Questions About Obedience
Bible Studies on Obedience
The Ten Commandments
Exodus 20 contains the Ten Commandments—God's foundational moral law given directly to Israel at Sinai, establishing how they are to relate to Him a...
6 min readBe Holy Because I Am Holy
Leviticus 19 is often called the "heart of Leviticus," containing wide-ranging ethical commands touching every aspect of life. The repeated refrain "I...
7 min readInheritance Laws for Married Daughters
Numbers 36 addresses the concern that women who inherit land might transfer it to another tribe through marriage, establishing that heiresses must mar...
4 min readMoses Urges Obedience
Deuteronomy 4 is Moses' impassioned call for Israel to obey God's commands, warning against idolatry, recalling Sinai's formless voice, establishing c...
7 min readThe Ten Commandments Restated
Deuteronomy 5 presents Moses' restatement of the Ten Commandments to the new generation, recalling the awesome theophany at Horeb when God spoke face ...
7 min readThe Shema: Love the LORD Your God
Deuteronomy 6 contains the Shema, Israel's central confession of faith, commanding wholehearted love for God and diligent teaching of His words to the...
5 min readLove, Obey, and Teach
Deuteronomy 11 urges Israel to love the LORD by remembering His mighty acts, warns about consequences of obedience and disobedience, and establishes t...
6 min readCovenant Renewal Ceremony at Mount Ebal
Moses commands Israel to set up memorial stones and build an altar at Mount Ebal, and prescribes the curses to be pronounced from the mountains.
4 min readJoshua's Commission to Lead Israel
After Moses's death, God commissions Joshua to lead Israel into the Promised Land, commanding strength and obedience to the law.
5 min readSaul Rejected as King
Commanded to destroy the Amalekites completely, Saul spares King Agag and the best livestock. Samuel announces that obedience matters more than sacrif...
7 min readThe Wedding Feast, Taxes, and the Greatest Commandment
Jesus tells the parable of the wedding feast, then answers challenges about paying taxes to Caesar, the resurrection, and the greatest commandment. He...
7 min readThe Law and Sin
Paul wrestles with the Law's role and sin's power. The Law is holy, but sin exploits it to produce death. The inner struggle between wanting good and ...
5 min readSubmission to Authorities
Christians are to submit to governing authorities as God's servants. Pay taxes, give respect. Love fulfills the Law. Wake up—salvation is nearer tha...
5 min readFaith or Works of the Law?
Paul appeals to the Galatians' experience: did they receive the Spirit by works or by faith? Abraham believed and it was credited as righteousness. Th...
6 min readSubmit to God
James diagnoses the source of conflict—desires battling within us—and prescribes the remedy: humble submission to God, who gives grace to the humb...
6 min readIf My People Would Only Listen
A festival psalm with God Himself speaking, calling Israel to listen and obey. The contrast between what God offers and what Israel forfeits through s...
5 min readThe Last Supper: Washing Feet and a New Commandment
Jesus washes His disciples' feet, modeling servant leadership. He predicts His betrayal and sends Judas into the night. After Judas leaves, Jesus give...
7 min readThe Treasure of God's Word
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible—176 verses celebrating the beauty, power, and life-giving nature of God's Word. An acrostic masterpiec...
10 min readRestoration and the Choice of Life
Moses promises restoration after exile, describes the accessibility of God's commands, and calls Israel to choose life over death.
4 min readUnlawful Sexual Relations
Leviticus 18 establishes God's standards for sexual conduct, prohibiting practices common in Egypt and Canaan. The chapter reveals that sexuality is n...
6 min readJustice, Kings, and Worship
Deuteronomy 17 addresses defective sacrifices, procedures for capital cases, establishing a central court for difficult cases, and regulations for fut...
5 min readMoses's Final Charge and Joshua's Commission
Moses prepares for death by commissioning Joshua, commanding Scripture reading every seven years, and writing a song of witness.
5 min readLaws Protecting the Vulnerable
Moses provides regulations on divorce, newlyweds, pledges, kidnapping, and protecting workers, widows, orphans, and foreigners.
4 min readFreedom in Christ
Stand firm in freedom and do not submit to slavery again. The whole Law is fulfilled in loving your neighbor. Walk by the Spirit and you will not grat...
5 min readThe Tower of Babel
Humanity rebels against God's command to fill the earth by building a tower. God confuses their language and scatters them. The chapter concludes with...
3 min readBlessings and Curses of the Covenant
Moses proclaims the blessings for obedience and the devastating curses for disobedience to God's covenant.
5 min readJesus' Authority Over Disease, Nature, and Demons
Jesus demonstrates His divine authority through a series of mighty works—healing a leper, a centurion's servant, and Peter's mother-in-law, calming ...
7 min readVictory at Ai and Covenant Renewal
Israel defeats Ai using an ambush strategy, then Joshua builds an altar and reads the law at Mount Ebal.
5 min readBuilding the Temple
In the 480th year after the Exodus, Solomon begins the temple. The chapter details its dimensions, structure, and interior—all overlaid with gold. G...
5 min readMiscellaneous Laws on Community Life
Moses gives various laws covering lost property, clothing, building safety, agricultural practices, and sexual purity.
4 min readThe Obedient Servant
The third Servant Song: the Servant is taught daily by God and doesn't rebel. He gives His back to those who strike, His cheeks to those who pull out ...
5 min readLord of the Sabbath and the Sermon on the Plain
Jesus declares Himself Lord of the Sabbath and chooses His twelve apostles. In the Sermon on the Plain, He teaches the Beatitudes and calls His follow...
7 min readJosiah and the Book of the Law
Josiah becomes king at eight and reigns righteously. While repairing the temple, Hilkiah the priest discovers the Book of the Law. When it's read to J...
5 min readJustified by Faith
Paul confronted Peter for hypocrisy regarding Gentile fellowship. We are justified not by works of the Law but through faith in Christ. The life Paul ...
6 min readThe Fall of Jericho
Israel marches around Jericho for seven days following God's unusual battle plan; the walls collapse, and Rahab is saved.
5 min readOne Sacrifice for All Time
The law's repeated sacrifices could never perfect worshipers, but Christ's single offering has perfected forever those being sanctified. This reality ...
8 min readLaws for Justice, Sabbath, and Festivals
God provides laws promoting justice, rest, and worship. These commands address court proceedings, care for enemies, Sabbath rest for all creation, and...
5 min readA Holy People Set Apart
Deuteronomy 7 commands complete separation from Canaanite nations, explains why Israel must destroy idolatrous peoples, and assures them of God's fait...
6 min readMoab's Appeal and Pride
The Moab oracle continues as refugees appeal to Judah for shelter. A promise of a righteous ruler emerges, but Moab's pride prevents submission. Withi...
5 min readThe Two Ways
Psalm 1 opens the Psalter by contrasting two ways of life: the blessed person who delights in God's law and the wicked who are like chaff blown away b...
5 min readHe Put a New Song in My Mouth
David testifies to God's deliverance, declares that obedience is better than sacrifice, and cries out for continued help amid ongoing troubles.
7 min readWalking in Truth and Love
John writes to the "elect lady" about the importance of walking in truth while maintaining love, and warns against welcoming false teachers who deny C...
6 min readWalking as Jesus Walked
John urges believers not to sin while assuring them of Christ's advocacy when they do. Love for brothers, not the world, marks true believers. John wa...
7 min readThe Jerusalem Council
The early church faces its first major theological crisis: must Gentiles follow Jewish law to be saved? The council's decision preserves the gospel of...
5 min readChrist Our High Priest
The author explains the qualifications for high priesthood—being human and divinely appointed—and shows how Jesus meets both requirements, being c...
5 min readThe Mighty One Speaks
God summons all creation to witness His judgment, rebuking those who offer sacrifices while ignoring His word and calling for thanksgiving and obedien...
7 min readLiving Out Faith
The final chapter provides practical instructions for Christian community: show hospitality, honor marriage, be content, submit to leaders, and offer ...
7 min readWarning Against Idleness
Paul requests prayer, expresses confidence in the church, and firmly addresses those living in idleness, commanding believers to work diligently while...
5 min readThe Testing of Abraham
God tests Abraham by asking him to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham's faith is proven, God provides a ram, and the covenant is reaffirmed with blessing.
3 min readThe Year of Release
Deuteronomy 15 establishes the sabbatical year release of debts, commands generosity to the poor, regulates Hebrew servant release in the seventh year...
5 min read