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Showing 426 to 450 of 606 results

426. Wash Basin, Oil, and Incense

Ex 30:17-38

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... is to be placed in front of the Testimony in the tabernacle (30:34–38). The pleasing aroma is a contrast to the stench of death. Used in conjunction with royalty and worship, spices were exceedingly precious in the ancient Near East. The Israelites may have acquired these materials from traders along their journey. Because salt both preserves and enhances flavor, it was an appropriate additive to incense and offerings that represented the relationship with the everlasting covenant God (cf. Lev. 2:13).

427. Appointing Leaders to Lead

Deut 16:18–17:40

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... . 8:19–20). But contrary to that copycat standard, God imposes four conditions on the king: (1) he must be the one the Lord chooses (17:15); (2) he must not multiply horses, which is where other nations put their trust for military prowess (17:16); (3) he must not acquire many wives in a harem or great riches (17:17); and (4) he must make a copy of his own scroll of the law to have with him and to read all the days of his life (17:19–20). This observance of the law will keep the king on ...

428. Solomon's Splendor

1 Kings 10:14-29

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... shields, a massive throne, and household utensils, and as a commodity for international business. Despite all the sparkle, this section of the chapter cannot be properly understood apart from Deuteronomy 17:16–17, the so-called regulations of the king: The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.” He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led ...

429. The Decree of Darius

Ezra 6:1-12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ’s temple was ninety feet long but only forty-five feet high. In 1 Kings 6:36, “three courses of dressed stone and one course of trimmed cedar beams” are mentioned (see 6:4), but in regard to the inner courtyard. Where did the Persians acquire all these specific details? It is possible that Cyrus received them from a Jewish scribe. This concern for detail and accuracy is also seen in the correspondence between this report (6:5) and the information the Jews have given to Tattenai (5:15). The answer ...

430. The Benefits of Wisdom

Proverbs 2:1-22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... described in 2:9–11 (“Then . . .”). In seeking wisdom, one develops not only an intimate relationship with God but also an intimate understanding of moral rectitude (2:9; cf. 1:3). Since wisdom now pervades the command center of one’s life and acquiring knowledge has become an enjoyable task, personal discretion assumes the role previously carried out by God (2:8) of protecting the youth from the dangers brought about by wrong choices and missteps (2:11). Divine wisdom will help the youth get on the ...

431. Further Benefits of Wisdom

Proverbs 3:1-35

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... should hang on to your specialized skills in advising and decision making, for they literally can save lives (as detailed in 3:23–26; cf. 1:33) and enhance your reputation (3:22; cf. 1:9). Proverbs 3:27–35 describes the impact of acquired wisdom on interpersonal relationships, thus corresponding to 3:5–12. These verses suggest that one can avoid “the ruin that overtakes the wicked” (3:25; both 26 and 32–34 point to divine causality) by not treating others wickedly. Verses 27–30 are parallel ...

432. Warnings Against Folly, Especially Sexual Infidelity

Proverbs 5:1-23

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 7 in its positive commendation of marital fidelity and its delights. A general warning against the “strange” (KJV) or “adulterous” (NIV) woman (5:3–6; see commentary on 2:1–22), which expands on 2:16–19, follows the usual call to attentiveness (5:1–2). Acquiring discretion (5:2) is critical because the loose woman is so dangerously seductive to those who lack it. Sweet (Song 4:11) and smooth flattering talk (5:3; cf. 2:16; 6:24; 7:5, 21) may constitute an irresistible combination, but in 5:4 ...

433. Sayings of the Wise: Admonitions for Societal Relationships

Proverbs 22:17--24:22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... curb an uncontrolled appetite or inordinate desire (22:2–3). Such food may be “deceptive,” intended as a test of your self-discipline rather than simply as a calorie-rich diet. Verses 4–5 support this interpretation, warning against exhausting efforts to acquire fleeting riches. Verses 6–8 involve a begrudging host (literally “one evil of eye”), complementing the equally deceptive host of verses 1–3. The much cited translation of verse 7a, “as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (NKJV; cf ...

434. The Message of Lemuel’s Mother: A Call for Royal Justice

Proverbs 31:1-9

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Proverbs 31:1–9 clearly belongs to this oracle, while the remaining verses of the chapter could constitute an independent section, although lacking a new title/author ascription. Whereas in Proverbs 1–9 King Solomon admonishes his “son(s)” to acquire and practice wisdom, in Proverbs 31 the queen mother lovingly but strongly admonishes her son regarding the demands and duties of his royal office, addressing three topics. First, she warns against sexual dissipation, which could wipe out his career (31 ...

435. Recognize that Bad Days Can Bring about Good

Ecclesiastes 7:1--8:1

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the unit. Here the author employs a series of traditional proverbs in order to affirm, somewhat ironically, nine things that are good or better (all with Hebrew tob), many of which initially appear to be undesirable. The major emphasis here is that wisdom can be acquired or augmented in the hard times of life. The Hebrew root for wisdom occurs seven times in these verses. The initial proverb (7:1a), which uses a wordplay to tout the superiority of a good name (Hebrew shem) over a good perfume (Hebrew shemen ...

436. Much Bad News, Some Good

Jeremiah 16:1--17:18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... is a variant for “Jacob” (deceiver, heel-grabber). The term “incurable” (NIV “beyond cure,” 17:9) reflects Jeremiah’s despair in the human situation. The antidote is a heart transplant (31:33). The proverb of verse 11 emphasizes both the wrongfulness of riches acquired by devious means and the way such riches are vulnerable to attack and loss. A partridge or calling bird is said to gather the eggs of other birds and then brood on them to hatch them. Verse 12 continues the motif of contrasts ...

437. Addressing Rulers and Governments

Jeremiah 21:1-14, Jeremiah 22:1-30

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... or resorted to forced labor. Because of the heavy tribute to Egypt, he may have been unable to pay (2 Kings 23:35). Large rooms, windows, cedar paneling—a luxury (cf. Hag. 1:4)—and red paint signal showiness. Jehoiakim was obsessed with acquiring wealth and with shedding innocent blood. “Oppression” (22:17), in its verb and noun forms, occurs more than fifty times in the Old Testament. In many contexts the term carries nuances of force or violence, and sometimes misuse of power. In more than half ...

438. The Lord’s Conquest of the Enemy Restores Productivity to the Land

Joel 2:18-27

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... idolatry (Deut. 32:16, 21). God’s jealousy and protectiveness toward his people are incited in battle toward their adversaries (Isa. 42:13; 59:17; Zech. 1:14). The Hebrew term for “to be jealous” (qana) is related to the verb meaning “to acquire (as property)” or “to purchase” (qanah). God envisions Israel as his “property,” and those who encroach on them and seek to snatch them away from him arouse his fierce anger. The Lord announces that he will restore their supplies of “grain, new ...

439. Second Explanation

Habakkuk 2:2-20

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... . Paul uses it in Galatians 3:11 to demonstrate that salvation is not achieved by keeping the works of the law but is entered into only on the basis of genuine faith. In Romans 1:17, Paul emphasizes the fact that the believer’s salvation, acquired by faith, must also be lived out totally in faith. The writer of Hebrews (10:35–38) points out that the sure coming of Christ for his faithful ones makes living by faith a categorical necessity. Having made clear the reasons for his patience with humanity ...

440. Jesus Predicts His Betrayal

John 13:18-30

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ; 13:2, 27). Satan’s chief work is in undermining Jesus’s testimony and his glorification. No suspicions are raised when Judas departs (13:27) because he was the custodian of the group’s funds (cf. 12:6) and he had tasks to do: acquire provisions for the festival and give special offerings to the poor on Passover night. Verse 30 is crucial because it marks the time after which Jesus may instruct his chosen disciples privately and fully. Judas has departed, and the final sentence reads, “It was night ...

441. The Vine and the Branches

John 15:1-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... that will accrue to the branch in later seasons. The results of this reciprocal abiding are given in 15:7–17. (1) Prayer with confidence. Jesus mentions twice the certainty that comes with prayer joined to spiritual union (15:7, 16; cf. 14:12–14). (2) Assurance. We acquire confidence in Jesus’s love for us because it is modeled on God’s love for him (15:9–10; 17:26). Assurance is closely related to our knowledge of Christ’s love (see Rom. 8:35–39). (3) Joy. This is not mere happiness but a ...

442. Jesus Appears to Thomas

John 20:24-31

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

When Jesus met with the disciples, Thomas (11:16; 14:5; 21:2) was absent. He receives the now familiar Easter greeting (20:25) but claims that unless he can acquire this certainty himself (i.e., “see the Lord”) he will not believe. On the following Sunday the group is gathered again, and Jesus appears, offering to Thomas that which he seeks. Thomas provides the Gospel’s final response to Jesus when he offers the ultimate title of divinity and lordship ...

443. Stephen and the Preparation for Missions beyond Judea

Acts 6:8-15

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 3:22). He debates with his opponents in the synagogue (6:9; Luke 4:16–27) and is seized and brought before the Sanhedrin (6:12; Luke 22:66), being accused by “false witnesses” (6:13; cf. Luke 23:2). With the prospect of suffering under their hands, Stephen acquires “the face of an angel” (6:15; cf. Luke 9:29, 32). The connection between Stephen and Jesus is confirmed when, at the end of his speech, he sees “the Son of Man” (7:56), and his last prayer also resembles that of Jesus (7:59–60; cf ...

444. Israel’s Unbelief

Romans 9:30--10:21

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Christ is the end (Greek telos) of the law (10:4). Another thought is present as well: the righteousness that was the goal (telos) of the law now comes through faith in Christ. Jesus Christ is both the end of the law (as a means of acquiring righteousness) and the goal of the law (as a description of the righteousness that God demands and accepts). Righteousness is granted to “everyone who believes”—but only to those who believe, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. In 10:5–13 Paul confirms this truth ...

445. Sowing Generously

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... promised to care abundantly for their needs (Matt. 6:25–34). Thus at “all times” they may confidently step forward and contribute to every good work (9:8). For, in accordance with the Scripture (Ps. 112:9), the person who does so will acquire an enduring sense of having done what is right. Such a person may also rest assured that God will continually and generously resupply the resources that have been expended “so that [he or she] can be generous on every occasion,” enabling both righteousness ...

446. Redemption: Clearing the Ground

Ephesians 2:1-10

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... to exchange for it but simply by succumbing to God’s gracious mercy, by entrusting our fate to him. In short, we are saved by grace. This free salvation has a twofold relation to human works. First, works have no part in the acquiring of salvation. Recent exegetical discussion suggests that by “works” Paul means the various marks of Judaism: circumcision, Sabbath keeping, kosher food, and the like, as if ethnicity were the issue. It is possible, however, that Ephesians broadens the idea to include any ...

447. Living to Please God

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... literally means “vessel” and may refer to the person’s own body or the person’s wife (see 1 Pet. 3:7 ESV). Some have suggested that it may even refer to male genitalia. The other problematic term is the verb. Does it mean “control” (oneself) or “obtain, acquire” (a spouse)? Most likely the NIV understands the passage correctly—the text is one of the many that call Christians to self-control (Acts 15:20, 29; 21:25; 1 Cor. 6:12–20; Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:5; and especially 2 Tim. 2:21–22, which ...

448. Giving and Receiving

Matthew 14:22-33

Sermon

Tom Garrison

... to learn how to float — master the art of receiving and being helped and the joy of gratitude that comes with that. Or it may be learning to swim — assuming your part of the load at last and learning the joy of creativity and helping. Or it may be the acquiring of wisdom — discerning what time it really is and learning when to do what. But whichever, please do not let this experience be wasted. We have lost too much else not to gain something in the process.

449. Always Ready

Matthew 25:1-13

Sermon

David G. Rogne

... he was able to deal with a change of circumstances. There are some preparations that can't be put off until the last minute. It's too late for a student to begin preparing for an exam when the day of examination has come. It is too late to acquire a skill when a job comes along that requires us to already have that skill. In the theater, a relatively unknown actress may be given a small part but also be assigned to be the understudy for the leading female. Broadway lore is filled with stories of actresses ...

450. Talented People

Matthew 25:14-30

Sermon

David G. Rogne

... become a millionaire if he keeps clean, rises early, works hard, and has a rich uncle who dies and leaves him a million dollars. The last part is the hardest part. Yet there are those who have become millionaires without it. Regardless of how wealth is acquired, the question addressed by this parable is: "How are you using what you have received?" Some have the gift of time. In a congregation where I served there were quite a number of retired men. Some of them gathered at the church on Monday mornings and ...

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