“Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.” (Proverbs 20:19 ESV). Solomon warned that those who speak carelessly, especially those who slander or gossip, cannot be trusted with confidential or sensitive matters. The one who “reveals secrets” proves unfaithful. Likewise, the “simple babbler” (literally, “one who opens wide his
Chapter: 20
HIS WORD STILL SPEAKS
“Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, ‘Hear the word of the Lord: Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon.’” (2 Kings 20:16–17 ESV). Isaiah was the Lord’s prophet during the time of four kings of
TWO RACES WITH NEWS OF TWO SONS
“Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outran the Cushite.” (2 Samuel 18:23 ESV). “Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.” (John 20:4 ESV). In both the Old and New Testament readings today, men ran a race with urgent news tied to
WHEN TRIBAL LOYALTY REPLACES RIGHTEOUSNESS
“Now therefore give up the men, the worthless fellows in Gibeah, that we may put them to death and purge evil from Israel.” But the Benjaminites would not listen to the voice of their brothers, the people of Israel.” (Judges 20:13 ESV). This verse captures a tragic turning point in Israel’s history. The rest of
JESUS CORRECTS THOSE WHO DENY THE RESURRECTION
“Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.” (Luke 20:38 ESV). The Sadducees, who denied the resurrection and only accepted the five books of Moses, came to Jesus presenting a question that they thought would make the idea of the resurrection seem ridiculous. However, Christ’s response
REJECTED STONE OR RISEN SAVIOR?
‘But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’?’ (Luke 20:17 ESV). Jesus spoke these words to the religious leaders in Jerusalem, knowing that they were planning to reject Him. He quoted Psalm 118:22 to show that their rejection
THE WORD THAT SATISFIES THE TEN WORDS
“And God spoke all these words, saying” (Exodus 20:1 ESV). Did you know that God actually spoke the Ten Commandments aloud from Mount Sinai for all the Israelites to hear? Before God wrote the Decalogue down onto stone tablets, He actually spoke them aloud from Mount Sinai for all the Israelites to hear. A literal
WHO CAN MAKE YOUR HEART CLEAN?
‘Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”?’ (Proverbs 20:9 ESV). Solomon’s rhetorical question assumes a negative response. The sinfulness of humanity was an accepted reality in his day. Yet, this wisdom has been thrown into question in modern times by the tenets of humanism. The philosophy of
BEWARE PARTNERING WITH UNBELIEVERS
‘Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have joined with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have made.”’ (2 Chronicles 20:37 ESV). This was the second time God had warned Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, about partnering with the unbelieving kings of Israel. The first time it was
THE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS AVAILETH MUCH
“Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you” (2 Kings 20:5 ESV). Hezekiah, king of Judah, was sick to the point of death. The prophet Isaiah came