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If Haggai is the builder who encourages the Jews to complete the unfinished Temple, Zechariah is the artist who installs the colorful windows. Though Zechariah is fully aware of the present realities and spiritual needs of his countrymen, he lifts their eyes to see things from a heavenly vantage point. God is over all, working all things according to the good pleasure of His will. It is during times of deep distress that you and I should catch a glimpse of the glory. The inspired visions and prophecies of Zechariah prove that even when things are blackest, when the Shepherd is smitten and the sheep are scattered, nothing can keep God’s kingdom from being established on planet earth. When evil does its worst, the Lord remains in control. Join us in a study of Zechariah to catch a glimpse of this glory.
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As the children of Israel were exiled in Babylon, it appeared as if God’s glory had permanently departed from their midst. Indeed, God begged them not to send Him away as His glory gradually departed. The Israelites, however, like us, often believe that life is do-able without God. The result of this humanistic philosophy is bondage and death. God, however, is not through with us. He promises to return in all of His power and fill not only the temple, but also the whole earth, with His glory. Join us in a study of Ezekiel and learn how to appreciate the glory of God that indeed fills the house.
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Many believe that the book of Ecclesiastes is a pessimistic discourse, but it is truly a powerful apologetic for a God-honoring life. After Solomon tries everything without God, he is left with nothing but vanity. Such is the always the case when life is lived under the sun. No matter how attractive the hedonistic life may appear, such pursuits are a mere chasing of the wind – the acquisition of soap bubbles. When Solomon, however, fears God and keeps His commandments, wholeness returns. Hopefully this study of Ecclesiastes will encourage you to live a substantive life of dedication to God rather than a hollow existence of soap bubbles without Him.
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Many believe that the major theme of Romans is justification by faith. This assumption, however, does not provide an occasion for the letter, forces the climax of Romans to be reached in chapter four, and diminishes chapters nine through eleven to a mere parenthesis in the epistle. While it is true that justification is by faith alone, Paul presents this truth as part of something bigger. All men are equally condemned, justified, sanctified, planned, and needed. Therefore, all men should be received regardless of their cultural, social, or economic background. Indeed, the Gospel has ramifications. It is not merely for the Jew. It is also for the Greek.
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The hallmark of orthodox Christianity is justification by faith. The thing that separates Christianity from every other religion is the fact that men are counted righteous before God by faith in the work of Christ independent of human merit. After we are saved, however, we sometimes feel that we must work for the smile of God. We believe that we are justified by faith but sanctified by works. Paul uses no other word but “foolish” to describe this mentality. In this commentary, you will learn that growth in the Christian life is accomplished by the same means as entrance into the Christian life - by grace through faith.
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We live in a world that invites comparisons. We compare restaurants, cars, and even churches. Some seminaries even offer courses in comparative religions. One famous apologist said that “all religions are essentially the same. They just differ over minor issues such as sin, salvation, heaven, and hell.” The author of the book of Hebrews goes to great lengths to prove that Jesus is better than anything religion can offer. Join us in this study of Hebrews to find out why Jesus is “better by far.”
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The prophets Obadiah and Jonah teach us that God disciplines with equity. He humbles the proud. He pillages those who pillage. Those who harass will find themselves harassed. Those who dispossess others will find themselves dispossessed. God always makes the punishment fit the crime. Even notable preachers who think more highly of themselves than they ought to think can be reduced by the overflowing water or scorching sun of God’s discipline. There is always a day of reckoning in the calendar of God. The Heavenly Father loves us enough to make us obey. This commentary explores the vital message of these two prophets to help us see how God reduces us when we become a legend in our mind.
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As you walk through the ruins of the city of Jerusalem in this study of Lamentations, you will come to a deeper understanding of why Jeremiah is called "the weeping prophet." Indeed, there are some things that motivate God and the men of God to tears.
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The children of Israel had returned from Babylonian captivity and were eagerly anticipating great things from the Lord. They had returned to their homeland and had rebuilt their temple. Fifty years later, however, expectations were very low. Joshua and Zerubbabel had both died. The glory of the Lord had not filled the temple as Ezekiel said it would. And the day of miracles had passed with Elijah and Elisha. This was an apathetic age, an uneventful waiting period. Malachi writes to his fellow Jews to give them cures for apathy. This commentary explores those cures and presents them as hope for our current apathetic age.
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At times, we all feel like running away. Unfortunately, when we run away from our problems, we often create more. Thankfully, God positions Himself so that when we run from Him, we often run into Him. Such was the case with Onesimus. While on the run, he ran into God, and his life was forever changed. Discover how his master, Philemon, took him back and in so doing mirrors Christ who takes us back when we run away from Him.
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Life is filled with dreams. Someone has once said that we will never accomplish more than we are willing to dream. There is no denying that Daniel was a dreamer and was interested in helping fulfill the dreams of others. This commentary takes you through the historical and prophetic sections of Daniel, a significant Old Testament work. It is our hope that as a result of this study you will not be afraid to dream the impossible and trust God for the unforeseeable. No true student of eschatology can rightly understand the future without a working knowledge of the book of Daniel. It is our prayer that this commentary will aid your prophetic understanding of God’s Word.
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Esther lived in a materialistic society that was filled with antisemitic people who thought more of their personal advancement than the people of God who lived among them. In a day when women were treated as property, and Jews were thought worthy of extermination, God brought Esther to the throne for such a time as this. Through the help of Mordecai, the prayers of her fellow Israelites, and more importantly, through the invisible, providential hand of God, the tables were completely turned, and the Jews were protected while their enemies were destroyed. Thus, the book of Esther highlights the miraculous, protective intervention of God. Though the Lord is never mentioned in the book, He is present on every page. God is often most involved when His presence is not seen. The God of Esther can also help us in uncertain times by manifesting His presence through the lives of obscure volunteers for such a time as this.
