Biblical Studies / Bible Figures

  • Good News for Jacob

    Genesis 45:25–28

    It is not uncommon to hear people say that they wished they lived during biblical times. Many think that seeing the same mighty acts the saints of old saw would enable them to have stronger faith in the Lord. But ...Read More

  • Hamor’s Dubious Offer

    Genesis 34:8–12

    There are all sorts of good things promised to us by the Lord, and there are just as many wrong ways to go about obtaining them. We must wait patiently for God to bring these good things to us. This ...Read More

  • Hard Providence

    Genesis 45:4-8

    John Calvin’s comments on Genesis 45:8 are essential reading for anyone studying God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. There is much we can say about the Lord’s guiltless use of evil men to achieve His good plan ...Read More

  • He Who Laughs Last

    Genesis 21:6–7

    Matthew Henry comments: “God’s favors to his covenant people are such as surpass both their own and others’ thoughts and expectations. Who would have said that God should send his Son to die for us, his Spirit to sanctify ...Read More

  • Hezekiah’s Foolsih Decision

    2 Kings 20:12–21

    Hezekiah’s rather selfish response to Isaiah’s prophecy about the fall of his sons shows how even those who follow God still fall into sin (2 Kings 20:19). One of the sins with which we commonly struggle is ...Read More

  • Holy War

    Esther 9–10

    All sorts of wild theories about spiritual warfare abound in the church today. Nevertheless, there is a real war going on every time the Gospel is preached. All people are inclined from birth to reject Jesus and will only trust ...Read More

  • I Am Dust and Ashes

    Genesis 18:27–33

    Deuteronomy 29:29 distinguishes between the Lord’s secret and revealed wills. His secret will contains the unalterable decrees by which He foreordains all things that come to pass. These decrees are basically unknown to us, and for the most ...Read More

  • Imprisoned Again

    Genesis 39:19–20

    One commentator has noted how Joseph’s life proves that “the righteous falls seven times and rises again” (Prov. 24:16). As God’s holy people, we are not free from suffering and failure, but we alone have the hope ...Read More

  • Into Your Hands

    Genesis 9:1–4

    Genesis 9:1–7, is one of the most important texts we have on stewardship in Scripture. Our Lord has given the resources of the earth into our hands for our benefit and His glory (vv. 2, 7). Yet we ...Read More

  • In Your Power

    Genesis 16:4–6

    Pride, blame shifting, and passivity are generally some of the first responses a sinner wants to make when dealing with the consequences of transgression. Yet as we have seen, none of these helps; in fact, they only aggravate the situation ...Read More

  • Isaac and Esau

    Genesis 27:30–38

    Calvin further writes: “The wicked, when punishment overtakes them, bewail the salvation they have lost; but, meanwhile, do not cease to delight themselves in their vices; and instead of heartily seeking after the righteousness of God, they rather desire that ...Read More

  • Isaac Marries Rebekah

    Genesis 24:62–67

    Isaac was meditating in the field alone in today’s passage (Gen. 24:63). Matthew Henry comments, “Meditation and prayer ought to be both our business and our delight when we are alone.” In light of our discussion on decision ...Read More

  • Isaac Recieves the Sign

    Genesis 21:4–5

    God’s sovereign and powerful work of salvation frees us to obey Him with joy. We do not have to suffer under the burden of having our own efforts measure up, for we obey in gratitude because Christ’s faithfulness ...Read More

  • Isaac’s Final Breath

    Genesis 35:27–29

    Genesis 35 shows us how each generation of God’s people must trust Him to do what He says even if the full realization of His promises remains in the future. Jacob affirmed his trust in the Lord when he ...Read More

  • Isaac’s Question

    Genesis 22:7–8

    One commentator has said that after years of walking with the Lord, “God will provide” became Abraham’s motto. Certain of the Lord’s character, the patriarch is open to any of the ways in which God might choose to ...Read More