Bible Commentaries

Nehemiah 13:1-31 — (they Read-Heard-Responded) (2) Our God turned the curse into a blessing. God still does this. What man meant for evil God meant for Good. All things work together for good. Well this was the good news, Now we need to step back (see 4a before this i.e. vs.1-3) & let’s hear what was happening while Nehemiah was away on a business trip. Here now are 3 vigorous corrections for 3 foolish abuses… GOD’S HOUSE (4-14) ​​​​​​​HOUSE

Nehemiah 13:1-31 — (they Read-Heard-Responded) (2) Our God turned the curse into a blessing. God still does this. What man meant for evil God meant for Good. All things work together for good. Well this was the good news, Now we need to step back (see 4a before this i.e. vs.1-3) & let’s hear what was happening while Nehemiah was away on a business trip. Here now are 3 vigorous corrections for 3 foolish abuses… GOD’S HOUSE (4-14) ​​​​​​​HOUSE

Psalms 86:1-17 — God’s stedfast love & is in turn devoted to God in the covenant relationship. He describes God as, “Good, forgiving, abounding in steadfast love.” Forgiving, suggests he feels the need of God’s forgiveness. (4) Rejoice/Gladden-is a bold request at such a time. But...there are 3 good reasons for it[3 for’s] Single-mindedness - For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. The Character of God - For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant

Psalms 86:1-17 — God’s stedfast love & is in turn devoted to God in the covenant relationship. He describes God as, “Good, forgiving, abounding in steadfast love.” Forgiving, suggests he feels the need of God’s forgiveness. (4) Rejoice/Gladden-is a bold request at such a time. But...there are 3 good reasons for it[3 for’s] Single-mindedness - For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. The Character of God - For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant

Ecclesiastes 10:1-20 — creates problems for those who commit it. He already compared a good name to a fragrant perfume (7:1). So he uses the same image. Who is the fool of scripture? The fool in Proverbs is assured a destructive fate (Prov 10:14, 21). This destruction comes in part because of his rebellious attitude (Prov 10:8). Fools refuse instruction or discipline (Prov 15:5; 16:22; 17:10). Instead, they recklessly get themselves into trouble (Prov 14:16; 18:6). They are also arrogant (Prov

Ecclesiastes 10:1-20 — creates problems for those who commit it. He already compared a good name to a fragrant perfume (7:1). So he uses the same image. Who is the fool of scripture? The fool in Proverbs is assured a destructive fate (Prov 10:14, 21). This destruction comes in part because of his rebellious attitude (Prov 10:8). Fools refuse instruction or discipline (Prov 15:5; 16:22; 17:10). Instead, they recklessly get themselves into trouble (Prov 14:16; 18:6). They are also arrogant (Prov

Isaiah 1:1-31 — - 66 chapters. The 1st 39 chapters are like the OT’s 39 books. The next 27 chapters are like the NT. Ch.1-39 = a message of judgment(on immorality & Idolatry) regarding “Judah, surrounding nations, & whole earth”. Ch.40-66 = A message of hope (Messiah is coming as Savior & Sovereign. To bear a cross & to wear a crown) Isaiah the Major Prophet! His prophetic ministry spanned 4 Kings(see vs.1). Like Billy Graham to…what, 10 presidents? Approx.

Isaiah 1:1-31 — - 66 chapters. The 1st 39 chapters are like the OT’s 39 books. The next 27 chapters are like the NT. Ch.1-39 = a message of judgment(on immorality & Idolatry) regarding “Judah, surrounding nations, & whole earth”. Ch.40-66 = A message of hope (Messiah is coming as Savior & Sovereign. To bear a cross & to wear a crown) Isaiah the Major Prophet! His prophetic ministry spanned 4 Kings(see vs.1). Like Billy Graham to…what, 10 presidents? Approx.

Isaiah 2:1-22 — friend! Outline: God’s City(Jer) as it Ought to Be; God’s City as it Was; God’s City as it Will Be. Ch.1 Isaiah looked within the heart of the nation, now he looks ahead to the future glorious kingdom. GOD’S CITY AS IT OUGHT TO BE! (1-4) This continues on from 1:27-31 “Zion shall be…”. Micah 4:1-3 is almost identical. (2 contemporaries) (2b) Jerusalem a beacon in a dark world! Jerusalem will be both political & spiritual headquarters in those

Isaiah 35:1-10 — The desolate wilderness turns into a beautiful garden. Human history began in a garden, but man’s sin turned it into a desert. God’s creation will rejoice when it’s set free from the bondage of sin (Warren Wiersbe; pg.472; With the Word.) (2b) Oswald Chambers, “The one aim of the call of God is the satisfaction of God, not a call to do something for Him.” ☺ (3) Those weak will be made strong! (4) Those fearful-hearted will be made courageous! (5-7)

Nahum 2:1-13 — fall. Nahum’s description of ancient warfare is unrivaled. Many relief’s have been uncovered that depict battles of this time period. (show pictures) We have here a dramatic picture of the [1] Invasion [2] Battle [3] Victory [4] Humiliation {our outline!} THE INVASION! (1-4) (1) The Hebrew Scriptures start ch.2 with 1:15. (1:15) Isaiah uses this for the fall of Babylon – See Is.52:7 Paul uses this announcement for us today “How beautiful

Nahum 2:1-13 — fall. Nahum’s description of ancient warfare is unrivaled. Many relief’s have been uncovered that depict battles of this time period. (show pictures) We have here a dramatic picture of the [1] Invasion [2] Battle [3] Victory [4] Humiliation {our outline!} THE INVASION! (1-4) (1) The Hebrew Scriptures start ch.2 with 1:15. (1:15) Isaiah uses this for the fall of Babylon – See Is.52:7 Paul uses this announcement for us today “How beautiful

Zechariah 7:1-14 — life”. (5) Question #1 - Did you really fast for me? – Are you genuinely sorry that the temple, the symbol of God’s presence, was destroyed, or are you sad, “things just simply aren’t what they used to be?” They had 4 traditional days of fasting: 4th month(Babylonian siege); 5th month(Temple Burned); 7th month(Gedaliah’s murder); 10th month(Jerusalem siege begun). Show Papyrus Fragments: Zechariah 7:4-5 - The papyrus fragments of Dead Sea Scroll 7Q5 (i.e.

Zechariah 7:1-14 — life”. (5) Question #1 - Did you really fast for me? – Are you genuinely sorry that the temple, the symbol of God’s presence, was destroyed, or are you sad, “things just simply aren’t what they used to be?” They had 4 traditional days of fasting: 4th month(Babylonian siege); 5th month(Temple Burned); 7th month(Gedaliah’s murder); 10th month(Jerusalem siege begun). Show Papyrus Fragments: Zechariah 7:4-5 - The papyrus fragments of Dead Sea Scroll 7Q5 (i.e.

Luke 17:1-10 — not mice but men! There are traps of unforgiveness…which “sever” relationships. And thus imprison countless Christians in its jaws! Well, this is the last teaching of a long Sabbath day that started in 14:1. So Luke names 4 qualities of a true disciple: Offences; Forgiveness; Faith; & Service. Note discipleship’s link between true faith, & necessary obedience. 4 SERMONETTES! (1-10) [1] OFFENSIVE OFFENCES! (1,2) The word

Luke 17:1-10 — not mice but men! There are traps of unforgiveness…which “sever” relationships. And thus imprison countless Christians in its jaws! Well, this is the last teaching of a long Sabbath day that started in 14:1. So Luke names 4 qualities of a true disciple: Offences; Forgiveness; Faith; & Service. Note discipleship’s link between true faith, & necessary obedience. 4 SERMONETTES! (1-10) [1] OFFENSIVE OFFENCES! (1,2) The word

2 John 1:1-13 — – 2 possibilities: {We don’t know for sure} ​​​​​​​[1] An individual who’s house this fellowship resides in. ​​​​​​​Like Lydia in Acts 16:14,15; 40. This lady in John was possibly a gracious hostess, opening her home for the sake of the ministry. [2] Or, she’s the personification of a church or local congregation. ​​​​​​​Whom

2 John 1:1-13 — – 2 possibilities: {We don’t know for sure} ​​​​​​​[1] An individual who’s house this fellowship resides in. ​​​​​​​Like Lydia in Acts 16:14,15; 40. This lady in John was possibly a gracious hostess, opening her home for the sake of the ministry. [2] Or, she’s the personification of a church or local congregation. ​​​​​​​Whom

Revelation 9:1-21 — orchestrating it all! Abyss = bottomless pit. A type of holding cell for evil spirits. The Pit is the abode of demons – Jesus mentioned this Pit/abyss already in Lk.8:31(demons/pigs/don’t send us to the abyss early) See 2 Pet.2:4 (also Jude 6) Hell=Tartarus The world must make a choice: Life or Death? Read Deut.30:19,20. POWER OF THE LOCUSTS! (3-6) (3) Locusts - God sometimes used Locusts to judge His people (Deut.28:42; Joel 2) Regular locust were feared

Revelation 9:1-21 — orchestrating it all! Abyss = bottomless pit. A type of holding cell for evil spirits. The Pit is the abode of demons – Jesus mentioned this Pit/abyss already in Lk.8:31(demons/pigs/don’t send us to the abyss early) See 2 Pet.2:4 (also Jude 6) Hell=Tartarus The world must make a choice: Life or Death? Read Deut.30:19,20. POWER OF THE LOCUSTS! (3-6) (3) Locusts - God sometimes used Locusts to judge His people (Deut.28:42; Joel 2) Regular locust were feared