Bible Commentaries

Genesis 11:7 — God’s soliloquy in this verse mimics the language of the tower builders in Genesis 11:3-4 (cf. Genesis 1:26). The tower was so puny that He had to come down to see it (cf. Isaiah 40:22). The confusion of language probably involved more than just the introduction of new words. "If language is the audible expression of emotions, conceptions,

Genesis 13:18 — and obeying God, though not without occasional failures in his faith. The other wants both what God and what the world can give him. These correspond to a spiritual and a carnal believer, a single-minded and a double-minded believer (James 1:8; James 4:8). When Abram gave Lot the choice of where he wanted to live, Abram was giving up any claim to temporal advantages and was trusting God to bless him as God had promised He would. This step of faith led to greater blessing by God (Genesis 13:14-17).

1 Kings 20:26-30 — God’s deliverance of Israel 20:26-30 The battle of Aphek (873 B.C.) took place on the tableland east of the Sea of Chinnereth (Galilee), the modern Golan Heights. This was not the same Aphek where Saul battled the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:1; 1 Samuel 29:1). The Arameans greatly outnumbered Israel (1 Kings 20:27), but God promised Ahab victory so he and all Israel, as well as the Arameans, would know that Yahweh was the true God (1 Kings 20:28). God enabled the soldiers of Israel to defeat

2 Chronicles 10:1-19 — ch. 10 This account is very similar to the one in 1 Kings 12. Solomon’s son Rehoboam did not act wisely and therefore lost his kingdom. The Chronicler added that a prophet had foretold this situation (2 Chronicles 10:15; cf. 2 Chronicles 11:1-4). The division of the kingdom looked like a tragedy, but it was part of God’s plan for His people. That would have given hope to the original readers since the captivity looked like a tragedy, but prophets had foretold it too. It was part of God’s

Psalms 14:1 — A fool (Heb. nabal) is a person who has a problem in his or her heart more than in the head. He does not take God into account as he goes about living and is therefore morally insensitive (cf. 1 Samuel 25:25; Isaiah 32:4-7). He may or may not really be an atheist, and he is not necessarily ignorant, but he lives as though there is no God. This conclusion leads him to disregard the revelations God has given of Himself, attention to which are essential for wise living

Psalms 2:6 — involved ability to control the nations around him. Jesus Christ was completely faithful to carry out God’s will on earth. He will, therefore, completely dominate His enemies. Other prophets also referred to the coming Messiah as David (cf. Is. 55:3-4; Jeremiah 30:9; Ezekiel 34:24-25; Ezekiel 37:24-25). "Zion" is the name of the Canaanite city built on Mount Moriah that David conquered (2 Samuel 5:7). It became known as Jerusalem. Later, "Zion" was the term used to refer to the

Psalms 23:1 — God’s people as their king. Other ancient Near Eastern kings also described themselves as the shepherds of their nations. [Note: E.g., King Hammurabi. See James B. Pritchard, ed., Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament, p. 164.] Even some pagan gods were spoken of as shepherds. [Note: Ibid., p. 388.] Isaiah later referred to Messiah as a shepherd (Isaiah 40:11). This title was one that Jesus Christ claimed for Himself (John 10:14) and that the New Testament writers used for

Psalms 89:30-37 — VanGemeren, pp. 586-91.] The hope of an earthly reign over Israel is what distinguishes premillennialists from amillennialists and postmillennialists. This hope rests on a literal interpretation of God’s promises in the Davidic Covenant (cf. Psalms 89:3-4; Psalms 89:27-29; Psalms 89:35-37; Psalms 89:49). [Note: See Ronald B. Allen, "Evidence from Psalms 89," in A Case for Premillennialism: A New Consensus, pp. 55-77.]

Psalms 96:11-13 — 3. An invitation to all to rejoice over Yahweh’s reign 96:11-13 The writer returned to his former thought of all creation being under God’s authority (Psalms 96:4-5). He now summoned all creation to praise God at the prospect of His righteous rule. Psalms 96:13 is one of the clearest and most thrilling revelations that God will rule on the earth, not just from heaven. He will do so in the person of His Son when

Leviticus 15:19-24 — The third case deals with the woman’s menstrual cycle (cf. 2 Samuel 11:4). "By placing the woman in what amounted to a state of isolation, the legislation made it possible for her to enjoy some respite from her normal duties, and gave her an opportunity of renewing her energy." [Note: Harrison, p. 164.] This law

Leviticus 6:14-18 — The law of the meal offering for the priests 6:14-18 God considered the meal, sin, and trespass offerings "most holy" (Leviticus 6:17; Leviticus 6:25; Leviticus 7:1; Leviticus 7:6). This means that they were sacrifices that only the priests could eat. The "layman who touched these most

Ezekiel 1:28 — This radiance resembled a rainbow; it encircled the person on the throne. This radiance represents the glory that surrounds Yahweh as He sits on this heavenly throne (cf. Exodus 19; 1 Kings 8; Isaiah 6; Daniel 10; Revelation 4). "Noah saw the rainbow after the storm (Genesis 9:13-16), the Apostle John saw it before the storm (Revelation 4:3), but Ezekiel saw it over the storm and in control of the storm." [Note: Warren W. Wiersbe, "Ezekiel," in The Bible

Matthew 4:11 — Having resisted Satan’s attacks successfully, the enemy departed temporarily (cf. James 4:7). God sent messengers to assist His faithful Son (cf. 1 Kings 19:4-8). The Father rewarded the Son with divine assistance and further opportunity for service because Jesus had remained faithful to Him. This is God’s normal method. Many have

Deuteronomy 4:41-43 — A. The appointment of cities of refuge in Transjordan 4:41-43 It may seem strange that Moses included the record of his appointment of Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan as the three cities of refuge ("safe towns," CEV) east of the Jordan at this point in Deuteronomy. He probably did so because this important

Romans 1:17 — Paul, as in the OT, ’righteousness of God’ is a relational concept. Bringing together the aspects of activity and status, we can define it as the act by which God brings people into right relationship with himself." [Note: Moo, p. 74. See pages 70-74 for the reasons this is the best conclusion. He also wrote a good excursus on "’Righteousness’ Language in Paul," pp. 79-90.] The gospel makes the righteousness of God manifest. What does "from faith to faith"

Joshua 1:5 — God’s fault but the Israelites’. "This text [Joshua 1:2-5] summarizes the book. Joshua 1:2 describes the crossing of the Jordan as found in Joshua 1:1 to Joshua 5:12. Joshua 1:3 outlines the ’conquest’ of Joshua 5:13 to Joshua 12:24. Joshua 1:4 implies the distribution of the land in Joshua 13:1 to Joshua 22:34. The emphasis on all the days of Joshua’s life in Joshua 1:5 is found at the end of Joshua’s life in the final two chapters of the book. These verses also introduce

Joshua 22:21-29 — was not to use the altar to promote departure from Yahweh or the tabernacle. It was to memorialize the unity of the 12 tribes for future generations. The Israelites had, of course, erected other memorials for this purpose in the Jordan, at Gilgal (ch. 4), and on Mt. Ebal (Joshua 8:30-35). However, God had not ordered the building of this altar as He had the other monuments. He had made provision for preserving the unity of the nation by calling all the males in Israel back to the tabernacle three times

Judges 5:23-27 — brethren in fighting their foe. In contrast, Jael feared nothing, but faced with the opportunity to kill Sisera did so boldly. This made her "most blessed of women," the embodiment of God’s will for justice and righteousness (cf. Luke 1:42; Luke 1:51-53). "Curds" refers to the coagulated part of milk from which cheese comes, in contrast to the watery whey. "By having Sisera fall and saying that he ’lay’ at Jael’s feet-more literally, ’between her

Ruth 1:6-14 — B. Naomi’s inability to provide husbands for Ruth and Orpah 1:6-14 God eventually withdrew the famine from Judah (Ruth 1:6), probably in response to His people’s calling out to Him for deliverance (cf. Judges 3:9; Judges 3:15; Judges 4:3; Judges 6:6; Judges 10:10; Judges 16:28). This verse sounds one of the major

1 Samuel 14:47-52 — 4. Saul’s limited effectiveness in battle 14:47-52 Saul was an active warrior and was effective to an extent due to his native abilities and God’s limited blessing. He punished the enemies of Israel (1 Samuel 14:47-48), which was God’s