Bible Commentaries

Esther overview — Written - Events in this book are set in the era of the Persian Empire, sometime between 483-471 b.c. Extended from Sudan to Pakistan to Greece.B. Chronologically - Esther comes between the return of a first group of Jews to Judah from Babylon (538 b.c.) and the return of a second group led back by Ezra (458 b.c.). Esther fits in between Ezra chapters 6 & 7. [a 60 yr. gap] Esther covers a 10 year time period. Author – unknown. Some think Mordecai (9:29). Some think Ezra

Esther 2:1-23 — historian Herodotus describes the king’s life after his military defeat as one of sensual overindulgence. He even started messing around with some of his officers wife’s sowing an anger that led to his assassination in his bedroom in 456bc. (The NIV Application Commentary, Karen Jobbs, pg.94.) A parting comment on Vashti – Does any principle mean so much to you that you would be willing to risk losing your job over it? Four years w/o a Queen. A Miss Persia

Esther 9:1-32 — - And they can attack also. SELF CONTROL is greater than SELF ADVANCEMENT But...they don’t “go on the attack”. They simply defend themselves. They don’t “plunder”. They simply defend themselves. (6) 500 men - They attacked right under the king’s nose, in the capital of Shushan. Remember, their hero Haman had fallen, & now what, lose out on all the Money they could plunder…no way! (7-10) During the feast of Purim they’d

Psalms 23:1-6 — ring. Ps.22 - Good Shepherd dying for the sheep; Ps. 23 - The Great Shepherd caring for the sheep; Ps. 24 - The Chief Shepherd coming for the sheep. Phillips gives as an outline: The Secret of a Happy Life!(1-3); The Secret of a Happy Death!(4,5); The Secret of a Happy Eternity!(6). Read the amplified bible. Did David write this song on his harp, while laying back in the grass, out in a meadow, with sheep bleating all around him, as a little shepherd boy? This Sheep will not Lack!

Isaiah 31:1-9 — didn’t wait for God’s promise, but sought to bring it about by himself, through Hagar. (3) Still our 2 biggest problems: We place more trust in man than in God, & more trust in our flesh than in the spirit. God’s Power! (4,5) The lion won’t release its paw from the prey! Like my dog “Bongo” growing up, would never let go of his bone. Like mother mockingbirds darting, diving, swooping like little fighter pilots at enemy crows…never giving

Nahum 1:1-15 — you feel when you hear the Lord has His way? Q: Can “your way” ever supercede “His way”? Vs.4-6 shows how he commands the forces of nature. And that no one can stand before His anger. (4) He opened the red Sea. (5) He can turn off the rain & make the most fruitful areas dry up. Bashan(on their east); Carmel(on their West); Lebanon(north) At Sinai He made the mountain shake. When storms blow into your life remember, it is another promise God is

Matthew 12:1-21 — Jesus, and demonstrated its harmony with Old Testament messianic prophecy. Ch’s 3,4 affirmed Jesus’ full identity with humanity - and His victory over every human weakness. Surely this Person can lead us to victory too. Ch’s 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount, contained Jesus’ explanation of the lifestyle appropriate for those who choose to live in His kingdom. Ch’s 8-11 proved Jesus’ authority over all that binds human beings. And it also shows that in Jesus,

Matthew 12:38-50 — traveled a long distance to hear Sol.’s wisdom, yet the religious rulers rejected the wisdom of Christ who was in their very midst. [they repented...she heard] The greater the opportunity the greater the judgment. REFORMATION (43-45) Self-Reformation This man’s life was changed for the better; but his life was still empty. I remember my self-reformation right before I got saved. I quit smoking pot for a month. I felt better but still felt empty. The Pharisee’s

Matthew 15:1-20 — these phrases have in common? Moderation in all things (Aristotle, Doctrine of the Mean). To thine ownself be true (Hamlet). God helps those who help themselves (Aesop's Fable, Hercules & the Wagoneer). The lion shall lay down with the lamb (Is.65:25). Cleanliness is next toGodliness (John Wesley, quoted in 1 of his sermons, already in existence) People often think they are found in Scripture They are not. And actually I think we have here in our text today a case that shows the opposite

2 Corinthians 8:1-24 — their money! George Sweeting said, “For the Macedonian Christians, giving was not a chore but a challenge, not a burden but a blessing. Giving was not something to be avoided but a privilege to be desired.” It all starts here! (5) When you give yourself totally over to the Lord, you’re offering your “time, talents, & treasures” [lock, stock, & barrel; the whole 9 yards; the whole enchilada!] After a great gathering of Christian youth, the offering

Colossians 1:15-29 — it will follow you for food the rest of its life. People are like that chicken, you inflict pain on them & they will follow you for food the rest of their life.” (Ravi Zacharias; Podcast 9-22-08; Absolute Truth in Relative Terms(Part 2 of 5)) Man sure has come up with some bizarre ideas to get men to follow them. What system of control did God use? Oh He didn’t use a system of control & manipulation to get something from man. Instead He did something for rather than to mankind! Let’s

2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 — thwart) His religious system is connected with the Temple. In Dan.9:27 he makes a cov. w/the Jews to open the Temple to them for 7 years. He breaks it in the middle, known as the abomination of desolation. Mt.24:13 RESTRAINED (5-7) (6) What or who is restraining? (read 6-8) The debate lies here. I.D.ing the Restrainer. Some say Governments (their purpose is to restrain evil/Rom.13); Or, Satan (doesn’t make sense w/vs.7); Others say the H.S. It is neuter in

1 Timothy 4:1-16 — look for in a church? - Look for in a pastor? Q: How should the pastor teach? - Deal with false teachers or bad doctrine? – How should he live? Outline: Word & Prayer; Nourishment & Exercise; Practice & Progress. WORD & PRAYER! (1-5) Q: Where do we run for all questions to life & godliness? The Word of God & Prayer settle the matter! Wherever the light of the gospel shines, the shadow of false doctrine lurks closely behind. The Christian faith was preached,

Hebrews 11:23-40 — Jehovah) & Jochebed(Jehovah is her Glory) were the molders & shapers of Moses faith during the early years (Ex.2:9,10). Moses became aware of his own origins; was taught to fear God; made conscious of his call to deliver his people. As Acts 7:25 attests to this, For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand) Their faith, prayers, bravery, & their creativity saved their son. What an encouragement for those

Hebrews 6:13-20 — broken.” God’s promises are not pie crust promises. He will never break a single promise He has made. Title: Soul Anchor Outline:No Pie Crust Promises; Find a New Hope; Anchored for Progress; Carrying the Anchor Forward NO PIE CRUST PROMISES (13-15) God’s promise & God’s oath assure us that we are His, and God’s character backs up His words. Abraham The Role Model Who should we imitate?(12)…well here’s one example...Abraham. But before we talk about

1 Peter 4:1-19 — serve! #4 We No Longer Have To Live For The Will Of The Gentiles! (3) (3) Peter says there MUST be a break from our old ways! You should not allow the old life to control you. Life is too short to waste it on godless living. Eph.5:13-18(NLT) So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don't be drunk

2 Peter 2:12-22 — money! Enticing others – They greedily bite at every baited hook, unconcerned about the disastrous consequences. Bad enough they’ll bear the responsibility of their own sins…but the sins of others too is intolerable! (15,16) Mercenary Mentality! [mercenary = work for $ at the expense of ethics] [like Muammar al-Gaddafi hired to fire on his people in Libya] Explain who Balaam is. (Numb.22-24; 31) He was covetous of king Balak’s gold, & taught Israel

1 Samuel 3:1-21 — those days there was no prophet regularly active to give the people messages from God (Search the Scriptures; footnote; pg.209) (3) Probably near day break, as the lamp was about to go out. Eli was not allowed to serve anymore as he was over 50 years old (see 4:15). Numb.4:46,47 from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, all who enter the service to do the work in the tabernacle of meeting. Maybe why Jesus didn’t start His ministry (as our high priest) until

1 Samuel 7:1-17 — mothers without ever pausing to was his hands. Dr. Semmelweis was the 1st man in history to associate such examinations with the resultant infection and death. His own practice was to wash with a chlorine solution, and after 11 years and the delivery of 8,537 babies, he lost only 184 mothers - about 1 in 50. He spent the vigor of his life lecturing and debating with his colleagues. Once he argued, “Puerperal fever is caused by decomposed material, conveyed to a wound. I have shown how it can be prevented.

2 Samuel 12:13-31 — up against the wooden & fiberglass hulls. Within minutes, though, the storm clouds begin to roll through the sky. Thunder rumbles; rain pelts. The tranquil little harbor is tossed by a whirlwind. (Taken & adapted from Charles Swindoll intro pg.152 David.) One boat, was tied loosely to its moorings, snaps the rope & is carried out by the violent currents only to crash upon the rocks. But another boat, secured by its nautical ropes to the 4 cleats on the dock, is able to ride out the