Biblical Studies / Old Testament

  • Exposing the Sin

    1 Samuel 14:36–46

    The Bible clearly calls believers to honor and submit to their leaders. But there may be times when those leaders are prepared to take such ungodly measures that they must be opposed. We need great wisdom to discern when such ...Read More

  • Facing the Alliance

    Joshua 10

    When we call people to faith in Christ we are not offering them a choice that can be made with impunity. God commands all people everywhere to bow to His Son, and those who will not bow today will most ...Read More

  • Faithfulness Rewarded

    Joshua 14:6-15

    Caleb was willing to dare great things for God. As such, he was an invaluable example of faith for the people of Israel. Studying the lives of great men and women of faith can and does strengthen our trust in ...Read More

  • Following the Blueprint

    Joshua 14:1-5

    As we will see, God determines which tribe inherits which mountain, field, or stream. He does the same for us, giving us those things that are for our good and His glory. Most of all, He gives us an “inheritance ...Read More

  • Forbidden Marriages

    Genesis 6:1–2

    We cannot assume all of the Sethites who intermarried had true faith, but if they did, the disastrous results of their marriage to unbelievers confirm the stories and commands that warn us against this elsewhere in Scripture (for example, 1 ...Read More

  • For Our Instruction

    1 Corinthians 10:1-12

    What is your attitude toward the Old Testament? Do you treasure it as the very Word of the living God? Do you avoid reading it because you find its stories and laws perplexing at times? Are you hungry to learn ...Read More

  • God Calls His Son

    Hosea 11

    Our culture’s leaders tell us that we need salvation from poverty, corruption, terrorism, and a host of other societal ills. However, while we do not want to downplay the severity of these ills and the desirability of rescue from ...Read More

  • God Chooses Israel’s King

    1 Samuel 16:1–13

    Men and women after God’s own heart are sensitive to the work of the Holy Spirit and strive not to quench Him as He convicts us of sin and guides us in righteousness. One of the best ways to ...Read More

  • God Creates the Universe

    Genesis 1:1–2:3

    What informs your understanding of the world around you? Do you seek meaning and value from the surrounding culture or do you look to God’s Word to give you these things? The worldview of the cultures in which we ...Read More

  • God Withdraws His Revelation

    Amos 8

    John Calvin comments on today’s passage about God’s withdrawal of His Word: “When we abuse God’s bounty, our ingratitude deserves this recompense.” God is long-suffering and kind, but He will not forever send His Word to people ...Read More

  • Hezekiah’s Failure

    Isaiah 39

    One commentator notes how Hezekiah’s failure shows the importance of a life of obedience. If we trust God only when we are in dire straits, like Hezekiah was with Sennacherib, but forget Him when things are good, then we ...Read More

  • Hosea Redeems His Wife

    Hosea 2:14–3:5

    Matthew Henry comments on today’s passage: “All who are sincerely devoted to God are betrothed to him; God will love them, protect them, and provide for them. The covenant itself shall be inviolable: God will not break it on ...Read More

  • Hosea, the Son of Beeri

    Hosea 1:1–3

    The imagery of God as the husband of His covenant people—His bride—is pervasive in Scripture (Isa. 62:5; Rev. 19:6–10). It is a picture of great intimacy and tenderness, conveying the deep love that the Lord ...Read More

  • Israel’s Generosity

    Exodus 35:4–29

    Not all of God’s people are called to give the same amount of money or time, but all of us must give something, especially if we have been exceptionally blessed of the Lord. Jesus teaches us that “everyone to ...Read More

  • Israel, the Son of God

    Hosea 11:1–7

    New Testament fulfillment language does not always mean a prophet directly saw an aspect of Jesus’ ministry. When the Apostles say Christ fulfilled a prophecy, they sometimes mean that He is the true realization of a particular old covenant theme ...Read More