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Bible Insights

King Nebuchadnezzar’s Proclamation

Psalm 202 from Beyond Psalm 150 Another time King Nebuchadnezzar writes an open letter to everyone. He addresses it to all nations and the people of every language who live on earth. Yes, that’s everyone. This letter is a testimony of what happened to him. This time it’s another dream that has perplexed the king, […]

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Christian Living

Prophecies, Dreams, and Visions

Joel’s Prophetic Foresight Fulfilled The prophet Joel records the words of God to his people. It’s a direct quote. The Lord talks about his intentions for them. He wants to do good things for his children. Metaphorically, he promises to restore what the locust have eaten (Joel 2:12-32). After that he will send the Holy […]

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Christian Living

Responding to Disappointment

We Can Control How We React The prophet Jeremiah is in Jerusalem. He writes a letter to the exiles in Babylon. Let’s not rush past the word exiles. These exiles suffered much. Exiled First, Babylon conquered the nation of Judah. Then it captured the people. Next it forcibly relocated most of them to a distant […]

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Bible Insights

Awake and Depart

Psalm 189 from Beyond Psalm 150 This is another passage of mixed genres. It reads very much as a psalm, but it also contains prophecy, as well as direct quotes from God. Awake, awake! Put on your strength, Zion.    Put on your beautiful garments, Jerusalem, the holy city:    for from now on the uncircumcised and […]

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Bible Insights

Isaiah’s Prophetic Psalm

Psalm 187 from Beyond Psalm 150 Several of the Psalms have prophetic elements. This passage is an example of prophecy that reads like a psalm. Here is Isaiah’s prophetic psalm: The voice of one who calls out,    “Prepare the way of Yahweh in the wilderness!    Make a level highway in the desert for our God.Every […]

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Bible Insights

Confident in God

Psalm 184 from Beyond Psalm 150 A psalm can contain prophecy. And a prophecy can read like a psalm, but the two don’t usually overlap. After Isaiah prophesies about the earth’s devastation in Isaiah 24 (which we’re not treating as a psalm), he affirms that through it all God will continue to reign with great […]

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Bible Insights

Old Testament Prophecy

Anticipating Jesus Today’s passage: Luke 24:25–27 Focus verse: Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, [Jesus] explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (Luke 24:27) After hearing the two men tell Jesus about himself, the Savior responds. He begins with some harsh criticism. He calls them foolish and slow to […]

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Bible Insights

Promise of Restoration

God Will Restore the Fortunes of the Land Jeremiah faithfully proclaims God’s words to the people, but he suffers greatly for his steadfast obedience. At one time, he’s confined in the courtyard of the guard. In effect, he’s imprisoned. Yet from this dismal place, Jeremiah gives the people God’s promise of restoration. While Jeremiah is being […]

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Bible Insights

Stop It Micah!

The Prophet Speaks Truth, but the People Won’t Listen The prophet Micah gives some strong words from God to his chosen people. Although Micah’s proclamation—his prophecy—should convict them, instead they take offense. At one point the people even tell him to stop talking—they say, “Stop it Micah”—as if his silence would keep God’s plans from […]

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Bible Insights

Understanding Scripture

Discover How Jesus Fulfills Old Testament Prophecy Today’s passage: Luke 24:44–47 Focus verse: Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. (Luke 24:45) After Jesus appears to the disciples, Luke records additional details not found in John’s account. The risen Savior begins with a polite I-told-you-so reminder to his disciples of what […]