| Exodus o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] In the Book of Exodus we have, as the general and characteristic subject, the deliverance and redemption of the people of God, and their establishment as a people before Him, whether under the law, or under the government of God in longsuffering-of a God who, having |
| Leviticus o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Book of Leviticus is the way of drawing near to God, viewed as dwelling in the sanctuary, whether in respect of the means of doing so, or of the state in which men could; and therewith, consequently, especially the subject of the priesthood; that is, |
| Numbers o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Book of Leviticus contains the revelation of God sitting upon the throne, where He places Himself that He may be approached by the people, as far as they could come; that of the priesthood brought into proximity to the throne, as far as men could |
| Deuteronomy o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] We now come to the book of Deuteronomy, a book full of interest in its moral warnings as to testimony, but presenting fewer subjects for interpretation and exegesis than those, the summary of which we have hitherto sought to give. This book takes up Israel just |
| Joshua o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] As the Book of Numbers sets forth the spiritual journey through the wilderness in which the flesh was tested and tried, so this book is full of interest and instruction, as setting before us in type the conflicts of the inheritors of heaven with spiritual wickedness |
| Judges o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Book of Judges is the history of the failure of Israel. Joshua sets before us the energy of God acting in the midst of the people, though there may be failure. In Judges we see the miserable state of the nation, now become unfaithful; and, |
| Ruth o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Book of Ruth tells us also of the days of the judges, when there was no king in Israel; but it shews us the fair side of those days, in the operations of the grace of God, who (blessed be His name!) never failed to |
| 1 Samuel o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] We have seen that the Book of Ruth occupies, in its purport, an intermediate place between the end of the period in which Israel was governed by God Himself, who interposed from time to time by means of judges, and the setting up of the |
| 2 Samuel o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Second Book of Samuel sets before us the definitive establishment of David in the kingdom; and afterwards, the miseries of his house, when prosperity had opened the door to self-will. The path of faith and its difficulties, is that in which we walk with |
| 1 Kings o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Books of Kings shew us the kingly power established in all its glory; its fall, and God's testimony in the midst of the ruin; with details concerning Judah after the rejection of Israel, until Lo-ammi had been pronounced upon the whole nation. In a |
| 2 Kings o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Books of Kings shew us the kingly power established in all its glory; its fall, and God's testimony in the midst of the ruin; with details concerning Judah after the rejection of Israel, until Lo-ammi had been pronounced upon the whole nation. In a |
| 1 Chronicles o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] These Books, written or drawn up after the captivity (see 1Ch_6:15), preserve God's history of His people, recorded by the Holy Ghost, as He loved to remember it, exhibiting only such faults as require to be known in order to understand the instructions of His |
| 2 Chronicles o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] This Second Book of Chronicles unfolds the reign of the son of David and of the family of David. It does not commence with the faith of David at the ark, but with the tabernacle that Moses, the servant of Jehovah had set up, and |
| Ezra o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The events which we have been considering, at the close of Kings and Chronicles, were deeply significant. The throne of God was no longer at Jerusalem. God had fulfilled His threat of casting off the city which He had chosen. He had bestowed the throne of |
| Nehemiah o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Book of Nehemiah will require but few remarks; but it is important to establish its import. It is a necessary link in the history of God's dealings, in the recital of His patience and loving-kindness towards Jerusalem, which He had chosen. In Ezra we have |
| Esther o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Book of Nehemiah has shewn us Judah reinstated in the land, but deprived of the presence of God, except as to general blessing, and unacknowledged by God as His people; so that, whatever length of time may elapse, their condition leads us morally up to |
| Job o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Chetubim, or Hagiographa, in which I do not now comprehend Daniel (though his book has a character distinct from the other prophets) form a very distinct and interesting part of divine revelation. None of them suppose an accomplished and known redemption, in the New Testament |
| Psalms o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Book of Psalms has evidently a peculiar character. It is not the history of God's people, or of God's ways with them, nor is it the inculcation of positive doctrines or duties, nor the formal prophetic announcement of coming events. Many important events, doubtless, are |
| Proverbs o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Book of Proverbs gives us the application of that wisdom which created the heavens and the earth to the details of life in this world of confusion and evil. This thought brings out the immensity of grace unfolded here. God deigns to apply His wisdom |
| Ecclesiastes o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Book of Ecclesiastes is, up to a certain point, the converse of the Book of Proverbs. (see not to Proverbs (below)) It is the experience of a man who-retaining wisdom, that he may judge of all-makes trial of everything under the sun that could be |
| Song of Solomon o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] This Book takes up the Jew, or at least the remnant, in quite another aspect. It tells of the affections that the King can create in their heart, and by which He draws them to Himself. However strong these affections may be. they are |
| Isaiah o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] Isaiah takes the first place; and in fact he is the most complete of all the prophets, and perhaps the most rich. The whole circle of God's thoughts with respect to Israel is more given here. Other prophets are occupied with certain portions only of the |
| Jeremiah o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah has a different character from that of Isaiah. It does not contain the same development of the counsels of God respecting this earth that Isaiah does. It is we, that we are told many things in it concerning the nations; |
| Lamentations o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Lamentations of Jeremiah-a touching expression of the interest which God feels in the afflictions which His people undergo on account of their sins-will not require much explanation as to the general meaning of the book. A few remarks may be useful, to shew the true |
| Ezekiel o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] In the prophecy of Ezekiel we have left the touching ground we were on in Jeremiah. He was within with the judgment hanging over the guilty city, and under the oppressive sense of the evil which brought on the ruin, bearing a testimony which, as to |
| Daniel o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] In the Book of Ezekiel we have seen the government of God on earth fully developed in connection with Israel; whether in condemning the sin which occasioned the judgment of that people, or in their restoration under the authority of Christ, the Branch that should spring |
| Hosea o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The prophet Hosea prophesied during the same period of time as Isaiah; but he is more occupied with the existing condition of the people, and especially of Israel, although he often speaks of Judah likewise. His prophecy is more simple in its character than that of |
| Joel o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The import of the book of Joel is sufficiently plain, although a few passages may be obscure. _______________________ [2][i] JND S2 References 1. file://localhost/var/www/htdocs-weseejesus.com//study_to_show_thyself_approved_-_-_-_study_helps_for_the_serious_christian/1_the_scripture_of_truth/1_-_introductions_to_each_book_of_the_bible//29%20-%20joel.htm#_edn1 2. file://localhost/var/www/htdocs-weseejesus.com//study_to_show_thyself_approved_-_-_-_study_helps_for_the_serious_christian/1_the_scripture_of_truth/1_-_introductions_to_each_book_of_the_bible//29%20-%20joel.htm#_ednref1 |
| Amos o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The prophecy of Amos is one of those that speak of the moral condition of the people, and especially of Israel, who, as we have already seen in the historical books, represents more particularly the people as such; while Judah was but as an appanage of |
| Obadiah o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] Edom is frequently spoken of in the prophets. This people, who, as well as Jacob, were descended from Isaac, had an inveterate hatred to the posterity of the younger son who were favoured as the people of Jehovah. Psalm 137 tells of this hatred in the |
| Jonah o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The prophet Jonah gives us the opportunity of applying his history to many sentiments that arise in the human heart in all ages. His personal history-the history of a man who was upright in the main, but who had not courage to follow out the will |
| Micah o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The prophecy of Micah is of the same date, and, up to a certain point, has the same character as that of Isaiah. That is to say, it treats especially of the introduction of the Messiah into the scene of the development of God's dealings towards |
| Nahum o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] If we were to examine closely the different characters of the nations who have been connected with the people of God, we should perhaps find in each a specific form of evil pretty clearly delineated. At all events it is so in the principal enemies of |
| Habakkuk o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] How diverse and perfect is the development of the ways of God in His word! Not only does it contain the great events that establish the fact of His government, and the character of that government-not only the proofs of His fidelity to His people, and |
| Zephaniah o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] Zephaniah sets before us the judgment of the Spirit of God with respect to the condition of the testimony rendered to the name of God in this world, at a moment when there was some outward restoration by means of a king who feared God. God |
| Haggai o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The last three prophets prophesied after the Babylonish captivity. God, as we have seen in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, brought back a small remnant of His people, who were re-established in Jerusalem and in the land; but the throne of God was not again |
| Zechariah o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] Zechariah is more occupied than either of the other two post-captivity prophets with the Gentile kingdoms under whose yoke the Jews were placed, and with the establishment in its perfection of the glorious system that was to accompany the presence of the Messiah; and, on the |
| Malachi o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The prophecy of Malachi deals with the people brought back from the captivity of Babylon, and is most important as shewing the moral condition of the people consequent upon their return. Its last verses evidently close the testimony of Jehovah to the people, till the coming |
| The Gospel of Matthew o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] Let us now consider the Gospel by Matthew. This Gospel sets Christ before us in the character of the Son of David and of Abraham, that is to say, in connection with the promises made to Israel, but presents Him withal as Emmanuel, |
| The Gospel of Mark o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Gospel according to Mark has a character that differs in certain respects from all the others. Each Gospel, as we have seen, has its own character; each is occupied with the Person of the Lord in a different point of view: as |
| The Gospel of Luke o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Gospel of Luke sets the Lord before us in the character of Son of man, revealing God in delivering grace among men. Hence, the present operation of grace and its effect are more referred to, and even the present time prophetically, not |
| The Gospel of John o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Gospel of John has a peculiar character, as every Christian perceives. It does not present the birth of Christ in this world, looked at as the Son of David. It does not trace His genealogy back to Adam, in order to bring |
| The Book of Acts o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Acts of the Apostles are divided essentially into three parts -- Chapters 1, 2 to 12, and 13 to the end. Chapters 11-12 may be termed transitional chapters founded on the event related in Chapter 10. Chapter 1 gives us that which |
| The Epistle to the Romans o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Epistle to the Romans is well placed at the head of all the others, as laying the foundations, in a systematic way, of the relations of man with God; reconciling, at the same time, this universal truth of man's position, first, |
| The First Epistle to the Corinthians o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Epistle to the Corinthians presents very different subjects from those which occupied us in the one addressed to the Romans. We find in it moral details, and the interior order of an assembly, with regard to which the Spirit of |
| The Second Epistle to the Corinthians o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The apostle writes the second Epistle to the Corinthians under the influence of the consolations of Christ -- consolations experienced when the troubles which came upon him in Asia were at their height; and renewed at the moment when he wrote |
| The Epistle to the Galatians o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The epistle to the Galatians sets before us the great source of the afflictions and conflicts of the apostle in the regions where he had preached the glad tidings; that which was at the same time the principal means employed by the |
| The Epistle to the Ephesians o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The epistle to the Ephesians gives us the richest exposition of the blessings of the saints individually, and of the assembly, setting forth, at the same time, the counsels of God with regard to the glory of Christ. Christ Himself is viewed |
| The Epistle to the Philippians o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] In the epistle to the Philippians, we find much more of christian experience, and the development of the exercise of the heart, than in the generality of the epistles. It is in fact proper christian experience. Doctrine and practice are found in |
| The Epistle to the Colossians o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Epistle to the Colossians looks at the Christian as risen with Christ, but not, as in that to the Ephesians, as sitting in heavenly places in Christ. A hope is laid up for him in heaven; he is to set his |
| The First Epistle to the Thessalonians o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] We find in the Epistle to the Thessalonians, and especially in the first (for in the second it was already needful to guard that freshness from the perfidious attacks of the enemy), the condition and the hope of the Christian as |
| The Second Epistle to the Thessalonians o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] In the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians, the apostle corrects some errors into which these disciples had fallen with regard to the day of the Lord through certain false teachers; as in part of the first epistle he had enlightened the |
| The First Epistle to Timothy o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Epistles to Timothy and Titus have naturally a peculiar bearing and character, being addressed to persons deputed by the apostle to act in his name, or to care for the churches during his absence. Their application to us is none the |
| The Second Epistle to Timothy o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Second Epistle to Timothy has a very peculiar character. It is the expression of his heart, who out side Palestine had, under God, founded and built the assembly of God on earth, and it was written in sight of its failure, |
| The Epistle to Titus o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Epistle to Titus is occupied with the maintenance of order in the churches of God. The especial object of those written to Timothy as the maintenance of sound doctrine, although speaking of other things with regard to which the apostle gives directions |
| The Epistle to Philemon o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The very beautiful and interesting Epistle to Philemon does not require much comment; it is an expression of the love which works by the Spirit within the assembly of God in all the circumstances of individual life. Written for the purpose of awakening |
| The Epistle to The Hebrews o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The important nature of the Epistle to the Hebrews demands that we should examine it with peculiar care. It is not the presentation of Christian position in itself, viewed as the fruit of sovereign grace, and of the work and the resurrection |
| The Epistle of James o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Epistle of James is not addressed to the assembly, and does not take the ground of apostolic authority over the persons to whom it is sent. It is a practical exhortation which still recognises the twelve tribes and the connection of the |
| The First Epistle of Peter o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The First Epistle of Peter is addressed to believers among the dispersed of Israel found in those provinces of Asia Minor Which are named in the first Verse; the Second Epistle declares itself to be a second addressed to the same persons: |
| The Second Epistle of Peter o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Second Epistle of Peter is even more simple than the First. Like those of Jude and John, it is written essentially with a view to the seducers, who, with large promises of liberty, beguiled souls into sin and licentiousness, denying the |
| The First Epistle of John o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Epistle of John has a peculiar character. It is eternal life manifested in Jesus, and imparted to us -- the life which was with the Father, and which is in the Son. It is in this life that believers enjoy the |
| The Second Epistle of John o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Second and Third Epistles of John insist on the truth. The Second warns the faithful against the reception of those who do not teach the doctrine of Christ, especially the truth respecting the Person of Christ. The Third encourages believers to |
| The Third Epistle of John o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] The Third Epistle encourages the believer to the exercise of hospitality, whether towards the known brethren or strangers, and to all benevolent care in furthering their journey when departing, provided that they come with the truth and for the truth's sake without |
| The Epistle of Jude o oooooooooooo Introduction.[1][i] The epistle of Jude develops the history of the apostasy of Christendom, from the earliest elements that crept into the assembly to corrupt it, down to its judgment at the appearing of our Lord, but as moral apostasy by turning the grace of |
| The Revelation o oooooooooooo Introduction[1][i] As regards Peter and Paul, we have scriptural authority for regarding them as the apostles respectively of the circumcision and of the uncircumcision. Peter and the twelve remained at Jerusalem when the disciples were scattered, and, continuing (though God was careful to maintain unity) the |
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