Bible Commentaries

Ezra 1:1-11 — chance. Now matter how we’ve blown it in our past, God gives us an opportunity for a new beginning. Ezra covers the 1st 2 returns to Israel. Nehemiah covers the 3rd return to Israel. Return #1 - 49,897 people return [Zerubbabel leads, 538bc] Purpose? rebuild temple. Return #2 - 1,754 return [Ezra is in, 80 yrs. later] Purpose? to rebuild the people. Return #3 - Nehemiah leads (14 yrs. later) Purpose? to rebuild the wall. The Main Characters Ezra – A godly patriotic

Nehemiah 3:1-32 — WAY ​​​​​​​Jerusalem in time of Christ [temple mnt, pool of Siloam, Herod’s palace] Map: Start at the top (north wall) Sheep Gate, he moves counter clock-wise, endsup where he started (see vs.1,32). [10 gates (repair 6), 4 towers] [North Wall vs.1-5. W 6-12. So 13,14. S/E 15-27] Also, (1b) Tower of the 100 & of Hananael was important because it was the most vulnerable to attack. explain Valleys… ​​​​​​​The rest was protected by 3 Valleys:

Psalms 107:22-32 — storm; others almost shipwrecked. The Lord showed me this Psalm through a friend this week. It deals with the storms of life: Why they come; What our response should be; & where God is in the midst of them. Whole Psalm 107 overview: 5 pictures of Gods Mercy toward man & how he responds. [1] Wanderers  (4-9) [2] Prisoners (10-16) [3] Sufferers (17-22) [4] Sailors (23-32) [5] Farmers (33-38). Note the repeated phrase: “Oh, that men…” (8,15,21,31) Showing

Psalms 24:1-10 — Intro: Ps.22 = The Cross; Ps.23 = The Crook; Ps.24 = The Crown. Background: Jewish tradition says that this psalm was written to commemorate David’s returning the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (1 Chron.15). What a wonderful spectacle it must have been! The Philistines had the ark for 7 months until they finally decided this ark was “too hot to handle”! Yet the eye of the psalmist looked beyond the upgoing of the ark & to the upgoing

Leviticus 19:1-18 — which I don’t understand that bother me; it’s the ones I do!” In this chapter 19 it basically is an overview of the 2 tablets given to Moses…the 10 commandments! All 10 are found here! 1 & 2(vs.4); 3(12); 4 & 5(3); 6(16); 7(29); 8,9(11-16); 10(18). They were the basis for all Jewish Law & should be the basis for all Moral Law today. We have here a “Handbook for Believing Families”! It is really a guidebook to be used at

Leviticus 24:1-23 — us, then it should shine FROM us! 2 Cor.4:6 “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” Mt.5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” BREAD! (5-9) ​​​​​​​Bread = “bread of presence”(i.e.

Song of Solomon 7:1-13 — did! God is “Pro-sex” – “He created them male & female”. SOLOMON’S EXPRESSION OF HER BEAUTY! (1-9) ​​​​​​​1st we’ll look at Solomon’s View of her(1-5) & then his Desire for her (6-9a). He’s not afraid to again tell his wife how beautiful she is! Some guys have the idea, “hey, I told her I loved her on my wedding night…”I still thunk it!” Here Solomon repeats

Song of Solomon 7:1-13 — did! God is “Pro-sex” – “He created them male & female”. SOLOMON’S EXPRESSION OF HER BEAUTY! (1-9) ​​​​​​​1st we’ll look at Solomon’s View of her(1-5) & then his Desire for her (6-9a). He’s not afraid to again tell his wife how beautiful she is! Some guys have the idea, “hey, I told her I loved her on my wedding night…”I still thunk it!” Here Solomon repeats

Isaiah 42:1-25 — (3b) What he does do! (2-4) Does act with gentleness! (2,3) Does bring Justice to all! (3b) Justice & liberation do go together! Does bring in a reign of righteousness! (4b) The Messiah’s Assurance! (5-9) (5) God the Father Himself guarantees all of the above! (6) He is called, held, kept, & given…& all for the purposes of deliverance! (7) Jesus never released anyone from a literal prison in his ministry, and even allowed John the

Isaiah 42:1-25 — (3b) What he does do! (2-4) Does act with gentleness! (2,3) Does bring Justice to all! (3b) Justice & liberation do go together! Does bring in a reign of righteousness! (4b) The Messiah’s Assurance! (5-9) (5) God the Father Himself guarantees all of the above! (6) He is called, held, kept, & given…& all for the purposes of deliverance! (7) Jesus never released anyone from a literal prison in his ministry, and even allowed John the

Isaiah 60:1-22 — walls broken down, & especially the Temple left in ruin. So Isaiah looks ahead to the Glorious Holy City, w/rebuilt walls & gates, & a Glorious New Temple. What impressed him most was “Glory”! (vs.1,2,7,9,13,19,21) 1 Pet.5:10,11 “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” THY

Isaiah 60:1-22 — walls broken down, & especially the Temple left in ruin. So Isaiah looks ahead to the Glorious Holy City, w/rebuilt walls & gates, & a Glorious New Temple. What impressed him most was “Glory”! (vs.1,2,7,9,13,19,21) 1 Pet.5:10,11 “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” THY

Daniel 8:1-27 — 2 million soldiers strong. They expanded west to Macedonia, north past the Caspian Sea, & south through Egypt. For about 200 years The Ram Ruled the World…until a deadly blow of a head-butt from the West. A HAIRY HE-GOAT (5-8) Greece ​​​​​​​(5-8) A notable horn between his eyes – Alexander the Great. Alex was told by his mother, that his father (Philip of Macedon) had descended from Hercules (I think he believed

Daniel 8:1-27 — 2 million soldiers strong. They expanded west to Macedonia, north past the Caspian Sea, & south through Egypt. For about 200 years The Ram Ruled the World…until a deadly blow of a head-butt from the West. A HAIRY HE-GOAT (5-8) Greece ​​​​​​​(5-8) A notable horn between his eyes – Alexander the Great. Alex was told by his mother, that his father (Philip of Macedon) had descended from Hercules (I think he believed

Amos 7:1-17 — of the late crop – the grass that grows after the late rains of March/April. After the king’s mowings – 1st cuttings were set aside to feed the kings horses, before the people harvested the main crop. (Walvoord & Zuck; pg.835.) (2) (lit.) How can he stand…he’s so small! (3) The Lord relented – An Anthropopathic expression(to have human feelings). God did not change His mind, as men do, but changed his course of action. Which is consistent

Amos 7:1-17 — of the late crop – the grass that grows after the late rains of March/April. After the king’s mowings – 1st cuttings were set aside to feed the kings horses, before the people harvested the main crop. (Walvoord & Zuck; pg.835.) (2) (lit.) How can he stand…he’s so small! (3) The Lord relented – An Anthropopathic expression(to have human feelings). God did not change His mind, as men do, but changed his course of action. Which is consistent

Luke 9:1-17 — Intro: Share about German Cable TV interview last week. [Thanks for your graciousness] A DOZEN SENT! (1-11) SENDING! (1-5) Now Jesus sends them out to do what they had seen Him do. Q: Ever have someone represent you? That’s risky! {maybe your child, a friend, a lawyer} (1) Power & authority – “Power is the ability to do something; authority

Acts 24:1-27 — INTRO: Top Five Things People Put Off Until the Last Minute: #1 House chores/yard work; #2 Holiday gift shopping; #3 Making doctor/dentist appointments; #4 Calling relatives; #5 Changing oil in the car. One of the topics we’ll talk about this morning is procrastination. Paul had to defend himself 5 separate times during the 2 years in Jerusalem & Caesarea. Remember form last week 40 men had vowed not

2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 — delivered from unreasonable men – Pray for the gospels success from those who oppose it. I call this the...female dating verse. [Actually a good verse for certain wives prayer. Or, a businessman’s prayer] REASSURANCES (3-5) ​​​​​​​CONCERNING GOD’S FAITHFULNESS (3) From faithless men to the Faithful God. Faithfulness - Bask in it. God’s faithfulness to us is the basis for our faithfulness to Him. God's

1 John 5 overview — LOVE! ​​​​​​​BORN TO LOVE! (1-3) If you’re born of God, then you’re Born to Love! The Father gave you life & the Son gave His life...for you. (2) When you love the Father, you’ll love his children as well! BORN TO WIN! (4,5) If you’re born of God, then you’re Born to Win! Your 1st birth made you a sinner & a loser, but your 2nd birth makes you a conqueror. The world wants to entice you(2:15-17); The devil wants to seduce you(Gen.3:6); But Christ will