Making Vows

Twice in today’s Bible reading* we see people making vows to God. The first is a judge named Jephthah. Although human sacrifice was strictly forbidden to God’s people he made a vow that if God would deliver the Ammonites to him, he promised to sacrifice the first person that went through the doorway when he…

A Portrait of a Biblical Woman

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…

Joshua Leads with the Worship Team

Twice in today’s Bible reading*, we see Joshua — at God’s direction — lead the people with the worship team leading the way. The first time is in Joshua 3:13-14. The second time (Joshua 6:6-7,9) the worship team led the people was when God’s people marched around Jericho in preparation for taking the city in…

Finishing Well with Sadness

With today’s Bible reading* we complete our readings through Deuteronomy. “Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died; his eyes were not weak, and his vitality had not left him.” (Deuteronomy 34:7 CSB) Oh, that we would all finish well! But one thing is very troublesome in our reading. The Lord said to…