Before I get to the thought that I’m left with upon reading this chapter, let me first address the somewhat brutal treatment of Adoni-Bezek upon his defeat by Judah. We are told that they cut off his thumbs and his big toes. You might wonder why they would do such a thing. First off, the…
Read MorePodcast: Play in new window | Download
How very apropos today’s reading is for what is going on around here! How many times did we read “Praise the Lord!”, “Bless the Lord!”, “Praise the name of the Lord!” today? And expressions of devotion to God and of how good He is. As I record this episode on Sunday evening, I am still…
Read MorePodcast: Play in new window | Download
Paul ended the last chapter by saying that Israel had rejected the Messiah, and he begins this chapter by asking if God then, has rejected them. And of course the answer is, “Of course not!”. God kept a remnant, a few out of the nation of Israel, who did believe, because of His divine grace….
Read MorePodcast: Play in new window | Download
In these two closing chapters of the book of Joshua, we see two different times that the aging leader called the entire nation to hear him, because he knew that his life was drawing to a close and he wanted to leave them with a final message. The first gathering is recorded in chapter 23….
Read MorePodcast: Play in new window | Download
So as most of us begin a new work week, let’s take a look at Psalms chapter 127. Most scholars believe that this Psalm was written by Solomon. He was the son of King David, and succeeded David to the throne. Solomon is known for many things, but he is most noted for being the…
Read MorePodcast: Play in new window | Download
There are three different verses that I want to zero in on today, and they really encapsulate the Gospel, or the Good News. Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:3 when he said: Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. In all the…
Read MorePodcast: Play in new window | Download
So we had a bit of tension in this chapter, didn’t we? The Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh nearly started a war, even though their motives were right. Of course, all they had to do was let the rest of the tribes know what they were doing ahead of time, right? Have…
Read MorePodcast: Play in new window | Download
I really like these short little Psalms. I’m sure you know that these were written as songs, and I can easily see these as songs that became popular to be sung not only in the temple, but as the people went about their days. Don’t you have some favorite songs or choruses from your church…
Read MorePodcast: Play in new window | Download
So here in chapter nine, Paul is again speaking to the Jews with a message that was difficult for some of them to hear, but again, good news to us. He told them that it wasn’t genetic background that makes a person the child of God, but faith in Jesus. No matter how hard you…
Read MorePodcast: Play in new window | Download
In chapter 20 we read about the cities of refuge. These were places that those who had accidentally killed someone could flee and be protected from those who would take revenge on them before a trial had taken place. As the commentator Matthew Henry put it, these were people who were guilty by hand, but…
Read MorePodcast: Play in new window | Download