Lectionary Calendar
Monday, July 21st, 2025
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
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Bible Commentaries

Bell's Commentary on the BibleBell's Commentary

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Esther 3:1-15 — Red Sea slaughter. Assyria - Pulling Israel out of their country as captives in 722bc. Babylon - Pulling Judah out of their country as captives in 536bc. Rome - is guilty of their abuse against the Jews. The Spanish Inquisition – in 1478 w/papal approval, & approval from King Ferdinand V & Queen Isabella I, they targeted 1st the Jews, then Islam, then the Protestants. Hitler – Where approx. 6 million Jews were killed. Nasser – the Prime minister & Pres. of Egypt,
Esther 7:1-9 — stripe. This rule was a guide for judges to rule by. He wanted the punishment to fit the crime. This is more difficult when you move from one culture to another. Remember the young American man they wanted to “cane” in Singapore back in ‘94? People protested that his punishment didn’t fit the crime. [got 4 across bare-butt] [Michael Peter Fay should have received a lot more for all the theft & vandalism he & his friends admitted to] A punishment too harsh is unfair, too lenient
Psalms 2:1-12 — interesting… God formed the nations (Gen.10:5 babel) From these the coastland peoples of the Gentiles were separated into their lands, everyone according to his language, according to their families, into their nations. God provided for the nations (Acts.14:16,17) In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways, but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts. God determined the nations
Psalms 22:1-31 — Intro: The Cross(Ps.22); The Crook(Ps.23);  & The Crown(Ps.24)! The Psalm: Parts of this Psalm could be about David himself, but he never suffered the agonies that were described here. David may have felt “forsaken by God” when Saul about had him pinned down in a cave, but was rescued in the
Leviticus 23:23-44 — work of J.C. Christ’s 1st Advent: (1) Passover = substitutionary death of the Lamb of God. (2) Unleavened Bread = the holy walk of the believer. (3) 1st Fruits = Christ’s Resurrection being the 1st fruits to ours. (4) Pentecost = descent of the H.S. after Christ’s Ascension. Interesting a gap (in the months) between these 2 sets of feast. Christ’s 2nd Advent: (5) Trumpets = the future gathering together of God’s people. (6) Day
Isaiah 7:1-25 — What can we learn from Ahaz? Q: Better yet, what can we learn from Isaiah’s counsel? (let’s read) FAITH! (3-9) ​​​​​​​Shear-Jashub – “a remnant shall return”. (4) Be Careful & Be Calm! Isaiah was told to bolster the courage of his fearful king. He took his son as a living “visual aid”. Shear-Jashub – “a remnant shall return”. Trust in God & he’ll bring deliverance. Faith
Jeremiah 49:1-39 — god. Also called “the reigning one”, yet he’d reign no more! (2b) They boasted their god was stronger than Israel’s! God would show them up by letting Israel take back possession of the land. (4) “Why do you boast in the valleys?” Their boast was in the fact that their valley was secure because mountains were on 3 sides! Boasting, be careful! - [Mongolian folklore] Two geese were about to start southward on their annual
Lamentations 3:1-66 — He looked to the people! LOOKING AT HIMSELF! (1-18) Here we have Jeremiah’s anguish. Dakes finds 32 sufferings & sorrows of Jeremiah in these 1st 18 vs. Also note the “He has” statements. (17 x’s) Vs.4-10 - He saw himself an aged man, on a winding path, in the dark, being pursued by lions, tigers, & bears, oh my! Well a lion & a bear(10,11). He depicts God as [1] 2 wild animals ready to tear in pieces whatever crosses its path. [2] A sklled
Numbers 12:1-16 — name existed in early times in Arabia as well as Cush proper (what is today southern Egypt, Sudan, and northern Ethiopia). Zipporah, Moses’ 1st wife, had probably died, & no legal restrictions prohibited Hebrews from marrying Cushites (Ex.34:11-16). But Miriam & Aaron apparently disapproved of the union. Miriam in particular might have felt that her leadership position among the women was threatened by this newcomer’s status, as Moses’ wife. Keep in mind Moses was
Matthew 9:9-17 — [tera-Vah-da; ma-Ha-ya-na] Move up towards Nirvana, be free from emotions. Have less desires. The goal is no desire or emotions at all. Not pleasure nor sufferings. Now imagine evangelizing a Buddhist. Jesus died for you (suffering?4 Noble truths:avoid/overcome) Would you like to go to Heaven? (1/2 way?) Would you like eternal life? (no I want it to end?) Jesus Loves you! (oh? love is a desire, I’m try to rid myself of?) So, where do you start with a Buddhist? Maybe w/compassion. Their
Deuteronomy 20:1-20 — Intro: Our worlds Global Defense Spending is $1.756 Trillion...annually. US leads w/$640 bill per yr. During the reign of Julius Caesar, to kill an enemy soldier cost less than $1. At the time of Napoleon, it had considerably inflated - to more than $2,000. At the end of the WWI, it had multiplied several x’s to reach
Mark 15:16-32 — gifts of gold, frankincense, myrrh [king/priest/prophet] Myrrh was received at His birth, denied at His death. [simply pointed to His death] Finally, that strange baby shower gift makes sense. THE MAGIS TITLE NOW USED (24-32) ​​​​​​​The King of the Jews (26) The Jews repeatedly asked Pilate to change the sign (Jn.19:21,22). Finally Pilate stands for something & says, “What I have written I have written”
John 12:27-50 — INTRO: Jesus responded as though the Greeks weren’t even present. Jesus is preoccupied with one thing, His death. From vs 23 to vs.50 as His last public teaching, Jesus concentrates on 4 Major Themes: The Cross is Imminent (only 4 days away; vs.23-28); The Pain is Great (vs.27); The Need is Urgent (35,36); The Response will be varied (37; 42,43) The Cross, was His final word/His final answer! THE CROSS, THE DIVINE
John 13:1-17 — wore it!!! Humility = To stoop low (Gk). Carries the idea of serving another person. Q: What did the angels in heaven think now? “Ok, that’s too far Lord!” How clear - He had come from God & was going to God. (4) And now the demonstration of the verse, “I did not come to be served, but to serve.” (Mt.20:28) Here he deals with 4 principles regarding humility: Humility is unannounced - Jesus didn’t say, “Ok, men, I’m
John 16:16-33 — INTRO: Aryanna Caligiuri - Edge(cross cultural studies); El Disneo(gathering place, art gallery) Prayer: Job 26:14 Indeed these are the mere edges/fringes of His(God’s) ways, And how small a whisper we hear of Him! But the thunder of His power who can understand? How do you brace yourself to face life without the one you love? How can sorrow really be turned
1 Samuel 12:1-25 — leaders. Samuel will have none of this. Many would have known him since he was a child at the tabernacle in Shiloh. He has spent his whole life serving them & now is old & gray-headed! Almost sounds like what Jesus would say later in Jn.8:46 “Which of you convicts Me of sin?” Samuel was a man of integrity; Saul would turn out to be a man of hypocrisy & duplicity. (Warren Wiersbe) How wonderful to get toward the end of your life & be able to review your life/ministry
1 Samuel 2:1-11 — song. Hannah reminds us this morning, we need to persevere in our prayers & remember to thank Him when the desired answer is given! I’d like to explain my title: From “Mary’s Magnificat” (Latin for Magnify) Lk.1:46-55. Magnificat anima mea Dominum - My soul magnifies the Lord! Like the Psalmist said, “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear
1 Samuel 4:1-22 — other parts of the Mediterranean world(Crete; Sea Peoples) to settle in the Promise Land in large numbers in the days of the Judges. They posed the single greatest military threat to Israel at the time. (2) Israel was soundly defeated (4000 soldiers died). To avoid a repeat of this tragedy, the Israelites tried a new approach...they would be led into battle by their God. This tactic had proved successful earlier in Israel’s history (Josh 6:6-21; Jericho). However,
2 Samuel 21:15-22 — sure that the devil has a "scout book" on you. He knows when we are growing faint, where we are vulnerable, and to what we are susceptible. None of us have the luxury of an unguarded moment, or an area without growth. LESSON #4 ​​​​​​​WATCH OUT FOR AN OLD ENEMY W/A NEW WEAPON! (16) Notice what we can know about Giants: Big! Goliath over 9 feet tall; Strong! Emphasizes weight of armaments; Well equipped! new sword, idea of cutting
2 Samuel 23:1-7 — INTRO: Famous Last Words: Akiba ben Joseph (c.40-c.135) "The paper burns, but the words fly free." (at the stake, when the Torah was also burned) Max Baer (1909-1959) [American boxer, Heavyweight Champion 1934-5] "Oh God, here I go..." Thomas Becket (1119-1179) "I am
 
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