Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 4276 to 4300 of 4884 results

Revelation 22:7-21

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... the series is striking, however, since elsewhere they refer to God (1:8; 21:6) and not to Christ. John’s concluding point seems explicit enough: in light of his eschatological vindication, Christ has authority to mediate God’s universal judgment and shares perfectly all of God’s purposes (Caird, Revelation, p. 285) as well as God’s status within the worshiping community (cf. Rev. 21:22). In keeping with the structure (and so “theo-logic”) of Christ’s earlier benediction (22:7), a beatitude now ...

4277. Cleansing from Mildew

Leviticus 14:33-57

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... not leave the people in question but reveals the divine will for all of life, even for fungal growths in buildings. Another way to think about the import of these instructions is to remember that the Leviticus community is centered around the perfectly holy divine presence. Because Yahweh is holy, God cannot tolerate the effects of impurity. If the sanctuary precincts become defiled, God will not stay with ancient Israel to give life to the community. Impurity also restricts persons from the life-giving ...

4278. Rules for Priests

Leviticus 21:1--22:16

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... is death by fire. The full motivation for these instructions comes in verse 8. We have already seen the connection between the holiness of the priests and the holy sacrifices; this verse also presents the holiness of God as motivation. Since God is perfectly holy, so the tabernacle and all related objects and persons are to be holy. Then also the people are called to holiness. So there is a graded holiness, and priests are in a linking position that makes the preservation of their holiness important ...

4279. Hannah’s Prayer

1 Samuel 2:1-11

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... miss out on the inclusio. It is always difficult for translators to represent the extra stylistic touches that help to bring out the meaning of a text. 2:5 We are told that Hannah eventually had a total of six children (1 Sam. 2:21), but seven represents the perfect situation, and that is how Hannah felt after the birth of just one child! Compare this with Ruth 4:15, where Ruth is being seen as more help to Naomi than the ideal “seven sons.” 2:6 Even life is under God’s control. The picture of the ...

4280. Jonathan Eats Honey

1 Samuel 14:24-48

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... that this is foolish. Even if it is Jonathan who has committed this supposed sin, he must die. The soldiers, who know that Jonathan had inadvertently contravened Saul’s previous oath, loyally say not a word. This time the casting of lots works perfectly, and Jonathan is eventually picked out. He is incredulous that he should have to suffer the death penalty for something so trivial. But Saul swears again and insists that Jonathan must die. Swearing an oath almost certainly involved invoking God’s name ...

4281. David Returns to Jerusalem

2 Samuel 19:9-43

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... forgiveness. Not surprisingly, Abishai, who had wanted to kill Shimei in the first place, balked at the thought of a pardon being offered now. He pointed out that by all the usual measures, Shimei deserved execution. But Shimei’s timing had been perfect. David knew that he would win far more support by mercy than by judgment, and support from the nearby tribe of Benjamin was crucial to ongoing stability. He also sensed that there had been enough killing, and amnesty would bring more political advantage ...

4282. Job’s Reply to Zophar

Job 12:1--14:22

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... by nature weak and powerless, subject to impurities that separate them from God, Job questions whether God’s diligent punishment is fruitful for anyone concerned, since humans, even those responsive to God’s discipline, are simply incapable of the kind of perfection of character and practice God seems to expect. It is better for humans, Job thinks, that God should look away—a reference to God relaxing his continual scrutiny—and let him alone. Freed from unending divine surveillance, humans would be ...

4283. Eliphaz's Second Speech to Job

Job 15:1-35

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... , is that Job falls under this general condemnation of human corruption and thus has no legitimate reason to balk at his suffering. Eliphaz completely ignores—or disregards—Job’s continuing protestation of innocence. Job might even agree that humans are not perfectly sinless—he never claims they are—but his chief argument is that his punishment is out of proportion for any “crime” he might have committed (see 7:20–21). Neither has Job’s scrupulous attention to the details of religious ...

4284. Job's Second Reply to Zophar

Job 21:1-34

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... the theory of retribution. Every one of the Israelite patriarchs and matriarchs had difficulty producing children in response to the sure promises of God, but these wicked humans who refuse to acknowledge the claim of God on their lives have a perfect record of fertility—even among their cattle! The prolificacy of the wicked produces children without number—flocks of them! The author is playing on the preceding description of unchecked propagation among the herds to transition to the unrestrained joy of ...

4285. The Lord Speaks

Job 38:1--41:34

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... the stars through their seasonal rotations are beyond Job’s knowledge. Even the best of today’s scientists must admit to only a partial understanding of the laws governing celestial bodies. And even should they be able to describe these rules perfectly, they still have no power to set up (or establish) dominion over the earth. Additional Notes 38:32 The Heb. mazzarot occurs only here and its meaning is thus uncertain. However, most speculations center around particular stars, constellations, or groups ...

4286. Delivering the Helpless from Social Oppression: Part I

Psalm 9:1-20

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... in Zion, cf. 132:14–15). 9:13–20 This section consists of motifs belonging to the prayer psalm: there are opening and closing petitions. There is also a vow of praise with its attached thanksgiving said in anticipation of deliverance (expressed by the Hb. perfect in v. 15; cf. 13:6; 54:6–7; 56:12–13; 71:22–24; 86:12–13). The opening petition concerns my enemies and the closing petition the nations, which together form the same dual designation used for the opponents in the earlier thanksgiving ...

4287. How Long, O Lord?

Psalm 13:1-6

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... who trusts in your love, I am of the sort who would rejoice in your salvation.” This confession of trust thus also exemplifies the contrasting character of the worshiper. While the Hebrew text indicates the trust is a present reality (“I have trusted,” Hb. perfect), the rejoicing is probably future. Verse 5b could be rendered either as a simple future, “my heart will rejoice,” or more likely as a wish, “May my heart rejoice” (Hb. yāgēl libbî; note this is a variation on the preceding, “my ...

4288. There Is No One Who Does Good: Version 1

Psalm 14:1-7

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... 6) and for “us” who pray the psalm (v. 7). And Psalm 15 opens with the question “Who may live on your holy hill?” and answers it with “he . . . who does what is righteous” (15:1–2). Although this may sound like a claim of moral perfection, the other psalm of temple entry (Ps. 24) makes clear that such a person still needs to “receive righteousness from his saving God” (24:5; see the commentary). In fact, 14:5 uses the same designation for “the company of the righteous” (Hb. dôr ṣadd ...

4289. Prayer

Matthew 6:5-15

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... . 2:10–11). The heart of the prayer is that God’s will may be done here on earth as well as in heaven (v. 10). When the two clauses of verse 10 are taken as parallel, we learn that God’s kingdom comes whenever his will is done. Perfect obedience to his will awaits the final arrival of the King. In the meantime, those who follow Christ can experience his sovereign rule by living lives of obedience. Some writers take the final clause (on earth as it is in heaven) as qualifying all three of the preceding ...

4290. Do Not Worry

Matthew 6:25-34

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... the circle of the disciples. Anxiety is pagan, in that, apart from a knowledge of the true God, there is ample reason to be anxious about many things. Instead of nervous anxiety about those basic physical necessities that God in his providence is perfectly able to supply, the disciple is to seek God’s kingdom and that righteousness of life that demonstrates obedience to the divine will (v. 33). These are the genuinely important issues of human existence, not “What’s for dinner?” or “What can I ...

4291. Past and Future Deliverances and Present Trust and Obedience

Psalm 40:1-17

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... spell out its significance, namely his faithfulness and salvation, and his love and truth. They indicate that “righteousness” in this context is a relational term, not a moral one. It points to his “putting things right” in a saving way, not to his moral perfections, which may condemn the sinner (which is how the term is often understood in Christian theology). 40:11–17 While verse 11 appears to turn the psalm toward prayer, as distinct from praise in verses 1–10; there is really no clear break ...

4292. A Tree and Its Fruit

Matthew 7:15-23

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... Christian creed was “Jesus is Lord” (1 Cor. 12:3). It implied that he was accepted as master and that his teaching was therefore binding. To claim allegiance (Lord, Lord) does not secure entrance to the kingdom of heaven (the final state, when God’s sovereign reign is perfectly realized). Only those who do the will of my Father may enter. On that day (v. 22) refers to the day of judgment (cf. Mal. 3:17–18; the “day of the Lord,” Joel 2:1; Amos 5:18; etc.). At that time false prophets will make ...

4293. Applause for the Ascending King of All the Earth

Psalm 47:1-9

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... of the God of Abraham. Implicit here is Yahweh’s promise to Abraham: “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Gen. 12:3; cf. Ps. 72:17). 47:5 Verse 5 then describes in retrospect (the NIV’s has ascended correctly renders the Hb. perfect as a past event) what verse 1 called for initially, namely shouts of joy. In the interlude between verses 4 and 5, we would see the Levites carrying Yahweh’s symbolic throne up into the temple while the congregation made their applause and victory shouts ...

4294. God’s Salvation for the Individual and the International Manifestation of His Glory

Psalm 57:1-11

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts: The only other occurrence of “I lie (down)” (Hb. ʾeškebâ) in the Psalter is in 4:8, where it exhibits a peaceful trust in Yahweh. Psalm 3 uses the same verb to express the same assurance (v. 5, Hb. perfect). Psalm 3 shares two other features in common with Psalm 57:4: (a) this “lying down” occurs with myriads of attackers surrounding, and (b) attention is given to the teeth of these attackers. Cf. Dan. 6.

4295. A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman

Matthew 9:18-26

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... which accounts for her coming to Jesus from behind. She kept saying (elegen is imperfect) to herself that if she were able to touch his robe she would be healed. Jesus turns and says, “Cheer up; your confidence in me has brought you healing.” The perfect tense (sesōken) suggests that the woman was healed even before Jesus spoke. Yet it was Jesus’ presence and power, not the woman’s faith, that effected the cure. Faith plays the vital role of releasing the divine activity (Tasker, p. 100). 9:23–26 ...

4296. Defeat in Battle with Edom

Psalm 60:1-12

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... is Edom (v. 9). Second, if it were Yahweh’s immediate answer to the preceding petition, the subsequent lament and petition (vv. 9–11) make little sense, because Yahweh would have just made his position clear. Thus, God has spoken (or “God spoke,” Hb. perfect) from his sanctuary probably introduces a quotation of an earlier divine promise, which the psalm now uses as a reminder to God. 60:9–12 The reason for citing this oracle becomes clear here: Who will lead me (i.e., in a military attack) to ...

4297. Rest in God

Psalm 62:1-12

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... of the OT psalms and especially of the temple entry liturgies, where one either “does what is righteous” (15:2) or “does evil” (see esp. 28:3–5). We should therefore not presume this verse points to an absolute standard of perfection (as in Christian theology); rather, it points to an attainable standard whereby one identifies with righteous conduct as opposed to evil conduct. After all, according to the parallelism of verse 12, the Lord’s “rewarding a person” is presented as an expression ...

4298. The Pilgrim’s Thirst for God in a Dry and Weary Land

Psalm 63:1-11

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... expression of anticipation of a pilgrimage festival. In 42:1–2 this same “thirsting for God” is envisaged to culminate in “appearing before God” at the sanctuary. The claim, “I have seen you” in the sanctuary, refers to a past event (Hb. perfect) and may point to the speaker’s previous participation in the regular festivals. The expression, “My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods” (Hb. dešen), is probably not merely metaphoric for a banquet but may involve the symbolism ...

4299. Rest for the Weary

Matthew 11:25-30

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... of the critical issues, see A. M. Hunter, NTS, vol. 8, pp. 241–49; and I. H. Marshall, Interpretation, vol. 21, pp. 91–94. Knows: Gk. epiginōskō, “to know exactly, completely, through and through” (BAGD, p. 291). 11:28 Weary and burdened: The perfect passive participle (pephortismenoi) expresses a state of weariness from having carried a heavy load. 11:29 Yoke: A symbol of obligation and subjection (cf. Moore, Judaism, vol. 1, p. 465). In Pirke Aboth (3.6) the law is described as a yoke. Humble ...

4300. It Is God Who Brings Down and Exalts

Psalm 75:1-10

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... vv. 4–5, 10, a metaphor of one’s power and rank, illustrated esp. in 92:10). 75:1 Instead of reading we give thanks, however, we should probably translate, “we have given thanks” (within the Psalms, only here does this verb appear as a Hb. perfect). A liturgical context helps to make sense of this reference to past praise. The opening verse refers to psalms used earlier in the wider liturgy. The telling of Yahweh’s wonderful deeds is also prominent in the psalms of Yahweh’s kingship (96:3; 98:1 ...

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