Speak His Word Only

 Introduction — The Woman Behind the Throne Throughout the Scriptures, the names of individuals often reveal something significant about their identity, calling, or character. Some names speak of divine promises, others of sorrow, and others become associated with the consequences of rebellion against God. Among the women recorded in the Old Testament, Jezebel stands as one of the most striking examples of a woman whose influence contributed to the spiritual corruption of a nation. Jezebel was not merely a queen who occupied a position of authority. She was a woman whose influence reached into the religious worship, political government, and judicial affairs of Israel. Her presence in the kingdom brought more than a foreign marriage alliance. Through her devotion to Baal, her persecution of the prophets of the LORD, and her manipulation of royal authority, she became a powerful instrument in leading Israel further into idolatry. Yet the account of Jezebel is not simply about a wick...

Among the remarkable women recorded in Scripture, Deborah stands as a woman of wisdom, courage, spiritual discernment, and godly leadership. She was a prophetess, a judge, and a woman whose influence extended beyond her household into the affairs of an entire nation. Deborah lived during a difficult period in Israel's history. The children of Israel had once again turned away from the Lord and had fallen under the oppression of Jabin, king of Canaan. His military commander, Sisera, possessed nine hundred chariots of iron, and for twenty years the children of Israel suffered under his cruel oppression. During this period of fear and uncertainty, God raised up a woman whose name and calling would become associated with the deliverance of His people. Deborah was not introduced as a woman seeking recognition or political authority. Scripture presents her as a prophetess who judged Israel and whose wisdom was sought by the people. Her life reveals that spiritual authority is not measure...

  The God Who Calls His Unfaithful People to Return The prophecy of Jeremiah reveals the heart of a covenant relationship that had been violated through spiritual adultery. Israel and Judah were the people whom God had chosen, redeemed, and brought into covenant with Himself. Yet both kingdoms had turned away from His commandments and pursued the worship of other gods. In Jeremiah 3:6–9, the Lord described Israel as an unfaithful wife who had committed adultery and received a bill of divorcement. Judah, her sister kingdom, witnessed the judgment that came upon Israel but refused to turn away from her own idolatry. Although Judah had seen the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness, she continued to worship false gods, defiling the land through her spiritual adultery. Yet Jeremiah 3:10–15 reveals something remarkable about the character of God. The Lord who had pronounced judgment upon His unfaithful people continued to call them to repentance. His invitation was not based upon thei...

 The Unfaithful Wife and the Covenant She Broke The prophecy of Jeremiah reveals one of the most solemn declarations concerning God's covenant relationship with the children of Israel. The Lord describes Himself as a husband whose wife has forsaken Him, committed spiritual adultery, and given her devotion to other gods. Israel had entered into a sacred covenant with the Lord at Mount Sinai. He had delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage, brought them through the wilderness, and established them as His peculiar treasure above all people. They were to become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, separated unto Him through obedience and faithfulness. Yet the people whom God had redeemed continually turned away from His commandments. Their rebellion was not merely a violation of religious ordinances. Through the prophets, God described their idolatry as spiritual adultery because they had given to false gods the worship and devotion that belonged to Him alone. In Jerem...

 The Covenant Marriage and the Bill of Divorcement Throughout Scripture, God uses the relationship between a husband and wife to reveal the sacred nature of His covenant with His people. Marriage represents a union established through commitment, faithfulness, and covenant responsibility. Yet the prophets reveal a remarkable spiritual truth: the Lord described His covenant relationship with Israel as a marriage, and Israel's unfaithfulness as adultery. The people whom God had redeemed from Egypt, brought into covenant at Mount Sinai, and established as His own continually turned toward other gods. Their idolatry was not merely a violation of religious commandments. In the language of the prophets, it was a betrayal of the covenant relationship between the Lord and His people. Jeremiah 3:8 declares: "And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, b...

 Galatians 4:21–31 explains the difference between seeking an inheritance through dependence upon the law and receiving it through God’s promise. Paul draws upon Abraham’s household—particularly Hagar, Sarah, Ishmael, and Isaac—to address believers who were being urged to accept circumcision and the Mosaic law as necessary for their standing before God. His central declaration is that believers in Christ belong to the family of promise. Their inheritance rests upon God’s gracious action, and they must not surrender that freedom by seeking another foundation for acceptance. This passage requires careful reading. Paul’s comparison does not erase the historical lives of Hagar and Sarah, justify mistreatment of anyone, or establish an ethnic hierarchy. It applies their story to a particular controversy concerning the law, promise, and belonging in Christ. The biblical context Earlier in Galatians, Paul establishes that Abraham believed God and was counted righteous. The promise prece...

  Walk Before Me and Be Thou Perfect In this Genesis chapter 17 Bible Study, we will will examine God's words to Abram, And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God: Walk before me, and be thou perfect. In this Bible study we took a look at how God introduced himself to Abram inn this chapter, unlike how he introduced himself in Genesis chapter 15. God revealed himself as, God the Almighty, and he also told Abram to walk before him, we discussed how we as believers in Christ are to be mindful of how we are to walk before the LORD, (this was a timely message not only for you. but for me as well). And then we discussed, 'How can we be 'Perfect" in our sinful flesh, how can God Almighty tell Abram who is not filled with the Holy Spirit to, Be thou Perfect." We thank God for the leading and Guiding into all Truth in this lesson, for opening our eyes of understanding and showing to us how we are to c...