Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 1601 to 1625 of 1795 results

Revelation 1:1-3

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... dismissed this element entirely, perhaps in reaction to the literalism of fundamentalistic interpretations as characterized by Hal Lindsey’s The Late Great Planet Earth. Many scholars prefer to understand the idea of prophecy as referring to a prophetic “style”—forthtelling rather than foretelling—which prepares the readers for criticism and conversion (Boring, Revelation, p. 80). If we are true to John’s intent, however, then we must read Revelation as containing the prediction of the future of ...

1602. Various Laws

Leviticus 19:1-37

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... ) with an exhortation reminiscent of its beginning. This chapter provides further evidence of the Priestly understanding of holiness. It relates to both cultic and ethical spheres of living. Faith of the individual and the community is to issue in a holy style of life, one demonstrating relationship with Yahweh, who is holy and distinct. This text assumes that ancient Israel is able to live the holy, healthy community life that the priests celebrate and call the people to share. Responsibility for wholeness ...

1603. Punishments for Sin

Leviticus 20:1-27

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... is found in verse 6. Holiness demands loyalty to the one true God and the cult of Yahweh (v. 7). 20:8–21 This section treats issues arising in the context of the family, mostly matters of sexual relationships. It begins with a classic exhortation in the style of the Holiness Code, to keep my decrees and to live by them, walk or follow after them, for these decrees come from Israel’s God, Yahweh. Then verse 9 follows with a prohibition in the tradition of the Decalogue. Anyone who curses his father or ...

1604. The Passover and Unleavened Bread

Leviticus 23:4-8

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

The Festival Calendar: Worship and the tabernacle were located at the center of ancient Israel’s life. Chapter 23 articulates the calendar of special worship events. Exodus 23:14–17 and 34:17–26 prefigure this more detailed description, and Numbers 28–29 and Deuteronomy 16:1–17 also treat the issues. No doubt the historical development of this calendar is long and complex. Certainly early agricultural festivals underlie the festivals described in this chapter, as do practices from the Jerusalem temple. ...

1605. The Kohathites

Numbers 4:1-20

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... are 2,750 Kohathites, 2,630 Gershonites, and 3,200 Merarites, for a total of 8,580 Levites. Each Levite was then given an assignment. The chapter closes in a way commensurate with its tenor, emphasizing obedience to God’s command. Notice the significant style with which the tasks for taking care of the tabernacle are described. Again there is a progression of holiness from the Kohathites, who deal with the most holy things central to the tabernacle, and to the Gershonites, and then the Merarites, who have ...

1606. The Purity of the Camp

Numbers 5:1-4

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... will swell and her thigh waste away. If not guilty, the woman will be cleared and able to have children. 5:29–31 These verses contain a sort of postscript, the law for a husband’s jealousy, which summarizes the section in characteristic Priestly style. The husband is declared innocent of any wrongdoing, but the woman will bear the consequences of her sin. Verses 11–31 will seem odd to modern readers for a number of reasons. The ordeal procedure itself seems almost magical. Such customs were ancient ...

1607. Fire from the Lord

Numbers 11:1-3

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... before the people could finish enjoying this meat, a severe plague, a result of God’s anger, breaks out among the people and leads to the naming of the place Kibroth Hattaavah, “graves of craving” (v. 34). This narrative is complicated and different in style from earlier parts of Numbers, since much of the plot develops with dialogue. The chapter shows God’s anger at being rejected by the ungrateful people (v. 20) and the consequent danger of the divine presence. Still, at the end of the chapter the ...

1608. Israel Asks for a King

1 Samuel 8:1-22

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... [ing] justice. Leadership from Samuel’s family was no more a long-term solution to Israel’s need for effective rulers than leadership from the priestly line of Eli had been. 8:1–5 These verses both explain the perceived need for a different style of leadership and raise the question as to whether inherited authority and status will always involve the abuse of power. This question often comes to the fore in the Kingship Narratives that follow, but the tribal elders see kingship as a way forward—maybe ...

1609. David's Victories

2 Samuel 8:1-14

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

War and Peace – Enemies and Friends: 8:1–14 In contrast to the relaxed narrative style of the surrounding chapters, this is a terse summary of David’s military successes against the surrounding tribes. These verse fill in the background and explain how the LORD gave him rest from all his enemies (7:1). David’s victories eventually led to the stage where the Philistines no ...

1610. Job's Reply to Eliphaz

Job 6:1–7:21

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... sentinel, over Job (v. 12), introduced the idea of divine scrutiny that dominates the rest of chapter seven. In an ironic and cynical play on the awed reverie of Psalm 8, Job questions whether divine oversight is protective care and grace, or, as Job styles it here, invasive examination with an intent to punish even minor infractions severely. God is, in Job’s words, the “watcher of men” (v. 20), who never allows humans (and Job in particular) a moment’s rest, examining him every morning and testing ...

1611. Job's Third Reply to Bildad

Job 26:1--31:40

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... city gate, these verses almost seem like an honorific summary of a prestigious career as attorney or judge dedicated to upholding the cause of the poor and defenseless of society. Such a past career may also explain Job’s desire for a judicial-style confrontation with God. As one familiar with court proceedings, Job would logically look to this sort of context for resolution. The defenseless persons for whom Job has served as advocate and defender include the poor (Heb. ʿani), or those who are suffering ...

1612. Delivering the Helpless from Social Oppression: Part I

Psalm 9:1-20

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... about how it was used and about its date. Because it contains many phrases found elsewhere in the Psalms (formulaic language) and because it is an acrostic (a feature self-evident to a reader of the Hebrew but not necessarily to a listener), it has the style of an anthology. This may point to its function as literature to be read, not as a liturgy to be performed orally. If so, a postexilic date is likely because it would have been during the exile that the once-liturgical psalms became literature. 9:1 ...

1613. God’s Revelation in the Skies and the Scriptures

Psalm 19:1-14

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... this complementarity known to an author but to an editor, who joined together two or perhaps three compositions that were originally independent. 19:1–9 Even in English translation verses 1–6 and 7–14 read like two separate compositions. Their poetic styles (esp. their metrical patterns), genres, and traditions (and perhaps time periods) are markedly different. Verses 1–6 appear to be a hymn about creation (cf. Pss. 8; 104), but they are unlike other psalmic hymns, which regularly contain a call to ...

1614. Cultivating Faithfulness Until the Flourishing Wicked Wither

Psalm 37:1-40

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... , many of its verses closely parallel those in the book of Proverbs (37:1 // 24:19; 37:5 // 16:3; 37:16 // 15:16; 37:24 // 24:16; 37:28a // 2:8; 37:30 // 10:31; 37:37–38 // 23:18 and 24:14; 37:38 // 24:20). The autobiographical style of some observations (37:25–26, 35–36) is also echoed in Proverbs (24:30–34). Psalm 37 is thus more of a collection of proverbs than a traditional psalm. These features help to explain why it does not contain strophes or develop the way most psalms do (note the ...

1615. Past and Future Deliverances and Present Trust and Obedience

Psalm 40:1-17

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... connection with the poor and the needy (vv. 32–33). In other words, these are not polemics against sacrifice per se but confessions that Yahweh cherishes the thanksgiving of the economically disadvantaged (cf. 22:24–26). It is characteristic of Hebrew literary style to state a preference of one thing over another in terms that sound like an absolute dichotomy to our Western ears (see G. B. Caird, The Language and Imagery of the Bible [Philadelphia: Westminster, 1980], pp. 110–17). The main subject of ...

1616. The Calling of Matthew

Matthew 9:9-13

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... ” with Jesus as the probable antecedent. However, for Jesus to have a house would run counter to his statement in Matthew 8:20 that “the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” While they were reclining at dinner (a style popular in the Greco-Roman world and copied by wealthy Jews) the Pharisees came and asked Jesus’ disciples why their teacher ate with “irreligious people” (Goodspeed). They intended to undermine the faith of the disciples. Jesus overheard their query and answered ironically ...

1617. The Parable Of the Weeds Explained

Matthew 13:36-43

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... and conditions of the early church, but that in the application the authentic kernel is not lost (p. 235). Note, however, that linguistic characteristics of the Gospel writer are to be expected in his presentation of the parable and its interpretation. The style of each of the evangelists is clearly evident in all their work. Further, the very nature of parabolic teaching allows for application to related situations. An adaptation of Jesus’ words to a later situation should come as no surprise. What must ...

1618. The Davidic Mercies and Deliverance from Foreigners

Psalm 144:1-15

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... to the postexilic period, when Judah had no Davidic king under the Persian Empire (see Additional Notes). In its final form, therefore, the psalm appears to have been applied to the postexilic community, where people pray for deliverance from foreigners after the style of the old royal psalms and for blessing on the troubled community of the restoration. (For a situation comparable to deceitful foreigners see Ezra 4 and Neh. 4–6.) In effect, they appeal to God on the basis of a historical precedent ...

1619. Marriage at the Resurrection

Matthew 22:23-33

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... being taken subjectively rather than objectively (i.e., “the God to whom Abraham belongs” not “the God whom Abraham worshipped”; see Tasker, p. 211). McNeile says that we must admit the possibility at this point that “Jesus condescended to a rabbinic style of argument” (p. 322). Whatever the case, the result was amazement on the part of the crowds who gathered to listen. Williams says, “They were dumbfounded at His teaching.” They recognized the superiority of his logic to that of the Jewish ...

1620. A Lamp On a Stand

Mark 4:21-25

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... on a stand to cast its light far enough to be useful. Under a bowl or a bed: The word translated bowl really refers to a basket measure that contained about a peck. The bed is very likely a couch on which people reclined during banquets after a style of dining introduced by the Greeks. 4:24 With the measure you use, it will be measured to you: As indicated above, the context shows that this saying, somewhat in the form of a riddle, is a warning about being careful in responding to Jesus’ message properly ...

1621. John the Baptist Beheaded

Mark 6:14-29

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... with the next episode, in which Jesus and the Twelve are in the open country (6:31, 35). This contrast shows that the rightful “king” was not Herod (6:14), and that the places of earthly power and wealth with their customarily extravagant claims and style do not constitute the vehicle of God’s salvation. Rather, as the next episode shows, it is in the humble ministry of Jesus that God manifests his provision for Israel and for the world. Additional Notes 6:14 King Herod is Herod Antipas, one of the ...

1622. Jesus and John the Baptist

Luke 7:18-35

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... either with John or with Jesus. In vv. 33–34 Jesus further clarifies his point by illustrating the obstinate nature of his contemporaries. In response to John’s message and lifestyle they say, “He has a demon.” In response to the alternate style of Jesus’ message and ministry they say, “Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and ‘sinners.’ ” Jesus concludes his remarks with the proverb: “But wisdom is proved right by all her children.” The proverb means that God ...

1623. The Parable of the Sower

Luke 8:1-15

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... :24–26); and (3) to show that financial liberality is a mark of discipleship and is essential for the continuation of the ministry. 8:4–8, 11–15 Luke’s version of the Parable of the Sower follows the Marcan version fairly closely. Most changes have to do with style and economy. The most notable modification is the insertion of his seed in v. 5. The effect of this addition is to shift the reader’s attention away from the farmer who went out to sow to the seed that is sown (= word of God; see v. 11 ...

1624. The Gershonites

Numbers 4:21-28

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

1625. The Merarites

Numbers 4:29-33

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

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