Bible Commentaries

1 Kings 10:1-29 — Also called Seba (Sabeans). Today Sanaa (former capital Yemen). One of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. One of the highest capital cities at 7,500’. And in the Jewish mind, was at the ends of the earth....Mt.12:42 The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here. Sheba, was a 3rd party for trading goods

1 Kings 9:1-28 — [Prov.15:29 The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous] + He answers. Do you know your building/your temple/your body was accepted? How? (He indwells you) It’s not where you pray (it’s how...Lk.18:9-14, 2 men went up to the temple to pray, Pharisee/Tax col). [trust in God. be humble] If Grace is like rain, then one is a statue & one is a sponge. Can you picture that? (Both being rained on yet: 1 repelling water, other absorbing it) Two

2 Kings 3:1-27 — Intro: Coldstone Peru Fundraiser after ch tonight. Baptism 9/10. Israel. [blank] The Moabite Stone (4’x2’x1’) - 1 of the most imp finds in biblical archeology. In 1868 a German missionary discovered in Jordan, a 34 line inscription carved on a black stone. Now located in the Louvre Museum in Paris. The inscription tells of

Psalms 71:1-24 — Chapter. This old veteran of faith sets his fingers, lips & heart to the praise of God & the telling of his story. Author: no name is given. (though LXX has “By David”. See end of 2nd book 72:20. All Psalms in 2nd book have a title except 43, which most tie to 42 & this Psalm, which some tie to 70) Old Age & its problems & insecurities (Did we save enough $? Was my life meaningful?) In some cultures old age is revered, honored, respected. Not nec in America/West. Loss

Isaiah 23:1-18 — represents the materialism of a great commercial center. It seemed impossible for this great & successful economy could even be touched…let alone be wiped out! Men think they control the economy but God makes the final decision!!! Q: 4 years ago, what represented to Ben Ladin our Financial Headquarters, our materialism, our commercial center? (W.T.C.) Q: What effect did it have on us 2000 miles away? Upon the whole world? So as we read through the different cities that

Isaiah 40:12-31 — understand who He really is. [Incomprehensible yet knowable!] See vs.21,28 {Have you not known/heard?} The prophet Isaiah is not afraid to use satire. It is a dangerous weapon, but of course he wields the sword well. In ch.’s 40-48(9 ch.’s) there are 216 verses, in which 115 speak of God’s greatness & power! Again, we learned last week that there is more to God’s character than judgment…He is full of Mercy, Grace, & He is eager to lavish His

Isaiah 57:1-21 — Intro: Outline: At War with God(1-13); At Peace with God(14-21). Lord Byron abandoned himself to the pursuit of pleasure; yet at the age of 35 he wrote, “My days are in the yellow leaf, The flowers and fruits of love are gone; The worm, the canker, and the grief Are mine alone.”Compare those lines

Isaiah 65:1-25 — didn’t want it? (Good food to your toddler, try it!) (Ever pass out tracks?) When the Jews rejected God’s call, the Gentiles responded in their stead. Paul remembers this in Rom.10:20,21. Witchcraft (4) They practiced necromancy(attempt to comm to the dead) in the graveyards & ate swine flesh. [Swine flesh? Yes Jews did, thus scorning the Mosaic Law] Hypocrisy (5) Paid in Full for their Sins (6,7) THE REMNANT! (8-16) God’s

Jeremiah 23:1-40 — to me, or follow me? Q: Do you push or pull? Do you Lead or Drive? BAD SHEPHERDS/GOOD SHEP’S/GREAT SHEP... (1-8) ​​​​​​​Bad Shepherds (1,2) Vs.1 - Last week we discussed the last 4 kings of Judah(all bad). The Woe starts off to “these” shepherds. Zedekiah, Shallum, Jehoiakim, & Jeconiah. What the kings & his subordinates did determined the livelihood of the common citizen. Therefore, shepherd

Numbers 22:1-41 — the banks of the Euphrates river. That Balak sent emissaries such a great distance is evidence of Balaam’s considerable reputation for supernatural powers. (New Geneva Study Bible Notes; pg.220) REFUSING TO GO, VISIT #1! (7-14) (7) The Diviners fee - everybody has a price...what would you sell your soul for? One of my best friends in H.S. sold his soul for 1 month more of a relationship, with his live in girlfriend. (i.e. That’s all it lasted after he choose

Numbers 28:1-31 — wrath for us). Feast of Tabernacles - Sukkot (booths) Thanksgiving feast at end of Harvest. DEITY’S DELIGHT! Vs2 gives a condensed statement that becomes the key that unlocks the contents of 28,29 My offering - (ןָּבְרֻק)My gift {qorban/corban} (Mark 7:11 Corbon/“it is a gift of God” was spoken over money/offering so they wouldn’t have to help mom or dad…”sorry it’s God’s!”) My

Numbers 29:1-40 — wrath for us). Feast of Tabernacles - Sukkot (booths) Thanksgiving feast at end of Harvest. DEITY’S DELIGHT! Vs2 gives a condensed statement that becomes the key that unlocks the contents of 28,29 My offering - (ןָּבְרֻק)My gift {qorban/corban} (Mark 7:11 Corbon/“it is a gift of God” was spoken over money/offering so they wouldn’t have to help mom or dad…”sorry it’s God’s!”) My

Deuteronomy 24:1-22 — right to life. He established several statutes aimed at protecting the dignity & reputation of people easily taken advantage of [a leper, someone in debt, someone in deep debt, & an indigent(a poor/needy person)] DIVORCE & REMARRIAGE (1-4) ​​​​​​​This law was quite specific & did not cover all instances of divorce. It neither condemned nor condoned divorce, but simply recognized that divorce existed. Jesus accepted Moses’ allowance

John 19:1-24 — predicted, & prophesied in the Scriptures. Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death. Acts 2:23 Outline: Ecce Homo(1-13); Ecce Rex Vester(14-24); Behold the Man; Behold your King. ECCE HOMO - BEHOLD THE MAN! (1-13) ​​​​​​​Jesus/Pilate had been talking about a kingdom so it was only rt that he king have a crown Obviously done for mockery

Acts 27:1-44 — from Nov 11 to early March. The fast = The Day of Atonement (late Sept or early Oct) Paul’s voyage was near this dangerous period. (He had years of experience as a traveler) THE GOD OF HOPE, IN HOPELESS SITUATIONS! (13-38) (14) Euroclydon - (lit.) euraquilo. euros = east wind; aquilo = northward. [A northeaster] (17) Cables to undergird - Ancient ships has as part of their ordinary gear, undergirders which were simply ropes for passing round the hull. This practice helped

Colossians 2:1-10 — rush. He wants to bless us with the joy of continual new discovery & surprise! :) Poem: Then let me gratefully explore, These boundless riches evermore; The fullness of the Christ divine, That precious Jesus who is mine! BE ON GUARD! (4) Religious systems seem so inviting, & their leaders so persuasive. But if you follow them, you will substitute man’s ideas for God’s truth! BE ORDERLY & STEADFAST! (5) Good order - Orderly. Used in the military sense of a rank or

James 4:11-17 — INTRO: Oh the Games People Play (best selling book 1964; The Psychology of Human Relationships)! It was about subtle ways people manipulate others, w/o them even aware. A book, Games Christians Play, came out in 1967. Taking readers behind the scenes in the Christian community, to reveal games played

Judges 6:1-40 — Intro: A weak Man, in a weak Clan, w/a weak Plan This is the 4th cycle of sin. The evil of Israel can be summed up in 3 words: infidelity, idolatry, & intermarriage. The setting for Gideon’s story is in the same Jezreel Valley as the last chapter. The Valley runs from the Mediterranean, right into

1 John 2:1-14 — – Jesus (highlights His humanity & His understanding); Christ (highlights His Messianic office, therefore His qualification to help); The righteous (emphasizes His ability to approach God, on our behalf). (Shepherdʼs Notes; pg.24) The propitiation - the atoning sacrifice for our sins. It is currently available. He “is” still the propitiation for the whole world. His death isn’t effective for the whole world; it’s only available

1 Samuel 24:1-22 — A TREATY OF NON-AGGRESSION! (ch.24) ANOTHER TEAR IN THE ROBE! (1-7) (1,2) En Gedi - Lit. the Rocks of the Wild Goats. An oasis on the Western side of the Dead Sea. Best source of fresh water in the wilderness area. Compare vs.5(torn robe) with 1 Sam.15:26b,27(torn robe) His