October 8, 2024 — I Can’t Stop Singing Praise now is rehearsing our eternal song. Grace teaches us to sing; coming glory will perfect it. Somehow we’re not...
October 7, 2024 — Getting It Right “Success” is the key to “successors.” Success isn’t what we leave behind; it’s what we pass on. The life of...
October 4, 2024 — The Solemn Charge Knowing God’s plan is essential. Planning brings the future into the present so we can act wisely. All these people...
October 3, 2024 — Working For The King “Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name…will by no means lose his reward” (Mk 9:41). You...
October 2, 2024 — Tribal Chiefs & State Officials One vital key of good leadership is knowing that every word and action has far-reaching consequences. David had seen to...
October 1, 2024 — The Military Divisions One way of peacemaking is to leave the fire of contention alone. Let it go out by itself. —C.H. Spurgeon ...
September 30, 2024 — Looking After The Treasuries The riches you hold in your hands are inferior to the treasures of truth you store in your heart. Don’t...
September 27, 2024 — The Gatekeepers The gatekeepers were to the city what mothers are to the home (Titus 2:5)—Gk, oikouros, home guards. We’re impressed with the...
September 26, 2024 — Ministering Musicians I play the notes as they are written, but it is God who makes the music. —J. S. Bach As...
September 25, 2024 — Plenty Of Priests Our priesthood, like Christ’s, is different from the Aaronic priesthood, not based on law but on grace. Sandwiched between two...
September 24, 2024 — Lots Of Levites The Levites remind me of the words, “It takes more grace than tongue can tell to play the second fiddle...
September 23, 2024 — David’s Investments Faithful hearts seek wise investments in time that will only come to full fruition in eternity. Shortly after Abram entered...
September 20, 2024 — Falling Down & Going Up Moriah combines râ’â + yâh, meaning “seen, approved, considered, or enjoyed by Jehovah.” In 1 Chronicles 21, we read, “David and the elders, clothed...
September 19, 2024 — “Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment” God in Christ has devised a way by which justice can be satisfied and yet mercy can triumph. For our...
September 18, 2024 — Three Choices In this math, it’s the answer that makes the problem: 1,570,000 – 70,000 = so much heartache! Numbering Israel’s warriors...
September 17, 2024 — When Counting Doesn’t Add Up Why do you need to count the soldiers when our Commander can win with many or with few? Here we...
September 16, 2024 — Those Four Other Smooth Stones The present is preparation time. Ben Franklin wrote, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Do you recall...
September 13, 2024 — Mopping Up Operations He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. — Sun Tzu in The Art of War ...
September 12, 2024 — The Battle Against Ammon All seems infected that th’ infected spy, As all looks yellow to the jaundiced eye. —Alexander Pope David was able...
September 11, 2024 — I’ll Take My Blessings Extra Large Remember that every blessing is a burden, every skill a stewardship, every opportunity an obligation. With David’s ever-expanding kingdom, the...
September 10, 2024 — Back To The Battle Encourage means “to put courage in.” But what good is courage if there are no battles to fight? “After this,” begins 1...
September 9, 2024 — David’s Response It would be hard to complain if we found that God was going to build US a house! Wait! He...
September 6, 2024 — The Lord’s Better Idea God’s plans are far greater than our present disappointments and far richer than our personal desires. The plan was a...
September 5, 2024 — David’s Big Idea A good thing is not always God’s will for you, but God’s will for you will always be a good...
September 4, 2024 — Praise As A Lifestyle In many places, it’s rare to hear a whole congregation saying, “Amen!” But imagine a whole nation! As we come...
September 3, 2024 — From Jerusalem To Timbuktu — And Beyond! Everyone has a psalm. One may be entirely for little Israel, but the next embraces the whole world! As noticed...
September 2, 2024 — Tell It Again Repeat the psalms? Of course! “Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life” (P.P. Bliss). For the occasion...
August 30, 2024 — The Ark Makes It Home Remember God’s light in dark days, His warmth in life’s chills, His smile when the world frowns. “So they brought...
August 29, 2024 — “Resounding Joy” “Christ possessed by faith here is young heaven and glory in the bud” (Samuel Rutherford). We need to linger longer...
August 28, 2024 — The Ark Arrives At Jerusalem The daily enjoyment of the Lord makes every moment a celebration of His goodness and glory. “David built houses for...
August 27, 2024 — David Honored — & Hunted Jesus said, “I do not receive honor from men” ( Jn 5:41). Seek the Father’s approval, not a fickle world’s. People in...
August 26, 2024 — The Ark’s Journey Inter rupted God’s ark “in the midst”? See Lk 2:46; Mt 18:20; Jn 19:18; 20:26; Heb 2:12; Rev 1:13; 5:6; 7:17. The placing...
August 23, 2024 — “We Are Yours” “All these men of war…came…with a loyal heart, to make David king” (1 Chron 12:38). We are introduced first to...
August 22, 2024 — David Unites Israel Gathering simply around the Lord is still the prime basis of unity among the people of God. The first nine...
August 21, 2024 — Saul’s Ignominious End God couldn’t have a king who went from seeking divine wisdom to seeking dinner with a witch! Although it may...
August 20, 2024 — Jerusalem Dwellers A questioner asked a street preacher, “If God is our Father, who is our mother?” Jerusalem (Gal 4:26)! In the...
August 19, 2024 — Saul’s Dead End Genealogy We don’t choose our families, but we do choose if they are focused on God and founded on love. Just...
August 16, 2024 — Manasseh West, Ephraim, & Asher We are now visiting the land of Samaria, Joseph’s territory, and the coastal region near modern Haifa. There are just...
August 15, 2024 — Issachar, Benjamin, & Naphtali Imagine going into battle with a donkey, a wolf, and a deer (Gen 49). Sounds like an Aesop’s fable! The...
August 14, 2024 — Levitical Cities “What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God” (2 Cor 6:16). ...
August 13, 2024 — The Levites, Singers, & Priests Our Lord Jesus is the High Priest and Chief Singer, but He calls on us to join Him in this...
August 12, 2024 — Gad & Manasseh East Our battles aren’t fought against flesh and blood, but they won’t be won by our flesh, either. We are now introduced to Reuben’s neighbors...
August 9, 2024 — The Tribes Of Simeon & Reuben “The genealogy is not listed according to the birthright.” Joseph got the blessing, but Judah got the scepter. Why would the...
August 8, 2024 — Judah Revisited This section ends with those who “dwelt with the king for his work” (1 Chron 4:13). Able and available! We have the...
August 7, 2024 — The Royals Jews have lived in almost every country on the planet. Yet only in Israel have they been self-governed. Turning the...
August 6, 2024 — Spotlight On Caleb Today people rarely think about the meaning of their child’s name. But Caleb? A “dog”? Really? When we come to...
August 5, 2024 — The Lion’s Whelp A whelp is a lion’s cub, remaining with its mother for two years until it learns to hunt. Then watch...
August 2, 2024 — Parting Of The Ways The narrowing of the world down to one Man was to be inclusive, not exclusive—a Savior for all! The lineage...
August 1, 2024 — Twists And Turns On The Main Road Sovereignty masterfully plays the world’s greatest love song on the broken strings of countless human hearts. The growing world population...
July 31, 2024 — Start With A Skeleton? There doesn’t seem to be much meat on the bones in chapters 1-9. But bones can teach us, too. As...
July 30, 2024 — Four Benefits Of Studying Chronicles Bible blessings don’t come to the most observant, but the most obedient—but observing helps! 1 Chronicles covers roughly the same...
July 29, 2024 — Introduction To 1 Chronicles Paul spoke of “endless genealogies.” Christ was their end point. Reject Him and they’re endless. Reading the Hebrew Bible, when...
July 26, 2024 — Grace Even For Jehoiachin “’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far And grace will lead me home.” —John Newton Imagine the view from...
July 25, 2024 — Governor Gedaliah Some battles we lose because the enemy is strong; some are lost because we simply run away. The siege of...
July 24, 2024 — The Final Blow The last ruling priest (Eli), the last judge (Samson), the last king—all blind. And the last church? (Rev 3:17). The...
July 23, 2024 — End Of The Line Events are happening quickly as the foundations crumble under Judah. It’s kingdoom time! Jehoiachin, Judah’s penultimate king, also called Jeconiah...
July 22, 2024 — Bankruptcy Strange how the people must be taken far away to discover what He had given them back at home. “Jehoiakim...
July 19, 2024 — The Beginning Of The End We’re now beginning to see the dominos fall in Judah. But this isn’t random. It’s God’s hand of judgment. With...
July 18, 2024 — Good Judgment, Bad Judgment Beware the mid-life crisis, thinking you can handle yourself by now. That’s when the devil gets you! Young Josiah was...
July 17, 2024 — Nothing Like It Josiah’s purging went all the way back to Solomon; his Passover the best since before the judges! There was nothing...
July 16, 2024 — Making A Clean Sweep Ruskin said that God graciously bears with many things in our hearts, but not second place. Hearing the two-pronged news,...
July 15, 2024 — Finding The Book Imagine if astronauts had found a manuscript on the moon, or on Mars. But a book from heaven? It had...
July 12, 2024 — A Bad King Begets A Good Son Josiah’s name means “whom Jehovah heals.” Was this to be a life-long reminder of his godly great-grandfather? After the 55-year...
July 11, 2024 — Forgetting His Father’s House The human heart is so mercurial, the nation can go from best to worst in one generation! If we’re going...
July 10, 2024 — Hezekiah & The Lengthening Shadow Some think the 15 Songs of Degrees (with 10 anonymous) were compiled to commemorate this event. The Lord’s poetry was...
July 9, 2024 — God Composes A Poem Anyone who has read the Bible knows that God inspires the poets, in fact, the best poets in history! Heaven...
July 8, 2024 — Isaiah Proclaims, Hezekiah Prays When believers are falsely accused by the enemy, our Advocate steps forward to speak for us. When Hezekiah heard the...
July 5, 2024 — War Of The Words Words are free, but how you arrange them and then use them can prove to be very expensive. The Assyrians...
July 4, 2024 — Good King Hezekiah Here is high praise: “after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor…before him” (2 Ki...
July 3, 2024 — Make Up Your Mind! The imports found a ready spot for their idols: “the high places which the Samaritans had made” (2 Ki 17:29)!...
July 2, 2024 — Israel Taken Captive Israel “secretly did against the Lord their God things that were not right” (2 Ki 17:9). Really? Can we act...
July 1, 2024 — A Study In Contrasts Was the coming king more influenced by the prayers of his grandfather than the deeds of his father? We now...
June 28, 2024 — Pekahiah & Pekah The verse, “Thou God seest me” (Gen 16:13, KJV) is the bane of the sinner and the boon of the...
June 27, 2024 — Shallum & Menahem Live and let live. Kill and be killed. Is it really that hard to make a choice? For some, apparently...
June 26, 2024 — From A To Z Those judged by leprosy—Miriam, Gehazi, Uzziah—all acted against God in selfish unrestraint. The names of many of these kings flash...
June 25, 2024 — Jeroboam II Israel’s 13th ruler, Jeroboam II, reigned longer (41 years) and over more land than any other king of Israel. Evidently...
June 24, 2024 — Pick Your Fights Carefully Never pick a fight with the devil. Never battle in your own strength. And never yield to his wiles. I...
June 21, 2024 — Good King Amaziah History is piled on top of history in this fabled land, and also “grace upon grace” ( Jn 1:16 NASB)....
June 20, 2024 — Elisha Was No Quitter Have you prayed without an answer? Pray again! Have you sown without fruit? Sow again! There were ten kings between...
June 19, 2024 — Delivered — Or Not? It’s one thing to defeat the big, bad foe on the battlefield, quite another to vanquish the idol inside. We’re...
June 18, 2024 — Jehoash: Selling Out Jehoash warns us that we can carefully invest our whole lives, but lose it all at the last. Watch out!...
June 17, 2024 — Jehoash: Building Up There’s a Jehoash (or Joash) in both Judah and Israel. We’ll use Jehoash for Judah and Joash for Israel. The...
June 14, 2024 — Jehoash, The Boy King The world still awaits its Athaliah moment. Instead of crying “Treason!” it will be “Alas! Alas!” (Rev 18:10). The reign...
June 13, 2024 — Jehu & Athaliah King-killing has a long history. If you can’t vote them out, you carry them out. But this is different! Regicide...
June 12, 2024 — Zeal For The Lord? Men and nations who execute God’s judgment are nonetheless also judged for their actions. Leaving the Jezreel Valley behind, Jehu...
June 11, 2024 — Jezebel & Ahab’s 70 Sons All families impact society for good or ill. Ahab’s family were so vile that their house must be razed. The...
June 10, 2024 — On A Collision Course With Judgment God has a long memory. The prophecies concerning the house of Ahab were about to come true. Remember that Joram...
June 7, 2024 — A Surprising Anointing Vessels of wrath like Jehu fit themselves for destruction, but God uses them for His purposes. Just two episodes ago,...
June 6, 2024 — Jehoram & Ahaziah You may have a time keeping the kings’ names straight. They certainly didn’t keep their paths straight! Like Pete for...
June 5, 2024 — The Assassination Of Ben-Hadad Middle knowledge? God’s awareness of what would happen in any possible set of circumstances. “Then Elisha went to Damascus” (2...
June 4, 2024 — Restored Can God affect our past as well as our present and future? If we don’t “redeem the time,” will He?...
June 3, 2024 — The Leper’s Convention Just outside the walls of Samaria sat four lepers having a conference. The topic was death—theirs. In the strange fellowship...
May 31, 2024 — The Siege Of Samaria The doubter proved his ignorance of heaven’s architecture. Make windows? See Malachi 3:10. How fickle is the world! The Syrian...
May 30, 2024 — The Hit Squad The Syrians were at it again, Israel’s constant aggressor, moving in from the northeast to plunder. The Syrians had a...
May 29, 2024 — Flying Off The Handle “Does iron float?” might seem to be in the same category as “Do pigs fly?” But don’t be too sure!...
May 28, 2024 — Bringing Home The Point Silver, Gehazi’s plunder, pictures redemption in the Bible. Do we charge for God’s gracious gifts? We ended our last episode...
May 27, 2024 — A Leper At The Door Not a king; a prophet. Not a prophet; a servant. Not Abana, but Jordan—seven times! Down, down, down. Elisha had...
May 24, 2024 — Divine Leftovers You can see how Elisha’s care for the hurting and hungry reflects the gracious ministry of Christ. Elisha’s home was...
May 23, 2024 — Death For Dinner This wasn’t just bad cooking! It was a case of bad practice—tossing in some mystery food! At Elisha’s base of...
May 22, 2024 — Achoo! There isn’t a boring page in the Bible. And surely miracles like this are nothing to sneeze at! Great women...
May 21, 2024 — “You Shall Embrace A Son” We don’t think of it at birth, but each baby comes pre-scheduled for a funeral. Thank God for eternal hope!...
May 20, 2024 — Emptied To Be Filled It defies common sense but conforms to heaven’s logic. If you need more, pour what you have on others. Chapter...
May 17, 2024 — Getting Off Your High Horse Victory came when the grain offering was given (v 20), a picture of our being living sacrifices to God. Here’s...
May 16, 2024 — Dry As Dust If only such times would make us cry, “My soul thirsts for You…in a dry and thirsty land” (Ps 63:1)....
May 15, 2024 — Two Introductory Signs Over these two events we may write, “Consider the goodness and severity of God” (Rom 11:22). The concluding section of...
May 14, 2024 — Passing The Mantle “Passing the mantle,” used now as a common idiom, has its origin in this chapter of the Bible. “My father,...
May 13, 2024 — The Spirit & Power Of Elijah Was John the Baptizer Elijah? John said No; Jesus said Yes. How could they both be right? The influence of...
May 10, 2024 — Caught Up! Jesus was “carried up” (Lk 24:51), “taken up” (Acts 1:9), “received up” (1 Tim 3:16). It makes me want to...
May 9, 2024 — The Man In The Glory God loves boldness in faith. Have you “asked a hard thing” of Him lately? He specializes in the impossible. Having...
May 8, 2024 — A Whirlwind Tour The towns that Elijah and Elisha visited were rich with memories and with life lessons as well. “So Ahaziah died...
May 7, 2024 — The Fire Falls Again Don’t trifle with a God who “makes His messengers winds and His servants flames of fire” (Ps 104:4, WEB). Back...
May 6, 2024 — Welcome To 2 Kings! The world’s governments have experts on everything. But who seeks the Wonderful Counselor? As we transition between the books of...
May 3, 2024 — D.O.A. & Other Realities The highlights of a life can be expressed in a few lines—not what I say but whether I walk with...
May 2, 2024 — Running All The Red Lights The believer’s greatest danger is not found in times of persecution but in times of popularity. Rarely does a believer...
May 1, 2024 — Brave Micaiah Three years passed after Ahab got a glimpse into his future—years of God’s longsuffering grace. Over the next three years,...
April 30, 2024 — Ahab Sees The Future It’s usually good we don’t know our future on earth, but very good to know our future in heaven. The...
April 29, 2024 — Naboth & His Vineyard “God does not always pay at the end of the week, but at the end, He pays” (Anne of Austria)....
April 26, 2024 — The Wounded Prophet Saul, like Ahab, had an ill-timed showing of mercy. In Saul’s case, it almost led to the end of the...
April 25, 2024 — God Of The Valleys The mountaintop is the place of vision; the valley turns that vision into hard-fought reality. In our previous segment, we...
April 24, 2024 — What God & The Enemy Both Want The retreat with God at Horeb was over. Elijah had work to do; it was now time to advance. Elijah...
April 23, 2023 — The Quiet Voice Of God If we’re listening, the gentle voice of God will drown out the rantings of our wicked enemies. There’s little doubt...
April 22, 2024 — A Detour Through Discouragement The fact that God shows up when we have given up is proof that He hasn’t given up on us!...
April 19, 2024 — Showdown At Carmel The one prominence you notice on the Israeli coast is the Carmel range pushing into the sea. From Carmel’s heights...
April 18, 2024 — Who Troubled Israel? One year. Two years. Three years had passed with cloudless skies, barren fields, and empty tables. After three arid years,...
April 17, 2024 — Life From The Dead Meet the first one immortalized in the words, “Women received their dead raised to life again” (Heb 11:35). Each morning...
April 16, 2024 — From Hand To Mouth Learning to accept groceries from unclean birds prepared Elijah for his next stop—a Gentile’s home. Yes, it’s more blessed to...
April 15, 2024 — Dry Up, Ahab! Those who lead others into unbelief “are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest” (2 Pet 2:17). Seemingly out...
April 12, 2024 — God Means What He Says People advertise themselves as a “Bible-believing church,” but we need to be “Bible-obeying.” In recounting the sins of Ahab, a...
April 11, 2024 — Degeneration Nation Wicked king, wicked king, wicked king—could anything be worse? Oh yes, a wicked king with a wicked wife! In our...
April 10, 2024 — Division Divided Loyalty to the Lord will unite the people of God; loyalty to a man will always divide. You may recall...
April 9, 2024 — Seven Days Without God Makes One Weak Anytime people get the chance to choose between tyranny and freedom, they choose freedom. It seems there were always two...
April 8, 2024 — The End Of The House Of Jeroboam Israel didn’t like Samuel appointing his sons, so they compounded the problem with kings and their sons! After a God-honoring...
April 5, 2024 — Keep The Way Clear “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you’” (Ps 122:6). Stalwart king Asa stood against his...
April 4, 2024 — Bad King, Good King The only metric for determining a good king was whether he was “loyal to the Lord” or not. Abijam, the...
April 3, 2024 — Egypt On The Return Address “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped” (Ps 28:7). “Rehoboam...
April 2, 2024 — Deluded Judah Europe became as full of idols as any pagan land. Only loyal love to Christ can save us from idolatry....
April 1, 2024 — The Ignominious End Of A Dynasty Every blessing is a burden. When God gives you something, you are responsible to use it for His glory. How...
March 29, 2024 — Jeroboam Makes Himself Disposable “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (Jas 4:8). But of course the opposite is also...
March 28, 2024 — A Fatal Mistake God wants us to think for ourselves, but He wants us to think about what He has revealed. As the...
March 27, 2024 — Man On A Mission This unnamed “man of God” joins an illustrious company of those thus honored in Scripture. What vital lessons can be...
March 26, 2024 — The Iron Curtain Man-made religions are created by man, making everything lower than he is, not higher! Rehoboam, whose name ironically means “a...
March 25, 2024 — A Kingdom Divided Meeting these challenges, it’s wise to take Solomon’s advice: “In the day of adversity consider” (Eccl 7:14). At his death,...
March 22, 2024 — The Encircling Wolves Watch out! It’s not the world that’s forbidden—it’s loving it. “Love not the world,” says John (1 Jn 2:15). The...
March 21, 2024 — Entrapped By Success In embracing all of God’s lavish gifts, as he aged Solomon spurned the Giver and so lost it all. It...
March 20, 2024 — Promises Fulfilled The remarkable visit of Sheba’s queen concludes with an inventory list of her gifts to Solomon. The Queen of Sheba...
March 19, 2024 — A Queen Visits A King We have before us one of the most fascinating incidents in the life of Solomon—a regal visit. The Queen of...
March 18, 2024 — Three Warnings This section might be seen as a recounting of Solomon’s achievements, but it’s full of warnings as well. Chapter 9...
March 15, 2024 — Blessings Come Down & Offerings Go Up The temple of old was like heaven’s hot spot on earth, but now we may enter “the holiest” itself. Having...
March 14, 2024 — Solomon Prays Solomon wisely knew that, when God’s people fail, He is the go-to Friend every time. It’s good when people commune...
March 13, 2024 — Solomon Speaks Our Scripture passage today shows the two vital exercises of the soul to be engaged in daily. Much is made...
March 12, 2024 — The Ark Brought Home The pot of manna and Aaron’s budding rod were missing, but those wilderness needs were past now. There is no...
March 11, 2024 — Overwhelmingness “The house that is to be builded for the Lord must be exceeding magnifical,” said David (1 Chron 22:5, KJV)....
March 8, 2024 — Meet The Builder Build for time and self, It only turns to dust; But build along with God, It will forever last! Solomon...
March 7, 2024 — Beautiful In Holiness The temple, with its carvings of trees and flowers, pictured Paradise. And don’t miss the angels! The beauty of Solomon’s...
March 6, 2024 — Not Fastened, Not Heard, Not Seen We saw three additions to the temple that were not in the tabernacle. Now for three positive negatives! In this...
March 5, 2024 — Blessed New Details Here are three more meaningful differences between the tabernacle’s design and the temple’s. There was a “vestibule in front of...
March 4, 2024 — Left In The Dark Sometimes the Word chips away at people for many years before they are actually set free. Almost across from Gordon’s...
March 1, 2024 — Steadfast & Immovable The tabernacle pictures the incarnate Son walking with us; the temple invites us into God’s throne room. The next difference...
February 29, 2024 — Why A Temple? The tabernacle is explained in the New Testament; the temple is not. So we’ll have to be careful! Chapter 6...
February 28, 2024 — Preparing For The Temple With the kingdom established and at peace, it was time for Solomon to begin Project No. 1. It was David’s...
February 27, 2024 — Blessings Abundant Ungodly wisdom is, well, ungodly; it’s the wisdom “from above” ( Jas 3:15) that we need for living. The first...
February 26, 2024 — Blessed Order Chaos is a consequence of the Fall; order is the reinsertion of the divine will into the world. Solomon’s wisdom...
February 23, 2024 — The Whole Truth From The Half Story When moral compromise is involved, often winning half actually means losing it all. Among the Jews, prostitutes were often foreigners;...
February 22, 2024 — Instant Success? If the Lord offered you anything, what would you ask? In fact, He’s already given us everything! You would think,...
February 21, 2024 — Judgment Dispensed Remember that our Lord will also take vengeance on His enemies in establishing His kingdom. The section before us, 1...
February 20, 2024 — This Is A Test Saul, rejecting God’s headship, ended a decapitated corpse; David used his last days to set things right. In a typical...
February 19, 2024 — Love God, Hate Evil Life’s equation is simple: All we need to do is love what God loves and hate what He hates. In...
February 16, 2024 – Preparing The Next Generation Even if we’ve made mistakes, by this point we should have figured out what’s important in life. The “last words...
February 15, 2024 — Starting At The Bottom “Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honor is humility” (Prov 18:12). Although “old, advanced in...
February 14, 2024 — The Hand That Rocked The Cradle Bathsheba means “daughter of the oath.” Her first recorded words? “My lord, you swore by the Lord...” Adonijah, the fourth...
February 13, 2024 — Out Of Circulation David’s old body-temple was being taken down, but another temple was to be raised up in the Holy City. We...
February 12, 2024 — Introduction To The Books Of Kings Thankfully, there weren’t only kings and priests, but prophets, too, who kept on speaking for God. The volumes we call...
February 9, 2024 — Numbered & Found Wanting “Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you,…and…you were bought at a price” (1 Cor...
February 8, 2024 — Numbered & Found Wanting We’re usually very poor at counting what really matters. Wise people let God keep the score. Thank the Lord for...
February 7, 2024 — David’s Mighty Men Why is this chapter vital? Real people are involved! Real challenges are faced! Real victories are won! There are four...
February 6, 2024 — David’s Last Words Last words should be intensely meaningful, a distillation of the lessons that life has taught us. “These are the last...
February 5, 2024 — David’s Song Of Deliverance We might not expect a soldier to also be a songwriter, to lay down his lance and pick up his...
February 2, 2024 — Goodbye Giants Someday, beloved, the last of those monsters that bedevil us will be laid low. Count on it! Did you think...
February 1, 2024 — Overdue! Today’s episode provides a great opportunity to audit our own spiritual records for unpaid bills. Here are some unresolved accounts...
January 31, 2024 — Barzillai & Sheba Don’t give up living before it’s time to die. Don’t give up cooperating because you can’t be in charge. Today...
January 30, 2024 — Mephibosheth Gets It Right Are we truly “content to let the world go by” just as long as the King has His rightful place?...
January 29, 2024 – David’s Return Fiction’s “I’ll be back” and history’s “I shall return” are nothing compared to prophecy’s “I will come again.” Awkward! What...
January 26, 2024 — O Absalom! The same old city heard “O Absalom” from David and “O Jerusalem” from his greater Son. Tragically, not all prodigals...
January 25, 2024 — Absalom’s True Memorial Taking the rebel’s place, God’s Son went “about a stone’s throw” (Lk 22:41) to pray, “Not My will…” It was...
January 24, 2024 — David’s Escape How precious it must be to the Lord Jesus when His people stand with Him in the time of His...
January 23, 2024 — Ahithophel vs Hushai Serving our King behind enemy lines, we need to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Mt 10:16). “Meanwhile”...
January 22, 2024 — Fleeing Jerusalem The story of David and his Great Son overlap so seamlessly, often we can barely tell the difference! We read...
January 19, 2024 — Telltale Kisses There’s an old Russian proverb: “It’s better to be slapped with the truth than kissed with a lie.” Kisses carry...
January 18, 2024 — The Wise Woman Of Tekoa Was David too harsh or too soft in bringing Absalom back? Either way, it didn’t work out well. For three...
January 17, 2024 — Absalom’s Revenge It’s always better to be the one wronged than the one doing wrong; God will side with you! I suppose...
January 16, 2024 — Tamar & Amnon Lust is like hugging a live grenade to your breast. When it explodes, it wreaks havoc everywhere. Remember why these...
January 15, 2024 — Joab, The King-maker As they say, good friends are like a tea bag; their real strength shows up when we’re in hot water....
January 12, 2024 — One Baby Dies; One Baby Lives About 78 million children worldwide (including abortions) died before their fifth birthday last year. It’s a truth often forgotten: we...
January 11, 2024 — You Are The Man David saw her, sent for her, sinned with her. “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall”...
January 10, 2024 — Uriah Faithful Unto Death At Calvary, the cost of every sin must be calculated by all the damage it did, often for generations. How...
January 9, 2024 — When Lust Has A Baby “Tell it not in Gath,” said David, but who jokes about Saul’s death? Bathsheba and David, however… By their actions,...
January 8, 2024 — Trouble In Amman From Jerusalem to Amman is about 60 mi (100 km) east, with the Jordan River at the halfway point. Amman,...
January 5, 2024 — Mephibosheth Moves In Love and loyalty are the hallmarks of David’s covenant with Jonathan, and of God’s with us. Recall the three things...
January 4, 2023 — David’s Exploits David wasn’t selfish in gathering wealth; as we should, he “dedicated these to the Lord” (2 Sam 8:11). During the...
January 3, 2024 — David’s Heartfelt Response Along with God’s covenants with Abram and with Israel at Sinai, this was a high-water mark in history. You see...
January 2, 2024 — God Has A GREAT Idea This is the Land of the Dying ; but wait till you get to the Land of the Living. Forever...
January 1, 2024 — David Has A Good Idea At one time, they all lived in tents. Now there’s only one Person still camping after all these years. After...
December 29, 2023 — Headstrong Or Humble? Michal could help David get away from Saul, but she couldn’t help him get closer to God. It would be...
December 28, 2023 — The Blessing Of Obed-Edom Obed means “servant.” Edom is linked with red, and man, and blush, and blood. Ah, the mercy seat! Often like...
December 27, 2023 — Warning! Do Not Touch! David was filled with unwarranted anger when Uzzah died, but God’s anger was well deserved. The ark of God had...
December 26, 2023 — Lift Him High It’s great to do things for the Lord, but we should also do them the way He wants them done....
December 25, 2023 — The Successful King’s Checklist Have you ever seen a To-Do List for a king on his way to the top? Read on, and you’ll...
December 22, 2023 — The Impossible Made Possible Jerusalem means “city of peace,” yet none has suffered more assaults. But wait till the King of Peace arrives. The...
December 21, 2023 — The Place Of The Name There is no other city—not London or Rome, Beijing or Delhi—where God put His name. We now come to a...
December 20, 2023 — Anointing Number Three Prophets (1 Ki 19:16), priests (Ex 28:41), and kings (1 Sam 9:16) were anointed to serve. “Then all the tribes...
December 19, 2023 — Justice Or Mercy To One’s Enemies? Mercy without justice can lead to lawlessness; justice without mercy results in inhumanity. Ishbosheth has been unceremoniously dispatched in his...
December 18, 2023 — What’s Left Of Saul’s House? “The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them” (Prov 11:3). In...
December 15, 2023 — David Mourns For Abner The distance between our sin and God’s holiness is infinite, but between a sinner and Jesus is just one step....
December 14, 2023 — A Step To Safety David was no weakling, but he confessed “the sons of Zeruiah are too harsh for me” (2 Sam 3:39). Abner...
December 13, 2023 — The Turning Of The Tide It’s one thing to just choose the winning side; it’s quite another to bring both sides together. “Now there was...
December 12, 2023 — Competition Leads To Decimation A boy asked his folks how WWII started. They were soon arguing. “OK. I see how wars start,” he said....
December 11, 2023 — Showdown At The Pool Unlike this pool, our church gatherings should be a place of consolation, not confrontation. “Now Abner the son of Ner,...
December 8, 2023 — Retreating To Mahanaim When defying God’s will, Ishbosheth would discover he couldn’t get far enough away to be safe. You may recall that...
December 7, 2023 — More Trouble Ahead Just when life seems to be settling down, another conflict begins, another foe rears his head. For some time, David...
December 6, 2023 — Fellowship Country A new king for Israel, a man after God’s heart. And a new capital, too, the city of fellowship. Over...
December 5, 2023 — The Lament How rare it is to find a warrior with a poet’s heart: resolute in battle and chivalrous afterward. David’s lament...
December 4, 2023 — The Song Of The Bow David, the veteran of many pitched battles, seeks first to prepare his people for wars to come. The two chief...
December 1, 2023 — Grim News From The Battlefield David was far from the battle when he got the news, but his heart wasn’t far from Jonathan. Obviously, 1...
November 30, 2023 — Still Some Valiant Men My father used to say, “Failure doesn’t have to be final.” It certainly wasn’t for Jabesh Gilead. “Saul, his three...
November 29, 2023 — Off With Their Heads! Ever heard the phrase, “He’s caput”? Caput is Latin for “head” and refers to capital beheading. Losing one’s head is...
November 28, 2023 — Saul & Sons: A Tragic End Jezreel means “God sows.” But man also sows, and here he finds that whatever he sows he reaps. Israel’s first...
November 27, 2023 — Sharing The Spoils Look who’s leading David’s army now—the same One ministering to those too tired to fight. As we noted in our...
November 24, 2023 — Hitting Bottom At Ziklag David’s temporary hometown of Ziklag is about 50 miles south of Aphek, a three-day walk. Rejected from the Philistine vanguard,...
November 23, 2023 — A Philistine Reject Who would ever imagine that David, the giant-slayer, would try to fit in with the Philistines? Turning to 1 Samuel...
November 22, 2023 — Supper With A Witch Saul’s chickens have come home to roost—in Armageddon! Napoleon called it the cockpit of the world. “It happened in those...
November 21, 2023 — Living On The Edge Me, myself, and I—three desperados that were David’s companions on his trip to Gath. Where was God? This chapter opens...
November 20, 2023 — Hope Deferred How long must David be on the run? Will it ever end? “Hope deferred makes the heart sick” (Prov 13:12)....
November 17, 2023 — A Bride For The King Whew! I can recall when another’s wise words kept me from something I would later have regretted. David and 400...
November 16, 2023 — Nabal & Abigail With Saul (chs 24 & 26), David acknowledged “vengeance belongs to the Lord.” With Nabal, not so much! Saul asked...
November 15, 2023 — David Spares Saul There’s a hair’s breadth between obsession and madness. Saul was like a kitten chasing a laser light. All anyone had...
November 14, 2023 — Examples & Types How poignant that the first use of the word “type” in the New Testament refers to the print of the...
November 13, 2023 — A Step Between Me & Death When the King of terrors comes knocking, how precious to have the King of kings answer the door. In our...
November 10, 2023 — David Delivers Keilah The stories of the threshing floors of Scripture have a great way of sifting the grain from the chaff. It...
November 9, 2023 — A Bad Egg & The Priests You would think Saul would be looking for ways to reconnect with God. Instead he does this? King Saul had...
November 8, 2023 — The Cave Of Adullam Now part of Adullam Park, an area of 20 square miles (50 sq km), this cave can still be visited....
November 7, 2023 — Look Who’s In Town! Imagine David seeking asylum in Philistia. Then, when there, he makes as if he really belongs in one. Faith takes...
November 6, 2023 — David And The Showbread The ugly truth is always better than the best dressed-up lie. Sooner or later, the disguise comes off. David’s escape...
November 3, 2023 — The Parting Of The Ways Surely this is one of heaven’s greatest blessings: we won’t cross the golden street to avoid anyone! Foreseeing their paths...
November 2, 2023 — Loyal To Whom? The whole of human history is decided on the choice between loyalty to, or betrayal of, God. Life is real...
November 1, 2023 — Saul Neutralized By The Word Saul didn’t rush to his doom unopposed. Here he is impeded both by God’s Word and God’s Spirit. As we...
October 31, 2023 — Another Close Call Saul and his children prove the opposites: “Love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave.” The definition...
October 30, 2023 — David & Michal Saul evidently had never heard that a man’s word is his bond. He thought words were to bend. Here was...
October 27, 2023 — Bad Attitude, Bad Aim “The envious man,” wrote Horace (65 BC–8 BC), “grows lean on the success of his neighbor.” The first 16 verses...
October 26, 2023 — Jonathan & David One of the true measures of a sterling character is seen in the constancy of a loyal friendship. The last...
October 25, 2023 — Silencing The Enemy David didn’t worry about the enemy’s trash talk. He just removed the source of the problem! What a lovely pastoral...
October 24, 2023 — When God Shows Up The promises of God sent in the purpose of God by the power of God will bring down the foe....
October 23, 2023 — The Weapons Of Our Warfare Saul’s idea of hand-to-hand combat was ridiculous. And heaven-bound prayers are our best shot, too. David arrived at Israel’s military...
October 20, 2023 — Is There Not A Cause? Was Goliath one of the Anakim? Perhaps. Joshua 11:22 says they hadn’t been destroyed in Gath. Here come the Philistines...
October 19, 2023 — Mood Music For Saul Heavenly music can often heal the wounds that surgeons cannot reach nor can medicines cure. Samuel had anointed David, God’s...
October 18, 2023 — The Son Of Jesse The name David means “beloved.” Nothing could be more fitting for the man after God’s heart. Although few knew it,...
October 17, 2023 — Samuel’s Sad Goodbye Samuel, Saul’s loyal friend, thought it a “sin against the Lord” if he ceased to pray for him (1 Sam...
October 16, 2023 — Partial Obedience Is Disobedience “Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (1 Sam 15:23). In dealing with...
October 13, 2023 — The First King Of Israel In Review Sha’ul means “asked for” or “prayed for.” Asked for by the people, and prayed for by Samuel. The last six...
October 12, 2023 — Saul’s Foolish Vow If there’s one thing worse than making a rash vow, it’s actually keeping it. Not today, said the people! Jonathan...
October 11, 2023 — The Day The Lord Saved Israel Like a pebble dropped into a pool, Jonathan’s action soon rippled out, but it became a tidal wave! In attacking...
October 10, 2023 — Enter Jonathan If ever there was encouragement that sons w ith ignoble fathers can still be noble men, this is it. “Saul,”...
October 9, 2023 — What Was Left When Thousands Left? Worldlings have no idea how destitute they are without Christ. But with Him, we have all we need. Saul has...
October 6, 2023 — The Blame Game The Blame Game is very popular today. I’m not sure why, because everyone who plays loses. No doubt, with the...
October 5, 2023 — That’s How The Kingdom Crumbles When Self reigns, even seeming acts of worship are actually bowing at our own image in idolatry. Although there were...
October 4, 2023 — Down To Gilgal Flush with the recent victory over Ammon, the new king needed a history lesson at Gilgal. At the time of...
October 3, 2023 — Here Comes Nahash The town of Jabesh had suffered a near fatal blow in Judges 21; would it happen again? The first enemy...
October 2, 2023 — Gathering At Mizpah “Long live the king!” That’s something you don’t have to worry about if your king is the Lord. Mizpah means...
September 29, 2023 — Up To Gibeah One question that perennially arises in this section of Scripture is this: Was Saul saved? Was Saul saved? The question...
September 28, 2023 — 1, 2, 3 Steps In The Right Direction It seems that Samuel is trying to teach Saul to walk in a new way, the walk of obedience to...
September 27, 2023 — Samuel Meets Saul Sometimes what at first seems to be humility is actually an unwillingness to be God’s man in the moment. Samuel...
September 26, 2023 — Saul’s Stumbling Start The problem is not making mistakes early in life; the problem is never learning from them. Hmm. David is introduced...
September 25, 2023 — Man Looks At The Outward Appearance How easily we can be fooled. Saul was measured from his shoulders up; nothing is said about his heart. Not...
September 22, 2023 — The People Reject Theocracy God’s commentary: “I gave you a king in My anger, and took him away in My wrath” (Hos 13:11). Israel...
September 21, 2023 — Ebenezer Samuel shows how different life could have been for Israel (and for us) by simple obedience. After the debacle regarding...
September 20, 2023 — The Ark Returns This wasn’t simply a driverless cart; it was moving exactly the opposite way the cows longed to go! An offering...
September 19, 2023 — A Trespass Offering—From The Philistines? Even in Philistia there was proof that God’s light lightens every man who comes into the world. Dagon’s image lay...
September 18, 2023 — When Dagon Bows Before Jehovah Imagine worshiping a god who can’t get up off its own face! Isn’t God supposed to help you up? Every...
September 15, 2023 — Ichabod: The Glory Departs Her husband dead; her father-in-law dead; she is dying; but the real tragedy? The glory has departed! Israel has been...
September 14, 2023 — God Is Not A Good Luck Charm The advantage of idols: you can make your god do what you want. But Jehovah won’t be pushed around. When...
September 13, 2023 — The Whole Counsel Of God Old-time preachers sometimes sounded like a fire alarm—because they believed there was a fire! “Samuel was afraid to tell Eli...
September 12, 2023 — A Little Child Shall Lead Them The title looks forward to the Millennium, but God has spoken by children through the ages. What an honor to...
September 11, 2023 — Speak, For Your Servant Hears A feeble priest. Failing eyesight. A flickering lamp. But a faithful young servant to carry on! The scene changes. We...
September 8, 2023 — A Light In The Darkness The child Samuel proves that even little flames can show the difference between light and darkness. Immediately following the conclusion...
September 7, 2023 — Hannah’s Paean Of Praise People who think “good guys end up last” need to listen to the thrilling words of Hannah’s song. A paean...
September 6, 2023 — Keeping Tough Promises Every answered prayer is both a blessing and a burden, God’s supply and a stewardship of it. The time came...
September 5, 2023 — The Importance Of Weaning A newborn weighs a few pounds and is totally dependent on its mother. But it shouldn’t stay like that! There...
September 4, 2023 — A Living, Breathing Answer To Prayer The birth of Samuel may have seemed inconsequential, but it was a divine intervention in history. Whatever the deficiencies in...
September 1, 2023 — When Weeping Turns To Praying Tears are often liquid prayers, but prayers expressed can more surely lay hold of the promises. It’s hard to be...
August 31, 2023 — Tension In The House Two wives in one house is trouble enough, but when one bears children and the other can’t—fireworks! When you turn...
August 30, 2023 — Getting The Big Picture Before we can be ready to reign with Him, He must teach us the secret of His rule in our...
August 29, 2023 — A Synopsis Of The Book There’s plenty of meat on these bones, but it’s helpful to trace the skeleton of the book first. The fast-paced...
August 28, 2023 — The Lead-Up To 1 Samuel A brief review of what’s before the book we’re studying will set the stage for our coming trip. A journey...
August 25, 2023 — A Boy In Bethlehem Don’t you love to look at a well-made scale model? If so, wait till you see the real wedding day!...
August 24, 2023 — Moreover… The largesse of the heart of Boaz is reminiscent of the five “much mores” found in Romans 5. Let’s get...
August 23, 2023 — Redemption’s Story If a man was unwilling to redeem his kin, you were to spit at him (Deut 25:9). But why Jesus?...
August 22, 2023 — Midnight Rendezvous The threshing floors of Scripture are a great study, where we learn to separate chaff from wheat. What a man...
August 21, 2023 — Seeking A Redeemer “The Angel of His Presence saved them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them” (Isa 63:9). How...
August 18, 2023 — Putting The ‘Provide’ In Providence An ephah of beaten out barley (Ruth 2:17) was a full bushel! Naomi knew something was up! When Boaz arrived...
August 17, 2023 — Among The Gleaners Was opportunity knocking? When Boaz opened the door, the will of God was standing there. Two women walking down the...
August 16, 2023 — The Homecoming Orpah, returning to Moab, disappears in obscurity; Ruth, choosing Israel’s God, gains immortality. It would be easy to overlook the...
August 15, 2023 — Choices With relief we move from the rigorous account of the Judges to the delightful little story of Ruth. Here’s a...
August 14, 2023 — Seems Right To Me! What happens when people don’t seek wisdom from above? The cure is worse than the disease. Just as an aside,...
August 11, 2023 — Civil War! Little Benjamin defeats all the other tribes? Obviously the 11 had some hard lessons to learn, too! “So all the...
August 10, 2023 — Crime Scene In Gibeah Do you think humanity needs a Savior? God gives it to us straight. We are rotten to the core! We...
August 9, 2023 — The Easy Way Out — Way Out! In the Bible, a journey to Jerusalem is always up; when Dan moves north, it’s downhill all the way. The...
August 8, 2023 — Collapsing Like Dagon’s Temple These last chapters show how Israel discovers what’s wrong with doing what’s right in your own eyes. We’ve seen the...
August 7, 2023 — The Other Micah Samuel may be considered the last judge, but in Judges itself, Samson is the end of the line. Following Samson,...
August 4, 2023 — Bringing Down The House How many struggling saints have found hope in Samson’s final prayer, “just this once, O God” (Jdg 16:28). From the...
August 3, 2023 — Dripping & Snipping “A foolish son is the ruin of his father, and the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping” (Prov...
August 2, 2023 — Exploits That Explain Whatever Samson’s liabilities, he still appears in Hebrews 11, God’s Hall of Faith. But why? One fact alone makes Samson...
August 1, 2023 — Where’s The Sunshine Now? Samson shows that in seeking revenge you dig two graves: one for your enemy, one for yourself. Is it true...
July 31, 2023 — The Riddle Yes, the strong man would be defeated like the lion, and women’s honeyed tongues would do it. Samson has decided,...
July 28, 2023 — Samson Going Down Seven times we read of Samson going down, not just geographically, but spiritually as well. Israel had been in the...
July 27, 2023 — The Angel At Zorah Angel appearances in Judges: regarding the weak strong judge (6:11-24) and the strong weak judge (13:3-23). There’s that word “Again”...
July 26, 2023 — Ibzan, Elon, Abdon God keeps good records, and takes note of some that others would pass by. All are important to Him. After...
July 25, 2023 — Fighting The Wrong Battles Do you speak Christian? It is its own language, you know! But now, what dialect do you use? The next-door...
July 24, 2023 — Jephthah’s Vow The debate still rages about the fate of Jephthah’s daughter, but it sure is a warning about vows. Jephthah was...
July 21, 2023 — Battle Lines Drawn One reason to cling to truths, promises, and blessings is that it was God who gave them to us. Jephthah...
July 20, 2023 — Fair Weather Friends After Jair’s death, the Scripture spotlight lingers on the land of Gilead. Who is this Jephthah? “Jair died…Then the children...
July 19, 2023 — Tola & Jair How many unknown servants of God have been used by Him to change the course of history! History is an...
July 18, 2023 — Abimelech Crowned — With A Millstone The blood of Gideon’s sons cried out for justice. God knows how to deal with those who bully His people....
July 17, 2023 — The Tipping Point For Trouble Some problems come upon us; others we bring on ourselves. Here, Gideon did this to himself! Gideon’s newfound wealth and...
July 14, 2023 — Who’s The King Anyway? If we can see it, Gideon’s identity crisis will teach us who we are in God’s eyes, and that’s enough....
July 13, 2023 — Pursuing Princes & Kings Succoth and Peniel, famous for their connection with Jacob, fail to help in the time of need. Although the enemy...
July 12, 2023 — Trumpets & Torches We’ve been told that Gideon liked working the night shift out of fear (Jdg 6:27). But God… It was night...
July 11, 2023 — The Harod Spring Man thinks might is right; God says right is might. “If God is for us, who can be against us?”...
July 10, 2023 — Looking For Assurance From Heaven? “And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him” (1 Jn...
July 7, 2023 — Working The Night Shift True faith in God needs to be seen first in the family before it’s seen on the field of battle....
July 6, 2023 — Mighty Man Of Valor Some men might be ready for the fight, but what good is that if God’s people have no food? Imagine...
July 5, 2023 — An Unnamed Prophet Here’s another proof that the Bible isn’t old fashioned—it’s timeless. The prophet speaks to us! The victory won by Deborah,...
July 4, 2023 — The Victory Duet It’s always a blessed thing to remember and celebrate the victories given to us by the Lord. The lofty songs...
July 3, 2023 — Jael & The Nail Some fleshly enemies, like Eglon, must be slain through their bellies; others, through their brains. “However,” continues the story from...
June 30, 2023 — Up! So Barak Went Down The ups and downs here might remind you of those in Ephesians 4:8-10. And for good reason! Word came to...
June 29, 2023 — Putting The Hmmm In Mayhem Would you volunteer to throw an ill-trained militia against a massed force of professional warriors? Deborah, Mrs Bee, lived in...
June 28, 2023 — The Prophetess & The Problem Moderns make Deborah out to be a feminist. Not so. She served privately by her own door. What do they...
June 27, 2023 — Ehud Gets Help In The West We continue our tour of God’s armory. A dagger, yes, but an ox goad? What can you do with that?...
June 26, 2023 — A Pointed Message For The King Though his name means “united,” ironically, Ehud fought alone. But Israel certainly was united afterward! Each year, Israel had to...
June 23, 2023 — Jericho Redux “Joshua fit de battle of Jericho!” Why isn’t there a song about Ehud fighting there as well? With Othniel having...
June 22, 2023 — Othniel To The Rescue Among all the things we can love about God, surely His longsuffering patience is very special. For eight long years,...
June 21, 2023 — When You Mislay Your Maker Don’t want God to be your ruler? Then try Cushan-Rishathaim, Cushan of Double Wickedness! Father knows best. Long before it...
June 20, 2023 — The Nations They Couldn’t Defeat God’s sovereignty triumphs again—taking human failure and turning it into blessings for us! As we began our studies in Judges...
June 19, 2023 — The Arrows Fly It’s a hard fact that children are more ready to follow their parents’ example than their advice. The incident at...
June 16, 2023 — The Rough Road Down To Bochim God wants to teach His people the unbroken relationship between action and consequence. The Angel of the Lord had ascended...
June 15, 2023 — Next-Door Neighbors? We may not break a covenant with Jehovah, but if we make a deal with the devil, same difference. At...
June 14, 2023 — When Second-Best Is Really Worst “You have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise”...
June 13, 2023 — Here Come The Kenites Before a report card on the tribal mopping-up operations, the Lord adds a note about some Gentiles! “Now the children...
June 12, 2023 — The Book & The Bride Oh for a heart like Achsah’s, seeking all that the Giver of every good and perfect gift has for us....
June 9, 2023 — Othniel Takes The Challenge The first judge, the young man Othniel, is very ready to jeopard his life to capture—a wife! The story we...
June 8, 2023 — Digital Subtraction The devil doesn’t take you seriously, as long as you have no grasp on the Sword of the Spirit. I’m...
June 7, 2023 — First To Go Up The first short paragraph of Judges chapter 1 is a portend of things to come. Who will lead them? When...
June 6, 2023 — Learning By Contrast Judges spans the years between the conquest under Joshua and the kingship under Saul. Although the book of Judges seems...
June 5, 2023 — Welcome To The Book Of Judges This book isn’t for the faint-hearted. There’s no gratuitous violence, but plenty that shows sin’s results. I still like picture...
June 2, 2023 — The Aftermath Often the real impact of a person’s life is best seen after they die. That was true of Joshua, and...
June 1, 2023 — The Death Of Joshua At the height of his career, Joshua waits at the very end of the line to receive his inheritance. We...
May 31, 2023 — The Gauntlet Thrown Down Fathers! Is your desire to see your children revered by the world? You set a trap for their souls. At...
May 30, 2023 — A History Lesson To The Nation Reminiscing about the past isn’t always a sign of old age; sometimes it’s a sign of wisdom. Having spoken to...
May 29, 2023 — A Word To The Leaders Joshua was no armchair general. He had experienced the real parry and thrust of active warfare. Joshua knew this world...
May 26, 2023 — Trouble With Ed When we hear that fellow Christians have done wrong, let’s pause long enough to hear their side. Here’s the King...
May 25, 2023 — The Holdings Of The Levites The spiritual and practical unite in our lives when God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven....
May 24, 2023 — God’s Open-Door Policy “Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us”...
May 23, 2023 — Dan-ger Ahead! There are two pictures of the tribe of Dan, fraught with danger, like warning signs along the road. Jacob said,...
May 22, 2023 — Naphtali Let Loose I never leave Naphtali’s land, skirting sweet Galilee, without a deeper longing for the Great Galilean. Inland and parallel to...
May 19, 2023 — Was Asher Happy? When baby Asher was born, Leah was happy. When baby Jesus was born, Anna from Asher was happy. Asher means...
May 18, 2023 — Discerning Issachar Issachar, with a fighting male census of 64,300, was the third most populous tribe in Israel. When you look at...
May 17, 2023 — Zebulun In War & Peace Zebulun, numbering 240,000 fighting men, was nevertheless given one of the smallest regions. Of Zebulun, the only landlocked territory, it...
