Bible Commentaries

Ezra 6:1-22 — help with great gifts. This reminds us of whom in Esther? (Moredcai/all the attacks, then backfired on Haman) When you obey God, you at once ensure His cooperation for the accomplishment of the task at hand. (6:13-18) Read 14-16 The work began with mingled joy & tears (3:11-13) but it ended with all the people rejoicing (6:16) It is highly probable that this is when Psalm 146-148 were composed. In the Septuagint they are entitled: The Psalms of: Haggai & Zechariah. ​​​​​​​See

Ezra 6:1-22 — help with great gifts. This reminds us of whom in Esther? (Moredcai/all the attacks, then backfired on Haman) When you obey God, you at once ensure His cooperation for the accomplishment of the task at hand. (6:13-18) Read 14-16 The work began with mingled joy & tears (3:11-13) but it ended with all the people rejoicing (6:16) It is highly probable that this is when Psalm 146-148 were composed. In the Septuagint they are entitled: The Psalms of: Haggai & Zechariah. ​​​​​​​See

Psalms 107:22-32 — 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 Gods heart seeking man to give thanks! Note the repeated

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

Psalms 41:1-13 — Intro: As with much Hebrew poetry, this psalm is structured as a chiastic structure (Key-astic)[literary device] a didactic(teaching) introduction & associated prayer of confidence (1-4) b petition of the psalmist (5) c words and behavior of the adversary (6-8) c words and behavior of the adversary (9-10) b prayer of the psalmist (11) a didactic conclusion and associated Temple worship (12) The 13th vs. here

Leviticus 21:1-24 — you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight;” In your obedience & your devotion to God. “Spiritual Leadership” is to set the example! Q: Are you? How are you? How aren’t you? See Hos.4:9 “like people, like priest.” The bad priests copied the sins, which they should have reproved. But they didn’t reprove them. They just encouraged them to keep their sacrifices coming(for their profit)! (1-6) Obedience

Leviticus 21:1-24 — you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight;” In your obedience & your devotion to God. “Spiritual Leadership” is to set the example! Q: Are you? How are you? How aren’t you? See Hos.4:9 “like people, like priest.” The bad priests copied the sins, which they should have reproved. But they didn’t reprove them. They just encouraged them to keep their sacrifices coming(for their profit)! (1-6) Obedience

Leviticus 24:1-23 — watch the Israel pics w/us. We move from the feasts to a brief reminder about the Tabernacle. Some see this as a “parenthetical”. – Others a tie in to the feasts because it was part of the 3 main feasts. LIGHT! (1-4) Show Menorah! PEOPLE BRING! It had to be supplied by the people. Oil was part of the peoples tithe. I think this is another great picture of Unity! - They were working & shining together before God! - It wasn’t a one-man

Song of Solomon 7:1-13 — tree planted into this earth permanently, but as Wheat. Wheat that was meant to be “cut down, carried away, & taken off to the king’s barns & granaries!” (3) Commentary?…they’re like 2 fawns, twins of a gazelle. (4) Tower of Lebanon – beautiful “white reflection”? Lebanon = white. - Looking toward Lebanon on sees limestone cliffs on the eastern slopes of Lebanon’s mountains. When the sun shines on them they look white in appearance,

Isaiah 41:1-29 — opening statement…(Read vs.1) PRESENTING THE CASE! (1-12) [1] The Nations Take The Stand! (1-7) (2) God would raise up Cyrus from the East(Persia). But will bring him down from the North(after he conquered the Medes, v.25). (4) (Message) I’m first on the scene. I’m also the last to leave. (5-7) Jehovah is asking for them to determine whether He or some idol of the heathen, is the true God? The test is a simple one “Who”? – Who can

Isaiah 6:1-13 — Mission! ISAIAH’S CALL, CONFESSION & COMMISSION! 7 steps of a believer. [1] FOCUSING! (1) Focus…on God! – “I saw the Lord” This is Adoni – Isaiah had a life changing vision of…Jesus! Jn.12:40,41(NIV) “Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him.” Uzziah(Azzariah) – This is more than a date on a calendar. Uzziah was basically a “good” king. Once a great hero & king to

Isaiah 60:1-22 — is in our day, but how much darker in the tribulation! But the darkness would end w/the return of The Light of the World! Can you imagine one day Jerusalem will be the very throne of God. All will come to worship there. REGATHERING! (4-9) (4,9) Israelites who were living in foreign lands would return to Israel. [See sons & daughters (esp.4 & 9)] (5-9) Gentile nations will pay homage bringing their wealth to Israel. Vs.6 reminds us of the Wise men w/gold & frank incense. “God’s

Numbers 23:1-30 — Fathers protection when someone means to do us harm! Recap: Balak (king of Moab) wanted Balaam(prophet for hire) to curse Israel, & in so doing protect Moab & Midian (area children of Israel presently in before heading into promise land) 4 times Balaam stands over the people of Israel & is unable to curse them. Like a child building sandcastles against the tide (futile). Take God’s way & be at peace! :) PROPHET FOR HIRE! ​​​​​​​1ST

Numbers 23:1-30 — Fathers protection when someone means to do us harm! Recap: Balak (king of Moab) wanted Balaam(prophet for hire) to curse Israel, & in so doing protect Moab & Midian (area children of Israel presently in before heading into promise land) 4 times Balaam stands over the people of Israel & is unable to curse them. Like a child building sandcastles against the tide (futile). Take God’s way & be at peace! :) PROPHET FOR HIRE! ​​​​​​​1ST

Zephaniah 2:1-15 — bomb to the West(Philistia); then East(Moab & Ammon); South(Ethiopia); then North(Assyria)…then on his bull’s-eye, dead center…Jerusalem! Some see this representing all the Gentile Nations, i.e. N,S,E,W. Philistia! (4-7) - Note agricultural images: chaff(2); uprooted tree(here); overrun w/weeds(9); desert(13). (5) Here is where all judgment comes from! “the Word of the Lord is against you!” Q: Who will testify against the unbeliever on judgment

Zephaniah 2:1-15 — bomb to the West(Philistia); then East(Moab & Ammon); South(Ethiopia); then North(Assyria)…then on his bull’s-eye, dead center…Jerusalem! Some see this representing all the Gentile Nations, i.e. N,S,E,W. Philistia! (4-7) - Note agricultural images: chaff(2); uprooted tree(here); overrun w/weeds(9); desert(13). (5) Here is where all judgment comes from! “the Word of the Lord is against you!” Q: Who will testify against the unbeliever on judgment

Galatians 1:1-24 — in Christ. If this goes unchecked, Christianity would lapse into being a cult of Judaism. Key verses: 2:16; 5:1. [grace in vs.3,6,15] Outline of Book: The Gospel of Grace Defended (1,2). The Gospel of Grace Explained (3,4). The Gospel of Grace Applied (5,6). Christian freedom is the liberty to become all that you can in Jesus Christ; it is not the license to do whatever you please. Shepherd’s Notes, Galatians, pg.6 So, Why would a bird set free, return

Philippians 2:1-11 — Joy! Humility runs completely counter culture today! Even comes against some churches who preach, “It’s all about your destiny, your rights, your calling, your giftedness, your glory.” UNITY THROUGH HUMILITY! If (4x’s) - since Paul was affirming these qualities in the Philippians, not questioning them (1,2) Fulfill or, Fill-Full my Joy! Look at how the 4 Incentives (vs.1) link with the 4 Directives (vs.2). Since there is consolation in Christ

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 — & awesome Day of the Lord. Their Confusion? The timing of Christ’s Return. It is a letter of correction: He corrects their views on: Persecution (Ch.1); Prophecy (Ch.2); Practice (Ch.3). Outline: Praise - Promise - Prayer. PRAISE (1-4) (1,2) Our Father – Similar intro to 1st Thes. but notice instead of “the” it is “our”. He points out God’s fatherhood over Believers, instead of His relation as Father to Christ His Son. Boleslaus, one

1 Peter 3:7-12 — days”? (Practical Pete strikes again!) I’ll just say “guilty as charged” against all counts...let’s learn together. Outline: Considerate Husbands & Loving Life & Seeing Good Days! CONSIDERATE HUSBANDS! (7) 4-FOLD RESPONSIBILITY! (Women could handle 6) [1] UNDERSTANDING! (7a) Dwell with them w/understanding - that is, w/a real spiritual perception of duty & relationship. (not, whats her fav ice-cream!) Dwell w/them - is a present active participle.