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Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Days 152 & 153

Jun2
Sunday and Monday studies are posted together on Mondays.
Day 152. Reading 2 Chronicles 1 and Psalm 72.

Day 153.  Reading Song of Solomon 1 – 8.

A NEW MONTH!
Read Today’s Scriptures.
What truth about God stays in your mind?
 
 
 
Day 152 – 2 Chronicles 1.

This chapter repeats much of what we read in 1 Kings 3-4. 

King Solomon and “all” Israel went to Gibeon, where the old Tabernacle that Moses built still stood.  David had brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem to dwell in a tent he made for it.  But the bronze altar was still at Gibeon, and at this time, King Solomon offered 1,000 burnt offerings on it. 

That night, God appeared to him, saying, “Ask what I shall give you.”

After some thought, Solomon said, “Give me now wisdom and knowledge, for who can govern this people of Yours, which is so great?”

God was pleased. “Wisdom and knowledge are granted to you.  I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor such as none of the kings had who were before you or shall be after you.”

And the king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stone.”

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Psalm 72. 

A psalm of Solomon.

  • “Give the king Your justice, O God, and Your righteousness to the royal son!  May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your poor with justice.
  • “May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!”
  • “In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound till the moon be no more.
  • “Long may he live; may the gold of Sheba be given to him!  May prayer be made for him continually and blessings invoked for him all the day.

And then,

  • “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be His glorious Name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory!  Amen and Amen!

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Day 153 – Song of Solomon 1-8.

Also titled the Song of Songs, meaning that this song is the best among Solomon’s 1,005 musical works.  It is a true-life love song.  Solomon appears as “the beloved.”  The woman is called “the Shulamite Maiden.”  She is probably Solomon’s first wife (Ecclesiastes 9:9) before he sinned by adding 699 other wives and 300 concubines. (1 Kings 11:3).  Solomon’s Song exalts the purity of marital affection and romance. 

Some strained interpretations use the allegory of God and Israel or Christ and the Church, but that’s misleading.  It’s a story of Solomon and the love of his youth.  It’s very picturesque and names several places that existed at the time.

Read it and “say or sing” portions of it to your own true love!  And praise God that He put this in His Word.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 138 &139

May19

Sundays and Mondays studies are posted together on Mondays

Day 138. Reading Psalms 26, 40, 58, 61, 62, 64.

Day 139.  Reading 2 Samuel 19 – 21.

 
Read Today’s Scriptures.
 
Day 138.

(Look for all the trials and triumphs in David’s life in these psalms.  Look for his lows and his times of faith and worship. Here are a few snippets, but read them all.)

Psalm 26.
  • 1-2. Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and have trusted in the LORD without wavering.  Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind.

Psalm  40.

  • 1-3. I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.
  • 13-16. Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me! Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt! Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, “Aha, aha!” BUT, may all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation say continually, “Great is the LORD!”

Psalm 58.

  • 10-11. The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked.  Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth.”

Psalm 61.

  • 1-3. Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth, I call to You when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
  • 6a. Prolong the life of the king …..

Psalm 62.

  • 1-4. For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.  How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?  They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. 
  • 5-6. For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

Psalm 64.

  • 1-2. Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy. Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers.
  • 10. Let the righteous one rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in Him!  Let the upright in heart exult!

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Day 139.

2 Samuel 19.

Remember how David is devastated by Absalom’s death.  He’s upstairs wailing his heart out.  The people don’t know what to make of it.  Didn’t they just win the battle against the interlopers?  Wasn’t the one who was stealing the throne and seeking to kill King David, gone?  Why was he acting this way? The people started slinking home with their “tails between their legs.”

Joab would have NONE of that.  He goes to David and rips him royally!

  • “YOU have today covered with shame the faces of all your servants, who have this day SAVED YOUR LIFE and the lives of your sons and daughters and wives and concubines because you love those who HATE YOU and hate those who love you.
  • “You have made it clear today that COMMANDERS AND SERVANTS ARE NOTHING TO YOU!  For today — I know that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead — then you would be pleased!!!
  • “NOW, THEREFORE ARISE, GO OUT AND SPEAK KINDLYTO YOUR SERVANTS, for I swear by the LORD, if you do not go, not a man will stay with you this night, and this will be worse for you than all the evil that has come upon you from your youth until now!”

(Way to go, Joab!)

Then the king arose and took his seat in the gate, (presumably with a nice face), “and all the people came before the king.

Meanwhile, the country is in chaos. 

  • King David had delivered them from all their enemies and saved them from the Philistines.
  • But he has fled because of Absalom.
  • And now, Absalom – whom they anointed over themselves – is dead.
  • Should they bring the king back?

David sent a message to Zadok and Abiathar and told them to speak to the elders of Judah about reinstating him as king.   He also told them to tell Amasa (Commander of Absalom’s army) that the king wants HIM to be HIS commander “in place of Joab.”  Whoa, what???  (David has a lot of grudges against Joab and the chewing-out didn’t help.)

So the king came back to Judah.

On his way back, Shimei (the rock thrower), along with a thousand Benjamite men, Ziba with his 15 sons and 20 servants rushed to help David and his household. Shimei fell on his face and begged forgiveness. Abishai wanted to kill him, but David forgave him.

Mephibosheth came too to meet the king.

DAVID: “Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?”

MEPH.: “My servant Ziba deceived me, took my donkey, and left.”

DAVID (who had given all of Mephibosheth’s stuff to Ziba, now decided to split everything in two between them.)  “I have decided.”

MEPH.: “Oh, let him take it all since my lord the king has come home safely.”

DAVID to Barzillai (who had brought all the food and supplies to him when he was in hiding) “Come with me and I will provide for you in Jerusalem.”

BARZILLA: “Nah. I’m old (80) and have enough money. I’ll stay here, but you can take Chimham (his son?) and do good to him.”

David agreed and possibly gave Chimham a part of his personal estate in Bethlehem. (Jeremiah 41:17)

(David also retired his ten concubines whom Absalom had desecrated. He gave them a special house, and they lived there as widows for the rest of their lives.)

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2 Samuel 20.

Sheba, a Benjamite continued to war against David and gathered an army.  The men of Judah pursued them to Jerusalem.  David called his new Army Commander. Amasa, and said to gather all the men of Judah and be back there IN THREE DAYS.

And so…. Amasa went out to gather Judah but he delayed beyond the time David had set. (On purpose??) So the king called Abishai, his second in command, and sent him to chase Sheba.  Joab heard of all this, and he and his men (and all David’s mighty men & bodyguards) followed Abishai (his brother) chasing Sheba.

Amasa came to meet them, and Joab pretended to greet the man nicely, even reaching out to kiss him. But Joab had a short sword hidden beneath his robe and gutted Amasa as they stood close.   Then Joab and Abishai pursued Sheba.  One of Joab’s men stood by the body of Amasa and directed whoever was “FOR THE KING” to follow Joab.  Finally, he dragged the body into a field and threw his garment over it. 

Sheba made it to a fortified city and Joab’s men surrounded it.  Then a “wise woman” came to meet Joab.

WW: “Are you Joab? Listen to me.”

JOAB: ” I am, and I’m listening.”

WW; “Why will you swallow up a peaceable city for one man?”

JOAB; “I won’t if you will give up the man.

WW: “Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall.”

The wise woman went into the city, and in a short time, the head of Sheba came hurling over the city wall.

JOAB:  “Good enough.”  He blew the trumpet and dispersed from the city. 

And Joab (once more David’s Army Commander) returned to Jerusalem to the king.

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2 Samuel 21.

This chapter is a series of flashbacks.  It begins an epilogue.

First, the story of David making right a terrible wrong that Saul did to the Gibeonites, whom Joshua had made a special deal with, is told here.  When David sought revenge for them, the famine (sent by God) was eased. (This all happened before David initially found and showed kindness to Mephibosheth.) 

Next, Samuel reviews a series of the wars that David fought (and won) against the Philistines,

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 127

May7
Day 127.  Reading 2 Samuel 6-7 and 1 Chronicles 17.
 
 
 
Read Today’s Scriptures.  How did they challenge you?
 

2 Samuel 6.

This chapter reviews the bringing of the Ark of God into Jerusalem (1 Chron 13:1-14), with some added details.

First, he tries to bring to Jerusalem “the Ark of God, which is called by the Name of the LORD of hosts who sits enthroned on the cherubim” (if you want the full name). Remember how he put it on a new ox cart, then one of the beasts stumbled, and Uzzah put out his hand to steady it. ZAP!!  He’s dead.

Procession halted, the Ark stored in the house of Obed-Edom, because “David was afraid of the LORD that day.”  Then David hears how the LORD is blessing Obed-Edom and all that he has because of the Ark of God. So his desire is stirred again to bring it to Jerusalem.  THIS TIME, THE CORRECT WAY.

David danced before the LORD with all his might, wearing a linen robe and ephod. And all the House of Israel were shouting and blowing the ram’s horn.

  • And Michal, Saul’s daughter (and David’s first wife) looked out the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the lord, and she despised him in her heart.

After the Ark of the LORD was in its place, David offered burnt and peace offerings, blessed the people, and gave each of them a sack of party food.  Then they, and he went home. 

Joyful and full of blessing, David walked into his house only to meet the dour-faced Michel.

  • “How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants’ female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!”

Wow. Shock.  A big downer on the glorious & holy celebration parade.

(Because the verse identifies Michel as “the daughter of Saul” and not the king’s wife, she might still have been longing for the courts of her father, Saul, where royal decorum was observed. She probably expected King David to be wearing royal robes, a crown, and perhaps being brought through Jerusalem on a royal chariot.  Regardless, she was disgusted with him.)

This absolutely put off David for his wife forever (she would never have children).  He answered her (before leaving her forever) in a calm but intense voice,

  • “It was before the LORD, who chose ME above your father, and above all his house, to appoint ME as prince over Israel, the people of the Lord — I WILL make merry before the LORD.  I will make myself yet MORE contemptible than THIS, and I will be abased in your eyes.”

Okay, then.

 

2 Samuel 7.

With the Ark of God in Jerusalem, all his enemies at rest, and enjoying his own cedar house, David’s thoughts turned to building a House (Temple) for the LORD. He got excited and told Nathan, the prophet about his idea.

  • Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.” answered Nathan.

But later that night, the LORD told Nathan something else, which he retold to David in the morning.

  • So you want to build Me a house to dwell in?  I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel out of Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling. Did I ask any of the judges shepherding My people to build me a house of cedar?

Then God told David what HE would build FOR DAVID.

  • I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies. And I WILL MAKE FOR YOU A GREAT NAME. And moreover, I WILL MAKE FOR YOU A HOUSE.

Then God told who would build the Temple.

  • When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body and I will establish his kingdom. HE SHALL BUILD A HOUSE FOR MY NAME and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.  

Of course, God knew the weaknesses and faults of Solomon, but He promised David…..

  • When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, BUT MY STEADFAST LOVE WILL NOT DEPART FROM HIM, as I took it form Saul, whom I put away before you.
  • YOUR THRONE WILL BE ESTABLISHED … FOREVER.

Oh, my gosh, was David flabbergasted. 

  • Who am I, O LORD GOD, and what is my house, that You have brought me thus far?
  • Because of Your promise, and according to Your own heart, You have brought about all this greatness, to make Your servant know it.  
  • Therefore You are great, O LORD God, For there is none like You, and there is NO God beside You.

And David continues to praise and exalt God for the extraordinary promises He made.  (Yes, David was a man after God’s heart.)

 

1 Chronicles 17.

This chapter reviews and expands on what is said in 2 Samuel 7. 

It tells of David’s desire, and Nathan telling him God’s different plans and His great promise to make David’s house be on the throne forever.  And that, David’s own son would build the House for the Ark of God.

Then comes David’s wonderful prayer of awe, wonder, thanksgiving, and praise for what God has promised.

(It’s glorious to read it a second time!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 100

Apr10
Day 100.  Reading 1 Samuel 9 – 12
 

Read today’s scripture.

How do you see God’s faithfulness today?

1 Samuel 9.

This sounds like the beginning of a fairy tale.

“There was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish … a man of wealth. And he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.”

A fine candidate for a king! Maybe that’s what Samuel thought as well.  And God told the prophet just that. “Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines.”

All we need is a damsel in distress!  Or a nation.

Turns out, the problem is a few lost donkeys. Saul’s father sent him (and a servant) to find them.  They looked everywhere, and when they ran out of food, finally decided to go back home. Saul was worried that his father would now be more concerned about him being lost than the animals.  But the servant suggested one last try before turning around.

“There’s a man of God in this city. I hear that all he says comes true. Maybe he can tell us where the donkeys are.” The servant had a silver quarter to offer to the “seer,” so Saul agreed.  They met some young women with water pots and asked for directions.  They told Saul that the seer was in town for a special sacrifice, and if they hurried they’d meet him just ahead.

They saw Samuel coming out of the city, and Saul said, “Where’s the house of the seer?”

“I’m the seer,” Samuel said. “Today you are going to eat with me and I’m going to tell you all that’s on your mind.  Oh, and as for the donkeys you lost three days ago, they have been found.”

Samuel went on to tell Saul that he and his father’s house had been chosen for a special task. Saul demurred. “I’m a Benjamite, the humblest of the tribes. Why are you talking to me this way?” 

Samuel said nothing more but led them to the feast. He called for the special portion of meat he’d laid aside earlier and the cook brought it to Saul. Afterward, Samuel took Saul to a bed ready for him, and the tall, dark, handsome (but bewildered) man lay down and slept. 

At dawn, he woke Saul up and took him to the edge of the city. “Send you servant on, but you stay here. I have a word of God for you.”

1 Samuel 10.

Alone with Saul, Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul’s head. “The LORD has anointed you to be prince over His people Israel. You shall reign over the people of the LORD and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies.”

  • Saul was shocked to silence and disbelieving. So Samuel said, “This shall be a sign that the LORD indeed has anointed you. 1) You will meet two men on your way home, by Rachel’s tomb. They will tell you that the donkeys have been found and that your father is now worried about you.”
  • Samuel continued with two more signs. 2) “After that, at the oak of Tabor, you’ll meet three men going up to Bethel. One is carrying three young goats, another is carrying three loaves of bread, and the third has a skin of wine.  They will give you two loaves of bread.”
  • 3) When you come to Gibeath-elohim where there is a garrison of Philistines, you will meet a group of prophets with a harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre, prophesying. God’s Spirit will come on YOU and YOU will also prophesy.  With these three signs, YOU WILL KNOW GOD IS WITH YOU.”
  • “Then you are to go to Gilgal and wait for me seven days.  I’ll come and show you what you shall do.”

Those were some pretty specific signs, and Saul had to believe.  When Saul turned his back to leave Samuel, GOD GAVE HIM ANOTHER HEART.  And all the signs came to pass.

Samuel called the people together to the LORD and told them that the LORD their God had faithfully brought them out of Egypt, given them the land, and fought their enemies.  But that “Today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses, and you have said to Him, “Set a king over us.”  Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD.”

Then by lot, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen, the clan of the Matrites, and finally Saul the son of Kish was chosen by lot.  

But where was he?

“Hiding behind the baggage,” the LORD said. And they brought him out.

“Do you see him, the man the LORD has chosen?” said Samuel proudly.

“Long live the king!” shouted the people.

Samuel read the rights and duties of the kingship and wrote it all up before the LORD.  And everybody went home. (Anti-climax?)

1 Samuel 11.

Then came the new king’s first test.  The Ammonites besieged Jabish-Gilead and offered a peace deal with some awful provisions.   “Help!” cried the people and sent a message to Saul. God’s Spirit rushed upon him and he was greatly angered.

Saul killed a yoke of oxen and cut them into pieces.  He sent pieces throughout Israel, threatening whoever did not come to help would end up like the oxen. Well, 300K men showed up. They tricked the Ammonites into passivity and at dawn attacked. Thousands were killed and all others fled away in terror.

And Samuel took the people to Gilgal and there “renewed the kingdom.” There they made Saul king before the LORD. And Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

Saul passed his first test.

1 Samuel 12.

Now Samuel gives a farewell address to Israel (although he will be around for a while longer).

“And now, behold, the king walks before you and I am old and gray; and behold my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day. Here I am. Testify against me before the LORD if I have done anything wrong to you.”

Then Samuel preaches a VERY LONG sermon, beginning with, “The Lord is witness…”

After preaching about the goodness and care of God for them, he brings them to their demand for a king

“Now behold the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; behold, the LORD has set a king over you.  IF both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God, THEN it will be well. But IF you will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, THEN the hand of the LORD will be AGAINST you and your king.”

“Pray for us to the LORD your God ...” the people cried to Samuel.

“Far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and right way.  Only … fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things He has done for you.”

 

  • O LORD, help me too to fear and love and serve YOU faithfully with all my heart. For indeed, you have done so much for me! 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Days 82 & 83 (PART 1)

Mar24
Day 82 – 83.  Reading Joshua 1-4 and 5-8. (PART 1)
 

We are diving into the History of Israel – post-Moses. 

Will the new leadership change the Nation?

What did you learn today about God’s faithfulness?

 

Joshua 1.

Immediately God spoke to Joshua, Moses’ “assistant.”

“Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all “this people” into the land that I am giving them.  Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon, I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.  NO MAN SHALL BE ABLE TO STAND BEFORE YOU all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, I will be with you.”

“Be strong and very courageous.  This book of the LAW shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night. so you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it…for then your way will be prosperous and you will have good success.? 

“Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

And so Joshua took the leadership.  1) “Prepare your provisions,” he said to the people, “for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in and take possession of the land that the LORD YOUR God is giving you.”

And to the 2.5 tribes with land already on the East of the Jordan, he said, 2) “Remember the word that Moses commanded you.  All the men of valor among you shall pass over armed BEFORE your brothers, and YOU shall help them until the LORD gives rest to your brothers.”

Joshua 2.

Next Joshua (once a spy of the land himself) sent two men ahead. 3)  “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.”

They did and came upon the house of one Rahab, a prostitute. It was built between the two massive walls of Jericho.  

They must not have been very secretive because it was soon told to the King that they were there. He sent men to Rahab and demanded she turn them over.  Through God’s sovereign plan and work on her heart, Rahab had hidden them under some stalks of flax on her roof.

“I don’t know where those men went,” she lied to the King’s men. “Pursue them quickly for you will overtake them.”  They pursued all the way to the Jordan River but did not find them.

Meanwhile, Rahab went up on her roof and made a deal with the spies. “I know that your God has given you this land.  All the people are terrified of you. We heard how your God dried up the Red Sea so your people could escape out of Egypt.  And now, we’ve heard how you decimated Sihon and Og.”

“Wow,” thought the spies.

“I know that the LORD your God is God of the heavens above and on the earth below.  Now… please swear to me, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a SURE SIGN that you will save us alive and deliver us from death.”

The spies answered in the affirmative. “If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the LORD gives us the land … we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.”

And they made a pack, with the “sure sign” being a crimson rope to be hung out her window to mark the place that the army of Israel was to save.  Only those in the house with the blood-red rope would be saved alive.   (WOW!  Doesn’t this remind you of the Lamb’s blood on the Jew’s doorposts in Egypt preserving them from the Angel of Death??)

The spies returned and reported it all to Joshua, ending with, “Truly the LORD has given all the land into our hands. And also, all the inhabitants of this land WILL MELT AWAY before us.”

Joshua 3.

Israel led the people early the next morning to the brink of the Jordan River and camped there for three days. Then Joshua sent elders to the people to say, 4) “As soon as you see the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out and follow it (about 1,000 yards behind it).”

Then Joshua said, 5) “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.”  And then to the Priests, 6) “Take up the Ark of the Covenant and pass on before the people.”

God said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with YOU.  Now, when the priests step into the river, you shall stand still in the Jordan.”

And so, when the soles of the feet of the priests carrying the Ark touched the water …. the water stopped its flow from above and stood “in a heap. And ALL OF ISRAEL quickly crossed the Jordan on dry land, just as the older generation crossed the Red Sea on dry land.

Joshua 4.

But one more thing was needed. Joshua called the twelve men that he had appointed, a man from each tribe, and said, 7) “Each of you, take up a stone on his shoulder for each tribe of Israel.” They were for a memorial. Later, before the waters returned, Joshua set them up in the Jordan Riverbed where the priests had stood. 

“When your children ask in the time to come, ‘What do those stones mean?’ you are to tell them of how the LORD stopped the water so they could cross into the Promised Land, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, and you may fear the LORD your God forever.

Then the Ark and the priests came up out of the Jordan, and when the soles of their feed were on the dry land of Canaan, the waters of the Jordan returned and overflowed their banks as before. 

And on that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they stood in awe of him just as they had stood in awe of Moses, all the days of his life.

And so, the people camped at Gilgal, on the border of Jericho. 

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To be continued in PART TWO. Joshua 5-8.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 81

Mar22
Day 81.  Reading Deuteronomy 32 – 34, Psalm 91. 
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn NEW about God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Deuteronomy 32.

Today, there is singing (psalms). 

The first is a history lesson in song that Moses wrote and taught to the assembly of Israel. He’s quite a songwriter. (see Exodus 15). I wonder how long it took them to memorize what is 43 verses in our Bibles. The melody must have been very catchy.  

The song he wrote is God’s words to Israel, telling them who He is, what He’s done for them, the ways they will fail Him, and how much He actually loves them. 

Moses tells them to praise God. “For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God!  The Rock, His work is perfect, all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness, without iniquity, just and upright is He.”

But of Israel, “They have dealt corruptly with Him; they are no longer His children because they are blemished, a crooked and twisted generation.”

But the LORD’s portion is His people, Jacob, His allotted heritage.   He —

  • found him in a desert land and a howling waste of wilderness,
  • encircled him, cared for him
  • kept him as the apple of His eye.
  • made him ride on the high places of the land
  • suckled him with honey out of the rock, fed him curds and milk from the flock, fat of lambs, the finest of wheat, and wine from the blood of grapes.

But “Jeshurun” (a name for Israel meaning “upright” but said sarcastically) grew fat and kicked and forsook the God who made him. He scoffed at the Rock of his salvation, and stirred Him to jealousy with strange gods, abominations, and sacrificing to demons. 

“You were unmindful of the Rock that bore you, and you forgot the God who gave you birth.”

And so the LORD saw it and spurned them and hid His face from them.  And God vowed —

  • I will make them jealous of those who are no people; 
  • I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
  • I will heap disasters upon them
  • I will spend my arrows on them
  • They will be wasted with hunger, devoured by plague and poisonous pestilence
  • I will send the teeth of beasts against them with the venom of snakes.

And God said he would have done more against his people, but the enemies would misunderstand and think that THEIR hand had been triumphant and not the LORD at all. 

But – and thank You, LORD – He vows, “I will vindicate my people and have compassion on my servants, when I see that their power is gone. and there is none remaining, bond or free.”     

“Rejoice with Him O heavens; bow down to Him, all gods, for He avenges the blood of his children and takes vengeance on His adversaries. He repays those who hate him, and cleanses His people’s land.”

And so Moses ended the song in the hearing of the people, he and Joshua.  He told them to “take all the words to heart and teach them to your children.

And THAT VERY DAY, God told Moses, “It’s time.”  “Go up this mountain, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, opposite Jericho and VIEW the land I’m giving to Israel.  And die on the mountain, as your brother died on Mount Hor.  You shall SEE the land before you, but you shall NOT GO THERE.”

Deuteronomy 33.

Then, before Moses went up to die, he blessed the tribes of Israel, much like Jacob/Israel had done before he died.

  • Reuben, shall not die, but will be few.
  • Judah,  LORD bring him in, with Your hands contend for him, be a help against his adversaries.
  • Levi, LORD, give to Levi your Thummin and Urim, who denied his father and mother and brothers and children, but observed YOUR Word and kept YOUR covenant. They will teach Jacob Your rules and law, and worship and sacrifice to You.  Bless, O LORD, his substance and accept the work of his hands. Crush his adversaries.
  • Benjamin. The beloved of the LORD dwells in safety. The High God surrounds him all day long.
  • Joseph, Blessed by the LORD be his land, with the choicest gifts of heaven, with the choicest fruits of the sun and the rich yield of the months, etc. A first-born bull — he has majesty. They are the ten thousands of Ephraim and the thousands of Manasseh.
  • Zebulun & Issachar, rejoice in your going out and in your tents. They draw from the abundance of the seas and the hidden treasures of the sand.
  • Gad, Blessed be he who enlarges him. He crouches like a vicious lion. He chose the best of the land for himself, for THERE, a commander’s portion was reserved. With Israel he executed the justice of the LORD and his judgments for Israel.
  • Dan, is a lion’s cub.
  • Naphtali, sated with favor and full of the blessing of the LORD, posses the lake and the south.
  • Asher, Most blessed be sons of Asher, the favorite of his brothers. Let him dip his foot in oil. As your days, so shall your strength be.

There is none like God, O Israel, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in His majesty. The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people save by the LORD!

Deuteronomy 34.

Then Moses climbed up Mount Nebo. And the LORD showed him all the land; Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western sea, the Negev, and the Plain, the Valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees.

“This is the land I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.  I will let your see it, but your shall not go over.” 

So Moses died there. He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, but no one knows the place.  Moses was 120 years old. His eye was undimmed and his vigor unabated. 

And Joshua was full of the spirit of wisdom, so the people obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses. 

“An there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh, to all his servants, and to the land, and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of Israel.” 

(A postscript by Joshua)

.

Psalm 91.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
 will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the LORD, My refuge and my fortress, 
my God in whom I trust. (vss. 1-2)

"Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation." (vss.14-16)

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 80

Mar21
Day 80.  Reading Deuteronomy 30 – 31. 
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn NEW about God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Deuteronomy 30.

This chapter brings good news. 

IF Israel sins against the LORD by not loving and obeying Him, and afterwards returns to Him and obeys Him with all their heart and soul, THEN the LORD will restore their fortunes, and have compassion on them and again gather them from the people where the LORD scattered them.

The LORD will also “circumcise their hearts” so they will love him totally. He will make them prosperous and delight in them again. And He will put all the curses on their enemies.

Then Moses encouraged them. “This commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither too far off. The word is very near you. It is in your mouth and your heart, so you can do it.”

Then Moses challenged them. “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. IF you obey the commandments of the LORD your God, by loving  Him, walking in His ways, and keeping his commandments and statutes and rules, THEN you shall live and multiply and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering.

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curs.  CHOOSE LIFE!  So you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying His voice and holding fast to Him, for HE is your life and length of days.

Deuteronomy 31.

Moses then reminded the people that he was now 120 years old and he could not enter the Land with them.  But that the LORD Himself will go in with them. “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.

Then Moses brought Joshua before them and commissioned him. “Be strong and courageous, for YOU shall go with this people into the land that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it.”

Then Moses gave the whole law, which he had written at God’s command, to the priests. He commanded them to read it every seven years at the Feast of Tabernacles when all Israel came to appear before the LORD. They were to read it before all Israel, men, women, children, and stranger in their towns… that all may hear and learn to fear the LORD they God and be careful to obey all the words.

Then God told Moses. “It’s time for you to die.  Call Joshua and present yourselves in the tent of meeting that I may commission him.” 

God told Moses that after he died, the people would turn and whore after foreign gods in the land and that His anger would be kindled against them.  AND SO, Moses was to write a song and teach it to the people. He was to put it in their mouths, that it would be a witness for God against them..”

So Moses wrote the song the same day and taught it to the people. (We will read it tomorrow in chapter 32.)

Then the LORD commissioned Joshua, the son of Nun. “Be strong and courageous, for you SHALL bring the people of Israel into the land I swore to give them. I will be with you.”

Then Moses gave the entire book of the Law to the Levite priests, who were to put it beside the Ark of the Covenant. It was a witness against them. (For God knew how rebellious and stubborn they were.)

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 78

Mar19
Day 78.  Reading Deuteronomy 24 – 27. 
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn NEW about God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Deuteronomy 24.

This chapter deals with divorce and other laws of compassion.

When a man divorces his wife, he must give her a certificate saying so before she leaves. With that, she is free to marry another man. However, if that man also divorces her, she may NOT return and marry the first husband.

  • Newly married men are excused from fighting in war for a year. 
  • One must never take a man’s millstone as a pledge, for that’s the only way he can earn a living.
  • A kidnapper will pay for his crime with his life.
  • Be sure to follow the strict Levitical laws concerning leprosy.
  • When you require a pledge for a loan you give, wait outside the person’s house for him to bring it to you. Don’t go into his house.
  • You must never keep a poor man’s coat overnight, he needs it to stay warm.
  • Don’t oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy. Give him wages on the same day before the sun sets.
  • A father shall not be punished by death for his son’s sin. 
  • You shall not take a widow’s garment as a pledge.
  • When you harvest and forget a sheaf in the field, don’t return and get it; leave it for the traveler, orphan, or widow.  The same is true for your olive and grape harvests. 

Deuteronomy 25.

More miscellaneous laws.  In a dispute, the judges will decide the guilty person.  If he is to be beaten, he shall lie down in the judge’s presence and be beaten with the proportionate number. Forty strikes is the maximum.

If a married man dies without offspring, his wife must go to his brother. Their firstborn son will be the successor of the dead man, so his name won’t be blotted out.  If the brother refuses to take her, he is to be disgraced.

If two men are fighting, one man’s wife is not allowed to grab the other by the genitals. They were to always use fair and equal weights. When they conquered the Land for themselves, the Israelites are then to go after the Amalekites to blot out their name from memory. 

Deuteronomy 26.

This chapter tells what the Israelites are to do once they are settled into the land the LORD gave them.

They are to take the first basket of produce from the first crop after they have occupied the land, and bring it to the priest. They are to recite a declaration of how they are a descendant of Abraham, how they lived in Egypt until the LORD rescued them and brought them to this land with an outstretched hand. And now they are bringing the first of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. Then they are to rejoice in all the good the LORD has done for them and continue keeping the law and tithing, asking God to “look down from heaven and bless His people Israel and the land given to them.”

Then, they may go home and eat the produce of their land with their families. 

Deuteronomy 27.

After the people cross the Jordan into the Land, they are to set up large stones and plaster them so they can write on them. Then, on Mount Ebal, they are to write the words of the Law on   the plastered stones, and offer burnt and peace offerings.

Then in a loud voice, Moses declared, “Keep silence and hear, O Israel: this day you have become the people of the LORD your God. You shall, therefore, obey the voice of the LORD your God, keeping His commandments and His statutes, which I command you today.”

Then the tribes of Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali shall stand on Mount Ebal to declare the curses, while the tribes of Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin are to stand on Mount Gerizim to proclaim the blessings.

Then Moses lists the twelve curses to be proclaimed, mostly about “secret” sins.

At the end, all shall say, AMEN.

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 77

Mar18
Day 77.  Reading Deuteronomy 21 – 23. 
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn about God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Deuteronomy 21.

This chapter seems to point to having respect for all humanity. 

A dead body is found, and no one knows anything. Nevertheless his body is atoned for by the priest and nearest neighbors.  A female captive is allowed to grieve her parents and home for a month before consummating her marriage to an Israeli.  The firstborn son of an unloved wife still inherits the birthright. The parents of an recalcine rebellious son have a way out by bringing him before the elders who judge him.  And even a criminal hanged on a tree shall be taken down and buried the same day.

Deuteronomy 22.

Neighborliness seems prominent in this chapter, as well as sexual purity.

If you find a neighbor’s animal, return it.  If you don’t know whom it belongs to, keep it safe to you find out.  If you see your neighbor’s animal fallen into a ditch, help to get it out.  If you find a nest of eggs with a bird on it, you must let the mother go free. You should build a parapet (short wall) around your roof (where sleeping and dining often happened) so that no one would accidently fall off it.

Don’t plant two kinds of seeds together; don’t yoke an ox and a donkey together, and don’t wear clothes made of two fabrics. All these point to purity and fairness.  Also, women are not to wear men’s clothing, nor men, women’s.

A husband has the right to have his wife’s previous virginity proved.  Adultery is punished by death of them both. Rape is only considered a crime punishable by death, if the girl does not scream (in the city) or if she is taken in the country where no one can hear her scream. 

Deuteronomy 23.

This chapter covers who can and cannot worship with or become a citizen of Israel. Those who are castrated, born of a forbidden union, an Ammonite or Moabite, and children of an Edomite or Egyptian until after the third generation. 

Uncleanness here is normal but should be taken care of, such as having bowel movements “outside the camp and covering it up” and nocturnal emissions (wash up).

There are some miscellaneous laws about accepting and helping a slave who has run away from his master (one assumes a cruel one?), allowing none of their daughters or sons to become prostitutes, never charging interest on loans to their brothers (foreigners CAN be charged), and fulfilling vows made to God. 

You were allowed to pick grapes and grain from their neighbor’s fields IF YOU ATE IT THEN. But they could not carry a basket to COLLECT the produce to bring home.

All details to be sure, but Moses wanted the people to know and remember the little things too as they entered the Promised Land … without him.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 74

Mar15
Day 74.  Reading Deuteronomy 11 – 13. 
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn about NEW God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Deuteronomy 11.

Again, Moses pounds home the promises and warnings of Israel’s God, “Love the LORD your God and keep His charge, His statutes, His rules, and His commandments always … that you may be strong, and go in and take possession of the land, and that you may live long in the land.” 

“That land drinks water by the rain from heaven, a land that the LORD your God cares for. His eyes are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. He will give rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the later raid, that you may gather in your grain, wine, and oil. He will give grass in your fields for your livestock, and you shall eat and be full.”

“So love the LORD your God, and serve Him with all your heart and soul.”  “And if you are careful to do all the commandment that I command you to do, loving the LORD your God, walking in all His ways, and holding fast to him … then the LORD will drive out all those nations before you, nations greater and mightier than you. Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours. NO ONE will stand against you. The fear of you and the dread of you the LORD will put on all the land.”

“But if you do not… a curse.

Deuteronomy 12.

Their main task in conquering the land is to “destroy all the places where the nations serve their gods, on mountains, hills and under every green tree. They are to tear down, dash into pieces, burn, chop into pieces, and utterly destroy any images and idols. They are to NOT, NOT, NOT worship them, in any way, place, shape or form.  AND, they shall worship and sacrifice ONLY at the place where the LORD chooses to put His name and home. And ONLY in the manner He has taught them.

But… they CAN eat any clean meat now, whenever they wish, as much as they wish, of their flocks and herds and of gazelles or deer.  Only the animals pledged for sacrifice, offerings, and vows they shall only eat in God’s presence.

Deuteronomy 12.

WARNING:  If anyone – a dreamer of dreams or “prophet” tells you to go after other gods to serve them -DO NOT LISTEN!  That person shall be put to death, and so you shall purge evil from your midst. 

EVEN if your own brother, mother, or friend entices you to serve other gods, DO NOT YIELD or LISTEN to them. You shall not pity, conceal, or spare him.  You shall kill him. (stone him) YOU, YOURSELF shall cast the first stone!

AND if any worthless men in another city try to draw away the inhabitants to serve other gods, you shall (first) inquire, make search, and ask diligently.  If it is so, then you shall destroy the inhabitants of that city with the sword – all who are in that city, even its cattle, and burn everything else.  WOW. GOD IS SERIOUS!

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****O LORD, if only WE were as diligent in destroying the things in our lives that distract us from your Word, or prayer or in serving You in any way. Help us to deny ourselves, give them up, throw them away, ask others to help us in our addictive ways … and repent to serve and love YOU ONLY!