Biblical Studies / Bible Figures

  • Fruitfulness in Egypt

    Genesis 47:27–28

    Israel, called to be a new Adam, failed to keep covenant and increased transgression (Rom. 3:9–20; 7:7–13). As our perfect representative, Jesus succeeded where Israel failed, and in so doing, He also succeeded where Adam failed ...Read More

  • Gad, Asher, and Naphtali

    Genesis 49:18-21

    Matthew Henry reflects on the different skills and personalities of Jacob’s sons in Genesis 49. “Among God’s Israel then,” he writes, “is to be found a great variety of dispositions, contrary to each other, yet all contributing to ...Read More

  • Get Out of This Place

    Genesis 19:12–14

    According to Matthew Henry, today’s passage shows us that those who are saved by grace should proclaim the Gospel to their relatives. Unfortunately, we sometimes impair our witness to non-believing family members by living too much like the surrounding ...Read More

  • God Appears to Jacob

    Genesis 46:1–4

    Matthew Henry wrote: “Whatever low or dark valley we are called into at any time, we may be confident, if God goes down with us into it, that he will surely bring us up again. If he goes with us ...Read More

  • God Comes to Abimelech

    Genesis 20:2b–7

    In Psalm 23:3, David tells us that the Lord leads His people “in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” If we belong to God and evidence this through our mortification of sin and holy living, then He ...Read More

  • God Relented

    Jonah 3

    The window of forty days in Jonah 3:4 is the first indication the announced judgment on Nineveh may not be absolute. God is free to hide His secret will from us and warn of judgments He knows will never ...Read More

  • God Remembers Rachel

    Genesis 30:19–24

    The sovereignty of the Lord in pouring out His blessings has been clear in our study of Genesis 30. No matter what Rachel tried with her maidservants or mandrakes, Leah was still given more children than she was. We must ...Read More

  • God Rescues Ishmael

    Genesis 21:15–21

    John Chrysostom comments: “The grace of God is the greatest security and the most impregnable fortification” (Homilies on Genesis 46.7–8). Though all outward circumstances might testify otherwise, the Lord’s people know that He is their rock and ...Read More

  • God Rescues Jonah

    Jonah 2

    In His mercy, the Lord may discipline His people for sin in order that we may not fall further away. And as the example of Jonah indicates, He will also provide the rescue from this discipline by preserving us and ...Read More

  • God’s Determination

    Genesis 6:12–13

    As Christians, we are all concerned to place Christ at the center of our lives. However, putting Jesus at the center of our attention involves more than just intellectual assent to His teaching or a verbal affirmation of trust. As ...Read More

  • God’s Fidelity to Isaac

    Genesis 25:19–23

    It can be easy for us to get discouraged when we have prayed for years and it seems that God has not intervened in our situation. We can be tempted to give up interceding for that sick person or wayward ...Read More

  • God’s Grace and Reward

    Genesis 38:27–30

    Judah is one of many figures in history who shows us that there are no sinners too wicked for God to redeem. Those who commit the most horrific crimes can still be transformed and renewed when they repent and turn ...Read More

  • God’s Mercy on Jacob

    Genesis 48:8–11

    Matthew Henry comments: “The eye of faith may be very clear even when the eye of the body is very much clouded.” At the end, Jacob does not dwell on the hardships of his life, he recognizes the great blessing ...Read More

  • God Speaks to Jacob

    Genesis 31:3

    Sometimes we sense divine Providence indicating a move for us to make. A new job offer might present itself. Maybe a relationship is pointing toward marriage. Investment prospects may be “golden opportunities” for growing our resources. God will often direct ...Read More

  • God’s Sovereign Favor

    Genesis 24:34–41

    God sovereignly chose to bless Abraham, and the history recounted in Genesis 24 shows us how He remained true to His promise to give many sons to the patriarch (12:1–3). All who believe in the Savior have already ...Read More