Bible Commentaries

Exodus 7 overview — Preparations and preliminaries have been completed. Here begins the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian slavery. First, there is a prophetic projection of the entire operation (Exodus 7:1-7). The introductory miracle is related (Exodus 7:8-13); Plague I is threatened in detail (Exodus 7:14-19), and it is executed in Exodus 7:20-25.

Exodus 7:6-7 — God than of men. Both Moses and Aaron were past the age when such exploits could have been undertaken by men, with any reason, without supernatural endowment. We cannot allow any questioning of the ages here given. They are confirmed by Stephen (Acts 7:23; Acts 7:30), and by Moses himself in Deuteronomy 31:2 and Deuteronomy 34:7.

Ezra 7:11-12 — THE LETTER OF ARTAXERXES COMMISSIONING EZRA (Ezra 7:11-16) "Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even the scribe of the words of the commandments of Jehovah, and of his statutes to Israel: Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, the

Job 7 overview — SECOND SPEECH Job, in his agony and suffering, is not altogether coherent in this speech. Having affirmed his righteousness (Job 6:29), yet he wonders why God has not forgiven his transgression, some iniquity, perhaps, of which he has no knowledge (Job 7:20). He stated here that those who go down into Sheol shall come up no more (Job 7:9); but afterward he would declare that after death, "in my flesh, I shall see God" (Job 19:26 KJV). His reference to his flesh being clothed with worms (Job 7:5), "Could

Leviticus 6 overview — Here we shall vary a little from our usual procedure by taking these Leviticus 6 and Leviticus 7 together. Most of the commentaries we have studied also follow this plan which is logically dictated by the content. Leviticus 6 is actually concluded in Leviticus 7, and the short summary at the end of Leviticus 7 is the conclusion of this whole section

Ecclesiastes 7:5-7 — the song of fools. For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the look this also is vanity. Surely extortion maketh the wise man foolish, and a bribe destroyeth the understanding." Here are denounced songs of fools (Ecclesiastes 7:5), the laughter of fools (Ecclesiastes 7:6) and the behavior of fools (Ecclesiastes 7:7). "Songs of fools" "These are probably mirthful drinking songs such as are mentioned in Amos 6:5." These are the same as those sung in the house of mirth (Ecclesiastes

Song of Solomon 7:1-9 — maiden rejected it. As plainly evident in what he said, he looked upon her, as he looked upon every woman, as something to be eaten or consumed, simply a means of satisfying his appetite (lust). He saw her body as a goblet of mixed wine (Song of Solomon 7:2), her breasts as clusters of dates in the palm tree (Song of Solomon 7:7), like clusters of grapes (Song of Solomon 7:7). Her breath smelled like apples (Song of Solomon 7:7), and her kisses were like wine. All of this says in tones of thunder: "You

Jeremiah 7:1-34 — at the entrance! We shall observe the following chapter divisions. First, there is a statement of the case against Judah, coupled with a reiteration of the Law of God and a ringing command for the people of God to repent of their apostasy (Jeremiah 7:1-7). Then there is a further description of the people's apostasy and of their rejection of God's Word (Jeremiah 7:8-12). This is followed by the announcement of God's judgment against them (Jeremiah 7:13-15). There follows an attack against the false

Ezekiel 7:1 — MORE ON THE DOOM OF ISRAEL Some have called this chapter a dirge; but, "There are four oracles in it: (1) Ezekiel 7:2-4, (2) Ezekiel 7:5-9, (3) Ezekiel 7:10-11, and (4) Ezekiel 7:12-13, followed by an exposition of their common theme (Ezekiel 7:14-27)."G. R. Beasley-Murray in the New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 669. The date of this section of the prophecy as given

Ezekiel 7:1-4 — priests, prophets, king and nobles will be helpless to deliver; the Temple will be profaned, and the remnant shall be overwhelmed with SORROW."J. R. Dummelow's Commentary, p. 496. A feature of this prophecy is the repetition. The end has come (Ezekiel 7:2); the day has come (Ezekiel 7:10); the time has come (Ezekiel 7:7); and doom has come (Ezekiel 7:7; Ezekiel 7:12). This repetition was explained by Taylor. "It can be explained only against the background of popular belief in the inviolability of

Amos 7 overview — Here begins the final major section of Amos, consisting principally of five visions, three of which are found in this chapter: (1) that of the locusts (Amos 7:1-3); (2) that of the fire (Amos 7:4-6); and (3) that of the plumb-line (Amos 7:7-9). The balance of the chapter (Amos 7:10-14) has an exceedingly interesting and instructive narrative of the confrontation between God's Prophet (Amos) and Jeroboam's

Micah 7 overview — divisions, the first being a representation in the mouth of the prophet upon behalf of Zion-Jerusalem, "bewailing the absence of any righteous ones within her borders."Homer Hailey, Commentary on the Minor Prophets (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1972), p. 216. It is not necessary to suppose that the general population of the city engaged in any such lament; it is rather an outline of the dreadful social conditions uttered by Micah in the form of a lament. The conditions revealed show "a complete

Zechariah 7 overview — This Chapter deals with a question from the Jews at Bethel about keeping a certain fast day. Zechariah 7:1-3 give the situation and state the question; and the balance of the chapter (Zechariah 7:4-14) reveals the prophet's response. Actually, this chapter is a unit with Zeph. 8; because the prophet's answer was given in six statements. "Each statement

Deuteronomy 6 overview — Cross-Reference Bible Company, 1910). and there are many others not included in these, among which are a number of the following 52 references listed because they are generally known:DEUTERONOMY:NEW TESTAMENT:Wresting judgment forbidden (Deuteronomy 1:16-17)John 7:24; James 2:1 Not to add to… or take from (Deuteronomy 4:2)Matthew 5:18; Revelation 22:18-19Nearness to God (Deuteronomy 4:7)James 4:8God a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; Deuteronomy 9:3)Hebrews 12:29Covenant with the fathers (Deuteronomy

Mark 7 overview — This chapter details the clash regarding the traditions of the elders (Mark 7:1-23), the healing of the daughter of the Syro-Phoenician woman (Mark 7:24-30), and the healing of the deaf-mute man of Decapolis (Mark 7:31-37). The first and longest of the three sections may be further subdivided thus: (a) the question of ceremonial defilement (Mark 7:1-8); (b) the counter-charge of Jesus (Mark 7:9-13; and (c) an explanation of the source and nature of real defilement (Mark 7:14-23).

Luke 11:9-10 — given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. These words, in a different context, are also found in Matthew 7:7-8; and reference is made to my Commentary on Matthew, Matthew 7:7-8; but the purpose is the same in both passages, that being that men should not cease to pray, and ever with greater and greater urgency. There is an ascending urgency in the successive

John 7 overview — John 7—10 record the great controversy that raged around the name of Jesus during the last six months of his ministry. It was October, at the beginning of this chapter, a full six months having elapsed since the tremendous events of chapter 6; and, during

John 7:38 — heart, and coming being an action of both soul and body. Faith is subjective; coming is objective. Faith is allied to thought; coming is allied to deeds. That this is certain appears from writings throughout the New Testament. These two verses (John 7:37-38) refer to Christians receiving the Holy Spirit (John 7:39); and when this promise was fulfilled, they received the Spirit "after they believed" (Ephesians 1:13), and after they repented and were baptized (Acts 2:38 ff and Galatians 4:6).

1 Corinthians 15:56 — stinger in it, as discovered by Adam and Eve, and all of their posterity. The strength of sin is the law … As Dummelow said: This is true because the law reveals sin and, indeed, intensifies its power, without giving power to overcome it (Romans 7:7-13; Romans 8:2-3). J. R. Dummelow, op. cit., p. 920. See my Commentary on Romans, pp. 265-264, for discussion of the law and its relation to sin. Paul here briefly mentioned the subject that he treated at length in Romans 7.

1 Corinthians 7 overview — questions raised in the lost letter. The six questions treated in this chapter are: (1)    Should married couples continue normal sexual relations after becoming Christians? Answer: Yes, it is their duty to do this (1 Corinthians 7:1-7). (2)    Should single persons get married? Answer: Yes, in all normal situations; but for the gifted, such as Paul, celibacy was advantageous, especially in unsettled times (1 Corinthians 7:8-9). (3)    Is