1 Samuel 12:1-25

1 Samuel 12:1-5 Samuel closed and vindicated his ministry before the people. Samuel is about to step aside and turn the reigns of leadership over to King Saul. But first in stepping aside, he wanted to stress the necessity for Saul to be faithful. He begins by vindicating his own ministry, showing how he had … Read more

Luke 21:20-24 – The Destruction of Jerusalem

This passage is definitely dealing with the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and with the Jewish nation throughout history (Luke 21:24). The desolation mentioned here is the desolation of Jerusalem, not the abomination of desolation (that is, the antichrist spoken of by Matthew and Mark, Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14). Verse 24 makes it clear … Read more

Luke 19:1-10

Luke 19:1-2 Zacchaeus, was a very rich man who made his money at the expense of his kinsmen by joining with Rome to collect their taxes. He is described as “chief”. This is the only time the title “chief” is used with a tax collector. Its meaning is not known. It probably refers to the … Read more

Luke 17:1-37

There are four laws in this passage that could change the world if they were heeded. Even if the world will not heed them they can change the life of a person who will heed them. Law 1: leading another into sin brings judgment (Luke 17:1-2).Law 2: forgiving others is essential (Luke 17:3-4).Law 3: faith … Read more

1 Samuel 16:1-23

1 Samuel 16:1-5 Because of disobedience, King Saul was destined to be removed as king of Israel by the hand of God’s judgment. But the work of God among Israel would go on. God had chosen a young boy who had a heart “after God’s own heart”. Samuel was commissioned by God to anoint Saul’s … Read more

Numbers 30-36

Numbers 30-36 A Biblical principle in Scripture is the sanctity of vows (Deuteronomy 23:21–22). Psalm 116:12, 14 also give us some insight regarding vows. A woman’s vows, in contrast to a man’s, are subject to certain qualifications, and four different cases are cited; an unmarried girl, under the jurisdiction of her father; a woman unmarried … Read more

Genesis 20:1-18

How God Keeps and Secures the Believer, Even Through Sin, Genesis 20:1-18. Abraham sinned (Genesis 20:1-2) forsook the promised land: Moved to Gerar, and once again deceived and lied to others (Genesis 20:2). Once again God secured Abraham through the miraculous (Genesis 20:3-7). God warned the king of judgment: The king appealed to the Lord. … Read more

Leviticus 23:23-24 – Rosh Hashanah

In Rabbinical literature Rosh Hashanah is considered the second most solemn day of the year. The most important is the Day of Atonement. The famous Rabbi Akibah wrote, “On New Year’s Day all men are judged; and the decree is sealed on the Day of Atonement; Rosh Hashanah is the Day of Judgment. The Rabbis … Read more

Matthew 24:1-51

Matthew 24:1– This section is known as the Olivet discourse because it was given to His disciples on the Mt. of Olives. It describes the sign of the Messiah’s coming and the discourse was precipitated by Jesus’ remarks concerning the destruction of Herod’s Temple. The Apostles had just spoken in complementary words of the beauty … Read more