Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 1001 to 1025 of 1138 results

1001. A History Lesson: From Ephraim to Judah, from the Exodus to Zion

Psalm 78:1-72

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... to God’s free choice. God beat back his enemies probably refers to David’s defeat of the Philistines, among other opponents (2 Sam. 5:6–25; 8:1–14). The phrase, he rejected and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, could refer to a variety of events narrated in Samuel–Kings, including the final destruction of the northern kingdom with the fall of Samaria to the Assyrians (2 Kgs. 17). However, since its counterpart is but he chose the tribe of Judah and he chose David, we should probably assume that ...

1002. The Protection of My God in the Midst of Threat

Psalm 91:1-16

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... the deadly pestilence, v. 3b; the pestilence and the plague, v. 6), battle (your shield and rampart, which protect against the arrow that flies by day, vv. 4–5), and deadly animals (the lion and the cobra, the great lion and the serpent, v. 13). The variety of images allows this psalm to be used for any situation of threat. The psalm exhibits the following structure, consisting of three main sections: verses 1–8, 9–13, and 14–16. The first two sections have the same three parts: a description of the ...

1003. The Saving Righteousness of the Divine King and the Cheers of Nature and the Nations

Psalm 98:1-9

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... that Psalm 98 had special relevance to Jerusalem’s restoration after the Babylonian exile. But these exilic prophecies probably represent a later application of these preexilic psalms. If we look among the psalms of Yahweh’s kingship we discover a variety of revelational events that are to be recognized internationally. Thus, these opening verses probably refer not to specific marvelous things, but to all the many instances within Israel’s salvation history in a summative fashion. As verse 2 claims ...

1004. The Lord Compassionate and Slow to Anger

Psalm 103:1-22

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... heavenly “heroes” (suggested by several Hb. terms) who do . . . his word and will (vv. 20–21). Also consistent with the notion of obedience, Yahweh is depicted as King (v. 19). To cover the praise of God, we can see the psalm blends together a variety of Israelite traditions: those related to the individual (vv. 3–5, as echoed in the prayer psalms of the individual), to Israel’s history and covenant (esp. 6–10, 17–18), to creation (vv. 14–16), and to Yahweh’s kingship and heavenly hosts ...

1005. Meditating on the Lord’s Instruction: From A to Z

Psalm 119:1-176

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... refers to Yahweh’s presence at the temple, which Solomon is here dedicating. Thus, the Chronicler, in the new situation of the postexilic period, chose to redefine “before me” at the temple as “according to my ‘torah.’” Psalm 119 reflects a variety of OT traditions. Generally it reflects the scribal tradition, where written scripture is primary. As in wisdom literature, there is interest in instructing the young man (v. 9; cf. Prov. 1:4, etc.). The whole psalm reads somewhat like a random ...

1006. Just Justice for the Violent and for the Needy

Psalm 140:1-13

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... categories of “the righteous” (v. 13) and “the wicked” (vv. 4, 8). These “men of violence” (vv. 1, 4, 11) are further described by moral adjectives such as “evil” (v. 1, and so they “devise evil”) and “proud” (v. 5) and by a variety of images. They are warlike (vv. 2, 7) and are compared to hunters (v. 5) and “their tongues” to “a serpent’s” (v. 3). The Hebrew expression behind the NIV’s “slanderers” (v. 11) is literally “a man of the tongue,” thus echoing ...

1007. Alone and Persecuted

Psalm 142:1-7

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... depictions of threat and distress are varied—trappers (v. 3), pursuers (v. 6), and prison (v. 7)—thus indicating they are not describing actual circumstances but are portraying images that denote feelings of attack and confinement. This allows the psalm to be used for a variety of needs. 142:1–2 The opening verses refer to Yahweh in the third person and describe the act of praying—they are not a formal part of the prayer itself. Why, we may wonder, bother with this? Why not just get on with praying ...

1008. No One Is Righteous before God

Psalm 143:1-12

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... within the nation (see further the Introduction, and comments on Ps. 106). We cannot be certain that Psalm 143 is postexilic, but verse 2 may reflect this theological development (cf. 130:3). Second, the Hebrew term “righteousness” can be used in a variety of senses. The request for judgment “according to my righteousness” in 7:8 lies in the context of false accusers (also 35:24). Thus, relative to these wicked, the speaker of the psalm is righteous. The Hebrew terms for “wicked” (rāšāʿ) and ...

1009. The Davidic Mercies and Deliverance from Foreigners

Psalm 144:1-15

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... most interpreters to read Psalm 144 as a royal psalm. But we need to observe that each royal feature stems from the psalm’s dependence on Psalm 18, which is only one among the several psalms incorporated here. The other psalms represent a variety of genres, including hymns and individual laments, thus giving the impression the psalm is an anthology (cf. Pss. 9–10; 119; 135). While the psalm’s royal elements fit the preexilic period, other segments, especially the blessing in verses 12–15, have an ...

1010. A Man with Leprosy

Mark 1:40-45

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... , effecting a release from the verdict of the law that a person with the disease mentioned here was “unclean.” Additional Notes 1:40 Leprosy: The Greek term lepros is used in the ancient Greek translations of the OT to cover a whole variety of skin disorders and here probably does not represent the modern medical usage of “leprosy.” The OT account (Lev. 13–14) seems to reflect the ancient difficulty in dealing with such diseases and the difficulty in diagnosing people in primitive situations. We ...

1011. Jesus Clears the Temple

Mark 11:12-19

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... have been based on their charging of high rates in the exchange of coins. Those selling doves: The dove or pigeon was a permitted animal sacrifice for the poor who could not afford larger animals, such as sheep, and was offered as sacrifice for a variety of purposes, such as the ritual purification of women after childbirth (Lev. 12:6), the ritual cleansing of lepers (Lev. 14:22), and others (Lev. 15:14, 29). 11:16 Would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts: This seems to reflect ...

1012. Jesus Questioned About Fasting

Luke 5:33-39

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... :36 parable: The word parable(s) occurs several times in Luke (6:39; 8:4, 9, 10, 11; 12:16, 41; 13:6; 14:7; 15:3; 18:1, 9; 19:11; 20:9, 19; 21:29). The Greek NT word “parable” (as well as its Hebrew equivalent) has a variety of meanings and usages. It may refer to a simple illustration, a proverbial saying, or an enigmatic saying. The idea of parabolic obscurity can be seen in Luke 8:9–11 (cf. Mark 4:10–13). The basic meaning of “parable” is comparison. A parable usually illustrates an abstract ...

1013. The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Luke 18:9-14

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... tax collector stands (v. 13) seems to be intended. God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector: “Robbers” might also be translated “thieves” (the word can have a variety of meanings; NASB, “swindlers”; RSV, “extortioners”). The main idea is in taking what is not one’s own, which would violate the eighth commandment (“You shall not steal,” Exod. 20:15, RSV). The word translated “evildoers” may also be translated ...

1014. The Two Witnesses

Revelation 11:1-14

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... —the power to prophesy for 1,260 days—the oracles they proclaim must bear witness to God’s reign rather than to any part of John’s Revelation. Their identity is more difficult to ascertain. While cases have been mounted for a variety of historical figures (e.g., Moses and Elijah) and theological categories (e.g., law and gospel), we are best advised to pursue symbolic meanings consistent with the conviction envisioned by John’s precedent commission. This course of action seems especially prudent ...

1015. The River of Life

Revelation 22:1-6

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... that Christ is called “Faithful and True” (cf. 3:14; 19:11). At day’s end, however, the exact identity of the speaker is not as important as the sentiment spoken: in a world of competing options, where Christian discipleship is challenged in a variety of ways, the believing community may fully depend upon John’s account of Christian hope as trustworthy and true. Additional Notes 22:1–5 The development of the idea of paradise coincided with the development of the idea of afterlife. The OT contains ...

1016. Restitution for Wrongs

Numbers 5:5-10

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... of the purity legislation in Leviticus and Numbers, but ordering life in a camp vulnerable to sin and impurity, with a holy God present in its midst, is crucial. Additional Notes 5:2 Anyone who has an infectious skin disease (tsarua’) refers to a variety of skin conditions deemed unclean according to the instruction in Lev. 13. A discharge (zab) is the cause of impurity treated in Lev. 15. Exclusion from the camp because of a discharge suggests that the condition is more serious than in Lev. 15. 5:6 ...

1017. The Test for an Unfaithful Wife

Numbers 5:11-31

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

1018. Quail from the Lord

Numbers 11:4-35

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... and Medad. Joshua wishes to restrict prophecy to professionals authorized by Moses. Moses’ response is that he wishes all the people were prophets with God’s Spirit. Moses as leader is open to prophetic voices within the camp. The prophetic movement in ancient Israel included a variety of voices. 11:31–35 In the final section of the story, God uses the wind to drive flocks of quail in from the sea and make them easy to gather, close to the ground (v. 31—“two cubits” or about one meter or three ...

1019. Report on the Exploration

Numbers 13:26-33

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

Of Spies and Rebellions: Numbers 13–14 constitutes one of the central narratives in the book, a kind of watershed that determines the course of a generation in Israel. The narrative is complicated and carefully constructed, taking a variety of turns along the way. Since the census in Numbers 1, readers have been prepared for some military encounter. As chapter 13 begins, the people in the Desert of Paran appear on the verge of the land they have been promised and are preparing to take possession of it. ...

1020. The People Rebel

Numbers 14:1-45

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

1021. Offerings for Priests and Levites

Numbers 18:8-32

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... the community to sustain the life-giving, but threatening, holiness at the center of the camp. The community should therefore provide for the priests. 18:8–20 The rest of the chapter considers the offerings that support the priests and Levites, bringing together a variety of instructions from other places. The address is still to Aaron alone. The basic principle of the section is stated in verse 8: God has given the offerings to the priests. The part that goes to the priests is, of course, that which is ...

1022. Balaam's Second Oracle

Numbers 23:13-26

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... least do not bless them; say nothing.” Balaam responds again (v. 26) that he is only speaking the divine word. Additional Notes 23:1 The context indicates no special significance for the number seven, though the number does have sacred significance in a variety of settings. Rams and bulls are the most valued of the sacrificial animals. Balak and Balaam offer their best in search of a divine word. 23:3 The term for barren height is rare and its translation somewhat problematic, but no plausible alternative ...

1023. Cities of Refuge

Numbers 35:6-34

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... provision for clergy arises several times in Numbers. 35:9–15 The remainder of the chapter deals with the provision, set out again in a divine speech to Moses, of six of the Levitical towns as cities of refuge. Asylum is an ancient custom in a variety of cultures. This chapter specifies one form of it. A city of refuge is a place to which a person who has killed someone accidentally may flee. The procedure outlined here assumes a context of blood vengeance. One of the ways to deter murder in that culture ...

1024. The Priests' Share

Leviticus 7:28-38

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation,” and these chapters direct the Israelites to incarnate that authorization. As Scripture, Leviticus again challenges our notions of God, worship, and atonement. The NT picks up the image of sacrifice in a variety of places. Notable also is the image of God as a consuming fire in Hebrews 12:28–29: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ...

1025. The Year of Jubilee

Leviticus 25:8-55

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

The Sabbath and Jubilee: This chapter turns to the Sabbath principle as it applies to a variety of issues in ancient society like land, property, and slaves. The theological perspective operates out of a creation context, with ancient Israelites functioning as stewards of property and wealth, rather than as owners. God the creator holds that role. The chapter argues that viewing possessions as divine gifts to a ...

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