Nehemiah 11
Nehemiah 11 - Nehemiah came up with a brilliant solution to repopulate Jerusalem with God's people. Of all the people in the outer suburbs, 10% were to be "donated" to the city of Jerusalem. To be in ...
Nehemiah 3
Nehemiah 3 - In my mind, there are two critical applications of this chapter. Back in Nehemiah 1, I stated that the rubble of the temple mirrored the people’s spiritual condition. So, the first application is that ...
Hebrews 11
Hebrews 11 - The Hall of Faith. It is by far the most popular and most quoted chapter of Hebrews. Beautifully, the author articulates the power of faith and how it can completely change both our attitude ...
Hebrews 8
Hebrews 8 - Hebrews 8 is an important chapter because it proves Jesus was the Messiah and His covenant was both needed and expected. The Jews reject Jesus as their Messiah primarily on the grounds that His ...
Hebrews 1
Hebrews 1 - We do not know the writer of Hebrews and honestly, it doesn't matter. The book is absolutely beautiful. Written with a unique elegance, this Holy Spirit-inspired author had mastered the principles of rhetoric and ...
Zechariah 14
Zechariah 14 - In Philippians, Paul urges the church to "hold onto the truth we have attained." This means as truth is revealed to us, we must continue to move forward and not lose ground with regard ...
Zechariah 11
Zechariah 11 - The LORD my God said to me, "Act the part of the shepherd of a flock of sheep that are going to be butchered. Zechariah 11:4 GNB Zechariah was called to "act the part" ...
Zechariah 9
Zechariah 9 - Before Jesus was Savior, He was King. But He was not a king as you or I know one. Jesus ushered in a different kind of Kingdom. Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, ...
Zechariah 8
Zechariah 8 - Oh my! There are few verses more worthy of our desperate pursuit than Zechariah 8:6. The verse illustrates a life of faith, trust, and perseverance. The LORD of Hosts says this: "Though it may ...
Zechariah 1
Zechariah 1 - According to many scholars, Zechariah is the most messianic, apocalyptic, and end times descriptive book of the Old Testament. That's a big statement considering many have probably never read it. Haggai led the charge ...
Zephaniah 1
Zephaniah 1 - The twelve minor prophets are divided into two categories based on the time period of their ministry. Either they came before the Babylonian exile (pre-exilic) or after it (post-exilic). "Zephaniah is the last of ...
Haggai 1
Haggai 1 - We just finished studying Zephaniah who warned of God's future judgment on Judah, and as predicted, they were carried off to captivity by Babylon. That bondage lasted 70 years until Babylon was conquered by ...
Micah 5
Micah 5 - Micah 5:1-5 can be confusing because three different contexts are covered in such a short span of verses. They have elements of the current context, the future Messiah's birth, and the Second Coming. Verse ...
Micah 4
Micah 4 - Micah's Messianic kingdom is nearly identical to Isaiah's in chapter 2. It will be greater than all the earthly kingdoms with many different people from many different nations. It will grow by teaching the ...
Obadiah 1
Obadiah 1 - Obadiah is unique in the sense that he one of the only minor prophets to address a nation other than Israel or Judah. Most likely being a contemporary of Elijah and Elisha, He would ...
Amos 8
Amos 8 - What can be more susceptible to rot and disease than ripened fruit? There is a short window of time for the beautiful and refreshing sweetness of ripe fruit to be tasted. But after that ...
Amos 3
Amos 3 - How can two people walk hand in hand if they aren’t going in the same direction? "They do not need to be agreed about everything. They must, however, wish to keep each others company, ...
Amos 1
Amos 1 - Nelson's Commentary gives an informative but concise background on the book of Amos. "The Lord sent Amos, a Judean, to Bethel to prophesy of coming judgment on Israel. But in Bethel, Amos faced a ...
Hosea 10
Hosea 10 - Their hearts were faithless, devious, and deceitful. The KJV and Jewish Bible translate verse 2 using a different word. Their heart is divided; now they will bear their guilt. He will break down their ...
Hosea 1
Hosea 1 - Hosea and Jonah were most likely the only writing prophets who lived in the Northern Kingdom. We know this because Hosea addresses the king of Israel as "our king" in Hosea 7. Historically, Hosea ...
Daniel 12
Daniel 12 - The prophetic events that Daniel witnesses are most likely referring to the end times. Here is what we know so far over the past several chapters... There will be a ruler who is over ...
Daniel 7
Daniel 7 - The prophetic part of Daniel starts here with Chapter 7. It is unlikely that we can know exactly what is being talked about here, or even the timing of these events. Scholars have differed ...
Daniel 6
Daniel 6 - I am simply in awe when I read these passages about Daniel. It is inspiring to think about what this mentality would look like in our current culture. I am so intrigued by it. ...
Daniel 5
Daniel 5 - "Though you knew all this..." It's a frightening statement. Consider the fact that Belshazzar didn't grow up in a "Christian home." His father, King Nebuchadnezzar, had humbled himself to the Lord at one time ...
Daniel 4
Daniel 4 - What do we make of these 7 years when King Neb lost his mind? "There is, understandably, no preserved secular record of this; but Abydenus, a Greek historian, wrote in 268 BC that Nebuchadnezzar ...
Daniel 2
Daniel 2 - What does Daniel's interpretation mean? He tells us that the gold represents King Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian Empire. Three greater kingdoms would come after the reign of Babylon (silver, bronze, and iron). With each level, there ...
Daniel 1
Daniel 1 - There is some speculation (as there is with many books of the Bible) as to who actually wrote the book of Daniel. So, let's first dispel this myth that Daniel might not have written ...
2 Corinthians 9
2 Corinthians 9 - Paul sarcastically (playfully) urges the Corinthians toward giving in verses 1-5. He mentions that they will be put to shame if he sends someone to collect their offering and they are unprepared. Paul ...
2 Corinthians 8
2 Corinthians 8 - Christians who believe the New Testament has little to say about financial giving have not really studied the Bible intently. Paul refers to giving money as 'charis' (or, grace) four times in this ...
1 Corinthians 12
1 Corinthians 12 - Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are different activities, but the same God activates each gift in each ...
1 Corinthians 9
1 Corinthians 9 - Paul was a man with his priorities straight. He was a man who had given up all his rights for the sake of Jesus. His life's mission was to preach the Gospel and ...
1 Corinthians 6
1 Corinthians 6 - Paul's had some specific issues with the Corinthians in regard to legal matters. First and foremost, the disputes in question were between two believers. Paul is working under the assumption that Jesus has ...
1 Corinthians 4
1 Corinthians 4 - Paul doesn't mince words with the church at Corinth. They had a very obvious pride issue. Humble Servant. Paul reminds them he is a servant of Christ and a steward of the mystery. ...
Psalm 149
Psalm 149 - Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise in the congregation of the godly ones. Psalms 149:1 NASB What does it mean to sing to God a new song? ...
Psalm 145
Psalm 145 - “Observe that David is firmly resolved to praise God. My text has four ‘I wills’ in it. Frequently it is foolish for us poor mortals to say ‘I will,’ because our will is so ...
Psalm 144
Psalm 144 - David is physically and emotionally spent. He pleads with God to be rescued. This is a common and consistent theme in the Psalms. However, it's also very relevant because we also struggle physically and ...
Psalm 139
Psalm 139 - Consider the fruit of knowing God and acknowledging that He knows us. Before pursuing God, we pursued our own ways. Selfish ambition forms a mirage as we fool ourselves into thinking God is not ...
Psalm 138
Psalm 138 - The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. Psalms 138:8 NASB David knew and believed that the Lord was working in ...
Psalm 136
Psalm 136 - Mercy, kindness, lovingkindness, goodness, and favor. This is the translation for the Greek word checed which appears in every verse of this psalm. The application for today is simple. Recount the ways in which ...
Psalm 134
Psalm 134 - "As I look back on my ministry I realize my services were too formal. I believe worship today is entirely too formal. I do not believe that there should be fanatical outbreaks during the ...
Psalm 132
Psalm 132 - This psalm is a prayer that pleads with God to remember His covenant. Some ascribe it to Solomon while others believe it may have been written by another descendant of David. Psalms 132:11 HCSB ...
Psalm 127
Psalm 127 - According to J. Vernon McGee, this psalm has been used on several important occasions. It was used at the inauguration of President Eisenhower. Two Bibles were used. One of them was George Washington's Bible, ...
Psalm 120
Psalm 120 - "The Meshechites were presumably descended from Meshech, a grandson of Noah through Japheth (Gen 10:2; 1Ch 1:5). They were said to trade in slaves and copper (Eze 27:13), and may have invaded the Near ...
Psalm 118
Psalm 118 - Many scholars believe that Psalm 118 was written during Moses' day in the Exodus. If you compare this psalm to Exodus 15, there are remarkable similarities. Psalms 118:14 NASB The LORD is my strength ...
Psalm 117
Psalm 117 - Although short, this psalm packs a heavy punch. God calls all people to worship Him. The calling of the Gentiles (all people other than Jews) was in the plan of God from the beginning. ...
Psalm 108
Psalm 108 - Moab is My washbasin; I throw My sandal on Edom. I shout in triumph over Philistia." Psalms 108:9 HCSB "Picture Edom in rebellion against Yahweh and his people. Picture them mustering thousands and thousands ...
Psalm 106
Psalm 106 - What is risk? It is a decision to act in a way that opens us to danger, hurt, or uncertainty. Every day we take risks. Today, you have a 1 in 70 chance of ...
Psalm 102
Psalm 102 - "The Psalm has been attributed to Daniel, to Jeremiah, to Nehemiah, or to some of the other prophets who flourished during the time of the captivity. The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews ...
Psalm 101
Psalm 101 - "I will pay attention to the way of integrity. When will You come to me? I will live with a heart of integrity in my house." Psalms 101:2 HCSB Christians are often singled out ...
Psalm 98
Psalm 98 - Do we actually praise and worship God for His judgment? Let the sea and all that fills it, the world and those who live in it, resound. 8 Let the rivers clap their hands; ...
Psalm 78
Psalm 78 - Coming off the heels of Psalm 77 where we are to remember God's faithfulness, we now move into the action steps behind those memories. At the end of Psalm 77, I wrote that we ...
Psalm 72
Psalm 72 - Psalm 72 is considered a royal psalm and coronation hymn. It presents the job description of the King in song form. Modern-day readers are tempted to gloss over the details and view the writing ...
Psalm 69
Psalm 69 - Unto You be all the glory, Lord. Have we ever stopped to consider what this really means? Creation itself is a testimony that points to the flawless and undeniable glory of God. The last ...
Psalm 64
Psalm 64 - "One of the most pressing theological questions today is “why do the evil ones prosper?” If one looks around, it certainly seems as if the bad ones are winning, be that on the streets ...
Psalm 58
Psalm 58 - Verses 1-6We read a familiar description of those in leadership who deceive others. Consider the description. They are in a position of authority where they can judge others. Their hearts are pure evil. They ...
Psalm 49
Psalm 49 - Death. No one can escape it. It is a certainty that all of humanity agrees upon regardless of what they believe about God or the afterlife. You and I will die one day, and ...
Psalm 45
Psalm 45 - Psalms 45:3-5 describes our Savior Jesus Christ returning as a Warrior Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty! 4 In your majesty ride out victoriously for the ...
Psalm 40
Psalm 40 - Gratefulness. Some days it seems to escape us. Our day starts off on the wrong foot and we struggle to regroup. Problems pile up and we find every reason to gripe and complain about ...
Psalm 37
Psalm 37 - It is sometimes difficult to understand why the evil continues to prosper. We struggle to reconcile how they are getting away with corruption, deceit, and manipulation right in front of God's eyes. In fact, ...
Psalm 30
Psalm 30 - One of the most difficult theological principles to reconcile in our hearts and minds is the idea that the same God who delivers us is also the God who allows for our destruction. Many ...
Psalm 23
Psalm 23 - Psalm 23 is known as the shepherd's psalm. Composed by David as a youth, he was keeping sheep when Samuel came to his father's house to find the king which God had chosen to ...
Psalm 18
Psalm 18 - There are some things which can only be learned over time. God's faithfulness is one particular characteristic that cannot be understood outside of the ups and downs of life. The psalm here in chapter ...
Psalm 15
Psalm 15 - The term "Christian" can mean many different things. Some people immediately think of a moral person who obeys rules. Others may picture someone who is filled with love. Still, others may associate the word ...
Psalm 14
Psalm 14 - When the psalmist refers to the unbeliever as a fool, he isn't insulting his intelligence. It's a moral charge. Sye Ten Bruggengate, a Christian apologist, relates this thought to a personal story. “My father ...
Psalm 3
Psalm 3 - When studying the Psalms, you can generally classify them into three different categories of petition, thanksgiving, and praise. This approach to the Psalms is validated in 1 Chronicles. Then he appointed some of the ...
Mark 12
Mark 12 - Total sacrifice. Do we understand it? Do we live it? Jesus pulls his disciples aside to highlight the faith of the poor widow. In this story, the NASB translation reads... A poor widow came ...
Mark 10
Mark 10 - Bartimaeus called Jesus the “son of David” which was a prophetic title. It revealed a spiritual depth of both trust and faith. He believed in the sovereign power of the Messiah. What's interesting about ...
Mark 9
Mark 9 - We all know the greatest commandment according to Jesus. Here's a refresher... "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. ...
Mark 5
Mark 5 - I want to make a few quick points about the demon-possessed man and then move to the woman who touched Jesus. We read several striking characteristics about this demon-possessed man. This man had been ...
Mark 4
Mark 4 - The Purpose of the Parables By utilizing parables as His primary vehicle for delivering "the secrets of the kingdom," Jesus was assured more time to invest in those who were seeking. There's no doubt ...
Mark 3
Mark 3 - The healings of Jesus are well-documented and factual. Interestingly, the Jews did not dispute the healing power of Jesus, but rather, the source of that power. The Greeks did not dispute the healings either, ...
Deuteronomy 22
Deuteronomy 22 - Many of these laws seem outdated or inapplicable to our modern culture. Furthermore, one might say that since we are under the New Covenant we are no longer under the Old Testament law. Though ...
Deuteronomy 6
Deuteronomy 6 - Here in Deuteronomy 6, we find the "shema." The word itself means "hear" or "listen" and begins in verse 4. "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! 5 "You ...
Deuteronomy 1
Deuteronomy 1 - What should have taken 11 days took 40 years. If you have read the book of Numbers, you already have a good understanding of these events. Deuteronomy opens by ...
Ecclesiastes 8
Ecclesiastes 8 - For the king's word is authoritative, and who can say to him, "What are you doing?" Ecclesiastes 8:4 HCSB How many today question God? How many today say to Him, "What are you doing?" ...
Ecclesiastes 2
Ecclesiastes 2 - Wow. As I studied this chapter, I began to picture how relevant these statements are for our world today. Many people today try and navigate through life by focusing on themselves. We are told ...
Ecclesiastes 1
Ecclesiastes 1 - The Bible quite often emphasizes its main point by using a common Hebrew superlative. We see this in Song of Songs which literally means "the loveliest of songs." We see it with the description ...
Numbers 31
Numbers 31 - Although the lesson of this chapter is overshadowed by the war, there are some very miraculous accomplishments. The spoils of war were almost too good to be true. The officers themselves were all accounted ...
Numbers 26
Numbers 26 - The census here marks a turning point in Israel's history. The first generation that was delivered from Egypt and complained continually has now been destroyed by the plague. In fact, just like God had ...
Numbers 20
Numbers 20 - So... do you want the bad news or the worse news? Well, the bad news is that in Numbers 20 we, unfortunately, witness a sobering truth - complaining and unbelief go hand-in-hand. Where you ...
Numbers 18
Numbers 18 - As mentioned in previous chapters, the Levites were given special authority and privileges among the spiritual duties assigned by God. However, they were not given the same authority as priests. This is the main ...
Numbers 11
Numbers 11 - Moses needed help, and God responded. The Lord commanded the gathering of 70 men from the elders of Israel, and Moses began assembling his team. The word elder means "aged" or "old." Hebrew tradition ...
Numbers 4
Numbers 4 - Numbers 1 dealt with numbering the tribes. Numbers 2 was all about the ordering of the camps. Numbers 3 introduced us to the duties of the priests and Levites. Now, in Numbers 4, it ...
Luke 24
Luke 24 Commentary by Brad Boyles Then he said to them, "These are the very things I told you about while I was still with you: everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the writings of the prophets, ...
Luke 23
Luke 23 Commentary by Brad Boyles He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He ...
Luke 22
Luke 22 Commentary by Brad Boyles A hotly debated topic from Luke 22 is the notorious "two swords" passage. A brief study of the passage will give you many differing perspectives. Let's look at the verses, and then the overall ...
Luke 21
Luke 21 - Some speculate Jesus' warnings were to be interpreted for the people of that time and others speculate they are future events. We know that the apostles would suffer incredible persecution after Jesus resurrected and ...
Luke 19
Luke 19 - In Chapter 19, Jesus tells the parable of the ten minas. A mina was 1/60 of a talent and would have come out to around 3 months of wages. Jesus goes to Jerusalem to ...
Luke 17
Luke 17 Commentary by Brad Boyles It is a common occurrence for people to be tripped up in this life. The word Jesus uses in verse 1 to describe a “stumbling block” is also used in many other places in ...
Luke 14
Luke 14 Commentary by Brad Boyles In Luke 14, Jesus visits a house of a chief Pharisee on the Sabbath. The text tells us that there is bread served. This could have meant there was actual bread there to be ...
Luke 13
Luke 13 - Jewish belief at the time would have proclaimed that all Jews, except notorious sinners like tax collectors and prostitutes, would inherit the kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, the message that Jesus consistently articulated was offensive ...
Luke 10
Luke 10 - The kingdom of God was sent out and manifest itself through the power of the 72 that Christ chose. What was their purpose? "Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is ...
Luke 9
Luke 9 Commentary by Brad Boyles Feeding of the 5,000 This sign/miracle of feeding the 5,000 is recorded in all 4 Gospels. Matthew 14:21 specifies 5,000 males, and further emphasizes the point by adding, “Besides women and children.” Many Bible ...
Luke 8
Luke 8 Commentary by Brad Boyles Starting in verse 26 we see an amazing story of casting out a legion of demons. The demons know who Jesus is, and are frightened by Him. And Jesus asked him, "What is your ...
Song of Solomon 1
Song of Solomon 1 Commentary by Brad Boyles Just like the phrase "holy of holies" and "king of kings," Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon) means "the loveliest of songs." Some Jewish scholars originally interpreted this book allegorically stating that ...
Ezekiel 47
Ezekiel 47 - If we read this chapter as a future prophecy of the end times, we get a picture of the amazing geographical changes that will occur in the middle east. The water becomes a source ...
Ezekiel 46
Ezekiel 46 - First, this is a tough chapter to reconcile with our modernized Christian worldview. Second, there are many details that paint a clouded picture of what a fulfillment would look like. We can rest assured ...
Ezekiel 43
Ezekiel 43 - In chapters 8-11 of Ezekiel, we find the presence of the Lord leaving the temple. This was symbolic of what was about to happen to the people as their protection was removed and they ...
Ezekiel 40
Ezekiel 40 - Ezekiel's ministry began with a vision of God. The last 9 chapters end with a vision for his people. This vision is one of reconciliation, protection, trust, and blessings. Throughout his book, Ezekiel has ...
Ezekiel 35
Ezekiel 35 - The land of Edom was just south of the Dead Sea. Located in Edom, we find Mount Seir. This would be the Edomites' stronghold as they were the people of Esau. Historically, the Edomites and ...