Thematic Bible: General references to
Thematic Bible
false Accusations » General references to
Also [it is reported that] you have appointed prophets to make a proclamation concerning you in Jerusalem, saying, ‘There is a king in Judah!’ And now these things will be reported to the [Persian] king. So come now, and let us consult together.”
But put forth Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh [and severely afflict him]; and he will curse You to Your face.”
“For you have taken pledges of your brothers without cause,
And stripped men naked.
When he was at the Gate of Benjamin, a captain of the guard whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah the son of Hananiah was there; and he seized and arrested Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “You are deserting to join the Chaldeans [of Babylon]!”
But when the charges were brought against Him by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer.
The scribes and the Pharisees were watching Him closely [with malicious intent], to see if He would [actually] heal [someone] on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse Him.
And see to it that your conscience is entirely clear, so that every time you are slandered or falsely accused, those who attack or disparage your good behavior in Christ will be shamed [by their own words].
Activity » Evil » General references to
For the wicked cannot sleep unless they do evil;
And they are deprived of sleep unless they make someone stumble and fall.
A heart that creates wicked plans,
Feet that run swiftly to evil,
Their feet run to evil,
And they rush to shed innocent blood.
Their thoughts are thoughts of wickedness [of sin, of injustice, of wrongdoing];
Devastation and destruction are in their highways.
And plot evil on their beds!
When morning comes, they practice evil
Because it is in the power of their hands.
Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.
Verse Concepts
AlcoholAdversityevil, origins ofenemies, of believersBitingAttitudes Of WatchfulnessSatan, Titles ForLions, Figurative Use OfLionsPersecution, Nature OfReadinessSatan, As TempterSelf ControlSleep, SpiritualSpiritual Warfare, As ConflictSpiritual Warfare, Causes OfSpiritual Warfare, Enemies InWatchfulness, Of BelieversBeing PreparedSatan, Character Of
Activity » Christ's zeal » General references to
For He [the Lord] put on righteousness like a coat of armor,
And salvation like a helmet on His head;
He put on garments of vengeance for clothing
And covered Himself with zeal [and great love for His people] as a cloak.
And He answered, “Why did you have to look for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”
His disciples remembered that it is written [in the Scriptures], “Zeal (love, concern) for Your house [and its honor] will consume Me.”
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to completely finish His work.
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with great power; and He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.
Verse Concepts
Adorning » Jewels » General references to
Then all whose hearts moved them, both men and women, came and brought brooches, earrings or nose rings, signet rings, and necklaces, all jewels of gold; everyone bringing an offering of gold to the Lord.
So we have brought as an offering to the Lord what each man obtained—articles of gold, armlets, bracelets, signet rings, earrings, necklaces—to make atonement for ourselves before the Lord.”
I will rejoice greatly in the Lord,
My soul will exult in my God;
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation,
He has covered me with a robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom puts on a
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Then the servant brought out jewelry of silver, jewelry of gold, and articles of clothing, and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave precious things to her brother and her mother.
But every woman shall [insistently] ask her neighbor and any woman who lives in her house, for articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons and daughters. In this way you are to plunder the Egyptians [leaving bondage with great possessions that are rightfully yours].”
Adultery » General references to
‘The man who commits adultery with another’s wife, even his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall most certainly be put to death.
“You shall not commit adultery.
“The eye of the adulterer waits for the twilight,
Saying, ‘No eye will see me,’
And he covers his face.
Accordingly, she will be designated as an adulteress if she unites herself to another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from the law [regarding marriage], so that she is not an adulteress if she marries another man.
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate [by perversion], nor those who participate in homosexuality,
They have eyes full of adultery, constantly looking for sin, enticing and luring away unstable souls. Having hearts trained in greed, [they are] children of a curse.
Afflictions » General references to
In all their distress He was distressed,
And the
In His love and in His compassion He redeemed them;
And He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
For I consider [from the standpoint of faith] that the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us!
The Lord said, “I have in fact seen the affliction (suffering, desolation) of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters (oppressors); for I know their pain and suffering.
Is short-lived and full of turmoil.
This is my comfort in my affliction,
That Your word has revived me and given me life.
Trouble and anguish have found me,
Yet Your commandments are my delight and my joy.
We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair;
Agriculture » General references to » Called husbandmen
And Noah began to farm and cultivate the ground and he planted a vineyard.
And [the people of] Judah and all its cities will live there together—the farmer and they who wander about with flocks.
With you I shatter the shepherd and his flock,
With you I shatter the farmer and his yoke of oxen,
And with you I shatter governors and commanders.
Therefore, thus says the Lord God of hosts, the Lord,
“There is wailing in all the public plazas,
And in all the streets they say, ‘Alas! Alas!’
And they call the farmers to mourning [for those who have died]
And professional mourners to wailing.
And in all the streets they say, ‘Alas! Alas!’
And they call the farmers to mourning [for those who have died]
And professional mourners to wailing.
but he will [deny his identity and] say, ‘I am no prophet. I work the ground, because a man sold me as a slave in my youth.’
The hard-working farmer [who labors to produce crops] ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.
So wait patiently, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits [expectantly] for the precious harvest from the land, being patient about it, until it receives the early and late rains.
Agriculture » General references to
And Noah began to farm and cultivate the ground and he planted a vineyard.
So the Lord God took the man [He had made] and settled him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.
And [later] she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept the flocks [of sheep and goats], but Cain cultivated the ground.
Then Isaac planted [seed] in that land [as a farmer] and reaped in the same year a hundred times [as much as he had planted], and the Lord blessed and favored him.
For six years you shall sow your field, and for six years you shall prune your vineyard and gather in its crop.
So Elijah departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. Elijah went over to him and threw his mantle (coat) on him.
and a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were feeding beside them,
He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows worthless things lacks common sense and good judgment.
Agriculture » General references to » Uzziah
He also built towers in the wilderness and dug many cisterns, for he had a great deal of livestock, both in the lowlands and in the plain. He also had farmers and vinedressers in the hill country and in the fertile fields, for he loved the soil.
Agriculture » General references to » David
Ezri the son of Chelub was in charge of those who did the work of the field, tilling the soil.
Agriculture » General references to » Elisha
So Elijah departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. Elijah went over to him and threw his mantle (coat) on him.
Agriculture » General references to » Noah
And Noah began to farm and cultivate the ground and he planted a vineyard.
Agriculture » General references to » Cain
And [later] she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept the flocks [of sheep and goats], but Cain cultivated the ground.
Agriculture » General references to » The rich man
Then He told them a parable, saying, “There was a rich man whose land was very fertile and productive.
Ahab » General references to
Ahab the son of Omri became king over Israel in the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria for twenty-two years.
Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.”
Then Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go into the land to all the sources of water and to all the streams; perhaps we may find grass and keep the horses and mules alive, and not have to kill some of the cattle.”
Now Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets [of Baal] with the sword.
Then he sent messengers to the city to Ahab king of Israel; and he said to him, “Thus says Ben-hadad:
There certainly was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the Lord, because Jezebel his wife incited him.
Now the king of Israel said to his servants, “Do you know that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, yet we are still doing nothing to take it from the hand of the king of Aram?”
Then the prophet found another man and said, “Please strike me.” So the man struck him hard, wounding him.
Ahab had seventy sons [and grandsons] in Samaria. So Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria, to the rulers of Jezreel, to the elders, and to the guardians of the children of Ahab, saying,
Know then [without any doubt] that there shall fall to the earth nothing of the word of the Lord, which the Lord spoke concerning the house of Ahab, for the Lord has done what He said through His servant Elijah.”
The Almighty » Power of God » General references to
Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand is power and might; and it is in Your hands to make great and to give strength to everyone.
But if you do go [in spite of this warning], be strong and courageous for battle; yet God will cause you to stumble and fall before the enemy, for God has power to help and to cause people to stumble.”
“He stirred up the sea by His power,
And by His understanding He smashed [proud]
God has spoken once,
Twice I have heard this:
That power belongs to God.
Who creates the mountains by His strength,
Being clothed with power,
More than the sounds of many waters,
More than the mighty breakers of the sea,
The Lord on high is mighty.
The Lord is slow to anger and great in power
And He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.
The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm,
And the clouds are the dust beneath His feet.
Now to Him who is able to establish and strengthen you [in the faith] according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery [of the plan of salvation] which has been kept secret for long ages past,
to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forevermore! Amen.
Andrew » General references to
As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He noticed two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
And immediately they left the synagogue and went into the house of Simon [Peter] and Andrew, accompanied by James and John.
As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked Him privately,
One of the two who heard what John said and [as a result] followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
Philip came and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.
When they had entered the city, they went upstairs to the upper room where they were staying [indefinitely]; that is, Peter, and John and [his brother] James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew (Nathanael) and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas (Thaddaeus) the son of James.
Animals » Lions » General references to
But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock,
Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother [to arrange the marriage], and they came as far as the vineyards of Timnah; and suddenly, a young lion came roaring toward him.
Now when he had gone, a lion met him by the road and killed him, and his body was thrown in the road, with the donkey standing beside it; the lion was also standing beside the body.
Then the king arose at dawn, at the break of day, and hurried to the den of lions.
Apollos » General references to
Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent and cultured man, and well versed in the [Hebrew] Scriptures.
It happened that while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul went through the upper [inland] districts and came down to Ephesus, and found some disciples.
Now I mean this, that each one of you says, “I am [a disciple] of Paul,” or “I am [a disciple] of Apollos,” or “I am [a disciple] of Cephas (Peter),” or “I am [a disciple] of Christ.”
For when one of you says, “I am [a disciple] of Paul,” and another, “I am [a disciple] of Apollos,” are you not [proving yourselves unchanged, just] ordinary people?
As for our brother Apollos, I have strongly encouraged him to visit you with the other brothers. It was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has the opportunity.
Do your best to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they are supplied and lack nothing.
Appearances » Deceitful » General references to
Now in all Israel there was no man as handsome as Absalom, so highly praised [for that]; from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.
Kish had a son named Saul, a choice and handsome man; among the sons of Israel there was not a man more handsome than he. From his shoulders and up he was [a head] taller than any of the people.
So it happened, when they had come, he looked at Eliab [the eldest son] and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him.”
Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if He would find anything on it. But He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.
Arts and crafts » General references to
and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them; and they worked together for they were tent-makers.
These [craftsmen] he called together, along with the workmen of similar trades, and said, “Men, you are well aware that we make a good living from this business.
And the sound of harpists and musicians and flutists and trumpeters will never again be heard in you, and no skilled artisan of any craft will ever again be found in you, and the sound of the millstone [grinding grain] will never again be heard in you [for commerce will no longer flourish, and normal life will cease].
Asceticism » General references to
Now this same John had clothing made of camel’s hair and a [wide] leather band around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
Then the disciples of John [the Baptist] came to Jesus, asking, “Why do we and the Pharisees often fast [as a religious exercise], but Your disciples do not fast?”
These practices indeed have the appearance [that popularly passes as that] of wisdom in self-made religion and mock humility and severe treatment of the body (asceticism), but are of no value against sinful indulgence [because they do not honor God].
For this is the will of God, that you be sanctified [separated and set apart from sin]: that you abstain and back away from sexual immorality;
Astronomy » Moon » General references to
God made the two great lights—the greater light (the sun) to rule the day, and the lesser light (the moon) to rule the night; He made the [galaxies of] stars also [that is, all the amazing wonders in the heavens].
With the precious fruits of the sun,
And with the precious produce of the months.
So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped,
Until the nation [of Israel] took vengeance upon their enemies.
Is it not written in the Book of Jashar? So the sun stood still in the middle of the sky and was in no hurry to go down for about a whole day.
He made the moon for the seasons;
The sun knows the [exact] place of its setting.
Then the full moon will be embarrassed and the sun ashamed,
For the Lord of hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem,
And His glory and brilliance will shine before His elders.
“The sun will be turned into darkness
And the moon into blood
Before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.
Atheism » General references to
Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed)? This is the antichrist [the enemy and antagonist of Christ], the one who denies and consistently refuses to acknowledge the Father and the Son.
The wicked, in the haughtiness of his face, will not seek nor inquire for Him;
All his thoughts are, “There is no God [so there is no accountability or punishment].”
They are corrupt, they have committed repulsive and unspeakable deeds;
There is no one who does good.
There is no fear (dread) of God before his eyes.
So that I will not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?”
Or that I will not be poor and steal,
And so profane the name of my God.
They have lied about and denied the Lord
By saying, “It is not He [who speaks through His prophets];
Misfortune and evil shall not come on us,
Nor will we see war or famine.
Attributes of God » Power of God » General references to
Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand is power and might; and it is in Your hands to make great and to give strength to everyone.
But if you do go [in spite of this warning], be strong and courageous for battle; yet God will cause you to stumble and fall before the enemy, for God has power to help and to cause people to stumble.”
“He stirred up the sea by His power,
And by His understanding He smashed [proud]
God has spoken once,
Twice I have heard this:
That power belongs to God.
Who creates the mountains by His strength,
Being clothed with power,
More than the sounds of many waters,
More than the mighty breakers of the sea,
The Lord on high is mighty.
The Lord is slow to anger and great in power
And He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.
The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm,
And the clouds are the dust beneath His feet.
Now to Him who is able to establish and strengthen you [in the faith] according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery [of the plan of salvation] which has been kept secret for long ages past,
to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forevermore! Amen.
Awakenings and religious reforms » Awakenings, religious, » General references to
Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord together with his entire household [joyfully acknowledging Him as Messiah and Savior]; and many of the Corinthians who heard [Paul’s message] were believing and being baptized.
And the hand (the power and presence) of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord [for salvation, accepting and drawing near to Jesus as Messiah and Savior].
So then, those who accepted his message were baptized; and on that day about 3,000 souls were added [to the body of believers].
Yet some of the men of Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.
When all the people saw it, they fell face downward; and they said, “The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!”
Now while Ezra was praying and confessing, weeping and laying himself face down before the house of God, a very large group from Israel, of men, women, and children, gathered to him, for the people wept bitterly.
Now many Samaritans from that city believed in Him and trusted Him [as Savior] because of what the woman said when she testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.”
The crowds gathered and were paying close attention to everything Philip said, as they heard [the message] and saw the [miraculous] signs which he was doing [validating his message].
Then all who lived at Lydda and the plain of Sharon saw [what had happened to] him, and they turned to the Lord.
When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying [praising and giving thanks for] the word of the Lord; and all those who had been appointed (designated, ordained) to eternal life [by God] believed [in Jesus as the Christ and their Savior].
Many of those who had become believers were coming, confessing and disclosing their [former sinful] practices.
Awakenings and religious reforms » Revivals (select reading, isa chap 35) isa 35 » General references to
Take the words [confessing your guilt] with you and return to the Lord.
Say to Him, “Take away all our wickedness;
Accept what is good and receive us graciously,
So that we may present the fruit of our lips (gratitude).
Then the lame will leap like a deer,
And the tongue of the mute will shout for joy.
For waters will break forth in the wilderness
And streams in the desert.
Let us test and examine our ways,
And let us return to the Lord.
“After two days He will revive us;
On the third day He will raise us up
That we may live before Him.
religious Awakenings » General references to
Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord together with his entire household [joyfully acknowledging Him as Messiah and Savior]; and many of the Corinthians who heard [Paul’s message] were believing and being baptized.
And the hand (the power and presence) of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord [for salvation, accepting and drawing near to Jesus as Messiah and Savior].
So then, those who accepted his message were baptized; and on that day about 3,000 souls were added [to the body of believers].
Yet some of the men of Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.
When all the people saw it, they fell face downward; and they said, “The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!”
Now while Ezra was praying and confessing, weeping and laying himself face down before the house of God, a very large group from Israel, of men, women, and children, gathered to him, for the people wept bitterly.
Now many Samaritans from that city believed in Him and trusted Him [as Savior] because of what the woman said when she testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.”
The crowds gathered and were paying close attention to everything Philip said, as they heard [the message] and saw the [miraculous] signs which he was doing [validating his message].
Then all who lived at Lydda and the plain of Sharon saw [what had happened to] him, and they turned to the Lord.
When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying [praising and giving thanks for] the word of the Lord; and all those who had been appointed (designated, ordained) to eternal life [by God] believed [in Jesus as the Christ and their Savior].
Many of those who had become believers were coming, confessing and disclosing their [former sinful] practices.
Babylon » General references to
The beginning of his kingdom was Babel and Erech and Accad and Calneh, in the land of Shinar [in Babylonia].
Now the Chaldeans (Babylonians) smashed the bronze pillars which were in the house of the Lord and their bases and the bronze sea (large basin) which were in the house of the Lord, and carried the bronze to Babylon.
that you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon, and say,
“How the oppressor has ceased [his insolence],
And how the fury has ceased!
And how the fury has ceased!
Babylon has suddenly fallen and is shattered!
Wail for her [if you care to]!
Get balm for her [incurable] pain;
Perhaps she may be healed.
Twelve months later he was walking on the upper level of the royal palace of Babylon.
She [the church] who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son [in the faith], Mark.
balaam » General references to
When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which is on the border at the Arnon [River], at the farthest end of the border.
So Balaam got up in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the leaders of Moab.
So he sent messengers to Balaam [a famous prophet-diviner] the son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the [Euphrates] River, in the land of the descendants of his people, to call for him, saying, “There is a people who have come out of Egypt; behold, they cover the surface of the land, and they are living opposite me.
God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people [of Israel], for they are blessed.”
They killed the kings of Midian along with the rest of their slain: Evi and Rekem and Zur [the father of Cozbi] and Hur and Reba, the five kings of Midian; also Balaam the son of Beor they killed with the sword.
Look, these [are the women who] caused the Israelites, by the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor, and so a plague came among the congregation of the Lord.
“My people, remember now
What Balak king of Moab devised [with his evil plan against Israel]
And what Balaam the son of Beor answered him [turning the curse into blessing for Israel],
[Remember what the Lord did for you] from
So that you may know the righteous and saving acts [displaying the power] of the Lord.”
Abandoning the straight road [that is, the right way to live], they have gone astray; they have followed the way of [the false teacher] Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the reward of wickedness;
Beggars » General references to
“He raises up the poor from the dust,
He lifts up the needy from the ash heap
To make them sit with nobles,
And inherit a seat of honor and glory;
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,
And He set the land on them.
I have been young and now I am old,
Yet I have not seen the righteous (those in right standing with God) abandoned
Or his descendants pleading for bread.
Let his children wander and beg;
Let them seek their food and be driven far from their ruined homes.
The lazy man does not plow when the winter [planting] season arrives;
So he begs at the [next] harvest and has nothing [to reap].
Birds » General references to
Then God said, “Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, according to Our likeness [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness]; and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, and over the entire earth, and over everything that creeps and crawls on the earth.”
The fear and the terror of you shall be [instinctive] in every animal of the land and in every bird of the air; and together with everything that moves on the ground, and with all the fish of the sea; they are given into your hand.
“If you happen to come upon a bird’s nest along the road, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, and the mother [bird] is sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young.
Then God said, “Let the waters swarm and abundantly produce living creatures, and let birds soar above the earth in the open expanse of the heavens.”
‘These you shall detest among the birds; they are not to be eaten, for they are hated things: the eagle and the vulture and the buzzard,
The birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.
and wherever the sons of men dwell, and the beasts of the field, and the birds of the heavens, He has given them into your hand and has made you ruler over them all. You [king of Babylon] are the head of gold.
Boldness » Boldness, holy » General references to
in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him [that is, our faith gives us sufficient courage to freely and openly approach God through Christ].
Verse Concepts
AssuranceAdoption, Results OfAccess To God, Through ChristFaith, As Basis Of SalvationAssurance, By Faith In ChristAccess To God, The Characteristics OfAssurance, nature ofMission, Of Jesus ChristOptimismPrayer, And FaithPrayer, As A Relationship With GodReconciliation, Of The World To GodAdmission Into God's PresenceBenefits Of Faith In ChristBeing Strong
Therefore, believers, since we have confidence and full freedom to enter the Holy Place [the place where God dwells] by [means of] the blood of Jesus,
Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].
Verse Concepts
Adoption, Results Ofevil, believers' responses toBeing ConfidentAccess To God, The Characteristics OfDependenceAssurance, nature ofBoldness, Comes FromGrace, And Christian LifeGrace, And SalvationMercy, Response To God'sPrayer, As A Response To GodPrayer, As Asking GodSalvation, Nature OfSpiritual Warfare, ArmourOvercoming DiscouragementGod, Grace OfSaints, Communion With GodPrayer, Offered With
For those who have served well as deacons gain a high standing [having a good reputation among the congregation], and great confidence in the faith which is [founded on and centered] in Christ Jesus.
In this [union and fellowship with Him], love is completed and perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him]; because as He is, so are we in this world.
physical Bondage » In prison » General references to
But the king of Assyria discovered a conspiracy in Hoshea, who sent messengers to So, king of Egypt, and offered no tribute to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year; therefore the king of Assyria arrested him and bound him in prison.
Then the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with [two] bronze chains; and he was forced to be a grinder [of grain into flour at the mill] in the prison.
He put them in confinement in the house of the captain of the guard, in the same prison where Joseph was confined.
and they put him in custody, because it had not been explained [by God] what should be done to him.
But this is a people despoiled and plundered;
All of them are trapped in holes,
Or are hidden away in prisons.
They have become a prey with no one to rescue them,
And a spoil, with no one to say, “Give them back!”
Then the king of Babylon blinded Zedekiah, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon and there he put him in prison [in a mill] until the day of his death.
suddenly there was a great earthquake, so [powerful] that the very foundations of the prison were shaken and at once all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.
Bread » General references to
Now [at another time] a man from Baal-shalisha came and brought the man of God bread of the first fruits, twenty loaves of barley bread, and fresh ears of grain [in the husk] in his sack. And Elisha said, “Give it to the people [affected by the famine] so that they may eat.”
And wine which makes the heart of man glad,
So that he may make his face glisten with oil,
And bread to sustain and strengthen man’s heart.
Jesse took a donkey [loaded with] bread and a jug of wine and a young goat, and sent them to Saul with David his son.
And I will bring a piece of bread to refresh and sustain you; after that you may go on, since you have come to your servant.” And they replied, “Do as you have said.”
And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he would drink from the brook.
Brotherly love » General references to
And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should also [unselfishly] love his brother and seek the best for him.
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love [for others growing out of God’s love for me], then I have become only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction].
Hatred stirs up strife,
But love covers and overwhelms all transgressions [forgiving and overlooking another’s faults].
For you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness), but through love serve and seek the best for one another.
Verse Concepts
Freedom, Abuse Of ChristianAdventureCommitment, to God's peopleLove, For One AnotherLove, Nature OfMinistry, In The ChurchSelf IndulgenceService To GodSlavery, SpiritualUnselfishnessCarnalityAbuse, Of Christian FreedomLove To Others Shown InCalling, Of ChristiansCalling, The Goals Of4th of julyBrotherly LoveAnarchyAgape LoveLiving For The Material
And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more [displaying itself in greater depth] in real knowledge and in practical insight,
Now concerning brotherly love, you have no need for anyone to write you, for you have been [personally] taught by God to love one another [that is, to have an unselfish concern for others and to do things for their benefit].
Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others].
The one who loves and unselfishly seeks the best for his [believing] brother lives in the Light, and in him there is no occasion for stumbling or offense [he does not hurt the cause of Christ or lead others to sin].
Cain » General references to
By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which it was testified of him that he was righteous (upright, in right standing with God), and God testified by accepting his gifts. And though he died, yet through [this act of] faith he still speaks.
and not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother [Abel]. And why did he murder him? Because Cain’s deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.
And [later] she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept the flocks [of sheep and goats], but Cain cultivated the ground.
Woe to them! For they have gone the [defiant] way of Cain, and for profit they have run headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of [mutinous] Korah.
So Cain went away from the [manifested] presence of the Lord, and lived in the land of Nod [wandering in exile], east of Eden.
Christ » Denial of » General references to
Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed)? This is the antichrist [the enemy and antagonist of Christ], the one who denies and consistently refuses to acknowledge the Father and the Son.
But you disowned and denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked for [the pardon of] a murderer to be granted to you.
Jesus said to him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this night, before a rooster crows, you will [completely] deny Me three times.”
They profess to know God [to recognize and be acquainted with Him], but by their actions they deny and disown Him. They are detestable and disobedient and worthless for good work of any kind.
Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and one maid came up to him and said, You were also with Jesus the Galilean! But he denied it falsely before them all, saying, I do not know what you mean.
If we endure, we will also reign with Him;
If we deny Him, He will also deny us;
But [in those days] false prophets arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will subtly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Christ » Name, wonderful » General references to
Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, And every tongue [ frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
For to us a Child shall be born, to us a Son shall be given;
And the government shall be upon His shoulder,
And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name inscribed, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
having become as much superior to angels, since He has inherited a more excellent and glorious name than they [that is, Son—the name above all names].
Listen carefully: you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.
His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many royal crowns; and He has a name inscribed [on Him] which no one knows or understands except Himself.
Christ » Humility of » General references to
Then He poured water into the basin and began washing the disciples’ feet and wiping them with the towel which was tied around His waist.
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!
Shout aloud, O Daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your King (Messianic King) is coming to you;
He is righteous and endowed with salvation,
Upon a colt, the foal of a donkey.
For you are recognizing [more clearly] the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [His astonishing kindness, His generosity, His gracious favor], that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich (abundantly blessed).
After He was found in [terms of His] outward appearance as a man [for a divinely-appointed time], He humbled Himself [still further] by becoming obedient [to the Father] to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Christ » Humanity of Christ » General references to
For there is [only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus,
The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son (descendant) of David, the son (descendant) of Abraham:
After He was found in [terms of His] outward appearance as a man [for a divinely-appointed time], He humbled Himself [still further] by becoming obedient [to the Father] to the point of death, even death on a cross.
But when [in God’s plan] the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the [regulations of the] Law,
Christ » Humanity of » General references to
For there is [only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus,
The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son (descendant) of David, the son (descendant) of Abraham:
After He was found in [terms of His] outward appearance as a man [for a divinely-appointed time], He humbled Himself [still further] by becoming obedient [to the Father] to the point of death, even death on a cross.
But when [in God’s plan] the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the [regulations of the] Law,
Christ » Prescience of » General references to
After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said in fulfillment of the Scripture, “I am thirsty.”
Now before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that His hour had come [and it was time] for Him to leave this world and return to the Father. Having [greatly] loved His own who were in the world, He loved them [and continuously loves them with His perfect love] to the end (eternally).
For He knew who was going to betray Him; for that reason He said, “Not all of you are clean.”
Then Jesus, knowing all that was about to happen to Him, went to them and asked, “Whom do you want?”
Christ » His foreknowledge » General references to
After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said in fulfillment of the Scripture, “I am thirsty.”
Now before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that His hour had come [and it was time] for Him to leave this world and return to the Father. Having [greatly] loved His own who were in the world, He loved them [and continuously loves them with His perfect love] to the end (eternally).
For He knew who was going to betray Him; for that reason He said, “Not all of you are clean.”
Then Jesus, knowing all that was about to happen to Him, went to them and asked, “Whom do you want?”
Church » Security of » General references to
Are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but remains forever.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you.
When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
You will not be afraid of the terror of night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say,
“The Lord is my Helper [in time of need], I will not be afraid.
What will man do to me?”
What will man do to me?”
He will not fear bad news;
His heart is steadfast, trusting [confidently relying on and believing] in the Lord.
“Then you would trust [with confidence], because there is hope;
You would look around you and rest securely.
“But whoever listens to me (Wisdom) will live securely and in confident trust
And will be at ease, without fear or dread of evil.”
When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
He will dwell on the heights,
His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks,
His bread will be given him;
His water will be permanent.
Now who is there to hurt you if you become enthusiastic for what is good?
Church » Foundation of furnishes perfect security » General references to
For this is contained in Scripture:“Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen stone, a precious (honored) Cornerstone,
And he who believes in Him [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] will never be disappointed [in his expectations].”
And he who believes in Him [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] will never be disappointed [in his expectations].”
Therefore the Lord God says this,
“Listen carefully, I am laying in Zion a Stone, a tested Stone,
A precious Cornerstone for the [secure] foundation, firmly placed.
He who believes [who trusts in, relies on, and adheres to that Stone] will notbe disturbed or give way [in sudden panic].
A precious Cornerstone for the [secure] foundation, firmly placed.
He who believes [who trusts in, relies on, and adheres to that Stone] will not
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the [chief] Cornerstone,
for no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ.
“O you afflicted [city], storm-tossed, and not comforted,
Listen carefully, I will set your [precious] stones in mortar,
And lay your foundations with sapphires.
In this way storing up for themselves the enduring riches of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God [which He has laid] stands [sure and unshaken despite attacks], bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord stand apart from wickedness and withdraw from wrongdoing.”
Church » Enemies of » General references to
Save me and rescue me from all those who pursue me,
My times are in Your hands;
Rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from those who pursue and persecute me.
All Your commandments are faithful and trustworthy.
They have persecuted me with a lie; help me [Lord]!
Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
Yet I do not turn away from Your testimonies.
Shin.
Princes persecute me without cause,
But my heart stands in [reverent] awe of Your words [so I can expect You to help me].
Princes persecute me without cause,
But my heart stands in [reverent] awe of Your words [so I can expect You to help me].
For the enemy has persecuted me,
He has crushed my life down to the ground;
He has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have been long dead.
O Lord, You know and understand;
Remember me [thoughtfully], take notice of me,
take vengeance for me on my persecutors.
Do not, in view of Your patience, take me away;
Know that for Your sake I endure [continual] rebuke and dishonor.
Our pursuers are at our necks;
We are worn out, there is no rest for us.
Church » Head of, Christ the » General references to
He is also the head [the life-source and leader] of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will occupy the first place [He will stand supreme and be preeminent] in everything.
And He put all things [in every realm] in subjection under Christ’s feet, and appointed Him as [supreme and authoritative] head over all things in the church,
But speaking the truth in love [in all things—both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head—Christ.
For the husband is head of the wife, as Christ is head of the church, Himself being the Savior of the body.
Verse Concepts
Abusive HusbandsBeing A HusbandBeing In A RelationshipChurch Authority, Of Jesus ChristBody Of Christ, The ChurchHusbands Headship, Basis OfHeadshipHusbandsWivesJesus Christ, SaviorChrist, The Head Of The ChurchNames And Titles For ChristBody Of ChristThe Church UniversalHead As ChiefThe churchFamiliesHusband And WifeMarriage Between Man And Woman
and not holding fast to the head [of the body, Jesus Christ], from whom the entire body, supplied and knit together by its joints and ligaments, grows with the growth [that can come only] from God.
Church » Compared to a flock » General references to
I know that after I am gone, [false teachers like] ferocious wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;
He will protect His flock like a shepherd,
He will gather the lambs in His arm,
He will carry them in His bosom;
He will gently and carefully lead those nursing their young.
Verse Concepts
And the Lord their God shall save them on that day
As the flock of His people;
For they are like the [precious] jewels of a crown,
Displayed and glittering in His land.
Church » Flock, God's » General references to
I know that after I am gone, [false teachers like] ferocious wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;
He will protect His flock like a shepherd,
He will gather the lambs in His arm,
He will carry them in His bosom;
He will gently and carefully lead those nursing their young.
Verse Concepts
And the Lord their God shall save them on that day
As the flock of His people;
For they are like the [precious] jewels of a crown,
Displayed and glittering in His land.
Circumcision » General references to
Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised in accordance with the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
This is [the sign of] My covenant, which you shall keep and faithfully obey, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised.
And the male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”
Paul wanted Timothy to go with him [as a missionary]; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, since they all knew that his father was a Greek.
Was anyone at the time of his calling [from God already] circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called while uncircumcised? He is not to be circumcised.
But [all went well, for] not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled [as some had anticipated] to be circumcised, despite the fact that he was a Greek.
Notice, it is I, Paul, who tells you that if you receive circumcision [as a supposed requirement of salvation], Christ will be of no benefit to you [for you will lack the faith in Christ that is necessary for salvation].
Those who want to make a good impression in public [before the Jews] try to compel you to be circumcised, just so they will escape being persecuted for [faithfulness to] the cross of Christ.
Cities » General references to
They said, “Come, let us build a city for ourselves, and a tower whose top will reach into the heavens, and let us make a [famous] name for ourselves, so that we will not be scattered [into separate groups] and be dispersed over the surface of the entire earth [as the Lord instructed].”
Then Jehoash (Joash) the son of Jehoahaz recovered from Ben-hadad the son of Hazael the cities which he had taken from Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times Joash defeated Ben-hadad and recovered the cities of Israel.
But the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified (walled) and very large; moreover, we saw there the descendants of Anak [people of great stature and courage].
Suppose there are fifty righteous [people] within the city; will You really sweep it away and not spare it for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it?
And Joseph gathered all the [surplus] food of the seven [good] years in the land of Egypt and stored [enormous quantities of] the food in the cities. He stored away in every city the food [collected] from its own surrounding fields.
“Then it shall come about when the Lord your God brings you into the land which He swore (solemnly promised) to [give] your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—to give you, [a land with] great and splendid cities which you did not build,
For I have seen violence and strife in the city.
“I will root out your Asherim (symbols of the goddess Asherah) from among you
And destroy your cities [which are the centers of pagan worship].
duties of Citizens » General references to
Whoever does not observe and practice the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed upon him strictly and promptly, whether it be for death or banishment or confiscation of property or imprisonment.”
My son, fear the Lord and the king;
And do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],
I counsel you to keep the command of the king because of the oath before God [by which you swore loyalty to him].
They said, “[The Emperor Tiberius] Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God [granted by His permission and sanction], and those which exist have been put in place by God.
Verse Concepts
ethics, socialethics, basis ofCivil authoritiesDeath penaltyHuman Authority, Nature OfAttitudes, to other peopleAuthority, of human institutionsHuman Authority, Christian ResponseGovernmentCivic DutiesHonouring RulersLeaders, PoliticalLoyaltyPower, HumanOrderliness In SocietySubmissionTaxationGod's Providential Control
Remind people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready and willing to do good,
Be submissive to every human institution and authority for the sake of the Lord, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, Or to governors as sent by him to bring vengeance (punishment, justice) to those who do wrong and to encourage those who do good service.
Civic duties » General references to
Whoever does not observe and practice the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed upon him strictly and promptly, whether it be for death or banishment or confiscation of property or imprisonment.”
My son, fear the Lord and the king;
And do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],
I counsel you to keep the command of the king because of the oath before God [by which you swore loyalty to him].
They said, “[The Emperor Tiberius] Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God [granted by His permission and sanction], and those which exist have been put in place by God.
Verse Concepts
ethics, socialethics, basis ofCivil authoritiesDeath penaltyHuman Authority, Nature OfAttitudes, to other peopleAuthority, of human institutionsHuman Authority, Christian ResponseGovernmentCivic DutiesHonouring RulersLeaders, PoliticalLoyaltyPower, HumanOrderliness In SocietySubmissionTaxationGod's Providential Control
Remind people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready and willing to do good,
Be submissive to every human institution and authority for the sake of the Lord, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, Or to governors as sent by him to bring vengeance (punishment, justice) to those who do wrong and to encourage those who do good service.
Civil strife » General references to
Nation was crushed by nation, and city by city, for God troubled them with every kind of distress.
“Now beware so that you do not lose heart,
And so that you are not afraid at the rumor that will be heard in the land—
For the rumor shall come one year,
And after that another rumor in another year,
And violence shall be in the land,
Ruler against ruler—
Then He told them, Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be mighty and violent earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences (plagues: malignant and contagious or infectious epidemic diseases which are deadly and devastating); and there will be sights of terror and great signs from heaven.
Clothing » General references to
Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed with purple and a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation concerning him was issued [declaring] that he now had authority as the third ruler in the kingdom.
Now this same John had clothing made of camel’s hair and a [wide] leather band around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
The Lord God made tunics of [animal] skins for Adam and his wife and clothed them.
Then Rebekah took her elder son Esau’s best clothes, which were with her in her house, and put them on Jacob her younger son.
“O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
Who clothed you
Who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.
In [the course of] His teaching He was saying, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes [displaying their prominence], and like to receive respectful greetings in the market places,
So Peter got up [at once] and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upstairs room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing [him] all the tunics and robes that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.
and you pay special attention to the one who wears the fine clothes, and say to him, “You sit here in this good seat,” and you tell the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down [on the floor] by my footstool,”
Commandments » General references to
Then I will not be ashamed
When I look [with respect] to all Your commandments [as my guide].
The precepts of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
For the [true] love of God is this: that we habitually keep His commandments and remain focused on His precepts. And His commandments and His precepts are not difficult [to obey].
These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be [written] on your heart and mind.
“Therefore, you shall keep all the commandments which I am commanding you today, so that you may be strong and go in and take possession of the land which you are crossing over [the Jordan] to possess;
He replied to them, “Why also do you violate the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition [handed down by the elders]?
Condemnation » General references to
If anyone is too hungry [to wait], let him eat at home, so that you will not come together for judgment [on yourselves]. About the remaining matters [of which I was informed], I will take care of them when I come.
So then as through one trespass [Adam’s sin] there resulted condemnation for all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.
and He must not be a new convert, so that he will not [behave stupidly and] become conceited [by appointment to this high office] and fall into the [same] condemnation incurred by the devil [for his arrogance and pride].
well aware that such a person is twisted and is sinning; he is convicted and self-condemned [and is gratified by causing confusion among believers].
But above all, my fellow believers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but let your yes be [a truthful] yes, and your no be [a truthful] no, so that you may not fall under judgment.
Congregation » General references to
‘Now if the whole congregation of Israel sins unintentionally, and the matter escapes the notice of the assembly, and they have done any one of the things which the Lord has commanded not to be done, and they become guilty;
“Bring the one who has cursed [the Lord] outside the camp, and let all who heard him lay their hands on his head [as witnesses to his guilt]; then let all the congregation stone him.
then it shall be, if it was done unintentionally without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bull as a burnt offering, as a sweet and soothing aroma to the Lord, with its grain offering and its drink offering, according to the ordinance, and one male goat as a sin offering.
“He who has been castrated by having his testicles crushed or his male organ cut off shall not enter the congregation of the Lord.
Conscience » General references to
let us approach [God] with a true and sincere heart in unqualified assurance of faith, having had our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Verse Concepts
AssuranceConsciousnessCleansed ConsciencesAssurance, By Faith In ChristConsciences, Description OfFaith, Nature OfFaith, Growth InFaith, As Basis Of SalvationBlood, of Jesus ChristAssurance in the life of faithBaptism, in the GospelsGuilt, Human Aspects OfHeart, And Holy SpiritKnowledge, Of SinPrayer, And FaithPurity, Nature OfSin, Deliverance From God
how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal [Holy] Spirit willingly offered Himself unblemished [that is, without moral or spiritual imperfection as a sacrifice] to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works and lifeless observances to serve the ever living God?
Then Paul, looking intently at the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court), said, “Kinsmen, I have lived my life before God with a perfectly good conscience until this very day.”
They show that the essential requirements of the Law are written in their hearts; and their conscience [their sense of right and wrong, their moral choices] bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or perhaps defending them
Therefore one must be subject [to civil authorities], not only to escape the punishment [that comes with wrongdoing], but also as a matter of principle [knowing what is right before God].
However, not all [believers] have this knowledge. But some, being accustomed [throughout their lives] to [thinking of] the idol until now [as real and living], still eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and because their conscience is weak, it is defiled (guilty, ashamed).
[Regarding meat offered to idols:] Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking any questions for the sake of your conscience,
Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord [and understand the importance of obedience and worship], we persuade people [to be reconciled to Him]. But we are plainly known to God [He knows everything about us]; and I hope that we are plainly known also in your consciences [your God-given discernment].
Conversion » General references to » Joyful believers used as instruments in
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then will I teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted and return to You.
Conversion » General references to » The supreme task of the church
[My] brethren, if anyone among you strays from the Truth and falls into error and another [person] brings him back [to God], Let the [latter] one be sure that whoever turns a sinner from his evil course will save [that one's] soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins [ procure the pardon of the many sins committed by the convert].
Conversion » General references to » Essential to entrance into God's kingdom
and said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent [that is, change your inner self—your old way of thinking, live changed lives] and become like children [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Conversion » General references to » Prepares for Christian service
Conversion » General references to » The divine law the agent in
The law of the Lord is perfect (flawless), restoring and refreshing the soul;
The statutes of the Lord are reliable and trustworthy, making wise the simple.
Verse Concepts
Conversion » General references to » Encouraged upon all men
So repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to God—seek His purpose for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely erased], so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord [restoring you like a cool wind on a hot day];
Courtesy » General references to
Finally, all of you be like-minded [united in spirit], sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted [courteous and compassionate toward each other as members of one household], and humble in spirit;
Verse Concepts
Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you].
The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, treating Paul with [thoughtful] consideration, allowed him to go to his friends there and be cared for and refreshed.
In the vicinity of that place there were estates belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed and entertained us hospitably for three days.
Cruelty » General references to
“Simeon and Levi are brothers [equally headstrong, deceitful, vindictive, and cruel];
Their swords are weapons of violence and revenge.
Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
For false witnesses have come against me;
They breathe out violence.
The merciful and generous man benefits his soul [for his behavior returns to bless him],
But the cruel and callous man does himself harm.
Cursing » General references to
For the sin of their mouths and the words of their lips,
Let them even be trapped in their pride,
And on account of the curses and lies which they tell.
His mouth is full of curses and deceit (fraud) and oppression;
Under his tongue is mischief and wickedness [injustice and sin].
He also loved cursing, and it came [back] to him;
He did not delight in blessing, so it was far from him.
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God.
Daniel » General references to
Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he went into his house (now in his roof chamber his windows were open toward Jerusalem); he continued to get down on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.
But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the scroll until the end of time. Many will go back and forth and search anxiously [through the scroll], and knowledge [of the purpose of God as revealed by His prophets] will [greatly] increase.”
Then Daniel replied with discretion and wisdom to Arioch, the captain of the king’s bodyguard, who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon;
Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else; however, I will read the writing to the king and reveal the interpretation to him.
in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the books the number of years which, according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the desolations [which had been] pronounced on Jerusalem would end; and it was seventy years.
even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job were in that land, by their own righteousness (right standing with God) they could only save (deliver) themselves,” says the Lord God.
Behold, you are [imagining yourself] wiser than Daniel;
There is no secret [you think] that is hidden from you;
Days » of the Lord » General references to
you are to hand over this man to Satan for the destruction of his body, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
“Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord.
just as you have [already] partially understood us, [and one day will recognize] that you can be proud of us just as we are of you, in the day of our Lord Jesus.
For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the [return of the] Lord is coming just as a thief [comes unexpectedly and suddenly] in the night.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will vanish with a [mighty and thunderous] roar, and the [material] elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and the works that are on it will be burned up.
The Dead » Mourning for » General references to
Then David said to Joab and to all the people with him, “Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.” And King David walked behind the bier.
Now forty days were required for this, for that is the customary number of days [of preparation] required for embalming. And the Egyptians wept and grieved for him [in public mourning as they would for royalty] for seventy days.
When all the congregation saw that Aaron had died, all the house of Israel wept (mourned) for him thirty days.
So the sons of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab for thirty days; then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.
They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and Jonathan his son, and for the Lord’s people and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword [in battle].
The Dead » Preparation of, for burial » General references to
During that time it happened that she became sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upstairs room.
Out came the man who had been dead, his hands and feet tightly wrapped in burial cloths (linen strips), and with a [burial] cloth wrapped around his face. Jesus said to them, “Unwrap him and release him.”
The Dead » General references to
During that time it happened that she became sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upstairs room.
Out came the man who had been dead, his hands and feet tightly wrapped in burial cloths (linen strips), and with a [burial] cloth wrapped around his face. Jesus said to them, “Unwrap him and release him.”
Deborah » General references to
Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.
Deborah said to Barak, “Arise! For this is the day when the Lord has given Sisera into your hand. Has the Lord not gone out before you?” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him.
Denial of Christ » General references to
Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed)? This is the antichrist [the enemy and antagonist of Christ], the one who denies and consistently refuses to acknowledge the Father and the Son.
But you disowned and denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked for [the pardon of] a murderer to be granted to you.
Jesus said to him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this night, before a rooster crows, you will [completely] deny Me three times.”
They profess to know God [to recognize and be acquainted with Him], but by their actions they deny and disown Him. They are detestable and disobedient and worthless for good work of any kind.
Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and one maid came up to him and said, You were also with Jesus the Galilean! But he denied it falsely before them all, saying, I do not know what you mean.
If we endure, we will also reign with Him;
If we deny Him, He will also deny us;
But [in those days] false prophets arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will subtly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Deserts » General references to
But an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go south to the road that runs from Jerusalem down to Gaza.” (This is a desert road).
When the apostles returned, they told Him all that they had done. He took them with Him and He privately withdrew [across the Jordan] to a city called Bethsaida.
The child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel [as John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah].
When daybreak came, Jesus left [Simon Peter’s house] and went to a secluded place; and the crowds were searching for Him, and [they] came to Him and tried to keep Him from leaving them.
Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please, let us go on a three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the Lord our God, so that He does not discipline us with pestilence or with the sword.”
Desires » Select readings, psalms 42; 84 ps 42; 84 » General references to
One thing I have asked of the Lord, and that I will seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life,
To gaze upon the beauty [the delightful loveliness and majestic grandeur] of the Lord
And to meditate in His temple.
Whom have I in heaven [but You]?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
In the night my soul longs for You [O Lord],
Indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently;
For [only] when Your judgments are experienced on the earth
Will the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.
like newborn babies [you should] long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may be nurtured and grow in respect to salvation [its ultimate fulfillment],
All Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought Him with their whole heart, and He let them find Him. So the Lord gave them rest on every side.
My
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Lord, all my desire is before You;
And my sighing is not hidden from You.
I opened my mouth and panted [with anticipation],
Because I longed for Your commandments.
Desires » General references to
“I will greatly multiply
Your pain in childbirth;
In pain you will give birth to children;
Yet your desire and longing will be for your husband,
And he will rule [with authority] over you and be responsible for you.”
James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.”
Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But when desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
Desolation of the wicked » General references to
How they are destroyed in a moment!
They are completely swept away by sudden terrors!
“For the company of the godless is barren,
And fire consumes the tents of bribery (wrong and injustice).
Evil will cause the death of the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous will be held guilty and will be condemned.
Let those be appalled and desolate because of their shame
Who say to me, “Aha, aha [rejoicing in my misfortune]!”
Despair » General references to
And in those days people will seek death and will not find it; and they will long to die [to escape the pain], but [will discover that] death evades them.
Moses told this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their impatience and despondency, and because of their forced labor.
“My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle,
And are spent without hope.
So I say, “My strength has perished
And so has my hope and expectation from the Lord.”
Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is lost. We are completely cut off.’
Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm kept raging about us, from then on all hope of our being saved was [growing worse and worse and] gradually abandoned.
Discretion » General references to
For his God instructs [him correctly] and teaches him properly.
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since [your] God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and clear-headed and wise as you are.
Discretion will watch over you,
Understanding and discernment will guard you,
That you may exercise discrimination and discretion (good judgment),
And your lips may reserve knowledge and answer wisely [to temptation].
When Jesus saw that he answered thoughtfully and intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that, no one would dare to ask Him any more questions.
spiritual Disease » General references to
Is there no balm in
Is there no physician there?
Why then has not the [spiritual] health of the daughter of my people been restored?
Why should you be stricken and punished again [since no change results from it]?
You [only] continue to rebel.
The whole head is sick
And the whole heart is faint and sick.
“For thus says the Lord,
‘Your wound is incurable
And your injury is beyond healing.
For Samaria’s wound is incurable,
For it has come to Judah;
The enemy has reached the gate of my people,
Even to Jerusalem.
When Jesus heard this, He said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need of a physician, but [only] those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners [who recognize their sin and humbly seek forgiveness].”
new Dispensation » General references to
(for the Law never made anything perfect); while on the other hand a better hope is introduced through which we now continually draw near to God.
But as it is, Christ has acquired a [priestly] ministry which is more excellent [than the old Levitical priestly ministry], for He is the Mediator (Arbiter) of a better covenant [uniting God and man], which has been enacted and rests on better promises.
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels [in festive gathering],
Therefore it was necessary for the [earthly] copies of the heavenly things to be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves required far better sacrifices than these.
Now this [expression], “Yet once more,” indicates the removal and final transformation of all those things which can be shaken—that is, of that which has been created—so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
because God had us in mind and had something better for us, so that they [these men and women of authentic faith] would not be made perfect [that is, completed in Him] apart from us.
Display » General references to
Hezekiah was pleased and showed them his treasure house—the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his entire armory and everything that was found in his treasuries. There was nothing in his house nor in all his area of dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.
And he displayed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the splendor of his great majesty for many days, 180 days in all.
Then Haman recounted to them the glory of his riches, the large number of his sons, and every instance in which the king had magnified him and how he had promoted him over the officials and servants of the king.
So the next day Agrippa and [his sister] Bernice came with great pageantry, and they went into the auditorium accompanied by the military commanders and the prominent men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.
Divine Requirements » General references to
“Thus has the Lord of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion, to each other;
He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion),
And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?
Verse Concepts
These are the things which you should do: speak the truth with one another; judge with truth and pronounce the judgment that brings peace in [the courts at] your gates.
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear [and worship] the Lord your God [with awe-filled reverence and profound respect], to walk [that is, to live each and every day] in all His ways and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul [your choices, your thoughts, your whole being],
Jesus answered, “Why are you asking Me about what is [essentially] good? There is only One who is [essentially] good; but if you wish to enter into eternal life, keep the commandments.”
Dreams » General references to
And He said,
“Hear now My words:
If there is a prophet among you,
I the Lord will make Myself known to him in a vision
And I will speak to him in a dream.
If there is a prophet among you,
I the Lord will make Myself known to him in a vision
And I will speak to him in a dream.
The prophet who has a dream may tell his dream; but he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat [for nourishment]?” says the Lord.
“It shall come about after this
That I shall pour out My Spirit on all mankind;
And your sons and your daughters will prophesy,
Your old men will dream dreams,
Your young men will see visions.
For the dream comes through much effort, and the voice of the fool through many words.
For in a multitude of dreams and in a flood of words there is worthlessness. Rather [reverently] fear God [and worship Him with awe-filled respect, knowing who He is].
Dress » Clothing » General references to
Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed with purple and a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation concerning him was issued [declaring] that he now had authority as the third ruler in the kingdom.
Now this same John had clothing made of camel’s hair and a [wide] leather band around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
The Lord God made tunics of [animal] skins for Adam and his wife and clothed them.
Then Rebekah took her elder son Esau’s best clothes, which were with her in her house, and put them on Jacob her younger son.
“O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
Who clothed you
Who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.
In [the course of] His teaching He was saying, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes [displaying their prominence], and like to receive respectful greetings in the market places,
So Peter got up [at once] and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upstairs room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing [him] all the tunics and robes that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.
and you pay special attention to the one who wears the fine clothes, and say to him, “You sit here in this good seat,” and you tell the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down [on the floor] by my footstool,”
Duties » Of citizens » General references to
Whoever does not observe and practice the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed upon him strictly and promptly, whether it be for death or banishment or confiscation of property or imprisonment.”
My son, fear the Lord and the king;
And do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],
I counsel you to keep the command of the king because of the oath before God [by which you swore loyalty to him].
They said, “[The Emperor Tiberius] Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God [granted by His permission and sanction], and those which exist have been put in place by God.
Verse Concepts
ethics, socialethics, basis ofCivil authoritiesDeath penaltyHuman Authority, Nature OfAttitudes, to other peopleAuthority, of human institutionsHuman Authority, Christian ResponseGovernmentCivic DutiesHonouring RulersLeaders, PoliticalLoyaltyPower, HumanOrderliness In SocietySubmissionTaxationGod's Providential Control
Remind people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready and willing to do good,
Be submissive to every human institution and authority for the sake of the Lord, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, Or to governors as sent by him to bring vengeance (punishment, justice) to those who do wrong and to encourage those who do good service.
Earthly » Of priests honour » General references to
He died in a good old age [his seventy-first year], full of days (satisfied), riches and honor. Solomon his son reigned in his place.
For I will give you a very great honor and I will do whatever you tell me; so please come, curse these people [of Israel] for me.’”
Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great wealth and honor.
Now Hezekiah had immense wealth and honor; and he made for himself treasuries for silver, gold, precious stones, spices, shields, and all kinds of delightful articles,
Effeminacy » General references to
“A sword against their horses and against their chariots
And against all the foreign troops that are in her midst,
And they will become [as weak and defenseless as] women!
A sword against her treasures, and they will be plundered!
In that day the Egyptians will become like [helpless] women, and they will tremble and be frightened because of the waving of the hand of the Lord of hosts, which He is going to wave over them.
The mighty warriors of Babylon have ceased to fight;
They remain in their strongholds.
Their strength and power have failed;
They are becoming [weak and helpless] like women.
Their dwelling places are set on fire;
The
Behold, your people are [as weak and helpless as] women in your midst!
The gates of your land are opened wide to your enemies;
Fire consumes the bars across your gates.
Encouragement » General references to
They brought to Him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a stretcher. Seeing their [active] faith [springing from confidence in Him], Jesus said to the paralytic, “Do not be afraid, son; your sins are forgiven [the penalty is paid, the guilt removed, and you are declared to be in right standing with God].”
And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen; He is not here. See, [here is] the place where they laid Him.
On the following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Be brave; for as you have solemnly and faithfully witnessed about Me at Jerusalem, so you must also testify at Rome.”
Then Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid! Take your stand [be firm and confident and undismayed] and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for those Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see again.
He appointed the priests to their positions and encouraged them in the service of the house of the Lord.
“For I the Lord your God keep hold of your right hand; [I am the Lord],
Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’
But immediately He spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I! Do not be afraid!”
But even now I urge you to keep up your courage and be in good spirits, because there will be no loss of life among you, but only loss of the ship.
Enoch » General references to
It was about these people that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, when he said, “Look, the Lord came with myriads of His holy ones
the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,
Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God three hundred years after the birth of Methuselah and had other sons and daughters.
By faith [that pleased God] Enoch was caught up and taken to heaven so that he would not have a glimpse of death; and he was not found because God had taken him; for even before he was taken [to heaven], he received the testimony [still on record] that he had walked with God and pleased Him.
Esau » General references to
When Esau was forty years old he married Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite as his wives;
and [see to it] that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.
Now when Isaac was old and his eyes were too dim to see, he called his elder [and favorite] son Esau and said to him, “My son.” And Esau answered him, “Here I am.”
The first came out reddish all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau (hairy).
Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and got up and went on his way. In this way Esau scorned his birthright.
Now as soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had scarcely left the presence of Isaac his father, Esau his brother came in from his hunting.
Now these are the records of the descendants of Esau, (that is, Edom).
As it is written and forever remains written, “Jacob I loved (chose, protected, blessed), but Esau I hated (held in disregard compared to Jacob).”
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau [believing what God revealed to him], even regarding things to come.
Estrangement » From God » General references to
for their [moral] understanding is darkened and their reasoning is clouded; [they are] alienated and self-banished from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of the [willful] ignorance and spiritual blindness that is [deep-seated] within them, because of the hardness and insensitivity of their heart.
Verse Concepts
Spiritual DeathDarkness, As A Symbol Of SinFall Of Man, Consequences OfCommunicationGod, Revelation OfHardness Of HeartHeart, Fallen And RedeemedLonelinessReconciliation, Of The World To GodSalvation, Necessity And Basis OfStubbornness, Consequences OfUnbelief, Nature And Effects OfVeilsApathyCharacter Of WickedNations DescribedIgnorance Towards God, Leads ToInsensibilityEstrangement
The wicked are estranged from the womb;
These go astray from birth, speaking lies [even twisted partial truths].
remember that at that time you were separated from Christ [excluded from any relationship with Him], alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise [with no share in the sacred Messianic promise and without knowledge of God’s agreements], having no hope [in His promise] and [living] in the world without God.
Thus says the Lord,
“What injustice or unrighteousness did your fathers find in Me,
That they have wandered far from Me
And [habitually] walked after emptiness and futility and became empty?
That they have wandered far from Me
And [habitually] walked after emptiness and futility and became empty?
in order that I may take hold of the heart (mind) of the house of Israel who are all estranged from Me because of their idols.”’
But the Levites who went far away from Me when Israel went astray, who went astray from Me after their idols, they shall bear the punishment for their sin and guilt.
Evil » Women evil women » General references to
The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit [deep and inescapable];
He who is cursed by the Lord [because of his adulterous sin] will fall into it.
Did not Solomon king of Israel sin [greatly against God] regarding these things? Yet among the many nations there was no king like him. He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel; nevertheless the foreign women caused even him to sin [by turning to other gods and so, judged by God, he lost his kingdom].
Then his wife said to him, “Do you still cling to your integrity [and your faith and trust in God, without blaming Him]? Curse God and die!”
But when Herod’s birthday came, [his niece Salome], the daughter of Herodias danced [immodestly] before them and pleased and fascinated Herod,
for when Jezebel destroyed the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave, and provided them with bread and water.)
So while he slept, Delilah took the seven locks (braids) of his hair and wove them into the web]. And she fastened it with the pin [of the loom] and said to him, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And he awoke from his sleep and pulled out the pin of the [weaver’s] loom and the web.
Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me, and even more, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like the life of one of them.”
When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah [king of Judah] saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal offspring.
He also removed Maacah, King Asa’s mother, from the position of queen mother, because she had made a repulsive image for [the goddess] Asherah. Asa cut down her idol, crushed it, and burned it at the Brook Kidron.
Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a gallows fifty cubits high made, and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it; then go joyfully to the banquet with the king.” And the advice pleased Haman, so he had the gallows made.
Evil » Devices » General references to
And plot evil on their beds!
When morning comes, they practice evil
Because it is in the power of their hands.
He plans wrongdoing on his bed;
He sets himself on a path that is not good;
He does not reject or despise evil.
But they will say, ‘That is hopeless! For we are going to follow our own plans, and each of us will act in accordance with the stubbornness of his evil heart.’
Be still before the Lord; wait patiently for Him and entrust yourself to Him;
Do not fret (whine, agonize) because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.
Who perversely in his heart plots trouble and evil continually;
Who spreads discord and strife.
Do they not go astray who devise evil and wander from the way of righteousness?
But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.
He who [slyly] winks his eyes does so to plot perverse things;
And he who compresses his lips [as if in a secret signal] brings evil to pass.
As for the rogue, his weapons are evil;
He conceives wicked plans
To ruin the poor with lies,
Even when the plea of the needy one is just and right.
Then the Spirit said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who devise evil and give wicked advice in this city,
Evil » Speech evil speaking » General references to
“Their throat is an open grave;
They [habitually] deceive with their tongues.”
“The venom of asps is beneath their lips.”
His mouth is full of curses and deceit (fraud) and oppression;
Under his tongue is mischief and wickedness [injustice and sin].
The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful;
He has ceased to be wise and to do good.
And the tongue is [in a sense] a fire, the very world of injustice and unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which contaminates the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life [the cycle of man’s existence], and is itself set on fire by hell (Gehenna).
For there is nothing trustworthy or reliable or truthful in what they say;
Their heart is destruction [just a treacherous chasm, a yawning gulf of lies].
Their throat is an open grave;
They [glibly] flatter with their [silken] tongue.
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter,
But his heart was hostile;
His words were softer than oil,
Yet they were drawn swords.
There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise brings healing.
For their minds plot violence,
And their lips talk of trouble [for the innocent].
Evil » Way » General references to
The way of the [arrogant] fool [who rejects God’s wisdom] is right in his own eyes,
But a wise and prudent man is he who listens to counsel.
Whose paths are crooked,
And who are devious in their ways;
They do not know the way of peace,
And there is no justice in their tracks.
They have made them into crooked paths;
Whoever walks on them does not know peace.
There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him,
But its end is the way of death.
Good understanding wins favor [from others],
But the way of the unfaithful is hard [like barren, dry soil].
The way [of life] of the wicked is hateful and exceedingly offensive to the Lord,
But He loves one who pursues righteousness [personal integrity, moral courage and honorable character].
Evil » Activity » General references to
For the wicked cannot sleep unless they do evil;
And they are deprived of sleep unless they make someone stumble and fall.
A heart that creates wicked plans,
Feet that run swiftly to evil,
Their feet run to evil,
And they rush to shed innocent blood.
Their thoughts are thoughts of wickedness [of sin, of injustice, of wrongdoing];
Devastation and destruction are in their highways.
And plot evil on their beds!
When morning comes, they practice evil
Because it is in the power of their hands.
Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.
Verse Concepts
AlcoholAdversityevil, origins ofenemies, of believersBitingAttitudes Of WatchfulnessSatan, Titles ForLions, Figurative Use OfLionsPersecution, Nature OfReadinessSatan, As TempterSelf ControlSleep, SpiritualSpiritual Warfare, As ConflictSpiritual Warfare, Causes OfSpiritual Warfare, Enemies InWatchfulness, Of BelieversBeing PreparedSatan, Character Of
Evil » Slander » General references to
Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will silence;
The one who has a haughty look and a proud (arrogant) heart I will not tolerate.
“Let everyone beware of his neighbor
And do not trust any brother.
For every brother is a supplanter [like Jacob, a deceiver, ready to grab his brother’s heel],
And every neighbor goes around as a slanderer.
For I have heard the slander and whispering of many,
Terror is on every side;
While they schemed together against me,
They plotted to take away my life.
He who hides hatred has lying lips,
And he who spreads slander is a fool.
With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor,
But through knowledge and discernment the righteous will be rescued.
Experience (knowledge experimental) » General references to
I have been young and now I am old,
Yet I have not seen the righteous (those in right standing with God) abandoned
Or his descendants pleading for bread.
“With the aged [you say] is wisdom,
And with
“I thought age should speak,
And a multitude of years should teach wisdom.
I spoke with my heart, saying, “Behold, I have acquired great [human] wisdom and experience, more than all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has observed a wealth of [moral] wisdom and [scientific] knowledge.”
Fasting » General references to
And Jesus replied to them, “Can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.
But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth (mourning garment);
I humbled my soul with fasting,
And I prayed with my head bowed on my chest.
‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You do not see it?
Why have we humbled ourselves and You do not notice?’
Hear this [O Israel], on the day of your fast [when you should be grieving for your sins] you find something you desire [to do],
And you force your hired servants to work [instead of stopping all work, as the law teaches].
Though they fast, I will not hear their cry; and though they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them [because they are done as obligations, and not as acts of loving obedience]. Instead I will consume them by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence.”
“Speak to all the people of the land and to the priests, saying, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months these seventy years [that you were in exile], was it actually for Me that you fasted?
Feasts » General references to
Belshazzar the king [who was a descendant of Nebuchadnezzar] gave a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, and he was drinking his wine in the presence of the thousand [guests].
So they gathered them up, and they filled twelve large baskets with pieces from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.
So at that time Solomon held the feast, and all Israel with him, a great assembly, from the entrance of Hamath [on the northern border of Israel] to the Brook of Egypt [at Israel’s southern border], before the Lord our God, for seven days and seven more days [beyond the prescribed period for the Feast of Booths], fourteen days in all.
So they gave a supper for Him there. Martha was serving, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him.
Levi (Matthew) gave a great banquet for Him at his house; and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others who were reclining at the table with them.
But an opportune time [finally] came [for Herodias]. Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his officials (nobles, courtiers) and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.
So the king prepared a great feast for them; and when they had eaten and drunk he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the marauding bands of Aram did not come into the land of Israel again.
They were there with David for three days, eating and drinking, for their relatives had prepared for them.
When these days were completed, the king held a banquet for all the people who were present at the citadel in Susa [the capital], from the greatest [in importance] to the least, a seven-day feast in the courtyard of the garden of the king’s palace.
Then He said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter [of the banquet].” So they took it to him.
Fervour » Christ's zeal » General references to
For He [the Lord] put on righteousness like a coat of armor,
And salvation like a helmet on His head;
He put on garments of vengeance for clothing
And covered Himself with zeal [and great love for His people] as a cloak.
And He answered, “Why did you have to look for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”
His disciples remembered that it is written [in the Scriptures], “Zeal (love, concern) for Your house [and its honor] will consume Me.”
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to completely finish His work.
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with great power; and He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.
Verse Concepts
Fetters » General references to
So the Lord brought the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria against them, and they captured Manasseh with hooks [through his nose or cheeks] and bound him with bronze [chains] and took him to Babylon.
They slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, then put out the eyes of Zedekiah and bound him [hand and foot] with bronze fetters and brought him to Babylon.
Then the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with [two] bronze chains; and he was forced to be a grinder [of grain into flour at the mill] in the prison.
For he had often been bound with shackles [for the feet] and with chains, and he tore apart the chains and broke the shackles into pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue and tame him.
Fish » General references to
‘These you may eat, whatever is in the water: whatever has fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, these you may eat;
The birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.
And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat (starboard) and you will find some.” So they cast [the net], and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great catch of fish.
God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind; and God saw that it was good and He affirmed and sustained it.
God's Flock » General references to
I know that after I am gone, [false teachers like] ferocious wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;
He will protect His flock like a shepherd,
He will gather the lambs in His arm,
He will carry them in His bosom;
He will gently and carefully lead those nursing their young.
Verse Concepts
And the Lord their God shall save them on that day
As the flock of His people;
For they are like the [precious] jewels of a crown,
Displayed and glittering in His land.
Folly » Of men » General references to
Dead flies make the oil of the perfumer give off a foul odor; so a little foolishness [in one who is esteemed] outweighs wisdom and honor.
The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way,
But the foolishness of [shortsighted] fools is deceit.
Like a dog that returns to his vomit
Is a fool who repeats his foolishness.
This is the fate of those who are foolishly confident,
And of those after them who approve [and are influenced by] their words. Selah.
The mind of the intelligent and discerning seeks knowledge and eagerly inquires after it,
But the mouth of the [stubborn] fool feeds on foolishness.
He who answers before he hears [the facts]—
It is folly and shame to him.
Then I saw that [even secular] wisdom [that brings sorrow] is better than [the pleasures of] folly and self-indulgence as light excels darkness.
Spiritual food » General references to
“Why do you spend money for that which is not bread,
And your earnings for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight in
“Then [in the final time] I will give you [spiritual] shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and [true] understanding.
On this mountain [Zion] the Lord of hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples [to welcome His reign on earth],
A banquet of aged wines—choice pieces [flavored] with marrow,
Of refined, aged wines.
I will feed them in a good pasture, and their grazing ground will be on the mountain heights of Israel. There they will lie down on good grazing ground and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel.
And all [of them] ate the same spiritual (supernaturally given) food, And they all drank the same spiritual (supernaturally given) drink. For they drank from a spiritual Rock which followed them [produced by the sole power of God Himself without natural instrumentality], and the Rock was Christ.
Forsaking God » General references to
Then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations to which they will be exiled, how I have been broken by their lewdness and their adulterous hearts which have turned away from Me, and by their eyes which lust after their idols; and they will loathe themselves for the evils which they have committed, for all their repulsive acts.
For I was ashamed to request troops and horsemen from the king to protect us from the enemy along the way, because we had told the king, “The hand of our God is favorable toward all those who seek Him, but His power and His anger are against all those who abandon (turn away from) Him.”
“You have abandoned (rejected) Me,” says the Lord.
“You keep going backward.
Therefore I shall stretch out My hand against you and destroy you;
I am tired of delaying [your punishment]!
Abandoning the straight road [that is, the right way to live], they have gone astray; they have followed the way of [the false teacher] Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the reward of wickedness;
“For My people have committed two evils:
They have abandoned (rejected) Me,
The fountain of living water,
And they have carved out their own cisterns,
Broken cisterns
That cannot hold water.
and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him [inquiring for and of Him, as your soul’s first necessity], He will let you find Him; but if you abandon (turn away from) Him, He will abandon (turn away from) you.
I will speak My judgments against them for all the wickedness of those who have abandoned (rejected) Me, offered sacrifices or burned incense to other gods, and worshiped the [idolatrous] works of their own hands.
It will come about when your people say, ‘Why has the Lord our God done all these things to us?’ then you shall answer them, ‘As you have abandoned (rejected) Me,’ [says the Lord,] ‘and have served strange and foreign gods in your land, so you will serve strangers in a land that is not yours.’
Spiritual foundation » General references to
For this is contained in Scripture:“Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen stone, a precious (honored) Cornerstone,
And he who believes in Him [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] will never be disappointed [in his expectations].”
And he who believes in Him [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] will never be disappointed [in his expectations].”
Therefore the Lord God says this,
“Listen carefully, I am laying in Zion a Stone, a tested Stone,
A precious Cornerstone for the [secure] foundation, firmly placed.
He who believes [who trusts in, relies on, and adheres to that Stone] will notbe disturbed or give way [in sudden panic].
A precious Cornerstone for the [secure] foundation, firmly placed.
He who believes [who trusts in, relies on, and adheres to that Stone] will not
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the [chief] Cornerstone,
for no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ.
“O you afflicted [city], storm-tossed, and not comforted,
Listen carefully, I will set your [precious] stones in mortar,
And lay your foundations with sapphires.
In this way storing up for themselves the enduring riches of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God [which He has laid] stands [sure and unshaken despite attacks], bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord stand apart from wickedness and withdraw from wrongdoing.”
Friendship » General references to » Examples of true
Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram had always been a friend of David.
“I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
You have been a good friend to me.
Your
Than the love of women.
The Lord grant mercy to the family of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and showed me kindness [comforting and reviving me like fresh air] and he was not ashamed of my chains [for Christ’s sake];
However, I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, [who has been] my brother and companion and fellow soldier, who was also sent as your messenger to take care of my needs.
When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bonded to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself.
As soon as the boy was gone, David got up from the south side [beside the mound of stones] and fell on his face to the ground [in submission and respect], and bowed three times. Then they kissed one another and wept together, but David wept more.
So Hushai, David’s friend, returned to the city, and [at about the same time] Absalom came into Jerusalem.
my spirit could not rest because I did not find my brother Titus there; so saying goodbye to them, I left for Macedonia.
Friendship » General references to » Among believers
While they were talking and discussing it, Jesus Himself came up and began walking with them.
I am a companion of all who [reverently] fear You,
And of those who keep and honor Your precepts.
but if we [really] walk in the Light [that is, live each and every day in conformity with the precepts of God], as He Himself is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another [He with us, and we with Him], and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin [by erasing the stain of sin, keeping us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].
Then those who feared the Lord [with awe-filled reverence] spoke to one another; and the Lord paid attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who fear the Lord [with an attitude of reverence and respect] and who esteem His name.
They were continually and faithfully devoting themselves to the instruction of the apostles, and to fellowship, to eating meals together and to prayers.
that is, that we may be mutually encouraged and comforted by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
Verse Concepts
Fellowship, Among BelieversEdification, Means OfFriendship Among BelieversMaintaining FaithPeople Encouraging OthersEncouragementPeace And ComfortFaith And TrustSharingFriendship And LoveHope And FaithEncouraging One AnotherHaving FaithEncouraging OthersFriendship And TrustSupportTrust In Relationships
I thank my God in every remembrance of you,
[thanking God] for your participation and partnership [both your comforting fellowship and gracious contributions] in [advancing] the good news [regarding salvation] from the first day [you heard it] until now.
Verse Concepts
Friendship » General references to » Divine (of God)
O our God, did You not drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Your friend Abraham?
And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and this [faith] was credited to him [by God] as righteousness and as conformity to His will,” and he was called the friend of God.
And so the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses returned to the camp, his attendant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.
“With him I speak mouth to mouth [directly],
Clearly and openly and not in riddles;
And he beholds the form of the Lord.
Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?”
Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face,
Friendship » General references to » Christ's
Now Jesus loved and was concerned about Martha and her sister and Lazarus [and considered them dear friends].
Jesus wept. The Jews said, See how [tenderly] He loved him!
Friendship » General references to » Mary magdalene and other women
There were also numerous women there, looking on from a distance, who were of those who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him. Among them were Mary of Magdala, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.
Now after the Sabbath, near dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
Friendship » General references to » Jonathan
Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, for Jonathan loved him as himself.
But Ittai answered the king, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, most certainly wherever my lord the king may be, whether for death or life, there will your servant be also.”
Friendship » General references to » Profitable
Two are better than one, because they have a good [more satisfying] reward for their labor; For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
Friendship » General references to » Examples of constancy
Friendship » General references to » The desire for many friends, perilous
The man of too many friends [chosen indiscriminately] will be broken in pieces and come to ruin,
But there is a [true, loving] friend who [is reliable and] sticks closer than a brother.
Friendship » General references to » Old friends to be cherished
Do not abandon your own friend and your father’s friend,
And do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster.
Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.
Friendship » General references to » True, is unchangeable
A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.
Verse Concepts
Bad FriendsGood FriendsBest friendBad CounselAppreciationBad InfluenceAdversityBeing In LoveBeing A FriendIntimacyLoyaltyLove, For One AnotherFriendshipRelationshipsBrotherly LoveChoosing FriendsLove Between RelativesA Mans CharacterA Time For LoveCommunication In MarriageHard TimesFriends
Best FriendsFamily LoveSiblingsFriendship And LoveLove And FamilyFamily And FriendsRelationship TroublesStress And Hard TimesFamily ProblemsOvercoming Hard TimesFriendship KjvStaying Strong During Hard TimesFamily ConflictHardshipGetting Through Hard TimesFake FriendsBrothers LoveTrue FriendsSibling Loveproblemsoverworking
Friendship » General references to » Stimulating
As iron sharpens iron,
So one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion].
Friendship » General references to » Onesiphorus
The Lord grant mercy to the family of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and showed me kindness [comforting and reviving me like fresh air] and he was not ashamed of my chains [for Christ’s sake];
Friendship » General references to » Christ's pre-eminent
No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends. You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do.
Friendship » General references to » Priscilla and aquila
who risked their own necks [endangering their very lives] for my life. To them not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
Friendship » General references to » Elisha
And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to Bethel.” But Elisha replied, “As the Lord lives and as your soul lives, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.
Friendship » General references to » Thomas
Then Thomas, who was called Didymus (the twin), said to his fellow disciples, “Let us go too, that we may die with Him.”
Friendship » General references to » Christ
Now before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that His hour had come [and it was time] for Him to leave this world and return to the Father. Having [greatly] loved His own who were in the world, He loved them [and continuously loves them with His perfect love] to the end (eternally).
natural Fruit » General references to
When David was a little past the summit [of the Mount of Olives], behold, Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, met him with a team of saddled donkeys, and on them were two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a jug of wine.
Seeing a lone fig tree at the roadside, He went to it and found nothing but leaves on it; and He said to it, “Never again will fruit come from you.” And at once the fig tree withered.
So God said, “Let the earth sprout [tender] vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit according to (limited to, consistent with) their kind, whose seed is in them upon the earth”; and it was so.
Thus the Lord God showed me [a vision], and behold, there was a basket of [overripe] summer fruit.
Fruit, spiritual » General references to » Without defect
filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God [so that His glory may be both revealed and recognized].
(for the fruit [the effect, the result] of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
Fruit, spiritual » General references to » Many varieties of
But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [ that can bring a charge].
Fruit, spiritual » General references to » Produced in all periods of life
Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God. [Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love, and contentment].
Fruit, spiritual » General references to » Perennial
By the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will not fail. They shall bear every month because their water flows from the sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.”
Fruit, spiritual » General references to » Grown only upon good ground
Fruit, spiritual » General references to » The product of heavenly wisdom
But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile].
Gentleness » General references to
But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile].
The servant of the Lord must not participate in quarrels, but must be kind to everyone [even-tempered, preserving peace, and he must be], skilled in teaching, patient and tolerant when wronged.
not addicted to wine, not a bully nor quick-tempered and hot-headed, but gentle and considerate, free from the love of money [not greedy for wealth and its inherent power—financially ethical].
But we behaved gently when we were among you, like a devoted mother tenderly caring for her own children.
to slander or abuse no one, to be kind and conciliatory and gentle, showing unqualified consideration and courtesy toward everyone.
gideon » General references to
Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, and his son Gideon was beating wheat in the wine press [instead of the threshing floor] to [hide it and] save it from the Midianites.
Then the men of Ephraim took the two leaders of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb, and they killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and they killed Zeeb at the wine press of Zeeb, and pursued Midian; and they brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon from across the Jordan.
So he brought the people down to the water, and the Lord said to Gideon, “You shall separate everyone who laps the water with his tongue as a dog laps, as well as everyone who kneels down to drink.”
Then Gideon took ten men of his servants and did just as the Lord had told him; but because he was too afraid of his father’s household (relatives) and the men of the city to do it during daylight, he did it at night.
Then Gideon said to God, “If You are going to rescue Israel through me, as You have spoken,
So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, when the guards had just been changed, and they blew the trumpets and smashed the pitchers that were in their hands.
Then Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle by the ascent of Heres.
Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule [as king] over us, both you and your son, also your son’s son, for you have rescued us from the hand of Midian.”
Gideon the son of Joash died at a good advanced age and was buried in the tomb of Joash his father in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
God » Judgments of » General references to
“Then I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness against sorcerers, against adulterers, against perjurers, and against those who oppress the laborer in his wages and widows and the fatherless, and against those who turn away the alien [from his right], and those who do not fear Me [with awe-filled reverence],” says the Lord of hosts.
Verse Concepts
Your righteousness is like the mountains of God,
Your judgments are like the great deep.
O Lord, You preserve man and beast.
Therefore, say to the children of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will free you from their bondage. I will redeem and rescue you with an outstretched (vigorous, powerful) arm and with great acts of judgment [against Egypt].
With pestilence and with bloodshed I will enter into judgment with Gog; and I will rain on him torrents of rain with [great] hailstones, fire and brimstone on his hordes and on the many nations that are with him.
For I [the Lord] will pass through the land of Egypt on this night, and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and animal; against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments [exhibiting their worthlessness]. I am the Lord.
The Lord has made Himself known;
He executes judgment;
The wicked are trapped by the work of their own hands. Higgaion (meditation) Selah.
Thus I will execute judgment and punishment on Moab, and they will know [without any doubt] that I am the Lord.”
“I will make Pathros desolate,
Set fire to Zoan
And execute judgments and punishments on Thebes.
“And I will bring [and manifest] My glory among the nations; and all the nations will see My judgment and justice [in the punishment] which I have executed and My hand which I have laid on them.
God » Fatherhood of » General references to
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, “Abba! Father!”
If you address as Father, the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in [reverent] fear [of Him] and with profound respect for Him throughout the time of your stay on earth.
For [most certainly] You are our Father, even though Abraham [our ancestor] does not know us
And Israel does not acknowledge us.
You, O Lord, are [still] our Father,
Our Redeemer from everlasting is Your name.
Yet, O Lord, You are our Father;
We are the clay, and You our Potter,
And we all are the work of Your hand.
A father of the fatherless and a judge and protector of the widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.
Therefore David blessed the Lord in the sight of all the assembly and said, “Blessed (praised, adored, and thanked) are You, O Lord God of Israel (Jacob) our father, forever and ever.
God » Works of » General references to
When I see and consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have established,
And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,
“Great and wonderful and awe-inspiring are Your works [in judgment],
O Lord God, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all];
Righteous and true are Your ways,
O King of thenations!
“Great and wonderful and awe-inspiring are Your works [in judgment],
Righteous and true are Your ways,
O King of the
He has made His wonderful acts to be remembered;
The Lord is gracious and merciful and full of loving compassion.
And the expanse [of heaven] is declaring the work of His hands.
He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]—yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end.
That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving
And declare all Your wonders.
Many, O Lord my God, are the wonderful works which You have done,
And Your thoughts toward us;
There is none to compare with You.
If I would declare and speak of your wonders,
They would be too many to count.
I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
God » Wisdom of » General references to
This is my comfort in my affliction,
That Your word has revived me and given me life.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
“As for God, His way is blameless and perfect;
The word of the Lord is tested.
He is a shield to all those who take refuge and trust in Him.
The words and promises of the Lord are pure words,
Like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times.
Beth.
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts].
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts].
Jesus said to them, “Is this not why you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures [that teach the resurrection] nor the power of God [who is able to raise the dead]?
God » God's Judgments » Drought » General references to » Examples of
Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.”
“The ground is cracked
Because there has been no rain on the land;
The farmers are distressed,
And they have covered their heads [in shame].
O Lord, I cry out to You,
For fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness,
And the flame has burned up all the trees of the field.
“Furthermore, I withheld the rain from you
When there were still three months until the harvest.
Then I would send rain on one city,
And on another city I would not send rain;
One piece of ground was rained on,
While the part not rained on would dry up.
I called for a drought on the land and the hill country, on the grain, on the new wine, on the oil, on what the ground produces, on men, on cattle, and on all the labor of your hands.”
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours [with the same physical, mental, and spiritual limitations and shortcomings], and he prayed intensely for it not to rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.
God » Providence of » General references to
“Who provides prey for the raven
When its young cry to God
And wander about without food?
He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
God's Judgments » General references to
“Then I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness against sorcerers, against adulterers, against perjurers, and against those who oppress the laborer in his wages and widows and the fatherless, and against those who turn away the alien [from his right], and those who do not fear Me [with awe-filled reverence],” says the Lord of hosts.
Verse Concepts
Your righteousness is like the mountains of God,
Your judgments are like the great deep.
O Lord, You preserve man and beast.
Therefore, say to the children of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will free you from their bondage. I will redeem and rescue you with an outstretched (vigorous, powerful) arm and with great acts of judgment [against Egypt].
With pestilence and with bloodshed I will enter into judgment with Gog; and I will rain on him torrents of rain with [great] hailstones, fire and brimstone on his hordes and on the many nations that are with him.
For I [the Lord] will pass through the land of Egypt on this night, and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and animal; against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments [exhibiting their worthlessness]. I am the Lord.
The Lord has made Himself known;
He executes judgment;
The wicked are trapped by the work of their own hands. Higgaion (meditation) Selah.
Thus I will execute judgment and punishment on Moab, and they will know [without any doubt] that I am the Lord.”
“I will make Pathros desolate,
Set fire to Zoan
And execute judgments and punishments on Thebes.
“And I will bring [and manifest] My glory among the nations; and all the nations will see My judgment and justice [in the punishment] which I have executed and My hand which I have laid on them.
God's Judgments » Plagues » General references to
Nevertheless, those [Israelites] who died in the plague numbered 24,000.
Moses said to Aaron, “Take a censer and put fire in it from the altar and lay incense on it; then bring it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone forth from the Lord; the plague has begun!”
then the Lord will bring extraordinary plagues on you and your descendants, even severe and lasting plagues, and miserable and chronic sicknesses.
‘If then, you act with hostility toward Me and are unwilling to obey Me, I will increase the plague on you seven times in accordance with your sins.
even those [ten] men who brought back the very bad report of the land died by a plague before the Lord.
Gospel » General references to
dealing out [full and complete] vengeance to those who do not [seek to] know God and to those who ignore and refuse to obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus [by choosing not to respond to Him].
But I do not consider my life as something of value or dear to me, so that I may [with joy] finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify faithfully of the good news of God’s [precious, undeserved] grace [which makes us free of the guilt of sin and grants us eternal life].
Verse Concepts
for our good news [regarding salvation] came to you not only in word, but also in [its inherent] power and in the Holy Spirit and with great conviction [on our part]. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your benefit.
And He went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news (gospel) of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people [demonstrating and revealing that He was indeed the promised Messiah].
Only [be sure to] lead your lives in a manner [that will be] worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I do come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit [and one purpose], with one mind striving side by side [as if in combat] for the faith of the gospel.
Verse Concepts
If others share in this rightful claim over you, do not we even more? However, we did not exercise this right, but we put up with everything so that we will not hinder [the spread of] the good news of Christ.
But even if our gospel is [in some sense] hidden [behind a veil], it is hidden [only] to those who are perishing;
And pray for me, that words may be given to me when I open my mouth, to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news [of salvation],
greed » General references to
His sons, however, did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.
He who profits unlawfully brings suffering to his own house,
But he who hates bribes [and does not receive nor pay them] will live.
Her leaders pronounce judgment for a bribe,
Her priests teach for a fee,
And her prophets foretell for money;
Yet they lean on the Lord, saying,
“Is not the Lord among us?
No tragedy or distress will come on us.”
And the dogs are greedy; they
They are shepherds who have no understanding;
They have all turned to their own way,
Each one to his unlawful gain, without exception.
For the love of money [that is, the greedy desire for it and the willingness to gain it unethically] is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves [through and through] with many sorrows.
He craves all the day long [and does no work],
But the righteous [willingly] gives and does not withhold [what he has].
We will find and take all kinds of precious possessions,
We will fill our houses with spoil;
So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain;
Greed takes away the lives of its possessors.
Happiness » General references to
Blessed and favored by God is the man who fears [sin and its consequence] at all times,
But he who hardens his heart [and is determined to sin] will fall into disaster.
How blessed and favored are the people in such circumstance;
How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored] are the people whose God is the Lord!
Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained;
But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God].
He who despises his neighbor sins [against God and his fellow man],
But happy [blessed and favored by God] is he who is gracious and merciful to the poor.
He who pays attention to the word [of God] will find good,
And blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who trusts [confidently] in the Lord.
For you shall eat the fruit of [the labor of] your hands,
You will be happy and blessed and it will be well with you.
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired] is everyone who holds her tightly.
Harlots » General references to
You shall not bring the wages of a prostitute or the price of a dog [that is, a male prostitute] into the house of the Lord your God as payment for any vow, for both of these [the gift and the giver] are utterly repulsive to the Lord your God.
He may not marry a widow or a divorced woman or one who is profaned by prostitution, but he is to marry a virgin from his own people,
‘Do not profane your daughter by making her a prostitute, so that the land will not fall to prostitution and become full of wickedness.
Heathen » General references to
The Passover was eaten by the sons (descendants) of Israel (Jacob) who returned from exile and by all those who had separated themselves from the [ceremonial] uncleanness of the nations of the land to join them, in order to seek the Lord God of Israel.
Instead he walked in the way of the [idolatrous] kings of Israel, and even made his son pass through the fire [as a human sacrifice], in accordance with the repulsive [and idolatrous] practices of the [pagan] nations whom the Lord drove out before the Israelites.
The nations have sunk down in the pit which they have made;
In the net which they hid, their own foot has been caught.
And why do the people devise a vain and hopeless plot?
“And I will bring [and manifest] My glory among the nations; and all the nations will see My judgment and justice [in the punishment] which I have executed and My hand which I have laid on them.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter
And our tongue with joyful shouting;
Then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
and walked in the customs of the [pagan] nations whom the Lord had driven out before the sons (descendants) of Israel, and in the pagan customs of the kings of Israel which they had introduced.
The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
The work of men’s hands.
Heavenly » Father » General references to
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, “Abba! Father!”
If you address as Father, the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in [reverent] fear [of Him] and with profound respect for Him throughout the time of your stay on earth.
For [most certainly] You are our Father, even though Abraham [our ancestor] does not know us
And Israel does not acknowledge us.
You, O Lord, are [still] our Father,
Our Redeemer from everlasting is Your name.
Yet, O Lord, You are our Father;
We are the clay, and You our Potter,
And we all are the work of Your hand.
A father of the fatherless and a judge and protector of the widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.
Therefore David blessed the Lord in the sight of all the assembly and said, “Blessed (praised, adored, and thanked) are You, O Lord God of Israel (Jacob) our father, forever and ever.
Heredity » General references to
I was brought forth in [a state of] wickedness;
In sin my mother conceived me [and from my beginning I, too, was sinful].
The wicked are estranged from the womb;
These go astray from birth, speaking lies [even twisted partial truths].
keeping mercy and lovingkindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; but He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting (avenging) the iniquity (sin, guilt) of the fathers upon the children and the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations [that is, calling the children to account for the sins of their fathers].”
“You will not be united with them in burial,
Because you have destroyed your land,
You have slain your people.
May the descendants of evildoers never be named!
Our fathers sinned, and are no more;
It is
“What do you mean by using this proverb concerning the land of Israel,
‘The fathers eat sour grapes [they sin],
But the children’s teeth are set on edge’?
But the children’s teeth are set on edge’?
Those of you who are left will rot away because of their wickedness in the lands of your enemies; also because of the wickedness of their forefathers they will rot away like them.
Let us lie down in our shame, and let our dishonor and humiliation cover us; for we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers; from our youth even to this day we have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God.”
hezekiah » General references to
So Ahaz slept with his fathers [in death] and was buried with his fathers in the City of David; and his son Hezekiah became king in his place.
In those days [when Sennacherib first invaded Judah] Hezekiah became deathly ill. The prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not recover.’”
Now in the fourth year of King Hezekiah, which was the seventh of Hoshea the son of Elah king of Israel, Shalmaneser the king of Assyria went up against Samaria and besieged it.
They said to him, “Thus says Hezekiah, ‘This is a day of distress and anxiety, of punishment and humiliation; for children have come to [the time of their] birth and there is no strength to rescue them.
Hezekiah answered, “It is easy for the shadow to go forward ten steps; no, but let the shadow turn backward ten steps.”
Hezekiah slept with his fathers [in death], and Manasseh his son became king in his place.
Holiness » General references to
In that day there will be written on the little bells on the horses, “HOLY TO The Lord.” And the cooking pots in the Lord’s house will be [holy to the Lord] like the bowls before the altar.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Verse Concepts
CherishingDarkness, Deliverance FromAccess To God, In Old TestamentPraiseenlightenmentThe Church As The ElectChoicesBeing ChosenGod, Will OfWhat Heaven Will Be LikeHoliness, As Set Apart For GodHoliness, Believers' Growth InLight, SpiritualHeaven, Redeemed CommunityMission, Of IsraelPeople Of God, In NtPraise, Reasons ForPriesthood, In NtGod PossessingSpeech, Positive Aspects OfWitnessing, Importance OfWorship, Reasons For
The Call Of GodHeaven, Worshiping GodNames And Titles For The ChristianSpiritual Blindness, Removal OfCalling, Of ChristiansOld Testament People As TypesFrom Darkness To LightComing Out Of DarknessFew PriestsA Holy NationA Kingdom Of PriestsRoyal PriesthoodShowing Forth His PraiseElectLightUnconditional LoveRaceExcellenceroyaltypriestsLight As A Symbol Of Salvation
A highway will be there, and a roadway;
And it will be called the Holy Way.
The unclean will not travel on it,
But it will be for those who walk on the way [the redeemed];
And fools will not wander on it.
so that He may strengthen and establish your hearts without blame in holiness in the sight of our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints (God’s people).
They made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote on it an inscription, like the engravings of a signet, “Holy to the Lord.”
For our earthly fathers disciplined us for only a short time as seemed best to them; but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.
Holy » General references to » Ambition
But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal].And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one of the choicest graces and the highest of them all: unselfish love].
Pursue [this] love [with eagerness, make it your goal], yet earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual gifts [to be used by believers for the benefit of the church], but especially that you may prophesy [to foretell the future, to speak a new message from God to the people].
So it is with you, since you are so very eager to have spiritual gifts and manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in ways that will build up the church [spiritually].
I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.
Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.
Home » General references to
Jesus did not let him [come], but [instead] He said to him, “Go home to your family and tell them all the great things that the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.”
“When a man takes a new wife, he shall not go out [to fight] with the army nor be charged with any duty; he shall be free at home for one year and shall bring happiness to his wife whom he has taken.
But if a widow has children or grandchildren [who are adults], see to it that these first learn to show great respect to their own family [as their religious duty and natural obligation], and to compensate their parents or grandparents [for their upbringing]; for this is acceptable and pleasing in the sight of God.
Verse Concepts
Acceptance, From GodFaithfulness, In Human Relationshipsethics, personaldiscipleship, nature ofLearning From Other PeopleGrandchildrenGrandparentsHomeLove, And The WorldParentsPleasing GodPoverty, Remedies ForReligionRightsSanctity Of LifeYouthChildren, attitudes towardsWidows, Should BeChildren, Duties OfCaring For Children
Caring For ParentsLove Between RelativesHonouring ParentsPeople ProvidingChildren, responsibilities to GodFamiliesparentingRaising ChildrenWomen's RolesResponsibilityFamily FirstMotherhoodParenting ResponsibilitiesRespecting ParentsGrandmothersLeaving Parents For SpouseFathers Responsibilitiesparenthoodpiety
Then He said to the disciple (John), “Look! [here is] your mother [protect and provide for her]!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
to be sensible, pure, makers of a home [where God is honored], good-natured, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.
I left full [with a husband and two sons], but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?”
Home » Home Religion » Maternal and paternal love » General references to
If it is unacceptable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Humility of Christ » General references to
For there is [only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus,
The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son (descendant) of David, the son (descendant) of Abraham:
After He was found in [terms of His] outward appearance as a man [for a divinely-appointed time], He humbled Himself [still further] by becoming obedient [to the Father] to the point of death, even death on a cross.
But when [in God’s plan] the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the [regulations of the] Law,
Humility » Of Christ » General references to
Then He poured water into the basin and began washing the disciples’ feet and wiping them with the towel which was tied around His waist.
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!
Shout aloud, O Daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your King (Messianic King) is coming to you;
He is righteous and endowed with salvation,
Upon a colt, the foal of a donkey.
For you are recognizing [more clearly] the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [His astonishing kindness, His generosity, His gracious favor], that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich (abundantly blessed).
After He was found in [terms of His] outward appearance as a man [for a divinely-appointed time], He humbled Himself [still further] by becoming obedient [to the Father] to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Hunger » Select readings ps 42; 84 » General references to
One thing I have asked of the Lord, and that I will seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life,
To gaze upon the beauty [the delightful loveliness and majestic grandeur] of the Lord
And to meditate in His temple.
Whom have I in heaven [but You]?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
In the night my soul longs for You [O Lord],
Indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently;
For [only] when Your judgments are experienced on the earth
Will the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.
like newborn babies [you should] long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may be nurtured and grow in respect to salvation [its ultimate fulfillment],
All Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought Him with their whole heart, and He let them find Him. So the Lord gave them rest on every side.
My
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Lord, all my desire is before You;
And my sighing is not hidden from You.
I opened my mouth and panted [with anticipation],
Because I longed for Your commandments.
Hypocrisy » General references to
In the meantime, after so many thousands of the people had gathered that they were stepping on one another, Jesus began speaking first of all to His disciples, “Be continually on your guard against the leaven of the Pharisees [that is, their pervasive, corrupting influence and teaching], which is hypocrisy [producing self-righteousness].
They profess to know God [to recognize and be acquainted with Him], but by their actions they deny and disown Him. They are detestable and disobedient and worthless for good work of any kind.
[misled] by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared as with a branding iron [leaving them incapable of ethical functioning],
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he [in behavior—one who manipulates].
He says to you, “Eat and drink,”
Yet his heart is not with you [but it is begrudging the cost].
When he speaks graciously and kindly [to conceal his malice], do not trust him,
For seven abominations are in his heart.
Ignorance » Spiritual » General references to
“The ox [instinctively] knows its owner,
And the donkey its master’s feeding trough,
But Israel does not know [Me as Lord],
My people do not understand.”
for their [moral] understanding is darkened and their reasoning is clouded; [they are] alienated and self-banished from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of the [willful] ignorance and spiritual blindness that is [deep-seated] within them, because of the hardness and insensitivity of their heart.
Verse Concepts
Spiritual DeathDarkness, As A Symbol Of SinFall Of Man, Consequences OfCommunicationGod, Revelation OfHardness Of HeartHeart, Fallen And RedeemedLonelinessReconciliation, Of The World To GodSalvation, Necessity And Basis OfStubbornness, Consequences OfUnbelief, Nature And Effects OfVeilsApathyCharacter Of WickedNations DescribedIgnorance Towards God, Leads ToInsensibilityEstrangement
[Live] as obedient children [of God]; do not be conformed to the evil desires which governed you in your ignorance [before you knew the requirements and transforming power of the good news regarding salvation].
For they do not know how to do right,” says the Lord, “these who store up violence and devastation [like treasures] in their strongholds.”
“But they (Gentile nations) do not know the thoughts of the Lord,
Nor do they understand His purpose and plan;
For He has gathered them (Gentiles) like sheaves to the threshing floor [for destruction].
They do not know the way of peace,
And there is no justice in their tracks.
They have made them into crooked paths;
Whoever walks on them does not know peace.
Then I said, “[Surely] these are only the poor (uneducated);
They are [sinfully] foolish and have no [spiritual] understanding,
For they do not know the way of the Lord
Or the ordinance of their God [and the requirements of His just and righteous law].
For not knowing about God’s righteousness [which is based on faith], and seeking to establish their own [righteousness based on works], they did not submit to God’s righteousness.
Images » False gods and Goddesses » General references to
They drank the wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.
You know that when you were pagans, you were led off after speechless idols; however you were led off [whether by impulse or habit].
“Has a nation [ever] changed gods
Even though they were not gods [but merely man-made objects]?
But My people have exchanged their Glory (the true God)
For that [man-made idol] which does not benefit [them].
Then the cities of Judah and the people of Jerusalem will go and cry to the [man-made] gods to whom they burn incense, but they cannot save them in the time of their disaster.
Their land has also been filled with idols;
They worship the work of their hands,
That which their own fingers have made.
But at that time, when you did not know [the true] God and were unacquainted with Him, you [Gentiles] were slaves to those [pagan] things which by [their very] nature were not and could not be gods at all.
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords,
Immortality » General references to
For we know that if the earthly tent [our physical body] which is our house is torn down [through death], we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
but now [that extraordinary purpose and grace] has been fully disclosed and realized by us through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus who [through His incarnation and earthly ministry] abolished death [making it null and void] and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
Then we who are alive and remain [on the earth] will simultaneously be caught up (raptured) together with them [the resurrected ones] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord!
to those who by persistence in doing good seek [unseen but certain heavenly] glory, honor, and immortality, [He will give the gift of] eternal life.
For this perishable [part of us] must put on the imperishable [nature], and this mortal [part of us that is capable of dying] must put on immortality [which is freedom from death].
Impurity » General references to
Marriage is to be held in honor among all [that is, regarded as something of great value], and the marriage bed undefiled [by immorality or by any sexual sin]; for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
Verse Concepts
AdulterersAdultery and DivorceFaithfulness, In Human RelationshipsAdultery, Consequences OfAdultery, Results OfBeing A HusbandImmorality, Nature Of SexualLaw, Ten CommandmentsLove, In RelationshipsSex Within MarriageMotives, Importance OfPurity, Moral And SpiritualSeductionSexualitySexual Sin, Nature OfSleep, PhysicalMarriageBedsSexual ChastityDesign Of MarriageImpurityCohabitationSexual Relationships
PornographyCourtingHealthy MarriagesHonour The HonourableReasons To Wait For MarriageAbusive RelationshipsAdultery In The ChurchSexual Immorality Brings PunishmentDefilementsexSexual ImmoralityBeing GayGay MarriageSex Before MarriageInfidelitySame Sex MarriageSexual Puritycouplesmarraigeadultrymatrimonyjournaling
So put to death and deprive of power the evil longings of your earthly body [with its sensual, self-centered instincts] immorality, impurity, sinful passion, evil desire, and greed, which is [a kind of] idolatry [because it replaces your devotion to God].
Verse Concepts
GluttonyLicentiousnessCovetingFornicationAdultery, SpiritualBodily LimbsBaptism, significance ofdesiresThe Sin NatureGreed, Believers' Response ToLustLove, In RelationshipsSexual AberrationsSelf DenialMisersMortificationOpposition, To Sin And EvilPurity, Moral And SpiritualSelf DisciplineSelf IndulgenceSexualitySin, Avoidance OfSpiritual Warfare, Enemies InLasciviousness
Sexual ChastityCovetousness, Nature ofIdolatry Consists OfAppetite, SexualImpuritySexual RelationshipsCrucifying Our FleshEvil PassionsDeath To SelfAffection, EvilDead To SinEvil DesiresIdolatryAvoid ImmoralityNature Of IdolatryCovetousnessAffectionsexGreedMoviesSexual ImmoralityPassionBeing GaySexual Purity
and especially those who indulge in the corrupt passions of the sin nature, and despise authority. Presumptuous and reckless, self-willed and arrogant [creatures, despising the majesty of the Lord], they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties,
And they, [the ungodly in their spiritual apathy], having become callous and unfeeling, have given themselves over [as prey] to unbridled sensuality, eagerly craving the practice of every kind of impurity [that their desires may demand].
For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness [to be dedicated, and set apart by behavior that pleases Him, whether in public or in private].
But sexual immorality and all [moral] impurity [indecent, offensive behavior] or greed must not even be hinted at among you, as is proper among saints [for as believers our way of life, whether in public or in private, reflects the validity of our faith].
I am speaking in [familiar] human terms because of your natural limitations [your spiritual immaturity]. For just as you presented your bodily members as slaves to impurity and to [moral] lawlessness, leading to further lawlessness, so now offer your members [your abilities, your talents] as slaves to righteousness, leading to sanctification [that is, being set apart for God’s purpose].
Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their own hearts to [sexual] impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them [abandoning them to the degrading power of sin],
Inheritance » Earthly » General references to
and they said, “The Lord commanded my lord [Moses] to give the land by lot to the sons of Israel as an inheritance, and my lord was commanded by the Lord to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother to his daughters.
They came before Eleazar the priest and before Joshua the son of Nun and before the leaders and said, “The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers.” So according to the command of the Lord Joshua gave them an inheritance among their father’s brothers.
Then the second lot fell to Simeon, to the tribe of the sons of Simeon according to their families (clans), and their inheritance was within the inheritance of the sons of Judah.
And when Joshua had sent the people away, the [tribes of the] Israelites went each to his inheritance, to take possession of the land.
The closest relative (redeemer) said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, because [by marrying a Moabitess] I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption (purchase) yourself, because I cannot redeem it.”
Then Hanamel my uncle’s son came to me in the court of the guard in accordance with the word of the Lord, and he said to me, ‘Please buy my field that is at Anathoth, which is in the land of Benjamin, for you have the right of inheritance and the redemption is yours; buy it for yourself.’ Then I knew that this was the word of the Lord.
Insecurity of the wicked » General references to
Therefore this wickedness [this sin, this injustice, this wrongdoing] will be to you
Like a crack [in a wall] about to fall,
A bulge in a high wall,
Whose collapse comes suddenly in an instant,
Give glory to the Lord your God,
Before He brings darkness
And before your feet stumble
On the dark and shadowy mountains,
And while you are longing for light
He turns it into the shadow of death,
And makes it into thick darkness.
Surely You set the wicked-minded and immoral on slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
And you will be [as unsteady] as one who lies down in the middle of the sea,
And [as vulnerable to disaster] as one who lies down on the top of a ship’s mast, saying,
“Therefore their way will be to them like slippery paths
In the dark; they will be pushed and fall into them;
For I will bring disaster on them,
In the year of their punishment,” says the Lord.
Because, even because they have seduced My people, saying, Peace, when there is no peace, and because when one builds a [flimsy] wall, behold, [these prophets] daub it over with whitewash, Say to them who daub it with whitewash that it shall fall! There shall be a downpour of rain; and you, O great hailstones, shall fall, and a violent wind shall tear apart [the whitewashed, flimsy wall].
And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them will be like a stupid (foolish) man who built his house upon the sand. And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell -- "and great and complete was the fall of it.
Israel » Judges of » General references to
“Then I commanded your judges at that time, saying, ‘Hear the matters between your brothers [your fellow countrymen], and judge righteously and fairly between a man and his brother, or the stranger (resident alien, foreigner) who is with him.
He used to go annually on a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these places.
If one man does wrong and sins against another, God will intercede (arbitrate) for him; but if a man does wrong to the Lord, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to their father, for it was the Lord’s will to put them to death.
“You shall appoint judges and officers in all your cities (gates) which the Lord your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.
“If there is a controversy between men, and they go to court, and the judges decide [the issue] between them, and they judge in favor of the innocent and condemn the guilty,
Now the next day Moses sat to judge [the disputes] the people [had with one another], and the people stood around Moses from dawn to dusk.
saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and had no respect for man.
Jerubbaal » General references to
Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, and his son Gideon was beating wheat in the wine press [instead of the threshing floor] to [hide it and] save it from the Midianites.
Then the men of Ephraim took the two leaders of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb, and they killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and they killed Zeeb at the wine press of Zeeb, and pursued Midian; and they brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon from across the Jordan.
So he brought the people down to the water, and the Lord said to Gideon, “You shall separate everyone who laps the water with his tongue as a dog laps, as well as everyone who kneels down to drink.”
Then Gideon took ten men of his servants and did just as the Lord had told him; but because he was too afraid of his father’s household (relatives) and the men of the city to do it during daylight, he did it at night.
Then Gideon said to God, “If You are going to rescue Israel through me, as You have spoken,
So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, when the guards had just been changed, and they blew the trumpets and smashed the pitchers that were in their hands.
Then Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle by the ascent of Heres.
Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule [as king] over us, both you and your son, also your son’s son, for you have rescued us from the hand of Midian.”
Gideon the son of Joash died at a good advanced age and was buried in the tomb of Joash his father in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
Jerusalem » General references to
Then it happened in the spring, at the time when the kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all [the fighting men of] Israel, and they destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.
So she came to Jerusalem with a very large caravan (entourage), with camels carrying spices, a great quantity of gold, and precious stones. When she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about everything that was on her mind [to discover the extent of his wisdom].
David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, let us flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom! Go in haste, or he will overtake us quickly and bring disaster on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”
The time that David reigned over Israel was forty years: he reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.
Now the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, “You shall not enter here, for the blind and the lame [even the weakest among us] will turn you away”; they thought, “David cannot come in here [because the walls are impenetrable].”
When Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had captured Ai, and had utterly destroyed it—as he had done to Jericho and its king, so he had done to Ai and its king—and that the residents of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were [living] among them,
But the man was not willing to stay the night; so he got up and left and came to a place opposite Jebus (that is Jerusalem). With him were two saddled donkeys [and his servant] and his concubine.
Then David came to his house (palace) at Jerusalem, and the king took the ten women, his concubines whom he had left to take care of the house, and placed them under guard and provided for them, but did not go in to them. So they were confined, and lived as widows until the day of their death.
Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers’ households of the sons of Israel, to King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the City of David, which is Zion.
Jewels » General references to
Then all whose hearts moved them, both men and women, came and brought brooches, earrings or nose rings, signet rings, and necklaces, all jewels of gold; everyone bringing an offering of gold to the Lord.
So we have brought as an offering to the Lord what each man obtained—articles of gold, armlets, bracelets, signet rings, earrings, necklaces—to make atonement for ourselves before the Lord.”
I will rejoice greatly in the Lord,
My soul will exult in my God;
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation,
He has covered me with a robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom puts on a
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Then the servant brought out jewelry of silver, jewelry of gold, and articles of clothing, and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave precious things to her brother and her mother.
But every woman shall [insistently] ask her neighbor and any woman who lives in her house, for articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons and daughters. In this way you are to plunder the Egyptians [leaving bondage with great possessions that are rightfully yours].”
Joy » Earthly » General references to
Even in laughter the heart may be in pain,
And the end of joy may be grief.
That the triumphing of the wicked is short,
And the joy of the godless is only for a moment?
Whatever my eyes looked at with desire I did not refuse them. I did not withhold from my heart any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor; and this was my reward for all my labor.
For like the crackling of [burning] thorn bushes under a pot,
So is the laughter of the fool;
And this too is vanity (futility).
Gladness and joy are taken away from the fruitful field;
In the vineyards there will be no singing or joyful sound;
No treader treads out wine in the presses,
For I (God) put an end to the joyful shouting.
Be miserable and grieve and weep [over your sin]. Let your [foolish] laughter be turned to mourning and your [reckless] joy to gloom.
Judges of israel » General references to
“Then I commanded your judges at that time, saying, ‘Hear the matters between your brothers [your fellow countrymen], and judge righteously and fairly between a man and his brother, or the stranger (resident alien, foreigner) who is with him.
He used to go annually on a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these places.
If one man does wrong and sins against another, God will intercede (arbitrate) for him; but if a man does wrong to the Lord, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to their father, for it was the Lord’s will to put them to death.
“You shall appoint judges and officers in all your cities (gates) which the Lord your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.
“If there is a controversy between men, and they go to court, and the judges decide [the issue] between them, and they judge in favor of the innocent and condemn the guilty,
Now the next day Moses sat to judge [the disputes] the people [had with one another], and the people stood around Moses from dawn to dusk.
saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and had no respect for man.
Judgment » Last, the » General references to
then [in light of the fact that all this is true, be sure that] the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial, and how to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment,
It was of these people, moreover, that Enoch in the seventh [generation] from Adam prophesied when he said, Behold, the Lord comes with His myriads of holy ones (ten thousands of His saints) To execute judgment upon all and to convict all the impious (unholy ones) of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed [in such an] ungodly [way], and of all the severe (abusive, jarring) things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.
In this [union and fellowship with Him], love is completed and perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him]; because as He is, so are we in this world.
And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the Book of Life; and the dead were judged according to what they had done as written in the books [that is, everything done while on earth].
For we [believers will be called to account and] must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be repaid for what has been done in the body, whether good or bad [that is, each will be held responsible for his actions, purposes, goals, motives—the use or misuse of his time, opportunities and abilities].
And just as it is appointed and destined for all men to die once and after this [comes certain] judgment,
But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly people.
When the Son of Man comes in His glory (His majesty and splendor), and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them [the people] from one another as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats;
spiritual Kingdom » General references to
Jesus answered, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God.
Jesus replied, “My kingdom is not of this world [nor does it have its origin in this world]. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would be fighting [hard] to keep Me from being handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this world.”
Now I say this, believers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit nor be part of the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable (mortal) inherit the imperishable (immortal).
for the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [what one likes], but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
For the kingdom of God is not based on talk but on power.
Knowledge » Knowledge, experimental » General references to
I have been young and now I am old,
Yet I have not seen the righteous (those in right standing with God) abandoned
Or his descendants pleading for bread.
“With the aged [you say] is wisdom,
And with
“I thought age should speak,
And a multitude of years should teach wisdom.
I spoke with my heart, saying, “Behold, I have acquired great [human] wisdom and experience, more than all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has observed a wealth of [moral] wisdom and [scientific] knowledge.”
experimental Knowledge » General references to
I have been young and now I am old,
Yet I have not seen the righteous (those in right standing with God) abandoned
Or his descendants pleading for bread.
“With the aged [you say] is wisdom,
And with
“I thought age should speak,
And a multitude of years should teach wisdom.
I spoke with my heart, saying, “Behold, I have acquired great [human] wisdom and experience, more than all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has observed a wealth of [moral] wisdom and [scientific] knowledge.”
Leaders » Garments of prophets » General references to
So they got up early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe and trust in the Lord your God and you will be established (secure). Believe and trust in His prophets and succeed.”
“Do not touch My anointed ones,
And do My prophets no harm.”
for when Jezebel destroyed the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave, and provided them with bread and water.)
And they took offense at Him [refusing to believe in Him]. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.”
But they kept mocking the messengers of God and despising His words and scoffing at His prophets until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, until there was no remedy or healing.
And He said,
“Hear now My words:
If there is a prophet among you,
I the Lord will make Myself known to him in a vision
And I will speak to him in a dream.
If there is a prophet among you,
I the Lord will make Myself known to him in a vision
And I will speak to him in a dream.
Surely the Lord God does nothing
To His servants the prophets.
Now when all who knew Saul previously saw that he actually prophesied now [by inspiration] with the prophets, the people said one to another, “What has happened to [Saul, who is nobody but] the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”
We do not see our symbols;
There is no longer any prophet [to guide us],
Nor does any among us know for how long.
Leaders » Religious priests » General references to
Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over [the river] ahead of the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went on ahead of the people.
Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as peace offerings to the Lord.
The priests went into the inner part of the house of the Lord to cleanse it, and every unclean thing they found in the temple of the Lord they brought out to the courtyard of the Lord’s house. Then the Levites received it to take out to the Kidron Valley [for disposal].
Now Jethro (Reuel), the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel His people, and that the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt.
Further, the priests and the Levites who were in all Israel took their stand with Rehoboam from all their districts.
Life » Eternal » General references to
But now since you have been set free from sin and have become [willing] slaves to God, you have your benefit, resulting in sanctification [being made holy and set apart for God’s purpose], and the outcome [of this] is eternal life.
In this way storing up for themselves the enduring riches of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
and keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously and looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ [which will bring you] to eternal life.
Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake (resurrect), these to everlasting life, but some to disgrace and everlasting contempt (abhorrence).
based on the hope and divine guarantee of eternal life, [the life] which God, who is ever truthful and without deceit, promised before the ages of time began,
This is the promise which He Himself promised us—eternal life.
to those who by persistence in doing good seek [unseen but certain heavenly] glory, honor, and immortality, [He will give the gift of] eternal life.
Eternal life » General references to
But now since you have been set free from sin and have become [willing] slaves to God, you have your benefit, resulting in sanctification [being made holy and set apart for God’s purpose], and the outcome [of this] is eternal life.
In this way storing up for themselves the enduring riches of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
and keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously and looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ [which will bring you] to eternal life.
Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake (resurrect), these to everlasting life, but some to disgrace and everlasting contempt (abhorrence).
based on the hope and divine guarantee of eternal life, [the life] which God, who is ever truthful and without deceit, promised before the ages of time began,
This is the promise which He Himself promised us—eternal life.
to those who by persistence in doing good seek [unseen but certain heavenly] glory, honor, and immortality, [He will give the gift of] eternal life.
Light, spiritual » General references to
And if you offer yourself to [assist] the hungry
And satisfy the
Then your light will rise in darkness
And your gloom will become like midday.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Verse Concepts
CherishingDarkness, Deliverance FromAccess To God, In Old TestamentPraiseenlightenmentThe Church As The ElectChoicesBeing ChosenGod, Will OfWhat Heaven Will Be LikeHoliness, As Set Apart For GodHoliness, Believers' Growth InLight, SpiritualHeaven, Redeemed CommunityMission, Of IsraelPeople Of God, In NtPraise, Reasons ForPriesthood, In NtGod PossessingSpeech, Positive Aspects OfWitnessing, Importance OfWorship, Reasons For
The Call Of GodHeaven, Worshiping GodNames And Titles For The ChristianSpiritual Blindness, Removal OfCalling, Of ChristiansOld Testament People As TypesFrom Darkness To LightComing Out Of DarknessFew PriestsA Holy NationA Kingdom Of PriestsRoyal PriesthoodShowing Forth His PraiseElectLightUnconditional LoveRaceExcellenceroyaltypriestsLight As A Symbol Of Salvation
For with You is the fountain of life [the fountain of life-giving water];
In Your light we see light.
“For You, O Lord, are my lamp;
The Lord illumines and dispels my darkness.
Lions » General references to
But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock,
Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother [to arrange the marriage], and they came as far as the vineyards of Timnah; and suddenly, a young lion came roaring toward him.
Now when he had gone, a lion met him by the road and killed him, and his body was thrown in the road, with the donkey standing beside it; the lion was also standing beside the body.
Then the king arose at dawn, at the break of day, and hurried to the den of lions.
Living water » Eze 47; re 22 » General references to
And you who have no money come, buy grain and eat.
Come, buy wine and milk
Without money and without cost [simply accept it as a gift from God].
“They will not hunger or thirst,
Nor will the scorching heat or sun strike them down;
For He who has compassion on them will lead them,
And He will guide them to springs of water.
O Lord, the hope of Israel,
All who abandon You will be shamed.
Those who turn away on earth will be written down,
Because they have abandoned the Lord, the fountain of living waters.
“You are a fountain in a garden,
A well of fresh and living water,
And streams flowing from Lebanon.”
Long life » Old age ps 71; ec 12 » General references to
As for you, you shall [die and] go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age.
Love » Brotherly » General references to
And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should also [unselfishly] love his brother and seek the best for him.
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love [for others growing out of God’s love for me], then I have become only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction].
Hatred stirs up strife,
But love covers and overwhelms all transgressions [forgiving and overlooking another’s faults].
For you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness), but through love serve and seek the best for one another.
Verse Concepts
Freedom, Abuse Of ChristianAdventureCommitment, to God's peopleLove, For One AnotherLove, Nature OfMinistry, In The ChurchSelf IndulgenceService To GodSlavery, SpiritualUnselfishnessCarnalityAbuse, Of Christian FreedomLove To Others Shown InCalling, Of ChristiansCalling, The Goals Of4th of julyBrotherly LoveAnarchyAgape LoveLiving For The Material
And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more [displaying itself in greater depth] in real knowledge and in practical insight,
Now concerning brotherly love, you have no need for anyone to write you, for you have been [personally] taught by God to love one another [that is, to have an unselfish concern for others and to do things for their benefit].
Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others].
The one who loves and unselfishly seeks the best for his [believing] brother lives in the Light, and in him there is no occasion for stumbling or offense [he does not hurt the cause of Christ or lead others to sin].
Man's » Immortality » General references to
For we know that if the earthly tent [our physical body] which is our house is torn down [through death], we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
but now [that extraordinary purpose and grace] has been fully disclosed and realized by us through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus who [through His incarnation and earthly ministry] abolished death [making it null and void] and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
Then we who are alive and remain [on the earth] will simultaneously be caught up (raptured) together with them [the resurrected ones] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord!
to those who by persistence in doing good seek [unseen but certain heavenly] glory, honor, and immortality, [He will give the gift of] eternal life.
For this perishable [part of us] must put on the imperishable [nature], and this mortal [part of us that is capable of dying] must put on immortality [which is freedom from death].
Meekness » General references to » Promises concerning
But with righteousness and justice He will judge the poor,
And decide with fairness for the downtrodden of the earth;
And He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth,
And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.
The afflicted also will increase their joy in the Lord,
And the needy of mankind will rejoice and celebrate in the Holy One of Israel.
But the humble will [at last] inherit the land
And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity and peace.
The afflicted will eat and be satisfied;
Those who [diligently] seek Him and require Him [as their greatest need] will praise the Lord.
May your hearts live forever!
The Lord lifts up the humble;
He casts the wicked down to the ground.
For the Lord takes pleasure in His people;
He will beautify the humble with salvation.
Meekness » General references to » A fruit of the Spirit
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual [that is, you who are responsive to the guidance of the Spirit] are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness [not with a sense of superiority or self-righteousness], keeping a watchful eye on yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.
with all humility [forsaking self-righteousness], and gentleness [maintaining self-control], with patience, bearing with one another in [unselfish] love.
Verse Concepts
Attitudes, to other peopleLove, For One AnotherLove, Nature OfHumilityMinistry, In The ChurchTemperUnselfishnessViolenceLove To Others Shown InForbearanceBrotherly LoveAgape LoveThe Gentleness Of God's PeopleBe Humble!Be Patient!GentlenessLove Fellow Christians!Communication In MarriageUnitySuffering
But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [ that can bring a charge].
Meekness » General references to » Essential in teaching
to slander or abuse no one, to be kind and conciliatory and gentle, showing unqualified consideration and courtesy toward everyone.
He must correct those who are in opposition with courtesy and gentleness in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and be led to the knowledge of the truth [accurately understanding and welcoming it],
Meekness » General references to » Essential in hearing
Who among you is wise and intelligent? Let him by his good conduct show his [good] deeds with the gentleness and humility of true wisdom.
So get rid of all uncleanness and all that remains of wickedness, and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save your souls.
Meekness » General references to » To be sought
Seek the Lord [search diligently for Him and regard Him as the foremost necessity of your life],
All you humble of the land
Who have practiced His ordinances and have kept His commandments;
Seek righteousness, seek humility [regard them as vital].
Perhaps you will be hidden [and pardoned and rescued]
In the day of the Lord’s anger.
Meekness » General references to » Precious in God's sight
but let it be [the inner beauty of] the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, [one that is calm and self-controlled, not overanxious, but serene and spiritually mature] which is very precious in the sight of God.
Meekness » General references to » Non-resistance a mark of
Mephibosheth » General references to
Then the king said to Ziba, “Behold, everything that belonged to Mephibosheth is [now] yours.” Ziba said, “I bow down [in honor and gratitude]; let me find favor in your sight, O my lord the king.”
Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son whose feet were crippled. He was five years old when the news [of the deaths] of Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. And the boy’s nurse picked him up and fled; but it happened that while she was hurrying to flee, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.
Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David and fell face down and lay himself down [in respect]. David said, “Mephibosheth.” And he answered, “Here is your servant!”
Meteorology » Whirlwind » General references to
As I looked, I saw a stormy wind coming out of the north, a great cloud with fire flashing continually from it; and a brightness was around it, and in its core [there was] something like glowing [amber-colored] metal in the midst of the fire.
When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal.
“Out of its chamber comes the storm,
And cold from the north wind.
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,
Before your cooking pots can feel the fire of thorns [burning under them as fuel],
He will sweep them away with a whirlwind, the green and the burning ones alike.
Mocking » General references to
The eye that mocks a father
And scorns a mother,
The ravens of the valley will pick it out,
And the young vultures will devour it.
“Of whom do you make fun?
Against whom do you open wide your mouth
And stick out your tongue?
Are you not children of rebellion (sin),
Offspring of deceit,
Whoever mocks the poor taunts his Maker,
And he who rejoices at [another’s] disaster will not go unpunished.
They used to say to you, “In the last days there will be scoffers, following after their own ungodly passions.”
Mourning » General references to
Then David said to Joab and to all the people with him, “Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.” And King David walked behind the bier.
Now forty days were required for this, for that is the customary number of days [of preparation] required for embalming. And the Egyptians wept and grieved for him [in public mourning as they would for royalty] for seventy days.
When all the congregation saw that Aaron had died, all the house of Israel wept (mourned) for him thirty days.
So the sons of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab for thirty days; then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.
They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and Jonathan his son, and for the Lord’s people and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword [in battle].
Music » Musicians » General references to
His brother’s name was Jubal; he became the father of all those [musicians] who play the lyre and flute.
The men did the work faithfully with foremen over them to supervise and inspect [their work]: Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites of the sons of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam of the sons of the Kohathites, and the Levites, all who were skillful with musical instruments.
Let our lord now command your servants who are here before you to find a man who plays skillfully on the harp; and when the evil spirit from God is on you, he shall play the harp with his hand, and you will be well.”
So their number [who led the remainder of the 4,000], with their relatives who were trained in singing to the Lord, all who were skillful, was 288.
Musicians » General references to
His brother’s name was Jubal; he became the father of all those [musicians] who play the lyre and flute.
The men did the work faithfully with foremen over them to supervise and inspect [their work]: Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites of the sons of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam of the sons of the Kohathites, and the Levites, all who were skillful with musical instruments.
Let our lord now command your servants who are here before you to find a man who plays skillfully on the harp; and when the evil spirit from God is on you, he shall play the harp with his hand, and you will be well.”
So their number [who led the remainder of the 4,000], with their relatives who were trained in singing to the Lord, all who were skillful, was 288.
Nearness to God » General references to
The Lord is near to all who call on Him,
To all who call on Him in truth (without guile).
This was so that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grasp for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.
The Lord is near to the heartbroken
And He saves those who are crushed in spirit (contrite in heart, truly sorry for their sin).
Verse Concepts
I have set the Lord continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
You are near, O Lord,
And all Your commandments are truth.
He who declares Me in the right is near;
Who will [dare to] contend with Me?
Let us stand up to each other;
Who is My adversary?
Let him approach Me.
the Needy » General references to
For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor in your land.’
“But I will leave among you
A humble and lowly people,
And they will take refuge and trust confidently in the name of the Lord.
Old age » General references to » Devoid of pleasure
Remember [thoughtfully] also your Creator in the days of your youth [for you are not your own, but His], before the evil days come or the years draw near when you will say [of physical pleasures], “I have no enjoyment and delight in them”;
Old age » General references to » Of the righteous, honourable
The silver-haired head is a crown of splendor and glory;
It is found in the way of righteousness.
Old age » General references to » Promised to abraham
As for you, you shall [die and] go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age.
Old age » General references to » Rules of conduct for
Urge the older men to be temperate, venerable (serious), sensible, self-controlled, and sound in the faith, in the love, and in the steadfastness and patience [of Christ]. Bid the older women similarly to be reverent and devout in their deportment as becomes those engaged in sacred service, not slanderers or slaves to drink. They are to give good counsel and be teachers of what is right and noble,
Old age » General references to » Divine presence in
Even to your old age I am He,
And even to your advanced old age I will carry you!
I have made you, and I will carry you;
Be assured I will carry you and I will save you.
Old age » General references to » Prayer concerning
Do not cast me off nor send me away in the time of old age;
Do not abandon me when my strength fails and I am weak.
Ornaments » Jewels » General references to
Then all whose hearts moved them, both men and women, came and brought brooches, earrings or nose rings, signet rings, and necklaces, all jewels of gold; everyone bringing an offering of gold to the Lord.
So we have brought as an offering to the Lord what each man obtained—articles of gold, armlets, bracelets, signet rings, earrings, necklaces—to make atonement for ourselves before the Lord.”
I will rejoice greatly in the Lord,
My soul will exult in my God;
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation,
He has covered me with a robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom puts on a
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Then the servant brought out jewelry of silver, jewelry of gold, and articles of clothing, and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave precious things to her brother and her mother.
But every woman shall [insistently] ask her neighbor and any woman who lives in her house, for articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons and daughters. In this way you are to plunder the Egyptians [leaving bondage with great possessions that are rightfully yours].”
Ostentation » In dress » General references to
Hezekiah was pleased and showed them his treasure house—the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his entire armory and everything that was found in his treasuries. There was nothing in his house nor in all his area of dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.
And he displayed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the splendor of his great majesty for many days, 180 days in all.
Then Haman recounted to them the glory of his riches, the large number of his sons, and every instance in which the king had magnified him and how he had promoted him over the officials and servants of the king.
So the next day Agrippa and [his sister] Bernice came with great pageantry, and they went into the auditorium accompanied by the military commanders and the prominent men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.
Parent's sins » Visited upon children » General references to
I was brought forth in [a state of] wickedness;
In sin my mother conceived me [and from my beginning I, too, was sinful].
The wicked are estranged from the womb;
These go astray from birth, speaking lies [even twisted partial truths].
keeping mercy and lovingkindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; but He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting (avenging) the iniquity (sin, guilt) of the fathers upon the children and the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations [that is, calling the children to account for the sins of their fathers].”
“You will not be united with them in burial,
Because you have destroyed your land,
You have slain your people.
May the descendants of evildoers never be named!
Our fathers sinned, and are no more;
It is
“What do you mean by using this proverb concerning the land of Israel,
‘The fathers eat sour grapes [they sin],
But the children’s teeth are set on edge’?
But the children’s teeth are set on edge’?
Those of you who are left will rot away because of their wickedness in the lands of your enemies; also because of the wickedness of their forefathers they will rot away like them.
Let us lie down in our shame, and let our dishonor and humiliation cover us; for we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers; from our youth even to this day we have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God.”
Parsimony » General references to
“Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and [the money] given to the poor?”
He who gives to the poor will never want,
But he who shuts his eyes [from their need] will have many curses.
Whoever shuts his ears at the cry of the poor
Will cry out himself and not be answered.
“You have not brought Me your sheep or goats for your burnt offerings,
Nor honored Me with your sacrifices.
I have not burdened you with offerings,
Nor wearied you with [demands for offerings of] incense.
A woman came up to Him with an alabaster flask of very precious perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, For what purpose is all this waste?
“Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings [you have withheld].
There is the one who [generously] scatters [abroad], and yet increases all the more;
And there is the one who withholds what is justly due, but it results only in want and poverty.
There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: riches being kept and hoarded by their owner to his own misery.
Passover » General references to
“Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to the Lord your God, for in the month of Abib the Lord your God brought you out of Egypt by night.
Now you are to eat it in this manner: [be prepared for a journey] with your loins girded [that is, with the outer garment tucked into the band], your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; you shall eat it quickly—it is the Lord’s Passover.
They slaughtered the Passover lambs, and while the priests sprinkled the blood received from their hand, the Levites skinned the animals.
They set out from Rameses on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the day after the Passover the Israelites moved out triumphantly in the sight of all the Egyptians,
Then they slaughtered the Passover lambs on the fourteenth day of the second month. And the priests and the Levites were ashamed of themselves, and consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings to the house of the Lord.
For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together; all of them were [ceremonially] clean. So they slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the exiles, for their brothers the priests, and for themselves.
On the first day [of the festival] of Unleavened Bread, when [as was customary] they sacrificed the Passover lamb, His disciples asked Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?”
Pathway of sin » General references to
The way of the [arrogant] fool [who rejects God’s wisdom] is right in his own eyes,
But a wise and prudent man is he who listens to counsel.
Whose paths are crooked,
And who are devious in their ways;
They do not know the way of peace,
And there is no justice in their tracks.
They have made them into crooked paths;
Whoever walks on them does not know peace.
There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him,
But its end is the way of death.
Good understanding wins favor [from others],
But the way of the unfaithful is hard [like barren, dry soil].
The way [of life] of the wicked is hateful and exceedingly offensive to the Lord,
But He loves one who pursues righteousness [personal integrity, moral courage and honorable character].
God's People » General references to » Called the "chosen ones"
But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself [and dealt wonderfully with] the godly man [the one of honorable character and moral courage—the one who does right].
The Lord hears and responds when I call to Him.
Just look at your own calling, believers; not many [of you were considered] wise according to human standards, not many powerful or influential, not many of high and noble birth.
For you are a holy people [set apart] to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be a people for His own possession [that is, His very special treasure].
just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. In love
Verse Concepts
Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters: has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and [as believers to be] heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
God's People » General references to » Spoken of as the elect
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by the sanctifying work of the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace [that special sense of spiritual well-being] be yours in increasing abundance [as you walk closely with God].
Who will bring any charge against God’s elect (His chosen ones)? It is God who justifies us [declaring us blameless and putting us in a right relationship with Himself].
For this reason I [am ready to] patiently endure all things for the sake of those who are the elect (God’s chosen ones), so that they too may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it the reward of eternal glory.
God's People » General references to » Exalted above all nations
and that He will set you high above all the nations which He has made, for praise, fame, and honor: and that you shall be a holy people [set apart and consecrated] to the Lord your God, just as He has spoken.”
The Lord will give [unyielding and impenetrable] strength to His people;
The Lord will bless His people with peace.
The Lord will not abandon His people for His great name’s sake, because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself.
God's People » General references to » The law written upon their hearts
and then I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “See! The tabernacle of God is among men, and He will live among them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them [as their God,]
“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
After those days, says the Lord:
I will imprint My laws upon their minds [even upon their innermost thoughts and understanding],
And engrave them upon their hearts [effecting their regeneration].
And I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.
For this reason I [am ready to] patiently endure all things for the sake of those who are the elect (God’s chosen ones), so that they too may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it the reward of eternal glory.
God's People » General references to » Guided like a flock
Know and fully recognize with gratitude that the Lord Himself is God;
It is He who has made us,
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
But God led His own people forward like sheep
And guided them in the wilderness like [a good shepherd with] a flock.
God's People » General references to » Prepared for service
It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous [which is to seek and submit to the will of God]—in order to make ready a people [perfectly] prepared [spiritually and morally] for the Lord.”
God's People » General references to » Chosen by jehovah
for you are a holy people [set apart] to the Lord your God; and the Lord has chosen you out of all the peoples who are on the earth to be a people for His own possession.
God's People » General references to » A peculiar treasure
Now therefore, if you will in fact obey My voice and keep My covenant (agreement), then you shall be My own special possession and treasure from among all peoples [of the world], for all the earth is Mine;
God's People » General references to » Characterized by zeal
who [willingly] gave Himself [to be crucified] on our behalf to redeem us and purchase our freedom from all wickedness, and to purify for Himself a chosen and very special people to be His own possession, who are enthusiastic for doing what is good.
Verse Concepts
Persecution » General references to
Save me and rescue me from all those who pursue me,
My times are in Your hands;
Rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from those who pursue and persecute me.
All Your commandments are faithful and trustworthy.
They have persecuted me with a lie; help me [Lord]!
Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
Yet I do not turn away from Your testimonies.
Shin.
Princes persecute me without cause,
But my heart stands in [reverent] awe of Your words [so I can expect You to help me].
Princes persecute me without cause,
But my heart stands in [reverent] awe of Your words [so I can expect You to help me].
For the enemy has persecuted me,
He has crushed my life down to the ground;
He has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have been long dead.
O Lord, You know and understand;
Remember me [thoughtfully], take notice of me,
take vengeance for me on my persecutors.
Do not, in view of Your patience, take me away;
Know that for Your sake I endure [continual] rebuke and dishonor.
Our pursuers are at our necks;
We are worn out, there is no rest for us.
Plans of men » Devices, evil » General references to
And plot evil on their beds!
When morning comes, they practice evil
Because it is in the power of their hands.
He plans wrongdoing on his bed;
He sets himself on a path that is not good;
He does not reject or despise evil.
But they will say, ‘That is hopeless! For we are going to follow our own plans, and each of us will act in accordance with the stubbornness of his evil heart.’
Be still before the Lord; wait patiently for Him and entrust yourself to Him;
Do not fret (whine, agonize) because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.
Who perversely in his heart plots trouble and evil continually;
Who spreads discord and strife.
Do they not go astray who devise evil and wander from the way of righteousness?
But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.
He who [slyly] winks his eyes does so to plot perverse things;
And he who compresses his lips [as if in a secret signal] brings evil to pass.
As for the rogue, his weapons are evil;
He conceives wicked plans
To ruin the poor with lies,
Even when the plea of the needy one is just and right.
Then the Spirit said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who devise evil and give wicked advice in this city,
Plotting » General references to
And plot evil on their beds!
When morning comes, they practice evil
Because it is in the power of their hands.
He plans wrongdoing on his bed;
He sets himself on a path that is not good;
He does not reject or despise evil.
If it pleases the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who carry out the king’s business, to put into the king’s treasuries.”
Who perversely in his heart plots trouble and evil continually;
Who spreads discord and strife.
As for the rogue, his weapons are evil;
He conceives wicked plans
To ruin the poor with lies,
Even when the plea of the needy one is just and right.
The wicked plots against the righteous
And gnashes at him with his teeth.
The poor » General references to
For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor in your land.’
“But I will leave among you
A humble and lowly people,
And they will take refuge and trust confidently in the name of the Lord.
Poverty » General references to
He will protest on that day, saying,
“I will not be a
For in my house there is neither bread nor clothing;
You should not make me a judge and ruler of the people.”
The rich man’s wealth is his fortress;
The ruin of the poor is their poverty.
Keep deception and lies far from me;
Give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with the food that is my portion,
Power » Power power of God » General references to
Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand is power and might; and it is in Your hands to make great and to give strength to everyone.
But if you do go [in spite of this warning], be strong and courageous for battle; yet God will cause you to stumble and fall before the enemy, for God has power to help and to cause people to stumble.”
“He stirred up the sea by His power,
And by His understanding He smashed [proud]
God has spoken once,
Twice I have heard this:
That power belongs to God.
Who creates the mountains by His strength,
Being clothed with power,
More than the sounds of many waters,
More than the mighty breakers of the sea,
The Lord on high is mighty.
The Lord is slow to anger and great in power
And He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.
The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm,
And the clouds are the dust beneath His feet.
Now to Him who is able to establish and strengthen you [in the faith] according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery [of the plan of salvation] which has been kept secret for long ages past,
to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forevermore! Amen.
Prayer » General references to » Universal need of
All these I will bring to My holy mountain
And make them joyful in My house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will
For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.”
He said to them,
“When you pray, say:
‘Father, hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
O You who hear prayer,
To You all mankind comes.
Prayer » General references to » Ascends as incense before God
And another angel came and stood over the altar. He had a golden censer, and he was given very much incense (fragrant spices and gums which exhale perfume when burned), that he might mingle it with the prayers of all the people of God (the saints) upon the golden altar before the throne. And the smoke of the incense (the perfume) arose in the presence of God, with the prayers of the people of God (the saints), from the hand of the angel.
Prayer » General references to » Prayers of the saints precious
And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb (Christ), each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of fragrant incense, which are the prayers of the saints (God’s people).
Prayer » General references to » The holy spirit aids in
So too the [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance. And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the [Holy] Spirit [what His intent is], because the Spirit intercedes and pleads [before God] in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God's will.
Prayer » General references to » First mentioned
To Seth, also, a son was born, whom he named Enosh (mortal man, mankind). At that [same] time men began to call on the name of the Lord [in worship through prayer, praise, and thanksgiving].
Precious stones » General references to
So with all my ability I have provided for the house of my God the gold for the things of gold, silver for the things of silver, bronze for the things of bronze, iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood, as well as onyx stones and stones to be inlaid, stones of antimony (a brittle, silvery-white metal) and stones of various colors, and all kinds of precious stones and alabaster in abundance.
cargoes of gold and silver and precious stones and pearls and fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet; all kinds of citron (scented) wood and every article of ivory and every article of very costly and lavish wood and bronze and iron and marble;
So she came to Jerusalem with a very large caravan (entourage), with camels carrying spices, a great quantity of gold, and precious stones. When she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about everything that was on her mind [to discover the extent of his wisdom].
David took the crown of their king from his head and found that it weighed a talent of gold and that there was a precious stone in it; so it was set on David’s head. He also brought a very great amount of spoil (plunder) out of the city [of Rabbah].
having God’s glory [filled with His radiant light]. The brilliance of it resembled a rare and very precious jewel, like jasper, shining and clear as crystal.
But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
Instead, he will honor a god of fortresses, a god whom his fathers did not know; he will honor him with gold and silver, with precious stones and with expensive things.
A bribe is like a bright, precious stone in the eyes of its owner;
Wherever he turns, he prospers.
Prisons » General references to
But the king of Assyria discovered a conspiracy in Hoshea, who sent messengers to So, king of Egypt, and offered no tribute to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year; therefore the king of Assyria arrested him and bound him in prison.
Then the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with [two] bronze chains; and he was forced to be a grinder [of grain into flour at the mill] in the prison.
He put them in confinement in the house of the captain of the guard, in the same prison where Joseph was confined.
and they put him in custody, because it had not been explained [by God] what should be done to him.
But this is a people despoiled and plundered;
All of them are trapped in holes,
Or are hidden away in prisons.
They have become a prey with no one to rescue them,
And a spoil, with no one to say, “Give them back!”
Then the king of Babylon blinded Zedekiah, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon and there he put him in prison [in a mill] until the day of his death.
suddenly there was a great earthquake, so [powerful] that the very foundations of the prison were shaken and at once all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.
Prodigality » General references to
Who drink wine from sacrificial bowls
And anoint themselves with the finest oils [reflecting their unrestrained celebration];
Yet they are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph (Israel).
He who is careless in his work
Is a brother to him who destroys.
There is precious treasure and oil in the house of the wise [who prepare for the future],
But a short-sighted and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it.
Profanity » Blasphemy » General references to
Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be disciplined and taught not to blaspheme.
Both your own wickedness and the wickedness of your fathers,” says the Lord.
“Since they too have made offerings with incense on the mountains
And scorned and taunted Me on the hills,
I therefore will measure [punishment for] their former work [directly] into their
And the dragon (Satan) stood on the sandy shore of the sea.
Then I saw a [vicious] beast coming up out of the sea with ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten royalcrowns (diadems), and on his heads were blasphemous names.
Then I saw a [vicious] beast coming up out of the sea with ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten royal
and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their anguish and their sores (abscesses, boils); and they did not repent of what they had done nor hate their wickedness.
The Israelite woman’s son blasphemed the Name [of the Lord] and cursed. So they brought him to Moses. (Now his mother’s name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan.)
But since the Jews kept resisting and opposing him, and blaspheming [God], he shook out his robe and said to them, “Your blood (damnation) be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
Do they not blaspheme the precious name [of Christ] by which you are called?
But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things said by Paul, and were slandering him.
And his servants said even more against the Lord God and against His servant Hezekiah.
He will speak words against the Most High [God] and wear down the saints of the Most High, and he will intend to change the times and the law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, [two] times, and half a time [three and one-half years].
Prophets » General references to
So they got up early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe and trust in the Lord your God and you will be established (secure). Believe and trust in His prophets and succeed.”
“Do not touch My anointed ones,
And do My prophets no harm.”
for when Jezebel destroyed the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave, and provided them with bread and water.)
And they took offense at Him [refusing to believe in Him]. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.”
But they kept mocking the messengers of God and despising His words and scoffing at His prophets until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, until there was no remedy or healing.
And He said,
“Hear now My words:
If there is a prophet among you,
I the Lord will make Myself known to him in a vision
And I will speak to him in a dream.
If there is a prophet among you,
I the Lord will make Myself known to him in a vision
And I will speak to him in a dream.
Surely the Lord God does nothing
To His servants the prophets.
Now when all who knew Saul previously saw that he actually prophesied now [by inspiration] with the prophets, the people said one to another, “What has happened to [Saul, who is nobody but] the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”
We do not see our symbols;
There is no longer any prophet [to guide us],
Nor does any among us know for how long.
The Proud » General references to
“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, and all the arrogant (proud, self-righteous, haughty), and every evildoer shall be stubble; and the day that is coming shall set them on fire,” says the Lord of hosts, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.
Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who makes the Lord his trust,
And does not regard the proud nor those who lapse into lies.
Though the Lord is exalted,
He regards the lowly [and invites them into His fellowship];
But the proud and haughty He knows from a distance.
Our soul is greatly filled
With the scoffing of those who are at ease,
And with the contempt of the proud [who disregard God’s law].
he is conceited and woefully ignorant [understanding nothing]. He has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, which produces envy, quarrels, verbal abuse, evil suspicions,
But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn away from self-righteousness].”
The arrogant (godless) have dug pits for me,
Men who do not conform to Your law.
Let the arrogant be ashamed and humiliated, for they sabotage me with a lie;
But I will meditate on Your precepts.
So now we call the arrogant happy and blessed. Evildoers are exalted and prosper; and when they test God, they escape [unpunished].’”
divine Providence » Mysteries of providing » General references to
“Who provides prey for the raven
When its young cry to God
And wander about without food?
He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Quietness » General references to
And the effect of righteousness will be peace,
And the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever.
Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul;
Like a weaned child [resting] with his mother,
My soul is like a weaned child within me [composed and freed from discontent].
“But whoever listens to me (Wisdom) will live securely and in confident trust
And will be at ease, without fear or dread of evil.”
“When He keeps quiet, who then can condemn?
When He hides His face [withdrawing His favor and help], who then can behold Him [and make supplication to Him],
Whether it be a nation or a man by himself?—
It is good that one waits quietly
For the salvation of the Lord.
Rebekah » General references to
Before Eliezer had finished speaking (praying), Rebekah came out with her [water] jar on her shoulder. Rebekah was the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, who was the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor.
Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean (Syrian) of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean.
There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife, there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah—
The men of the place asked him about his wife, and he said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “my wife”—thinking, “the men of the place might kill me on account of Rebekah, since she is very beautiful.”
Then Rebekah said to Isaac, “I am tired of living because of the daughters of Heth [these insolent wives of Esau]. If Jacob takes a wife from the daughters of Heth, like these daughters of the land, what good will my life be to me?”
Rebekah said to Jacob her [younger and favorite] son, “Listen carefully: I heard your father saying to Esau your brother,
Spiritual receptivity » General references to
So then, those who accepted his message were baptized; and on that day about 3,000 souls were added [to the body of believers].
Now these people were more noble and open-minded than those in Thessalonica, so they received the message [of salvation through faith in the Christ] with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
And we also thank God continually for this, that when you received the word of God [concerning salvation] which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of [mere] men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its inherent, supernatural power in those of faith].
Religion » Hypocrisy, an ever present element in false religion » General references to
In the meantime, after so many thousands of the people had gathered that they were stepping on one another, Jesus began speaking first of all to His disciples, “Be continually on your guard against the leaven of the Pharisees [that is, their pervasive, corrupting influence and teaching], which is hypocrisy [producing self-righteousness].
They profess to know God [to recognize and be acquainted with Him], but by their actions they deny and disown Him. They are detestable and disobedient and worthless for good work of any kind.
[misled] by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared as with a branding iron [leaving them incapable of ethical functioning],
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he [in behavior—one who manipulates].
He says to you, “Eat and drink,”
Yet his heart is not with you [but it is begrudging the cost].
When he speaks graciously and kindly [to conceal his malice], do not trust him,
For seven abominations are in his heart.
Religious » Garments of prophets » General references to
So they got up early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe and trust in the Lord your God and you will be established (secure). Believe and trust in His prophets and succeed.”
“Do not touch My anointed ones,
And do My prophets no harm.”
for when Jezebel destroyed the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave, and provided them with bread and water.)
And they took offense at Him [refusing to believe in Him]. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.”
But they kept mocking the messengers of God and despising His words and scoffing at His prophets until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, until there was no remedy or healing.
And He said,
“Hear now My words:
If there is a prophet among you,
I the Lord will make Myself known to him in a vision
And I will speak to him in a dream.
If there is a prophet among you,
I the Lord will make Myself known to him in a vision
And I will speak to him in a dream.
Surely the Lord God does nothing
To His servants the prophets.
Now when all who knew Saul previously saw that he actually prophesied now [by inspiration] with the prophets, the people said one to another, “What has happened to [Saul, who is nobody but] the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”
We do not see our symbols;
There is no longer any prophet [to guide us],
Nor does any among us know for how long.
Religious » General references to
Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord together with his entire household [joyfully acknowledging Him as Messiah and Savior]; and many of the Corinthians who heard [Paul’s message] were believing and being baptized.
And the hand (the power and presence) of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord [for salvation, accepting and drawing near to Jesus as Messiah and Savior].
So then, those who accepted his message were baptized; and on that day about 3,000 souls were added [to the body of believers].
Yet some of the men of Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.
When all the people saw it, they fell face downward; and they said, “The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!”
Now while Ezra was praying and confessing, weeping and laying himself face down before the house of God, a very large group from Israel, of men, women, and children, gathered to him, for the people wept bitterly.
Now many Samaritans from that city believed in Him and trusted Him [as Savior] because of what the woman said when she testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.”
The crowds gathered and were paying close attention to everything Philip said, as they heard [the message] and saw the [miraculous] signs which he was doing [validating his message].
Then all who lived at Lydda and the plain of Sharon saw [what had happened to] him, and they turned to the Lord.
When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying [praising and giving thanks for] the word of the Lord; and all those who had been appointed (designated, ordained) to eternal life [by God] believed [in Jesus as the Christ and their Savior].
Many of those who had become believers were coming, confessing and disclosing their [former sinful] practices.
Religious » priests » General references to
Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over [the river] ahead of the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went on ahead of the people.
Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as peace offerings to the Lord.
The priests went into the inner part of the house of the Lord to cleanse it, and every unclean thing they found in the temple of the Lord they brought out to the courtyard of the Lord’s house. Then the Levites received it to take out to the Kidron Valley [for disposal].
Now Jethro (Reuel), the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel His people, and that the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt.
Further, the priests and the Levites who were in all Israel took their stand with Rehoboam from all their districts.
divine Remembrance » General references to
And God remembered and thought kindly of Noah and every living thing and all the animals that were with him in the ark; and God made a wind blow over the land, and the waters receded.
When you go to war in your land against the enemy that attacks you, then sound an alarm with the trumpets, so that you may be remembered before the Lord your God, and you shall be saved from your enemies.
Who [faithfully] remembered us in our lowly condition,
For His lovingkindness endures forever;
He has [graciously] remembered His lovingkindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel;
All the ends of the earth have witnessed the salvation of our God.
But Zion [Jerusalem, her people as seen in captivity] said, The Lord has forsaken me, and my Lord has forgotten me. [And the Lord answered] Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, they may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands; [O Zion] your walls are continually before Me.
Now when God ravaged and destroyed the cities of the plain [of Siddim], He remembered Abraham [and for that reason], and He sent [Abraham’s nephew] Lot out of the midst of the destruction, when He destroyed the cities in which Lot had lived.
Returning to God » General references to
For you were continually wandering like [so many] sheep, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
For He has torn us, but He will heal us;
He has wounded us, but He will bandage us.
Let the wicked leave (behind) his way
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
And let him return to the Lord,
And He will have compassion (mercy) on him,
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.
When He killed [some of] them, then those remaining sought Him,
And they returned [to Him] and searched diligently for God [for a time].
if they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies who have taken them captive, and they pray to You toward their land [of Israel] which You gave to their fathers, the city [of Jerusalem] which You have chosen, and the house which I have built for Your Name and Presence;
The Lord will strike Egypt, striking but healing it; so they will return to the Lord, and He will respond to them and heal them.
For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel has said this,
“In returning [to Me] and rest you shall be saved,
In quietness and confident trust is your strength.”
But you were not willing,
In quietness and confident trust is your strength.”
But you were not willing,
For you have stumbled and fallen [visited by tragedy], because of your sin.
“Yet from the days of your fathers you have turned away from My statutes and ordinances and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. “But you say, ‘How shall we return?’
Revivals » Isa 35 » General references to
Take the words [confessing your guilt] with you and return to the Lord.
Say to Him, “Take away all our wickedness;
Accept what is good and receive us graciously,
So that we may present the fruit of our lips (gratitude).
Then the lame will leap like a deer,
And the tongue of the mute will shout for joy.
For waters will break forth in the wilderness
And streams in the desert.
Let us test and examine our ways,
And let us return to the Lord.
“After two days He will revive us;
On the third day He will raise us up
That we may live before Him.
Riches, spiritual » General references to » Examples of
as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet bestowing riches on many; as having nothing, yet possessing all things.
For you are recognizing [more clearly] the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [His astonishing kindness, His generosity, His gracious favor], that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich (abundantly blessed).
so that in everything you were [exceedingly] enriched in Him, in all speech [empowered by the spiritual gifts] and in all knowledge [with insight into the faith].
Riches, spiritual » General references to » Discovered by spiritual vision
And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (God’s people),
Riches, spiritual » General references to » God's blessing the source of
The blessing of the Lord brings [true] riches,
And He adds no sorrow to it [for it comes as a blessing from God].
Riches, spiritual » General references to » More precious than earthly
He considered the reproach of the Christ [that is, the rebuke he would suffer for his faithful obedience to God] to be greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt; for he looked ahead to the reward [promised by God].
Riches, spiritual » General references to » Unsearchable
To me, [though I am] the very least of all the saints (God’s people), this grace [which is undeserved] was graciously given, to proclaim to the Gentiles the good news of the incomprehensible riches of Christ [that spiritual wealth which no one can fully understand],
Riches, spiritual » General references to » A paradox
There is one who pretends to be rich, yet has nothing at all;
Another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
Riches, spiritual » General references to » Enduring
“Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring wealth and righteousness (right standing with God).
Riches, spiritual » General references to » The inheritance of God's elect
Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters: has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and [as believers to be] heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
Ridicule » General references to
The eye that mocks a father
And scorns a mother,
The ravens of the valley will pick it out,
And the young vultures will devour it.
“Of whom do you make fun?
Against whom do you open wide your mouth
And stick out your tongue?
Are you not children of rebellion (sin),
Offspring of deceit,
Whoever mocks the poor taunts his Maker,
And he who rejoices at [another’s] disaster will not go unpunished.
They used to say to you, “In the last days there will be scoffers, following after their own ungodly passions.”
Sabbath » General references to
For somewhere [in Scripture] He has said this about the seventh day: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”;
He said to them, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord’; bake and boil what you will bake and boil [today], and all that remains left over put aside for yourselves to keep until morning.”
So God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it [as His own, that is, set it apart as holy from other days], because in it He rested from all His work which He had created and done.
At that particular time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them.
This [day in which God has saved me] is the day which the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
Salt » General references to
All the offerings of the holy things, which the Israelites offer to the Lord I have given to you and to your sons and your daughters with you as a continual allotment. It is an everlasting covenant of salt [that cannot be dissolved or violated] before the Lord to you and to your descendants with you.”
You shall season every grain offering with salt so that the salt (preservation) of the covenant of your God will not be missing from your grain offering. You shall offer salt with all your offerings.
But Lot’s wife, from behind him, [foolishly, longingly] looked [back toward Sodom in an act of disobedience], and she became a pillar of salt.
Whatever is needed, including young bulls, rams, and lambs for the burnt offerings to the God of heaven, and wheat, salt, wine, and anointing oil, according to the request of the priests at Jerusalem, let it all be given to them daily without fail,
Security » Of the saints » General references to
Are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but remains forever.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you.
When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
You will not be afraid of the terror of night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say,
“The Lord is my Helper [in time of need], I will not be afraid.
What will man do to me?”
What will man do to me?”
He will not fear bad news;
His heart is steadfast, trusting [confidently relying on and believing] in the Lord.
“Then you would trust [with confidence], because there is hope;
You would look around you and rest securely.
“But whoever listens to me (Wisdom) will live securely and in confident trust
And will be at ease, without fear or dread of evil.”
When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
He will dwell on the heights,
His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks,
His bread will be given him;
His water will be permanent.
Now who is there to hurt you if you become enthusiastic for what is good?
Shame » General references to
He who gathers during summer and takes advantage of his opportunities is a son who acts wisely,
But he who sleeps during harvest and ignores the moment of opportunity is a son who acts shamefully.
The rod and reproof (godly instruction) give wisdom,
But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.
The wise will inherit honor and glory,
But dishonor and shame is conferred on fools.
When pride comes [boiling up with an arrogant attitude of self-importance], then come dishonor and shame,
But with the humble [the teachable who have been chiseled by trial and who have learned to walk humbly with God] there is wisdom and soundness of mind.
Shechem » General references to
Abram passed through the land as far as the site of Shechem, to the [great] terebinth (oak) tree of Moreh. Now the Canaanites were in the land at that time.
Now they buried the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up from Egypt, at Shechem, in the plot of land which Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of money; and it became the inheritance of the sons of Joseph.
When Jacob came from Paddan-aram, he arrived safely and in peace at the city of Shechem, in the land of Canaan, and camped in front of the [walled] city.
Christ Shepherd » General references to » As guardian of the flock
This is why I suffer as I do. Still, I am not ashamed; for I know Him [and I am personally acquainted with Him] whom I have believed [with absolute trust and confidence in Him and in the truth of His deity], and I am persuaded [beyond any doubt] that He is able to guard that which I have entrusted to Him until that day [when I stand before Him].
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling or falling into sin, and to present you unblemished [blameless and faultless] in the presence of His glory with triumphant joy and unspeakable delight,
But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you [setting you on a firm foundation] and will protect and guard you from the evil one.
For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding),
Christ Shepherd » General references to » Crowing the faithful
And when the Chief Shepherd (Christ) appears, you will receive the [conqueror’s] unfading crown of glory.
for the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will be their Shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of the waters of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes [giving them eternal comfort].”
Christ Shepherd » General references to » Risen
Now may the God of peace [the source of serenity and spiritual well-being] who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood that sealed and ratified the eternal covenant,
Christ Shepherd » General references to » Welcoming the wanderers
For you were continually wandering like [so many] sheep, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
Christ Shepherd » General references to » Providing
The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.
Christ Shepherd » General references to » Tender
He will protect His flock like a shepherd,
He will gather the lambs in His arm,
He will carry them in His bosom;
He will gently and carefully lead those nursing their young.
Verse Concepts
Christ Shepherd » General references to » Sacrificial
Silence » Value of » General references to
He who despises his neighbor lacks sense,
But a man of understanding keeps silent.
When there are many words, transgression and offense are unavoidable,
But he who controls his lips and keeps thoughtful silence is wise.
So they sat down on the ground with Job for seven days and seven nights and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great.
I was mute and silent [before my enemies],
I refrained even from good,
And my
Even a [callous, arrogant] fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;
When he closes his lips he is regarded as sensible (prudent, discreet) and a man of understanding.
Let him sit alone [in hope] and keep quiet,
Because God has laid it on him [for his benefit].
Silver » General references to
Their four support poles and their four sockets were bronze; their hooks were silver, and silver overlaid their tops and their connecting rings.
and he made under the twenty boards forty silver sockets; two sockets under one board for its two tenons (dovetails), and two sockets under another board for its two tenons.
Everyone who could make an offering of silver or bronze brought it as the Lord’s offering; every man who had in his possession acacia wood for any work of the service brought it.
likewise for the north side there shall be curtains, a hundred cubits long, and its twenty pillars and twenty bronze sockets; but the hooks of the pillars and their fasteners shall be silver.
Simplicity » General references to
At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth [I openly and joyfully acknowledge Your great wisdom], that You have hidden these things [these spiritual truths] from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to infants [to new believers, to those seeking God’s will and purpose].
But I am afraid that, even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, your minds may be corrupted and led away from the simplicity of [your sincere and] pure devotion to Christ.
For the report of your obedience has reached everyone, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.
This is our [reason for] proud confidence: our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world [in general], and especially toward you, with pure motives and godly sincerity, not in human wisdom, but in the grace of God [that is, His gracious lovingkindness that leads people to Christ and spiritual maturity].
The unfolding of Your [glorious] words give light;
Their unfolding gives understanding to the simple (childlike).
I was brought low [humbled and discouraged], and He saved me.
Nor do I involve myself in great matters,
Or in things too difficult for me.
Slander » General references to
Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will silence;
The one who has a haughty look and a proud (arrogant) heart I will not tolerate.
“Let everyone beware of his neighbor
And do not trust any brother.
For every brother is a supplanter [like Jacob, a deceiver, ready to grab his brother’s heel],
And every neighbor goes around as a slanderer.
For I have heard the slander and whispering of many,
Terror is on every side;
While they schemed together against me,
They plotted to take away my life.
He who hides hatred has lying lips,
And he who spreads slander is a fool.
With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor,
But through knowledge and discernment the righteous will be rescued.
Snares laid » General references to
When my spirit was overwhelmed and weak within me [wrapped in darkness],
You knew my path.
In the way where I walk
They have hidden a trap for me.
The proud have hidden a trap for me, and cords;
They have spread a net by the wayside;
They have set traps for me. Selah.
Give heed, O house of Israel!
Listen, O house of the king!
For the [pronounced] judgment pertains to you and is meant for you to hear,
Because you have been a snare at Mizpah
And a net spread out over Tabor (military strongholds on either side of the Jordan River).
The arrogant (godless) have dug pits for me,
Men who do not conform to Your law.
‘For wicked men are found among My people,
They watch like fowlers who lie in wait;
They set a trap,
They catch men.
For without cause they hid their net for me;
Without cause they dug a pit [of destruction] for my life.
Keep me from the jaws of the trap which they have set for me,
And from the snares of those who do evil.
Let an outcry be heard from their houses
When You suddenly bring [a troop of] raiders upon them,
For they have dug a pit to capture me
And have hidden snares for my feet.
Snow » General references to
So honor is not fitting for a [shortsighted]
She does not fear the snow for her household,
For all in her household are clothed in [expensive] scarlet [wool].
“For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth’;
And [He speaks] to the showers and to the downpour [of His mighty rains], ‘Be strong.’
Lightning and hail, snow and fog;
Stormy wind, fulfilling His orders;
Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many notable acts, killed two [famous] warriors of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit on a snowy day.
‘Will the snow of [Mount] Lebanon melt and vanish from its rocks [which tower above Israel]?
Will the cold, rushing waters of foreign lands [that flow down from the distant land] be dried up?
He gives [to the earth] snow like [a blanket of] wool;
He scatters the frost like ashes.
Which are dull and dirty because of ice,
And into which the snow melts and hides itself;
“Have you entered the storehouses of the snow,
Or have you seen the storehouses of the hail,
Social duties » Temperance pr 23; isa 5; 28; da 1 » General references to
He who loves [only selfish] pleasure will become a poor man;
He who loves and is devoted to
When you sit down to eat with a ruler, consider who and what are before you; For you will put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to desire.
Have you found [pleasure sweet like] honey? Eat only as much as you need,
Otherwise, being filled excessively, you vomit it.
But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control [honorable behavior, personal integrity], and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for now, and when I find [a convenient] time I will send for you.”
Now every athlete who [goes into training and] competes in the games is disciplined and exercises self-control in all things. They do it to win a crown that withers, but we [do it to receive] an imperishable [crown that cannot wither].
and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, steadfastness, and in your steadfastness, godliness,
Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in steadfastness [Christlike in character].
gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Social life » Social functions » General references to
Belshazzar the king [who was a descendant of Nebuchadnezzar] gave a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, and he was drinking his wine in the presence of the thousand [guests].
So they gathered them up, and they filled twelve large baskets with pieces from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.
So at that time Solomon held the feast, and all Israel with him, a great assembly, from the entrance of Hamath [on the northern border of Israel] to the Brook of Egypt [at Israel’s southern border], before the Lord our God, for seven days and seven more days [beyond the prescribed period for the Feast of Booths], fourteen days in all.
So they gave a supper for Him there. Martha was serving, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him.
Levi (Matthew) gave a great banquet for Him at his house; and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others who were reclining at the table with them.
But an opportune time [finally] came [for Herodias]. Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his officials (nobles, courtiers) and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.
So the king prepared a great feast for them; and when they had eaten and drunk he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the marauding bands of Aram did not come into the land of Israel again.
They were there with David for three days, eating and drinking, for their relatives had prepared for them.
When these days were completed, the king held a banquet for all the people who were present at the citadel in Susa [the capital], from the greatest [in importance] to the least, a seven-day feast in the courtyard of the garden of the king’s palace.
Then He said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter [of the banquet].” So they took it to him.
Sorrow » General references to
Even in laughter the heart may be in pain,
And the end of joy may be grief.
“I will greatly multiply
Your pain in childbirth;
In pain you will give birth to children;
Yet your desire and longing will be for your husband,
And he will rule [with authority] over you and be responsible for you.”
He was despised and rejected by men,
A Man of sorrows and pain and acquainted with grief;
And like One from whom men hide their faces
He was despised, and we did not appreciate His worth or esteem Him.
A heart full of joy and goodness makes a cheerful face,
But when a heart is full of sadness the spirit is crushed.
Speaking, evil » General references to
“Their throat is an open grave;
They [habitually] deceive with their tongues.”
“The venom of asps is beneath their lips.”
His mouth is full of curses and deceit (fraud) and oppression;
Under his tongue is mischief and wickedness [injustice and sin].
The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful;
He has ceased to be wise and to do good.
And the tongue is [in a sense] a fire, the very world of injustice and unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which contaminates the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life [the cycle of man’s existence], and is itself set on fire by hell (Gehenna).
For there is nothing trustworthy or reliable or truthful in what they say;
Their heart is destruction [just a treacherous chasm, a yawning gulf of lies].
Their throat is an open grave;
They [glibly] flatter with their [silken] tongue.
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter,
But his heart was hostile;
His words were softer than oil,
Yet they were drawn swords.
There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise brings healing.
For their minds plot violence,
And their lips talk of trouble [for the innocent].
Spiritual » Foundation » General references to
For this is contained in Scripture:“Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen stone, a precious (honored) Cornerstone,
And he who believes in Him [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] will never be disappointed [in his expectations].”
And he who believes in Him [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] will never be disappointed [in his expectations].”
Therefore the Lord God says this,
“Listen carefully, I am laying in Zion a Stone, a tested Stone,
A precious Cornerstone for the [secure] foundation, firmly placed.
He who believes [who trusts in, relies on, and adheres to that Stone] will notbe disturbed or give way [in sudden panic].
A precious Cornerstone for the [secure] foundation, firmly placed.
He who believes [who trusts in, relies on, and adheres to that Stone] will not
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the [chief] Cornerstone,
for no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ.
“O you afflicted [city], storm-tossed, and not comforted,
Listen carefully, I will set your [precious] stones in mortar,
And lay your foundations with sapphires.
In this way storing up for themselves the enduring riches of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God [which He has laid] stands [sure and unshaken despite attacks], bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord stand apart from wickedness and withdraw from wrongdoing.”
Spiritual » Ignorance » General references to
“The ox [instinctively] knows its owner,
And the donkey its master’s feeding trough,
But Israel does not know [Me as Lord],
My people do not understand.”
for their [moral] understanding is darkened and their reasoning is clouded; [they are] alienated and self-banished from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of the [willful] ignorance and spiritual blindness that is [deep-seated] within them, because of the hardness and insensitivity of their heart.
Verse Concepts
Spiritual DeathDarkness, As A Symbol Of SinFall Of Man, Consequences OfCommunicationGod, Revelation OfHardness Of HeartHeart, Fallen And RedeemedLonelinessReconciliation, Of The World To GodSalvation, Necessity And Basis OfStubbornness, Consequences OfUnbelief, Nature And Effects OfVeilsApathyCharacter Of WickedNations DescribedIgnorance Towards God, Leads ToInsensibilityEstrangement
[Live] as obedient children [of God]; do not be conformed to the evil desires which governed you in your ignorance [before you knew the requirements and transforming power of the good news regarding salvation].
For they do not know how to do right,” says the Lord, “these who store up violence and devastation [like treasures] in their strongholds.”
“But they (Gentile nations) do not know the thoughts of the Lord,
Nor do they understand His purpose and plan;
For He has gathered them (Gentiles) like sheaves to the threshing floor [for destruction].
They do not know the way of peace,
And there is no justice in their tracks.
They have made them into crooked paths;
Whoever walks on them does not know peace.
Then I said, “[Surely] these are only the poor (uneducated);
They are [sinfully] foolish and have no [spiritual] understanding,
For they do not know the way of the Lord
Or the ordinance of their God [and the requirements of His just and righteous law].
For not knowing about God’s righteousness [which is based on faith], and seeking to establish their own [righteousness based on works], they did not submit to God’s righteousness.
Spiritual » Temple » General references to
What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said:“I will dwell among them and walk among them;
And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within you, whom you have [received as a gift] from God, and that you are not your own [property]?
You [believers], like living stones, are being built up into a spiritual house for a holy and dedicated priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.
Verse Concepts
Access To God, In Old TestamentFellowship, In The GospelBuild, FigurativelyAcceptance, Of WorshipMinistry, Nature OfPeople Of God, In NtPriesthood, In NtPriests, Tasks In Nt TimesPriests, Types Of In Nt TimesBeing OrganizedRankSanctification, Nature And BasisSanctuaryTypesAcceptance, From GodNames And Titles For The ChurchNames And Titles For The ChristianTypes Of ChristChurch, Titles Of
You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the chief Cornerstone. In Him the whole structure is joined (bound, welded) together harmoniously, and it continues to rise (grow, increase) into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, consecrated, and sacred to the presence of the Lord]. In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you yourselves also are being built up [into this structure] with the rest, to form a fixed abode (dwelling place) of God in (by, through) the Spirit.
but Christ is faithful as a Son over His [Father’s] house. And we are His house if we hold fast our confidence and sense of triumph in our hope [in Christ].
Spiritual » Kingdom » General references to
Jesus answered, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God.
Jesus replied, “My kingdom is not of this world [nor does it have its origin in this world]. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would be fighting [hard] to keep Me from being handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this world.”
Now I say this, believers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit nor be part of the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable (mortal) inherit the imperishable (immortal).
for the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [what one likes], but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
For the kingdom of God is not based on talk but on power.
Spiritual » Light » General references to
And if you offer yourself to [assist] the hungry
And satisfy the
Then your light will rise in darkness
And your gloom will become like midday.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Verse Concepts
CherishingDarkness, Deliverance FromAccess To God, In Old TestamentPraiseenlightenmentThe Church As The ElectChoicesBeing ChosenGod, Will OfWhat Heaven Will Be LikeHoliness, As Set Apart For GodHoliness, Believers' Growth InLight, SpiritualHeaven, Redeemed CommunityMission, Of IsraelPeople Of God, In NtPraise, Reasons ForPriesthood, In NtGod PossessingSpeech, Positive Aspects OfWitnessing, Importance OfWorship, Reasons For
The Call Of GodHeaven, Worshiping GodNames And Titles For The ChristianSpiritual Blindness, Removal OfCalling, Of ChristiansOld Testament People As TypesFrom Darkness To LightComing Out Of DarknessFew PriestsA Holy NationA Kingdom Of PriestsRoyal PriesthoodShowing Forth His PraiseElectLightUnconditional LoveRaceExcellenceroyaltypriestsLight As A Symbol Of Salvation
For with You is the fountain of life [the fountain of life-giving water];
In Your light we see light.
“For You, O Lord, are my lamp;
The Lord illumines and dispels my darkness.
Spiritual » Receptivity » General references to
So then, those who accepted his message were baptized; and on that day about 3,000 souls were added [to the body of believers].
Now these people were more noble and open-minded than those in Thessalonica, so they received the message [of salvation through faith in the Christ] with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
And we also thank God continually for this, that when you received the word of God [concerning salvation] which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of [mere] men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its inherent, supernatural power in those of faith].
Spiritual » Fruit » General references to » Without defect
filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God [so that His glory may be both revealed and recognized].
(for the fruit [the effect, the result] of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
Spiritual » Fruit » General references to » Many varieties of
But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [ that can bring a charge].
Spiritual » Fruit » General references to » Produced in all periods of life
Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God. [Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love, and contentment].
Spiritual » Fruit » General references to » Perennial
By the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will not fail. They shall bear every month because their water flows from the sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.”
Spiritual » Fruit » General references to » Grown only upon good ground
Spiritual » Fruit » General references to » The product of heavenly wisdom
But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile].
Statutes » General references to
You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to obey these statutes.
The precepts of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
saying, “If you will diligently listen and pay attention to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and listen to His commandments, and keep [foremost in your thoughts and actively obey] all His precepts and statutes, then I will not put on you any of the diseases which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.”
“Look, I have taught you statutes and judgments just as the Lord my God has commanded me, so that you may do them in the land which you are entering to possess.
These are the statutes, ordinances, and laws which the Lord established between Himself and the Israelites through Moses at Mount Sinai.
If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and My commandments, as your father David did, then I will lengthen your days.”
Blessed and reverently praised are You, O Lord;
Teach me Your statutes.
Suffering for righteousness' sake » Persecution » General references to
Save me and rescue me from all those who pursue me,
My times are in Your hands;
Rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from those who pursue and persecute me.
All Your commandments are faithful and trustworthy.
They have persecuted me with a lie; help me [Lord]!
Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
Yet I do not turn away from Your testimonies.
Shin.
Princes persecute me without cause,
But my heart stands in [reverent] awe of Your words [so I can expect You to help me].
Princes persecute me without cause,
But my heart stands in [reverent] awe of Your words [so I can expect You to help me].
For the enemy has persecuted me,
He has crushed my life down to the ground;
He has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have been long dead.
O Lord, You know and understand;
Remember me [thoughtfully], take notice of me,
take vengeance for me on my persecutors.
Do not, in view of Your patience, take me away;
Know that for Your sake I endure [continual] rebuke and dishonor.
Our pursuers are at our necks;
We are worn out, there is no rest for us.
Suffering for righteousness' sake » Martyrdom » General references to
Then Paul replied, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart [like this]? For I am ready not only to be bound and imprisoned, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it does me no good at all.
And then I saw thrones, and sitting on them were those to whom judgment [that is, the authority to act as judges] was given. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had refused to worship the beast or his image, and had not accepted his mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Verse Concepts
enemies, of believersBetrayalBetrayal, To The ChristianMartyrdom, Qualities OfParentsPersecution, Nature OfUnfaithfulness, To PeopleFamilyMartyrdom Of The SaintsHatred Between RelativesDisobedient To ParentsHanding Over PeoplePeople OpposedFathers And SonsDeath Of A Family MemberFamily LoveMothers Love For Her Children
When He (the Lamb) broke open the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained [out of loyalty to Christ].
Suffering for righteousness' sake » Of the jews smiting of the righteous » General references to
[At this] the high priest Ananias ordered those who stood beside him to strike Paul on the mouth.
They spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him repeatedly on the head.
I turned My back to those who strike Me,
And My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard;
I did not hide My face from insults and spitting.
But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah approached and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “How did the Spirit of the Lord pass from me to speak to you?”
But when He said this, one of the officers who was standing nearby struck Jesus [in the face], saying, “Is that how You answer the high priest?”
The sun » General references to
Listen carefully, I will turn the shadow on the stairway [denoting the time of day] ten steps backward, the shadow on the stairway (sundial) of Ahaz.” And the sunlight went ten steps backward on the stairway where it had [previously] gone down.
Then Joshua spoke to the Lord on the day when the Lord handed over the Amorites to the sons of Israel, and Joshua said in the sight of Israel,
“Sun, stand still at Gibeon,
And moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.”
And moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.”
God made the two great lights—the greater light (the sun) to rule the day, and the lesser light (the moon) to rule the night; He made the [galaxies of] stars also [that is, all the amazing wonders in the heavens].
“The sun will be turned into darkness
And the moon into blood
Before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.
and has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun or the moon or any of the heavenly host, [doing these things] which I have commanded not to do,
at midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven surpassing the brightness of the sun, shining all around me and those who were traveling with me.
The sun will not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
Yet their voice [in quiet evidence] has gone out through all the earth,
Their words to the end of the world.
In them and in the heavens He has made a tent for the sun,
Superiority of the new dispensation » General references to
(for the Law never made anything perfect); while on the other hand a better hope is introduced through which we now continually draw near to God.
But as it is, Christ has acquired a [priestly] ministry which is more excellent [than the old Levitical priestly ministry], for He is the Mediator (Arbiter) of a better covenant [uniting God and man], which has been enacted and rests on better promises.
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels [in festive gathering],
Therefore it was necessary for the [earthly] copies of the heavenly things to be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves required far better sacrifices than these.
Now this [expression], “Yet once more,” indicates the removal and final transformation of all those things which can be shaken—that is, of that which has been created—so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
because God had us in mind and had something better for us, so that they [these men and women of authentic faith] would not be made perfect [that is, completed in Him] apart from us.
or shechem Sychar » General references to
Abram passed through the land as far as the site of Shechem, to the [great] terebinth (oak) tree of Moreh. Now the Canaanites were in the land at that time.
Now they buried the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up from Egypt, at Shechem, in the plot of land which Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of money; and it became the inheritance of the sons of Joseph.
When Jacob came from Paddan-aram, he arrived safely and in peace at the city of Shechem, in the land of Canaan, and camped in front of the [walled] city.
Synagogues » General references to
And I often punished them [making them suffer] in all the synagogues and tried to force them to blaspheme; and in my extreme rage at them, I kept hunting them even to foreign cities [harassing and persecuting them].
His parents said this because they were afraid of [the leaders of] the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone acknowledged Jesus to be the Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue (excommunicated).
Taxes » General references to
Some of the Philistines brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat; the Arabians also brought him flocks: 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats.
When they arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the half-shekel [temple tax] went up to Peter and said, “Does not your teacher pay the half-shekel?”
For this same reason you pay taxes, for civil authorities are God’s servants, devoting themselves to governance.
Tell us then, what do You think? Is it permissible [according to Jewish law and tradition] to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?”
Temperance » Pr 23; isa 5; 28; da 1 » General references to
He who loves [only selfish] pleasure will become a poor man;
He who loves and is devoted to
When you sit down to eat with a ruler, consider who and what are before you; For you will put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to desire.
Have you found [pleasure sweet like] honey? Eat only as much as you need,
Otherwise, being filled excessively, you vomit it.
But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control [honorable behavior, personal integrity], and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for now, and when I find [a convenient] time I will send for you.”
Now every athlete who [goes into training and] competes in the games is disciplined and exercises self-control in all things. They do it to win a crown that withers, but we [do it to receive] an imperishable [crown that cannot wither].
and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, steadfastness, and in your steadfastness, godliness,
Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in steadfastness [Christlike in character].
gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Temperance » Drunkards examples of » General references to
Like a thorn that goes [without being felt] into the hand of a drunken man,
So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who remains unaffected by its wisdom].
Woe (judgment is coming) to those who are heroes at drinking wine
And men of strength in mixing intoxicating drinks,
The splendid crown of the drunkards of Ephraim is trampled by [the foreigners’] feet.
Awake [from your intoxication], you drunkards, and weep;
Wail, all you drinkers of wine,
Because of the [fresh] sweet wine
That is cut off from your mouth.
Like tangled thorn branches [gathered for fuel],
And like those drowned in drunkenness,
Like stubble completely withered and dry [in the day of the Lord’s wrath].
Temple » General references to
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.),
But as for me, I will enter Your house through the abundance of Your steadfast love and tender mercy;
At Your holy temple I will bow [obediently] in reverence for You.
Then the devil took Him into the holy city [Jerusalem] and placed Him on the pinnacle (highest point) of the temple.
They have defiled Your sacred temple;
They have laid Jerusalem in ruins.
I will bow down [in worship] toward Your holy temple
And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word together with Your name.
spiritual Temple » General references to
What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said:“I will dwell among them and walk among them;
And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within you, whom you have [received as a gift] from God, and that you are not your own [property]?
You [believers], like living stones, are being built up into a spiritual house for a holy and dedicated priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.
Verse Concepts
Access To God, In Old TestamentFellowship, In The GospelBuild, FigurativelyAcceptance, Of WorshipMinistry, Nature OfPeople Of God, In NtPriesthood, In NtPriests, Tasks In Nt TimesPriests, Types Of In Nt TimesBeing OrganizedRankSanctification, Nature And BasisSanctuaryTypesAcceptance, From GodNames And Titles For The ChurchNames And Titles For The ChristianTypes Of ChristChurch, Titles Of
You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the chief Cornerstone. In Him the whole structure is joined (bound, welded) together harmoniously, and it continues to rise (grow, increase) into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, consecrated, and sacred to the presence of the Lord]. In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you yourselves also are being built up [into this structure] with the rest, to form a fixed abode (dwelling place) of God in (by, through) the Spirit.
but Christ is faithful as a Son over His [Father’s] house. And we are His house if we hold fast our confidence and sense of triumph in our hope [in Christ].
religious Testimony » General references to
“You are My witnesses,” declares the Lord,
“And My servant whom I have chosen,
That you may know and believe Me
And understand that I am He.
Before Me there was no God formed,
And there will be none after Me.
On that day your mouth will be opened to him who escaped, and you will speak and no longer be mute. In this way you shall be a sign to them, and they will know [without any doubt] that I am the Lord.’”
That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving
And declare all Your wonders.
Let my tongue sing [praise for the fulfillment] of Your word,
For all Your commandments are righteous.
The heart (mind) of those who act impulsively will discern the truth,
And the tongue of the stammerers will hurry to speak clearly.
The bible » Statutes contained in » General references to
You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to obey these statutes.
The precepts of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
saying, “If you will diligently listen and pay attention to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and listen to His commandments, and keep [foremost in your thoughts and actively obey] all His precepts and statutes, then I will not put on you any of the diseases which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.”
“Look, I have taught you statutes and judgments just as the Lord my God has commanded me, so that you may do them in the land which you are entering to possess.
These are the statutes, ordinances, and laws which the Lord established between Himself and the Israelites through Moses at Mount Sinai.
If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and My commandments, as your father David did, then I will lengthen your days.”
Blessed and reverently praised are You, O Lord;
Teach me Your statutes.
The bible » Commandments contained in » General references to
Then I will not be ashamed
When I look [with respect] to all Your commandments [as my guide].
The precepts of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
For the [true] love of God is this: that we habitually keep His commandments and remain focused on His precepts. And His commandments and His precepts are not difficult [to obey].
These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be [written] on your heart and mind.
“Therefore, you shall keep all the commandments which I am commanding you today, so that you may be strong and go in and take possession of the land which you are crossing over [the Jordan] to possess;
He replied to them, “Why also do you violate the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition [handed down by the elders]?
the future » The last judgment » General references to
then [in light of the fact that all this is true, be sure that] the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial, and how to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment,
It was of these people, moreover, that Enoch in the seventh [generation] from Adam prophesied when he said, Behold, the Lord comes with His myriads of holy ones (ten thousands of His saints) To execute judgment upon all and to convict all the impious (unholy ones) of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed [in such an] ungodly [way], and of all the severe (abusive, jarring) things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.
In this [union and fellowship with Him], love is completed and perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him]; because as He is, so are we in this world.
And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the Book of Life; and the dead were judged according to what they had done as written in the books [that is, everything done while on earth].
For we [believers will be called to account and] must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be repaid for what has been done in the body, whether good or bad [that is, each will be held responsible for his actions, purposes, goals, motives—the use or misuse of his time, opportunities and abilities].
And just as it is appointed and destined for all men to die once and after this [comes certain] judgment,
But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly people.
When the Son of Man comes in His glory (His majesty and splendor), and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them [the people] from one another as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats;
The Nation » Payment of taxes (tribute) » General references to
Some of the Philistines brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat; the Arabians also brought him flocks: 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats.
When they arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the half-shekel [temple tax] went up to Peter and said, “Does not your teacher pay the half-shekel?”
For this same reason you pay taxes, for civil authorities are God’s servants, devoting themselves to governance.
Tell us then, what do You think? Is it permissible [according to Jewish law and tradition] to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?”
Trials » General references to
In all their distress He was distressed,
And the
In His love and in His compassion He redeemed them;
And He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
For I consider [from the standpoint of faith] that the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us!
The Lord said, “I have in fact seen the affliction (suffering, desolation) of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters (oppressors); for I know their pain and suffering.
Is short-lived and full of turmoil.
This is my comfort in my affliction,
That Your word has revived me and given me life.
Trouble and anguish have found me,
Yet Your commandments are my delight and my joy.
We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair;
Tribute » General references to
Some of the Philistines brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat; the Arabians also brought him flocks: 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats.
When they arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the half-shekel [temple tax] went up to Peter and said, “Does not your teacher pay the half-shekel?”
For this same reason you pay taxes, for civil authorities are God’s servants, devoting themselves to governance.
Tell us then, what do You think? Is it permissible [according to Jewish law and tradition] to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?”
false Trusts » General references to
Who rely on horses
And trust in chariots because they are many,
And in horsemen because they are very strong,
But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek and consult the Lord!
“Why do you boast of your valleys?
Your valley is flowing away,
[O Ammon] rebellious and faithless daughter
Who trusts in her treasures, saying,
‘Who will come against me?’
“For you [Babylon] have trusted and felt confident in your wickedness; you have said,
‘No one sees me.’
Your wisdom and your knowledge have led you astray,
And you have said in your heart (mind),
‘I am, and there is no one besides me.’
He who leans on and trusts in and is confident in his riches will fall,
But the righteous [who trust in God’s provision] will flourish like a green leaf.
Thus says the Lord,
“Cursed is the man who trusts in and relies on mankind,
Making [weak, faulty human] flesh his strength,
And whose mind and heart turn away from the Lord.
He who trusts confidently in his own heart is a [dull, thickheaded] fool,
But he who walks in [skillful and godly] wisdom will be rescued.
And to those on the mountain of Samaria who feel secure,
The distinguished men of the foremost of nations,
To whom the house of Israel comes.
“Look, [this is] the man who would not make God his strength [his stronghold and fortress],
But trusted in the abundance of his riches,
Taking refuge in his wealth.”
Do not trust in princes,
In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation (help).
Unfruitfulness » General references to
He dug it all around and cleared away its stones,
And planted it with
And He built a tower in the center of it;
And also hewed out a
Then He expected it to produce [the choicest] grapes,
But it produced only worthless ones.
Virtues » Honesty » Integrity » General references to
The righteous man who walks in integrity and lives life in accord with his [godly] beliefs—
How blessed [happy and spiritually secure] are his children after him [who have his example to follow].
The integrity and moral courage of the upright will guide them,
But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.
As for me, You uphold me in my integrity,
And You set me in Your presence forever.
Than a [rich] man who is twisted in his speech and is a [shortsighted] fool.
War » General references to
they [invaded the Jordan Valley near the Dead Sea, and] made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).
Though an army encamp against me,
My heart will not fear;
Though war arise against me,
Even in this I am confident.
And another, a fiery red horse [of bloodshed], came out; and its rider was empowered to take peace from the earth, so that men would slaughter one another; and a great sword [of war and violent death] was given to him.
A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace.
Water » Living eze 47; re 22 » General references to
And you who have no money come, buy grain and eat.
Come, buy wine and milk
Without money and without cost [simply accept it as a gift from God].
“They will not hunger or thirst,
Nor will the scorching heat or sun strike them down;
For He who has compassion on them will lead them,
And He will guide them to springs of water.
O Lord, the hope of Israel,
All who abandon You will be shamed.
Those who turn away on earth will be written down,
Because they have abandoned the Lord, the fountain of living waters.
“You are a fountain in a garden,
A well of fresh and living water,
And streams flowing from Lebanon.”
water of Life » Eze 47; re 22 » General references to
And you who have no money come, buy grain and eat.
Come, buy wine and milk
Without money and without cost [simply accept it as a gift from God].
“They will not hunger or thirst,
Nor will the scorching heat or sun strike them down;
For He who has compassion on them will lead them,
And He will guide them to springs of water.
O Lord, the hope of Israel,
All who abandon You will be shamed.
Those who turn away on earth will be written down,
Because they have abandoned the Lord, the fountain of living waters.
“You are a fountain in a garden,
A well of fresh and living water,
And streams flowing from Lebanon.”
Whirlwind » General references to
As I looked, I saw a stormy wind coming out of the north, a great cloud with fire flashing continually from it; and a brightness was around it, and in its core [there was] something like glowing [amber-colored] metal in the midst of the fire.
When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal.
“Out of its chamber comes the storm,
And cold from the north wind.
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,
Before your cooking pots can feel the fire of thorns [burning under them as fuel],
He will sweep them away with a whirlwind, the green and the burning ones alike.
The wicked » Devices of » General references to
And plot evil on their beds!
When morning comes, they practice evil
Because it is in the power of their hands.
He plans wrongdoing on his bed;
He sets himself on a path that is not good;
He does not reject or despise evil.
But they will say, ‘That is hopeless! For we are going to follow our own plans, and each of us will act in accordance with the stubbornness of his evil heart.’
Be still before the Lord; wait patiently for Him and entrust yourself to Him;
Do not fret (whine, agonize) because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.
Who perversely in his heart plots trouble and evil continually;
Who spreads discord and strife.
Do they not go astray who devise evil and wander from the way of righteousness?
But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.
He who [slyly] winks his eyes does so to plot perverse things;
And he who compresses his lips [as if in a secret signal] brings evil to pass.
As for the rogue, his weapons are evil;
He conceives wicked plans
To ruin the poor with lies,
Even when the plea of the needy one is just and right.
Then the Spirit said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who devise evil and give wicked advice in this city,
Women » Jezebel » General references to
Now Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets [of Baal] with the sword.
It came about, as if it had been a trivial thing for Ahab to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal and worshiped him.
And the dogs will eat Jezebel in the territory of Jezreel, and there will be no one to bury her.’” Then he opened the door and fled.
for when Jezebel destroyed the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave, and provided them with bread and water.)
So when Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard about it, and she painted her eyes and adorned her head and looked down from the [upper] window.
The Lord also spoke in regard to Jezebel, saying, ‘The dogs will eat [the body of] Jezebel in the district of Jezreel.’
Then Jezebel his wife came to him and asked him, “Why is your spirit so troubled that you have not eaten?”
So they returned and told Jehu. Then he said, “This is the word of the Lord, which He spoke through His servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ‘In the property of Jezreel the dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel.
Women » Harlots » General references to
You shall not bring the wages of a prostitute or the price of a dog [that is, a male prostitute] into the house of the Lord your God as payment for any vow, for both of these [the gift and the giver] are utterly repulsive to the Lord your God.
He may not marry a widow or a divorced woman or one who is profaned by prostitution, but he is to marry a virgin from his own people,
‘Do not profane your daughter by making her a prostitute, so that the land will not fall to prostitution and become full of wickedness.
Women » Deborah » General references to
Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.
Deborah said to Barak, “Arise! For this is the day when the Lord has given Sisera into your hand. Has the Lord not gone out before you?” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him.
Wonderful » Works of God » General references to
When I see and consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have established,
And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,
“Great and wonderful and awe-inspiring are Your works [in judgment],
O Lord God, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all];
Righteous and true are Your ways,
O King of thenations!
“Great and wonderful and awe-inspiring are Your works [in judgment],
Righteous and true are Your ways,
O King of the
He has made His wonderful acts to be remembered;
The Lord is gracious and merciful and full of loving compassion.
And the expanse [of heaven] is declaring the work of His hands.
He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]—yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end.
That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving
And declare all Your wonders.
Many, O Lord my God, are the wonderful works which You have done,
And Your thoughts toward us;
There is none to compare with You.
If I would declare and speak of your wonders,
They would be too many to count.
I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
Word » Fulfilment of » General references to
This is my comfort in my affliction,
That Your word has revived me and given me life.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Who walk in the law [and who are guided by the precepts and revealed will] of the Lord.
“As for God, His way is blameless and perfect;
The word of the Lord is tested.
He is a shield to all those who take refuge and trust in Him.
The words and promises of the Lord are pure words,
Like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times.
Beth.
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts].
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts].
Jesus said to them, “Is this not why you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures [that teach the resurrection] nor the power of God [who is able to raise the dead]?
Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord [the only Lord]. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being and with all your might. And these words which I am commanding you this day shall be [first] in your [own] minds and hearts; [then] read more.
You shall whet and sharpen them so as to make them penetrate, and teach and impress them diligently upon the [minds and] hearts of your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up. And you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets (forehead bands) between your eyes. And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and on your gates. And when the Lord your God brings you into the land which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you, with great and goodly cities which you did not build, And houses full of all good things which you did not fill, and cisterns hewn out which you did not hew, and vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant, and when you eat and are full, Then beware lest you forget the Lord, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
You shall whet and sharpen them so as to make them penetrate, and teach and impress them diligently upon the [minds and] hearts of your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up. And you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets (forehead bands) between your eyes. And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and on your gates. And when the Lord your God brings you into the land which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you, with great and goodly cities which you did not build, And houses full of all good things which you did not fill, and cisterns hewn out which you did not hew, and vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant, and when you eat and are full, Then beware lest you forget the Lord, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the [whole] person; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure and bright, enlightening the eyes. The [reverent] fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. read more.
More to be desired are they than gold, even than much fine gold; they are sweeter also than honey and drippings from the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is Your servant warned (reminded, illuminated, and instructed); and in keeping them there is great reward.
More to be desired are they than gold, even than much fine gold; they are sweeter also than honey and drippings from the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is Your servant warned (reminded, illuminated, and instructed); and in keeping them there is great reward.
Worship » Temples » General references to
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.),
But as for me, I will enter Your house through the abundance of Your steadfast love and tender mercy;
At Your holy temple I will bow [obediently] in reverence for You.
Then the devil took Him into the holy city [Jerusalem] and placed Him on the pinnacle (highest point) of the temple.
They have defiled Your sacred temple;
They have laid Jerusalem in ruins.
I will bow down [in worship] toward Your holy temple
And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word together with Your name.
Worship » Family » General references to » Home, the best place to show piety
But if a widow has children or grandchildren [who are adults], see to it that these first learn to show great respect to their own family [as their religious duty and natural obligation], and to compensate their parents or grandparents [for their upbringing]; for this is acceptable and pleasing in the sight of God.
Verse Concepts
Acceptance, From GodFaithfulness, In Human Relationshipsethics, personaldiscipleship, nature ofLearning From Other PeopleGrandchildrenGrandparentsHomeLove, And The WorldParentsPleasing GodPoverty, Remedies ForReligionRightsSanctity Of LifeYouthChildren, attitudes towardsWidows, Should BeChildren, Duties OfCaring For Children
Caring For ParentsLove Between RelativesHonouring ParentsPeople ProvidingChildren, responsibilities to GodFamiliesparentingRaising ChildrenWomen's RolesResponsibilityFamily FirstMotherhoodParenting ResponsibilitiesRespecting ParentsGrandmothersLeaving Parents For SpouseFathers Responsibilitiesparenthoodpiety
Worship » Family » General references to » Joshua establishes religion in his home
If it is unacceptable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Worship » Family » General references to » The philippian jailer and his family are baptized
And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their bloody wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household.
Worship » Family » General references to » Mary sits at jesus' feet in her home
She had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was continually listening to His teaching.
Worship » Family » General references to » Lydia and her household converted
And when she was baptized, along with her household, she pleaded with us, saying, “If you have judged me and decided that I am faithful to the Lord [a true believer], come to my house and stay.” And she persuaded us.
Worship » Family » General references to » The entire family of the nobleman accept Christ
Then the father realized that it was at that very hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son lives”; and he and his entire household believed and confidently trusted [in Him as Savior].
Worship » Family » General references to » Andrew leads his brother to Christ
He first looked for and found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means the Christ).
Worship » Family » General references to » Healing of » Witness for Christ
Worship » Family » General references to » Job sanctifies his children
When the days of their feasting were over, Job would send [for them] and consecrate them, rising early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Job did this at all [such] times.
false Worship » False gods and Goddesses » General references to
They drank the wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.
You know that when you were pagans, you were led off after speechless idols; however you were led off [whether by impulse or habit].
“Has a nation [ever] changed gods
Even though they were not gods [but merely man-made objects]?
But My people have exchanged their Glory (the true God)
For that [man-made idol] which does not benefit [them].
Then the cities of Judah and the people of Jerusalem will go and cry to the [man-made] gods to whom they burn incense, but they cannot save them in the time of their disaster.
Their land has also been filled with idols;
They worship the work of their hands,
That which their own fingers have made.
But at that time, when you did not know [the true] God and were unacquainted with Him, you [Gentiles] were slaves to those [pagan] things which by [their very] nature were not and could not be gods at all.
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords,
true and false Worship » For worship of God house of God, the place of worship » General references to
And many peoples shall come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
To the house (temple) of the God of Jacob;
That He may teach us His ways
And that we may walk in His paths.”
For the law will go out from Zion
And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
All these I will bring to My holy mountain
And make them joyful in My house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will
For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.”
“All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered to you [as the eastern pastoral tribes join the trading tribes],
The rams of Nebaioth will serve you;
They will go up with acceptance [as sacrifices] on My altar,
And I will glorify the house of My honor and splendor.
Guard your steps and focus on what you are doing as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the [careless or irreverent] sacrifice of fools; for they are too ignorant to know they are doing evil.
then to those who sold the doves He said, “Take these things away! Stop making My Father’s house a place of commerce!”
Who stand and serve by night in the house of the Lord.
saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer’; but you have made it a robbers’ den.”
Zeal » Christ's » General references to
For He [the Lord] put on righteousness like a coat of armor,
And salvation like a helmet on His head;
He put on garments of vengeance for clothing
And covered Himself with zeal [and great love for His people] as a cloak.
And He answered, “Why did you have to look for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”
His disciples remembered that it is written [in the Scriptures], “Zeal (love, concern) for Your house [and its honor] will consume Me.”
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to completely finish His work.
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with great power; and He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.
Verse Concepts
FALSE » False gods and Goddesses » General references to
They drank the wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.
You know that when you were pagans, you were led off after speechless idols; however you were led off [whether by impulse or habit].
“Has a nation [ever] changed gods
Even though they were not gods [but merely man-made objects]?
But My people have exchanged their Glory (the true God)
For that [man-made idol] which does not benefit [them].
Then the cities of Judah and the people of Jerusalem will go and cry to the [man-made] gods to whom they burn incense, but they cannot save them in the time of their disaster.
Their land has also been filled with idols;
They worship the work of their hands,
That which their own fingers have made.
But at that time, when you did not know [the true] God and were unacquainted with Him, you [Gentiles] were slaves to those [pagan] things which by [their very] nature were not and could not be gods at all.
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords,
FALSE » Trusts » General references to
Who rely on horses
And trust in chariots because they are many,
And in horsemen because they are very strong,
But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek and consult the Lord!
“Why do you boast of your valleys?
Your valley is flowing away,
[O Ammon] rebellious and faithless daughter
Who trusts in her treasures, saying,
‘Who will come against me?’
“For you [Babylon] have trusted and felt confident in your wickedness; you have said,
‘No one sees me.’
Your wisdom and your knowledge have led you astray,
And you have said in your heart (mind),
‘I am, and there is no one besides me.’
He who leans on and trusts in and is confident in his riches will fall,
But the righteous [who trust in God’s provision] will flourish like a green leaf.
Thus says the Lord,
“Cursed is the man who trusts in and relies on mankind,
Making [weak, faulty human] flesh his strength,
And whose mind and heart turn away from the Lord.
He who trusts confidently in his own heart is a [dull, thickheaded] fool,
But he who walks in [skillful and godly] wisdom will be rescued.
And to those on the mountain of Samaria who feel secure,
The distinguished men of the foremost of nations,
To whom the house of Israel comes.
“Look, [this is] the man who would not make God his strength [his stronghold and fortress],
But trusted in the abundance of his riches,
Taking refuge in his wealth.”
Do not trust in princes,
In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation (help).
Related Topics
- A Broken Heart
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- Abel and Cain
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- Adulterers
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- Agape Love
- Age
- Aging
- Agriculture
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- Ambition, positive aspects of
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- Answered Promises
- Apollos
- Assurance
- Assurance in the life of faith
- Assurance, By Faith In Christ
- Astronomy
- Atonement
- Attitudes, to other people
- Authority, of human institutions
- Avoid Immorality
- Babylon
- Backbiting
- Bad Counsel
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- Bad Language
- Balaams Donkey
- Baptism
- Be Humble!
- Beauty And Self Worth
- Beggars
- Being A Friend
- Being A Good Father
- Being Afraid
- Being Beautiful
- Being Gay
- Being Happy And Enjoying Life
- Being Humble
- Being Lost
- Being Loved
- Being Patient
- Being Scared
- Best Friends
- Best friend
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- Bible, Given For
- Birds
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- Blasphemy, Examples Of
- Blessings And Prosperity
- Blessings Of The Poor
- Blood
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- Bravery
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- Brothers Love
- Building Relationships
- Business Ethics
- Care
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- Choices
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- Christ And His Sheep
- Christ Telling The Truth
- Christ, Character Of
- Christ, Names For
- Church, Titles Of
- Citizenship
- Civic Duties
- Civil authorities
- Cloth
- Cold Weather
- Comforting
- Commands, in OT
- Commendation
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- Competition
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- Confidence And Self Esteem
- Conflict
- Confrontation
- Consciences, Description Of
- Consider Your Call To Salvation
- Counseling
- Covetousness
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- Crops
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- Faith, Nature Of
- Faithfulness, In Human Relationships
- Faithlessness, As Disobedience
- False Accusations
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- Family And Friends
- Family Death
- Farmers
- Farming
- Fasting
- Fathers Birthday
- Faults
- Fear And Worry
- Fearing God
- Feeding Animals
- Feeding The Poor
- Feeling Lost
- Feet
- Fellowship, In The Gospel
- Fervour
- Finances
- Fish
- Folly, Effects Of
- Fools
- Fools, Characteristics Of
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- Foreknowledge Of Christ
- Forgiving Yourself
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- Foundations
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- Friendship And Love
- Friendship And Trust
- Friendship Kjv
- Friendship, Examples Of
- Fruitfulness, Spiritual
- Fruits Of Righteousness
- Future
- Generosity, God's
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- Gestures
- Giving Money To The Church
- Giving, Of Oneself
- Giving, Of Time
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- God Killing
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- God's Word Is Righteous
- God, Activity Of
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- God, As Savior
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- God, Perfection Of
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- God, The Lord
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- God, Unity Of
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- Going To Church
- Gold
- Good Friends
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- Head As Chief
- Healing
- Healing A Broken Heart
- Heart, And Holy Spirit
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- Humble Yourself
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- One Hundred
- Optimism
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- Passion
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- Persecution, Attitudes To
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- Suffering
- Sun
- Sun Moon And Stars Before God
- Sunshine
- Surrender
- Taking Care Of The Earth
- Tears
- Telling The Truth
- Tents
- Thank You
- The Almighty
- The Blood Of Jesus
- The Cave Of Machpelah
- The Effects Of Faith
- The Father
- The First Temple
- The Gentleness Of God's People
- The Holy Spirit In The Church
- The Insecurity Of The Wicked
- The Moon
- The Power Of Words
- The Proud
- The Sun
- The Tongue
- The poor
- Thirst
- Those Who Believed In Christ
- Thought
- Thrift
- Tilling The Soil
- Tongue
- Trap
- Treasure
- Tributes
- True Love
- Trust
- Trust In Relationships
- Trust, Lack Of
- Trusting God And Not Worrying
- Trusting God's Plan
- Trusting Others
- Trustworthiness
- Types
- Unconditional Love
- Understanding
- Unfaithfulness, To God
- Ungodly Cursing
- Uniqueness
- Unity, Of God's People
- Universalism
- Unkindness
- Value
- Virtue
- Waiting For God's Timing
- Walking
- Wantonness
- War
- Wealth And Prosperity
- Weather In The Last Days
- Weeping
- What Heaven Will Be Like
- Whirlwinds
- Wisdom, Human Importance
- Wisdom, Source Of Human
- Without Hope
- Wives
- Word Of God
- Words
- Working Hard And Not Being Lazy
- Worrying About The Future
- Worship, Acceptable Attitudes
- Worth
- Worthiness
- Accusations
- Acting
- Adultry
- Artists
- Atheism
- Branding
- Childbearing
- Conscience
- Construction
- Crowns
- Deeds
- Denial
- Desires
- Diligence
- Disabilities
- Discipleship, nature of
- Diseases
- Drought, physical
- Drunkards
- Eagerness
- Effort
- Emptiness
- End times prophecy
- Enemies, of believers
- Enlightenment
- Eternal life, experience of
- Eternal life, nature of
- Eternity
- Ethics, and grace
- Ethics, incentives towards
- Ethics, personal
- Ethics, social
- Evangelism, kinds of
- Evil, origins of
- Evil, warnings against
- Fearless
- Football
- Gays
- Gideon
- Grieving
- Groups
- Heartbroken
- Holy Boldness
- Honour
- Humanity
- Humble
- Humbleness
- Ignorance
- Jezebel
- Loving
- Moms
- Movement
- Parenthood
- Parenting
- Partnership
- Patient
- Patients
- Peter
- Piety
- Prophets
- Relaxation
- Rumors
- Sex
- Sonship
- Springtime
- Statues
- Striving
- Tenderheartedness
- Vocation
- Wickedness
- Zealots
- 3 more topics on General
- 8 more topics on References