desert

  • 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 3

In 1 Samuel 3, the text states that Samuel served under Eli during a time when God's revelations were rarely…

4 days ago
  • Judges

Judges 8

In Judges 8, Gideon was criticized by the men of Ephraim for not including them in the battle against Midian,…

1 month ago
  • Judges

Judges 6

In Judges 6, the Israelites once again sinned against the Lord and were oppressed by the Midianites for seven years.…

1 month ago
  • Joshua

Joshua 21

Joshua 21 - This statement of God's promises is such an encouragement. Let's take a look back and review some…

2 months ago
  • Joshua

Joshua 15

Joshua 15 - Joshua 15 details the land allocation for the tribe of Judah, highlighting Caleb's victories in Hebron and…

2 months ago
  • Joshua

Joshua 14

Joshua 14 - The rest of Joshua slows in pace with the land distribution becoming the focal point. However, we…

2 months ago
  • Joshua

Joshua 13

Joshua 13 - As you read through the inheritance distributed to the different tribes, you will notice that the Levites…

2 months ago
  • Joshua

Joshua 6

Joshua 6 - Joshua 6 is one of the most vivid demonstrations of God’s power in the Old Testament. The…

2 months ago
  • Joshua

Joshua 5

Joshua 5 - There was a series of events that the Lord required of Joshua prior to conquering Jericho. Joshua…

2 months ago
  • Joshua

Joshua 1

Joshua 1 - The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years due to a lack of faith and a…

2 months ago
  • Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 34

Deuteronomy 34 - So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the…

2 months ago
  • Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 26

Deuteronomy 26 - Once again we enter into an Old Testament story which has significant implications for how we understand…

3 months ago
  • Ezekiel

Ezekiel 13

Ezekiel 13 - Wow! What a relevant topic! For years, false prophets have been stirring up dissension in order to…

3 months ago
  • Acts

Acts 22

Acts 22 - Paul never wastes an opportunity to talk about the Gospel. Whether he's imprisoned, being beaten, being interrogated,…

4 months ago
  • Lamentations

Lamentations 5

Lamentations 5 - We don't often think in terms of the comprehensive suffering that Judah endured during exile. It was…

4 months ago
  • Leviticus

Leviticus 25

Leviticus 25 - After 7 cycles of the sabbatical years came the 50th, or, Year of Jubilee. It was a…

5 months ago
  • Leviticus

Leviticus 23

Leviticus 23 - There are several of these celebrations that were brought into modern-day by Christianity.  Passover = Good Friday.…

5 months ago
  • Leviticus

Leviticus 16

Leviticus 16 - The goat chosen for Azazel shall be presented alive to the LORD and sent off into the…

5 months ago
  • Revelation

Revelation 16

Revelation 16 - The continuity of the seals and the trumpets is broken up with the bowls as they move…

6 months ago
  • Revelation

Revelation 6

Revelation 6 - I grew up in Berne, Indiana which sits directly on top of the continental divide. If you…

6 months ago
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 31

Jeremiah 31 - There is a lot going on in this chapter, and it can seem kind of confusing. I…

7 months ago
  • Jeremiah

Jeremiah 9

Jeremiah 9 - Have you ever been torn between sorrow and anger? On one hand, we are incensed at the…

8 months ago
  • 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 5

2 Chronicles 5 - There are moments when God shows up in a mighty way and we are simply called…

9 months ago
  • 1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 6

1 Chronicles 6 - One particular name that sticks out in this chapter is Hilkiah. An unknown to most people,…

10 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 61

Isaiah 61 - Isaiah 61 is such an interesting chapter. In Luke 4, Jesus reads the first two verses of…

11 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 44

Isaiah 44 - "Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: 'I am…

11 months ago
  • Isaiah

Isaiah 43

Isaiah 43 - Should we forget the past or remember it? This is a troubling question. On the surface, it…

11 months ago
  • Galatians

Galatians 1

Galatians 1 - Just like we see today in the political sphere, Paul was battling against two extreme views within…

1 year ago
  • Exodus

Exodus 40

Exodus 40 - The glory of God came down and dwelled in the constructed tent. Previously, when God came near…

1 year ago
  • Exodus

Exodus 38

Exodus 38 - The values are given here for the exact weight of the gold, silver and bronze used in…

1 year ago
  • Exodus

Exodus 33

Exodus 33 - Perseverance. Can you imagine being Moses? On one hand, he is a spiritual leader for these obstinate…

1 year ago
  • Exodus

Exodus 31

Exodus 31 - At the end of the chapter, God reminds Israel of the third sign of their covenant -…

1 year ago
  • Exodus

Exodus 27

Exodus 27 - "You shall charge the sons of Israel, that they bring you clear oil of beaten olives for…

1 year ago
  • Exodus

Exodus 19

Exodus 19 - When I read how the people trembled with fear at the thunder and lightning, I think about…

1 year ago
  • Exodus

Exodus 13

Exodus 13 - The way God led was definitely the "road less traveled." The people did not go directly toward…

1 year ago
  • Matthew

Matthew 4

Matthew 4 - "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."…

2 years ago
  • Matthew

Matthew 3

Matthew 3 - Photo credit: Nelson's New Illustrated Commentary Pictured is the traditionally accepted site (the Jordan River) for the…

2 years ago
  • 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 24

1 Samuel 24 - David retreats with his men to the caves of the Wilderness of En Gedi. This was…

2 years ago
  • 2 Kings

2 Kings 3

2 Kings 3 - The verses here in 2 Kings 3 really put into perspective just how evil Ahab and…

2 years ago
  • Genesis

Genesis 49

Genesis 49 - What did Jacob's prophecies mean long-term for these sons of Israel? Reuben, you are my firstborn, my…

2 years ago
  • Genesis

Genesis 16

Genesis 16 - Think about all the stressful situations that Abraham, Sarai, and Hagar now faced from one sinful decision.…

2 years ago
  • Genesis

Genesis 6

Genesis 6 - What does the text mean when it says the "sons of God" saw the "daughters of men"…

2 years ago
  • Esther

Esther 9

Esther 9 - Historians have long criticized Esther for her decision to eradicate all those who stood against the Jews.…

2 years ago
  • Malachi

Malachi 1

Malachi 1 - Malachi's ministry would have overlapped with Nehemiah. The temple had been rebuilt (v. 13), and there was…

2 years ago
  • Zechariah

Zechariah 5

Zechariah 5 - Even though the Jewish people were brought back to their land, were forgiven of their sins, and…

2 years ago
  • Amos

Amos 4

Amos 4 - My most interesting takeaway from this passage is simply the accountability to which God claims full responsibility…

3 years ago
  • Hosea

Hosea 9

Hosea 9 - Hosea 9 continues to pound away at our human flesh. God's people had "taken to sin like…

3 years ago
  • Hosea

Hosea 2

Hosea 2 - Grace and truth. They are the inescapable character traits of God. God is a fair and just…

3 years ago
  • Daniel

Daniel 9

Daniel 9 - All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for…

3 years ago
  • 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 10

1 Corinthians 10 - So many Christians today have fallen into the temptation of obsessing over rights and privileges. What…

3 years ago
  • Psalms

Psalm 120

Psalm 120 - "The Meshechites were presumably descended from Meshech, a grandson of Noah through Japheth (Gen 10:2; 1Ch 1:5).…

3 years ago
  • Psalms

Psalm 107

Psalm 107 - But He lifts the needy out of their suffering and makes their families multiply like flocks.  42 …

3 years ago
  • Psalms

Psalm 98

Psalm 98 - Do we actually praise and worship God for His judgment? Let the sea and all that fills…

3 years ago
  • Psalms

Psalm 95

Psalm 95 - All worship is not equal. There are many today who bring false worship before the Father. Coming…

3 years ago
  • Psalms

Psalm 63

Psalm 63 - David is on the run from his son Absolam who has organized a revolt against him. King…

3 years ago
  • Psalms

Psalm 29

Psalm 29 - In Canaanite poetry, it was believed that Baal was the god of the storm who controlled the…

3 years ago
  • Mark

Mark 9

Mark 9 - We all know the greatest commandment according to Jesus. Here's a refresher... "Love the Lord your God…

3 years ago
  • Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 32

Deuteronomy 32 - Look at all the names Moses ascribed to God in one song! the Rock: Deu 31:4; Deu…

3 years ago
  • Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 24

Deuteronomy 24 - Just as God showed compassion on you, now you are to show compassion to others. The last…

3 years ago
  • Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 16

Deuteronomy 16 - Favoritism. Bribes. Bias. Corruption. Does this not describe our current political climate? God gave specific laws regarding…

3 years ago
  • Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 11

Deuteronomy 11 - Remember. Teach. Obey. This is the instruction given to those who were responsible for raising the next…

3 years ago
  • Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 8

Deuteronomy 8 - Remember that the LORD your God corrects and punishes you just as parents discipline their children. 6…

3 years ago
  • Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 4

Deuteronomy 4 - "No other nation, no matter how great, has a god who is so near when they need…

3 years ago
  • Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 2

Deuteronomy 2 - It is a unique time in Israel's history. Moses continues to lead and teach the people even…

3 years ago
  • Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 1

Deuteronomy 1 - What should have taken 11 days took 40 years. If you have read the book of Numbers,…

3 years ago
  • Numbers

Numbers 33

Numbers 33 - At the end of this chapter, there are six verses that give the Israelites specific instructions on…

3 years ago
  • Numbers

Numbers 32

Numbers 32 - The LORD became angry with the people and made them wander in the wilderness forty years until…

3 years ago
  • Numbers

Numbers 27

Numbers 27 - Don't gloss over this chapter too quickly or you will miss a moment that is very rare…

3 years ago
  • Numbers

Numbers 26

Numbers 26 - The census here marks a turning point in Israel's history. The first generation that was delivered from…

3 years ago
  • Numbers

Numbers 21

Numbers 21 - Take a moment and think about the times in your life that you've been sorry about something.…

3 years ago
  • Numbers

Numbers 15

Numbers 15 - Nestled in the middle of this chapter is a bizarre story for our modern society. A man…

3 years ago
  • Numbers

Numbers 14

Numbers 14 - Jumping to conclusions. We do it all the time. I'm guilty of it, and so are you.…

3 years ago
  • Numbers

Numbers 11

Numbers 11 - Moses needed help, and God responded. The Lord commanded the gathering of 70 men from the elders…

3 years ago
  • Numbers

Numbers 10

Numbers 10 - Then Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, "We are setting out…

3 years ago
  • Numbers

Numbers 7

Numbers 7 - This chapter is a bit repetitive and long. OK, let's just be honest - it's boring. Each of…

3 years ago
  • Numbers

Numbers 2

Numbers 2 - You really need a visual for Numbers 2. It describes the arrangement of the camps around the…

3 years ago
  • Numbers

Numbers 1

Numbers 1 - Lists of names... census figures... what is this all about? The Book of Numbers takes place just…

3 years ago
  • Luke

Luke 11

Luke 11 - Packed into three verses here in the middle of the chapter is an unbelievable amount of depth…

3 years ago
  • Luke

Luke 4

Luke 4 - The entire chapter here in Luke 4 captures the struggle for power and authority. Jesus' temptation, obviously,…

3 years ago
  • Ezekiel

Ezekiel 29

Ezekiel 29 - God would make His punishment very personal for Egypt. Say that this is what the Sovereign LORD…

4 years ago