Bible Commentaries

Nehemiah 2:1-20 — Intro: Last chapter it was Weep & Pray, this chapter it is Wait & Pray. Recap Nehemiah’s concerns from ch.1 (1:2-4) Patriotism. I like what Adlai/Add-lay Stevenson II [Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N.] said, Patriotism was not a short & frenzied outburst of emotion, but the tranquil & steady dedication of a lifetime. ​​​​​​​Remember

Nehemiah 2:1-20 — Intro: Last chapter it was Weep & Pray, this chapter it is Wait & Pray. Recap Nehemiah’s concerns from ch.1 (1:2-4) Patriotism. I like what Adlai/Add-lay Stevenson II [Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N.] said, Patriotism was not a short & frenzied outburst of emotion, but the tranquil & steady dedication of a lifetime. ​​​​​​​Remember

Nehemiah 5:1-19 — exploiting others so you can have your own way. It’s not only wanting my own way but expecting everybody else to want my way too SELFISHNESS (1-5) It was so bad even the wives (who normally kept silent) were joining in the protest. 4 different groups effected: ​​​​​​​The Hungry (2) This was the general population. Maybe they didn’t own land. They were starving because of the famine (3). Hungry Landowners (3) They

Nehemiah 5:1-19 — exploiting others so you can have your own way. It’s not only wanting my own way but expecting everybody else to want my way too SELFISHNESS (1-5) It was so bad even the wives (who normally kept silent) were joining in the protest. 4 different groups effected: ​​​​​​​The Hungry (2) This was the general population. Maybe they didn’t own land. They were starving because of the famine (3). Hungry Landowners (3) They

Psalms 36:1-12 — Intro: Outline: Bad Man; Good God; Satisfied Man. BAD MAN! (1-4) (1) The root of the problem Paul quotes (1b) to wrap up his summary of human depravity in Rom.3:10-18 "There is none righteous, no, not one;”…"There is no fear of God before their eyes." It all starts & ends

Psalms 36:1-12 — Intro: Outline: Bad Man; Good God; Satisfied Man. BAD MAN! (1-4) (1) The root of the problem Paul quotes (1b) to wrap up his summary of human depravity in Rom.3:10-18 "There is none righteous, no, not one;”…"There is no fear of God before their eyes." It all starts & ends

Isaiah 33:1-24 — destroying, you will be destroyed; when you stop betraying, you will be betrayed.” Assyria had received the tribute money from Hezekiah(King of Judah), but Sennacherib(Assyria’s king) still demanded unconditional surrender(2 Kings 18:14-36 only narrative in OT 3 x’s)…this was treachery! (or, betrayal/deceit) But the Lord would be victorious(1b). Prayer! (2-4) (2) The remnant of Judah appeal to the Lord of help! When His people are most in

Isaiah 33:1-24 — destroying, you will be destroyed; when you stop betraying, you will be betrayed.” Assyria had received the tribute money from Hezekiah(King of Judah), but Sennacherib(Assyria’s king) still demanded unconditional surrender(2 Kings 18:14-36 only narrative in OT 3 x’s)…this was treachery! (or, betrayal/deceit) But the Lord would be victorious(1b). Prayer! (2-4) (2) The remnant of Judah appeal to the Lord of help! When His people are most in

Jeremiah 26:1-24 — destruction!(6) Just a rumor about it was bad enough ½ of a millennium later, to put a man’s life at risk! Who? - “Jesus” –Mt.26 trial(accusers). Yet, Jeremiah is bold again, with another unpopular sermon! (4-7) Vs.2 – An appeal is to “reopen a case before a higher court”.(2) Jeremiah’s motto: “I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, & nothing but the truth, so help me God!” A man was out walking in the desert

Jeremiah 26:1-24 — destruction!(6) Just a rumor about it was bad enough ½ of a millennium later, to put a man’s life at risk! Who? - “Jesus” –Mt.26 trial(accusers). Yet, Jeremiah is bold again, with another unpopular sermon! (4-7) Vs.2 – An appeal is to “reopen a case before a higher court”.(2) Jeremiah’s motto: “I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, & nothing but the truth, so help me God!” A man was out walking in the desert

Ezekiel 9:1-11 — God gave to Ezekiel of the defilement of the Temple(ch.8); the destruction of the people(ch.9); & the departure of God’s Glory from His house(ch.10,11). Ezekiel 9 describes the judgment from God’s vantage point. 2nd Kings 24,25 describe the judgment from the human, historical perspective, i.e. the Babylonian invasion…but what was happening behind the scenes. Because of the flagrant idolatry in Jerusalem, God judged His City. GOD HAS LEFT THE BUILDING!

Ezekiel 9:1-11 — God gave to Ezekiel of the defilement of the Temple(ch.8); the destruction of the people(ch.9); & the departure of God’s Glory from His house(ch.10,11). Ezekiel 9 describes the judgment from God’s vantage point. 2nd Kings 24,25 describe the judgment from the human, historical perspective, i.e. the Babylonian invasion…but what was happening behind the scenes. Because of the flagrant idolatry in Jerusalem, God judged His City. GOD HAS LEFT THE BUILDING!

Amos 1:1-15 — Intro: (1:1,2) Who was Amos? Name means “burden-bearer” – he definitely was burdened because of the sins of his people. Sheepbreeder (1:1, 7:14) – Not just a shepherd, but a specific word which included breeding. Fig Picker (7:14,15) – the sycamore was a species of fig of poor quality(fig-mulberry). It was punctured to help insure ripening. Q: Who climbed this tree in

Amos 1:1-15 — Intro: (1:1,2) Who was Amos? Name means “burden-bearer” – he definitely was burdened because of the sins of his people. Sheepbreeder (1:1, 7:14) – Not just a shepherd, but a specific word which included breeding. Fig Picker (7:14,15) – the sycamore was a species of fig of poor quality(fig-mulberry). It was punctured to help insure ripening. Q: Who climbed this tree in

Zephaniah 3:1-20 — DOOM FOR JERUSALEM, BUT ALSO HOPE! (Ch.3) Jerusalem! (1-8) - Would God judge His own people any less harshly for the same sins??? - The answer was No! Their sin was toxic! And like many toxins/poisons they eventually kill! (2) See the 4 “not’s” They didn’t obey him(obedience); didn’t receive correction from him(instruction); didn’t trust Him(faith); & didn’t draw near to Him!(intimacy) Q: Which of those 4 would you like to polish this

Zephaniah 3:1-20 — DOOM FOR JERUSALEM, BUT ALSO HOPE! (Ch.3) Jerusalem! (1-8) - Would God judge His own people any less harshly for the same sins??? - The answer was No! Their sin was toxic! And like many toxins/poisons they eventually kill! (2) See the 4 “not’s” They didn’t obey him(obedience); didn’t receive correction from him(instruction); didn’t trust Him(faith); & didn’t draw near to Him!(intimacy) Q: Which of those 4 would you like to polish this

Revelation 2:18-29 — “She was born in Thyatira; she later made her home in Philippi; she was the 1st European we know of to embrace Christianity; she made her living in the prosperous cloth dyeing profession; …her favorite color was purple???  [Lydia,Acts 16:14] Purple - a color obtained from the secretion of a species of shell-fish (the Murex trunculus) which was found in the Mediterranean, and particularly on the coasts of Phoenicia and Asia Minor. The coloring matter in each separate shell-fish

Revelation 2:18-29 — “She was born in Thyatira; she later made her home in Philippi; she was the 1st European we know of to embrace Christianity; she made her living in the prosperous cloth dyeing profession; …her favorite color was purple???  [Lydia,Acts 16:14] Purple - a color obtained from the secretion of a species of shell-fish (the Murex trunculus) which was found in the Mediterranean, and particularly on the coasts of Phoenicia and Asia Minor. The coloring matter in each separate shell-fish

1 Samuel 27:1-12 — INTRO: Interesting, next Sunday I’m starting a 4-part series on Hope for our Christmas Season. Know the antonym of Hope? It is Despair (L) [de=down from + sperare=to hope] “To come down from hope!” :( Ever feel the Lord has forsaken or forgotten you? Asked,

1 Samuel 27:1-12 — INTRO: Interesting, next Sunday I’m starting a 4-part series on Hope for our Christmas Season. Know the antonym of Hope? It is Despair (L) [de=down from + sperare=to hope] “To come down from hope!” :( Ever feel the Lord has forsaken or forgotten you? Asked,