Latest Commentaries

After their forty-day exploration of the land of Canaan, the spies reported back to Moses and the others. They showed the produce they brought back (grapes and other fruit), showing that the land was very good. They also reported that the people who were living in the land were big and powerful and that the cities were heavily fortified. Scariest of all were the descendants of Anak, who were very tall and very strong. The land looked as though anyone who tried to conquer it would perish in the effort.

Numbers 13:21-24 contains a summary of the activities of the spies in Canaan. They obeyed Moses and spied the wilderness areas as well as places in the hill country. They also brought back a branch containing grapes as Moses requested.

After appointing the spies from each tribe, Moses then gave them instructions as to where to go and what they were to look for. They were also to bring back a sample of what was grown in the land.

Numbers 13:3-16 contains a list of the names of the men sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. The tribe of Levi was exempted from sending a spy, and Joshua was sent instead.

Before entering the Promised Land of Canaan, the LORD commanded Moses to send spies into the land. He was to select a person from each tribe.

After the seven days of Miriam’s time outside of the camp, the Israelites moved from where they were at Hazeroth to a place in a desert called Paran.

When the cloud of the LORD departed from His meeting with Moses, Miriam, and Aaron, it became obvious that Miriam had a skin disease, probably leprosy. Aaron asked Moses to intercede and petition the LORD to heal her. Instead of healing here immediately, the LORD told Moses that she had to go through the process specified in the Law. She was to be placed outside the camp for seven days and then be allowed to enter the camp. The people stayed where they were until the seven days were completed.

The LORD confronted Miriam and Aaron about their rebellious attitudes. He confirmed again that He had a special relationship with Moses, closer than He had with the prophets. This was seen in that He spoke to Moses personally instead of through dreams and visions. Because of that, Miriam and Aaron should have respected that relationship and should have been afraid to oppose it.

Not long after the people complained about the LORD’s provision of food, Miriam and Aaron complained about Moses. They seemed to complain about his marriage to a Cushite woman, and they appeared to rebel against him being the only one to whom the LORD communicated.

The prophet Haggai receives the fourth message from the LORD during the second year of King Darius of Persia. He predicts the overthrow of the Gentile nations and the exaltation of the Davidic line through Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel is a Messianic figure that foreshadows Christ’s triumphant return to earth.

The prophet Haggai continues with the second message. He urges the returning exiles of Judah to remain strong to rebuild the temple of the LORD. He tells them He will be with them and protect them. Ultimately, the LORD will fill the temple with glory and grant peace. 

The prophet Haggai receives a second message from the LORD during the second year of King Darius of Persia.

Zephaniah announces the imminent day of the LORD’s wrath. His prophecy applies both to Judah, and its imminent invasion by Babylon, as well as the ultimate conquering of earth by Jesus, when He will cleanse the earth of sin and restore it to its original, harmonious design.

The LORD announces judgment on the people of Judah for their exploitation and spiritual arrogance. He invites the commercial interests and possessors of property to mourn, as their wealth will be pilfered and expropriated by invaders.

Zephaniah admonishes the people of Judah to be silent before the LORD because the day of His judgment is imminent.

The LORD announces that He will sweep away all living creatures on the face of the earth because of man’s idolatry and rebellion. If He will thus judge the earth, then most certainly He will judge His own people who have violated their covenant agreement to follow His ways.

The LORD gives a message to the prophet Zephaniah during the reign of Josiah, king of Judah

The people of Judah respond positively to Haggai’s exhortation to rebuild the temple. Then, the LORD stirs up their spirit, giving them a boost to complete the project.

The prophet Haggai asks the people of Judah to reconsider their attitude toward life and rebuild the temple so that God may restore their fortunes, consistent with His covenant agreement with them.

The prophet Haggai urges the people of Judah to consider their ways of life and account for the infertility of the land being connected to their inattention to God’s temple.