Blessing

Blessings of The Nations

God invites people in need to come to Him (vv. 1-2). By coming to the Lord people will have life and the benefits of God’s everlasting covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:11-16). The Lord promised that David’s line would continue forever (v. 3). The nations are to be under th …

The Lord Establishes a New Heaven And New Earth

All those that love and mourn for the Holy City are commanded to rejoice with Jerusalem (v. 10). The imagery of a mother nursing her baby with fresh milk is illustrative of the nations of the world that shall look once again to Jerusalem for spiritual nourishment (v. 11). It is during that time that she shall experience peace like a river and glory like a flowing stream (v. 12). God is compared to a mother who comforts …

Elizabeth Gives Birth to John

John the Baptist is born, circumcised and named (vv. 57-66). The record of John’s birth is given (v. 57). The arrival of the babe was in exact fulfillment to Gabriel’s prophecy and caused wide-spread joy. Eight days after the birth of John, he was to be circumcised in accor …

Jacob Blesses Ephraim And Manasseh

The news came to Joseph one day that his father was very sick. He immediately laid aside his affairs of state, took his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, and hurried to see his father (v. 1). Jacob sat up in bed and when Joseph presented his two sons to him the aged patriarch prono …

Joseph’s Family Settles in Goshen

All the brothers with their families and flocks settled down in the land of Goshen. Joseph introduces them to Pharaoh (vv. 1-2). Pharaoh asked them what they did for a living, and they reply that they have been shepherds all their lives. They formally asked permission to live in …

Moses Blessings on The Tribes

Moses pronounced his blessing upon each tribe just before his death. Only ten tribes were listed. The tribe of Simeon was omitted, perhaps due to Jacob’s prediction that Simeon would be scattered (Genesis 49:7) and her land would be divided with the children of Judah (Joshua 19:1). Joseph’s …

Elijah Ascends to Heaven

As this chapter begins, Elisha was still accompanying Elijah whose home base was in Gilgal (v. 1). They leave this site and go down to Bethel (v. 2). Elijah went to visit two schools of prophets for the last time. Three times Elijah, as a test, asked Elisha not to follow him, b …

The Lord Will Bless His People Who Survive

In this chapter the prophet looks beyond the “Day of the Lord” to that time when the kingdom will be established on earth. In that day women will be desperate to be married (v. 1). He goes from a warning of judgment to a message of comfort. Isaiah is the first pro …