Latest Commentaries

After the divine judgment, the LORD promises to purify the people’s lips, take them under His refuge, and fill the earth with righteousness. So much so that the lowly and humble will be protected and prosperous, like a well-tended flock. This appears to refer to a future time when the earth will be restored.

No nations are pursuing righteousness, so God announces His decision to destroy the earth and all nations. He says He will first rise up as a witness, which might refer to Jesus’s first advent, where He resurrected and defeated death.

Zephaniah pronounces judgment against Judah and her wicked rulers, prophets, and priests. God sent them ample examples of nations being disciplined for evil, but rather than learn and repent, Judah eagerly pursued wickedness.

Zephaniah pronounces judgment against Assyria for her pride and arrogance. God will make Nineveh a ruin, and the land of Assyria will be emptied of population and become a place for pasturing animals.

The LORD pronounces judgment against the Ethiopians. He will judge them with the sword of war.

The LORD pronounces judgment against Moab and Ammon for their arrogance against His covenant people. He will destroy them like Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed.

Zephaniah pronounces judgment against Philistia. The LORD will destroy the Philistines and give their land as pasture to the Judahites. The destruction upon Philistia should serve as a warning to Judah, for them to repent and return to their LORD.

Zephaniah exhorts the people of Judah to repent to avoid the judgment of God upon Judah. He also exhorts the righteous within Judah to seek God, for perhaps He might hide them from suffering when Judah is judged.

Zechariah sees four horns representing the nations of the four points of the compass. He also sees four blacksmiths who will destroy the horns, meaning that successive political powers will destroy the powers before them.

Zechariah receives his first vision. He sees a patrol of heavenly horsemen mounted on horses of various colors. These horsemen report that all the earth is now at peace. The angel who talks to Zechariah reassures him that the LORD is still angry with the Gentile nations, who are at peace but have exploited His people. But He will comfort Jerusalem and restore her fortunes.

The prophet Zechariah receives the word of the LORD in the eleventh month of the second year of King Darius of Persia.

Zechariah invites the exilic remnant of Judah to return to God so that He may return to them, consistent with His covenant promise. He warns them not to behave like their fathers did, provoking God to anger and experiencing His judgment.

The prophet Zechariah receives the word of the LORD in the eighth month of the second year of King Darius of Persia.

Paul summarizes his plea to the Colossian believers and offers the incredible incentive therein.

The opportunity to steward one’s character, to live according to the things above rather than the things below, is available to everyone in every circumstance and setting.

Paul continues his description of the proper perspective for Christians and the associated behavioral choices.

Paul gives some examples of what it means to think and act according to the things above. And what binds them all together.

Paul continues his description of behaviors that are not in alignment with the reality of Christ, or the true benefit of the Colossian believers, and exhorts the Colossian believers to stay away from them.

Paul continues to delineate between things above and things below, listing problematic indications of the latter.

Paul reminds the Colossians of their standing with Christ, over and against the mindset of the flesh.