Obed-Edom is a minor biblical figure who is mentioned several times in the books of Samuel, Chronicles, and Psalms in the Old Testament. His name means “servant of Edom” or “worshipper of Edom.” Here is an overview of what the Bible reveals about Obed-Edom: Obed-Edom was a Levite from Gath-rimmon Obed-Edom is identified as a Levite from the Kohathite clan in 1 Chronicles 26:4. The Kohathites were responsible for moving the most holy artifacts of the tabernacle during the wilderness wanderings (Numbers 4:4-15). Obed-Edom was specifically from the town of Gath-rimmon located in the territory of the half-tribe of Manasseh…
Author: Matt Primack
Small groups are an essential part of a healthy church ministry. Here are some key reasons why churches should have small group ministries: 1. Small groups allow for deeper relationships and community In large church settings, it can be easy to get lost in the crowd and not really connect with others on a deeper level. Small groups of 10-20 people provide a context for individuals to share life together, bear one another’s burdens, and grow in faith together (Galatians 6:2). As Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If…
Testimony is an important biblical concept that refers to bearing witness to the truth. There are many verses in the Bible that discuss testimony and its significance for the Christian faith. Old Testament Verses on Testimony In the Old Testament, the Ten Commandments given to Moses include “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16 ESV). This establishes the importance of truthful testimony in God’s eyes. Proverbs 14:5 ESV says “A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.” This emphasizes God’s desire for His people to testify truthfully. The Old Testament prophets…
The concept of a thousand-year reign of Christ, also known as the millennium or millennial kingdom, comes from Revelation 20:1-6 in the Bible. This passage describes a period of a thousand years during which Satan is bound and thrown into the abyss, and resurrected believers reign with Christ on the earth. There are several main purposes and characteristics of the millennium that can be gleaned from Revelation 20 and related biblical passages: 1. Fulfillment of Old Testament promises to Israel Many Old Testament prophecies speak of a future restoration and exaltation of Israel under the righteous rule of the Messiah.…
Being under spiritual attack can be a frightening and overwhelming experience. You may feel bombarded by negative thoughts, experience greater temptations, and even face opposition from other people. While spiritual attacks are real, the Bible offers hope and practical wisdom on how to respond when they come. Recognize the reality of spiritual warfare The first step is to recognize that we live in a fallen world where spiritual battles rage all around us. The Bible clearly teaches that there are forces of evil led by Satan who oppose God and His people (Ephesians 6:12). We have an adversary who seeks…
Acceptance is a major theme throughout the Bible. Here are some key Bible verses about acceptance: Romans 15:7 – Accept one another “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” This verse encourages believers to accept one another just as Christ has accepted us. As sinners, we do not deserve God’s grace, yet He welcomed us into His family. We should have the same grace-filled attitude towards others. Mark 12:31 – Love your neighbor as yourself “The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than…
The Bible teaches that God is a God of miracles. This means that God has the power to intervene in the natural world in supernatural ways. Throughout Scripture, we see God performing miraculous signs and wonders to fulfill His purposes. As we explore what it means that God is a God of miracles, let’s consider some key aspects: 1. Miracles demonstrate God’s power When God performs miracles, He demonstrates His almighty power over nature, physics, illness, and every dimension of life. Miracles like the 10 plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and raising Lazarus from the dead…
The prophecy of the 2,300 days in the book of Daniel has been a source of much discussion and interpretation throughout history. It is found in Daniel 8:14, which says: “And he said to me, “For 2,300 evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary shall be restored to its rightful state.” (ESV) To understand this prophecy, we must first look at the context. In Daniel 8, Daniel has a vision of a ram and a goat, which represent the Medo-Persian and Greek empires, respectively. The goat (Greece) becomes very strong and its large horn (Alexander the Great) is broken and replaced…
Gad the seer was a prophet mentioned in the Old Testament books of Samuel and Chronicles. He played an important role as a counselor to King David during key moments in Israel’s history. Here is an overview of what the Bible reveals about Gad: Gad was a prophet and a seer who received direct revelations from God. 1 Samuel 22:5 states that Gad was one of the prophets who was with David when he was hiding from Saul in the cave of Adullam. The Hebrew word for seer used to describe Gad indicates that he had visions from God and…
Sola gratia, meaning “grace alone” in Latin, is one of the five solas that summarize the key theological principles of the Protestant Reformation. It emphasizes that salvation comes by God’s grace alone, not through any merit or good works on the part of the believer. Here is a 9,000 word exploration of why the doctrine of sola gratia is vitally important according to the Bible. At the heart of sola gratia is the understanding that humans are sinful by nature and unable to save themselves by their own efforts. The prophet Jeremiah acknowledged, “The heart is deceitful above all things,…