Bible Commentaries

Exodus 4:24-26 — This brief account raises several questions. Evidently God afflicted Moses because Moses had not been obedient to God. He failed to circumcise at least one of his two sons (Exodus 18:3-4). The Egyptians practiced partial circumcision on adults. [Note: J. M. Sasson, "Circumcision in the Ancient Near East," Journal of Biblical Literature 85 (1966):473-74.] God’s sentence for this sin of omission was death ("cut off

1 Kings 2:13-34 — B. The Foundation of Solomon’s Reign 2:13-4:34 The writer noted that Solomon’s sole reign began well. The things most responsible were God’s gift of wisdom to Solomon (the central section), his political decisions (the first section), and his administrative ability (the third section).

Psalms 51:13-17 — 4. Promise of grateful service 51:13-17 David’s confession of his sins and prayer for inner renewal formed a basis for him to instruct sinners (Psalms 51:13), praise Yahweh (Psalms 51:14-15), and deepen his own commitment to the Lord (Psalms 51:16-17).

Psalms 59:6-7 — The psalmist compared his enemies to wild dogs that gain courage with the cover of night to threaten arrogantly and attack. Their offensive weapons included their words that were similar to swords in their destructive power (cf. Psalms 55:21; Psalms 57:4; Psalms 64:6).

Ecclesiastes 5:1-9 — 4. The perishable fruits of labor 5:1-6:9 This section emphasizes the folly of trying to find ultimate satisfaction in one’s work. Solomon focused on a variety of situations that involve the fruits of labor: money and what it can buy, fame, and pleasure.

Jeremiah 32:1-15 — Jeremiah’s purchase of land 32:1-15 This was another of Jeremiah’s symbolic acts (cf. Jeremiah 16:1-4; Jeremiah 18:1-12; Jeremiah 19:1-2; Jeremiah 19:10-11; Jeremiah 27:1 to Jeremiah 28:17; Jeremiah 43:8-13; Jeremiah 51:59-64).

Jeremiah 34:3 — Zedekiah would not escape, but instead would be captured, and would stand before Nebuchadnezzar face to face (cf. Jeremiah 39:5-7). He would also go to Babylon as a prisoner of war. All this came to pass (cf. Jeremiah 39:4-7; Jeremiah 52:7-11).

Jeremiah 49:5 — Yahweh promised to terrorize the Ammonites with enemies that would attack from all directions (cf. Jeremiah 49:29; Jeremiah 6:25; Jeremiah 20:3-4; Jeremiah 20:10; Jeremiah 46:5). No one would be able to organize the fugitives because the scattering would be so great.

Ezekiel 36:16-14 — 4. Restoration to the Promised Land 36:16-37:14 Having prepared the land for the Israelites (Ezekiel 35:1 to Ezekiel 36:15), the Lord would bring them back into it. This prophecy consists of four parts (Ezekiel 36:16-38, and Ezekiel 37:1-14).

Ezekiel 39:1-2 — The Lord again announced His antagonism toward Gog (cf. Ezekiel 38:2-3). He repeated that He would turn him around and bring him from the remotest parts of the North against the mountains of Israel (cf. Ezekiel 38:4-9; Ezekiel 38:15).

Jonah 3 overview — II. THE OBEDIENCE OF THE PROPHET CHS. 3-4 The second half of this book records Jonah’s obedience to the Lord following his initial disobedience (chs. 1-2). However, he was not completely obedient in his attitudes even though he was in his actions.

Matthew 24:15-22 — 4. The abomination of desolation 24:15-22 (cf. Mark 13:14-20) Having given a general description of conditions preceding His return and the end of the present age, Jesus next described one particular event that would be the greatest sign of all.

Matthew 8:23-27 — Jesus’ stilling of a storm 8:23-27 (cf. Mark 4:36-41; Luke 8:22-25) Even though Jesus sometimes enjoyed less shelter than the animals and birds (Matthew 8:20), He was not the subject of nature. It was subject to Him.

Mark 8:11-13 — 3. Conflict with the Pharisees over signs 8:11-13 (cf. Matthew 16:1-4) Matthew’s account of this incident is fuller than Mark’s. Probably Mark just summarized it here to parallel Mark 7:1-23 and so advance his theme of discipleship training.

Luke 2:22-38 — 4. Jesus’ presentation in the temple 2:22-38 The emphasis in this section is Simeon’s prediction of Jesus’ ministry (cf. Luke 1:67-79). He pointed out the universal extent of the salvation that Jesus would bring and the rejection that He would experience.

Acts 8:1-25 — 1. The evangelization of Samaria 8:1-25 The first part of Philip’s important witness took place in Samaria. Luke recorded the cause of Philip’s ministry there (Acts 8:1-3), its nature (Acts 8:4-8), and its effects (Acts 8:9-24).

2 Corinthians 5:18-21 — The ministry of reconciliation 5:18-21 This section and the first two verses of chapter 6 constitute the crux of Paul’s exposition of the apostolic office (2 Corinthians 2:14 to 2 Corinthians 7:4) and of the entire letter. [Note: Barnett, p. 300.]

Galatians 4:1-11 — 1. The domestic illustration 4:1-11 Continuing his case for faith over the Mosaic Law, Paul cited an illustration from family life. He did this to clarify the condition of believers as contrasted with nomists and to warn his readers to abandon nomism.

Colossians 4:7-18 — V. CONCLUSION 4:7-18 Paul concluded this epistle with personal information and instructions. He did this to bond his readers more tightly to the body of Christ from which they were in danger of separating due to the influence of the false teachers.

Revelation 18:18 — They also lament because of the collapse of this great commercial empire. Their question echoes the one about Tyre in Ezekiel 27:32. [Note: Lee, 4:774; Wall, p. 217.] The implied answer is that no city can match Babylon in its material greatness.