Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: touch, feel, sense of touch, tactile sense, tactility, contact, using one's hands, sensation, sense, suspicion, sneaking suspicion, notion, inkling, hunch, fancy, apprehension, presentiment, premonition, foreboding, love, care, affection, fondness, tenderness, warmth, warmness, emotion, sentiment, emotional state, compassion, sympathy, empathy, fellow feeling, understanding, concern, solicitude, solicitousness, tender-heartedness, brotherly love, sensibilities, sensitivities, self-esteem, ego, pride, opinion, belief, view, impression, intuition, instinct, estimation, guess, theory, hypothesis, thought, way of thinking, point of view, atmosphere, ambience, aura, air, mood, climate, character, overtone, undertone, tenor, spirit, quality, flavour, colour, aptitude, knack, flair, bent, talent, gift, skill, art, trick, faculty, ability, propensity, inclination, sensitive, warm, warm-hearted, tender, tender-hearted, caring, soft-hearted, sympathetic, compassionate, empathetic, responsive, receptive, intuitive, thoughtful

Antonyms: bad feeling, acrimony, animosity, animus, antagonism, antipathy, aversion, bitterness, detestation, disgust, dislike, disrelish, enmity, friction, grievances, grudges, hatred, hostility, loathing, malevolence, malice

Showing 2101 to 2125 of 4963 results

2101. The God of the Thunderstorm and the Proclamation of His Righteousness

Psalm 97:1-12

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... and of Zion, along with a summary statement of Yahweh’s supremacy (vv. 7–9). The closing section spells out the implications of the above: Yahweh’s people must shun evil and then they will be granted protection, light, and joy (vv. 10–12). 97:1 In response to the opening acclamation, The LORD reigns, there is to be worldwide praise. 97:2–6 Yahweh’s kingship is here exhibited, not by a static deity sitting on a throne, but by the dynamic appearance (i.e., a theophany) of the God of the storm (cf ...

2102. Peters Confession to Christ

Matthew 16:13-20

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... Peter as a representative disciple” (pp. 330–31). That contemporary scholars are so distinctly divided in their conclusions provides strong incentive to accept the traditional understanding that the verses in question do provide a reliable account of what Jesus actually said. In response to Peter’s You are the Christ, Jesus says, And I tell you that you are Peter [petros], and on this rock [petra] I will build my church (v. 18). This saying (along with the verse that follows) has become the foundation ...

2103. Jesus Before Pilate

Matthew 27:11-26

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... indicates that they kept crying out more loudly than ever). When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere but rather that a riot was under way, he took water and washed his hands in full view of the mob, declaring himself innocent of the death of Jesus. The responsibility was theirs. The practice of washing the hands as a symbol of purging oneself from guilt is based on Deuteronomy 21:6–9 (cf. Ps. 73:13). Since it was not a Roman custom and would appear to be beneath the dignity of an official such as ...

2104. The Image of Gold and the Fiery Furnace

Daniel 3:1-30

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... pay respect to” or “to pay attention to.” Is there some sort of wordplay here? Both expressions occur within the speech of the Chaldeans. The king makes a decree or gives a judgment (sim teʿem) that has an impact on Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. In response, they refuse to pay him a favorable judgment or respect (sim teʿem ʿal) by obeying his decree. The same situation is found in Dan. 6, where Daniel’s envious colleagues accuse him of failing to pay respect or attention to the king (6:13) by ...

2105. Nebuchadnezzer’s Dream of a Tree

Daniel 4:1-18

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... in here (Montgomery, Daniel, pp. 233, 235; Collins, Daniel, pp. 209–210, 227). On the other side, 4:15 is repeated in 4:23. Since 4:23 also does not have the verb “eat” or “to be fed,” it supports leaving the MT (Goldingay, Daniel, p. 80 n. 12c). The response to that is that 4:23 may be a secondary exact repetition of 4:15 (Montgomery, Daniel, p. 235). If we add “to be fed” in 4:15, we should also add it to 4:23, as Collins does. 4:16 Many scholars believe that the account in Daniel 4 ...

2106. Daniel’s Prayer

Daniel 9:1-19

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... differs from the rest of the book. To begin with, the Hebrew of the prayer is superior to the surrounding material: the remainder of the chapter fits with chapters 8 and 10–12 by being rougher and containing Aramaisms (Hartman and Di Lella, Daniel, p. 246). In response, one could argue that the author of the book chose a stock prayer in more classical Hebrew and inserted it here. If such is the case, then while he did not compose the prayer, it is still “original” in the sense that it was not added by ...

2107. Daniel’s Vision of a Man

Daniel 10:1--11:1

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... has given him strength (10:19). 10:20–11:2a The angel commences with a question: Do you know why I have come to you? (10:20). Of course Daniel should know, because it was revealed to him in verses 12 and 14. The angel has been sent in response to Daniel’s prayer and desire for knowledge and will disclose the future of the Jews. This repetition is probably a doublet: two versions of the story have been brought together here. If so, then verse 14 is from a source in which the angel tells his purpose early ...

2108. The Rich Ruler

Luke 18:18-30

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... well illustrates Jesus’ pronouncement: “You cannot serve both God and Money” (Luke 16:13; see also Matt. 6:24). Following this exchange Jesus utters three more pronouncements regarding the relation of wealth to the kingdom of God (vv. 24–25, 27, 29–30). The first saying in response to the inability of the rich ruler to comply with Jesus’ demand is: How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to ...

2109. One Like a Son of Man

Revelation 1:9-20

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... this book. John’s use of the motif, however, is best understood in terms of the sociology of an apocalyptic community to which he belongs: the suffering of God’s people is understood eschatologically, in terms of their future status in Jesus. John’s own response to suffering, then, is one of patient hope for Christ’s return and God’s final triumph over the very evil powers that cause human suffering (cf. Matt. 24:13–14). The penal island of Patmos, off the west coast of Asia Minor, was settled ...

2110. The Gershonites

Numbers 4:21-28

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... to organize the people, especially for the upcoming march, and an essential part of the organization of this community is the work of the Tent of Meeting. 4:4–6 In a natural progression, the work of the Kohathites is then detailed. They are responsible for the most holy objects in the tabernacle. It is important that Levites not come into contact with such holiness, and so the priests must prepare the objects when the tabernacle is to be dismantled for moving. First the priests take the shielding curtain ...

2111. The Merarites

Numbers 4:29-33

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

2112. The Numbering of the Levite Clans

Numbers 4:34-49

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

2113. Quail from the Lord

Numbers 11:4-35

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... his complaint to God: It would take flocks and herds and all the fish in the sea to feed six hundred thousand men (and their families) meat to eat for a whole month! Moses thus refers to the census in Numbers 1 (see also Exod. 12:37). God’s response (v. 23) is rhetorical: We will see. Is the LORD’s arm too short? is a literal translation of a phrase to express a limitation on God’s power. 11:24–30 The action resulting from the dialogue concludes the chapter. First, the seventy elders gather at the ...

2114. The Bronze Snake

Numbers 21:4-9

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... chapter ends with further victories and therefore marks a kind of transition into the hopeful concluding section of the book. 21:1–3 The chapter begins with a note of defeat for Israel. The Canaanite king of Arad attacks and captures some Israelites. In response, Israel enters into dialogue with God and vows to follow the holy war procedures. They will enact the kherem, or ban. Everything taken will be devoted to destruction, removed from the human realm and given to God. God accepts the vow and gives the ...

2115. Balaam's Third Oracle

Num 23:27--24:14

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... of the three encounters with Balaam’s donkey in chapter 22 (Numbers, pp. 145–47). Balaam is caught between God’s intention to bless and Balak’s desire for a curse, as the donkey was caught between Balaam and the angel. As Balaam’s response in chapter 22 escalated with each episode, so Balak becomes angrier as each oracle comes. Each oracle account has six elements: Balak brings Balaam to a high point to see Israel. Balak builds seven altars and sacrifices a bull and ram on each. Balaam consults ...

2116. Joshua to Succeed Moses

Numbers 27:12-23

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... lot kept by the high priest (Urim and Thummim). It is often suggested that these were stones with some kind of inscription on them. They were cast to answer a question in the positive or the negative. If both fell one way, the response was positive; if they fell the other way, the response was negative. One positive and one negative response meant no decision. The text does not give a description of the Urim and Thummim or their use. The outcome of the casting of lots is understood to be guaranteed by God.

2117. The Year of Jubilee

Leviticus 25:8-55

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... enough food for the community. The doubts this section deals with are explicitly expressed in verse 20: What will we eat in the seventh year if we do not plant or harvest our crops? “Plant or harvest” could be rendered “sow or gather.” The divine response is direct: In the sixth year, the blessing will be sufficient for three years. The three years would entail the regular harvest in the sixth year and enough food for the sabbatical (seventh) year and then enough food for the first year of the next ...

2118. Saul Rescues the City of Jabesh

1 Samuel 11:1-11

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... about tactics. This was a well-planned surprise attack, taking place at night with properly distributed forces. 11:12–13 The ability to deal effectively with local guerrilla attacks was something that Israel had not experienced for some while. Thus their response in extolling Saul and castigating those who had refused to acknowledge Saul is unsurprising, if a little exaggerated given that this was a skirmish. Saul’s refusal to respond to the invitation to get rid of those who had not recognized him ...

2119. Saul Confirmed as King

1 Samuel 11:12-15

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

2120. Saul's Jealousy of David

1 Samuel 18:1-30

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... spear at David, so this was not an impulsive loss of control. It is feasible that Saul saw David’s avoidance of death as a further sign that God was with David and not with Saul and that this added to his fear. In a calmer moment Saul’s response was to send David away in charge of an army unit. Given what has been said of David’s promotion, his being given command of a thousand, probably referring to a single troop unit rather than the literal figure, was likely a calculated insult and was meant to ...

2121. Joab Murders Abner

2 Samuel 3:22-39

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... not insignificant. Its content is fierce, and it stood as an open, public rebuke to Joab. However, there is no provision in the law for cursing to be seen as an alternative to proper prescribed punishments. In that sense David could be seen as avoiding the proper responsibilities of kingship to ensure that justice was done and was seen to be done. 3:30 It is possible that the problem for Joab was not just that Abner had killed Asahel but that he had done so by a ruse. Asahel’s death was not heroic. Abner ...

2122. Ish-Bosheth Murdered

2 Samuel 4:1-12

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

2123. David and Mephibosheth

2 Samuel 9:1-13

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... love and affection. In v. 3 David makes it explicit he is talking about this kindness, God’s ḥesed. 9:2 Both Ziba and Mephibosheth (v. 6) refer to themselves as David’s servant, or, in modern terms, his loyal subject. This is probably a polite response to the king’s greeting but may be a deliberate attempt to set themselves apart from any group that might oppose David. 9:6 21:8 speaks of Mephibosheth as Saul’s son by Rizpah, one of the seven who were killed to satisfy the Gibeonites’ vengeance ...

2124. Absalom Kills Amnon

2 Samuel 13:23-39

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... of those values. To Amnon, Tamar was now simply this woman, to be summarily dismissed. But to the writers, Tamar’s distress, and the fact that she remained a desolate woman, were significant. 13:20–29 Absalom seeks to comfort Tamar, and he takes his responsibilities toward her seriously. But he also plans revenge, perhaps using this incident as an excuse for getting rid of Amnon on his own account. Absalom was an ambitious young man, and there was no love lost between the two brothers. Verse 21 tells us ...

2125. David Builds an Altar

2 Samuel 24:18-25

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... . 24:18–25 Verse 25 could be seen as portraying the sacrifice, made at the threshing floor of Araunah, as the means of reconciliation and therefore possibly as the reason for stopping the plague. However, in the earlier verses (16–18) the sacrifice is presented as a response to, not as the cause of, the plague’s end. The site is chosen because it was the place where the plague stopped, presumably the point where the final victim died. The mention of the angel of the LORD (v. 16) emphasizes the writers ...

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