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This book surveys some 424 years, from the beginning of Solomon's reign to the edict from the Persian king, Cyrus, to free the Jews. Cyrus commissioned the Jews to return from the Babylonian captivity to re-establish their dominion in Canaan. He even furnished the financing for the project. The b...
This book aims to re-acquaint the Jews who had been released from Babylonian captivity with the history of David's administration, which lasted about forty years. The book focuses on the temple and priesthood during David's dynasty.
This document is a historical narrative of a period of about 270 years, from the time of Jehoshaphat's death, to the fall of Jerusalem, when Judah's final group was taken into Babylonian captivity -- and even slightly beyond (2 Kgs. 25:27). The book tells of the closing days of Elijah the prophet...
This book contains the record of the forty-year administration of the Hebrews' most illustrious ruler, David, who was an ancestor of the Lord Jesus Christ. The book details David's victories, his weaknesses, and his contrite disposition. His administration was racked with controversy and rebellio...
A genealogy is a record of the names of a person's ancestors or descendants. Several genealogical lists are recorded in the Bible, for example, in Genesis, Chronicles, Matthew, and Luke. These are not meaningless, boring lists of names. Rather, they served important functions. These catalogs trac...
The Greek noun hesuchia does not signify absolute silence, i.e., absence of sound, but that which is tranquil, causing no disturbance. When Paul addressed an unruly mob, and they perceived that he spoke in Hebrew, they "were the more quiet" (Acts 22:2). One might say they "idled down" as suggeste...
The Bible affirms God's omniscience (i.e., that he knows everything—past, present, and future; cf. 1 Sam. 16:7; Psa. 139; Is. 40:13ff; Acts 1:24; Heb. 4:13). One aspect of divine omniscience is "foreknowledge" (prognosis -- knowing beforehand). This divine attribute is affirmed of God in Acts 2:2...
The apostle John affirms that Jesus functions as an "Advocate" on behalf of his people (1 John 2:1). The Greek word for advocate is parakletos, literally suggesting "to call to one's side." The term denotes "one who appears on behalf of another." While Satan is the adversary who is ever ready to ...
This is the erroneous theory that a vast span of time (billions of years) transpired between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2. Allegedly, during this period, large creatures roamed the earth (e.g., dinosaurs), and a satanic rebellion occurred among a pre-Adamic human race. This revolt precipitated massive des...
A number of terms, both in the O.T. and the N.T., suggest the idea of a "path" or "way" of travel. The words come to be employed of a "course of conduct," whether for good (Ex. 18:20; 32:8; Dt. 31:29; Jer. 6:16) or evil (Num. 22:32; Psa. 139:24; Isa. 65:2; Acts 14:16). (a) Jesus declared that he ...
Marriage is a covenant between a man and woman, whereby they pledge to belong to one another in a life-long union. There are several elements relative to this institution that are important to understand. (a) The origin of marriage is divine, commencing from the sixth day of the creation week (Ge...
The term "truth" carries several connotations in the Bible. (a) Truth can convey the idea of loyalty. Those who abide in Jesus' teaching are "truly" his disciples (Jn. 8:31). (b) True may denote that which is genuine, in contrast to the counterfeit. God is "true" deity; idols are not (1 Thes. 1:9...
This is Paul's last letter before his execution. It was written during his final Roman imprisonment. The epistle summons Timothy to Paul's side. It is intended to help Timothy understand the events unfolding in the imperial city. It contains the apostle's touching farewell charge to his young com...
Paul's second letter to the saints in Thessalonica was written not long after the first one, while the apostle was still at Corinth (Acts 18:11). This epistle seeks to correct an erroneous impression entertained by some at Thessalonica that the Lord's return was imminent. Paul cautions that the s...
The idea of "intercession" is expressed in both Testaments of the Bible. The Greek verb entunchano suggests the concept of making an appeal to someone with reference to another person. It can mean to make an appeal against another, as when the Jews "made suit" to Festus that Paul should not live ...
The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the very foundation of Christianity. If the Lord was not raised, the religion of Christ is a hoax (cf. 1 Cor. 15:4; 14-19). The Savior's resurrection was foretold by the prophets (Psa. 16:8ff), and promised by Jesus himself (Jn. 2:19-22; Mt. 12:39...
The "Ten Commandments" constituted the core element of the law of Moses (see Ex. 19:16-20:17). They were written by God himself on the two tables of stone (Ex. 31:18; 32:15-16; 34:1, 28; Dt. 10:4). Moses shattered the first set when he learned of Israel's worship of the golden calf (Ex. 32:19). E...
Peter's second letter is a caustic warning regarding false teachers who are promoting "destructive heresies" (2:1). The false teaching concerns the nature of Christ, sensual indulgence, the coming of Christ, and the end of the world. Appealing heavily to O.T. history, he shows by multiple example...
This is a specific time determined by God for the vindication of divine operation. Acts 17:31 is a very comprehensive passage in this regard: (a) A day of judgment has been "appointed." (b) The entire "world" will be judged (cf. Gen. 18:25; Mt. 25:32; Rev. 20:11-12). (c) Judgment will be accordin...
Knowledge refers to a body of factual data that is received and understood by a rational human being. The acquisition of spiritual knowledge is fundamental to Christianity. The prophets foretold that those of the Christian era who faithfully serve God will be those who "know" him (Jer. 31:31-34)....