Recognition

Recognition

Acts 3:10 “And they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms.” Observation: The setting is the gate called Beautiful. Peter and John were heading to morning prayers when they came upon a beggar who asked...

Castle Archives

Castle Archives

Isaiah 37:14b “…and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord and spread it before the Lord.” Observation: The King of Assyria was on a rampage to conquer every tribe within reach. Preceding chapters recounted his numerous victories, and now he was bringing his...

Once More Around the Mountain

Once More Around the Mountain

Deuteronomy 2:3 “You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north…” Observation: Israel was near the end of their 40-year exile, and Moses was recounting important passages from their journey. Early on they had licked their wounds from defeat at the hands of...

A Bold Pitch

A Bold Pitch

Mark 10:51 “What do you want Me to do for you?” Observation: Jesus’ question, “What do you want me to do for you?” is His response to one of the most arrogant statements in all of Scripture. James and John had just come to Him saying, “Teacher, we want you to do for...

Party Favor

Party Favor

Mark 6:27 “…and He went and had him beheaded in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.” Observation: Herodias’ daughter had danced before King Herod and his party guests. In response, Herod offered...

Foiled Again

Foiled Again

Matthew 27:66 “And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone.” Observation: Jesus had been crucified the previous day and Jewish leaders had gone to Pilate asking that the grave be made secure to prevent Jesus’...

Missed Opportunity

Missed Opportunity

1 Samuel 5:8b “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” Observation: Philistines had captured God’s ark when Israel, in presumption, had carried it into battle. Eli, Israel’s leading priest, had fallen over and died when he heard news of the Ark’s capture...

The Unnamed Daughter

The Unnamed Daughter

Judges 11:36–37 “My father, you have given your word to the Lord. Do to me just as you promised…but…give me two months to roam the hills and weep with my friends, because I will never marry.” Observation:  Israel had been severely oppressed by the Ammonites for years...

His Increasing Presence

His Increasing Presence

2 Chronicles 5:6 “…and King Solomon and the entire assembly of Israel that had gathered about him were before the Ark, sacrificing so many sheep and cattle that they could not be recorded or counted.” Observation: The temple’s construction was complete. Solomon had...

Back-Seat Fighting

Back-Seat Fighting

Numbers 14:33 “And your children shall be shepherds in the wilderness forty years and shall suffer for your faithlessness, until the last of your dead bodies lies in the wilderness.” Observation: Judgment had come upon the Hebrews. Of the twelve spies sent into...