Author: Alan Holden

Introduction A. Shiggaion = dithyramb, a staccato-type rhythm appropriate to the strong emotion in the psalm. B. Cush the Benjamite 1. Cush refers to a son of Ham and also to Ethiopia. 2. Cush may refer to Shimei, a relative of Saul, who cursed David in his flight out of Jerusalem from Absalom’s rebellion, 2…

Introduction In chapter 6, Paul answered the question, “Shall we continue in sin?” (6:1). We should not continue in sin because we have been crucified with Christ and raised in newness of life. Paul ends chapter six with another question: “Shall we continue in sin because we are not under the Law?” Paul answers this…

Introduction Chapters 8-10 deals with the church’s questions about meat offered to idols. In the Roman world, meat was slaughtered at pagan temples by the priests. One portion was burned in honor of the temple’s god, one portion was given to the worshipper to take home and eat, and the priest kept one portion. If…

Introduction Chapter 12 is a hymn of praise to the Messiah after the Day of the Lord’s judgment. Reasons to Praise the Messiah, vv. 1-3 A. God’s Anger Is Turned Away, v. 1 B. God’s Consolation Is Mine, v. 1 C. God Is My Salvation, v. 2 1. The Lord is my security: “I will…

Introduction Jeremiah wrote a letter to the exiles by the command of God. He wrote the letter around 598 BC. Babylon had already invaded Judah and Jerusalem twice (605 and 598 BC) and taken captives each time. There would be another invasion and deportation later. This letter was delivered by way of Elasah, a diplomat…

Introduction In chapters 1-3, Paul argued that every person is a sinner by nature and choice. However, we are justified from sin by faith in the redemptive work of Christ. Christians face two problems: (1) How can we achieve victory over the old nature (the flesh, the body of sin)? and (2) how can I…

Introduction In this chapter, Paul is answering the Corinthians’ questions about marriage, divorce, and singleness. A. Paul had been married, otherwise he could not have been a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin. (He may have been a widower.) B. We must keep in mind: 1. that Corinth was noted for its immorality and lack of…

God’s Reproach of Israel, vv. 1-4 A. God denounces injustice in Judah, v. 1. 1. Judah denies justice to the poor, v. 2. 2. Judah denies justice to the widows and orphans, v. 2. B. God declares Judah cannot survive without Him, v. 4. God’s Rule over Assyria, vv. 5-19 A. Sometimes God uses wicked…

Introduction Zedekiah was put on the throne of Judah as a puppet king by Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar then was distracted by problems in other parts of his empire. This seemed like a good time for Judah and surrounding nations to rebel against Babylon. In chapter 27, Jeremiah prophesied exile and captivity wearing a wooden yoke to…

Introduction A. The First of Seven Penitential Psalms–songs of confession and humility. B. The Early Church sung these psalms on Ash Wednesday, 40 days before Resurrection Sunday. C. The Psalm is accompanied by stringed instruments, on either an eight-stringed harp or stringed instruments an octave apart. David’s Agonizing Plea, vv. 1-7 A. The Rebuke of…