Understanding the Old Testament
3 total works
Hamilton Smith (1862-1943), born in Barnes, Surrey, the son of a sea captain, was employed in the office of his uncle's building firm, where he was later joined by his cousin F B Hole. By 1901, married and living in Sutton, Surrey, with his wife and young family, he had retired from the building trade and entered full-time upon the task of building up the church of God. Later in life, he moved to Weston-super-Mare in Somerset, his wife Rachel's home county. His personal ministry was delivered in the United Kingdom, but his written ministry continues to be read worldwide. Along with H P Barker, A J Pollock, J T Mawson and F B Hole he frequently contributed articles to "Scripture Truth" magazine, which often provided the basis for books later published by the Central Bible Truth Depot. Hamilton Smith's written expositions of the Scriptures are brief, clear and very much to the point. This volume is one of a series of Old Testament character studies for which he is probably best known. It traces the major events of the life of Elijah, with all the highs and lows in his work as a prophet. He knew only too well the inadequacies of his own humanity.
But Elijah knew the living God, was conscious of His presence, and was aware that prayer brought him into contact with the greatest power in the universe. By experience, he comes to understand that the God of creation, power and judgment, is supremely the God of grace. At each step, the author presents clear, practical lessons for Christians today as they too seek to present God's word with authority to an indifferent or antgonistic world.
But Elijah knew the living God, was conscious of His presence, and was aware that prayer brought him into contact with the greatest power in the universe. By experience, he comes to understand that the God of creation, power and judgment, is supremely the God of grace. At each step, the author presents clear, practical lessons for Christians today as they too seek to present God's word with authority to an indifferent or antgonistic world.
Hamilton Smith (1862-1943), born in Barnes, Surrey, the son of a sea captain, was employed in the office of his uncle's building firm, where he was later joined by his cousin F B Hole. By 1901, married and living in Sutton, Surrey, with his wife and young family, he had retired from the building trade and entered full-time upon the task of building up the church of God. Later in life, he moved to Weston-super-Mare in Somerset, his wife Rachel's home county. His personal ministry was delivered in the United Kingdom, but his written ministry continues to be read worldwide. Along with H P Barker, A J Pollock, J T Mawson and F B Hole he frequently contributed articles to "Scripture Truth" magazine, which often provided the basis for books later published by the Central Bible Truth Depot. Hamilton Smith's written expositions of the Scriptures are brief, clear and very much to the point. This volume is one of a series of Old Testament character studies for which he is probably best known. It examines the history of Elisha, the man of God. Like a heavenly stranger he passes on his way morally apart from all, while in grace the servant of all, accessible alike to rich and poor.
He is found in every condition of life; he comes into contact with every class; he moves at times within the land of Israel, and at times he passes beyond its bounds. But, wherever he is, in whatever circumstances he is found, with whoever he comes into contact, his sole business is to make known the grace of God. Sometimes he is mocked; sometimes ignored and forgotten; at times men plot to take his life; but in spite of all opposition he pursues his service of love. He allows nothing in his ways and manner of life that is inconsistent with his ministry of grace. He refuses riches and gifts, content to be poor that others may be enriched. Thus in many ways he foreshadows Christ, who lived among us full of grace and truth; who became poor that we might be rich; who endured the contradiction of sinners, and who, at last, gave up His life that grace might reign through righteousness. But Elisha is also the pattern for every believer in Christ, teaching us at all times to be the exponents, in a needy world, of the grace of God that has reached us in our degradation in order to have us with and like the Man Christ Jesus in heaven.
He is found in every condition of life; he comes into contact with every class; he moves at times within the land of Israel, and at times he passes beyond its bounds. But, wherever he is, in whatever circumstances he is found, with whoever he comes into contact, his sole business is to make known the grace of God. Sometimes he is mocked; sometimes ignored and forgotten; at times men plot to take his life; but in spite of all opposition he pursues his service of love. He allows nothing in his ways and manner of life that is inconsistent with his ministry of grace. He refuses riches and gifts, content to be poor that others may be enriched. Thus in many ways he foreshadows Christ, who lived among us full of grace and truth; who became poor that we might be rich; who endured the contradiction of sinners, and who, at last, gave up His life that grace might reign through righteousness. But Elisha is also the pattern for every believer in Christ, teaching us at all times to be the exponents, in a needy world, of the grace of God that has reached us in our degradation in order to have us with and like the Man Christ Jesus in heaven.
Hamilton Smith (1862-1943), born in Barnes, Surrey, the son of a sea captain, was employed in the office of his uncle's building firm, where he was later joined by his cousin F B Hole. By 1901, married and living in Sutton, Surrey, with his wife and young family, he had retired from the building trade and entered full-time upon the task of building up the church of God. Later in life, he moved to Weston-super-Mare in Somerset, his wife Rachel's home county. His personal ministry was delivered in the United Kingdom, but his written ministry continues to be read worldwide. Along with H P Barker, A J Pollock, J T Mawson and F B Hole he frequently contributed articles to "Scripture Truth" magazine, which often provided the basis for books later published by the Central Bible Truth Depot. Hamilton Smith's written expositions of the Scriptures are brief: in keeping with a desire "to be nothing and to give Christ all the glory". Yet they are clear and very much to the point: "If we present doctrines with all the arguments for and against, leaving our hearers to judge whether it be true or not, we shall hardly be speaking with authority, but rather as those who are groping for the truth. We are to speak as those who, by grace, know the certainty of the truth they proclaim." He is probably best known for his Old Testament character studies, but he also wrote topical studies and expositions of Bible books.
The present volume consists of a verse-by-verse study of chapters 40 to 57 of the Old Testament prophecy of Isaiah. Emphasis is placed on the dispensational approach to its interpretation, distinguishing prophecies as already fulfilled, or yet to be so. The focus of chapters 40 to 48 is seen as the issue of idolatry; and that of chapters 49 to 57 to be the coming of Jesus as the humble servant of God, to be followed by his future return to rule. Throughout the exposition valuable practical lessons are drawn for Christians today.
The present volume consists of a verse-by-verse study of chapters 40 to 57 of the Old Testament prophecy of Isaiah. Emphasis is placed on the dispensational approach to its interpretation, distinguishing prophecies as already fulfilled, or yet to be so. The focus of chapters 40 to 48 is seen as the issue of idolatry; and that of chapters 49 to 57 to be the coming of Jesus as the humble servant of God, to be followed by his future return to rule. Throughout the exposition valuable practical lessons are drawn for Christians today.