July 5 Paul begins 1 Corinthians 7 talking about sexual intimacy in marriage. While he prohibits sexual immorality (all sexual behavior outside the context of a one-man-one-woman covenant marital relationship), Paul encourages sexual intimacy within a covenant marital relationship. In fact, he says that giving yourself to your spouse is your conjugal duty. And it’s…
In today’s Bible reading, Paul tells Timothy what to look for in church leaders. I don’t know that Paul’s checklist is so much a checklist as it is a reminder that character matters. And character matters … a lot. I find it interesting how Bible teachers and commentators read their Bibles. Many modern Bible teachers look at…
We complete our readings in the Song of Solomon with today’s Bible reading*. The lovers continue their love song. Solomon and his wife exchange compliments and express their desires for each other. As I said the day before yesterday, we should celebrate this gift that God has given us! And celebrating this gift — singing…
Seven times in today’s Bible reading,* we encounter the term “valiant warriors” (CSB), “mighty warriors” (ESV, LEB, NLT), “mighty men” (KJV), “fighting men” (NIV), “warriors” (MSG). The word translated as warriors/men refers not only to their fighting occupation but to their strong/noble character. One Hebrew lexicon says, “Although [the book of Chronicles] generally uses the…
Today’s Bible reading* can be summarized in the last verse from today’s reading: In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever seemed right to him. Judges 21:25 (CSB) In fact, this sentence is repeated frequently in the book of Judges. The first verse of today’s reading includes the first part of…
One of the most common mental images of a Biblical woman is that of Proverbs 31. Proverbs 31 describes a woman who takes care of her husband and family while also earning a living in the marketplace. In today’s Bible reading* we see another picture of a Biblical woman. Deborah and Jael are mentioned in…
