Expository Articles – Page 3

01 Oct

Balaam – The Prophet For Profit

EXPOSITORY ARTICLE | William Stewart | Odessa, Ontario

In Numbers 21, we follow the children of Israel as they make their approach towards the promised land. The writer gives a lengthy list of sites where they camped. Their journey was not without event. Passing through the Negev, they were attacked by the king of Arad (21:1). Coming to the territory of Sihon the Amorite, Israel asked permission to pass through on the King’s Highway. Not only did he refuse to allow passage, but he fought against them (21:21-23). And finally, coming to Bashan, they were attacked by Og and his forces (21:33). As troubling as all this could have been, the Lord gave His people victory over every enemy who rose against them (21:3, 24, 35). These events serve as the backdrop to the story of Balaam. Read More →

02 Jul

The Kingdom and Its King

EXPOSITORY ARTICLE | Sean Cavender | Bald Knob, Arkansas

Isaiah prophesied about 700 years before the time of Christ and is one of the most influential prophets of the Old Testament. Many of his prophecies warn rebellious Israel of impending judgment, admonish them to repent of iniquity, and point to the hope of the restoration of the kingdom of God. Some of the more memorable prophecies of the Messiah are found in the book of Isaiah. For example, the prediction that a virgin would conceive and give birth to a Son is found in Isaiah 7:14. Another prominent prophecy is found in Isaiah 9:6-7:

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this,” (New American Standard Bible, 1995 Update) Read More →

02 Apr

ELIJAH – A Man With A Nature Like Ours

EXPOSITORY ARTICLE | William Stewart | Odessa, Ontario, Canada

Elijah is the most memorable of the prophets during the early days of the divided kingdom. There were others before him, but they came and went quickly and with little fanfare. However, we have substantial detail about portions of Elijah’s work beginning in 1 Kings 17 and ending in 2 Kings 2. Additionally, he is referenced thirty times in the New Testament, which is more than any other Old Testament prophet (except Moses).

One of the first things I am prone to do when studying an individual in the Bible is to look at the meaning of their name. Often we will find something significant. Elijah’s name does not disappoint. His name in Hebrew is ‘Eliyah, which is a combination of two vital Hebrew words – Elohiym (God) and Yahweh (Jehovah). Without even opening his mouth, the prophet declared, “Jehovah is God.” Read More →

02 Oct

The Regenerated Man or the Un-regenerated Man? This Is the Question.

EXPOSITORY ARTICLE | Jeff Asher | Nacogdoches, Texas

via Alexas Fotos | Pixabay.com

This chapter has proven no small source of complication, confusion and consternation to many dedicated Bible students. Part of the difficulty lies in the English versions which are not completely unbiased in their own assumptions about the passage. Add to this the use of difficult words and repetitive phrases (some of which cannot be avoided) and even the diligent reader gets bogged down. Also, the theological systems and creeds have influenced and prejudiced the minds of many who would study the passage. The pervasiveness of such doctrines as “original sin,” “total depravity,” “limited atonement,” and “human inability” cloud the perception and impede understanding. We are just unaware sometimes of the prejudice we bring to a text. We must strive to be open-minded, seeking an honest encounter with the words on the page.

Faith and Works

EXPOSITORY ARTICLE – JAMES 2
Sean Cavender | Bald Knob, Arkansas

via Gerd Altmann | Pixabay.com

After writing an article for GROW magazine last year on the text in Romans 4 and Paul’s argument of justification by grace through faith, it seemed appropriate to address the nature of biblical faith from another important text in the New Testament—James 2. Romans 4 defends salvation by faith, not by works of the Law of Moses, and appeals to Abraham’s faith as our example. James is concerned with the general nature of faith. Read More →

03 Apr

Choose This Day Whom You Will Serve

EXPOSITORY ARTICLE – Galatians 3:6-18
Scott Long | Marietta, Pennsylvania

via Ruth Lindsay | Pixabay.com

We see it all the time; one who, after he has come to understand the truth, loses confidence in what he knows. He listens to teachers of error and begins to doubt. Maybe, he says, I was too hasty.

The Galatians were such people. Paul reminds them in Galatians 3:1, “Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified,” yet, he marveled because they were turning away from that truth and toward “a different (or another kind) gospel, which is not another (gospel at all),” (Galatians 1:6). Read More →

01 Jan

The Death of a Testator

EXPOSITORY ARTICLE – Hebrews 9
William Stewart | Odessa, Ontario

via Juan Pablo | Pixabay.com

The book of Hebrews is a wonderful treatise on the superiority of Christianity over Judaism. It contrasts the the two God-established religions on several different counts: covenant, mediator, priesthood, tabernacle, sacrifices, promises, hope, etc.. Consistently, the writer concludes what is available in Christ is “better” (Hebrews 1:4; 7:19, 22; 8:6; 9:23; 10:34; 11:40; 12:24).

In Hebrews 9, having spoken of the Levitical High Priest’s duty to go beyond the veil on the day of atonement with a sacrifice for himself and the people, Read More →

03 Oct

Justified Like Abraham

EXPOSITORY ARTICLE – Romans 4
Sean Cavender | Bald Knob, Arkansas

via Amanda Kline | FreeImages.com

Paul’s epistle to the church at Rome declares God’s salvation and the extent of His grace. Justification is by grace through faith for all men. Paul’s primary example for how God justifies men by grace through faith is Abraham.

To understand Romans 4, it is best to see how it relates to the opening chapters of the epistle. The first three chapters of Romans prove all men have sinned (Romans 3:9, 23), all are worthy of death (Romans 1:32), and there is no defense or appeal that might rationalize our sin (Romans 3:19). All are guilty of sin and all need God’s amazing grace. Read More →

04 Jul

The Poor Example of Israel

EXPOSITORY ARTICLE – 1 Corinthians 10
Sean Cavender | Bald Knob, Arkansas

via Agnieszka Monk | Pixabay.com

God communicates to us and teaches us by example. Many teachers in the Bible used examples, including the Lord Jesus (cf. Luke 17:32). Concerned for the church of God at Corinth, the apostle Paul offered exhortation based upon the poor and negative example of national Israel (1 Corinthians 10). He expected the church to read his epistle and notice the sins of Israel, and how to avoid the same. Notice the statements in 1 Corinthians 10 which show who Paul is concerned for: Read More →