Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: thirstiness, dryness, parched, craving, strong desire, longing, yearning, avidity, hunger, voracity, keenness, eagerness, lust, appetite, passion, love, crave, want, covet, desire, hunger for/after, lust for/after, hanker for/after, have one's heart set on

Antonyms: aversion, distaste, apathy, dislike, hatred, antipathy, disgust, disregard, abhorrence, acrimony, wet, animosity, animus, antagonism, bad feeling, bitterness, be averse to, detestation

Showing 4301 to 4325 of 4959 results

4301. Be Joyful & Reverent

Ecclesiastes 11:7--12:8

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... becomes fearful of heights and unknown travel dangers, the phobias of old age. This is accompanied by the appearance of white hair (the color of almond blossoms), a limping gait (the grasshopper dragging itself along), and the loss of sexual desire (the ineffective caper, a stimulant or aphrodisiac). An explanation of the preceding description is offered in 12:5b: humanity is heading for its eternal, or enduring, house, while paid mourners already begin their procession through the streets. Recently, the ...

4302. I am a Rose of Sharon

Song of Songs 2:1-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... to measures taken in the vineyards to prevent spoilage by foxes (since the maiden worked the vineyards prior to her abduction, 1:6), or it may be a symbolic statement of the blossoming love shared by the two and a veiled expression of their desire to prevent the relationship from being “ruined” by the foxes (intruders or rivals?) before it matures. 2:16–17 · The vivid memory of the shepherd and the vibrance of the intimate moments she shared with him during the spring season(s) in the vineyards ...

4303. How Beautiful are You

Song of Songs 4:1-16

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... repeated later in the king’s second poetic sketch of the maiden (6:5–7). The phrase “until the day breaks” also occurs in 2:17. There the Shulammite encourages the shepherd to take full satisfaction in her love all night. Here the king foists his desire for the same on the maiden. The two imperatives in verse 8 mark the transition from descriptive song (4:1–7) to a song of admiration (4:9–11) as Solomon continues to woo the maiden. Geographically the Shulammite has been brought to Jerusalem from ...

4304. Where has Your Lover Gone

Song of Songs 6:1-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... reads “my soul did not know” to solve the problem.) Is “my soul” the subject or object of “did not know” or the subject of “set me”? If the latter, then “my soul” is a figure for another person (hence the translations “my desire” [NJB, NIV] or “my fancy” [NRSV], in reference to the lover). The maiden uses many terms of endearment for her lover, but “my soul” is not one of them. Perhaps the maiden here recounts her abduction by Solomon and transport to Jerusalem upon venturing ...

4305. The Mountain of the Lord

Isaiah 2:1-5

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... s kingdom: its glory, its extent, and its effect. The glory of God’s kingdom is so great that it will be recognized by the nations. God’s kingdom will not be limited to the Jews in Jerusalem or Judea but will extend to the nations, who will desire to be instructed by the people of God. The language is centripetal; the people are coming to one center to be instructed. The knowledge of God will be among the nations; and the nations, having been disciplined in the ways of God, will live in accordance with ...

4306. Judgment and Comfort: Part Two

Isaiah 2:6-22, Isaiah 3:1--4:1

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... have taken advantage of their office. Yahweh charges the daughters of Jerusalem with pride and seduction (3:16–4:1). The men of Jerusalem are selfish, materialistic, and oppressive, but they have partners in their wives and lovers, who have an insatiable desire to beautify themselves, enrich themselves, and compete with each other. The brief description of the “fine” women is followed by the effects of the day of Yahweh: all their pretty things will be removed, they will go around filled with mourning ...

4307. Babylon

Isaiah 13:1--14:23

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... over life and death. Kings, leaders, and people died in the many campaigns and battles waged by the Babylonians. They found rest in the netherworld. But with the end of Babylon, spirits in the netherworld stir themselves up as the king of Babylon knocks and desires to enter. There is a sudden commotion, as the news of Babylon’s fall is announced. Babylon the great has fallen. It too is subject to powers greater than itself. Babylon’s fall is great (14:11–15). The king is compared to the “morning ...

4308. Moab

Isaiah 15:1--16:14

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... in Judah. First, oppression will cease from the world. Second, the messianic kingdom will be established, when a king will rule on David’s throne with faithfulness, justice, and righteousness. Moab is insincere in her request for sanctuary with God’s people. They desire refuge from the enemy but not in the Lord and his Messiah. The heart of pride, conceit, and empty boasts has not changed. Therefore, judgment has overtaken them. Still, Isaiah laments the fall of Moab (16:6–12). He grieves over the ...

4309. Jerusalem

Isaiah 22:1-25

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... , the people care even less for God. They are filled with a self-congratulatory spirit as they celebrate mock victory. The Lord will not forgive their callousness. His judgment on Jerusalem stands firm. The arrogance of Jerusalem is symbolized in Shebna’s desire for power and recognition (22:15). The precise circumstances of Isaiah’s outburst against Shebna (22:15–19) are not stated, but Isaiah characterizes him as too ambitious (22:16). He will be disgraced, and Eliakim will take over his office with ...

4310. A Prayer for God’s People

Isaiah 26:1-21

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... , as it expresses dependency on Yahweh and his word. At the same time, however, it is not a slavish dependency in which the godly wait for Yahweh to approve every decision they make. They walk in accordance with his judgments (“laws,” 26:8) with a constant desire for God and with the hope that the nations will do God’s will on earth. Isaiah prays that godly wisdom may triumph over evildoers (26:7–11). He also expresses confidence in the Lord, who will show his zeal for his people when he establishes ...

4311. Deliverance of Israel

Isaiah 27:1-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... for its care. He watches, waters, and protects it. He will make war against anyone (“briers and thorns,” 27:4) who opposes his people. He prevents those conditions he has previously permitted to ruin the vineyard (5:6). He is not angry but desires reconciliation with even hostile opponents. His purpose for the vineyard is success on a grand scale. The root must be well established before the blossoms will produce their fruit in “all the world” (27:6). The kingdom of God gradually extends as God’s ...

4312. Ephraim

Isaiah 28:1-29

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... decree has gone forth from the Lord Almighty. The wise farmer does not plow continuously but organizes his operation so as to have a time and place for plowing, sowing, and harvesting (28:23–29). Even in the process of harvesting, the farmer knows exactly which tools will obtain the desired harvest. So it is with God. He sovereignly and wisely administers his rule.

4313. Yahweh’s Sovereignty

Isaiah 44:24--45:25

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... seek the favor of God’s people, having witnessed in the events of history that God is present with them (45:14–17). It is likely that verse 15 continues their confession, as the nations have not known the God of Israel and express a desire to know the Savior of Israel. Israel’s salvation is of the Lord and is therefore lasting; idolatry brings only disgrace and ruin. Yahweh, the Creator of heaven and earth, shows his peculiar interest in mankind by revealing that he created the earth to be inhabited ...

4314. The New Covenant

Isaiah 54:1-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... . The hope for the future lies in the Lord himself. He will again take his people to himself, because he is their maker and husband. He is their great king (“the Lord of Hosts”; NIV “Lord Almighty), their Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, who desires to sanctify his people; he is God of the whole world. This is a description of the covenant God, who graciously renews the covenant with his people. He has abandoned them for a short time only to renew his love with great compassion—forever. The length ...

4315. Assurance

Isaiah 55:1-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... :1–5). His call is like the cry of a vendor selling his wares in the marketplace. The Lord calls on anyone and everyone to turn to him as the one who is able to provide for their needs. The open proclamation of the Lord assures that whoever desires may come, including Gentiles. He promises to take care of all humanity’s needs. This redemption 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 ...

4316. True Religion

Isaiah 58:1-14

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... righteous. The godly are likened to a well-irrigated garden (58:11). They are God’s appointed instruments of restoration. Such is the ministry of healing and reconciliation God has given to his people—then as well as now. This understanding of God’s desire for justice informed what keeping the Sabbath should entail. The Sabbath was a day in which the people were to give themselves to the worship of the Lord. While doing so, they were also to think about ways of enriching themselves. The prophet calls ...

4317. The Glory of Zion

Isaiah 60:1-22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... restored Israel. The repetition of the words “light,” “brightness,” “shining,” and “glory” creates a poetic effect. The light in combination with “thick darkness” sets the background of a theophany. The response of the nations will be twofold. First, they will desire inclusion in the new era that will dawn on Zion (60:3). Second, they will cooperate by contributing to the welfare of Zion (60:4–9). The resources of the nations will be used to “honor . . . the Lord . . . the Holy One ...

4318. Judgment and Restoration

Isaiah 66:1-24

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... trying to atone for their own misdeeds without exhibiting a spirit of true contrition. In their corruption, injustice, and hatred, they were presenting sacrifices offensive to the Lord. The prophecy of Isaiah concludes with God’s concern for true worship (66:1–6). God desires to have fellowship with those who show sensitivity to his word by acts of obedience, love, and justice. The love of God is evident in those who are humble and contrite in spirit. They may suffer in an unjust world, but he promises ...

4319. Coping with Conspiracies

Jeremiah 11:1-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of verse 15 is that Judah/Israel, God’s beloved, has no business in his temple (perhaps meaning the land) because she has plotted numerous times against him. Sacrifices, which she still offers, are called “consecrated meat” to suggest her notion that only the outward matters. Now Israel, a highly desirable and potentially productive olive tree, is hit by a lightning storm and destroyed. Covenant curses have been activated.

4320. Much Bad News, Some Good

Jeremiah 16:1--17:18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... and judgment will be certain and terrible. God gives Jeremiah three commands about his social life (16:1–13). The reason for each command arises out of the coming disaster. First, Jeremiah is to be celibate. Having children, which was highly desirable, is forbidden him, for all existing families will disappear. Gruesome death will come to children from terrible diseases, the enemy’s sword, and famine. Second, Jeremiah must not attend funerals or extend comfort. The reason: God has withdrawn his covenant ...

4321. Jeremiah versus the People

Jeremiah 26:1-24

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... status, appointed Jehoiakim king (2 Kings 23:34–35). The public address given early in his reign, likely in 609/8, appeals for general repentance (cf. 25:4–7). Verse 3 appeals to the principle laid out in Jeremiah 18:7–8: God does not desire the death of the wicked (Ezek. 33:11). Shiloh (26:6), north of Jerusalem in Ephraimite territory, was the central worship place during the time of the judges (1 Samuel 1–4). It was destroyed, likely by the Philistines, in the middle of the eleventh century ...

4322. A Pastoral Letter

Jeremiah 29:1-23, Jeremiah 29:24-32

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... counting from 605, the battle of Carchemish, would extend to 535 BC. Babylonian supremacy ended when Cyrus the Mede took Babylon in 539 BC. Jeremiah refers to restoration of the land, a promise, even if in the distance, to encourage homesick captives. God desires to bless his people, and his plans are firm (Isa. 46:10). “Prosper” (29:11) translates the Hebrew word shalom, a term denoting well-being, wholeness, harmony, and peace. Seeking God will be characteristic of the new “heart” (29:13; cf. 24:7 ...

4323. Exhorter, Sentry, and Arbiter

Ezekiel 3:16-27

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 3). To his surprise the scroll tastes as sweet as honey. This simile reminds us of Psalms 19:10 and 119:103. Ezekiel may even have borrowed the analogy from Jeremiah (Jer. 15:16). To find the word of the Lord sweet means that it is inherently desirable and attractive and has satisfactory effects. Ezekiel is reminded that his message is not to foreigners (3:5). This is strange, however, in that chapters 25–32 are Ezekiel’s oracles to the nations, which must mean that verse 5 refers only to the first part ...

4324. A Dirge for Israel’s Kings

Ezekiel 19:1-14

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... in chapters 15 and 17. The entire vine, though once lofty, is uprooted, tossed to the ground, and burned. The specific identification of the vine and its branches once again is not made. By resorting to metaphors and avoiding personal names, Ezekiel shows a desire that his audience focus on the lesson of the lament and not on “who’s who” in the lament. What it teaches is clear. The chapter may well have been titled “How the Mighty Have Fallen!” Kings have become prisoners, for they are rulers ...

4325. Restoration and Regeneration

Ezekiel 36:1-38

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... purposes will be the determining factor. God must impress on his people that he is holy (36:23b) and that his name is holiness (36:23a). God has a more profound interest than the geographical relocation of the exiles to Judah and Jerusalem. He desires for them an interior change once they are there (36:25–27). First, change their circumstances; then, change them. The God who “takes out” his people from the nations (36:24) also takes out everything in his people that is unlike him by sprinkling ...

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