Zane Hodges Library

In this passage, we are introduced to three famous persons in the Old Testament, Elijah, Jezebel and Ahab. When God tolerates evil and delays His judgment against evil, God is using evil to demonstrate His power and to magnify His name. God may tolerate evil for a time, but He will not tolerate evil indefinitely. Even in Israel's dark days, God's prophetic word is coming true.  We need to base our...

History repeats itself in two very similar stories of two different kings of Israel and their sons. These stories serve as a lesson for us.  We often repeat the mistakes and failures of our parents, even without us realizing this.  What things have you picked up from your home and family life, that God would like to see changed?  If there are things in our personal history that need changing, it i...

Although King Asa undertakes many impressive reforms in removing idolatry from the land of Israel, King Asa fails to remove the high places and make the house of God the unique center of the worship of God in Israel.  Unfortunately, King Asa also impoverishes the house of God by using its treasures for security instead of seeking security from God.  Likewise, the modern church has also lost the ce...

Are we afraid to confront situations, that need to be addressed, because we are afraid of the consequences? Rehoboam has become a gun-shy king after losing ten of the tribes of Israel from his kingdom. Are we gun-shy from following the word of God, because we are afraid of the consequences that may follow? How should churches handle God's commandments for women to be silent during the Lord's Suppe...

Zane's discussion of this passage, given after the high school shooting at Columbine high school, reminds us of God's love, mercy and compassion for children, even when it appears negative things are happening to our children.  Even if God has tried to get your attention by things that have happened to your children, God is not going to punish you through your children by being vindictive to your...

In this passage about two prophets, who are not named, there are lessons for us on testing those who claim to speak for God by the word of God, and that the word of God always remains true, even when the servants who bear the word of God fail Him.  Other passages mentioned include: 1 Peter 2:11; Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 13:14; Matthew 7:15; 1 John 4:1

After the Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon, she remarks how the Lord loves King Solomon and the nation of Israel.  The real secret of fidelity and faithfulness to God is not to be found in wisdom and knowledge, but to be found in the love of God to which we respond in love. Every day the Lord gives you is a token of His love and mercy.  Do you love the God who loves you?  Zane reflects upon...

The Israelites leave full of joy after the feast for the dedication of the temple.  Do we go home from the Lord's Supper, joyful and glad of heart for all that the Lord has done for us? God appears to Solomon 13 years after Solomon's prayer to warn Solomon to be careful, otherwise, the destruction of his kingdom awaits.  Although a believer is saved and permanently secure, if a believer turns his...

Solomon in his prayer at the dedication of the temple left out something very important. Every day we need God's help for that day to live acceptably before Him and to honor Him in the sight of others. It is through prayer that we bring our weaknesses to be strengthened by the power of God.  Other passages mentioned include: Psalms 119:35-37; Psalms 141:3-4.

For the first time in about 500 years, the glory of God appears to the nation of Israel in God's temple. What lead up to the manifestation of God's glory after all this time to the nation of Israel, and how can this be applied to Victor Street Bible Chapel? Other passages mentioned include: 1 Kings 6:1; 2 Samuel 6:1-17; Hebrews 13:15-16; Hebrews 10:19-22.

The Sea is a giant basin, which represents that salvation is of the Jews. The water carts and the reservoirs that they contain illustrate our need for ourselves to be clean and our sacrifices to be clean when we come to worship God at the Lord's Table. Other passages mentioned include: 1 Kings 7:13; John 4:20,22; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 5:25-26; 2 Chronicles 4:6; Leviticus 1; 1 Peter 2:9; Hebrews 10:...

The construction of the pillars for God's temple illustrate that the temple was meant for both Jews and Gentiles. The pillars represent God's ability to establish His purposes in strength, to produce beautiful fruit, and to hold all things together.  Zane traces God's ability to do all these things through the history of Victor Street Bible Chapel. Other passages mentioned include: 1 Kings 7:1-12,...

One of the greatest gifts that God gives us in life is the gift of friendship.  King Solomon had an outstanding friend, Hiram king of Tyre. By examining Hiram's friendship with Solomon, we learn how to be a good friend to others, and how this friendship between a Jewish King and a Gentile King resulted in the construction of the temple of God. Our relationship with Jesus Christ is first and foremo...

In 1 Kings 4, we get a picture of the golden age of Israel, when Israel was walking in God's ways under the leadership of Solomon, who was humble enough to have confessed his own ignorance and to have asked God for wisdom. This serves as a contrast to all that the nation will lose in the subsequent chapters of Kings. However, by the grace of God, all that was lost will be restored and even more so...

Making good firm and decisive decisions is an important part of Christian living. By examining the decision making of King Solomon early in his reign, we discover that we need to be decisive when a decision is right and appropriate based on the word of God. When our decisions are based on the promises of God, based on the predictions of God or based on the principles in the word of God, then that...

What is our life about? Is it about us or is it about the glory of God? The last words of a dying individual are often a window into that person's heart and soul. David's final charge to his son, Solomon, serves as a lesson for parents in raising their children. Are we looking for our own self-interest or are we looking out for the interests of our children and for the glory of God? At the end of...

Zane gives an overview of the book of Romans with a focus on Romans 10:9-10 regarding confession for salvation and answers questions from Victor Street Bible Chapel members.  Program: 0:00:00 Overview of Romans 24:55 Questions & Answers on Romans  41:30 Romans 10:9-10 51:50 More Questions & Answers on Romans  Questions: 24:57 What is God's wrath?  Is God's wrath, hell?  What does it mean to be del...

God has visited us with His wonderful mercy. We have been justified by faith. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are to experience resurrection life.  In experiencing resurrection life, we are to work out the will of God.  The bottom line of everything is that God is to be glorified in us.  There is an extended discussion on Romans 8:22-23, Romans 8:16, and Romans 10:9.  Zane answers the question...

In this second message on the Book of Romans, Zane focuses on justification in chapters 2, 3 and 4.  In Romans chapter 2, Zane discusses the standards that God will apply at the final Great White Throne Judgment.  In Romans chapter 3, Zane demonstrates that justification can only be by faith in Jesus Christ, since no one is justified by the works of the law. In Romans chapter 4, Zane demonstrates...

In this first of a four-part series on the Book of Romans, Zane examines the theme of the book Romans. Zane explains the difference between justification and salvation when used in the book of Romans. Salvation in the book of Romans is not salvation from eternal judgment, but salvation from God's temporal wrath and deliverance from the depraved and immoral lifestyle around us. The gospel in the bo...

God has given fathers a very important role in the home. What kind of father (Manoah) did Samson have? By examining Manoah's relationship with God, we see how Manoah's relationship with God had a negative impact on the development of his son, Samson.  If there are significant flaws in a father's spiritual character, it will be seen by his children and will have a negative impact on them.  There is...

Do you feel the difficulties in your life, are similar to being caught in quick sand? Do you wonder how you are going to survive? If this describes your life experience, as it did the Israelites in the sixth chapter of the book of Judges, then it is possible that there is something wrong between you and the Lord. Sometimes troubles are sent by God in order to have us turn to His Word and have our...

This passage is the song of Deborah which celebrates the victory that God gave Israel over Jabin, king of the Canaanites. Some Israelites were examples of those who willingly offered themselves for the service of the Lord. You do not need to be a seminary professor or a seminary student to serve the Lord in your church. All you need to do is to be willing to do what God wants you to do. How much s...

Other than God, who are we relying on, in order to live a successful Christian life? In this passage regarding Barak, the Israeli commander, and Deborah, the prophetess and judge, we learn that a successful Christian life is possible without the protection and assistance of others, when we have complete confidence in God to see us through.

Have you ever felt that you cannot relate to the amazing stories in the Bible, because you are just an average person? The story of Shamgar illustrates for us that God has the capacity to reach into the most obscure places and touch the most unknown and insignificant people and pull them out and use them for His glory.  You don't need to be somebody to become somebody for God.  If you have the cap...