Here’s a look at some interpretive questions from the book of Ruth with some help from the ESV Expository Commentary. This is a soon-to-be twelve-volume commentary series that provides introductions, outlines, comments, and responses on every book in the Bible. Keep reading for a taste of what this succinct and…
Have you ever wondered what your church community should look like? I’m sure you have and I’m sure you’ve compared it to what you’ve read in Scripture. And I’m willing to bet that what you’ve experienced in your church community resembles what you see in Scripture to a greater or…
I was recently preaching through the last section of Matthew’s gospel and made an important discovery. I discovered that Matthew uses the same word fifteen times in 26:2–27:26. The word is παραδίδωμι and the Legacy Standard Bible translates it as “deliver” or “betray.” Let me walk you through how I…
When God called Abram from Ur of the Chaldees, he gave him a number of promises (see Gen. 12:1–3; 13:14–17). God promised to make Abram into a great nation and to give him the land of Canaan. These promises introduce tension into the story. How would Abram become a great…
The Bible begins with God and man in perfect harmony. Genesis tells us that it wasn’t until after the fall that “the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God” (Gen. 3:8). Because of sin, God’s presence was no longer a comfort but a terror.…
How would you illustrate the difference between the self-righteous and those who know they are unrighteous? What mannerisms or postures would you use to depict them? Would their words give them away or only their actions? Jesus did just this during his earthly ministry. With some help from the ESV…
We all face those moments when there is a clear fork in the road. We have to decide if we’re going to follow the ways of God or the ways of the world. Sometimes this takes place internally with temptations to entertain thoughts of anger, jealousy, bitterness, or lust. Other…
As a kid (and even now as an adult), chain reactions have always fascinated me. From blocks to dominoes to far more intricate setups, the series of events triggered by one small movement remind me of the connectedness of things and the providence of God. These connections are everywhere in…
Some of the most compelling stories are comeback stories. Whether it’s an injured sports star, an unlikely hero, or overcoming extraordinary odds, you can’t help but cheer. These types of stories are found throughout Scripture, but one you may not be familiar with is in Micah. Let’s follow the Word…