Bible Commentaries

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”

Acts 19:1-20 — receive?” 1 Jn.3:22 whatever we ask we receive from Him!!! WHAT DID YOU RECEIVE? (1-20) [1] WHAT BAPTISM DID YOU RECEIVE? (1-7) Ephesus is in “Asia” which Paul was previously forbidden…now right timing. Quick Stats: 4th largest city in Roman Empire; population ¼ million; elegant architecture; was one of the 7 Wonders of the world; & a principle center for magic for the ancient world (Magic, defined as, any process by which human beings become able to manipulate

Acts 21:1-40 — be your guide”, but our conscience isn’t always trustworthy. Example: God commanding Moses(burning bush scene) to deliver the Israelites from Egypt. What did Moses’ conscience say 1st? Ex3:11 (It reminded him of his failure 40 yrs earlier when he killed the Egyptian taskmaster) Guilt crippled his confidence & he replied,“Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh?” [2] Advice from other people – On one hand Proverbs 11:14 says, Where there is no counsel,

Acts 3:12-26 — with the Middle East crisis. God said he’d ask him to see if he wanted to do that. God came back & told him he didn’t want to. President bush asked why he didn’t want to talk to him. God said the last time he talked to a bush he spent 40 years in the wilderness! ☺ Moses in seeing this burning bush said, “I will now turn aside, & see this great sight.”(Ex.3:3) He was about to investigate when the voice spoke. This was a meeting with God – a phenomenon! One

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