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 4576 to 4600 of 4959 results

4576. David's Prayer

2 Samuel 7:18-29

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 ...

4577. David's Officials

2 Samuel 8:15-18

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 ...

4578. David and Mephibosheth

2 Samuel 9:1-13

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

4579. David and Ziba

2 Samuel 16:1-4

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 ...

4580. Shimei Curses David

2 Samuel 16:5-14

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

4581. David Mourns

2 Sam 18:19–19:8

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 ...

4582. The King Who Exalts Himself

Daniel 11:36-45

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... for worshiping many gods (Polybius, Hist. 30.25–26). Perhaps this verse refers to the fact that he plundered temples to fill his treasury. By putting himself ahead of the cults he robbed, he showed that he exalted himself above them all (11:37). The god desired by women (11:37) is usually identified as Tammuz, a Babylonian god who was loved by Ishtar and who died young; his female devotees would mourn his death (Ezek. 8:14). The identity of the god unknown to his fathers whom the king honors with gold ...

4583. The End Times

Daniel 12:1-13

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... . Ancient Israelite religion taught that when humans die, they go to Sheol, the grave—a dark place where there is no praise of God (Pss. 6:5; 88:10–11; 115:17; Isa. 38:18–19). If it can be called life after death, it is not a very desirable one, for in that place “there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom” (Eccl. 9:10). Humans are no better than animals, for “all have the same breath” (Eccl. 3:19) and all will return to dust (Eccl. 3:19–21). While it is true that Enoch ...

4584. The Next Two Days: The Call of the Disciples

John 1:43-51, John 1:35-42

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... v. 43. Why? The narrator apparently does not want the call of Simon Peter (verses 40–42) to detract from the more extended account of the call of Nathanael, which is where his chief interest lies. The call of Simon is part of his tradition and he has no desire to leave it out, but strictly speaking it has no day of its own assigned to it in the sixday sequence. It is simply an appendix to Day Three, included for the sake of completeness and to prepare for the events of Day Four. Andrew finds Simon and ...

4585. “I Am from Him and He Sent Me”

John 7:25-44

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... emissaries but directly. Yet his pronouncement I am the light of the world …, the sequel to 7:37–38, is not for them exclusively but for whoever follows me. It is universal in scope and probably, like 7:37–38, future in its orientation. The desire of Jesus’ brothers that he “show himself to the world” (7:4) is coming to realization but with the outcome Jesus foresaw, that the world “hates me because I testify that what it does is evil” (7:7). Only when the Spirit comes will the outcome ...

4586. The Validity of Jesus' Testimony

John 8:12-30

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

4587. The World Hates the Disciples

John 15:18--16:4

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... might remain” (Gr.: menēi, the word used throughout the chapter for “remaining” in Jesus). The hope expressed is that the disciples’ converts will be firmly established in their new faith and will realize among themselves the same mutual love that Jesus desires for the first generation of believers (cf. 17:20). Then the Father will give you whatever you ask. This expression of Jesus’ intent is probably to be taken as synonymous with the immediately preceding intent that the disciples go and bear ...

4588. Hearts / Repentance

2 Corinthians 7:2-16

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... resulted in Paul’s relief, too. The principle of vicarious comfort was expressed in the opening thanksgiving: Paul’s comfort results in the Corinthians’ comfort (1:6). Titus was able to report that the church had a longing for Paul and earnestly desired his visit. Evidently, the Corinthians had already begun to open their hearts to the apostle, just as he now exhorts them to do more fully and finally by completely cutting themselves off from the remaining opponents in the congregation (cf. 6:11 ...

4589. Visit

2 Corinthians 13:1-10, 2 Corinthians 13:11-14

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... verses later (v. 11), where Paul exhorts the Corinthians to concord. Since, as we shall see, 13:11 expresses the main purpose for the writing of 2 Corinthians, Paul’s prayer in verse 9 may already look forward to that statement and thus express his desire that the rebellious factions in Corinth (cf. 12:20) be brought into harmony with him. 13:10 The apostle concludes this hortatory subsection (vv. 5–10) with a summary of the purpose for which he has written chapters 10–13. The contrast between being ...

4590. Suffering for Doing Good

1 Peter 3:8-22

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... p. 76). They must be compassionate, tenderhearted, caring deeply for one another—a powerful and rich term in the Greek for which there is no adequate English translation. All the emotions are involved. They must be humble toward one another. The idea of humility as a desirable characteristic is promoted in the NT as a virtue of Christlike living (Gal. 5:23; Eph. 4:2; Phil. 2:3) and follows the teaching of Jesus himself (Matt. 11:29). To the Hellenistic world such a notion came as a startling novelty, for ...

4591. Faith in the Son of God

1 John 5:1-12, 1 John 4:7-21

Understanding Series

Thomas F. Johnson

... is in the perfect tense indicating that the secessionists have known well, over a period of time, the needs of the brothers and sisters they are rejecting. The textual variant, substituting “how is he able to love” for “he” cannot love arose due to the copyists’ desire to make this verse conform more closely in style to 3:17. Cannot love is also the better attested text. 4:21 Verse 21 reinforces the teaching of v. 20 by citing a divine command which links love for God with love for one’s brother ...

4592. Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away

Genesis 21:8-21

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

... Abraham a son when he was old. She who had laughed in disbelief at the angel’s announcement that she would bear a son (18:12–15) now laughs in joyful glee for her son named “laughter.” 21:8 Delighted at finally having a son by Sarah and desirous of cherishing the stages of his son’s growth, Abraham held a great feast when Isaac was weaned. Although weaning took place at different ages, Isaac must have been older than three (1 Sam. 1:22, 24; 2 Macc. 7:27). 21:9–10 At this feast Sarah became ...

4593. Jacob Flees to Laban

Genesis 27:41--28:9

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

... mother who looks out for her favorite son. The deceit of Rebekah and Jacob hardens the audience toward them; the sense is that they deserve the pain they get for their conniving. The sympathies of the audience gravitate toward Isaac, a weak, aging figure whose fatherly desire to honor a loved son is thwarted. The outcomes of this act of deception are harsh. Esau weeps bitterly for the lost blessing. Jacob has to spend twenty years in exile, where he must deal with a clever father-in-law. Rebekah loses the ...

4594. Laban Pursues Jacob

Genesis 31:22-55

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

... Jacob of stealing his gods. The limitations God had put on Laban did not preclude his exacting compensation for an outright theft by anyone in Jacob’s family. Laban was therefore determined to cause Jacob trouble and recover his gods. The fervor of Laban’s desire for getting his gods back stands in stark contrast to his poor treatment of his daughters. These gods had to do with the identity and power of the family, but in valuing the symbols of the family more than members of the family, Laban lost ...

4595. Moses Forbidden to Cross the Jordan

Deuteronomy 3:21-29

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... 3:12–20). It is time now to move forward and cross that boundary, because you have stayed long enough on this side of it (1:6; cf. 2:2). Additional Notes 3:26 A stark contrast between the Deuteronomic explanation for God’s denial of Moses’ desire to enter the promised land and the one given in Num. 20 is argued by Mann, “Denial of Moses,” linking it questionably with reflection on the death of Josiah. The severity and apparent injustice of God’s refusal to allow Moses to enter the promised land ...

4596. Detestable Practices

Deuteronomy 18:9-13

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... are lumped together as the detestable ways of the nations and headed by the horrific rite of child-sacrifice (cf. 12:31), which was not a divinatory rite, but sets the tone for the way the following practices were to be viewed. It is a universal human desire to know the unknown, to have some preview of the future, to get guidance for decisions, to exercise control over others, to harm others and ward off the harm others may aim at oneself. Alienated from the living God, humans devise the dark arts of verses ...

4597. The Prophet

Deuteronomy 18:14-22

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

4598. Marrying a Captive Woman

Deuteronomy 21:10-14

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... toward her, she is to leave as a free woman. He can take no further advantage over her by selling her as a slave. Thus, the physical and emotional needs of the woman in her utter vulnerability are given moral and legal priority over the desires and claims of the man in his victorious strength. The case could be written up as a matter of human rights. Deuteronomy characteristically prefers to express it as a matter of responsibilities. As such, its relevance is clearly applicable beyond the realm of war to ...

4599. Curses for Obedience

Deuteronomy 28:15-68

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... and finally go back into the very kind of captivity from which they had been rescued (vv. 27–29, 60f., 68). Thirdly, there is a polemical implication here also. Israel went after other gods because they thought they could provide the desired blessings of rain, fertility, success, victory, etc. The tragic irony is that the pursuit of such idolatries ultimately brought the dire opposite of what those false gods promised. There is a persistent tendency in human society toward idolatry—seeking answers and ...

4600. Moses Blesses the Tribe

Deuteronomy 33:1-29

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... of the great magnitudes of creation—the heaven above, the deep waters below, the sun and moon, the ancient mountains, the earth itself. But its broad-brushed beauty conceals a polemical edge, for its point is that all the blessings God’s people may desire from these primordial natural sources are from the hand of the one God, Yahweh, their creator and controller, and no other. Paganism and polytheism are excluded. If ever Israel should look to the sun and the moon themselves in astral cults, or to the ...

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