Speak His Word Only

Introduction Genesis 9 begins immediately after Noah and his family leave the ark. The flood judgment has ended, the earth is entering a new stage, and only eight people—Noah, his wife, his three sons, and their wives—have survived aboard the ark (Genesis 7:13; 1 Peter 3:20). God now establishes the conditions under which human life will continue after the flood. He blesses Noah and his sons, commands them to “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Genesis 9:1), gives instructions concerning food and blood, establishes accountability for the shedding of human blood, and makes a covenant with Noah, his descendants, and every living creature. The chapter then turns from the covenant to Noah's household. Noah becomes a husbandman , plants a vineyard, becomes drunken, and lies uncovered within his tent. Ham sees his father's nakedness and tells his brothers. Shem and Japheth respectfully cover their father without looking upon him. When Noah awakens, he speaks pr...

Introduction Second John is a short letter, but its message is powerful. John joins together several truths that should never be separated in the Christian life: truth, love, obedience, and discernment . John writes to “the elect lady and her children.” Whether this refers to a particular Christian woman and her family or is a figurative reference to a local congregation has been discussed by Bible students for centuries. The letter itself does not settle the question beyond dispute. What is clear is that John deeply cares about the spiritual well-being of those receiving his letter. His message is especially important because John teaches that Christian love does not mean accepting everything that claims to be Christian. Believers must walk in love while remaining firmly established in truth. Scripture — 2 John 1:1–4 KJV 2 John 1:1 “The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;” 2 John 1:2 “For t...

The Word of Life  Introduction The opening words of 1 John establish one of the central truths of the Christian faith: Jesus Christ is the Word of Life who was manifested among us. John does not introduce Jesus merely as a religious teacher or historical figure. He testifies concerning One whom the apostles heard, saw, looked upon, and handled. The Christian message is therefore rooted in the historical manifestation of Jesus Christ. John writes as a witness. 1 John 1:1 KJV “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;” “That Which Was From the Beginning” John begins: “That which was from the beginning...” These words immediately direct our attention beyond the earthly ministry of Jesus. They also remind us of the opening of John's Gospel: John 1:1 KJV “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus did not begin to exist w...

A Woman Remembered in the Line of Judah Scripture — 1 Chronicles 2:18–19 KJV “And Caleb the son of Hezron begat children of Azubah his wife, and of Jerioth: her sons are these; Jesher, and Shobab, and Ardon. And when Azubah was dead, Caleb took unto him Ephrath, which bare him Hur.” Her Story Azubah is one of those women in Scripture whose name appears only briefly, yet her presence is preserved within an important genealogy. She was the wife of Caleb the son of Hezron , a descendant of Judah. She should not automatically be confused with Caleb the son of Jephunneh, the well-known spy associated with Joshua. First Chronicles records Azubah while tracing the descendants of Judah. Her name therefore appears within the larger biblical record of the tribe from which David—and ultimately Jesus Christ according to the flesh—would come. Although Scripture gives us very little information about Azubah personally, God allowed her name to remain in the biblical record. What Does the Name Azubah ...

Introduction Throughout Scripture, anointing carries the idea of being set apart, consecrated, and appointed for God's purpose. In the Old Testament, anointing with oil visibly marked certain people and objects as consecrated unto God. Priests and kings were anointed, and Scripture also speaks of prophetic appointment. Yet the physical oil was not itself the power of God. It served as an outward sign of consecration and appointment. Scripture ultimately directs our attention beyond the oil to the work of the Holy Spirit . The Anointing Oil God gave Moses specific instructions concerning the holy anointing oil: “Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Take thou also unto thee principal spices...” — Exodus 30:22–23 KJV The oil was used in consecrating the tabernacle, its vessels, Aaron, and his sons. “And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.” — Exodus 30:30 KJV The anointing therefore signified that...

Introduction Death is one of the realities that every human being must face, but Scripture teaches us that death does not have the final word. God reveals Himself as the God of the living , and through Jesus Christ He has given believers the hope of resurrection and eternal life. Jesus declared: “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” — Matthew 22:32 KJV The grave may receive the body, but it cannot overthrow the purpose and promise of God. Jesus Christ entered into death, rose again, and demonstrated that death could not hold Him. The Christian hope, therefore, is not merely that life will somehow continue. Our hope rests in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and God's promise of resurrection to those who belong to Him. God Is the God of the Living In Matthew 22:23–33, the Sadducees approached Jesus with a question concerning resurrection. The Sadducees denied the resurrection, so their question was intended to challenge the doctrine. Jesus answered them from the words ...

Psalm 51 is David’s prayer after the prophet Nathan confronted him about his sin with Bathsheba (see 2 Samuel 12). David does not excuse what he has done. He appeals to God’s mercy, confesses his sin, and asks to be cleansed. His request reaches deeper than forgiveness alone: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10, KJV). David knows he needs God to change what is within him. He also recognizes that outward worship cannot take the place of repentance: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (verse 17). David from a broken heart Psalms 51:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Psalms 51:2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Psalms 51:3 ...