Prophets and Kings: Chapter 25 – The Call of Isaiah
Chapter 25—The Call of Isaiah The long reign of Uzziah [also known as Azariah] in the land of Judah and Benjamin was characterized by a prosperity greater than that of any other ruler since the death of Solomon, nearly two centuries before. For many years the king ruled with discretion. Under the blessing of Heaven…
Read MoreProphets and Kings: Chapter 24 – “Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge”
Chapter 24—“Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge” God’s favor toward Israel had always been conditional on their obedience. At the foot of Sinai they had entered into covenant relationship with Him as His “peculiar treasure… above all people.” Solemnly they had promised to follow in the path of obedience. “All that the Lord hath spoken we…
Read MoreProphets and Kings: Chapter 23 – The Assyrian Captivity
Chapter 23—The Assyrian Captivity The closing years of the ill-fated kingdom of Israel were marked with violence and bloodshed such as had never been witnessed even in the worst periods of strife and unrest under the house of Ahab. For two centuries and more the rulers of the ten tribes had been sowing the wind;…
Read MoreProphets and Kings: Chapter 22 – “Nineveh, That Great City”
Chapter 22—“Nineveh, That Great City” Among the cities of the ancient world in the days of divided Israel one of the greatest was Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian realm. Founded on the fertile bank of the Tigris, soon after the dispersion from the tower of Babel, it had flourished through the centuries until it…
Read MoreThe Acts of the Apostles: Chapter 1 – God’s Purpose for His Church
Chapter 1—God’s Purpose for His Church The church is God’s appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world. From the beginning it has been God’s plan that through His church shall be reflected to the world His fullness and His…
Read MoreThe Great Controversy: Chapter 1 – The Destruction of Jerusalem
Chapter 1—The Destruction of Jerusalem “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee…
Read MoreProphets and Kings: Chapter 21 – Elisha’s Closing Ministry
Chapter 21—Elisha’s Closing Ministry Called to the prophetic office while Ahab was still reigning, Elisha had lived to see many changes take place in the kingdom of Israel. Judgment upon judgment had befallen the Israelites during the reign of Hazael the Syrian, who had been anointed to be the scourge of the apostate nation. The…
Read MoreProphets and Kings: Chapter 20 – Naaman
Chapter 20—Naaman This chapter is based on 2 Kings 5. “Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valor, but he was a leper.” Ben-hadad, king…
Read MoreProphets and Kings: Chapter 19 – A Prophet of Peace
Chapter 19—A Prophet of Peace This chapter is based on 2 Kings 4. The work of Elisha as a prophet was in some respects very different from that of Elijah. To Elijah had been committed messages of condemnation and judgment; his was the voice of fearless reproof, calling king and people to turn from their…
Read MoreProphets and Kings: Chapter 18 – The Healing of the Waters
Chapter 18—The Healing of the Waters In Patriarchal times the Jordan Valley was “well watered everywhere, … even as the garden of the Lord.” It was in this fair valley that Lot chose to make his home when he “pitched his tent toward Sodom.” Genesis 13:10, 12. At the time that the cities of the…
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