“They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share” (1 Timothy 6:18 ESV). Paul instructed Timothy to charge the wealthy believers in Ephesus not to set their hopes on riches but on God, “who richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (v.17). Instead of trusting in
Chapter: 6
STANDING AT THE CROSSROADS
“Thus says the LORD: ‘Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, “We will not walk in it.”’” (Jeremiah 6:16 ESV). Jeremiah spoke these words to Judah in the late seventh century B.C.,
BETTER TO HEAR BAD NEWS THAN FALSE PEACE
“For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely. They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace’” (Jeremiah 6:13–14 ESV). Jeremiah spoke during the final decades before Jerusalem’s fall to Babylon. The
AN AMBASSADOR IN CHAINS
“[Pray]…that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:19–20 ESV). The apostle Paul wrote from a Roman prison. He asked the Ephesian believers to
THE CHURCH AS A HOSPITAL FOR SINNERS
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted” (Galatians 6:1 ESV). Paul reminded the Galatians that the church should be more like a hospital than a courtroom. He described the one “caught in any
THE TRUE KING IS STILL ON THE THRONE
“In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple” (Isaiah 6:1 ESV). Isaiah carefully dates his vision to “the year that King Uzziah died” (ca. 740 BC). Uzziah had reigned for fifty-two years, bringing prosperity and
DON’T JUDGE ANOTHER’S LAMENT
“Then Job answered and said: ‘Oh that my vexation were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances! For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash.’” (Job 6:1–3 ESV). Job responds to his friends’ rebuke with honesty. He admits that his words have been
SLEEPLESS IN SUSA
“On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king.” (Esther 6:1 ESV) This verse marks the turning point of the entire book of Esther. Haman had just convinced the king to issue a decree to destroy
STANDING FIRM AGAINST SUBTLE SCHEMES
“But I said, ‘Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in.’” (Nehemiah 6:11 ESV). Nehemiah had been steadfast in overcoming the external opposition of Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem as they mocked, threatened, and plotted against the rebuilding
WANTED: DEAD AND ALIVE
“So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11 ESV). The apostle Paul turns from teaching to exhortation in this verse. After explaining that we have died with Christ and been raised with Him, Paul calls us to consider this spiritual reality to be true of