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 4476 to 4500 of 4959 results

4476. The Woman and the Dragon

Revelation 12:1--13:1a

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... . Further, the woman’s birth pains and cries to God anticipate the messianic era, its restoration of true Israel (cf. Isa. 26:18 LXX; Gal. 4:19), and its judgment of evil (cf. Matt. 24:4–8). 12:3–4 The one who opposes God’s desired redemption is envisioned in another sign: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. While the dragon conjures up allusions to OT “dragons,” such as Leviathan (Ps. 74:14) or the Isaianic “sea-beasts” (cf. Isa. 27:1 ...

4477. The Grain Offering

Leviticus 2:1-16

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... practices (Jer. 7:18). 2:1 The regulation begins, as it did in the first chapter, with inclusive language: When someone (nepesh) brings a grain offering. Oil and incense are to be added to the fine flour to make the offering more desirable. Olive oil, associated with joy and richness, helped the offering to burn, and the rich incense, sometimes translated “frankincense,” enhanced the fragrance. 2:2 The worshiper takes the offering to the priest, who performs all the actions connected with the altar. The ...

4478. The Sin Offering

Leviticus 4:1--5:13

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... because they are polluted by the sin of the one offering sacrifice (Leviticus 1–16, pp. 239–40), but the destruction of these remaining parts of the animal in a place ceremonially clean does not support that view. The mixing of clean and unclean is not desirable. The parts of the animal are destroyed as a further symbol of the removal of the effects of sin and uncleanness, and to show that no one could benefit from the effects of sin. Perhaps the refusal to sacrifice these parts of the animal on the ...

4479. Punishments for Sin

Leviticus 20:1-27

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... the verse is the one I have translated “disgrace”; the word is hesed. The usual meaning is something like “steadfast love.” The term is used in Proverbs 14:34 as “disgrace” or “reproach,” and the meaning here is probably something like “public disgrace.” Perhaps some underlying notion of passion or desire is behind such a use of the word.

4480. Korah, Dathan and Abiram

Numbers 16:1-50

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... in attendance. Korah, identified as a Levite of the Kohathite group, the Reubenites Dathan, Abiram, . . . and On, as well as 250 leaders in the camp, rise up against Moses. In this conflict over priests’ authority, Korah apparently represents the Levitical desire to expand the priesthood. Remember that the Kohathites are the Levitical clan responsible for the holy furniture of the tabernacle. The tribe of Reuben, from Jacob’s first son, is listed first in the census in Numbers 1. Another son, Judah ...

4481. Boundaries of Canaan

Numbers 34:1-29

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... has been no consensus on the matter. 34:10 The NIV reasonably opts for a slight change of the first verb in the verse to the hip’il of ta’ah, “measure out,” a verb used in vv. 7–8, rather than the hitpa’el of ‘awah, “desire for yourself.” 34:11 The locations of Shepham and Riblah, and Ain are unknown. The name Ain means “spring.” The slopes or shoulders are literally a “ridge” on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee. Kinnereth means “harp-shaped.” 34:15 Jordan of Jericho is ...

4482. The Birth of Samuel

1 Samuel 1:1-20

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... to be a bribe to God: “give me a son and I promise I’ll give him back.” Hannah’s longing for a son may have been inherently selfish, but it was not exclusively so. Rather, Hannah is communicating her personal longing for a son and her genuine desire to dedicate to the Lord all that he gives her, including her son (she assumes that a son is necessary for her to do this). The prayer expresses no doubt that God will understand her position and will listen as she pours out her heart. The sensitivity of ...

4483. Israel Asks for a King

1 Samuel 8:1-22

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... of God’s power. The writers make it clear that God, after asking Samuel to make sure that the people understood what they were letting themselves in for, gave permission for the monarchy to proceed. When in spite of Samuel’s clear warnings the desire for a king remained, the request was duly authorized. The monarchy then was seen as a gift from God. 8:21–22 It is usually taken for granted that Samuel continued to view kingship in a negative light, but this chapter, after recording his initial ...

4484. Samuel Anoints Saul

1 Sam 9:1–10:8

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... , though Samuel is concerned with something more than donkeys. His promise to tell Saul all that is in your heart may indicate recognition of an unstated ambition on Saul’s part, perhaps to rid Israel of the Philistine problem. The statement that all the desire of Israel is turned to Saul and his family is obscure. Samuel perhaps wanted to be certain that this was God’s way forward before he committed himself. However, Saul’s response indicates that he has understood Samuel to be assigning him a ...

4485. Saul Made King

1 Samuel 10:9-27

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... in himself is not clear, but Saul was aware of God’s involvement in all that was happening to him. The encounter with Saul’s uncle is refreshingly normal. The uncle’s request that Saul should expand on Samuel’s words may reflect a natural desire to hear more of an encounter with a famous leader; Samuel is well known to Saul’s uncle. However, his uncle’s question may indicate an apparent change in Saul that implied something more had occurred than a discussion about donkeys. In either case Saul ...

4486. Samuel's Farewell Speech

1 Samuel 12:1-25

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... the fact that kingship will provide no lasting solution. In the latest incident Nahash had been the aggressor, but rather than turning to God Israel turned to a king. Samuel’s personal frustration is apparent. He hates the decision that has been made and is torn between the desire to express his criticism and yet to encourage the people to go on in the right way. They have a king; he is standing in front of them, given to them by the LORD. However, the key factor is, as it has always been, whether or not ...

4487. Samuel Rebukes Saul

1 Samuel 13:1-15

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... by his encounter with the ecstatic prophets. He could not properly inspire his forces without further reassurance from Samuel. When this reassurance was not forthcoming and the troops began to disperse, he was faced with a dilemma. Apparently motivated by a desire to honor God before the battle, Saul felt compelled to offer the sacrifice himself and had no compunction, when Samuel arrived belatedly, about telling him what had happened. However, his decision was to prove disastrous for Saul. 13:13–14 There ...

4488. Jonathan Eats Honey

1 Samuel 14:24-48

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... before they play a significant part in the narrative is used also in 2 Samuel 9:1–5 (cf. 2 Sam. 16:1–4; 17:27–29). Additional Notes 14:35 This was the first field altar that Saul built, and his action is seen as positive. His desire is to do what God requires, even if his conclusions about that requirement are to be doubted. The law does restrict sacrificial activity to priests, but this regulation was not fully applied until the temple cultus was set up. This makes it difficult to see the primary ...

4489. David Saves Keilah

1 Samuel 23:1-6

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

Saul Seeks Out David: 23:1–6 David’s exile did not mean that he had lost his vision for Israel’s security or his concern for the well-being of his fellow Israelites. The news of particular problems at Keilah stimulated his desire to continue fighting on behalf of God’s people. The Philistines were not taking tribute from the Israelite farmers but were looting the threshing floors. They were waiting until the Israelites had done all the hard work and then depriving them of their livelihood for the ...

4490. David Destroys the Amalekites

1 Samuel 30:1-31

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... stayed behind, presumably with any luggage that was too awkward to take over. 30:11–15 It may be that the rescue of the dying Egyptian youth was a purely humanitarian act that happened to have good consequences for David. Giving food reflects a desire to fully restore the youth, not just to provide enough strength to enable him to speak. In that sparsely populated area anybody might have some knowledge of active raiding parties, but it is unlikely that there was evidence of a direct connection with the ...

4491. David Anointed King over Judah

2 Samuel 2:1-7

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... to have been a turning point in the battle. The Judeans were slowed by the sight of Asahel’s body, and the Benjamites, who formed the bulk of Abner’s forces at this stage, took courage and rallied behind Abner. Abner, who had common sense and no desire to kill fellow Israelites, even those from Judah, called for a truce. Joab, sensing that for that day his success had run its course, agreed, and both armies returned to their base—Abner’s troops to Ish-Bosheth at Mahanaim and Joab’s to David at ...

4492. God’s Promise to David

2 Samuel 7:1-17

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... ; Isa. 9:1–7; 11:1–16; Mic. 5:1–5) and led to the conviction that the Messiah would be a descendant of David. The NT proclaims that the offspring to succeed David (v. 12) and fulfill these messianic predictions was Jesus Christ. This explains the desire of both Matthew and Luke to emphasize the authenticity of Jesus’ descent from David (Matt. 1:1–17; Luke 3:23–37). Additional Notes 7:1 The strong links between Deut. and the so-called Deuteronomic History, of which the books of Samuel are a part ...

4493. David's Victories

2 Samuel 8:1-14

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... Mauchline (1 and 2 Samuel, p. 244) suggests that these events took place early in David’s reign and the reference to Mica is a later addition, but Mephibosheth appears to be an adult in this account. This delay lessens the impact of David’s desire to show kindness to Jonathan’s descendants. However, the writers have no qualms about ascribing negative motives to David in other contexts (as in 2 Sam. 11), so perhaps it is best to take David’s actions at face value. He may be blameworthy in forgetting ...

4494. David Flees

2 Samuel 15:13-37

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... his trust. Ziba’s story is unlikely. There was no way in which Mephibosheth could have seen Absalom’s rebellion as a means of obtaining his grandfather’s kingdom for himself, and there had been no previous sign that he had any desire to be king. However, David accepted Ziba’s story without question. This is understandable given David’s natural distrust of Saul’s family, shortly to be confirmed by Shimei’s actions. Mephibosheth’s relationship with Saul is deliberately stressed, both by David ...

4495. Absalom’s Death

2 Samuel 18:1-18

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... Ahimaaz as “blurting out” the news of victory and then exhibiting cowardice as he fails to give David the news of Absalom’s death. However, it is equally likely that the young man exhibits diplomatic skills, imitating Joab’s wiliness. 18:33 David’s desire to have died instead of his son may be an expression of parental grief but seems likely to portray his own sense of responsibility. However, it is not clear whether he saw his original actions with Bathsheba and Uriah, or his handling of Absalom ...

4496. The Gibeonites Avenged

2 Samuel 21:1-14

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... David and challenged him into taking the action Rizpah would not have had the authority to do—giving the bodies a proper burial. Whether this was done from kindness, from a sense of duty (as in the case of the sparing of Mephibosheth), or from a desire to close the episode and make the existence of the bodies less likely to inspire a Saulide revolt is not made explicit. The episode ends with the statement that God answered prayer in behalf of the land. That is, presumably, the famine ended, perhaps as a ...

4497. David's Mighty Men

2 Samuel 23:8-39

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... only speculative. In one sense, this is a minor incident; the writers give it no symbolic significance. It serves as an additional example of the loyalty and devotion that David inspired in his men and a further insight into David’s character. David’s somewhat whimsical desire for a drink of water from the Bethlehem well was picked up by the three men. In spite of the fact that the well was behind Philistine lines, they obtained some water and brought it to him. Water that had been acquired at the risk ...

4498. Job's Second Test

Job 2:1-10

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... and his wife introduces the cycle of speech and reply that will make up the core of the book’s dialogue section. Job’s reply to his wife seems to acknowledge that her intent is less than evil—and is perhaps even motivated by her desire to see her husband’s pain and degradation ended. He does not call his wife a foolish woman but simply dismisses her speech as like that of “a foolish woman” (nebalah). The term nebalah does not indicate lack of intelligence but describes “moral obtuseness and ...

4499. Eliphaz's Second Speech to Job

Job 15:1-35

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... “conceive” or “give birth.” The difficulty may be in the understanding of the Hebrew translated “barren” (galmud), which appears only in Job 3:7; 15:34; 30:3; and Isaiah 49:21. The idea of human barrenness is certainly present in the expression of Job’s desire that the day of his own birth had instead been barren (3:7). The section that began in verse 31 with a warning to the wicked not to be misled into believing their own deceptions now concludes with a last description of the wicked as one ...

4500. Bildad's Second Speech to Job

Job 18:1-21

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... on the scene demanding that Job cease speaking. His outburst is tantamount to an admission that the friends are unable to answer Job’s arguments or persuade him of their own views. The verb translated end here may be a jussive form expressing Bildad’s desire that Job “shut up!” The result would sound something like: “How long (must I listen to this)? Put an end to words!” This is not a request for a time table, but a demand for Job’s immediate silence and submission! Bildad’s assessment of ...

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