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Showing 1651 to 1675 of 2844 results

1651. Abraham Justified by Faith

Romans 4:1-25

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

Abraham as the Model of Faith Chapter 4 is a test case of righteousness by faith. In 3:21–31 Paul presented a position statement on salvation through faith in Christ’s sacrifice of atonement. In chapter 4 he sends the class to the laboratory, as it were, to test that thesis. Here we find the compressed and nuclear thesis of 3:21–31 developed in the discursive style of Jewish midrash. Midrash was the name given to a form of rabbinic exposition in ancient Palestine which sought to penetrate the meaning of ...

1652. Divisions In the Church

1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

This first major segment of the body of Paul’s letter forms a coherent reflection on the specific situation in Corinth in relation to and in the light of basic matters of Christian belief. Paul examines and explains the character of the gospel itself, so that the Corinthians are directed to evaluate their situation in the light of the gospel of God’s saving work in Jesus Christ and the implication of God’s work for their lives. Paul argues against understanding the gospel as a kind of mysterious wisdom ...

1653. The Lamb and the 144,000

Revelation 14:1-5

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

The trinity of evil ones has now been introduced as the enemy of the saints on earth (12:13–13:18). They are given the authority to overcome them (13:7) and to seduce the rest of the world into worshiping the Evil One rather than God (13:16–17). Chapter 13 concludes with a resounding note of secularism’s triumph: the worldwide kingdom of the Evil One is firmly established within human history. This remains the current status of the battle between God and the Evil One on earth. Ironically, even as Christ’s ...

1654. The Sin Offering

Leviticus 4:1--5:13

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

The Purification Offering: We come now to a different kind of sacrifice. We are still in the Manual of Sacrifice, but the concluding verse of chapter 3 prepares the reader for a section on the breaking of prohibitions. Those sacrifices portrayed in chapters 1–3 are voluntary. Chapters 4 and 5 consider sin, or purification, offerings and guilt, or compensation, offerings. While chapters 1–3 place the sacrificial animal at the fore, chapters 4–5 focus on the type of sin that necessitates the sacrifice and on ...

1655. Korah, Dathan and Abiram

Numbers 16:1-50

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

More Rebellions: While chapter 15 provides a brief respite from the narratives of rebellion in the wilderness, chapter 16 takes up that theme again with vigor. It also brings the Levites back into the picture. Like the story of the spies in chapters 13 and 14 (see note on 13:1–14:45), chapter 16 is a narrative with a complicated literary history. Within the book of Numbers, the narrative serves the broader purpose of recounting the people’s ongoing rebellion. The story takes several turns and requires ...

1656. Israel Asks for a King

1 Samuel 8:1-22

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

The Request for a King: The parallels between the behavior of Samuel’s sons and that of Eli’s sons are unmistakable. The misuse of power may not have followed the exact pattern, but the contempt for God’s law, God’s people, and thus God was the same. The strong, competent Samuel had no more success in controlling his sons than had the ineffectual, food-loving Eli. The text gives no indication that Samuel tacitly concurred in his sons’ misdoings as Eli did, but he appointed them, and he did not prevent ...

1657. David, Nabal, Abigail

1 Samuel 25:1-44

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

David and Abigail: Sandwiched between the two parallel incidents in which David has the opportunity to destroy Saul but chooses to spare his life is this very different account of David’s activities during this period. At first sight it appears out of place in the overall schema of the books of Samuel, where the focus is on the question of power, primarily in national leadership. But here too power is a key motif, and there are several reasons the writers might consider this incident to be relevant. 25:1a ...

1658. Abner Goes Over to David

2 Samuel 3:6-21

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

The Murders of Abner and Ish-Bosheth: 3:6–11 Although Ish-Bosheth was titular head of the northern tribes and Abner seemingly made no attempt to change that, real power centered around Abner. The fate of the country lay in his hands, and verse 6 implies that he took action to ensure that this remained the case. It is not surprising that Ish-Bosheth, who seems to have left all the decision making to his general (3:8–17), felt threatened by Abner (v. 11). Whether or not Abner had a relationship with Saul’s ...

1659. David Counts the Fighting Men

2 Samuel 24:1-17

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

The Census and Its Aftermath: This is not an easy passage for a number of reasons. The equivalent passage in 1 Chronicles 21 has a number of differences, not the least being the inspiration of David’s action, presented as the Lord in 2 Samuel and as Satan in 1 Chronicles. In the context of 2 Samuel, in particular the appendix, this passage has a parallel in 21:1–14, where Saul’s sin brought tragedy to the nation. The writers may intend to make it clear that the actions of any ruler, not just the disgraced ...

1660. The People Rebel

Numbers 14:1-45

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. 14: ...

1661. Joab Murders Abner

2 Samuel 3:22-39

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

1662. Ish-Bosheth Murdered

2 Samuel 4:1-12

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

1663. David Builds an Altar

2 Samuel 24:18-25

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

1664. The Claims of Jesus About Himself

John 8:48-59, John 8:31-41, John 8:42-47

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

The reaction of many of the Jewish authorities with whom Jesus has been speaking is to believe in him (v. 30), and the remainder of the discourse is focused on this group of “believers.” The prediction that they will realize later who Jesus is (v. 28) appears to be coming true even before they lift him up on the cross. It sounds, and it is, too good to be true. Their faith is not genuine (cf. 2:23–25). Jesus has directed their attention toward the future, but they will have none of it. The present is good ...

1665. The Death of Jesus

John 19:28-37, John 19:17-27, John 19:38-42

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

The mention of the soldiers by the NIV in verse 16b makes the natural and probably correct assumption that it was the Roman soldiers of verse 23 who took charge of Jesus. Though the verb took charge is, strictly speaking, used impersonally (i.e., “they” took charge of Jesus, or Jesus “was taken into custody”; see the first note on 18:28), its close link with verse 16a suggests the continuing involvement of the chief priests (and their officials) in all that happened. Clearly, they are present, as is Pilate ...

1666. The Burial of Jesus

John 19:38-42, John 19:17-27, John 19:28-37

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

1667. Other Priestly Garments

Exodus 28:31-43

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

28:31–35 God instructed that the hem of Aaron’s blue robe be decorated with gold bells and pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet material. The material was probably linen, but tradition assumes it was wool (see comment on 25:4). Aaron wore the robe under the knee-length ephod vestment, so the hem of the robe would be the main visible surface. God specified only the basic pattern: entirely of blue cloth, with an opening for the head and a woven edge like a collar (or “like leather”). The words so that it ...

1668. Leadership in Israel: Judges and Kings

Deuteronomy 16:21--17:7

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

Leadership in Israel: Judges and Kings: Some scholars regard the section 16:18–18:22 as related to the fifth commandment, just as the previous section (usually defined as 14:28–16:17) is based on the sabbatical rhythm of the fourth commandment. The fifth commandment focuses on the honor due to parents, who are the first form of social authority encountered in life. Parental authority, however, is a model for other forms of authority and leadership in society (as is seen in the use of “father” for various ...

1669. Law Courts

Deuteronomy 16:18-20

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

Leadership in Israel: Judges and Kings · Some scholars regard the section 16:18–18:22 as related to the fifth commandment, just as the previous section (usually defined as 14:28–16:17) is based on the sabbatical rhythm of the fourth commandment. The fifth commandment focuses on the honor due to parents, who are the first form of social authority encountered in life. Parental authority, however, is a model for other forms of authority and leadership in society (as is seen in the use of “father” for various ...

1670. David Makes Solomon King

1 Kings 1:28-53

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

Solomon Becomes King: The narrative that begins our book (1 Kgs. 1–2) is really not a beginning at all, but the last chapter of the larger story of David, which is found in 1–2 Samuel. It is in 2 Samuel 11 that Bathsheba, who plays such a prominent role in 1 Kings 1–2, first appears—possessed by David at the cost of her husband’s life (2 Sam. 11:6–27). Later the lives of various of David’s sons are recounted (2 Sam. 12–18). The end of 2 Samuel is a sorry tale of wickedness and weakness, which raises a ...

1671. Envoys from Babylon

2 Kings 20:12-21

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

Deliverance and Exile: It seems that the veiled threats in 2 Kings 16–17 with regard to Judah have come to nothing. Jerusalem has not suffered the same fate as Samaria. Yet the Davidic promise has been cited in 2 Kings 16–19, not in relation to a wicked king, but in relation to the most pious king Judah has had (19:34). This creates the impression that in these days of accumulated sin, even a good king requires God’s special grace if the kingdom is to survive. It brings into question, therefore, whether ...

1672. David's Psalm of Thanks

1 Chronicles 16:7-43

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

16:8–36 These verses are the longest of only a few poetic sections in Chronicles. (Interestingly enough, another quotation from a psalm, in this case Ps. 132, can be found in the narrative in 2 Chron. 6:40–42, where Solomon’s transfer of the ark to the temple is described. The excerpt from Ps. 132 is used as part of Solomon’s prayer.) First Chronicles 16:8–22 is paralleled in Psalm 105:1–15; 1 Chronicles 16:23–33 in Psalm 96:1–13; and 1 Chronicles 16:34–36 in Psalm 106:1, 47–48. Whereas earlier ...

1673. Gershonites

1 Chronicles 23:7-11

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

David Organizes the Cultic and Secular Officials: According to 1 Chronicles 10–22, David prepared everything for the building of the temple, including full instructions to his son Solomon. First Chronicles 23–27 now describes the division of the Levites for various kinds of service and gives an elaborate and intricate overview of how the cultic service was organized in Jerusalem. The short, opening comment that David made Solomon king serves as the bridge between David’s and Solomon’s reigns. From 23:2 ...

1674. Kohathites

1 Chronicles 23:12-20

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

1675. Merarites

1 Chronicles 23:21-32

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

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