Temptation—found seventeen times in sixteen Old Testament verses and fifty-six times in forty-eight New Testament verses

Variations: tempt, temptation, temptations, tempted, tempter, tempteth, tempting

Last usage in the Old Testament: Malachi 3:15 (tempt)

First usage in the New Testament: Matthew 4:1 (tempted)

Interesting fact: The Lord Jesus Christ serves as our “great high priest” (Hebrews 4:14). Surprisingly, the fact that the Lord Jesus was tempted in His earthly ministry uniquely qualifies Him to serve in this capacity. According to Hebrews 2:17, “it behoved him [Christ] to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God.” In the same context, the Bible sets forth, “in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted” (Hebrews 2:18). Why is Christ so uniquely qualified? He “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

Bible study tip: We often describe travel northward as going up and southbound travel as going down. However, the scriptures sometime incorporate the words up and down to describe elevation changes. One such example found in Acts 25:6-7 shows the apostle Paul being moved to Caesarea where he was met with “Jews which came down from Jerusalem.” Yet, Caesarea is located northwest of Jerusalem so directionally they would not have come down from Jerusalem to Caesarea, but up. This expression only makes sense when considering land elevations. Be sure to allow the context of the passage to define the intent of the terms as to whether the terminology relates to direction or to elevation. The Acts chapter 25 example refers to the latter.

Sunday, Day 330—Church Day (no devotional)

Monday, Day 331—A Tempted Saviour

Tuesday, Day 332—Temptations Are Common

Wednesday, Day 333—Church Night (no devotional)

Thursday, Day 334—Temptations Are Escapable

Friday, Day 335—The Joy of Temptations

Saturday, Day 336—The Hour of Temptation

 

Day 330: Church Day

Deuteronomy 6:16 Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.