“For all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for my own all the firstborn in Israel, both of man and of beast. They shall be mine: I am the LORD” (Numbers 3:13 ESV). In the book of Numbers, Moses recorded
“And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again.’ And his
“Yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not spurn them, neither will I abhor them so as to destroy them utterly and break my covenant with them, for I am the LORD their God” (Leviticus 26:44 ESV). In Leviticus, Moses had spoken to the people of Israel
“And Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.’” (Mark 10:18 ESV). In his Gospel, Mark recorded this encounter between Jesus and a rich young ruler. The man had addressed Jesus as “Good Teacher,” likely as a respectful compliment. Yet Jesus immediately responded by questioning his
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea” (Mark 9:42 ESV). In the Gospel of Mark, he recorded Jesus speaking to believers who needed to understand the cost
“But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him” (Mark 9:13 ESV). Mark recorded that after the transfiguration, Jesus spoke to His disciples as they descended the mountain and addressed their confusion about Elijah’s coming. The scribes had taught that Elijah must
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation” (Psalm 42:5 ESV). The sons of Korah wrote Psalm 42 to express deep spiritual longing during a season of separation from corporate worship and the felt presence of
“And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden” (Mark 7:24 ESV). Mark wrote his Gospel to a Gentile audience, frequently highlighting Jesus’ authority over all creation. In this narrative, Jesus
“As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!” (Psalm 40:11 ESV). In Psalm 40, David first testified to the LORD’s past deliverance before turning to urgent prayer. In verse 11, he appealed directly to God’s character. He asked that the
“And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.” (Mark 6:51–52 ESV) Mark recorded that when Jesus climbed into the disciples’ boat and calmed the wind, they were completely overwhelmed with amazement. He explained