servanthood is found. The language about the election, calling, and particular tasks of the servant fits in very well with the Old Testament language about Israel. The Servant Songs (42:1–9; 49:1–13; 50:4–9; 52:13–53:12) clearly reveal God ...

4185. The Execution of the Idolaters

Ezekiel 9:1-11

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

The six guards of the city that Ezekiel sees are really executioners. Together with the man clothed in linen (a heavenly scribe), the group numbers seven, the perfect number. What makes their advancement necessary is the first stage of the departure of God’s presence from the temple. He moves from the Most Holy Place to the threshold (9:3). The only thing that makes the temple a holy place is the presence of a holy God. When ...

4186. A Lament for Tyre

Ezekiel 27:1-36

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Tyre to a ship. The appropriateness of these two back-to-back metaphors should be obvious. What an island and a ship have in common is that both are surrounded by water. Tyre likes what she sees when she looks at herself: “I am perfect in beauty” (27:3). She will shortly learn that one consumed with self-congratulation and self-adulation will eventually come to naught. Verses 4–7 elaborate on the precious materials brought from afar for the construction of the ship. It is not just the luxuriousness ...

4187. Resurrection and Reunification

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

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Sovereign Lord, you alone know” (37:3). Some have interpreted this as an evasive reply. Ezekiel was fairly certain that the answer to the question was no but was reluctant to be that blunt about it. Others have suggested that his answer suggests: “Lord, you know perfectly well, so why ask me?” A third suggestion is that Ezekiel’s response is a sign of wonder and trust: “Lord, I may not have the answer to this question, but I trust you, and I know that you know.” In these fourteen verses the ...

4188. The Temple Proper

Ezekiel 40:48--41:26

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... long (41:13a), and the inner courtyard is one hundred cubits square (41:13b–14). Also the yard/building behind the temple is one hundred cubits in length (41:15). The symmetry of these measurements is not coincidental. Everything in the temple fits perfectly and balances the whole. Verses 15–26 describe the decorations and the woodwork of the temple. Impressive here are two-faced carved cherubim and palm trees. The wooden altar (41:22) may represent either the table of showbread or the small inner altar ...

4189. Division of the Land

Ezekiel 48:1-29, Ezekiel 48:30-35

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ). Tribal areas named after Jacob’s sons by Leah and Rachel are placed closer to the center. Tribal areas always a part of the north are now shifted to the south: Zebulun and Issachar. Such repositioning allows the placement of the temple more perfectly in the center of the land. In fact, this city (never called “Jerusalem”) is really an adjunct to the temple (rather than the other way around), what one might properly call a “temple city.” Most startling is that Judah and Benjamin are reversed ...

4190. Fourth Vision - Joshua Cleansed

Zechariah 3:1-10

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you” (3:4). With these brief words God’s gracious saving activity is summarized. He replaces man’s feeble and inadequate attempts to produce the kind of righteousness that will stand before God with righteousness that is perfect and adequate in every way. In the same way, God graciously replaced unworthy Adam’s fig leaves with coats of skin (Gen. 3:7, 21; cf. also Isa. 61:10; Rev. 7:14; 22:14). The new garments are not only clean; they are rich, festal ...

4191. Eighth Vision - Resolution—Gentiles Judged, God at Rest

Zechariah 6:1-8

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... angel of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth. The judgment on Babylon, the land of the north, has given rest to God’s Spirit. When God finished creating the world, he rested (Gen. 2:3), not from weariness but because what he had made was perfect and he was satisfied. But sin brought discord into the world, and God’s “rest” was disturbed. In Zechariah 1:14–15, God’s response to the world scene is one of strong emotion and anger. Now, with the destruction of Babylon along with the establishment of ...

4192. The Shepherds

Zechariah 11:4-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... signifies internal unity and cohesiveness within the nation, especially the two major factions, Judah and Israel. God’s shepherd replaces the leadership of Israel (the three shepherds, symbolic of the three offices of prophet, priest, and king). He is the perfect leader, ideal in every way. Yet the flock detests him and rejects him. Therefore he leaves them to their fate, dying and consuming one another. The breaking of the staff called Favor (11:10) symbolizes the revoking of the protective covenant ...

4193. Love for Enemies not Eye for and Eye

Matthew 5:38-42, Matthew 5:43-48

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... that of tax collectors and pagans (5:46–47). Of the six cases of torah interpretation that Jesus has specified, only the final case includes a purpose. As Israel was to image God to the nations, Jesus’s followers are called to be like their heavenly Father, morally complete or perfect (5:45, 48). They do this supremely by fulfilling the command to love, which sums and binds together all other commands (cf. 22:40).

4194. The Rich Young Man

Matthew 19:16-30

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... s commandments brings life (19:17–19; with his examples drawn from Deut. 5:6–21). The man says that he has kept these but indicates he still lacks something (19:20). Jesus calls him to complete loyalty (the Greek term may be rendered “perfect” or “complete”) by selling his possessions, giving the proceeds to the poor, and then following Jesus (19:21). Jesus calls this man to give up precisely that which stands in the way of discipleship—his “great wealth” (19:22), something he is not yet ...

4195. The Appointing of the Twelve

Mark 3:13-19

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... , none of the Twelve was a Jewish religious leader. Rather, all were representative of the common and diverse extremes (e.g., a tax collector and a Zealot) in first-century Judaism. The inclusion of the name of Judas, Jesus’s betrayer, reminds readers that the original Twelve were not a perfect fellowship; indeed, the worst betrayer came from within the chosen rank of Jesus’s apostles.

4196. Jesus Sends out the Twelve

Mark 6:7-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... which he commissioned them as apostles in 3:13–14. The sending into mission of disciples whose trust and understanding of Jesus is flawed (1:36–39; 3:21; 4:38; 5:31) is a reminder that service to Christ is rendered not by merit or perfection but by dependence on him. Mention that Jesus “gave them authority over impure spirits” (6:7) confirms that Jesus’s disciples, like their master himself, are sent into the world to confront evil. The mission of the Twelve is not their own but is an extension ...

4197. Jesus Walks on Water

Mark 6:45-56

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... nature (4:41) and in human nature (5:15), the revelation of Jesus’s person and exhibition of his power causes fear, misunderstanding, and even hardness of heart in the disciples (6:49–50, 52). Mark reminds readers, however, that following Jesus is not measured by perfect or complete understanding, but by being in the boat with him. Chapter 6 concludes with a summary report (6:53–56; see also 1:35–39; 3:7–12) of Jesus’s healing throngs of needy people on the west side of the lake. “Gennesaret ...

4198. The Little Children and Jesus

Mark 10:17-31

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... these [commandments] I have kept since I was a boy” (10:20), for (1) Jesus does not challenge his declaration, and (2) Jesus would scarcely look on insincerity with “love,” as he does in verse 21. It is often imagined that if the law were perfectly kept, one would gain eternal life. To a man who has, in fact, kept the law, Jesus declares, “One thing you lack. . . . Go, sell everything you have . . . give to the poor. . . . Then come, follow me” (10:21). Jesus offers himself as a substitute for the ...

4199. Jesus the Bread of Life

John 6:25-59

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... (6:38) as well as its results (6:37, 39, 44). Those whom God calls are effectively called and securely preserved (6:39–40; cf. 10:14–18; 17:6). In other words, the work of Jesus and the gathering of disciples are both a result of God’s perfect will. From the crowd’s point of view this revelation is hard to accept, and they murmur (6:41–43). Is Jesus not a commonplace citizen of Galilee (cf. Mark 6:1–6)? How can he descend from heaven? But Jesus knows that further explanation will not complete ...

4200. Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

John 20:10-18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ’s “coming” will also be in the Spirit Paraclete, who will indwell his followers individually (14:18–26). The message she is to convey (20:17) is that the final steps of departure are at hand. “Ascending” (Greek anabainō) is referred to in both the perfect and the present tenses: it has begun and is still under way. And it is necessary that it continue this way, since the coming of the Spirit is directly dependent on Jesus’s departure (16:7). The story of Mary, therefore, is an interpretative ...

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