“And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he [Pilate] saith unto the Jews [regarding Jesus], Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but…

“By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.” (Proverbs 25:15) To persuade someone is to win them over to another way of thinking or path of action. Persuasion is done with patient reasoning, even if it takes time. That’s the idea of “long forbearing.” Our verse speaks of persuading…

“And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.” (Genesis 35:1) Jacob and Esau were twins. Esau was born first, but Jacob had obtained a blessing deceitfully from his father…

“And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.” “And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment. Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, And said unto him,…

Ever seen people holding signs at ballgames with “JOHN 3:16” on them? It’s a Bible verse. Ever wonder why they do that? Here is why. Jesus said, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) First,…

“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12:18) God had told Jacob to go back to his country and kindred. That meant he would have to meet his brother Esau. When he sent messengers to Esau, they returned with this reply: “We came to thy brother…

   “And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. And Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God’s stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?” (Genesis 30:1-2)    Jacob had served…

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20) An ambassador is a representative of their native country. If you’re a police officer, you’re also an ambassador: an ambassador for your department, and in a…

   “Now will I praise the LORD:” (Genesis 29:35)    With the help of his mother Rebekah, Jacob had deceitfully gotten a blessing from his father that was intended for his brother Esau. Now Esau wanted to kill him. Rebekah told Jacob to go to her brother Laban’s home and stay until Esau got over his anger.…

“…then shall the LORD be my God:” (Genesis 28:21)    Jacob had masqueraded as his brother Esau so his father Isaac would give him the blessing that was supposed to go to Esau. Esau was furious and he threatened to kill Jacob. Rebekah told Jacob, “Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou…

“And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.” (Genesis 25:27-28) When you read stories of people in the Bible, you read about imperfect people…

“And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.” (1 Samuel 14:6) Jonathan was a son…