Chronological Bible Blog

Judges 11:29-15:20
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Today we read about Jephthah and his daughter – and the related vow.  It is interesting to note that some Biblical scholars do not think that Jepthah actually killed his daughter, but that she simply died a virgin, as verse 38 says.  However… verse 38 also says he kept his vow. Keep in mind that oftentimes the Bible reports “just the facts,” which does not necessarily mean the “facts” or actions of what us humans did was pleasing in God’s sight.  Human sacrifice was not part of God’s laws or plans.  It is clearly forbidden in Leviticus chapter 20 verses 1-5 and in Leviticus chapter 18:21 – ” ‘Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.”

Today we begin reading four chapters about Samson, the last of the judges.  You’ll notice that the author of Judges often compares the story of Samson’s birth and life with the story of Israel.  Samson was a Nazirite, which meant he could drink no alcohol, could not cut his hair, and could have no contact with the dead.  I found it interesting that Samson’s mother was commanded by the angel in Judges 13 today to not drink any alcohol during her pregnancy.  Obviously this is important for health reasons, but also it seems it is important because Samson was a Nazirite – whose life began in his mother’s womb. 

Judges chapter 13 verses 19 & 20 are awesome to consider – “Then Manoah took a young goat and a grain offering and offered it on a rock as a sacrifice to the LORD. And as Manoah and his wife watched, the LORD did an amazing thing. As the flames from the altar shot up toward the sky, the angel of the LORD ascended in the fire. When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell with their faces to the ground.”

Interesting story today about Samson & the lion!  Pretty gross that he ate the honey made in the lion’s carcass on the way to his wedding!  🙂   You’ll note in our readings of Samson that he is drawn to Philistine women, which was against God’s law and the Philistine’s were Israel’s enemies then.  Hence, his parents did not approve of the marriage early in chapter 14.  Okay – back to the lion, and verses 5 & 6 – “As Samson and his parents were going down to Timnah, a young lion attacked Samson near the vineyards of Timnah. At that moment the Spirit of the LORD powerfully took control of him, and he ripped the lion’s jaws apart with his bare hands. He did it as easily as if it were a young goat. But he didn’t tell his father or mother about it.”

Judges 15 today is quite a chapter!  Whew…  Samson is a whirlwind in this chapter… I know I probably should not chuckle about this – but a donkey’s jawbone??  Who would have ever thought this could be a lethal weapon.  Well, now we all know it can be indeed.

Worship Video:  Today’s readings remind me of Third Day’s song “Soul on Fire:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giuLT8UUO-U

Are you a soul on fire? Click here for Fire!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, so the LORD delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.” Judges 13:1 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you won’t ever do evil in the eyes of the LORD.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Judges 9:22-11:28
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Old Testament – Alright, I don’t know about you, but I’m seeing quite a bit of pride flowing around in Judges recently – particularly in today’s readings.  And we all know the old saying, “Pride goeth before the fall.”  And indeed we are seeing people fall after their prideful fits.  In fact, Satan himself was guilty of the sin of Pride.  He wanted to be equal with God.  He thought he was all that and a bag-o-chips.  But he ain’t.  Never will be.  So, maybe the saying in regards to Satan certainly is “Pride goeth before the Fall.”  And that’s Fall with a capital “F” unfortunately.

We saw Abimelech’s deadly pride in yesterday’s readings when he had killed 70 of Gideon’s sons – his half brothers – so that he could rule the people of Schechem.  Pride & Power.  Deadly combination then – and still is today.  We then read Jotham’s parable in yesterday’s readings and see that his words came true in today’s readings.  I am amazed at the depth of Abimelech’s sin of pride even in his dying moment when we read in chapter 9 verses 52 through 54 today: “Abimelech followed them to attack the tower. But as he prepared to set fire to the entrance, a woman on the roof threw down a millstone that landed on Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull. He said to his young armor bearer, “Draw your sword and kill me! Don’t let it be said that a woman killed Abimelech!””  Wow…  Now – don’t get me wrong.  I think for me to say that Abimelech was completely prideful and that I am not is the same sin – pride.  It would be prideful for me to put myself above Abimelech.  He’s not a lot different than we are today.  I think pride is something we all probably struggle with at some level or at some point in our lives.  I know I do.  We are all sinners.  And as I read about Abimelech in Judges today – or reflect upon Satan’s Fall – I realize that pride is a sin that we really must vigilantly watch our entire lives.  If we don’t, I think we can get blinded to the fact that we’re prideful – and we’ll say dumb things like “don’t let it be said that a woman killed (fill in your name as if you were to say this about yourself in the 3rd person, cuz that’s how you refer to yourself when you are prideful)!”  🙂  Pride kills…  let us pray for humility in our lives today.  God can redeem and heal us from our pride!

Even poor Gaal – who I think was trying to do the right thing fell prey to pride as we see in verse 29 today – “If I were in charge, I would get rid of Abimelech. I would say to him, `Get some more soldiers, and come out and fight!’””  Unfortunately, Gaal got his wish and it did not turn out well for him.  Pride goeth before the fall…   An image is below for verses 37 & 38 – “But again Gaal said, “No, people are coming down from the hills. And another group is coming down the road past the Diviners’ Oak.” Then Zebul turned on him triumphantly. “Now where is that big mouth of yours?” he demanded. “Wasn’t it you that said, `Who is Abimelech, and why should we be his servants?’ The men you mocked are right outside the city! Go out and fight them!”

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of Matthew West’s awesome new song “Don’t Stop Praying:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r0eA49MZ0w

Have you stopped praying? Click here and pray!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “But the Israelites said to the LORD, ‘We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best, but please rescue us now.’” Judges 10:15 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you always confess your sins to the LORD. Pray that you confess ALL of your sins to the Lord. Pray for rescue from your sins.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Judges 7:1-9:21
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Okay, the big question from today’s readings in Judges is are you the type of person that cups water in your hands and laps it up like a dog or are you someone who kneels down and puts your mouth directly in the stream to drink??  🙂  I confess I’m option #1, so I guess I would have gone on with Gideon for the battle. In all seriousness, a commentary suggested that God chose those that cupped water in their hands rather than kneeled down, because it meant those who didn’t kneel down were always ready for any emergency situation that might come up.  I guess I can buy that…  Nowadays perhaps the person who is always ready may be the person who drinks directly from the water cooler like this guy?? 🙂

Much of our readings in Judges chapter 7 & 8 today are like Braveheart! Quite action packed readings today!  An image is below for Judges chapter 7 verses 19 & 20: “It was just after midnight, after the changing of the guard, when Gideon and the one hundred men with him reached the outer edge of the Midianite camp. Suddenly, they blew the horns and broke their clay jars. Then all three groups blew their horns and broke their jars. They held the blazing torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands and shouted, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!””

Judges chapter 8 verses 23 & 24 are an intriguing look at beautiful humility mixed with a unique request – “But Gideon replied, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The LORD will rule over you! However, I have one request. Each of you can give me an earring out of the treasures you collected from your fallen enemies.””  It is awesome that Gideon says he will not rule over the Israelites- but that God will.  But then, his ask for a piece of gold from each person is intriguing.  We read in verse 27 that Gideon made a sacred ephod from the collected gold – so, this does appear worshipful perhaps at first glance.  But then verse 27 tells us: “But soon all the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping it, and it became a trap for Gideon and his family.”  Yikes!  Not exactly what should have happened here…  It’s interesting.  I wonder if we do this in our lives today as well.  Perhaps we are very humble in one regards – but then maybe we make some sort of unique request of those around us… and that unique request goes awry.  I don’t know if I can give you a good example of this.  But perhaps this will ring true for you in some area of your life?  If so, can you abandon the false idol you are worshiping as quickly as possible?  Particularly if this false idol was born out of something that was initially worshipful.  Will you let it go?

Jotham’s parable is quite good in Judges chapter 9 today!  Good idea that he got out of Dodge after telling that parable!  Particularly after the horrendous act Abimelech committed as shown below by artist Gustave Dore…

Worship God: Today’s readings in Judges reminded me of Kathryn Scott’s singing “Your Name is Holy:”

Do you know our Holy God? Click here for Holiness!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “But Gideon told them, ‘I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you.’” Judges 8:23 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you will never rule over anyone. Pray that you will point people to the true Ruler of creation, Jesus Christ, our King.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Judges 3:31-6:40
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Wow, the past 3 months seem to have flown by…  It’s now April 1 and we are officially 25%, or one quarter, of the way through the Bible!  Congratulations! Give yourself a pat on the back!  High-five God!  Your marathon pace is going great!

Okay, women rule in today’s readings in Judges!! 🙂  Deborah basically tells Barak that he’s being a wimp, so she’ll help lead the military victory, and does.  Below is a map someone put together of the whole Deborah / Barak v. Sisera battle, with Mt. Tabor in the middle highlighted being a focal point of the battle:

And then Jael, who is likely not an Israelite, finishes off Sisera, the commander of the enemy army of the Israelites, with a tent peg!  Don’t mess with Deborah or Jael!  Below is a painting by Italian Baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi (yes, also a woman) from the year 1620 titled “Jael and Sisera”:

Before this fateful scene above, an image is below for Judges chapter 4 verses 17 & 18: “Meanwhile, Sisera ran to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because Heber’s family was on friendly terms with King Jabin of Hazor. Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, “Come into my tent, sir. Come in. Don’t be afraid.” So he went into her tent, and she covered him with a blanket.”

In Judges chapter 5 we read the wonderful song of Deborah and Barak, and it is of note in verse 31: “Then there was peace in the land for forty years.”  Quite a song!  Below is artist Gustave Dore’s engraving of Deborah’s song:

Bob Deffinbaugh with Bible.org’s commentary on Joshua chapters 4 & 5 today titled “The Prophetess Deborah” is at this link.

Today in Judges chapter 6 verses 1 we read – “Again the Israelites did what was evil in the LORD’s sight.”  It is so interesting to see the back-and-forth relationship of the Israelites with God in the Old Testament.  The Israelites did evil.  They cried out to God.  God saved them.  Then… The Israelites did evil again…  And I wonder – are we so different from the Israelites today?   Should we be?  Could we be?  How?  I do believe that through a growing and loving relationship with Jesus, we can be spared of this back-and-forth relationship with God.  I believe this is the only Way.  Let us not have to spend our lives running back and forth to “caves” as we will see below…  Let us only run into the arms of the Jesus!

An image is below for verses 1 & 2: “So the LORD handed them over to the Midianites for seven years. The Midianites were so cruel that the Israelites fled to the mountains, where they made hiding places for themselves in caves and dens.”

Today read about Gideon and the fleece. We also read about how the angel of the Lord comes to Gideon and tells Gideon he will save Israel out of Midian’s hands, because he is being sent by God. In verse 15 Gideon replies, “But Lord, how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” You’ll notice how this reply of Gideon’s is reminiscent of Moses’ reaction to God’s call to serve in Exodus chapters 3 & 4 – “Why me? How can I?” etc. etc. And I think it is very useful for each of us to note that God often calls the seemingly lowly – like Moses and Gideon – rather than the seemingly mighty to act for him. This should be encouraging to us! I wonder if you and I are sometimes like Gideon and Moses? I wonder if perhaps we are being called to do something incredible for God in our lives, and we are making excuses like Gideon and Moses made excuses? Should we instead act in obedience to God’s call and trust that he will lead us? If God has called us to something, shouldn’t we have enough faith to believe he will give us the strength and wisdom needed for the journey? What is God calling you to do in your life that you are not doing? Are you making excuses like Gideon and Moses did? Will you instead move forward in faith and obedience to God in this holy calling in your life?

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Judges reminded me of Third Day’s song “You Are Mine:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o-JPkq5rvE

Have you God’s? Click here and be His!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Then Gideon said to God, ‘Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.’” Judges 6:39 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you will not put the Lord your God to the test.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Judges 1:1-3:30
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today we begin the book of Judges! Coming up in this book, we’ll be reading about Deborah, Gideon, Samson, Delilah, and Micah – to drop a few names.  Below is a great map of the judges in Israel that we’ll be reading about:

Judges
Author: Unknown
Date: Eleventh century B.C.
Content: The book of Judges covers a period of several hundred years following the conquest of Canaan, during which time the people were ruled by individual leaders called judges or saviors. Their task was primarily military, being to expel the enemy from the land. Throughout this period of Israel’s history there is a tragic cycle to be observed – that of rebellion against God, followed by the judgment of God, usually in the form of foreign invasion. The children of Israel then cry to God for help and a “judge” is sent to save them. This cycle is repeated numerous times throughout the book. Tragically, the people never seem to learn that rebellion against God is a sure road to disaster.
Theme: The grim lesson of Judges is that “the wages of sin is death: (see Romans 6:23). Sin takes many forms, from the sophisticated sins of kings to the barbaric events that close the book, but the net results is always the same: when everyone does his own thing, chaos and destruction are the inevitable outcome. Through it all, however, God in his faithfulness saves the people when they truly repent and turn to him. (Above commentary is from “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 4)

More commentary on Judges is at these 3 links:
Really interesting commentary is at this link titled “The Role of Women in the Book of Judges.”  (below is an image of Deborah)
https://bible.org/page.php?page_id=887
https://bible.org/page.php?page_id=951 

Bible Project:  Here is a terrific brief video overview of the book of Judges!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOYy8iCfIJ4

An image is below for Judges chapter 1 verses 14 & 15 today: “When Acsah married Othniel, she urged him to ask her father for an additional field. As she got down off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What is it? What can I do for you?” She said, “Give me a further blessing. You have been kind enough to give me land in the Negev; please give me springs as well.” So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.”

Today in Judges Chapter 2 verses 1 & 2 we will read these words from the angel of the Lord – “I said, “I will never break my covenant with you, and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars. Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this?”” The Israelites disobeyed God back then. Why? Do we disobey God in our lives today? Why do we do this? I have a hunch that maybe sometimes we are simply afraid. Afraid of fully following and trusting God. We may think that God really won’t live up to his promises. At these moments our faith is weak. And we end up disobeying God. Fortunately our inconsistencies do not affect God’s perfect consistency. God never changes. We do. And we can allow ourselves to either be changed by God such that we live in obedience to him – or, we can continue to disobey God and live tumultuous lives. It’s a pretty simple choice. One decision brings an amazing peace that surpasses all understanding and the other decision – grief and frustration. Do we disobey God in our lives today? Why have we done this? Can we instead choose to obey God in our lives?  An image is below for Judges chapter 2 verses 4 & 5 today  – “When the angel of the LORD finished speaking, the Israelites wept loudly. So they called the place “Weeping,” and they offered sacrifices to the LORD.”

Today in Judges we read about Israel forgetting about God and worshiping other gods.  Sad stuff!  Judges chapter 2 verse 19 stood out: “But when the judge died, the people returned to their corrupt ways, behaving worse than those who had lived before them. They followed other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them. And they refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.”  I wonder if we are so different today from the Israelites in the time of the Judges?  Do we maybe shape ourselves up for short amounts of time – but then go back to our corrupt ways?  Do we ultimately refuse to give up our evil practices and stubborn ways?  Why is this?  What is the remedy to this problem?  Or – perhaps I should ask – Who is the remedy to this problem?  Who can literally rescue us from this problem?  Who can rescue us from ourselves?  Will you allow Jesus to rescue you from any evil practices and stubborn ways?

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me Matthew West’s terrific song “Maker:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwRCbKXqFqY

Have you given your life over to your maker? Click here and meet your Maker!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.” Judges 2:19 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you will never ever follow nor serve other gods. Pray that you will never take back up evil practices nor stubborn ways.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Joshua 22:1-24:33
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

In Joshua chapter 22 verse 10 today we read: “Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh built a very large altar near the Jordan River at a place called Geliloth.”  The place where our readings end today in verse 20 is quite a cliff-hanger!  Note that verse 20 is not the end of chapter 22, and as Paul Harvey says, further on in today’s readings you will get “The Rest of the Story.”  🙂

Today we finish up the book of Joshua!  What a book.  I have definitely learned much from this book this year.  And today’s readings are no exception.  Chapter 24 is a wonderful closing to this book where the Israelites renew their covenant with God.  Verses 25 through 27 are awesome – “So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day at Shechem, committing them to a permanent and binding contract between themselves and the LORD. Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. As a reminder of their agreement, he took a huge stone and rolled it beneath the oak tree beside the Tabernacle of the LORD.  Joshua said to all the people, “This stone has heard everything the LORD said to us. It will be a witness to testify against you if you go back on your word to God.”

It’s great to read verse 32 and realize that Joseph’s wishes from 200 years earlier of being buried in the Promised Land came to fruition!  It is amazing to realize the Israelites carried Joseph’s bones with them throughout the 40 years in the desert to fulfill this wish –  “The bones of Joseph, which the Israelites had brought along with them when they left Egypt, were buried at Shechem, in the parcel of ground Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor for one hundred pieces of silver.  This land was located in the territory allotted to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, the descendants of Joseph.”

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Tasha Layton’s terrific song “Never:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKwTxaO2djc

Will God ever let you down? Click here for Never!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left.” Joshua 23:6 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are carefully obeying the LORD. Pray that you never turn aside to the right or the left of the LORD’s Word, the Bible. Pray for strength in your walk of faith today and forevermore.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Joshua 19:49-21:45; 1 Chronicles 6:54-81
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

In Joshua chapter 20 we read about the Cities of Refuge.  I like that concept – a city of refuge.  A place of refuge.  This is what I think about Jesus today – He is our City of Refuge!  No matter what our past sins are, Jesus can be our City of Refuge if we will run to Him, believe, confess & repent.  Is Jesus your City of Refuge?

In Joshua chapter 21 we read about the towns given to the Levites, the priestly tribe appointed in the Mosaic Law for the service of the Tabernacle and of the Temple.  It seems very wise that the Levites are given towns throughout the various tribes of the Israelites.  In my mind this is spreading out the priestly tribe strategically.  Can you imagine if the Levites were all in just 1 location?  It seems to me that there would be a vacuum of spiritual leadership in the tribes if the Levites were not dispersed in the manner which they were. How does reading about the Levites being dispersed remind you of the church today? Is the church dispersed throughout the world today a good thing? What are your thoughts on the benefits or drawbacks of denominations?

Worship God: Today’s readings in Joshua reminded me of Steven Curtis Chapman’s song “Yours:”

Do you believe it is all God’s? Click here and give it all to Him!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.” Joshua 21:45 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you will always trust that God’s promises will never fail.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Joshua 18:1-19:48
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

In Joshua chapter 18 verse 1 today we read – “Now that the land was under Israelite control, the entire Israelite assembly gathered at Shiloh and set up the Tabernacle.”  Shiloh was located about 25 miles north of Jerusalem.  The tabernacle remained in Shiloh throughout the period of the Judges, or about 300 years.  We will later read about Samuel traveling to Shiloh with his family. The tabernacle at Shiloh may have looked something like this –

Today we finish up reading about the Promised Land being divided among the tribes!  Below is a great NASA photo with an overlay of a map of the twelve tribes:

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Joshua reminded me of Michael W. Smith’s song “A New Hallelujah:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBxOkruKpqI

Have you sung Hallelujah to Jesus in your heart? Click here and sing forevermore!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “So Joshua said to the Israelites: ‘How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your ancestors, has given you?’” Joshua 18:3 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you will not wait when God has called you to do something. Pray that you will do it.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Joshua 15:20-17:18
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Interesting side note on Joshua chapter 15 verses 61 & 62 – “In the wilderness there were the towns of Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah, Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En-gedi–six towns with their surrounding villages.”  The NIV translates wilderness as “desert”, which is probably more accurate.  Zondervan’s commentary on this verse today says, “The desert is the chalky dry region east and south of Jerusalem that borders the Dead Sea…  Either Secacah or the City of Salt may have been the ancient name of the site of Qumran, where the scribes who produced the Dead Sea Scrolls lived.”

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminds me of the fantastic live version of “Christ our Hope in Life and Death:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZBLPMgCRXY

Who is your hope in life and death? Click here for Hope!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “This is the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, according to its clans.” Joshua 15:20 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray in thanksgiving that your inheritance is heaven if you are in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, your Lord and Savior.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Joshua 12:7-15:19
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Interesting – Joshua is an old man already here in chapter 13!  Time is flying quite a bit faster in this book than our past readings about the life of Moses….  It’s estimated that Joshua is between 90 and 100 years old in chapter 13 and Caleb is 85 years old.  In chapter 14 verse 12 we read these words from Caleb to Joshua: “So give me the hill country that the Lord promised me.”  Below is a good image of the hill country of Judah that Caleb sought and received, courtesy of HolyLandPhotos.org:

In Joshua chapter 14 verses 1 & 2 today we read: “The remaining tribes of Israel inherited land in Canaan as allotted by Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the tribal leaders. These nine and a half tribes received their inheritance by means of sacred lots, in accordance with the LORD’s command through Moses.”

It is interesting to read about the allotment of land to the tribe of Judah today!  It reminds me of how different these days are for the Israelites, compared to the 40 years of wandering in the desert – or the slavery in Egypt prior to that.  Times have changed!  God’s Promise is being fulfilled.  I think this is important for us to remember in our lives as well.  Maybe we’re in a “slavery” period in our own life where we are looking for a Savior to free us.  Jesus is of course that Savior to free us from our slavery to sin.  Or, maybe we’re in a desert period of our lives.  We’ve decided to follow Jesus, but maybe we’re really trudging through some hard times.  If we’re in this type of period, hopefully we can be encouraged by knowing that God’s Promises to us will not fail.  God will bring us peace that surpasses all understanding.  God will bring us to the true Promised Land for eternity.  Let us be encouraged in our own lives by our past few months of readings about the Israelites and their journey from slavery to now the Promised Land.  God’s Promises will not fail.  They are eternal.  And they are the only thing in this passing world that is eternal.

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Joshua about the allotment of land reminded me of Michael W. Smith’s classic 1992 song “Place in this World:”

Do you know your place in this world? Click here for your destination!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “When Joshua had grown old, the LORD said to him, “You are now very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over.” Joshua 13:1 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray earnestly that God will have Kingdom work for you to do when you have grown old. Pray that you’ll do it.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!