Bible Commentaries

1 Kings 3:1-28 — pagan Canaanites felt that the closer they got to heaven the more likely was the possibility that their prayers and offerings would reach their gods. Offering sacrifices at places other than the tabernacle was prohibited in the Law (Lev. 17:3–4). Nevertheless this practice was commonly observed in Israel at this time, even by Solomon. Great high place meaning the most popular or largest. (gadol bamah, Canaanite origin) Eg. In Istanbul, we visited the famous Hagia Sophia (Gk Ortho,

Isaiah 58:1-14 — don’t worry…you still look great on the outside! / (3b-5) If your fasting leaves you: self-indulgent in other areas(3b); harsh toward your employees(3c); it causes you to quarrel or even get angry enough to hit somebody(4a)…then you can be sure, your fasting is not acceptable to the God. How you treat people at work or home on Monday, is the supreme test of acceptable worship from Sunday! If your going to attack someone attack your own sin! Oh

Isaiah 66:1-24 — with a description of the millennium & true worship under Messiah’s rule. Its emphasis God’s Greatness & the need for people to repent to enjoy fellowship w/Him. (Shepherd’s Notes; pg.99) PEACE LIKE A RIVER! (1-24) ​​​​​​​JESUS ENTHRONED! (1-4) (1,2) He is so majestic no earthly temple could contain Him. Besides, how do you build a house for the Lord when He made everything? I’ve seen some of

Jeremiah 27:1-22 — and crossbars and put it on your neck.” {leather straps & wooden cross-boards} vs.3 - Here Jeremiah chose a time when 5 representatives from 5 alley countries were conferring w/the King of Judah, planning a strategy for dealing w/Neb. Vs.4-8 – They needed submission not strategy. Vs.9 – Diviners/read omens; Dreamers/interpret dreams; soothsayers & sorcerers/were those who collaborated w/demons in order to discover or control their future. 2nd To King Zedekiah (12-15) vs.12

Jeremiah 33:1-26 — ask in order to receive. As did Job “Then call, and I will answer; Or let me speak, then You respond to me.”(13:22) As did David “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.” (Ps.145:18) As did Isaiah “Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' (58:9) As taught Jesus "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened

Jeremiah 34:1-22 — Intro: Promises Promises! Prov.20:25 “It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, And afterward to reconsider his vows.” Remember Acts 5 with Ananias & Sapphira his wife, when they sold a possession. Eccl.5:4,5 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed; Better not to vow than to vow and not pay. “ Outline: Ch.34 – Promise Breakers; ch.35 – Promise Keepers. WHOSE

Jeremiah 39:1-18 — [2] besieges us; & then [3] penetrates our wall. The capture of Jerusalem by the Babylonians was in July 587 bc. The siege started in Jan 588bc. Vs.3 – Sitting in the gate” – A place of power! This is the start of Lk.21:24 “The times of the Gentiles” This “Times of the Gentiles” ends when Messiah will start his reign. Man on the Run! (4) His escape route was near the pool of Siloam. He fled north. “Zedekiah, who

Jeremiah 8:1-22 — Jeremiah’s Unpopular Temple Sermon. 8:1-3 ends that Judgment on Jerusalem with Destruction, Desecration,& Death. We’ll look at 5 questions: [1] Why are they backsliding? [2] How can you say, “We are wise?” [3] Why are they sitting still? [4] Why did they provoke god? [5] Why is there no recovery? INTRODUCTION! (1-3) ​​​​​​​Vs.1 – Sounds Halloweenish? Nat. Retail Assoc. says, “consumers will spend more than 2.5 BILLION

Ezekiel 16:1-63 — teenage skateboarders heard her cries and discovered her on top of a garbage bin. She was wrapped in a blanket and a paper bag and still had her umbilical cord attached. A new born infant found abandoned in a vacant field just off Interstate 45, in Jefferson County. The child was left on a pile of garbage partially covered with a plastic bag containing the afterbirth. “The new born infant was found by Mr. Jesu Rodriguez, a temporarily unemployed carpenter who was walking

Micah 4:1-13 — THY KINGDOM COME!  (Micah 4) A CITY! (1-5) (1) “When the outlook is grim, try the uplook!” (www) This describes the millennial reign. Mountain Zion will be the most renowned mountain! – Not the high mountain ranges such as the Sierra Nevada’s,

Micah 6:1-16 — ancient witness” of the mountains, become His jury! As if an incriminating “global tape recorder” is witched on for evidence. (3-5) He pleads His case against Israel. I have not let you down(3);…I brought you up!(4) Q: Had they forgotten all that He did for them? It is good for us to review God’s gracious acts toward us, & make sure we express gratitude to Him. THE CONFESSION! (6-8) (6,7) They wanted to shove their requirements

Acts 26:1-32 — & power to King Agrippa. He starts to build a bridge that Agrippa can cross securely. Now he builds his bridge in 3 sections: Paul’s life Before Christ; his Conversion Experience; & his life After Salvation. [1] BEFORE CHRIST! (4-11) Why does Paul make such a big deal about himself as a persecutor of the church? To establish his credibility w/Agrippa, who like his sister Drusilla, comes from a long line of Christian-haters. Remember, Herod Agrippa I, killed James;

2 Corinthians 13:11-14 — bolts. Paul ends this letter with such a peaceful & encouraging note! “This benediction is the most complete of them all. It presents the persons of the Trinity in full form.” (A.T.Robertson, Word Pictures in the N.T., Vol.4, pg.271) (benediction = utter a blessing, invoke God’s favor) Note the opening of his closing! - Finally brethren! ​​​​​​​Remember, this was a letter to a divided, unspiritual church. Yet, there

2 Corinthians 13:11-14 — bolts. Paul ends this letter with such a peaceful & encouraging note! “This benediction is the most complete of them all. It presents the persons of the Trinity in full form.” (A.T.Robertson, Word Pictures in the N.T., Vol.4, pg.271) (benediction = utter a blessing, invoke God’s favor) Note the opening of his closing! - Finally brethren! ​​​​​​​Remember, this was a letter to a divided, unspiritual church. Yet, there

1 John 1:5-10 — life is hard, & there is pain, great pain in life, & its not given any explanation. Rather, God offers to this pain, or this life experience, Himself!!!He communicates to us, He is God. And if He can do all Job says (read ch’s.38-41) then He could be trusted! John has sought to define for us who God is: God is Spirit(Jn4:24); God is Love(1Jn.4:8); God is Spirit (Jn.4:24); God is True (1 Jn.5:20); God is Light (1 Jn.1:5); Hebrews adds, God is an all consuming

1 John 1:5-10 — life is hard, & there is pain, great pain in life, & its not given any explanation. Rather, God offers to this pain, or this life experience, Himself!!!He communicates to us, He is God. And if He can do all Job says (read ch’s.38-41) then He could be trusted! John has sought to define for us who God is: God is Spirit(Jn4:24); God is Love(1Jn.4:8); God is Spirit (Jn.4:24); God is True (1 Jn.5:20); God is Light (1 Jn.1:5); Hebrews adds, God is an all consuming

Revelation 17:1-18 — It was famous for the Tower of Babel, which was built to keep the people from scattering, in direct defiance of God’s command to do so! - Hammurabi made Babylon a Religious Power about 1600bc. Babylon’s zenith was during Neb. reign(604-562bc); Babylon’s decline was in 539 when captured by Darius the Mede(see Daniel). From 300bc the city has been in decay. - In 1986 Saddam Hussein(portraying himself as the successor to Neb.)began to rebuild Babylon, which lies (50m.)south

Revelation 17:1-18 — It was famous for the Tower of Babel, which was built to keep the people from scattering, in direct defiance of God’s command to do so! - Hammurabi made Babylon a Religious Power about 1600bc. Babylon’s zenith was during Neb. reign(604-562bc); Babylon’s decline was in 539 when captured by Darius the Mede(see Daniel). From 300bc the city has been in decay. - In 1986 Saddam Hussein(portraying himself as the successor to Neb.)began to rebuild Babylon, which lies (50m.)south

Revelation 8:1-13 — w/judgment. (6) Trumpets - Num. 10 gives the 3-fold use of Trumpets. Shofar – rams horn. Gather the people; announce War; & announce Special Events. Read Joel 2:1. They are to warn, punish, & bring people to repentance & faith. These 1st 4 Trumpets bring desolation on the: “Land, Saltwater, Freshwater, & the Heavenly bodies.” [these trumpets announce War] 1st TRUMPET - VEGETATION! (7) You’ll hear 1/3rd used about 10 times. This fraction might indicate

Revelation 8:1-13 — w/judgment. (6) Trumpets - Num. 10 gives the 3-fold use of Trumpets. Shofar – rams horn. Gather the people; announce War; & announce Special Events. Read Joel 2:1. They are to warn, punish, & bring people to repentance & faith. These 1st 4 Trumpets bring desolation on the: “Land, Saltwater, Freshwater, & the Heavenly bodies.” [these trumpets announce War] 1st TRUMPET - VEGETATION! (7) You’ll hear 1/3rd used about 10 times. This fraction might indicate