Joshua was sorrowing over the defeat at Ai, bowed to the ground, and God told him to get up. Israel had sinned, and that is why they lost the battle for Ai. They took of the accursed things from Jericho and hid them in their tents. He oommanded that the accursed be destroyed. Joshua was … Continue reading The Sin of Achan (Joshua 7:10 – 26)
Cities of Refuge (Deuteronomy 19:1 – 14)
Moses instructed the Israelites that after God delivered the land from the nations, they were to divide their land into three sections by roads. In each section, they were to establish a city of refuge. A manslayer could flee there. If a manslayer killed his neighbor unintentionally, without premeditation, he can flee to one of … Continue reading Cities of Refuge (Deuteronomy 19:1 – 14)
Remembering Their Lack of Faith (Deuteronomy 1:19 – 46)
Moses recounts the story of Israel's coming to the border of the Promised Land and then spying on the land to see its condition. After spying, ten of the twelve spies gave a negative report, that Israel could not take the land. There were too many giants, and they would be consumed by the land. … Continue reading Remembering Their Lack of Faith (Deuteronomy 1:19 – 46)
The Laws Concerning Leprosy (Leviticus 13:1 – 59)
The laws concerning leprosy are convoluted and confusing, but probably made perfect sense to a society that experienced leprosy firsthand. White flesh, yellow flesh, red spots, white hair, yellow hair, burns, getting rid of infested clothing, breaking and disposing of infected pots or the wall of your house...Wow! The bottom line to me in all … Continue reading The Laws Concerning Leprosy (Leviticus 13:1 – 59)
The Gold Calf and the Exit from Sinai (Exodus 32:1 – 33:6)
As Moses was receiving the law and instructions from God, the children of Israel began to doubt if he would return. They asked Aaron to make then an idol, a god, which they could serve in his absence. Aaron took the gold from the people and formed a golden calf from it with an engraving … Continue reading The Gold Calf and the Exit from Sinai (Exodus 32:1 – 33:6)
More and More (Genesis 25:1-6)
Here is a small passage about the later life of Abraham. After Sarah died, Abraham took another wife, Keturah. This is an obscure story, but one that merits some attention. Keturah bore several sons, some of whom would become nations that Israel would eventually fight in battle, especially Midian. If you notice the details of … Continue reading More and More (Genesis 25:1-6)
The Sinfulness of Sodom (Genesis 19:1-11)
The two heavenly messengers who were with the Lord when he spoke to Abraham left and went to Sodom to do just as the Lord had said, which was to judge Sodom and see if there was any righteousness in it. Lot had chosen the valley in which Sodom sat for his portion without considering … Continue reading The Sinfulness of Sodom (Genesis 19:1-11)
Starting Over (Genesis 9:18-10:32)
Unfortunately, there is a pattern in humanity. Sin, judgement, grace, restoration, then more sin, judgement, grace, and restoration. Even though God had judged man's sin by a flood, then extended grace to Noah, then restored the earth and entered a covenant of promise, sin entered into this new start in the form of Noah being … Continue reading Starting Over (Genesis 9:18-10:32)
Lessons of the Flood (Genesis 6:13-7:24)
The Great Flood story is one of the most recognizable of all Old Testament stories. Sunday School children everywhere can identify Noah and talk about the animals coming into the ark two by two. But what does the story of the flood teach us for living today? The earth is continually evil and judgement hangs … Continue reading Lessons of the Flood (Genesis 6:13-7:24)
Mismatches, Murder, and Marking (Genesis 4:1-15)
Adam and Eve began the first family after the fall from the Garden of Eden. They had two sons that pursued two very different vocations: one a farmer, the other a shepherd. There is much speculation as to why one offering was accepted above the other. The primary thought offered by scholars was that Abel's … Continue reading Mismatches, Murder, and Marking (Genesis 4:1-15)