Comprehensive Biblical Scriptural Reference and Study Guide
Identification and Introductory Ciphers
Original Identification Markers: The source material begins with the specialized notations: CR, SS, and PR.
The Exodus Narrative: Divine Signs, Provisions, and Governance
The Problem of Skepticism: Moses voices the concern that the people will not believe or hearken to his voice, assuming they will claim the LORD has not appeared to him (Exodus 4:1).
The Miracle of the Rod (The First Sign):
The LORD asks Moses to identify what is in his hand, which Moses identifies as a rod (Exodus 4:2).
Instruction and Transformation: Moses is commanded to cast the rod on the ground; it becomes a serpent, causing Moses to flee from it (Exodus 4:3).
Restoration: The LORD commands Moses to grasp the serpent by the tail. Upon doing so, it reverts to a rod (Exodus 4:4).
Theological Objective: The sign is intended to prove that the LORD God of their fathers—specifically the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has appeared (Exodus 4:5).
The Miracle of the Hand (The Second Sign):
Instruction: Moses is told to put his hand into his bosom.
Transformation: When removed, the hand appears "leprous as snow" (Exodus 4:6).
Restoration: Moses is commanded to put the hand into his bosom again. Upon plucking it out, the flesh is restored to its original state (Exodus 4:7).
Divine Provision and Testing: The LORD promises to rain bread from heaven. The people are to gather a "certain rate every day" so the LORD may prove whether they will walk in His law or not (Exodus 16:4).
Administrative Oversight and Judicial Reform:
Initial Practice: Moses sits to judge the people from morning until evening (Exodus 18:13).
Interrogation by Jethro: Moses’ father-in-law questions the efficiency of this practice, asking why Moses sits alone while the people stand from morning until even (Exodus 18:14).
Rationale for the System: Moses explains that people come to him to inquire of God, seek judgment between parties, and learn the statutes and laws of God (Exodus 18:15-16).
Deliverance and Scholarship in Israel
Othniel’s Deliverance:
When the children of Israel cry out, the LORD raises up a deliverer: Othniel (son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother) (Judges 3:9).
Empowerment: The Spirit of the LORD comes upon him to judge and lead Israel to war.
Military Victory: The LORD delivers Chushanrishathaim, the king of Mesopotamia, into Othniel’s hand, and his hand prevails (Judges 3:10).
Ezra the Scribe: Ezra travels from Babylon to Jerusalem. He is described as a "ready scribe" in the law of Moses given by the LORD God of Israel. Because the hand of the LORD was upon him, the king grants all his requests (Ezra 7:6).
Wisdom Literature: Path and Character
The Two Ways (Psalm 1):
Avoidance of Evil: Blessings are for the man who does not walk in ungodly counsel, stand in the way of sinners, or sit with the scornful (Psalm 1:1).
Delight in Law: The blessed person delights in and meditates on the law of the LORD day and night (Psalm 1:2).
Stability and Prosperity: This person is likened to a tree planted by rivers, producing seasonal fruit and never withering; whatever they do prospers (Psalm 1:3).
The Source of Insight:
The LORD is the giver of wisdom; knowledge and understanding come out of His mouth (Proverbs 2:6).
He provides sound wisdom for the righteous and acts as a buckler (shield) for those walking uprightly (Proverbs 2:7).
Confession and Fear:
Covering sins leads to a lack of prosperity, whereas confessing and forsaking them results in mercy (Proverbs 28:13).
Happiness is found in fearing always; however, hardening the heart leads to falling into mischief (Proverbs 28:14).
Prophetic Oracles and Restoration
Divine Defense of Zion:
Lion Imagery: The LORD of hosts will come down to fight for Mount Zion, behaving like a lion or young lion roaring on its prey, undeterred by the noise or voice of a multitude of shepherds (Isaiah 31:4).
Avian Imagery: Like birds flying, the LORD will defend, deliver, and preserve Jerusalem (Isaiah 31:5).
The New Exodus: Jeremiah prophesies a time when the LORD will no longer be primarily known as the one who brought Israel out of Egypt, but as the one who brought them from the "land of the north" and all lands where they were driven, restoring them to their ancestral land (Jeremiah 16:14-15).
Interior Repentance:
The LORD calls for a turn with all the heart, including fasting, weeping, and mourning (Joel 2:12).
Metaphor of Regret: People are told to "rend your heart, and not your garments." God is described as gracious, merciful, slow to anger, of great kindness, and repentant of the evil (Joel 2:13).
Amos’ Context: Amos, a herdsman of Tekoa, receives words concerning Israel during the reigns of Uzziah (Judah) and Jeroboam (son of Joash, king of Israel), precisely prior to the earthquake (Amos 1:1).
The Teachings and Ministry of Jesus
Stability of Practice: Hearing and doing Jesus' sayings is compared to a wise man building his house on a rock (Matthew 7:24).
The Heart and Its Fruit:
A tree is identified by its fruit; a good tree yields good fruit, and a corrupt tree yields corrupt fruit (Matthew 12:33).
Abundance of the Heart: Speech is dictated by the abundance of the heart; good people bring forth good things from their treasure, and evil people bring forth evil things (Matthew 12:34-35).
Accountability: Every "idle word" spoken will be accounted for in judgment. Words serve as the basis for justification or condemnation (Matthew 12:36-37).
The Final Judgment (Sheep and Goats):
Criteria for Righteousness: Providing meat to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, hospitality to the stranger, clothing to the naked, and visitation for the sick or imprisoned (Matthew 25:35-36).
The Identification Principle: The King explains that service rendered to "the least of these my brethren" is considered service rendered directly to Him (Matthew 25:37-40).
The Agony in Gethsemane:
Jesus takes Peter and the sons of Zebedee with him and becomes sorrowful. He asks them to tarry and watch while his soul is "exceeding sorrowful, even unto death" (Matthew 26:36-38).
Prayer of Submission: He falls on his face, praying, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Matthew 26:39).
The Disciples' Failure: Finding them asleep after , he warns them to watch and pray because "the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:40-41).
Persistence: He prays a and a with the same words as the disciples continue to sleep (Matthew 26:42-44).
Exorcism Authority: In a synagogue, Jesus rebukes an unclean spirit that identifies Him as the "Holy One of God." The spirit obeys and leaves the man, causing the people to marvel at this "new doctrine" and His authority (Mark 1:23-27).
The Mechanism of Prayer: Believing that one receives what they desire in prayer leads to having those things (Mark 11:24).
The Growth of Jesus: He increased in wisdom, stature, and favor with both God and man (Luke 2:52).
Parable Concept: Those with an honest and good heart keep the word and bring forth fruit with patience (Luke 8:15).
Humility and Hospitality:
Self-exaltation leads to abasement; self-humbling leads to exaltation (Luke 14:11).
True Benevolence: Invitations to feasts should not be extended to friends or rich neighbors to avoid reciprocal reward. Instead, the poor, maimed, lame, and blind should be invited, with the reward coming at the "resurrection of the just" (Luke 14:12-14).
The Healing of the Blind Man: Near Jericho, a blind man calls out to Jesus as the "Son of David." Despite being rebuked by the crowd, he persists. Jesus restores his sight, stating, "thy faith hath saved thee" (Luke 18:35-42).
Discipleship and Freedom: Continuing in the word is the mark of a true disciple. This leads to knowing the truth, which results in freedom (John 8:31-32).
Acts and Apostolic Epistles
Tabitha (Dorcas): A disciple in Joppa known for being full of good works and almsdeeds (Acts 9:36).
God's Impartial Judgment:
The goodness of God is designed to lead to repentance, and a hardened, impenitent heart treasures up worth against the day of wrath (Romans 2:4-5).
Reciprocity: God renders to every man according to his deeds. Eternal life is for those who patiently continue in well-doing; indignation and wrath are for those who are contentious and do not obey truth (Romans 2:6-10).
Principle of Impartiality: There is "no respect of persons" with God (Romans 2:11).
The Role of the Spirit:
The whole creation groans awaiting redemption. Humans also groan, waiting for adoption and the redemption of the body (Romans 8:22-23).
Hope and Intercession: Hope involves waiting for what is unseen with patience (Romans 8:24-25). The Spirit helps infirmities and intercedes for the saints according to God's will (Romans 8:26-27).
Divine Purpose: All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
Avoidance of Overconfidence: One who thinks they stand must take heed lest they fall. Temptation is common, but God is faithful to provide a way to escape (1 Corinthians 10:12-13).
The Hegemony of Charity (Love):
Charity is superior to tongues, prophecy, knowledge, faith, and martyrdom (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).
Traits of Charity: It is long-suffering, kind, non-envious, and humble. It does not behave unseemly, is not easily provoked, and rejoices in truth rather than iniquity (1 Corinthians 13:4-6).
Endurance: It bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things. Charity never fails, while prophecies, tongues, and knowledge will vanish (1 Corinthians 13:7-10).
Maturity: Becoming a man involves putting away childish things (1 Corinthians 13:11).
Clarity: We currently see "through a glass, darkly," but eventually will see face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12).
Virtue Hierarchy: Out of faith, hope, and charity, the greatest is charity (1 Corinthians 13:13).
Justification and Purpose:
The law acted as a "schoolmaster" to lead us to Christ for justification by faith (Galatians 3:24).
Believers are identified as God's "workmanship," created for good works ordained to be walked in (Ephesians 2:10).
The Christian Race and Resilience:
Believers are to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling," knowing God works in them both to will and to do of His pleasure (Philippians 2:12-13).
Loss as Gain: All things are counted but loss (or "dung") for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ (Philippians 3:8-10).
Focus: Forgetting things behind and pressing toward the "mark for the prize of the high calling of God" (Philippians 3:13-14).
Endurance: Abraham obtained the promise after patient endurance (Hebrews 6:13-15).
The Cloud of Witnesses: Looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, believers are to lay aside weights and sins and run the race set before them (Hebrews 12:1-3).
Apostolic Exhortations:
Refined Faith: Trials are more precious than gold and serve to bring praise at the appearing of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:6-7).
Growth: Desire the "sincere milk of the word" (1 Peter 2:2).
Example of Suffering: Christ suffered to leave an example for followers (1 Peter 2:20-21).
Eschatology: Since the elements will dissolve with "fervent heat," one ought to live in godliness (2 Peter 3:11-12).
Compassion: Love should be expressed in "deed and in truth" rather than just word or tongue. God is greater than a condemning heart and knows all (1 John 3:17-20).