Bible Commentaries

Genesis 2:4-17 — The creation of Man 2:4-17 The differences between Genesis 1:1 to Genesis 2:3 and Genesis 2:4-25 have led many literary critics of the Bible to insist that two different writers composed these sections. But the similarities between these sections argue for a common writer. [Note: See William H. Shea, "Literary Structural Parallels between Genesis 1, 2," Origins 16:2(1989):49-68.]

Nehemiah 2:1-8 — Nehemiah 2:1-8 Nehemiah prayed for four months about conditions in Jerusalem before he spoke to Artaxerxes about them (cf. Nehemiah 1:1; Nehemiah 2:1). Artaxerxes’ reign began in the seventh Jewish month, Tishri (late September and early October), of 464 B.C. [Note: Edwin R. Thiele, The Mysterious Numbers of the Hebrew Kings, pp. 28-30, 161.] Therefore Nehemiah presented his request in late March or early April of 444 B.C. Nehemiah was probably very fearful (Nehemiah 2:2) because Artaxerxes could

Esther 4:4-17 — A. Mordecai’s Instruction 4:4-17 Mordecai’s mourning may have been the only thing that disturbed Esther. She may have known nothing about the decree. On the other hand, she may have known of both, and concluded that since the king did not know that she was a Jewess, she

Psalms 78:56-64 — After Joshua died, the people again tested God by failing to drive the inhabitants of the land out as He had commanded them to do. They turned from Him to worship false gods (Psalms 78:56-58). Consequently God permitted the Philistines to capture the ark at Shiloh (cf. 1 Samuel 4:4-11). Many Israelites died on that occasion, including the priests Hophni and Phinehas (Psalms 78:64).

Isaiah 43:22 — The Israelites would genuinely worship God for His coming deliverance of them (Isaiah 43:21), but at present they were not doing so. They had forsaken their God, and their praise was only formal rather than heartfelt (cf. Isaiah 1:11-14; Isaiah 66:3; Jeremiah 7:5-10; Hosea 6:6; Amos 4:4-6; Micah 6:3-8; Malachi 1:13; Malachi 2:17; Matthew 15:9).

Hosea 3:5 — After this period of cleansing, the Israelites would return to the Lord. They would seek Him as their God and a Davidic king as their ruler (cf. Hosea 2:7; Hosea 5:15; Deuteronomy 4:29). They would approach the Lord with a healthy sense of fear because of His rich blessings. This would happen "in the last days," namely, the days of Israel’s national restoration (i.e., the Millennium; cf. Deuteronomy 4:30; Isaiah

Micah 5:1 — This verse is the last one in chapter 4 in the Hebrew Bible. It continues the theme of Zion’s might. Micah called the Israelites to prepare for war and reminded them that they had often engaged in war by referring to them as a "daughter of troops." This expression means that

Malachi 3:11-12 — dropping off prematurely. All other nations would acknowledge divine blessing on the Israelites because their land would be such a delightful place. The Mosaic Covenant with its promises of material blessing for obedience is no longer in force (Romans 10:4; Hebrews 8:13). Obedience to God’s will does not necessarily result in material prosperity now (Philippians 1:29; Philippians 4:11-13). However, we do have promises that God will reward those who trust and obey Him in the next stage of our lives,

Deuteronomy 4:9-14 — 2. God’s appearance at Mt. Horeb 4:9-14 "The abstract nature of God in the Israelite religion, and the absence of any physical representation of him, imposed great difficulties for a people living in a world where all other men represented their gods in visual, physical form. To

Luke 12:11-12 — provide enough intimidation. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit’s help in formulating the proper defense then. The same Spirit that they might feel pressure to blaspheme against (Luke 12:10) would help them if they remained faithful to Him (cf. Luke 21:14-15; Matthew 10:19-20). Jesus was not speaking about normal preaching situations but giving oral defense under persecution. Luke recorded many instances of this in Acts (e.g., Acts 4:8; Acts 6:10; Acts 7:55; et al.). Modern persecuted disciples have

Luke 2:6-7 — Normally mothers wrapped their newborn babies in wide strips of cloth to keep them warm (cf. Ezekiel 16:4). [Note: Liefeld, p. 846.] Traditionally Christians have believed that the manger or feeding trough in which Mary laid the baby Jesus was in a cave. [Note: Justin Martyr, Trypho, 78:4; Origen, Contra Celsum, 1:15.] However most homes in Israel had two

Acts 4:13-14 — to accept the obvious, the Sanhedrin could offer no other explanation. Several details in the stories of the apostles’ arrests recall Jesus’ teaching concerning the persecution that the disciples would experience (cf. Luke 12:12 and Acts 4:8; Luke 21:12 and Acts 4:3; Acts 5:18; Luke 21:13 and Acts 4:8-12; Acts 5:29-32; Luke 21:15 and Acts 4:13).

Romans 14:6 — The most important thing is to seek to please the Lord in all that we do. Christians will come to differing conclusions about what this means in practice, but their submission to Jesus Christ’s lordship is primary. Paul meant that one person does not eat meat and another does eat meat, but both give God thanks for what they do eat (Romans 14:2; cf. 1 Timothy 4:4-5).

Ephesians 4:18 — Here Paul traced the attitude of typical unsaved Gentiles to its source. Lack of worthy purpose rests on unclear understanding (cf. Romans 1:21; 2 Corinthians 4:4). This in turn results from separation from the life that comes from God (cf. Ephesians 2:12). Separation arises from natural ignorance of God (cf. 1 Peter 1:14). That in turn rests on insensitivity to God and His ways (cf. Romans 1).

Titus 3:4-5 — to die for us, the Incarnation. That was the greatest revelation of God’s kindness and love for humankind. God took the initiative. God does not save people because they behave righteously but because He is merciful (cf. Romans 3:27-28; Romans 4:4-5; Galatians 2:16-17; Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Timothy 1:9). The salvation He provides consists of rebirth that Paul likened here to washing off sin’s filth (John 3:3-8; Romans 6:4; Ephesians 5:26; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 Peter 1:23) and renewal by God’s

Hebrews 11:4 — Judaism, would experience disappointment, as Cain did. By the way, what made Abel’s offering superior to Cain’s was evidently its being an offering of the "firstlings" (first-born) and its including the "fat" (Genesis 4:4). Ancient Near Easterners commonly held that a deity deserved the first of whatever man, beast, or crop brought forth. The fat likewise represented the best part of an animal offering. Abel’s offering shows the respect he gave God as worthy

Revelation 20:5 — dead" evidently refers to the wicked who are physically dead whom God will raise at the end of the Millennium (Revelation 20:12). The "first" resurrection refers to the first of the two resurrections John spoke of in the context (Revelation 20:4-6; Revelation 20:12). This includes the resurrection of the Tribulation martyrs at the second coming of Christ (Revelation 20:4) and other believers resurrected at the same time (i.e., Old Testament saints; Daniel 12:2; John 5:28; cf. 1 Corinthians

Revelation 6:9 — The altar John saw was evidently in heaven (cf. Revelation 8:3; Revelation 8:5; Revelation 14:18). Earlier John had seen a throne-room in heaven (chs. 4-5), but now he saw a temple. Probably the concepts of palace and temple communicate aspects of God’s magnificent dwelling-place in heaven (cf. Psalms 11:4; Psalms 18:6; Psalms 29:9-10;

Revelation 7:16-17 — They will no longer experience the privations and discomforts of their earthly existence (cf. Isaiah 49:10, LXX; John 4:14; John 6:35; John 7:37). The Lamb, now seen standing before the middle of the throne, will provide for them as a good shepherd takes care of his sheep (cf. Psalms 23:1-4; Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:23; John 10:11; John 10:14; Hebrews

1 Samuel 31:1-6 — the better of Saul and his soldiers (cf. Joshua 1:7-9). This battle took place in 1011 B.C., the last year of Saul’s reign. Three other important battles took place nearby in the Jezreel Valley: Deborah and Barak’s defeat of Sisera (Judges 4:15; Judges 5:21), Gideon’s victory over the Midianites (Judges 7), and Pharaoh Neco’s killing of King Josiah (2 Kings 23:29). The name of God does not appear in this chapter, perhaps suggesting that He had now given up Saul to the consequences