Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 1076 to 1100 of 1354 results

1076. “Even When I Am Old and Gray, Do Not Forsake Me, My God”

Psalm 71:1-24

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... much like Moses prays a final prayer for Israel (Deut. 33). Psalm 72 then becomes the fulfillment of his intent to pray for the next generation (71:18). Having become the “poor and needy” incarnate (70:5), David prays that God will make Solomon the defender of the afflicted and savior of the needy (72:4). So the stage is set for the community’s most trying era, the Babylonian exile, when they were reshaped into the people of God through suffering and humiliation. Psalms 69–72 share some similar and ...

1077. “Endow the King with Your Justice, O God”

Psalm 72:1-20

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... an illustration of the reprocessing style at work in the Psalter as a whole. Teaching the Text To begin our lesson or sermon, we may observe that David, in his prophetic voice (cf. Ps. 71), prays for his son Solomon, asking God to make him the ideal king who will defend the afflicted and needy (72:2–4, 12–14) and have a long and prosperous reign (72:5–11, 15–17a). As the man of war, David is not permitted to build the temple, but his son, he prays, will reign over an era of peace (shalom; see the ...

1078. God Subjugates Judah under Babylon

Daniel 1:1-21

Teach the Text

Ronald W. Pierce

... .2 Babylonian counselors in the royal court included “magicians” (cultic diviners or astrologers) and “enchanters” (dream interpreters or conjurers). Egyptian magicians were among Babylonian court advisors, complemented by Mesopotamian enchanters. Together, their task was to defend the king against apparently hostile omens, as Daniel does in chapter 2. They normally did this through training in Akkadian dream and omen manuals that identified images, providing the sages with necessary information to ...

1079. The Image of Gold and the Fiery Furnace

Daniel 3:1-30

Teach the Text

Ronald W. Pierce

... in 2:11 that only the gods are able to reveal mysteries, although here he puts his power above that of any god. His defiance counters the Judeans’ persistence. 3:16 replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves.” Verses 16–18 form the literary and theological center of the chapter. The NIV does not follow the Masoretic punctuation of this text, which reads, “[They] replied to the king, ‘Nebuchadnezzar, we do not . . .’” Thus, they do not use his royal title ...

1080. The Rape of Dinah

Genesis 34:1-31

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Hamorite only if all the males are circumcised. Three days later, when the pain from the operation would be greatest, Dinah’s brothers strike with a vengeance. Holy war is declared against the Hamorites. Jacob protests the excesses of their retaliation, but his sons defend their action as noble. A vigilante mentality always insists that the answer to violence is more violence. Jacob himself has been set free from such a mindset. The last verse of chapter 34 and the last verse of Jonah (Jon. 4:11) provide ...

1081. Miriam and Aaron Oppose Moses

Numbers 12:1-16

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Midianite skin by likening her to an Ethiopian (or Nubian). They are choosing to regard Moses’s marriage to this non-Israelite (although descended from Abraham; Gen. 25:1–2), whom they view as inferior, as diminishing his leadership. Moses does not attempt to defend himself against Miriam and Aaron, due to his extreme humility (Num. 12:3—not likely written by Moses to honor himself). He is not confident in himself but is completely confident in and zealous for the Lord, under whom his ego is subsumed ...

1082. Knowing What the Lord Requires of Us

Deuteronomy 10:12-22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... from the heart (Rom. 2:28–29); and in Stephen’s speech (Acts 7:51). This leads into a description of the incomparability of God, emphasized by three adjectives: “great . . . , mighty and awesome” (10:17). Furthermore, this awesome God “shows no partiality,” “accepts no bribes,” “defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow,” and “loves the foreigner,” “giving [the foreigner] food and clothing” (10:17–18). No wonder, then, that “he is [our] praise” (10:21 KJV, RSV).

1083. A Worthy Woman Meets a Worthy Man

Ruth 2:1-23

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ”). Mosaic legislation defines a redeemer as a male, near blood relative who has the responsibility for rescuing, protecting, and helping weaker relatives. His responsibilities might include such things as buying back land belonging to relatives that was sold or forfeited, defending legal interests of that relative, executing a relative’s killer, or siring and raising children with the wife of the deceased relative in order to perpetuate the family name (Lev. 25:25–28; Deut. 25:5–10). The mention of ...

1084. David Conquers Jerusalem

2 Samuel 5:6-16

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... covering about eleven acres, located on the border between Judah and Benjamin, making it an ideal neutral site for one who wanted to unite the north and the south. Deep valleys on every side except the north surrounded Jerusalem, so it could be easily defended, which explains the Jebusites’ confidence that David will not be able to capture the city (5:6). Jerusalem also possessed an excellent water source, the Gihon spring in the Kidron Valley, east of the city. But it may have been the “water shaft ...

1085. Jerusalem's Deliverance Foretold

2 Kings 19:1-37

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... but because of God’s foresight to use the Assyrians as part of his divine plan. Hezekiah is also given a sign (encouraging him to give patient leadership to the remnant who will survive), and the immediate crisis will be resolved as God will defend Jerusalem “for my sake and for the sake of David my servant” (19:34). While no response of Hezekiah is preserved, the resolution of the conflict surely provides some vindication for prophet and king (19:35–37). The same “angel of the Lord” who ...

1086. Hezekiah's Prayer

2 Kings 20:1-21

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... treasures of Jerusalem, for the time is coming when the treasures will be forcibly exported there. Hezekiah’s reaction is staggeringly shortsighted: his own descendants will be emasculated, but he is happy that he will retire in peace. Some interpreters try to defend the king, but it is hard to deny that Hezekiah’s response puts a real damper on an otherwise remarkable reign. The chapter ends with a regnal summary (20:20–21), including the ingenious engineering feat still called “Hezekiah’s tunnel ...

1087. Army Divisions, Officers and Overseers

1 Chronicles 27:1-15

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Chronicles 27:1–15 enumerates David’s military, including the various levels in the army’s chain of command. Verse 1 makes it clear that David’s army was not an ad hoc force but rather a standing army on defined rotation, able to defend Israel constantly. First Chronicles 27:16–22 lists the leaders of the tribes of Israel, leaving out the two tribes of Gad and Asher, separating Aaron from the rest of Levi, and dividing the Joseph tribes into three groups (Ephraim, half Manasseh, half Manasseh ...

1088. Builders of the Wall

Nehemiah 3:1-32

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the leader when the temple was rebuilt (Ezra 5:2), along with his fellow priests, rebuilds the Sheep Gate and the wall as far as the Tower of Hananel. There are two towers in the north wall; this is the only side of Jerusalem not defended by steep hills. The fact that this part of the wall and the Tower of Hananel are the only parts dedicated here, apart from the entire dedication celebration (Nehemiah 12), may have theological significance. This tower is mentioned in only two Old Testament passages outside ...

1089. Opposition to the Rebuilding

Nehemiah 4:1-23

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... with weapons at the weaker points in the wall. He wisely organizes the guards according to families for mutual encouragement. Then he calls the leaders and workers together and encourages them to trust God, who is powerful to deliver, and to defend their families (4:14). The enemies again realize their plans have failed; Nehemiah praises God for frustrating their plot (4:15). Nehemiah understands the need for further precautions, so he divides the workforce, equipping half the men with armor and weapons ...

1090. The King’s Edict to Spare the Jews

Esther 8:1-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Once again, Queen Esther approaches the king, this time with a tearful and deeply emotional plea (8:3). She receives immediate favor and is given permission for her and Mordecai to issue a new royal decree that will allow the Jews from Persia to defend themselves against their enemies (8:8). The new decree, originally written in the Persian language, is dictated by Mordecai and transcribed into the scripts and languages of all peoples and provinces in Persia (8:9). Although Esther is the one who pled before ...

1091. Eliphaz

Job 4:1–5:27

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ’s worldview. That worldview leads Eliphaz to offer words of encouragement that are, in fact, bitterly cruel to Job: “Where were the upright ever destroyed?” (4:7); “[A fool’s] children are far from safety, crushed in the court without a defender” (5:4); “You will know that your children will be many” (5:25). Words meant to support Job and sustain the dogma behind them actually indict the cruelty of Eliphaz’s—traditional wisdom’s—narrow dogma. Eliphaz’s words, seemingly an effort ...

1092. Job's Reply to Bildad

Job 9:1–10:22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... (9:25–35). He then returns to the nagging thought of court. Job truly is a moth to a flame. Job is disadvantaged, condemned guilty by God, frightened silent by his terror. If only there were someone else who could arbitrate justly, Job could speak and defend his innocence. But such is not the case. Miserable circumstances give a voice to Job (10:1–7). He boldly announces what he will say to God. Through three fields of questioning, Job tries to peel back the motives behind God’s treatment of him. Is ...

1093. Job's Third Reply to Eliphaz

Job 23:1--24:25

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... be. But that landscape is not a reality. His final words that boast the truth of his viewpoint are a defiant challenge to his friends. 27:1–12 · Job continues in the vein of his words in 23:8–12. Through a series of oaths, Job defends the integrity and veracity of his position. He is right and righteous and is therefore unwilling to agree with his friends’ position. Job launches an imprecatory attack on any enemy who would continue to assail him and ends his speech intent on instructing his friends ...

1094. Job's Third Reply to Bildad

Job 26:1--31:40

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Job laments the painful atrophy of body and life (30:16–19). Job cries out to God, declaring him cruel and savage (30:20–23) and expressing his disbelief that such evil could befall him (30:24–31). 31:1–40 · Job now turns to defend his position with a testimony of integrity similar to those found in Egyptian mortuary texts, where the deceased, speaking to Osiris and other gods, lists offenses that the deceased has not committed. Job’s integrity is seen through the transgressions he is not guilty ...

1095. Psalm 35

Psalm 35:1-28

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... him, set traps for him, and rejoice when he falls. His enemies dominate the “headlines”—God being far less prominent in Psalm 35 than he is in Psalm 34. Every command in Psalm 35, however, is directed toward God, with David imploring God to defend him, defeat his enemies, or rescue him (contrast Psalm 34). Yet, despite their differences, Psalms 34 and 35 conclude that God delivers the upright. Throughout Psalm 35, David seeks God’s help (35:1–3, 17, 22–25), desiring his enemies to falter because ...

1096. Psalm 43

Psalm 43:1-5

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... does “rock,” and “rejected” is more actively intentional than “forgotten.” Even the word “go,” in “Why must I go about mourning” (43:2), suggests a pacing back and forth, an agitation, rather than mere motion (42:9). In Psalm 43, the psalmist implores God to defend him in the world court—to free him from the grasp of the godless (43:1). Convinced that God has abandoned him to his oppressors (43:2), he begs God to return him to Jerusalem, where he can worship God (43:3–4). Yet, seeing ...

1097. Psalm 48

Psalm 48:1-14

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... greater praise to the God who dwells there. The psalmist begins and ends with God (48:1, 14) and specifically references God in seven other verses (48:2–3, 7–11). He presents God as the possessor and ruler of Jerusalem and as its righteous warrior, defender, and judge. As a consequence, in the midst of Jerusalem’s beauty is Jerusalem’s true strength (48:3). Within Jerusalem, God’s people are secure and joyful, for he guides them always (48:8, 11, 14). They take great comfort in living there, being ...

1098. Psalm 82

Psalm 82:1-8

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... terms: “Listen to me . . . follow my ways.” Now, in 82:1–2, God gives them specifics. He redirects their question back to them: “How long” will you, O Israel, contradict all that I have taught you, by supporting the wicked and forsaking the helpless? Defend the defenseless; rescue those dominated by the world (82:3–4). In verses 1 and 6, God refers to his people as “gods” (cf. John 10:22–39). He uses that term metaphorically to describe those who are in a position to receive God’s ...

1099. Babylon, Edom, and Arabia

Isaiah 21:1-10, Isaiah 21:11-12, Isaiah 21:13-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... to flight with sword and bow. The people of Kedar (21:16–17) were also known as caravanners and were respected for their prowess with bows and arrows. These warlike archers were able to protect the caravans as they migrated across the Arabian desert, but they are not able to defend themselves. In a prosaic statement, the prophet concludes the oracles by saying that disaster will also come on Kedar.

1100. The Cup of the Lord's Wrath

Isaiah 51:17--52:12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... described as a “cup” (51:17). The “cup” is an expression of the fullness of the anger of the Lord: “ruin and destruction, famine and sword” (51:19). Now, he graciously rouses them from their drunken stupor. The Lord who judged them will again defend his people. He removes the cup of judgment from them. He encourages them in that their lot will fall on their oppressors. In response to their prayer (“awake, awake,” 51:9), the Lord calls his people to wake up from their stupor (52:1 ...

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