Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 1326 to 1350 of 4963 results

1326. David Brings a Plague upon Israel

2 Samuel 24:1-25

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... servant and is not rejected as Saul was. In 2 Samuel 24 he sins and endures the horrible consequences of his action. But David successfully intercedes for the people, who are dying as punishment for his own sin, and his position as leader of the nation remains intact. Interpretive Insights 24:1 Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel. Only once before in 1–2 Samuel has the Lord’s anger against his own people been mentioned. In 2 Samuel 6:7 his anger burned against Uzzah when he touched the ...

1327. The “Nine Lives” of David

1 Samuel 19:1-24

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... Helen Roseveare. Dr. Helen Roseveare (b. 1925) was an English missionary to the Congo from 1953 to 1973, where she practiced medicine and taught the nationals how to do medical work. She remained in the Congo even as the political situation was becoming very threatening in the 1960s. Taken prisoner by hostile forces, she remained in their custody for a number of months, during which she was subject to cruel beatings and raped repeatedly. After being released from prison, she returned to England for a short ...

1328. The Lord Guides, Encourages, and Protects David

1 Samuel 23:1-29

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... 23:1–5) / Abiathar’s arrival (23:6) The contrast between David and Saul is sharp. While Saul is murdering the Lord’s priests, David is accomplishing what Saul should be doing: delivering people from the Philistines (see 9:16). David then protects the one remaining priest from the murderous Saul. Interpretive Insights 23:2 he inquired of the Lord. David’s action marks a significant turning point. Earlier he was wavering in his faith, but now he actively seeks the Lord’s will as he sees a need in ...

1329. Job Feels Both Confidence and Terror

Job 23:1--24:25

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Daniel J. Estes

... called to account for their criminal acts. Working under the cover of darkness (cf. John 3:19, where Jesus says that “people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil”), they suppose that if no human can see them, then their wrongdoing will remain undetected. They act as if there is no God who can see through the darkness to observe their sin. 24:20–21 the worm feasts on them; the wicked are no longer remembered. In the book of Job, the worm is repeatedly used to picture decay ...

1330. Yahweh Speaks as the Master Teacher

Job 38:1--41:34

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Daniel J. Estes

... Job in chapters 38–41 climaxes with Yahweh’s stirring description of the sea creature Leviathan (Job 41). After the barrage of unanswerable questions by Yahweh, this final object lesson at last wilts the remaining vestiges of Job’s resistance, so that he responds humbly to Yahweh in 42:1–6. All that remains after Job’s answer is the epilogue (42:7–17), in which Yahweh will affirm Job’s innocence and restore a full measure of blessing to Job. Historical and Cultural Background In the Ugaritic ...

1331. “Do Not Drag Me Away with the Wicked”

Psalm 28:1-9

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C. Hassell Bullock

... as he is in other places of the Psalter (e.g., Ps. 18:2). It may have been an allusion to Mount Sinai, or even to the temple that was built upon a rock, symbolizing security and strength.[11] do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent . . . pit. The clause “do not turn a deaf ear to me” is literally “do not be silent to me,” which implies that the Lord has ignored the psalmist.[12] The negative phrasing of a request is sometimes a more effective expression than a positive one, because it ...

1332. “The Span of My Years Is as Nothing before You”

Psalm 39:1-13

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C. Hassell Bullock

... tongue” (NIV: “Job did not sin in what he said”) is an allusion to blasphemy. The verbal form of the term for “muzzle” occurs in Deuteronomy 25:4 (see “Historical and Cultural Background”). 39:2 So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good.The Hebrew verb for “I remained silent” (’lm) is used to describe the servant’s silence in Isaiah 53:7. There is the possibility that the psalmist does not take the witness stand lest he should have to admit his sin in the presence ...

1333. “Within Your Temple, O God, We Meditate on Your Unfailing Love”

Psalm 48:1-14

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C. Hassell Bullock

... this God is our God for ever and ever” (48:14). There was nothing wrong with admiring the temple, as Jeremiah’s compatriots did (Jer. 7:9–15), or, for that matter, admiring the great cathedrals and churches of the modern world, but the truth remains that the God of Scripture who is worshiped in those places (48:9) is the securing force. Jerusalem and the Temple: The city of Jerusalem has a history of nearly four thousand years. “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people ...

1334. The Writing on the Wall

Daniel 5:1-31

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Ronald W. Pierce

... to the other sages, as a conditional inducement before the fact, which might be understood as influencing the outcome. This kind of reward carries inherent dangers for corrupting the integrity of the message. In using the gifts God has given us, we must remain keenly aware of our inner motives and of the outward perceptions of corruption by others. This is not to say that believers should refuse payment for serving in professional ways. But we should carefully guard the opportunities God gives us so as not ...

1335. Ancient of Days and Son of Man

Daniel 7:1-14

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Ronald W. Pierce

... visions that end the book. Fifth, it is a “symbolic vision,”1like the corresponding chapter that follows it. By this intentional shaping, the author connects the fourth kingdom of Daniel 2 and 7 with the Jewish suffering under Greece in the remaining apocalyptic visions (Dan. 8–12). Taken together, these features identify Daniel 7 as the book’s pivotal center—inextricably bound to both halves of the book.2Providentially, this chapter in the book of Daniel also provides us with the clearest picture ...

1336. Gabriel Brings an Answer to Daniel’s Prayer

Daniel 9:20-27

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Ronald W. Pierce

... single unit of sixty-nine “sevens.” This era extends from “the word [that] goes out” until “the Anointed One,” who is Jesus (9:25 NIV; cf. NASB, NKJV). Although the church has held some version of this view throughout its history,2there remains no consensus on four key issues: which “word . . . goes out” to begin this period, which coming of Jesus ends the sixty-nine “sevens,” when does the last “seven” occur, or what is the identity of the “ruler who will come” (9:26). Messianic ...

1337. Thank You, Siri...Oops!

Luke 17:11-19

Sermon

King Duncan

... a mountain--the angels stopped and gathered the prayers into their baskets. Before long the basket carried by one of the angels grew heavy with the weight of what he had collected, but that of the other remained almost empty. Maybe you can guess why one basket was full, while the other remained empty. Into the first basket were put prayers of petition. “Please give me this . . . Please let me have that.” Into the other went the prayers that said simply, “Thank you.” “Your basket seems very light ...

1338. Preparations to Receive the Covenant

Exodus 19:1-25

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... torah prepares the covenant community to approach God in worship and insists that all of life is conducted in the presence of God. While worship environments change, the fundamental need of sinful human beings to have a way into the presence of a holy God remains the same. 19:1-25 · As covenant mediator, Moses goes up and down the mountain multiple times (19:3, 7–9, 10, 14, 20–21, 24–25), communicating to Israel God’s promises and the procedures for purification, and communicating to God Israel’s ...

1339. The Sin Offering

Lev 4:1–5:13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... significance committed by the high priest (4:3–12) or the whole community (4:13–21) require the high priest to sprinkle blood seven times in the outer sanctum (in front of the inner veil), daub blood on the horns of the incense altar, and dispose of the remaining blood at the base of the outer altar (4:5–7). Blood is especially prominent in three ways: vertically on the altar horns, horizontally by coming closer to God’s place of enthronement in the Most Holy Place (cf. Exod. 25:22; Num. 7:89; 2 Sam ...

1340. Organization of the Younger Generation

Numbers 26:1–27:11

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... for apportionment of territory, and more laws. 26:1-65 · A fresh census (Numbers 26) is necessary for organization because the generation counted in the earlier census (chaps. 1–3) is now gone. The second census also verifies that only Caleb and Joshua remain of those numbered in the first census (26:64–65). The census is undertaken after the plague (26:1), which has reduced the Israelites by 24,000. Nevertheless, the total of the military census (not counting Levites) is 601,730 (26:51), only ...

1341. Land Yet To Be Possessed

Joshua 13:1-7

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... now assume primary responsibility for taking possession of the area allotted to it. The land yet to be possessed is listed in 13:2–5. From the places cited, it is clear that this is not meant to be a comprehensive list of every city that remains to be taken but a list of particular regions where Israel has yet to establish a solid foothold. These include the coastal plains in the southwest, where the Philistines dominate; the coastal region in the northwest that stretches from Aphek, west of the Sea of ...

1342. Hebron Given to Caleb

Joshua 14:6-15

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... process of distribution actually involves two rounds, with the first round taking place in Gilgal (14:6–17:18) and the second round taking place later in Shiloh (18:1–19:51). The first round apparently involves only two and a half tribes: Judah, Ephraim, and the remaining half tribe of Manasseh. 14:6–15 · As the men of Judah come forward to receive their land (14:6–15:63), Caleb speaks up to make a special request (14:6–12). In 14:6, Caleb is introduced as a Kenizzite. According to Genesis 15:19 ...

1343. Allotment for Ephraim and Manasseh

Josh 16:1–17:18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... NIV translation of 17:1–2 gives the impression it is the Gileadites among Makir’s descendants who receive land in Gilead and Bashan east of the Jordan. If so, this means those eligible for land west of the Jordan should be the remaining non-Gileadite clans of Manasseh. The problem, however, is that the six clans mentioned in 17:2 (Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida) are all descendants of Gilead. In fact, according to Numbers 26:30–32, these six may constitute the entire Gileadite ...

1344. Cities of Refuge

Joshua 20:1-9

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... petitioner into the city to be protected from avengers until a formal trial before the assembly (20:4–6; cf. Num. 35:12, 24). If declared innocent of murder at that trial, the individual will then be returned to the city of refuge to remain and to continue receiving protection until the death of the high priest who was serving when the individual was admitted (Num. 35:25). Only then will the person be allowed to return home with guaranteed immunity from blood vengeance. Otherwise, a premature departure ...

1345. Dealing with Potential Covenant Violation

Joshua 22:1-34

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the book, which begins with Joshua urging the Transjordanian tribes to cross over to fight with their brothers until they have taken possession of the land (1:12–15). But before the two and a half tribes return to their own inheritance, Joshua charges them to remain faithful to the Lord by loving and serving him and obeying his commandments (22:5). They are then sent away not only with Joshua’s blessing but also with a significant amount of plunder (22:6–8). But as they reach Geliloth, which may be ...

1346. Widows and Their Worries: Back to Bethlehem

Ruth 1:1-22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... that Ruth belongs to Moab, her people are the Moabites, and her god is Chemosh (Num. 21:27–30). Naomi dissuades her from making what would amount to a radical change in the status quo. Yet even after this compelling attempt, Ruth’s resolve remains intact. Ruth’s Resolve and Confession ( 1:16–17 ) ·For the first time Ruth speaks. She interprets Naomi’s previous injunctions to journey back to Moab (along with Orpah) as abandonment of her mother-in-law, something Ruth resolutely refuses (1:16). Her ...

1347. Ruth’s Proposal

Ruth 3:1-18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... supply of barley and causes her to return with another favorable report (3:14–15). As before, the favor extended to Ruth concerns more than abundance of food; now it entails Boaz’s verbal commitment to marry Ruth and give her a new home and identity in Israel. Tension still remains, however, as to the full outcome. What will become of Ruth and Boaz? As long as this “other man” exists it ...

1348. War Between the Houses of David and Saul

2 Samuel 2:8-3:5

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... control of the whole nation. Abner is much older and unable to outrun Asahel, but he does not want to anger Joab by killing his brother. He fears that Joab might seek revenge, even if the death takes place in battle. When no other alternative remains, Abner strikes Asahel with the butt of his spear, perhaps to stop but not kill him. The blow is a powerful one, however, and Asahel dies immediately. After the death of their brother, Joab and Abishai keep up the chase until sunset, when Israel’s resistance ...

1349. David Returns to Jerusalem

2 Samuel 19:9-43

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... unfinished business has to do with Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, who was accused of participating in the revolt (19:24–30). He wanted to join David in exile but was left behind by his steward Ziba. Since the time David left Jerusalem, Mephibosheth has remained in an unkempt condition as a sign of deep mourning. Aware that as a descendant of Saul, he does not deserve David’s favor, Mephibosheth nonetheless politely asks David to rethink his decision to give Saul’s estate to Ziba. Uncertain as to who ...

1350. The Gibeonites’ Revenge

2 Samuel 21:1-14

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 24) and several short accounts of the victories of David and his men (21:15–22; 23:8–39). Between these two clusters of heroic achievements are two poems written by David praising the Lord for his deliverance (22:1–23:7). Although their overall purpose remains opaque, the function of the two middle sections, David’s song and last words, is transparent, as is that of the final chapter, which prepares for Solomon’s building of the temple in 1 Kings 5–6. 21:1-14 · Because of the possible reference ...

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