Matthew 5:3-12 – Beattitudes

Once in a while I’m asked to do a study on a specific portion of Scripture.  While we’re waiting for the other shoe to drop in the Middle East, I’d like to respond to one I received recently concerning a portion of the Sermon on the Mount commonly called “The Beatitudes”.  It’s found in Matthew … Read more

Tisha B’Av

The 9th of Av which will be observed this year (2023) on July 27th is a day that calls Israel to fasting, prayer, and repentance. There are four such days that were cited by Zechariah 8:19: “The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore, love truth and peace.”  The first … Read more

Daniel 9

Daniel 9:1-3 Daniel received this vision “in the first year of Darius,” which means the events of Belshazzar’s feast in chapter 5 occurred between the visions of chapters 8 and 9. These verses show that Daniel studied Scripture which led and guided him in prayer. He saw the prophecies of Jeremiah as Scripture, even though Jeremiah … Read more

Daniel 8

Before we begin Daniel 8 let’s give an overview of what we have covered. Chapter 1 provides an introduction. Chapters 2-7 describe the times of the Gentiles, written in Aramaic, the common language of the Babylonians, Assyrians, and Persians used in government and commerce. Daniel 7 is one of the most important portions of Scripture … Read more

Daniel 6

Daniel 5:34-6:4 Darius may not be a name, but a title for Cyrus, who with his army conquered Babylon. It is used in inscriptions for at least five Persian rulers. History mentions no specific man named Darius the Mede. In 6:28 it is possible to translate, “Darius even . . . Cyrus.”  Darius appointed 120 … Read more

Daniel 7

Daniel 7:1-3 – This chapter chronicles events that occurred 14 years before the events described in Daniel 5:1–3. Chapters 7–8 occur after chapter 4 and the events that led to Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling and restoration, but before chapter 5 when the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar took the vessels that were sacred to the Temple in Jerusalem and … Read more

Passover

Passover for Israel was and remains a time for Israel to remember. To recall our redemption from bondage and how God who delivered us from bondage and slavery. Moses wrote: (Exo 12:24-27) “And you shall observe this event as an ordinance for you and your children forever. “And it will come about when you enter … Read more

Daniel 4

Daniel 4:1-3  Here Daniel records an official proclamation by King Nebuchadnezzar. One of the greatest Kings in history records his testimony on how God humbled him and what led him to insanity and his restoration. This is the only chapter in the Bible written by a pagan but placed into Scripture by Daniel. The events … Read more

Daniel 3

3:1 In the last chapter Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a statue, the head of which was of gold, the breast and arms of silver, the middle portion of bronze, the legs of iron, and the feet and toes of iron mixed with clay. As Daniel interpreted the dream, the head represented the great kingdom … Read more

Daniel 2

As we begin to consider this chapter which contains so much of God’s prophetic word, we need to lay down some basic principles of interpretation. These basic rules will help you as you read the Book and as we discuss it in class. Principle 1 – There are two types of prophetic formula: symbolic and … Read more