Chastening is a mark of affection, not a sign of rejection.

Some believers tend to forget God's persistent faithfulness in the face of the spectacular and showy.

Even the wisest people learn little from their successes; God warns His people against allowing their victories (which He will grant) to lead them into pride and spiritual indifference. Instead, they should pay close attention to God's Word.

False teaching - anything that would weaken the believer's ties to his Lord - must be confronted wherever it appears, even if that confrontation requires painful correction.

Believers have just as much to fear from legalism as from waywardness. The first detracts from the beauty of the message, while the second mars it content.

The fear of God does not come naturally to human beings; it must be learned through Scripture, worship, and the hard knocks of experience.

If Israel is to please the Lord fully, they will live lives that are as distinctive among the nations as their Lord is different from pagan deities.