FAQ’s

Genesis 2:23-24, as Christ pointed out, teaches monogamy as God’s will for man. Now there is no possibility of a husband’s constituting a unity with one wife if he also has another wife–or several others. This is made very clear by the analogy in Ephesians 5:23.  The implication here is that there is but one true church and that it stands in a relationship to the heavenly Bridegroom like that of the wife toward her husband. Christ is not the Head of many different churches; He has but a single mystical body–not several different bodies–and therefore His one and only church is viewed as the antitype of monogamous marriage. Polygamy is absolutely excluded.  As we examine the scriptural record, we come to the realization that every case of polygamy or concubinage amounted to a failure to follow God’s original model and plan.  The fact of the matter was that while polygamy was contrary to God’s intention and ideal, nevertheless, because of what Christ called “the hardness of men’s hearts” (Matthew 19:8), it was tolerated–especially in the case of a political leader whose dynasty would fail if he produced no son by his first wife.

–The Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties

Perhaps the Israelites enjoyed the prosperity and goodness of Egypt. Canaan was more on the frontier, less stable politically and perhaps not as fertile. Since the Israelites lived in Egypt throughout Joseph’s lifetime (three generations), they were probably more familiar with Egypt. Also, they may have had some obligation to Pharaoh. Everyone in Pharaoh’s land would in some way be indebted to him, even though we see no indication of their slavery until the book of Exodus.  Though Joseph knew he would die and not see the time when his sons returned to the land, he nevertheless expressed clearly the hope and trust that he had in God’s promise: “God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” As has been characteristic of the literary technique of the Joseph narratives, Joseph repeated a second time (cf. 41:32) his statement of trust in God’s promise: “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.”

–The Quest Study Bible and the NIV Bible Commentary

In those days, when people made a covenant, they would take animals and literally cut them in two pieces and set the two pieces next to each other, side by side.  Then they would go for a covenant walk.  They would pass between the pieces of the animal, and the symbolic meaning of this was, “May this be my fate if I don’t live up to the covenant, if I don’t honor the covenant, if I’m not faithful.”  Jeremiah 34:18 says, “Those who have violated my covenant … I will treat like the calf they cut in two and then walked between its pieces.”  When people cut a covenant, blood was shed.  It was a way of saying, “I take this very seriously.”

–John Ortberg

Three factors may have contributed to Lot’s outrageous proposal: (1) Hospitality was considered to be one of the highest measures of a man.  To take a stranger in and let him eat your food was to guarantee his safety – even at personal risk.  (2) Wives and daughters were typically viewed as property in his culture.  (3) Living as he did in a degenerate society, Lot’s values were likely off center.  Sin distorts priorities and blurs the line between right and wrong.  It was no doubt the combination of these factors that caused Lot to value the safety of his guests more than the well-being of his daughters.

–The Quest Study Bible

Abraham’s response was driven by his fear of being killed by men who would long for his beautiful wife. It was understandable enough that Sarah complied with his request under those circumstances. Yet it was a sin on the part of both of them, and it robbed them of all possibility of witnessing to the truth of God before the idolatrous society of Egypt.

It seems quite clear that this account of Abraham’s failure is an honest inclusion of his lack of faith as manifested by this entire episode. If he had not believed that Yahweh was able to protect him with honor and integrity if he went down to Egypt, then he should never have gone there at all. As it was, he brought dishonor on himself and the cause he stood for, discrediting himself before the moral standards of Egypt itself.

–Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties

This was a covenant ritual, apparently an ancient custom, though no extra-biblical material mentions it.  The intimacy that such a practice would require suggests the high level of trust sought in the oath.  This practice is found in other places in the Bible and it is always associated with a solemn oath.

–Don Porter 

Dreams can be messages from God, but they are not always.  In this case God repeats the promises made to Jacob’s father and grandfather.  The dream corresponds to the already revealed will of God.  Likewise, if God chooses to reveal his will to us in a dream, it will correspond to the teaching of Scripture.

Dreams should never replace sound and well thought-out decisions.  Scripture and respected members of the church should be consulted carefully.  We shouldn’t expect God to tell us in a dream whom to marry or what career track to choose.  That isn’t God’s pattern of revealing his will. This dream was given to assure Jacob that God was present with him and that God intended to bless him, keeping the promise made to his ancestors.  It also marked the beginning of Jacob’s lifelong relationship with God.

–Don Porter

It seems to be a way of acknowledging the authority and generosity of the one who has provided the blessing. Later God required a tenth from all Israelites (Leviticus 27:30-32; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:22-28).

–The Quest Study Bible

Jacob’s wrestling with an angel epitomizes the whole of Jacob’s life. He had struggled with his brother (chapters 25, 27), his father (chapter 27), and his father-in-law (chapters 29-31), and now he struggles with God (ch. 32). Jacob’s own words express the substance of these narratives about him: “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” Here is a graphic picture of Jacob struggling for the blessing–struggling with God and with a man (32:28).

Significantly, Jacob emerges victorious in his struggle. His victory, even in his struggle with God, came when the angel “blessed him.” The importance of the name “Peniel” is that it identifies the one with whom Jacob was wrestling as God. Jacob’s remark that he had seen God face to face did not necessarily mean that the “man” he wrestled with was in fact God. Rather, when one saw the “angel of the Lord,” it was appropriate to say that he had seen the face of God.

–NIV Bible Commentary

Genesis 2 does not present a creation account at all but presupposes the completion of God’s work of creation as set forth in chapter 1. The first three verses of Genesis 2 simply carry the narrative of chapter 1 to its final and logical conclusion, using the same vocabulary and style as employed in the previous chapter. It sets forth the completion of the whole primal work of creation and the special sanctity conferred on the seventh day as a symbol and memorial of God’s creative work. Verse 4 then sums up the whole sequence that has just been surveyed by saying, “These are the generations of heaven and earth when they were created, in the day that Yahweh God made heaven and earth.” Having finished the overall survey of the subject, the author then develops in detail one important feature that has already been mentioned: the creation of man.  As we examine the remainder of Genesis 2, we find that it concerns itself with a description of the ideal setting that God prepared for Adam and Eve to begin their life in, walking in loving fellowship with Him as responsive and obedient children.  From the survey of the first fifteen verses of chapter 2, it becomes quite apparent that this was never intended to be a general creation narrative. Genesis 1 is the only creation account to be found in the Hebrew Scripture and it is presupposed as the background of Genesis 2. . . . Quite clearly, then, chapter 2 is built on the foundation of chapter 1 and represents no different tradition than the first chapter or discrepant account of the order of creation.

–Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties

God takes grumbling very seriously!  Through the Old Testament and also in the New Testament, grumbling is held up as a serious sin.  In 1 Corinthians 10:6-13 Paul gives a warning about three sins that the people of Israel committed in the desert: sexual immorality, testing God, and grumbling.  All three of these are presented as sins that break the heart of God.

As we read the history of God’s people in the book of Exodus, we discover that the sin of grumbling was a recurring problem.  Sadly, in many churches this is still the case.  We need to remember that this breaks the heart of God today in the same way it did in the days of Moses.

–Kevin Harney

Israel’s sin was not their desire for water, but their attitude toward God. Although God had already demonstrated that he could provide water (15:25), bread (16:15) and meat (16:13), the people were quick to resist Moses’ leadership and doubt God’s care.

–The Quest Study Bible  

Much confusion has arisen from the misleading translation of Exodus 20:13 that occurs in most English versions. The Hebrew original uses a specific word for murder (rasah) in the sixth commandment and should be rendered “You shall not murder” (as opposed to many English versions which read “kill”). This is not a prohibition against capital punishment for capital crimes, since it is not a general term for the taking of life, such as our English word “kill” implies. Exodus 21:12, in the very next chapter, reads: “Anyone who strikes a man and kills him shall surely be put to death.” This amounts to a specific divine command to punish murder with capital punishment, in keeping with Genesis 9:6: “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.”

Violence and bloodshed are occasionally mentioned in the record of man’s history throughout Scripture, but never with approval. Yet there were specific situations when entire communities (such as Jericho) or entire tribes (such as Amalekites) were to be exterminated by the Israelites in obedience to God’s command. In each case these offenders had gone so far in degeneracy and moral depravity that their continued presence would result in spreading the dreadful cancer of sin among God’s covenant people.

–Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties

First, it would be helpful to consider why God allowed Hebrews to enslave other Hebrews. Though they had all been slaves in Egypt and were now set free, Moses permitted a sort of voluntary slavery to continue. Individuals could sell their services for up to six years to repay debts or make restitution. Hebrew slaves were regarded more as hired hands. The seventh year, their debts were canceled, and they received their freedom.

Second, with regard to why God would make provision for a husband and wife not to leave together when the husband was no longer a slave.  This would make more sense to us if we could see through the lens of their culture. Their customs required a man to “purchase” a wife by paying a bride-price to her father. If a slave owner purchased a bride for his servant, however, she technically belonged to the one who paid the price. This policy seems harsh, but it was softened by other provisions (see Exodus 21:8,11,26-27).

–The Quest Study Bible

The Hebrew word used in this passage is dal, which can be literally translated as “weak, thin, lean, or needy.”  Thus, while this could refer to a slave, what is intended here are the “poor” in general.

–Don Porter

While it is true that only Moses was to “approach the Lord,” there were others who were to accompany Moses to the mountain.  In light of verse 24:18, it seems clear that only Moses went up the mountain in accordance with God’s instructions (“and he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights”).

–Don Porter

The phrase “face to face” is a metaphor that, along with the phrase “as a man speaks with his friend,” suggests spiritual communion and intimacy. The image should not be taken literally, especially in view of the fact that God said no one, including Moses, could see his face and live. It describes God’s straightforward and deep communication with Moses, not his physical presence (Numbers 12:6-8).

–The Quest Study Bible

The glory of God is the worthiness of God–the presence of God in the fullness of his attributes in some place or everywhere (Exodus 16:10; 29:43; 33:19-34:8; Isaiah 6:3).  Thus, Moses wanted to see the character of God.  In a sense, Moses’ prayer was answered on the Mount of Transfiguration (Luke 9:30-32), where he shared a vision, however brief, of the Lord’s glory with Elijah and three of Jesus’ disciples.

–NIV Bible Dictionary

This is certainly a difficult moral dilemma.  They are praised for their outright refusal to take infant lives, and God gave them “families.”  The midwives may have lied to Pharaoh, or they may have attempted to avoid answering Pharaoh’s question directly, and therefore commented on what was true without giving all the details.  There are also those who believe they should have told Pharaoh the truth and trusted the Lord to protect the infants.

–The NIV Bible Commentary

Some think this radiance was the glory Moses prayed for during his second 40 days (33:18). Others believe that Moses’ anger when he first descended the mountain (32:19) canceled out any glory that would have appeared on his face. When Moses descended the second time, he was not angry.

–The Quest Study Bible

The “tent of meeting” is frequently used to designate the pre-Solomonic sanctuary, while elsewhere the entire structure is often called the tabernacle. The phrase, “Tent of Meeting,” probably derives from the belief that this structure served as the meeting place between God and Moses (Leviticus 1:1) and also between God and the people of Israel (Exodus 29:42 – 43).

–Dictionary of Old Testament Theology

Sea cows are dugongs, marine animals abounding on the coral banks of the Red Sea and in other tropical waters.  A dugong grows to 11 feet long, with a round head, fish-like tail and flippers for forelimbs.  Their appearance is similar to seals.  Because the Red Sea borders ancient Egypt, it’s not surprising that Israel used their hides for various purposes.

–The Quest Study Bible

Through strict requirements like these, God impressed upon his people the seriousness of his holiness. The underlying reason for this warning on God’s part may well have been mercy. It was a mercy of God that he had made himself known to anyone; it was the continuing mercy of God that he did not destroy more persons more quickly because of their wickedness; and it was a condescending mercy of God that he presented himself in their midst. The revelation of God’s word brings with it demands, some of which seem harsh and difficult. But God is near. Some seem to be so judgmental; yet God has not destroyed all. Some seem to be so threatening; yet God by his mercy allows some sense of his presence to remain known in the camp. His manifestation is based on his mercy; his strictures allow his mercy to continue to be realized.

–NIV Bible Commentary

This would be for her own protection. This test actually functioned as a protective measure for a woman falsely accused of having an affair. Without it, the furious husband might harm her–even kill her. The law served as a deterrent against private acts of vengeance and retribution, and ensured justice in a potentially explosive situation.

–The Quest Study Bible

The passage reads that the curse would cause “her thigh to waste away and her abdomen to swell.”  This is figurative language for infertility. It indicates a physical malady or reproductive problem that would prevent a woman from bearing children.  During this time the Israelites viewed the inability to have children as a divine punishment for personal sin (see Deuteronomy 7:14), though not necessarily limited to adultery. God’s Word, however, does not make such blanket generalizations. Sarah, for example, bore disgrace for decades, though later she was called “holy” (1 Peter 3:5-6).

–The Quest Study Bible

There is powerful imagery and meaning in the way Israel camped and traveled.  The plan God gave was one that kept the tabernacle (a symbol of God’s presence) in the very middle of their lives.  When they camped, the tabernacle was in the center of the camp.  As a matter of fact, all the doors of the tents were to open toward the tabernacle.  When they traveled, the tabernacle was central in their procession.  This is a powerful reminder of the need to realize that God should be central in every aspect of our lives.  This picture should encourage us to evaluate our lives and make sure God is at the center of all we do.

–Kevin Harney

If we read the whole account of Numbers 11 carefully, we can understand why God was so highly displeased with the Hebrew malcontents who were tired of His daily supply of manna and longed for meat and vegetables in their diet (verses 4-9).  God gave them what they were asking for, thus bringing them to see how foolish they were to despise the good and sufficient food He had apportioned them in favor of that which they chose for themselves. In other words, in order to teach them a much-needed lesson, God saw fit to give the discontented rabble exactly what they asked for–rather than that which would be best for them.  Such a huge number of dead birds would speedily begin to rot in that hot desert, despite the people’s best efforts to convert them into dried meat that could be preserved. There is little wonder that they began to suffer from food poisoning and disease as soon as they began chewing this unaccustomed food. In the end a great many of them died of plague and had to be buried right there in the desolate wilderness, at Qibrot Hatt’avah, “The Graves of Greed.”

–Dictionary of Bible Difficulties

The people’s complaining was symptomatic of a much deeper problem: distrust of God. Their verbal barrage assaulted God’s character. Israel refused to take God at his word.

–The Quest Study Bible

The answer to this question can be found in Numbers 18, in which the Lord tells the people that the Midianites “treated you as enemies when they deceived you in the affair of Peor. . . .”  In an attempt to stop Israel, the Midianites and the Moabites came up with a plan to get Israel to abandon the Lord and thereby lose His protection.  To do this, Moabite women invited Israelite men to their fertility festival which involved Baal worship and sex with temple prostitutes.  The command in Numbers 25:17 is a way of protecting the nation from such a deceitful attack.

–Don Porter

One scholar, Haley (Alleged Discrepancies, p. 248), makes this observation with regard to this:

“Moses, under the impulse of the Holy Spirit, was writing history `objectively.’ Hence he speaks as freely of himself as he would of any other person. It is also to be observed that he records his own faults and sins with the same fidelity and impartiality.”   So far as Numbers 12:3 is concerned, it should be observed that Moses’ failure to speak in his own defense, even when put under great pressure by Aaron and Miriam to lose his temper, calls for special explanation. That explanation is found in his complete deliverance from pride and his thoroughgoing commitment of himself to the Lord God as his vindicator and protector. Any other leader in his position would surely have faced them with a withering reply, but Moses turned the matter completely over to God. We really need the information contained in v.3 in order to make sense of his amazing meekness in this situation.

–Dictionary of Bible Difficulties

When someone was killed, an avenger of blood was obligated to put the killer to death. Typically this was the nearest male relative of the victim. The avenger was not to be a vigilante seeking vengeance, however. His aim instead was retribution, the restoration of life balance in society (Exodus 21:23-25; Lev. 24:17).

–The Quest Study Bible

Though God knows before we pray what we will ask and how he will answer, it is spiritually beneficial for us to pray. Moses interceded on behalf of the people, and God, wanting to forgive, heard his prayer. But it seems that God would have destroyed the people, just as he said, had not Moses stood up for them. This is part of the mystery of how God and humankind work together.

–The Quest Study Bible

Divination is a human-initiated attempt to predict the future or discover other things known only to God. Prophecy, on the other hand, was a method chosen by God to communicate with his people.

–The Quest Study Bible

The “wave offering” was part of a fellowship (or peace) offering.  The translation of the word “wave” stems from ancient rabbinic tradition. Though it’s possible that portions of sacrifices or small animals (14:12,24) were actually waved back and forth, the word was also used symbolically–as when the Levites were presented as a wave offering (Numbers 8:11). The idea probably refers to ‘lifting” the offering either physically or symbolically as a gift to the Lord.  It is possible that this practice was picked up by other cultures and assumed different meanings, but this was undoubtedly the original intent of the instructions.

–The Quest Study Bible

Believers today cannot claim this verse as a promise for victory in their nations’ war efforts. There is a great difference between the wars Israel fought under the direct command of God and the wars nations engage in today, which may or may not be just. Still, individuals can trust God for their personal and spiritual success. The question is not whether God is on our side but whether we have joined his side.

–The Quest Study Bible

It was customary at that time for prisoners of war to become slaves. But Israel was to treat their slaves according to God’s standards–not with the brutality that could be found among other nations. Women captured by the Israelites were not treated merely as booty; God insisted on certain rights for them and provided for the possibility of their inclusion in the covenant community through marriage (21:10-14).

–The Quest Study Bible

God had declared  that “bloodshed pollutes the land” (Numbers 35:33-34). So something had to be done to cleanse the land of the guilt of murder. Unplowed land may have symbolized unproductive land. It pictured fields without crops as the consequences of the murder. Running water, then, would have symbolized cleansing. This ritual thus would mean that no plow could uncover any guilt or blood that had soaked into the ground.

–The Quest Study Bible

Because he knew that they could be influenced by the lower standards of the world around them. God’s commands demonstrated his [values, including his view of human life. Yet, though God consistently condemned human sacrifice, Israel often adopted the ways of their pagan neighbors in hopes of gaining the favor of false gods.

–The Quest Study Bible

No. God never desires his people to fall into sin. But trial comes from many sources: resisting false prophets with their signs and wonders was only one way to prove their allegiance to the Lord. Overcoming false prophets allowed Israel to strengthen their love and obedience to God.

–The Quest Study Bible

Not in the sense that we would think of it today. In Old Testament times, however, this provision would actually have protected the woman from misuse and loss of status on the whim of her husband. It was very generous in comparison with the treatment of women captured by neighboring nations.

–The Quest Study Bible

While some argue that the passage is figurative, there is no reason to believe that God could not extend the day. He who created the world by the power of His word can certainly work beyond the normal limitations of that which can be explained by science. If God can raise the dead, part the Red Sea, and heal leprosy, He can certainly control the sun and the earth.

–Don Porter

The women of ancient Israel had few rights by today’s standards. But the law provided for their care and protection in several important ways: (1) a childless widow was granted the right of a son by her husband’s brother (insuring inheritance rights; see Deuteronomy 25:56); (2) some kinds of divorce were prohibited totally (for example, Deuteronomy 22:19); (3) women without any brothers could inherit their father’s land (Numbers 27:37); (4) women were protected from starvation (Deuteronomy 24:1921).

–The Quest Study Bible

There are times when, from our limited human perspective, we see God’s judgment and discipline as “evil.” At these times we must remember that God is always true to Himself (His character), and that He is always perfectly just. We bring discipline and judgment upon ourselves when we refuse to follow God’s purposes for our lives.

–Don Porter

Scripture unequivocally condemns lying as a sin. In Rahab’s case there were special factors that operated in her favor, and they should not be overlooked, even if they do not altogether excuse her mendacity. In this particular case the lie meant for her a step of faith that put her very life in jeopardy. . . . At any rate, she professed a very firm conviction that the Israelite forces would capture and destroy Jericho, even though from the standpoint of military science it looked as if Jericho was virtually impregnable. . . . Despite her sinful past her faith was reckoned to her for righteousness, not only by the Lord, but also by His people; and she assumed a position of honor as an ancestress of the Lord Jesus Himself (Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25).

–The Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties

In the Old Testament, God took land as punishment for sin. This judgment would fall upon Israel herself at a later date, when, because of their sin, their land would be lost to other nations. God’s judgment upon Canaan occurred because of the sin of its inhabitants (Genesis 15:16). The people living in the land had a long history of worshiping idols (including engaging in religious prostitution and human sacrifice).

–Don Porter

It would appear so, at least in the Old Testament where God’s promises were linked to the land. But God’s kingdom is not geographical; it is spiritual and eternal. Some who are called to serve the Lord may have to endure the rigors of poverty and deprivation. Nonetheless, countless Christians testify to a general truth: building one’s life on biblical values often leads to material reward. God made two kinds of promises to Joshua and Israel physical and spiritual. Both look back to God’s pledge to give Abraham land, posterity and spiritual blessings (Gen. 12:23). The land and posterity were specific, physical promises, made exclusively to Abraham’s physical descendants. The promise of spiritual blessing, however, extends to believers in Christ (Abraham’s heirs, Gal. 3:29). Both Gentile and Jewish believers can be confident that God will always be with them (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5).

–The Quest Study Bible

An act by which a person or thing is dedicated to the service and worship of God. In this particular passage, the people were to be consecrated because God is holy, the ark was holy, and the event itself was holy. Consecration involved bathing, washing one’s clothing, and abstinence from sexual activity (cf. Exodus 19:14-15).

–NIV Bible Commentary and the NIV Bible Dictionary

These stones would become a constant reminder to the people of his faithfulness, love, and power. In the challenges that the nation would face in the years to come, this memorial would provide a powerful reminder that God can be trusted. Also, for generations to come, the memorial would beg the question, “Why is this here?” The answer would provide opportunity to teach the next generation the stories of God’s love for the people. It is important that we remember what God has done, both to give him glory and to be strengthened to stand firm in the faith!

–Don Porter

Probably because spiritual conditions were at a low ebb. God required each male to be circumcised as a sign of cutting off the old life and beginning anew with God (see Genesis 17:13). The 40-year desert march was punishment for their unbelief, so the people may have felt some degree of rejection by God. They may have neglected circumcision because they felt the spiritual bond it represented was broken. Also, they may not have felt compelled to identify with the Lord as strongly while isolated in the desert as when facing pagans.

–The Quest Study Bible

The number seven is the most significant symbolic number in the Bible, which probably relates to the Old Testament week of seven days with the final day representing the Sabbath (Genesis 2:2ff.). And so, the number seven is often used to symbolize completeness or perfection. In this passage the number seven is connected to God’s total destruction of Jericho. It should be noted in this passage that it is not clear whether Jericho was destroyed on the seventh day of the week (the Sabbath, which was to be a day of rest) or on the seventh day of the siege.

–Don Porter

Delilah was a deceitful woman with honey on her lips and passion in her heart. Cold and calculating, she toyed with Samson, pretending to love him while looking for personal gain. … If he didn’t realize what was happening after the first or second experience, surely he should have understood the situation by the fourth time! We think Samson is foolish, but how many times do we allow ourselves to be deceived by flattery and give in to temptation and wrong beliefs? Avoid falling prey to deceit by asking God to help you distinguish between deception and truth.

–Don Porter

This was a case of spiritual anarchy (“In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit (17:6)”). Happy to have her silver back, Micah’s mother dedicated it “to the Lord” to be made into an idol. In reality, they were not worshiping the Lord at all. They were “customizing” their faith by mixing it with pagan practices.

–The Quest Study Bible

Influenced by the moral decay in his culture, the old man’s priorities were obviously misplaced. As people defined their values for themselves (17:6), society sank as low as human depravity would allow it to go. Though the old man’s values said homosexual rape was wrong, he considered the rape of his daughter a necessity to protect his guest. In those days women were often treated as property–objects rather than people.

–The Quest Study Bible

The lesson here is that there is no justice when people take morality into their own hands. God never told the Israelites to annihilate the tribe of Benjamin. He never told them to withhold their daughters from marriage to the survivors, or to massacre the men of Jabesh Gilead. This whole account, from beginning to end, shows innocent people suffering because the Israelites put their own interests first (17:6).

–The Quest Study Bible

While this phrase was first used as a warning against violating approved religious ritual (Deuteronomy 12:8), it applies to any and every action that refuses to take into account what God says about the matter. God and his laws are not in opposition to human freedom. People often do what is wrong, thinking it’s OK. Time tests the fruit of every action–but sometimes we have to live with undesired consequences (for example, AIDS; see Proverbs 14:12). That’s why doing “what is right in our own eyes” may actually be doing the very thing that God knows will lead to disaster (Judges 2:11; 4:1; 6:1; 10:6). God is not anti-freedom, but choosing his will rather than what we see fit protects us, and leads to life.

–Judson Poling

The answer to this question is best summarized in verse 2:10, that this generation “knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.” One generation had failed to instruct the next generation in the ways of the Lord and to tell the great stories of God’s love and faithfulness (as instructed in Deuteronomy 6:4–9). Thus, not only did the next generation grow up not knowing the Lord, but as a result they “did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals” (2:11). This should be a sobering reminder to all generations to be intentional in passing on their faith.

–Don Porter

The summary here closely resembles the stern pronouncement of vv. 1–3 by the angel of the Lord. Violating the covenant meant a slower conquest of Canaan. The nations would be left there to test Israel’s desire to obey the Lord. The constant pressure from a pagan culture would prove who the genuine believers really were.

–NIV Bible Commentary

Deborah most likely ascended to prominence because of a power vacuum. With no male leaders stepping forward, Deborah took the initiative. Although it was rare for a woman to do what she did, there was no divine injunction against it (see Miriam, Exodus 15:10, and Huldah, 2 Kings 22:14). In fact, God blessed her for her trust in him, and the people recognized God’s hand upon her.

–The Quest Study Bible

As in the account of Gideon, “putting out a fleece’’ often describes a specific action that “tests” God’s approval or disapproval with regard to a particular decision. We need to be cautious when seeking to follow Gideon’s approach to discerning the will of God. First, there are many warnings in Scripture regarding “putting God to the test (ex., Deuteronomy 6:16).” Second, there are very few examples of God’s people using this as a method to test God’s purposes. Whenever seeking to assure ourselves that we have heard the Lord’s direction, it is always prudent to make sure each proposed direction is supported (or not forbidden) by Scripture. One should also prayerfully consider the input of other mature believers (Proverbs 15:22).

–Don Porter

There is no connection between the Spirit’s empowering of Jephthah and his vow. Possessing the Holy Spirit for a special assignment does not guarantee a person will be faultless in other areas of life. Jephthah’s vow was an attempt to strike a deal with God for a blessing instead of trusting him. What he got instead was grief.

–The Quest Study Bible

Through the story of the experiences of this family, Ruth presents unobtrusively but powerfully the concept of divine providence. There are no direct conversations with God or appeals to him, though God is mentioned in the book in various places, and the solemn oath “As surely as the Lord lives” (3:13) is invoked. Clearly divine providence is behind everything that happens in the book–the famine, the deaths, Ruth’s choice of Boaz’s field as a place to glean, his attraction to her, and their eventual marriage. The covenant relationship that bound the people of Israel to God and to one another underlies much of the book. Though the word “covenant” is not found in Ruth, it is a significant factor in the book’s unfolding plot. Ruth’s eloquent commitment to the God of her mother-in-law (1:16–17) was her acceptance of a relationship voiced earlier by Israel at Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:3). When Boaz commended Ruth’s loving care of Naomi (2:12), he was echoing Deuteronomic theology (Deuteronomy 28:2). Even Naomi’s bitter complaint (1:21) was based on the presupposition of his faithfulness and trustworthiness by reason of his covenant relationship with his people.

–NIV Bible Commentary

Implied in Naomi’s charge to Ruth seems to be a lack of concern that she would worship the one true God. In the Middle East at that time, people were seen as an inseparable unit, part and parcel with their land and their gods. God’s call of Abraham had challenged that view, envisioning a blessing encompassing “all the peoples on the earth” (Genesis 12:3). Naomi should have remembered that original plan. Jesus reiterated this worldwide mission when he told us to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Our message about God is for everyone–as was Abraham’s . Our concern should always be to share the truth of eternal life in Jesus Christ, regardless of a person’s culture or background.

–Don Porter and Judson Poling

Although this custom may sound questionable to modern ears, Ruth was above reproach. Her actions were simply a ceremonial request for marriage. Anything immoral would have been out of character for her.

–The Quest Study Bible

This may have been a play on words in the original language. “Garment” (singular) referred to a custom that had to do with making a marriage proposal. The same word (plural) could mean “wings”–suggesting that, more than marriage, this was a request for protection. Boaz used the term earlier when he said Ruth trusted God by taking refuge in Him.

–The Quest Study Bible

There is not a contradiction to the general law of the levirate in Deuteronomy 25. The basic rules there for a formal rejection of the duty to the widow and also for a public acceptance of that responsibility were carried out by both men. Ruth’s failure to carry out an active role in accusing and shaming the other go’el amounted to the voluntary surrender of her right to perform this ceremony, in view of the fact that the essential purpose of the levirate ordinance was about to be achieved in a far more desirable and acceptable fashion through Boaz himself.

–Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties

No disapproval by God is implied here. Marriage with the Moabites was not forbidden by God, but no Moabites or their sons to the tenth generation were allowed in the tabernacle (Deut. 23:3). The Moabites, though not Israelites, were considered distant relatives, because they were descendants of Lot, Abraham’s nephew (Gen. 19:36–37). As a result, the restrictions against marriage to foreigners did not apply to the Moabites.

–The Quest Study Bible

Though he was serving God in the tabernacle, Samuel had experienced no direct personal encounter or revelation from God. This would explain why Samuel did not recognize the voice of the Lord when God had called out to him. Although the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to Samuel, that would soon take place (v. 11); and as God continued to speak to Samuel through the years (v. 21), the Lord’s word would so captivate him that it would be virtually indistinguishable from “Samuel’s word” (4:1). Samuel the priest would become Samuel the prophet (v. 20).

–Don Porter and NIV Bible Commentary

The Israelites had a lot to learn about God. He was bigger than the box which symbolized his presence. They could not enhance their fortunes by trying to cart him around like a good luck charm. Having the ark didn’t mean God was on their side. The more important issue was whether they were on God’s side. In this case, God’s presence meant judgment rather than blessing.

–The Quest Study Bible

The reasons given by the people are found in 1 Samuel 8:5: Samuel was aging; Samuel’s sons had not proven to be strong, moral leaders; and, they wanted to be like their neighboring nations. Given the Lord’s response in 1 Samuel 8:7 (“they have rejected me as their king”), it is clear that their desire for a human king was a rejection of the Lord’s role as King over the nation. Possibly they did not like the Lord’s direction, or they may have felt insecure living by faith in God as opposed to the leadership provided by a human king. Perhaps they just wanted to “fit in.” Their folly is a sober reminder to us as well. In a world that often functions out of step with God and encourages us to conform, we are to live in a trusting relationship with the Lord–even if that means having to be “different.”

–Don Porter

When pagans cursed or blessed, they believed their words had a mystical power to bring about the effect. They believed their gods would also act to help the process along. When a man or woman of God extended a blessing or a curse, they knew results would follow only if they were speaking on behalf of the Lord. When God himself utters a blessing or a curse–then or now–surely it will come to pass (Isaiah 55:11). The Bible is clear God pronounced a curse over creation when mankind sinned (Genesis 3:17; Romans 8:20–21). For those in Jesus Christ, all curses are removed, having been placed on Jesus instead (Galatians 3:13–14).

–Don Porter and Judson Poling

This is a description of how God worked on this occasion, but it does not prescribe a method for discovering God’s will. In this case, God revealed himself to the Philistines by working through their superstitions. For God’s people, however, he gives Scripture, prayer and the inner witness of the Spirit.

–The Quest Study Bible

If the ark was the problem, they reasoned, then they needed to get rid of it. They reacted much the same way the Philistines did, not realizing they were the problem, not the ark.

–The Quest Study Bible

The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament is described as coming upon an individual (for example, 10:9–10; 16:13), filling a person for service (Exodus 31:3; 35:31) or being in someone (Numbers 27:18; Daniel 4:8). But the presence or absence of the Spirit had nothing to do with salvation. Rather, the presence of the Spirit in the Old Testament indicated only that a person was empowered for service. Since Saul repeatedly acted arrogantly and independently of the Lord, the Spirit left him to his own devices (15:26). Today, the Spirit dwells in everyone who believes in Christ.

–The Quest Study Bible

This statement and similar ones in Scripture indicate that evil spirits are subject to God’s control and operate only within divinely determined boundaries (see Judges 9:23; 1 Kings 22:19–23; Job 1:12; 2:6; compare 2 Samuel 24:1 with 1 Chronicles 21:1). Saul’s disobedience continued to be punished by the assaults of an evil spirit (vv. 15–16, 23; 18:10; 19:9). Saul’s increasing tendencies to despondency, jealousy and violence were no doubt occasioned by his knowledge of his rejection as king (see 13:13–14; 15:22–26; 18:9; 20:30–33; 22:16–18) and his awareness of David’s growing popularity, but an evil spirit was also involved in these psychological aberrations (see 18:10–12; 19:9–10).

–The NIV Bible Study Notes

The seeming contradiction between 17:55–58 and 16:14–23 may be resolved by noting that prior to this time David was not a permanent resident at Saul’s court (see v. 15; 18:2), so that Saul’s knowledge of David and his family may have been minimal. Further, Saul may have been so incredulous at David’s courage that he was wondering if his family background and social standing might explain his extraordinary conduct.

–The NIV Bible Study Notes

Some argue that Michal, without David’s knowledge, kept it in the home. But that is not likely if it was the size suggested here. Such idols played an important role in the culture, indicating who possessed the rights and privileges as leaders of households or clans. Perhaps that is why the early Israelites did not seem concerned that these statues might suggest they were being unfaithful to the Lord. Nevertheless, it remains a mystery why David could have permitted an idol in his own home.

–The Quest Study Bible

2 Samuel 14:27 says, “And to Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar.” But 2 Samuel 18:18 states, “Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up for himself a pillar which is in the King’s Valley, for he said, ‘I have no son to preserve my name.’ So he named the pillar after his own name, and it is called Absalom’s monument to this day”–that is, to the time of the final composition of 2 Samuel, which may have been in the middle of the eighth century B.C. This establishes the fact that by the time he set up his monument (which may have been a year or two before his rebellion against his father, David), Absalom had no male heirs surviving to him. But it does not prove that none had been born to him previously (and died in infancy). Consequently, as Absalom had no sons, he afterwards erected a pillar to preserve his name. Apparently he endured the heartbreak of losing all three little boys in their infancy, and it had become apparent that his wife would not bear him any more.

–Dictionary of Bible Difficulties

Apparently David feels justified in rejecting his earlier vow because he believes Mephibosheth (Jonathan’s son to whom David had promised protection and provision) is seeking to rebel against David and regain a portion of his grandfather’s kingdom. Sadly, David acted without hearing Mephibosheth’s side of the story. Ziba, acting in his own interests, had lied about Mephibosheth. It is the wise person who fully investigates a situation before acting (Proverbs 14:15).

–Don Porter

A metaphor for death. Combined with the parallel metaphors in this passage, this may use mythological images that depict a struggle with the Canaanite god of death and god of the sea. David’s encounter with pagan forces threatened to ensnare him and pull him down to his death. But God broke the cords and released David from danger.

–The Quest Study Bible

Believers see God’s capacity for love and forgiveness. Sinners, on the other hand, can expect to see God only as judge and avenger. To them God appears devious, untrustworthy and subject to manipulation. We see God through the grid of our own character. But God remains what he has always been: holy, just, loving, pure and compassionate.

–The Quest Study Bible

In 2 Samuel 24:1 we read, “And again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.” In the parallel account in 1 Chronicles 21:1–2 it is stated: “And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.” The wording of 1 Chronicles 21:2 is similar to that of 2 Samuel 24:2. There are times when Satan believes God’s purpose will accomplish his own. In this case, the Lord was drawing David into a trial by allowing him to fulfill his desire to count up his manpower. Quite possibly this would also afford him a better base for assessment of taxes. And so God in effect said to him: “All right, go ahead and do it. Then you will find out how much good it will do you.” In 1 Chronicles 21, we are faced with the statement that it was Satan who moved David to conduct the census. Why would Satan get himself involved in this affair if God had already prompted David to commit the folly he had in mind? It was because Satan found it in his own interest to do so.

–The Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties

Though David was a “man after God’s own heart” he was not without faults. His adultery with Bathsheba was legendary. Beyond that, he was a man of war–and that aspect of his life specifically disqualified him from building a sacred place for God. In 1 Chronicles 22:8, God said, “You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight.” His constant warring was in part the result of God’s judgment on him from the Bathsheba episode (“the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own,” 2 Samuel 12:10). Ironically, David’s military exploits established a time of peace enjoyed by Solomon that facilitated the building of the temple. It is a great reminder to us that though our sin may cause some blessings to be forfeited forever, God has purposes for our lives beyond what we know, and he can even take our mistakes and out of the ashes bring about some good.

–Don Porter and Judson Poling

The succession of kings who ruled in Jerusalem after David were all direct descendants from this great king. However, the New Testament is clear that Jesus represents the fulfillment of this wonderful promise. In Luke 1:32–33 we read the words of the angel assuring Mary that Jesus would be “given the throne of his father David” and that “his kingdom will never end.” God can be trusted to fulfill all of his promises–though often in ways that surprise us!

–Don Porter

Yes. Because David murdered Uriah and stole his wife, (1) murder was a constant threat in his family (13:26–30; 18:14,15; 1 Kings 2:23–25); (2) his household rebelled against him (15:13); (3) his wives were given to another in public view (16:20–23); (4) his first child by Bathsheba died (12:18). If David had known the painful consequences of his sin, he might not have pursued the pleasures of the moment.

–NIV Application Bible

David and his men mourned the death of Saul and Jonathan because (1) Jonathan was David’s close friend; (2) Saul, although corrupt, was nonetheless their king; (3) the death of even a corrupt king meant politically difficult times for Israel and (4) the deaths came from another humiliating defeat at the hands of the Philistines.

–The Quest Study Bible

We can only speculate about God’s mysterious ways. It seems sin often has a price tag in this life, though its eternal consequences have been paid. Some suggest there are two results of sin: (1) It separates a person from God. (2) It produces negative effects in this world. In this view, forgiveness covers the first result of sin but not necessarily the second. And unfortunately for innocent bystanders like David’s infant son, the negative effects of sin are not limited to the sinner.

–The Quest Study Bible

It is not clear from these verses whether Solomon gave these towns to Hiram, or whether they were collateral until he could repay Hiram for the gold he had borrowed. Second Chronicles 8:1,2 implies that the towns were returned to Solomon. In either case, Hiram probably preferred a piece of land on the coast more suitable for trade (the name he gave these cities). In the end, Hiram was repaid many times over through his trade partnerships with Solomon (2 Chronicles 9:10, 21). Because Phoenicia was on friendly terms with Israel and dependent on it for grain and oil, Hiram’s relationship with Solomon was more important than a feud over some cities.

–NIV Application Bible

The licking up of Ahab’s blood by dogs is certainly confirmed by the narration of 1 Kings 22:37–38. But what about the detail, “in this place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth” (21:19)? Not all pools connected with ancient Near Eastern cities bore the name of the city itself, particularly if there was an older pool already in existence. In Jerusalem, for example there were the Pool of Siloam, the Pool of Bethesda (Beth-zatha), the King’s Pool, and the Pool of Shelah. Since the “Pool of Samaria” here mentioned was one at which the city’s prostitutes normally bathed (1 Kings 22:38), it was probably not the only pool in use, but only a later pool, constructed by the landscapers connected with the summer palace. It is therefore reasonable to infer that there was another pool known as the Pool of Jezreel, intended for the general public of Jezreel itself. Hence Ahab’s palace pool, if such there was, would have to have borne some other name. What, then, would have been more appropriate than the name of the national capital, where Ahab resided in his ivory-inlaid palace for the greater part of the year?

–Dictionary of Bible Difficulties

In light of 1 Kings 9:22 it appears as if God treated them (the Israelite citizens) as free men, as citizens of honorable standing. Yet earlier, in 1 Kings 5:13, it is stated that “King Solomon levied forced laborers (literally, ‘raised a levy of forced labor’) from all Israel; and the forced laborers [hammas] numbered 30,000 men” (NASB). It is a fair assumption also that the thirty thousand Israelites who participated in the felling and processing of building materials for the temple were specially selected for their experience and skill along these lines, and that they considered it a privilege to have a part in this work for God. Hence there is no real contradiction between the two statements (5:13 and 9:22).

–The Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties

The possession of wisdom does not guarantee that it will be used. By the end of his life, Solomon had broken most of the proverbs he had written. If wisdom is the application of knowledge, then obedience is the application of wisdom. Solomon’s wisdom did not fail him; he failed to follow it.

–The Quest Study Bible

Even before David became king of Israel, he had committed several sins and offenses to his discredit. His affair with Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba, and the subsequent cover-up were by no means the only shameful blots on his record, even though they are doubtless the best known. From these considerations it is quite apparent that David did not gain God’s favor or approval because of a sinless life. Although his conduct was for the most part exemplary and his courage and ability as a leader beyond comparison, it was not because of these things that he especially pleased God. It was rather because of this tremendous faith in the power and grace of God that his heart was adjudged to be salem (“fully devoted”) with Yahweh his God (1 Kings 11:4; 15:3). The adjective salem basically means “complete, whole, sound, finished” or even “at peace with [’im] someone.” That is, David’s heart was all there for God, and God was his very reason for living. Many of his psalms eloquently express his deep attachment to the Lord, his joy in fellowship with God, and his complete trust in His redeeming power.

–Dictionary of Bible Difficulties

Solomon’s construction of shrines to foreign gods was no mere political gesture. Solomon participated in the worship of his wives’ gods, which might have included shrine prostitution and child sacrifice. As his intimacy with his wives grew, so did his compulsion to honor their gods.

–The Quest Study Bible

Solomon had enslaved foreigners (9:15) and Israelites to work one month out of every three (5:13–15). He also divided the kingdom into twelve districts, each responsible for providing one month of supplies for the king and his extravagant royal household (4:7,22–23,27–28). This policy had led to discontent and isolated many of the tribes who had only recently begun to see themselves as a nation rather than twelve loosely connected tribes. Solomon’s policies, sustained and intensified by Rehoboam, led to a division of the nation into two countries – Israel to the north and Judah to the south.

–Don Porter

Yes and no. On the one hand, Rehoboam made his decision and had to live with the consequences. On the other hand, God worked in and through the circumstances that led to Rehoboam’s decision. In this sense “this turn of events was from the Lord.” On the one hand human beings are given the choice to follow God or not. If we choose wrongly, we might face disaster. On the other hand, God ultimately controls all of human history. He is always working out the purposes of his own will. Rehoboam’s bad decision brought about the rebellion, but God used his choice to punish Solomon’s court for its idolatry.

–The Quest Study Bible

Jeroboam’s royal policy promoted violation of the second commandment (Exodus 20:4–6). It inevitably led to Israel’s violation of the first commandment also (Exodus 20:3) and opened the door for the entrance of fully pagan practices into Israel’s religious rites (especially in the time of Ahab). Jeroboam foolishly abandoned religious principle for political expediency and in so doing forfeited the promise given him by the prophet Ahijah (see 11:38).

–NIV Bible Study Notes

Kings chosen by God to rule over his people who were not in a line of dynastic succession were anointed by prophets (Saul, 1 Samuel 9:16; David, 1 Samuel 16:12; Jehu, 2 Kings 9). Kings who assumed office in the line of dynastic succession were anointed by priests (Solomon, here; Joash, 2 Kings 11:12).

–NIV Bible Study Notes

Jehu’s ultimate goal was right: to remove Baal worship from the land. Even killing the Baal worshipers was justified, since idolatry was punishable by death under the Law of Moses (Deut. 17:2–6). However, Jehu’s deceitful tactics (pretending to worship Baal, then killing the prophets who came at his invitation) were unethical and cannot be justified.

–The Quest Study Bible

This story is like so many where cultural differences cloud our understanding. One of the rules to keep in mind when reading the Old Testament is that when details are sparse, it’s probably because people at the time would be so familiar with the situation that more details were deemed unnecessary. We need to put ourselves back in that era to get the right interpretation. In this case, the king’s half-hearted response indicates a lack of faith in Elisha’s promise of victory. The arrow shot out the window just moments before was called “the Lord’s arrow of victory” by the prophet, but Jehoash treated these arrows–common symbols and omens of victory in the ancient world–with a lackadaisical attitude. Something was clearly missing from his response, which Elisha made explicit in verse 19.

–Judson Poling

Elisha’s life was marked by the miraculous, but this was not a miracle accomplished by power still in Elisha’s remains. If anything, it was a sign that Elisha’s God lived–even though the prophet had been reduced to a pile of bones.

–The Quest Study Bible

2 Kings 24:8 tells us that Jehoiachin “was eighteen years old when he became king.” But the parallel passage in 2 Chronicles 36:9 states that he was “eight” years old when be began to reign. Obviously there has been a textual error committed by the copyist either in 2 Kings or in 2 Chronicles. This type of error occurs now and then because of blurring or surface damage in the earlier manuscript from which the copy is made. The probabilities are that 2 Chronicles 36:9 is incorrect, both because the age eight is unusually young to assume governmental leadership–though Joash ben Ahaziah was only seven when be began to reign (2 Kings 11:21) and Josiah was only eight (2 Kings 22:1)–and because the Chaldeans treated him as a responsible adult and condemned him to permanent imprisonment in Babylon after he surrendered to them in 597 B.C. Moreover, it is far less likely that the copyist would have mistakenly seen an extra ten stroke that was not present in his original than that he would have failed to observe one that had been smudged out.

–Dictionary of Bible Difficulties

From ancient times those who have tried to manipulate the spirit world have considered human sacrifice the most dreadful and most powerful of all sacrifices. If a god would give assistance for payment of a goat or bull, it was reasoned, a human life would buy a much stronger favor. In a time of national and personal crisis, Ahaz tried to buy the help of the nature gods of Canaan with the life of his son.

–The Quest Study Bible

This probably was a reference to the pointless deception pursued through their idolatry. They continued to worship God as if he didn’t know they were also worshiping idols. The Bible describes people who think they can sin in secret (Psalms 73:11; 94:7; Isaiah 5:18–21). They almost seem to be challenging God to discover their sin, but their sinful lives are as futile as the idea that God can’t see them.

–The Quest Study Bible

(It should be noted that this passage [17:7–23] provides) a theological explanation for the downfall of the northern kingdom. Israel had repeatedly spurned the Lord’s gracious acts, had refused to heed the prophets’ warnings of impending judgment (vv. 13–14, 23) and had failed to keep her covenant obligations (v. 15). The result was the implementation of the covenant curse precisely as it had been presented to the Israelites by Moses before they entered into Canaan (Deuteronomy 28:49–68; 32:1–47).

–NIV Bible Study Notes

It seems there wasn’t much difference. In earlier times, prophets were called seers (1 Samuel 9:9). It may be that as Israel developed from a tribal confederation to a kingdom and as people turned from God, the prophetic ministry and its name changed. Or perhaps the language just changed.

–The Quest Study Bible

Divination means witchcraft, and sorcery is consulting evil spirits. Forms of witchcraft, fortune-telling, and black magic were forbidden by God (Deuteronomy 18:9–14). They were wrong because they sought power and guidance totally apart from God, his law, and his Word. Isaiah echoed this law and prophesied of the complete destruction these occult practices would bring to those who participated in them (Isaiah 8:19–22).

–NIV Application Bible

No, but he did worship idols, which could be considered a form of Satanism. Baal-Zebub, a popular pagan deity, was actually “Baal-Zebul” (meaning “lord or master, the prince”). But the Lord’s people ridiculed him as “Baal-Zebub” (meaning “lord of the flies”). Since this term implied both false worship and moral filth, a variation of it was used for Satan in New Testament times.

–The Quest Study Bible

Yes. The people of Samaria represented the mixed population of the former territory of the northern kingdom. In accordance with the deportation system used so fully by Tiglath-Pileser III and followed by his successors, a vast transplantation of populaces occurred. Israelites were sent to Mesopotamia and even beyond; Babylonians and Arameans were transferred to Israel. These people of mixed ancestry eventually came to be known as Samaritans. In later times the Samaritans rejected the idolatry of their polytheistic origins and followed the teachings of Moses, including monotheism. In New Testament times Jesus testified to a Samaritan woman (John 4:4–26), and many Samaritans were converted under the ministry of Philip (Acts 8:4–25).

–NIV Bible Study Notes and NIV Bible Commentary

A census was not in itself wrong (cf. the God-directed census in Numbers 1 and 26). But on this occasion David seems to have ordered this because he was placing his trust in “multiplied troops” rather than in the promises of God.

–The NIV Bible Commentary

Just as a parent finds it painful but necessary to discipline a beloved child, God is troubled when we suffer the consequences of going against his will. He looks on us with compassion and love; he does not delight in destruction but works to save and heal. Because he is holy, sin must be punished; but because of his mercy, the repentant can be spared.

–The Quest Study Bible

“The Lord searches every heart,” David said, “and understands every motive behind the thoughts” (28:9). David knew appearances might impress people, but God sees beneath the surface. God knows our hidden faults and our honorable motives (Psalms 19:12; 90:8). Just as God searched the motives of David, Solomon and the people then, he searches our thoughts and motives, testing them against his standard of integrity and purity.

–The Quest Study Bible

Just as the authors of Samuel and Kings had organized and interpreted the data of Israel’s history to address the needs of the exiled community, so the Chronicler wrote for the restored community. The burning issue was the question of continuity with the past: Is God still interested in us? Are his covenants still in force? Now that we have no Davidic king and are subject to Persia, do God’s promises to David still have meaning for us? After the great judgment (the dethroning of the house of David, the destruction of the nation, of Jerusalem and of the temple, and the exile to Babylon), what is our relationship to Israel of old? Some of the unique approaches of Chronicles to the history of God’s people include: (1) The Chronicler has idealized David and Solomon. Anything in his source material (mainly Samuel and Kings) that might tarnish his picture of them is omitted. (2) The author (of Chronicles) also appears to consciously adopt the account of the succession of Moses and Joshua as a model for the succession of David and Solomon.

–The NIV Bible Study Notes

The genealogies succinctly show the restored community’s continuity with the past. The great deeds of God on Israel’s behalf prior to the rise of David are passed over in silence, but the genealogies serve as a skeleton of history to show that the Israel of the restoration stands at the center of the divine purpose from the beginning (from Adam, verse 1). And the genealogies also serve the very practical purpose of legitimizing the present. They provide the framework by which the ethnic and religious purity of the people can be maintained. They also establish the continuing line of royal succession and the legitimacy of the priests for the postexilic temple service.

–The NIV Study Bible Notes

In Israelite culture, the sons received the inheritance. Through the sons the father’s name was carried on. These genealogies were given to help the Israelites stay connected with their history. The names of the males represented entire families that people could relate to, even though mothers’ and daughters’ names weren’t often mentioned.

–The Quest Study Bible

Underlying this question are certain assumptions that require careful examination as to their soundness. Is it really a manifestation of goodness to furnish no opposition to evil? Can we say that a truly good surgeon should do nothing to cut away cancerous tissue from his patient and simply allow him to go on suffering until finally he dies? Can we praise a police force that stands idly by and offers no slightest resistance to the armed robber, the rapist, the arsonist, or any other criminal who preys on society? How could God be called “good” if He forbade His people to protect their wives from ravishment and strangulation by drunken marauders, or to resist invaders who have come to pick up their children and dash out their brains against the walls?

–Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties

So far as 1 Samuel 1:1 is concerned, this simply states that Elkanah was “from” (min) Ramathaim-zophim on Mount Ephraim. All Levites were assigned to certain “Levitical cities” or towns throughout the Twelve Tribes, according to the regulation laid down in Numbers 35:6. We do not have a list of these forty-eight towns, but quite possibly Ramathaim-zophim was one of them. By ancestry, then Elkanah was a Levite; by location he was an Ephraimite. Hence there is no contradiction whatever between these two passages.

–Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties

The severity of the divine judgment against Uzzah, even though his action had been well-intentioned, provided an illustration to all future generations of the necessity for reverence and for absolute conformity to God’s directives concerning his holy objects. The transgression in this instance was twofold. (1) The ark should not have been placed on a cart but carried by hand, as David himself later acknowledged (15:13). True, the Philistines had previously transported it on a wagon (1 Samuel 6:11), but they had acted in heathen ignorance. (2) It should not have been touched. Even its authorized carriers, Levites of the clan of Kohath (cf. 15:2)–which Abinadab may or may not have been–had long ago been warned against this by Moses, on pain of death (Numbers 4:15).

–The NIV Bible Commentary

Other kings were punished when they offered sacrifices, something only the priests were supposed to do. Saul lost his kingdom (1 Samuel 13:9–14) and Uzziah was afflicted with leprosy (2 Chronicles 26:16–21). Some think David was permitted to offer sacrifices in this unique instance because he was a man after God’s own heart. It is much more likely, however, that though David “offered” sacrifices, he did it “through” the priests who actually killed the animals and burned them on the altar.

–The Quest Study Bible

It turned out that way. Jeroboam feared that if the people remained loyal to Jerusalem as a center of worship, then his political power might be weakened (1 Kings 12:26–27). So he set up alternate worship centers. This forced the issue among the northerners who wished to remain faithful to the God of Israel and sent many of them packing for the south. The influx of loyal worshipers was responsible for a period of piety and prosperity in Judah (v.17).

–The Quest Study Bible

It seems a bit strange that such an important development as the latter-day repentance of this long-reigning king receives no mention whatever in 2 Kings 21. But the reason seems to lie in the different focus of interest that guided the author of Kings. He was not quite so concerned with the personal relationship of individual leaders to the Lord as he was with the response of the nation as a whole to its responsibilities under the covenant. The author of Chronicles, however, takes more of a personal interest in the relationship each leader or king maintained toward God.

–Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties

Here and elsewhere the Chronicler uses an expression that refers to an incapacitating terror brought on by the sense that the awful power of God is present in behalf of his people (see Exodus 15:16). Thus the leaders of God’s people are seen by the nations as the very representative of God (similarly Asa, 2 Chronicles 14:14; Jehoshaphat, 2 Chronicles 17:10; 20:29).

–NIV Study Bible Notes

A long tenure is normally a sign of God’s blessing. Still, Manasseh was punished for his sins, not rewarded. It was only after he had repented that he was later restored to the throne. If he had not turned to God, Manasseh would have remained a prisoner in Babylon and his reign as king would not have been so long.

   –The Quest Study Bible

The nation had plunged into idolatry and had neglected the worship of the Lord. Asa saw that a heartfelt revival was needed. The covenant Israel had made with God at Sinai had already been renewed several times as the nation recommitted itself to the Lord (Deut. 29:1; Joshua 8:30–35; 24:1–27; 1 Samuel (11:14).

–The Quest Study Bible

The king’s sin lay in having recourse to the physicians only and not seeking “help from the Lord,” who is the ultimate healer of diseases (2 Kings 20:5; Psalm 103:3). Why, if “Asa’s heart was fully committed to the Lord all his life (15:17),” did he seem to ignore God at the end? Asa began as a good king whose life was mostly characterized by his trust in God. Sadly, the last events of Asa’s life were less impressive. He rejected God’s word given through Hanani and became an oppressive ruler (v.10). He refused to seek God’s help in times of national (v.7) and personal crises. Perhaps Asa, like many others who have enjoyed God’s blessings, allowed his faith to be gradually eroded by complacency. Though he could be called fully committed for his lifetime average, at the end he may have taken God for granted.

–NIV Bible Commentary and The Quest Study Bible

Jehoshaphat put little confidence in Ahab’s four hundred court prophets (cf. v. 6). These were men who confessedly spoke in the name of the Lord and not of Baal (vv. 5, 10). But it was the Lord in the corrupted form of a golden calf (cf. 13:8); and their words were false (v. 22), couched in terms that were calculated simply to please the hearers (v. 12; cf. Micah 3:5, 11).

–NIV Bible Commentary

Soldiers typically would shout war cries or chant and sing in rhythm to the marching. Jehoshaphat had the Israelites do the same, but their shouts were to summon the help of the Lord instead of their own courage. He wanted them to see that they weren’t the warriors; God was fighting for them! Joshua (Joshua 6:20), Gideon (Judges 7:20) and Jeroboam (13:14–15) commanded similar processions or war shouts that glorified God.

–The Quest Study Bible

The “ambushes” that the Lord then set against the invaders are not identified; but they may have consisted of some of the more rapacious Seirites (Edomites), since the men of Ammon and Moab proceeded to turn on the men of Mount Seir. The result was that “they helped to destroy one another,” just as had occurred at the triumph of Gideon (Judges 7:22).

–NIV Bible Commentary

The Lord had made it clear that there was to be a distinction in the responsibilities and role of the different offices of the leaders of the nation. For example, the role of priests and that of kings were distinct so that there were certain areas of the temple which were restricted to priests alone. This is probably to keep the people looking to God and not to human leaders. Uzziah’s mistake was to do what only priests were commissioned to do, and Jotham is commended here for not repeating it.

–Don Porter

Originally, they probably did. Several of the Hebrew words in the list are hard to translate: they could mean either a number or a description of a gold or silver item. This makes it difficult to correctly tally the numbers.

–The Quest Study Bible

Such records were essential in matters of property inheritance, but they were also important spiritually. Jews who could demonstrate their family purity after two or three generations in a foreign land showed that they had not mingled with pagans and (by implication) pagan gods.

–The Quest Study Bible

The people who proffered their help were evidently from the area of Samaria, though they are not explicitly described as such. After the fall of Samaria in 722 b.c., the Assyrian kings kept importing inhabitants from Mesopotamia and Syria “who worshiped the Lord, but … also served their own gods” (2 Kings 17:24–33). The newcomers’ influence doubtless diluted further the faith of the northerners, who had already apostatized from the sole worship of the Lord in the tenth century.

–NIV Bible Commentary

The Judean elders probably used this title to contrast Cyrus with the former king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar (v. 12). The term was not incorrect: Cyrus, as ruler of the Persian Empire, could be called the king of any number of nations that were subject to him. In one ancient text he refers to himself not only as the “king of Babylon” but as “king of the world,” listing other lands over which he ruled.

–The Quest Study Bible

Work on the temple had made little progress not only because of opposition but also because of the preoccupation of the returnees with their own homes (Haggai 1:2–9). Because they had placed their own interests first, God sent them famine as a judgment (Haggai 1:5–6, 10–11). Spurred by the preaching of Haggai and Zechariah, and under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua, a new effort was begun (Haggai 1:12–15).

–NIV Bible Study Notes

Like a modern pastor, Ezra led a public prayer of confession. He did not personally commit the sins mentioned from the pulpit, but Ezra saw himself vitally linked to the community–even in its sin. Ezra showed care and responsibility for his people rather than setting himself above them.

–The Quest Study Bible

God hates the violation of a sacred covenant–and sacredness was completely absent in these relationships. (1) It is not clear these were full-fledged marriages. Ezra 10:2 uses a word that means “give a home to”–implying these foreign women may have been little more than live-in prostitutes. (2) Even if these were “legal” marriages, they were forbidden by law (Deuteronomy 7:1–4), so they were technically more like annulments than true divorces and ended what were from the start illegitimate relationships. (3) Because of the great care used to investigate and process these “divorces” (Ezra 10:16–17), we can speculate that perhaps some form of compensation to the women and children was given. Moreover, if a woman had converted to following Israel’s God, a legitimate marriage may have been allowed.

–Judson Poling

The theme of the book appears in the prologue: “Meaningless! Meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” The general conclusion comes in the epilogue, which speaks of fearing God and keeping his commandments because we must one day give account to him. The meaning and purpose of the book must be discovered within this framework. Life in the world is subject to frustration; but human beings can still accept their circumstances, even enjoy them, and find strength to live life as it comes.

–NIV Bible Commentary

Life not centered on God is purposeless and meaningless. Without him, nothing else can satisfy (2:25). With him, all of life and his other good gifts are to be gratefully received (see James 1:17) and used and enjoyed to the full (2:26; 11:8). The book contains the philosophical and theological reflections of an old man (12:1–7), most of whose life was meaningless because he had not himself relied on God.

–The NIV Study Bible Notes

Solomon wanted to determine to what extent one could find the key to life in a varied use of great wealth. In the end money and the pleasures it can buy do not lift us out of the realm of earthbound frustration. The Teacher will later amplify this conclusion in terms of death and the handling of one’s possessions (see 5:8–17). Despite riches we may still be empty shells and our gains only as substantial as the wind.

–The NIV Bible Commentary

Like other wisdom sayings, this is not a hard and fast law–absolutely true in all situations. It’s a general principle meant to illustrate a valuable lesson: here, the need to reckon with the reality of death. Just as Moses asked God to help us all “number our days” so that we could be wise (Psalm 90:12), the writer of Ecclesiastes is urging us to see a reality of life that many of us would prefer to ignore: our mortality. By seeing that, we use life as the limited commodity it is–and live better by living in the light of the eternity that follows.

–Judson Poling

In one sense, yes. God himself took credit for creating darkness as well as light, and for causing disaster as well as prosperity (Isaiah 45:7). God is sovereign over all that he has created. The Teacher echoes what Job said: “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:10). The conclusion of Ecclesiastes, however, reminds us that God one day will judge everything, both good and evil (12:14).

–The Quest Study Bible

So often it seems that we have no control over the events of our lives, that blind chance determines who succeeds. But this viewpoint looks only at things “under the sun”–from an earth-bound perspective. The Teacher sees the arbitrary events of life as a sign that God is unconcerned and is unfair in his dealings with humanity. The Bible as a whole, however, teaches the opposite. God is concerned about everyone and deals with people fairly. What we don’t see is that accounts are not all settled in this lifetime.

–The Quest Study Bible

This verse can be read at various levels–as a wry (or sarcastic) comment on human values, as sober advice to earn a good living rather than have a good time (see the first two lines) or as stating the great versatility of money (cf. Luke 16:9).

–The NIV Bible Study Notes

The phrase, “Cast your bread upon the waters” (11:1), encourages the reader to be adventurous, like those who accept the risks and reap the benefits of sea borne trade. It is encouragement to not always play it safe (see Proverbs 11:24). The phrase “Give portions to seven”(11:2) is encouragement to be generous while you have plenty as unforeseen disasters may make you dependent on the generosity of others.

–The NIV Bible Study Notes and Don Porter

There is no denying that the Song of Songs is a very different book from the rest of the Bible. Its theme is not doctrine but inner feeling–that most exciting and uplifting of all emotions, the emotion of love. The importance of Song of Songs is that it is a book about love, especially love between husband and wife as a paradigm of the love between the Savior and His redeemed people. The Song of Solomon serves as a reminder to all believers that God rejoices in His handiwork and knows how to invest it with thrilling beauty that deserves a full and proper appreciation. Yet along with this warm response to all that God has made beautiful–whether landscape, sky, sea, the magnificent trees, gorgeous flowers, or the transient charms of human loveliness, we must never forget to give all the glory and worship to the One who fashioned them so. We must always remember to exalt the Creator above all His creation and above all His creatures.

–Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties

The term “lover” appears 30 times in this poem, but the terms “husband” or “wife” don’t appear even once. Other cultures may use the word “lover” outside the context of marriage, but the Biblical perspective is that one’s lover is one’s spouse. When the Bible uses “love” to describe adultery, it clearly labels it as sin. That is not the case here. In intimate conversation (and this is a very intimate poem), spouses go beyond terms like “husband” and “wife” to words like “sweetheart, darling” and “beloved.”

–The Quest Study Bible

What woman wants to be compared to sheep, goats and pomegranates? These images do not typically appeal to our modern imaginations because we are so far removed from the simple country beauty from which they are drawn. But to people of an earlier time and more rural culture, these images would easily be seen as attractive. For example, a flock of goats streaming down a hillside at sunset looks curiously like a woman’s long, flowing hair.

–The Quest Study Bible

The bride wanted to put her mark of ownership on her husband. In Biblical times an engraved stone or metal seal was used to identify the owner of something. It gave the owner free access to his or her possessions–and it kept others out. Not only would her husband be identified as her property, he would be reserved for her alone. She belonged to him and he to her.

–The Quest Study Bible

Unlike the prophecy of 7:14–16 which had an immediate application as well as the later one, this prophecy spoke specifically of a coming Messiah. The names given to this child – Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace – allow no possibility for it to mean any other person.

–The Quest Study Bible

The reader inevitably makes a link with the picture of the righteous messianic King given in chapter 11. The book of Isaiah presents its messianic theme in such a way that there is development from one passage to the next, and this passage certainly figures as a development of chapter 11, the new emphasis being on the association of others with the king in his righteous reign. At the opening of chapter 31, the prophet had criticized those at the court who looked to Egypt for help against the Assyrian menace. No doubt the king would have to bear a special responsibility, but clearly the prophet had others at the court in mind as well. The whole sinful scene of government will pass away, and its place will be taken by a righteous king supported by subordinates who share his concern for righteousness and justice. Government, when it is righteous, affords protection from oppression. In the Messiah’s kingdom, righteousness will reign and fear of the oppressor will belong to the past.

–NIV Bible Commentary

One of the themes of the prophets of Israel was that God detests human efforts to please him by keeping ritual laws without respecting his moral laws. Sacrifices meant nothing to God if they were offered by merciless, unjust people. Morality is more important than ritual. People without morals are not genuinely religious when they perform rituals; they are merely being superstitious.

–The Quest Study Bible

The phrase, “the everlasting Father” is better translated as, “Father of Eternity” in the sense of “Author of Eternity” as opposed to “beginningless and endless eternity (such as would be predicated of God).” Rather, this phrase is better understood in the sense of the stretch of time between the beginning of creation and its ultimate termination. In other words, this title points to Christ as the Creator of the world – the world viewed as a time continuum –the fullest statement of which is found in John 1:3 (“All things came into being through Him …”).

–Dictionary of Bible Difficulties

Isaiah doesn’t pinpoint an exact time, but whenever God comes, he’s involved in both vengeance (judgment) and salvation. Again, the ultimate fulfillment of these words will be realized only when the Messianic kingdom is established. God not only saves his people from physical enemies, he delivers them from their greatest enemy–sin.

–The Quest Study Bible

Isaiah anticipated a time when Christ would completely right all wrongs. While on earth, Christ began to establish justice by what he said and taught. His written Word continues to bring justice today wherever it is obeyed. Though justice on earth has begun, the scales won’t be completely balanced until Christ returns the second time.

–The Quest Study Bible

What God put in Sennacherib was not the Holy Spirit or even an evil spirit. This “spirit” was most likely a general compulsion. God apparently intended to use Sennacherib’s own anxieties or other feelings to cause him to return to his own land.

–The Quest Study Bible

The peace and safety of the future Messianic age are reflected in the fact that little children will be unharmed as they play with formerly ferocious animals. Such conditions are a description of the future consummation of the Messianic kingdom and provide a great hope for God’s people.

–NIV Bible Study Notes

God clearly wanted Hezekiah to know his prayer would be answered. We also know that God had already promised to deliver his people. Some say God may change his methods in response to prayer, but that he never alters his purpose. Others note that God makes both absolute decrees (unchanged regardless of what humans do with them) and conditional decrees (which invite–even depend upon–human interaction). Either way, God does not change. His character and purpose are settled.

–The Quest Study Bible

God is not distant and uninvolved; he cares intensely about his relationship with us. If he were indifferent about our sin, for example, his apathy would show he didn’t care about us as his people. To increase the impact of his writing, Isaiah intentionally pictured God’s emotions from opposite ends of the spectrum.

–The Quest Study Bible

The wicked rich have acquired their wealth by deceit and heartless oppression of the poor and helpless. As a fowler snares birds by devices, so the people accumulate wealth by deceit. The trap was probably a clapnet as represented on Egyptian monuments. In those days fowlers would place several tame birds in a cage; when the wild birds saw them, they lighted on the cage, falling into the snare. The heartless aristocracy had wealth enough, but they were not satisfied.

–The NIV Bible Commentary

The Old Testament approach to getting rid of sin was to get rid of the sinner, often resulting in men, women, and children being slaughtered. Those who picked up the sword to slay the guilty were considered agents of the Lord’s wrath and judgment. Those who were killed were not viewed as victims since it was their own sins and hardened hearts that had brought punishment upon them.

–The Quest Study Bible

Sadly, our sin impacts not just our lives but the people around us as well–and sometimes even future generations. The consequences and curse of sin extend even to creation (Genesis 3:16–19; Romans 8:19–22). Just as our obedience to God affects nature, so also the effects of sinful acts reverberate in creation as well.

–Don Porter

Although Moab was an enemy of Judah and was certainly deserving of judgment, Jeremiah had compassion and did not want to see destruction come upon that people. God calls each of us to have a heart for the lost of our world, to have compassion on them and long that they will come to know God through Jesus Christ. This is true even for those who are our enemies (see Proverbs 24:17–18; 25:21–22; Matthew 5:43–47).

–Don Porter

Jeremiah had to preach to be obedient to God’s call. In fact, he found it impossible to keep God’s Word to himself (20:9). Apparently God wanted Jeremiah to speak to unheeding people so they would be without excuse when judgment finally came–unable to say they were not warned. Some speech is designed to “convince,” some to “convict.” A judge can let a first offender off with a stern warning, hoping the speech may persuade a change in behavior. A prosecuting attorney’s final argument, by contrast, does not aim to change behavior. Its goal is to convict. Jeremiah’s early sermons were opportunities for the people to change their ways. His later sermons announced the judgment to come.

–The Quest Study Bible

Jeremiah may be using this term to show that God had a claim on the entire world. All nations had descended from Noah and all had the opportunity of worshiping the one true God.

–The Quest Study Bible

It is never wrong to pray unless God forbids us to do so–and such cases are rare indeed. Jeremiah was forbidden to pray for the people because the nation’s wickedness had passed the limit of God’s patience. God was telling the nation that their cries for help would go unanswered because they only wanted relief from distress, not holiness–they were not truly repentant (compare 1 John 5:16).

–Don Porter

God had chosen to use Babylon’s desire to conquer as an instrument of his judgment on Judah. However, they were in no wise considered “obedient” to God for their conquests. Babylon was motivated purely by their own lust for power and riches. Though used as a tool in God’s hand, their refusal to worship him as the one, true God and their cruelty toward those they conquered became grounds for their own future punishment.

–Don Porter and Judson Poling

It is important to realize that Jeremiah was asking the Lord to express his justice by rendering judgment on the people. Jeremiah was not seeking vengeance for himself, but justice for the sake of God’s reputation. Sadly, we are too often motivated more by our own hurts and disappointments with people than we are by concern for true righteousness. Jeremiah provides an example of longing for evil to be contained and justice to prevail (see also Revelation 6:9–11).

–Don Porter

Scripture testifies to many godly people honestly coming before the Lord with their fears, pain, and even anger. The Old Testament contains complaints about what seem to be miscarriages of justice (for example, Asaph objected to the prosperity of the wicked in Psalm 73). God permits and encourages such honest expression–pretending we don’t feel what we feel is absurd in the face of God’s omniscience. But God desires that after we have acknowledge our pain, we also declare what is true about him–that he is wise and righteous (see also Habakkuk).

–Don Porter and Judson Poling

The book bewails the siege and destruction of Jerusalem and sorrows over the sufferings of the inhabitants during this time. It makes poignant confession of sin on behalf of the people and their leaders, acknowledges complete submission to the divine will, and prays that God will once again favor and restore his people.

–NIV Bible Dictionary

When things became tough, Judah’s former political allies cut their ties with her. Egypt, Tyre, and Sidon failed to come to her rescue when Babylon invaded. Some of these former allies even betrayed Judah by joining forces with Babylon. Through the prophets God had warned the people that they should put their trust in him alone. However, insecure about their own military strength, Judah disobediently put their trust in their political alliances, which proved inadequate. In spite of “human wisdom” to the contrary, trust in the Lord is the only real security!

–Don Porter

God’s footstool refers to the temple, which represented God’s presence among his people. But the temple was razed to the ground, which sparked fear and confusion in the hearts of the people: Why would God abandon his house? This destruction underscored the seriousness of the people’s sin and their rejection of the Lord. It also taught the people a valuable lesson about the temporal nature of the temple–it was only a symbol, meant to be replaced by a more permanent reality of God dwelling in our hearts (see John 4:20–24; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Peter 2:5)

–Don Porter and Judson Poling

This was a way of saying that God had judged the people and placed them in a situation where they could no longer practice their feasts and Sabbaths. Captives in Babylon where there was no temple to the Lord and where they did not have the freedom to observe their religion, they were cut off from reminders of God’s presence. In reality, the people were punished because they had forgotten the Lord by refusing to serve him.

–The Quest Study Bible

Feeling completely isolated, Jeremiah felt God’s judgment personally. It felt to him as if God wasn’t listening. However, God still cared for Jeremiah and Judah. He still heard their prayers. But part of the price of willful disobedience is that prayer becomes ineffective.

–The Quest Study Bible

In the midst of such a bleak and hopeless book come these words of hope and perspective. Note that Jeremiah’s hope is not in what “might happen” or in what he longs for, but is in the nature and character of God. Jeremiah’s hope is in the eternal and unfailing truth of God’s love, compassion, and faithfulness. In times of struggle and confusion, lasting hope comes as we meditate on the character of God and on the promises he has made to us.

–Don Porter

In his exasperation, Jeremiah implored God to retaliate. Yet even in the Old Testament, vengeance was solely God’s prerogative, executed in his timing (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19–20). Modern believers should expect, work towards, and pray for justice on earth (Matthew 16:27; 2 Timothy 4:14). But we are also commanded to love our enemies (Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60). God will ultimately right every wrong.

–The Quest Study Bible

In this amazing prayer, Jeremiah cries out to God and asks for restoration, “unless you have utterly rejected us.” If we come to such a point of despair, we must remember (1) the teaching of the New Testament that “while we were yet sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8) and (2) the examples of God’s grace being extended to people like the apostle Paul, who described himself as the worst of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). Only if we reject God and his provision for our sin, Jesus Christ, will we go beyond the point of no return (Romans 8:35–39).

–Don Porter

The root meaning in English, “reparation,” leads to the secondary meaning of reconciliation, or “at-one-ment,” the bringing together into harmony of those who have been separated, enemies. In Christian theology, atonement is the central doctrine of faith and can properly include all that Jesus accomplished for us on the cross. It was a vicarious (substitutionary) atonement. On the Day of Atonement, the goat that was substituted was in some sense not as valuable as a person, though the goat had never sinned; but God in his matchless grace provided a Substitute who was infinitely better than the sinner, absolutely sinless and holy, and dearer to the Father than all creation. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23) and “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

–NIV Bible Dictionary

These leaders and the people they represented were not genuinely seeking the Lord with remorseful hearts. In their eyes, the Lord was just one of several gods to placate and worship. The Lord demanded uncompromising allegiance and refused to tolerate such pluralism.

–The Quest Study Bible

God often called his prophets to live out the message they brought. In this case, Ezekiel’s suffering would be used to support the Lord’s message of judgment on the nation. Ezekiel’s suffering would mirror the suffering the people would endure when judgment came. This passage is a great reminder that God does not exist for our pleasure and wants to use us to accomplish his purposes in the world.

–Don Porter

Because God wanted to speak in terms the people could understand, he took the human limitations of his listeners into account. Since Nebuchadnezzar was the greatest king the people then had ever known and since other kings served him, Nebuchadnezzar was viewed by the people of that day as the “king of kings.” Of course, we know that God alone is the King of kings (see 1 Timothy 6:15).

–The Quest Study Bible

Certainly the theory advanced by some writers that this chapter contains a flashback to Satan’s personal career prior to his rebellion and expulsion from heaven is at best unsupported conjecture. All the hyperbolic language employed in the verses discussed above can best be understood as the flattering self-delusion of the Tyrian millionaires and their money-loving leaders, whose concept of heaven rose no higher than their treasures of rubies and gold, and whose yardstick for virtue consisted of material wealth. Yet it should be clearly understood that in a very real sense every culture that has sold out to materialistic values is under the domination of Satan and is influential in promoting his cause. It will also share in his ultimate judgment and eternal destruction (Revelation 20:10).

–Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties

There are at least three views: (1) “Fiery stones” could be an image for angels called “flames of fire” (Hebrews 1:7), among whom the “guardian cherub” walked. (2) These “stones” were brilliant, sparkling jewels of heaven (Revelation 21:18–21). (3) They were fiery coals, illustrating the pride of the king of Tyre who thought himself able to walk on them without being burned.

–The Quest Study Bible

Christians disagree on this question. Some believe that once one is chosen by God he or she can never lose salvation. Others say that sin can cause a person to lose a relationship with God. The risk of the former view is a life of spiritual complacency; the risk of the latter is a life of anxious insecurity. A middle view suggests that a person is secure as long as he or she lives by faith–neither complacent nor anxious, but trusting in God’s grace.

–The Quest Study Bible

In disciplining Israel in this manner, the Lord risked his own reputation in the world. A nation was uniquely tied to its land in the ancient Near East. If a people were forced off their land, whether by conquest, famine, disease, or any other reason, this was a demonstration that their god was not sufficiently strong to protect and care for them. Therefore, when God scattered Israel among the nations, they perceived that Israel’s God was weak; thereby the name of the Lord was profaned among them.

–NIV Bible Commentary

“Four,” which stands for completeness (cf. the four directions in Genesis 13:14 and the four quarters of the earth in Isaiah 11:12), is used often in this chapter–and over 40 times in the book. The living creatures, called “cherubim” in chapter 10, are throne attendants, here (see v. 10) representing God’s creation: “man,” God’s ordained ruler of creation (see Genesis 1:26–28; Psalm 8); “lion,” the strongest of the wild beasts; “ox,” the most powerful of the domesticated animals; “ eagle,” the mightiest of the birds. These four creatures appear again in Revelation 4:7 and often are seen in the paintings and sculpture of the Middle Ages, where they represent the four Gospels.

–NIV Bible Study Notes

There has never been a temple at this site that has conformed to the images drawn from Ezekiel’s prophecies. Thus, this prophecy must refer to a temple that will stand one day in the future. Because we know that the blood of Jesus covers the sin of those who believe, we may be confident that the sacrifices mentioned in Ezekiel 43 have nothing to do with atonement for sin. One school of thought sees their function as parallel to that of the Lord’s Supper, which Christ established as a communion ordinance during our present church age. In that view, during the age of the millennial kingdom, when our Lord Jesus Christ will come again to set up the rule of God over all the earth, blood sacrifices will once again be offered–yet without any of the atoning function of the Old Testament period. A differing perspective sees this temple as symbolic. Given the fact there are no dimensions of height mentioned, this temple may well signify spiritual realities rather than describe a physical structure.

–(adapted from) The Dictionary of Bible Difficulties and Judson Poling

Many scholars believe that the lion refers to Babylon, the bear to Medo-Persia, the leopard to Greece, and the terrifying and powerful beast to the Roman empire.

–Don Porter

Some think this was a spiritual fight in which a demon assigned to Persia was trying to keep Gabriel from getting his message to Daniel. Some speculate that God assigned each nation a guardian angel, that Satan countered with a high-ranking demon, and that clashes between these forces are part of the battle Paul describes in Ephesians 6:12. Others believe that this refers to human rulers of Persia and Greece who opposed Israel.

–The Quest Study Bible

The book of Daniel was written in the context of the fall of Jerusalem and the deportation of the Jews to Babylonia. Despite decades of warning by numerous prophets, the people’s flagrant apostasy and immorality finally brought to pass the destruction God had warned them about ever since the time of Moses. From a human viewpoint, it now seemed that the religion of the Hebrews had been completely discredited. The Lord appeared inferior to the gods of Assyria and Babylon. It was therefore essential at this time in Israel’s history for God to display his power in such a way as to prove that he was the one true God and the sovereign Lord of history. So by a series of miracles he vindicated his position as the only true God over against his detractors and convinced the supreme rulers of Babylon and Persia that he, the Lord, was the greatest power both on earth and in heaven.

–NIV Bible Commentary

Even though they were given new names that honored the false gods of Babylon, the young men appear not to have protested. Why? First, these young teenagers probably were hostages, held by Nebuchadnezzar to prevent a revolt by those who remained in Judah. Resistance could have meant death to the young men and to their relatives back home. Second, the prophet Jeremiah, warning of Babylon’s invasion, had told the people not to fight back (Jeremiah 21:9)–and most hadn’t .

–The Quest Study Bible

At least part of it probably had been offered to idols, which prohibited faithful Jews from eating it (Exodus 34:15). Also, Gentiles had prepared the food without attention to Jewish dietary laws, without which it would be unclean. The food probably included certain meats forbidden by the Law of Moses. Since there were no “unclean” vegetables, the young men switched to a vegetarian diet.

–The Quest Study Bible

There is no evidence to assume Nebuchadnezzar was now a believer in the one true God. Although he was proclaiming that the Lord was worthy of worship, he was probably still worshiping many gods. This is true for many today–but it is never an option to add God or Jesus to one’s other spiritual “loves” (a kind of spiritual polygamy). Whoever would have the God of the Bible as Lord must have him alone and no other.

–Don Porter and Judson Poling

Being “chief” of the magicians and others (4:9) didn’t necessarily mean Daniel had authority over them. This phrase may simply have acknowledged Daniel’s superior wisdom and ability to interpret dreams. Even if this was an official position, there is no evidence that Daniel was involved in occult activities–all of which had been declared by God to be off-limits (Deuteronomy 18:9–12).

–The Quest Study Bible

We might expect an all-powerful God to place only righteous leaders in office, but he has used both good and bad rulers to achieve his goals. Nebuchadnezzar (see also 2:21) carried out God’s plan to discipline Judah, just as Roman persecution (see Romans 13:1–7) would later strengthen the church and advance the spread of the gospel. God will judge evil rulers (7:26–27). But for his own reasons, he allows sinful leaders–and sinful followers, which includes all of us–to live and even prosper.

–The Quest Study Bible

This is a name for God that emphasizes his eternal existence (see Isaiah 43:13). In this particular passage Daniel sees God on the throne, judging all of the great empires of the earth. He rules and reigns over all generations, all kingdom, all nations, all kings, all people! Our response should be to submit (through obedience) to his rule in our lives.

–Don Porter

Jesus Christ quoted this very text and applied it to himself. During his trial when he was pressed by the high priest to declare his identity without ambiguity, Jesus responded that he was the “son of man” who would “come with the clouds of heaven,” as Daniel here described (Matthew 26:63–66; see also Matthew 28:18; Acts 1:9–11). The effect of Jesus’ words was something like this: “Today, I am in your court being judged by you, but someday the tables will be turned; at the end of time, just like Daniel prophesied, you will all stand before me and be judged by me.” Utter blasphemy…unless true!

–Judson Poling

This became a powerful picture to the nation of God’s relationship with Israel. Just as Gomer was unfaithful to Hosea, so the nation had been unfaithful in its relationship with the Lord, Israel’s spiritual husband (by pursuing idols and rejecting God’s ways). God’s instruction to Hosea to love his unfaithful wife is a powerful picture of the God who does not give up on his people but is faithful even when we are not faithful to him (2 Timothy 2:13).

–Don Porter

Again Hosea draws a distinction between mother and children. The former again refers to the nation as a whole, the latter to individual Israelites. Israel as a nation was guilty and deserving of punishment, but so were individual Israelites. “Love” would be shown to neither. “Children of adultery” refers to those who are called children because they practiced the sins of their mother (cf. 1:2).

–NIV Bible Commentary

Though God is sovereign and in need of nothing, he has chosen to reveal himself as a God deeply in love with his creation. Hosea shows that God is not merely a business-like overseer of the world, who methodically dispenses appropriate judgment: He also is a God with feelings. He can be grieved, angered, frustrated or delighted by our behavior. He illustrates this side of his nature by describing a spouse who has been betrayed and who swings from emotion to emotion. Nevertheless, throughout the Bible, the threat of punishment is consistently followed by tender promises of intimacy.

–The Quest Study Bible

Our sinful deeds (v. 4) and our arrogance (v. 5) can become like a wall separating us from God. Until we repent of such sinful attitudes and behavior, fellowship with God will be impossible. But when we seek God with repentant hearts, we will find him (Deuteronomy 4:29).

–The Quest Study Bible

They were supposed to support leaders who would obey the law, destroy idols, care for the poor, provide justice and seek God. As it was, violent coups and assassinations often deposed the kings. Power-hungry men and their cohorts competed for the throne. Conditions worsened because those who ruled by the sword became more paranoid of others with power and less sensitive to issues that concerned God.

–The Quest Study Bible

The exact meaning is unknown. Possibly these “cords” refers to those that were used in the culture to help young children learn to walk. In the same way, God had “led” the people with cords of “human kindness” and “ties of love.” Their response to such loving-kindness should be one of obedience and love. We too need to remember how gracious and kind God has been to us, and respond in love and obedience!

–Don Porter

The occasion of the book was a devastating locust plague. The prophet, after describing the plague and its resulting chaos, urges the nation to repent of its sins and then goes on to predict a worse visitation, the future Day of the Lord. Joel’s greatest contribution to Christian thought is his teaching about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit “on all people” (Joel 2:28), quoted by Peter in his Pentecostal sermon (Acts 2:14–21). In a special way the new age was to be one of the Spirit (Isaiah 32:15; Zechariah 12:10; John 7:39). All of God’s people would now be priests and prophets, for the ideal stated when the law was given but never achieved would now become a reality (Exodus 19:5–6; 1 Peter 2:9–10).

–NIV Bible Dictionary

This is an eschatological term referring to the consummation of God’s kingdom and triumph over his foes and deliverance of his people. It begins at the Second Coming and will be accompanied by social calamities and physical cataclysms (Matthew 24; Luke 21:7–33). It will include the millennial judgment (Revelation 4:1–19:6) and culminate in the new heaven and the new earth (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22; Revelation 21:1).

–NIV Bible Dictionary

Some have erroneously identified this army with God’s people, even speculating that it is some kind of end-time vanguard of “super-Christians.” But the text in context is quite clear: These are locusts, not people, sent by God to judge rebellious Israel (Joel 1:4, 6; 2:18–20, 25). None of us as his followers would want to join that army!

–Judson Poling

Like removing a cancerous growth from the body, God uses catastrophes to practice spiritual surgery. If repentance does not follow sin, judgment will. With repentance, however, the full weight of God’s wrath is restrained or sometimes averted altogether. Natural consequences of sin may still follow, but repentance restores the relationship with God.

–The Quest Study Bible

A traditional sign of sorrow was to tear one’s clothes. However, the outward act of tearing one’s clothing (or, for that matter, offering sacrifices) does not necessarily indicate a repentant heart. God cares more about the condition of our hearts than the mere observance of religious traditions.

–Don Porter

The numerical motif–“for three sins … even for four”–is common in Semitic literature (e.g., Job 5:19; 33:29; Proverbs 6:16; 30:15–31; Ecclesiastes 11:2; Micah 5:5–6) and is not always to be taken literally. Sometimes it denotes an indefinite number, as here.

–NIV Bible Commentary

Bashan was a very fertile area. The cows there were famous for being well fed. That’s why he calls the women of Israel “cows of Bashan.” This is not just name-calling here. Think, for a moment, about the nature of a cow. Cows are not notable for their good works, are they? A cow just asks one question. Do you know what the question is? “Where can I get more?” That’s the only question a cow ever asks. Human beings live like that sometimes. We live in a society that often encourages us to live like that, to think of ourselves as just walking appetites for money, for food, for pleasure. “How can I get a bigger house?” “How can I get a larger income?” “How can I drive a newer car?” “How can I have greater sexual pleasure?” “How can I be more attractive?” You understand, that’s the kind of person our society produces–cows of Bashan.

–John Ortberg

A plumb line was a cord with a stone or metal weight, the plummet, tied to one end; it was used by builders to keep a wall perpendicular. Plumb lines and plummets are used figuratively of God’s action in testing the uprightness of his people (2 Kings 21:13; Isaiah 28:17; Amos 7:7–9).

–NIV Bible Dictionary

Some believe God plans to do this for the Jews some time in the future. This would take place in the Millennium, the thousand-year earthly reign of Christ after he returns. There the nation of Israel would finally be restored. Others, though, think this refers to Christ’s return, when God’s people–those who believe in Christ, Jews and non-Jews–will be permanently settled in heaven.

–The Quest Study Bible

The chief purpose of Zechariah (along with Haggai) was to rebuke the people and motivate and encourage them to complete the rebuilding of the temple (Zechariah 4:8–10; cf. Haggai 1–2), though Zechariah was clearly interested in spiritual renewal as well. Also, the purpose of the eight night visions is explained in Zechariah 1:3, 5–6: The Lord asked Israel to return to him; then he would return to them, and his word would continue to be fulfilled.

–NIV Bible Commentary

The lampstand symbolized the bright shining testimony of the people of God, giving glory to God. The repetition of the number seven and the fact that the lampstand was connected to living olive trees suggest the idea of completeness. Also see Exodus 25:31–40.

–The Quest Study Bible

The people of God are often portrayed in the feminine gender, particularly in their relationship to God. So it is not surprising for their unrighteousness to be described in feminine terms. This was a literary tool meant simply to illustrate the wickedness of the people–men as well as women.

–The Quest Study Bible

These are prophecies describing the victories of the new age and the coming Day of the Lord. Three apocalyptic pictures are presented: (1) Jerusalem will be saved from a siege by her enemies by the intervention of the Lord. (2) A remnant of Israel will be saved. (3) The nations will come to Jerusalem to share in the joyous Feast of Tabernacles, and all will enjoy the blessings of God’s kingdom.

–NIV Bible Dictionary

The phrase “Esau I have hated” does not refer to Esau’s eternal destiny. These verses elaborate God’s rejection of Esau’s land (cf. Isaiah 11:14; 34:5–6; Jeremiah 49:7–22; Ezekiel 25:12–14; 35:15; Joel 3:19; Amos 1:11; Obadiah). Of all the enemies of Israel, Edom was perhaps the most long-lived and consistent one. The enmity began with Amalek, an Edomite (Exodus 17:8–16), and continued through the Exodus (Numbers 14:44–45), into the period of the Judges (Judges 3:12–13), and to the time of Saul (1 Samuel 15:1–3) and David (1 Samuel 27:8). Moreover, the enemies mentioned by Ezra (Ezra 4:7) and Nehemiah (Nehemiah 4:7) probably included Edomites (Amalekites), and this special curse would be an oblique kind of encouragement to the Israelites.

–NIV Bible Commentary

The people were not bringing their best to the Lord but were offering blind, crippled, and diseased animals. They could have offered more but didn’t want their sacrifice to “cost” them too much. The prophet makes it clear that these offerings would be insulting to governors if they were offered to them, let alone to the Lord. What we bring as an offering to the Lord reveals our attitude toward him. What does your offering reveal about what you believe about God?

–Don Porter

Both these phrases refer to the process of purifying. In refining metals, the raw metal is heated with fire until it melts. The impurities rise to the surface and are skimmed off, leaving the pure metal. Launderer’s soap was used to whiten cloth. In each image we are reminded that God is in the process, through the work of his Spirit, to mold us into the image of Jesus. At times this process is painful, especially when accomplished through his discipline or suffering. Are you willing to go through the refiner’s fire? Are you willing to participate with God in his process of refining you? Malachi would tell you that it is well worth it.

–Don Porter