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Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 353

Dec19

Day 353 – Reading –  Titus  1 – 3
Read and believe in Jesus!

Titus.

Titus was another of Paul’s younger helpers, called “sons in the faith.” He probably was with Paul on his 2nd and 3rd missionary journeys. He was a Gentile believer. They had visited Crete after Paul’s stay of house arrest in Rome and established a few churches. (Paul had actually been there briefly, at the harbor of Fair Havens, just before that huge storm and shipwreck.) 

Now, Paul was leaving Titus there (much like he left Timothy in Ephesus), to straighten out and steady up the new churches, who were behaving in a very naughty way (like Cretans!).  Paul later planned to send either Tychicus or Artemas to Crete, and when he arrived, Titus was then to come to Paul in Greece at Nicopolis.

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Titus 1.

Paul practically preaches a sermon on the gospel in his greetings to Titus in verses 1-3!  (Check it out and see how many doctrinal truths you can discover!!)

He states the reason why he left Titus in Crete: “so that he might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in very town, as he directed.”

As in the letter to Timothy, Paul lists the qualifications of elders, VERY important here in Crete, for they were known for their debauchery and insubordination!

  • Above reproach,
  • husband of one wife (at a time)
  • children who believe,
  • not open to charges of that debauchery or insubordination,
  • not arrogant or quick tempered,
  • not a drunk or violent, or greedy for gain,
  • hospitable, a lover of good,
  • self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
  • He must HOLD FIRM to the trustworthy Word, as taught,
  • able to give instruction in sound doctrine, 
  • and able to rebuke those who contradicted it.

Paul seems not to have a high opinion of the unsaved Cretans. He quotes one of their own prophets, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”  YIKES!  Infiltrating the church, these men were empty talkers, deceivers, teaching a “works” religion. 

“They must be silenced,” Paul tells Titus, then adds, “Rebuke them sharply!” He further says, “they profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work!”

(Yikes, Paul, let it all out!!)

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Titus 2.

“TEACH SOUND DOCTRINE” Paul instructs Titus. Then singles out members of a household.

  1. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, love and steadfastness.
  2. Older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and train the….
  3. Young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands.
  4. Younger men are to be self-controlled. (Here Paul tells the “young man,” Titus, to be an example of good works to them. He is to model integrity, dignity, and sound speech, so that their opponents will have nothing evil to say about them.)
  5. Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters. They are to be well pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, showing good faith, so in everything glorify the doctrine of God.

Then Paul breaks into another paragraph of what the glorious gospel means in faith, duty, actions and words. He praises “Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for his own possession…”

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Titus 3.

Paul continues to tell Titus to “remind them” to be good!  He acknowledges that “we all” were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to passions and pleasures, and we passed our days in malice, envy, and hatred.

But!   “…when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he SAVED us, not because of works done by US in righteousness, but according to his own MERCY, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our savior…. so that being justified by His GRACE we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life!”

And a final exhortation before closing, “And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works (charity), so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.”

Grace be with you all.

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 352

Dec18

Day 352 – Reading –1 Timothy 1 -6
Read and believe in Jesus!

1 Timothy.

It was on Paul’s first missionary journey that he met Timothy and led him to Christ. The boy was from a family of godly women (mom and grandma) and a non-Jewish father. On Paul’s second journey back through the area to strengthen the churches, he found Timothy in Lystra growing in the Lord. Paul chose him to accompany him on the trip. Because Paul always went to the Jews first in new towns, he circumcised Timothy – NOT as a point of salvation, but to make work in the synagogue easier.

Timothy accompanied Paul through many villages and trials after that, sometimes staying on in places to finish a work, and sometimes delivering and returning letters to Paul. Timothy was with Paul when he went to Jerusalem, presumably through the shipwreck, and in his imprisonment in Rome, at least for a time.  (At the end of Paul’s life, in a Roman dungeon, facing death, Timothy ministered to his old teacher.) 

After Paul was released from his first confinement in Rome, he and Timothy went to Ephesus and discovered some problems there. Paul left his “son in the faith,” as pastor, to help resolve them, while he went on to Macedonia.  From Macedonia, Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, documenting what they had found and discussed during their visit to Ephesus.

Some of the pervasive problems were the intrusion of false doctrine, disorder in worship, the need for qualified leaders, and materialism.  Paul also briefly covers the proper use of the Law, salvation, election, and the second coming of Jesus. 

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1 Timothy 1.

“My true child in the faith,” Paul lovingly calls Timothy.  Then he jumps right into the first, and perhaps most serious of the problems at Ephesus (as in many of the other churches) – people who came in teaching false doctrine, mainly legalism.  You have to keep the Law AND believe in Christ, as well as some pagan myths and genealogies.  Paul tells Timothy to address this problem first.

Yes, the law is good.  But it was not given as a way to righteousness, but to lawbreakers, to reveal their sin. The Gospel of Jesus is the only path to salvation.

Paul confesses to being the chief of sinners until Jesus showed him grace and mercy and gave him faith.  He became “an example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life” that even this chief sinner could be saved.

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1 Timothy 2.

Paul urges Timothy to pray, with intercession and thanksgiving, for all in authority, so that the church may be left in peace to teach and preach. 

Paul wants men to pray in every place, lifting holy hands, without anger or quarreling, godly and dignified in every way.  And that women are to dress modestly. They should learn quietly with all submissiveness. Paul doesn’t want women teaching or exercising authority over men in the church.  They are to continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control… and good works.

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1 Timothy 3.

Paul then sends Timothy a list of qualifications for the overseers (pastors) in the church. They must be….

  • above reproach
  • the husband of one wife (at a time),
  • sober-minded,
  • self-controlled,
  • respectable,
  • hospitable,
  • able to teach,
  • not a drunkard, 
  • not violent, but gentle,
  • not quarrelsome,
  • not a lover of money.
  • manage his own household well,
  • keep his children submissive.
  • not be a new convert,
  • be well thought of by outsiders.

(Wow!!)

As for deacons, or helpers, they must…

  • qualified,
  • not double-tongued,
  • not addicted to much wine,
  • not greedy for dishonest gain.
  • hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
  • tested first, then let them serve if they prove themselves blameless.
  • the husband of one wife
  • managing their children and households well
  • in good standing wit the community
  • have great confidence in the faith of Christ Jesus.

The wives of these men must be…

  • dignified,
  • not slanderers,
  • sober-minded,
  • faithful in all things.

Wow. Well, at least Timothy knew now how to judge the qualifications of leaders.  I wonder if he (I would) look at himself as well to see if he kept these.

Paul lists these qualifications so that he “might know how one ought to behave in the household of God, the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”

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1 Timothy 4

Paul warns Timothy of other deviations he must watch for. Some will depart from the faith by…

  • devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons
  • being influenced by the insincerity of liars with seared consciences.
  • like those who forbid marriage,
  • and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving.

Paul urges and exhorts Timothy personally to…

  • “Have nothing to do with these irreverent, silly myths,
  • but rather to train yourself for godliness.
  • Command and teach these things!
  • Let no one despise you for your youth,
  • but set an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
  • Do not neglect the gift you have. 
  • Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching.”

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1 Timothy 5.

Paul gives more instructions to his young associate on various relationships.

  • Do not rebuke an older man, but encourage him as you would a father,
  • younger men as brothers,
  • older women as mothers,
  • and younger women as sisters, in all purity.
  • Honor widows (true widows with no children or grandchildren)

And on that subject, he gives Timothy further instructions on widows, their provision, and their reputations, behavior, and good works.

Then Paul tells Timothy to encourage the elders to be paid for their service. “You should not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and “The laborer deserves his wages.”

But if an elder persists in sin, after being approached privately for it, well then, rebuke them in the presence of everyone… so that the rest of them may stand in fear.

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1 Timothy 6.

Paul mentions a little bit about the relationship between believing slaves and masters.

He then lists things false teachers have and don’t have (true contentment).  False teachers….

  • teach a different doctrine, not the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ,
  • they become puffed up with conceit,
  • have an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words,
  • are depraved in mind and of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

Paul exhorts them.  There IS significant gain from godliness with contentment, but not what they want.  If we have food and clothing, be content with these. 

Those who desire to be RICH fall into temptation. “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evils, and it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

And again, words to those who are earnestly trying to serve God well. “As for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness.  Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.”

With this, Paul bursts into praise and doxology.

“He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see, to Him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen”

Then back to the faults of mere man.

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, not to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on GOD, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.  They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so they may take hold of that which is TRULY LIFE.

And O Timothy… “Guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it, some have swerved from the faith!

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(Can’t you just feel the love and concern Paul has for Timothy? A godly father to a godly son.)

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 289

Oct16

THE NEW TESTAMENT!

Day 289 – Reading – Matthew 10

Read and believe in Jesus!

Matthew 10.

Chapter ten focuses on Jesus’ disciples (learners), whom He named apostles (messengers).

The order in the list fascinates me. Jesus seems to put them into pairs.  Was this the “two by two” order they went out? How did these men work together? Or challenge each other? Did their personalities clash? What if the tax collector and the Zealot had been together!! (whoa!)

  • First, Simon Peter and his brother Andrew,
  • James, the son of Zebedee and his brother John,
  • Philip and Bartholomew (or Nathaniel)
  • Thomas and Matthew, the tax collector,
  • James, the son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus (or Judas, the son of James)
  • Simon the Cananaean (or Zealot)  and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him.

Jesus gave these men authority over unclean spirits so they could cast them out, and authority to heal every disease and every affliction. (He had been demonstrating these very things to them so far in His own ministry.) 

Jesus told them to AVOID Gentiles and Samaritans, and to go only to “the lost sheep of Israel.”  (Paul did this in the New Testament, although he was called to go to the Gentiles.  “To the Jew first,” was his mantra. Later, after Pentecost, the disciples would go “to the uttermost parts of the world.”)

Jesus gave His disciples the “message” to proclaim, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  Then they were to heal the sick, raise the dead (wow!), cleanse lepers, and cast out demons.

They were to take no pay, only accepting meals and lodging in “worthy” homes. And they were to take no luggage, trusting God would supply their needs, either by making the clothing/sandals sufficient or by donations.

Jesus warned them to expect persecution. They would be like sheep among wolves, so they were to be WISE as serpents and INNOCENT as doves.  They might be arrested and taken to court, Jewish leaders from the synagogues might flog them, and they might even be dragged before governors and kings for Jesus’ sake. If so, they could trust the Holy Spirit to speak through them when the time came to testify.

They would be hated for Jesus’ sake, but “endure to the end” for they WOULD be saved!  They were to go fearlessly, not being afraid to die for His sake. Instead, they should fear God, who determines their eternal destiny.  But HE cares for them; He knows even the number of hairs on their heads.  So, Jesus says, acknowledge Me before men, and I will acknowledge YOU before My Father in Heaven.

He reminded them to expect enemies of the kingdom in their own families, and to remember that whoever loves father, mother, son, or daughter MORE than Jesus is not worthy of Him.  And, pointedly, “whoever does not take his cross and follow me is NOT WORTHY of me.”   Whoever “finds” his life will lose it, and whoever “loses” his life for Jesus’ sake, will find it.

Jesus then reminds them that they are His “ambassadors.”  The way that people treat them (well or poorly) is also how they treat Him. (Remember Jesus’ words to Paul on the road to Damascus? See Acts 9:4-5)  So anyone who even gives them a cool cup of water in His name won’t miss out on his reward.”

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These words of Jesus could well be taken by us today as we seek to serve Him and tell others about His Kingdom, and the precious salvation He “bought” for those who believe. 

(LORD, Help me not be shocked if I am persecuted for Your sake (even by loved ones), but show me how to depend on You to act the way YOU did when men despised You and treated You wickedly. 

And help me not to expect praise or to seek money, but only desire to serve You humbly, trusting that You will care for me.  Help me to always look forward to my unperishable reward in Heaven.

Oh LORD, may we be “worthy of You” in all we do.”)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 269

Sep26

Day 269 – Reading – Nehemiah  1 – 5

Next in the 3rd book of the exile history is Nehemiah.

It begins in the 20th year of King Artaxerxes’ reign in the Persian capital of Susa. Nehemiah, born into Jewish exile, was neither a prophet, priest, nor descendant in the royal line. He was a working man in a high and trusted position of “cup-bearer” to the king.

It was his duty to personally serve the King’s wine, even to first swallow some if there was a concern about poison.  It was a lucrative position.  Nehemiah had gained personal wealth as mentioned in Neh. 8:5, 10, 14, & 17.

Nehemiah was also a man of prayer. This book records TWELVE of his prayers. Several of them are very short, “arrow” prayers, showing that Nehemiah knew God, had a close relationship with Him, and could send brief, urgent requests as the need arose, confident that the LORD  would hear and answer.

The book of Nehemiah was written by Ezra.

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Nehemiah 1.

One day, Nehemiah’s brother, Hanani, visited him, having just arrived from Judah. Nehemiah quizzed him about what was happening, and the brother spoke of bad news. The remnant there was in “great trouble and shame.” The walls and gates of Jerusalem, which King Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed and burned nearly 200 years before, were still in a state of rubble.  The Holy City, the Temple, and the people were defenseless. 

This broke Nehemiah’s heart, and he began fasting and praying to the God of Heaven. (1:5-11) 

  1. He acknowledged that the people of Israel had sinned greatly in God’s sight. 
  2. He confessed that this is the reason they were scattered among the nations. 
  3. He reminded God of his promise to gather them back to the land … which He had.
  4. Then Nehemiah asked that God would give him good success when he put a request before the king that day.

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Nehemiah 2.

The scene is now in the dinner hall of the palace. Nehemiah is waiting upon the king. He pours a wine glass and gives it to Artaxerxes.

The king looks up into Nehemiah’s face, expecting to see a calm, assured smile. (It was against the law to have a sad or mad face in the presence of royalty.)

“Why is your face sad?“ he asked. “You’re not sick, are you?“ (e.g. Did you drink poison???)  Then the king looks closer, sits back, and says to his butler knowingly, “This is nothing but sadness of the heart.”

Nehemiah gulps and says, “Let the king live forever! But why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire.”

Putting his fingertips together and raising an eyebrow, Artaxerxes asks, “What are you requesting?”

Here is one of Nehemiah’s “arrow” prayers.  All that’s said is, “So I prayed to the God of heaven.”  Then he states his request. 

“If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight … that you send me to Judah, to the city of my father’s graves, that I may rebuild it.

The king glances at the queen, who is sitting beside him, then asks, “How long will you be gone, and when will you return?”   (It would be 12 years before his return. see Neh. 5:14)

Boldly, Nehemiah asked the king for letters, 1.) to the governors of the “province Beyond the River” that would let him pass through, 2.) to the keepers of the forest to get timber for the gates and the house he would live in.  The king granted him all … “because the good hand of my God was upon me.”

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Nehemiah arrived and was there three days before anyone knew it.  He wanted to see the situation with his own eyes, so at night he tried to ride around the city. He looked at the rubble, especially the destroyed gates, making plans as he went, until he reached a point that was impassable, and returned. (The Valley Gate, Dung Gate, Fountain Gate, and the King’s Pool.)

Then he approached the city officials and the people, and told them how God had been with him, and how the king had okayed the project. “Let us rise up and build!”

FIRST OPPOSITION:  When the neighboring governors (Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab) heard it, they jeered and protested. “What?? Are you rebelling against the king?”  they cried.

“The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you, YOU, have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem!” responded Nehemiah.

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Nehemiah 3.

Read this chapter as you follow the map. It lists the Gates and portions of the wall that each group worked on, starting at the top.

Beginning with the High Priest and other priests at the Sheep Gate, the Tower of the Hundred, and the Tower of Hananel, these worked nearest to the Temple of God.   

Another group of priests worked on the Fish Gate and the Gate of Yeshanah.

Others worked all the way down the western side to the Dung Gate, the King’s Garden, and the Pool. 

More workers repaired on the ascent, or Eastern side at the Water Gate, Horse Gate,  Muster Gate, and the Corner Tower and Gate of the Guard. They closed the gap at the Sheep Gate again.  

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Nehemiah 4.

SECOND OPPOSITION:  Sanballat came again, angry and jeering. He said in the presence of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing?  Will they restore it for themselves?  Will they sacrifice?  Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish?”

Tobiah, beside him, said, “Yes, they are building.  But if a fox goes upon it, he will break down their stone wall.”

Nehemiah doesn’t fight with shouts and fist-waving.  He prays to God,  “Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from Your sight, for they have provoked You to anger in the presence of the builders.”

When Sanballat and Tobiah, along with the Arabs and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls was going well, and the breaches were getting closed, they were VERY ANGRY.  They all plotted together to come, and fight, and cause confusion.

But what did Nehemiah do?  And we prayed to our God and set a guard day and night.”

But a quiet unease began to spread among the workers.

  • “Our strength is failing.
  • There is too much rubble. 
  • By ourselves, we won’t be able to rebuild the wall. 
  • Our families are telling us to come home.
  • Our enemies said they would come in and kill us.”

So, Nehemiah, in the lowest parts of the wall, stationed the people by clans with swords, spears, and bows. 

And he encouraged them with, “Do not be afraid of them, Remember the LORD, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

And from that day on, half of his servants worked on the construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail.  And the laborers worked with one hand on a tool and one hand on a weapon.  And he told everyone, if they heard the sound of a trumpet, they were to rally to the spot and help.

All of Nehemiah’s own brothers, servants, and guards did not take off their clothes, but stayed inside the wall all night, with a weapon in hand.

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Nehemiah 5.

Another problem arose about the lack of food and supplies, and families going hungry.  Just like in Jerusalem in the days before the fall, the wealthier people were mistreating the poor.  Sons and daughters were being sold as laborers/slaves to pay for food. Vineyards, fields, and houses were being taken for taxes.

“WHAT IS THIS??” An angry Nehemiah wanted to know. He was very angry, and as governor, he brought charges against the nobles and officials. “You ought to walk in the fear of our God.   My brothers and I are lending them grain and money. Let us abandon this exacting of interest.  Return this very day, their fields, vineyards, olive orchards, and houses.  AND return the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you took!

Meekly, the elders and officials said, “We will restore and require nothing further. We will do as you say.”  And the people DID as they said.  (WOW!)

Nehemiah adds that in all the 12 years he and his brothers were there, they did NOT TAKE THE GOVERNOR’S ALLOWANCE.   Also, he bought no land and fed many at his own expense.  He and his servants were there to work… to the glory of his God.

And he prayed, “Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people”

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 234

Aug22

Day 234 – Reading – Jeremiah 46 – 48

Read today’s Scriptures … ANYWHERE you find yourself this summer. Stay in the WORD!

Jeremiah 46.

(In chapters 46 – 51, Jeremiah speaks of the judgment of God that is coming to the nations mentioned in Jeremiah 25:15-26.  (Judah has already been covered.) (Here’s the list again of the nations surrounding His beloved Israel. )

  1. Jerusalem/Judah
  2. Egypt
  3. Uz
  4. Philistines
  5. Edom
  6. Moab
  7. Ammon
  8. Tyre
  9. Sidon
  10. the Coastlands (Dedan, Tema, Bus)
  11. Arabia
  12. the Mixed Tribes in the desert
  13. Zimri
  14. Elam
  15. Media
  16. the North, far and near
  17. Babylon
  18. Damascus
  19. Kedar and Hazor

After Jerusalem in Judah, the judgment goes to Egypt.

The section begins with Pharaoh Neco, who came through Judah when Josiah was king, heading north to join Nebuchadnezzar and attack Assyria at Carchemish. 

Then the focus is back in Egypt near the Nile River, with proud claims by Egypt. “Who is this, rising like the Nile, like rivers whose waters surge?  Egypt rises like the Nile. He said, ‘I will rise, I will cover the earth, I will destroy cities and their inhabitants! Advance, O horses, and rage, O chariots!”

The LORD spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon to strike the land of Egypt. Declare in Egypt, “Stand ready and be prepared, for the sword shall devour around you. Prepare yourselves baggage for exile, O inhabitants of Egypt!  A beautiful heifer is Egypt, but a biting fly from the north has come upon her.  The day of their calamity has come upon them, the time of their punishment.”

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Jeremiah 47.

Next are the Philistine cities.

“Behold, the waters are rising out of the north, and shall become an overflowing torrent; they shall overflow the land and all in it.  At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his stallions, at the rushing of his chariots, at the rumbling of their wheels … because of the day that is coming to destroy all the Philistines.

The LORD is destroying the Philistines … Gaza. Ashkelon … ah, sword of the LORD!

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Jeremiah 48.

And now Moab.

“Woe to Nebo, for it is laid waste! The fortress is put to shame and broken down; the renown of Moab is no bore.  In Heshbon they planned disaster against her (Israel); ‘Come let us cut her off from being a nation!’  YOU, also, O Madmen, shall be brought to silence; the sword shall pursue YOU. 

“Flee! Save yourselves! The destroyer shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape; the valley shall perish, the plain shall be destroyed, as the LORD has spoke.  Moab is put to shame, for it is broken; wail and cry! Tell it beside the Arnon (river), that Moab is laid waste.

Judgment has come upon the table land, and all the cities of the land of Moab, for and near. The horn (strength) of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken,’ declares the LORD. ‘Moab shall be destroyed and be NO LONGER A PEOPLE, because he magnified himself against the LORD.  Woe to you, O Moab.”

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(Tomorrow:  Ammon, Edom. Syria, and …. Babylon, part 1.)

 

(Oh, LORD, thank You for these fulfillments of your promises. At last, Israel’s enemies will stand before you in judgment.  It’s been so long, but you are a God of mercy and patience. You give chances beyond our belief for people(s) to repent and turn to You.  There is forgiveness with You!  But, the Day of Judgment will surely come.  O Father, help me to have that compassion on unbelievers an persecutors; help me to share Your love and Your Son, Jesus… before it is too late!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 217

Aug5

Day 217 – Reading – 2 Kings 22-23, 2 Chronicles 34-35.

Read today’s Scriptures … ANYWHERE you find yourself this summer. Stay in the WORD!

 

2 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 34.

Josiah.  Judah’s last good king.  And he was very good.

Josiah DID what was right in the eyes of the LORD.  He WALKED in the ways of David, his father.  He DID NOT turn aside to the right or the left.  In the eighth year of his reign (at 16), he began to SEEK the God of David, his father. In the twelfth year of his reign (age 20), he began to PURGE and CLEANSE Judah and Jerusalem of all the idols. In the eighteenth year of his reign (age 26) he began to REPAIR the House of God.

Like I said, Josiah was a very good king. 

During the cleaning, the priest, Hilkiah, found the Book of the Law. (How long had it been buried under the trash and filth?)  It was brought and read to King Josiah by Shaphan, the secretary. (Most likely this was the book of Deuteronomy.)

When King Josiah heard the words of the Law … he TORE his clothes (in distress and grief). He COMMANDED the priest to go and INQUIRE of the LORD for him and all Judah, concerning the words of the Law he’d heard.

“For great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled (poured out) on us, because our fathers have not kept (obeyed) the words of the LORD (this book), to do according to all that is written in it concerning us.”

They went to Huldah the prophetess, who lived in Jerusalem, and she gave them a word from God.

  • “Tell the man who sent you to me, Thus says the LORD. ‘I WILL bring disaster upon this place and upon its inhabitants, all the curses that are written in the book that was read before the king.  Because they have forsaken me and have made offerings to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands … my wrath will be poured out on this place and will not be quenched!'”
  • “BUT to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, the God of Israel, say, ‘Because you hear was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and its inhabitants that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have humbled yourself before me and have torn your clothes and wept before me … I also have heard you.  Behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave IN PEACE, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place and its inhabitants.”

Then King Josiah gathered all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem, and all the men of Judah and the inhabitants, plus the priests and Levites.  And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found.

And Josiah STOOD and MADE A COVENANT before the LORD, to WALK after the LORD, and KEEP His commandments and testimonies and statutes with all his heart and soul, to PERFORM the words of the covenant that were written in the book. 

He made all who were present join in, and they did.  He took away all the abominations that belonged to the people of Israel and made all serve the LORD their God.  

All his days they did not turn away from following the LORD, the God of their Fathers.  WOW. Amen!

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2 Kings 23 and 2 Chronicles 35.

 With renewed energy and purpose, King Josiah began to “clean house” in earnest.

  1. He found all the vessels made for Baal, Asherah, and the Hosts of Heaven that were in the temple, including in the Most Holy place … and burned them and threw the ashes in the Kidron fields.
  2. Then he deposed all the evil priests whom the kings before him had appointed. 
  3. He broke down the houses of prostitution used to worship the false gods. 
  4. He defiled Topeth, which is in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, SO NO ONE MIGHT BURN HIS SON OR DAUGHTER AS AN OFFERING TO MOLECH. —- (Topeth means “drum.”  Drums were beaten to drown out the screams and cries of the children being sacrificed!) 
  5. He removed and burned the golden statues of the horses and chariots of the sun, which the kings of Judah had dedicated and used to worship the sun. 
  6. He pulled down all the altars the former kings had made, broke them into pieces, and threw them in that valley of the dead.
  7. He defiled all the altars of Ashtoreth, Chemosh, and Milcom that Solomon built for his foreign wives.  He pulled them down and broke them into pieces, and then threw dead men’s bones on them.
  8. He tore down the altar at Bethel that Jeroboam had built (the golden calf), broke it apart, and burned it. 
  9. He went to Samaria (the capital of the old Northern Kingdom) and tore down all the shrines there, and sacrificed all the priests.

Then he returned to Jerusalem.  WHEW!

He called the Levites and told them to bring the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD back into the Temple. 

(King Josiah’s father, Manasseh, had taken the Ark of the Covenant out to put in that carved image he’d made. After his repentance, he took out the idol and threw it in the valley. But the Ark had never been replaced. See 2 Chron. 33:7 & 15.)

Then King Josiah restored all the holy priests and Levites to their positions (listed in the documents written by David and Solomon), and told them to get ready to slaughter the Passover Lamb.  Then the king and all the people “kept the Passover to the Lord their God (and the feast of unleavened Bread), as was written in the Book of the Covenant.  No such Passover had been kept since the days of the judges or during the days of the kings of Israel or the kings of Judah. 

Oh, and Josiah put away (killed) the mediums and necromancers, and ALL the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and Jerusalem … that he might establish the Words of the Law that were written in the Book that was found in the house of the LORD.

BEFORE him, there was no king who turned to the LORD with all his heart, all his soul, and all his might … nor did any like him arise after him.

Judah got a reprieve. But the LORD’s great burning wrath did not turn away from Judah, because of all the provocations that Manasseh had done (before repentance).  The LORD said, “I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and I will cast off this city that I have chosen, Jerusalem, and the House for which I said, ‘My name shall be there.'”

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And then…. after all that Josiah did, and at the end of his reign … Neco, the Pharaoh-King of Egypt, set out to fight against the King of Assyria.

REMEMBER – Egypt was SOUTH of Judah, and Assyria was NORTH.  That meant that Neco and his army had to “pass through some of the land of Israel to get to the new Assyrian capital of Carchemish.  It seems Neco had no beef with Josiah and told the Jewish king to just let his army pass through.  

BUT… Josiah FEARED that Egypt and Assyria would somehow form an alliance, like two sides of a hamburger bun, with Judah in the middle as the meat – ready to be chomped from either side.   So … without consulting God as his great-grandfather Hezekiah had done, Josiah decided to intercept the Egyptian forces and fight for Judah.  

BAD DECISION. 

Josiah (and army) met Neco on the plain of Megiddo (Jezreel).  Almost immediately, Josiah was wounded by an arrow, shot by Neco himself. (The Egyptian wanted to get to Carchemish without losing any of his men or armaments. Josiah was a “bee buzzing around his head,” and he swatted him.

“I am badly wounded,” cried Josiah. His servants put him in the king’s second chariot (perhaps the “ambulance” rig?), and took him back to Jerusalem, where this godly king died.

All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah. 

Jeremiah, the prophet, also uttered a lament for him.

Then the people of Judah took Josiah’s son, Jehoahaz, and made him king in his father’s place.

He reigned THREE MONTHS. He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. 

Pharaoh Neco, seeing an opportunity, captured Jehoahaz and put him in prison at his base north of Lebanon. Ultimately, he was taken to Egypt, where he died. Meanwhile, Neco laid a tribute on Judah of 100 talents of silver and a talent of gold.  Neco made Eliakim, another of Josiah’s sons, king instead, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. 

King Jehoiakim paid the silver and gold to Neco. (He got the money from taxing his people, not from his own kingly storehouse.)

He reigned eleven years, and….. did what was evil in the sight of the LORD.  Another king came and took him away ….. Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.

The time had com…..   

(Thank you LORD, for Your patience and mercy.  We don’t deserve it. Thank you for delaying as long as you can for this world to bring wrath on us – because you “desire all to be saved.’  But eventually, the unrighteousness is full, and you WILL act. )

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 192

Jul11

Day 192 – Reading – Amos 1 – 5

Read today’s Scriptures.  Do you see connections?

Amos 1.

Amos was a contemporary of Jonah, Isaiah, and Hosea.  Even though he was from the southern kingdom of Judah, he mainly prophesied to the dying northern kingdom of Israel and a few surrounding peoples. (He was a shepherd and an orchard keeper (figs). He prophesied two years before “a memorable earthquake!” Whoa! One did happen in 755 B.C.

Amos’s two main “prophecy arrows” were against Israel’s hypocrisy in worship and their lack of justice toward the most vulnerable (the poor, widows, orphans) because of greed.  He aimed them at the wicked Jeroboam II.

Amos begins by prophesying against the surrounding nations.

  • Damascus (capital of Syria).  Because of their cruel advances on the northern parts of Israel, he sends destruction on King Hazael and Ben-Hadad. 
  • Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron (Philistia).  Because they delivered the people up to Edom.
  • Tyre (north of Israel). Because they also delivered the people up to Edom.
  • Edom (south and east of the Dead Sea). He warred against and betrayed “his brother,” Israel.
  • Ammonites (east of Jericho and the Jordan River). They brutally attacked  Israel at Gilead.
  • (And in Amos, chapter 2). Moab (east of the Dead Sea, bordering Edom). They were extremely brutal in war.

(Notice that Assyria is not mentioned.  They are the people who will eventually come, brutally attack, destroy, and carry captive the northern kingdom of Israel.  They seem subdued at this time of Amos.  Perhaps because of their repentance after the preaching of Jonah!)  WOW!

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Amos 2.

And then Amos aims his scathing prophecy at JUDAH!  God has four things against them, and “will not revoke the punishment!”

  • They have rejected the law of the LORD.
  • They have not kept His statutes.
  • Their lies led them astray.
  • They walked in the evil ways in which their fathers walked.

And so FIRE will come on them as well and shall devour the strongholds of Jerusalem.

And finally, to ISRAEL, in the center of the Bull’s Eye, is judged. 

(NOTE: IF YOU HAVE A MAP of the area at that time, mark the countries and cities mentioned in these chapters. See how they spiral in and end, right smack dab on Israel in the center.)

  • They sell righteous people for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals. They trample the head of the poor and turn aside the way of the afflicted.
  • They engage in uncontrolled sexual passion; a man and his father with the same girl … so that God’s Holy Name is profaned.
  • They take the pledges and fines from the poor and use them for themselves…even in God’s house.

Amos reminds them how God fought for them, protected them, brought them out of Egypt to possess the “promised” land, and raised up some of them to be prophets and Nazirites.

  • But they made the Nazirites drink wine, and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.

And so god will weaken them and press them down so they cannot fight or escape “in that day” of judgment.

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Amos 3.

“Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you, O people of Israel….”  

Whoa!  Can you just hear that echoing voice of God? I would be terrified!!

“YOU ONLY have I known of all the families of the earth, therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”

Then in verses 3-8, God gives a series of questions to show that – as some things are certain in nature – surely NOTHING happens in Israel that is outside God’s sovereignty.  And God makes it VERY CLEAR what is going to happen.

“An adversary shall surround the land and bring down your defenses from you, and your strongholds shall be plundered.”

And then God gives a vivid and horrible description of the small remnant left in Israel after the Assyrian invasion.  “As the shepherd rescues from the mouth of the lion… two legs or a piece of an ear… so shall the people of Samaria be rescued….”  YIKES!

And on to the details!  “Hear, and testify against the house of Jacob, declares the Lord God, the God of hosts, ON THE DAY that I punish Israel for his transgressions… I will punish the altars of Bethel…  I will strike the winter house (Jezreel) along with the summer house (Samaria), and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses … shall come to an end.”

NOTE that verse 7 of that chapter says, “For the Lord God does nothing without revealing His secret to His servants the prophets.”  Even in His wrath, God is merciful; He warns, warns, and warns again.  PEOPLE!!! Hear and repent!

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Amos 4.

See how the LORD speaks to the women of Samaria who lived luxuriously. “You cows of Bashan, who oppress the poor and crush the needy; who say to your husbands, ‘Bring me something to drink.'”

“The LORD has sworn by His holiness that they shall take you away … with hooks, even the last of you with fish hooks!”  Yikes.

Then God condemns them for their hypocrisy in worship – doing it all “just to be seen,” as the Pharisees in Jesus’ day. 

Then God lists all the things He did to WARN THEM and bring them back to Himself.

  • I gave you a lack of bread, YET you did not return to me.
  • I withheld the rain … YET you did not return to me.
  • I struck your gardens, vineyards, and orchards with blight and mildew and locusts, YET you did not return to me.
  • I sent pestilence among you, and killed your young men with the sword, YET you did not return to me.
  • I overthrew some of you, and I plucked you out of the burning fire, YET you did not return to me.

“THEREFORE, thus I will do to you, O Israel; because I will do this to you … PREPARE TO MEET YOUR GOD, O ISRAEL!”

WOW.

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Amos 5.

This chapter is a LAMENTATION for Israel, as if she were a virgin who just died, and this is the funeral procession.   And His sorrowful Call to them, over and over…

  • Seek me and live…
  • Seek the LORD and live…
  • Seek good, and not evil, that you may live…
  • Hate evil, and love good…
  • Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

“Take up the images you have made for yourselves… and I will send you into exile BEYOND Damascus, says the LORD, whose name is the God of hosts.”

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God judges the heathen nations, but the greater judgment is for His own people – those he loved and rescued, and taught, and helped. 

It reminds me of 1 Peter 4:17-18 – “For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God. ‘If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?'”

**** O LORD, may I always hear and yield to your call!  Please soften my heart to love and obey you supremely. Thank You for all the good and merciful ways you love me.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 147

May27

Day 147.  Reading 1 Chronicles 26-29 and Psalm 127.

 
Read Today’s Scriptures.
 

1 Chronicles 26.

David continues to organize the services of the Temple which Solomon will build.  It’s not that he doesn’t trust his young son to do it all, I believe he is super-enjoying the planning of it all, picturing in his mind how it will be.

After all the musicians, David now organizes the gatekeepers.  They will guard the gates and doors in two-week shifts. Note the prominence of Obed-Edom and his sons.  Remember it was at his house the Ark of the Covenant was kept after that disaster when Uzzah touched it and was killed. It stayed in Obed-Edom’s house for three months until David learned the correct way to carry the “Presence of God.”  Meanwhile God had blessed the house of Obed-Edom. 

David also appoints Levites to be in charge of the treasuries of the House of God, and the dedicated gifts, and all of the spoil from the wars, going back to that of King Saul, Samuel, and also from Abner and Joab. David also appoints families to be officers and judges.

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1 Chronicles 27.

David then organizes the military divisions and their commanders who served the king, month by month.

He chose officers over each of the tribes of Israel.  He appointed those over the kings treasuries in the country, cities and villages, as well as those who did the agricultural work. 

Wow – wouldn’t Solomon be grateful for all this organization!!

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1 Chronicles 28.

After all that, David assembled all the officials at Jerusalem.  He then told them how God had chosen him as leader from the house of Judah and his father’s line, and had then, out of his many sons, chosen Solomon to reign after him.  Although David had so yearned to build a House for God, it would be his son, Solomon who would build the temple.  

God had also promised David that his father’s house was to be king over Israel forever.

  • “Now, therefore in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever.”

And he turned to his son, with this charge,

  • “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought.  If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. Be careful now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it!”

Then David gave Solomon the plans he’d made for the Temple, and all that went with building it.

  • “Be strong and courageous and do it.  Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.”

He also encouraged Solomon by saying all the priests, Levites, officers and all the people “will be wholly at your command.”

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1 Chronicles 29.

Then David turns to all the assembly and charges them to work faithfully for Solomon,

  • “whom alone God has chosen. He is young and inexperienced and the work is great, for the palace will not be for man but for the LORD God.  I have provided for the house of my God, so far as I was able, of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and precious stones.  And of his own private treasury, he dedicates to the House of God, gold and silver.”

He the turns to the people,

  • “Who then will offer willingly, consecrating himself to the LORD?”

And the leaders, commanders, and officers brought their freewill offerings, huge amounts of gold, silver, bronze, iron and precious stones.  The people then rejoiced, and David the king also rejoiced greatly.

And so, finally, David turns his thoughts and words to God. 

  • “Blessed are You, O LORD, the God of  Israel, our father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens, and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from You and You rule over all. In Your hand are power and might, and in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank You, or God, and praise your glorious Name!”

WOW.  No wonder David is a “man after God’s own heart” despite his many sins.  His heart never ever strayed from the LORD God of Israel to other idols. 

Be sure to read the rest of his prayer to God, his humility and knowledge that all he has is from the LORD.

  • “Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and Your statutes, performing all, and that he may build the palace for which I have made provision.

Oh, that we prayed for our own children this way!

NOTE: The end of this chapter tells how Solomon was made king in David’s place, how Solomon took the throne, and how David died “at a good old age.”  BUT THERE IS MORE TO READ ABOUT KING DAVID AS WE GO FORWARD INTO THE BOOK OF 1 KINGS  IN A COUPLE DAYS.  HANG IN THERE.  THE SWEET PSALMIST OF ISRAEL IS NOT DEAD YET!

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Psalm 127.

  • “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain, unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”

This psalm is written by Solomon.  Could it have been about his task of building the House/Temple of God, and about all those gatekeepers and watchmen that his father, David had organized to keep it safe?

  • “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for He gives to His beloved sleep.”

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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 2)

Mar24
Day 82 – 83.  Reading Joshua 1-4 and 5-8. (PART 2)
 

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 5.

Israel is in the Promised Land!  They still have a lot of work to do, but they are there.

All the kings of the Amorites and the Canaanites heard how the LORD had dried up the Jordan river for the people to cross (just like had happened at the Red Sea) and “their hearts melted and there was no longer any spirit in them.”

The first thing God told Joshua to do was, “Make flint knives and circumcise the sins of Israel.”  So Joshua obeyed.  The reason why this had to be done was because only the Israelite men who had come out of Egypt were circumcised. They were all dead, and they had not circumcised their children for all those 40 years in the desert.  ISRAEL had to do this. It was the covenant sign that they were the people of GOD.

After the days of healing, the LORD said, “Today, I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” And they called the place Gilgal (“to roll”)

Then – oh, how appropriate! – Israel observed Passover as they had when they escaped Egypt!

And the very next day, they ate of the produce of the land, with UNLEAVENED cakes.  AND THE MANNA CEASED THE NEXT DAY. 

Then it seems (like Nehemiah did centuries later) Joshua went out to assess Jericho. And there he was met by a “man with a drawn sword in his hand.” 

“Are your friend or foe?” cried Joshua.

“No,” came the voice of authority. “I am the commander of the army of the LORD.”  

Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped him saying, “What does my lord say to his servant?“

Then, like with Moses at the burning bush, the commander of the LORD’s army said. “Take of your sandals for the place where you are standing is holy.”

And Joshua did.

Joshua 6.

Then the Commander of the LORD’s army told Joshua the strategic plans to take Jericho.  They were very strange, but so God-like!.  And Joshua obeyed to the letter.

  • March around the city (in silence), all the men of war going around the city once a day for six days.
  • Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets, blowing them continually before the Ark. 
  • Mighty men of war were to march before the Ark, and the rear guard walked after the Ark. 
  • On the seventh day they were to march around the city seven times and the priests would blow the trumpets. 
  • When they made a long blast of the trumpet, all the people were to shout with a great shout. 
  • And the wall of the city will fall down flat.
  • Then all the people shall go straight in and take the city.
  • They are to save the gold, silver, bronze, and iron and put it in the treasury of the LORD.
  • All else they were to utterly destroy. NO ONE COULD TAKE ANYTHING FOR HIMSELF!!! 
  • ONLY RAHAB and all who were in her house were to be saved alive.

And it all happened just as the LORD’s Commander ordered Joshua.  After the walls fell down they went in and captured the city, “devoting EVERYTHING alive to be killed by the sword.” Then they burned the city.

(Can you imagine the Canaanites nearby hearing that, and then seeing the great plume of smoke rising from Jericho.  Terrifying!)

The two spies went to Rahab’s house which was “protected” by the blood-red rope – that section of wall the only one left standing – and rescued her and her family.  They put them outside the camp (temporarily).  She and all her family lived in Israel after that. (And eventually she married Salmon and gave birth to Boaz, who married Ruth, whose grandson was King David.) (See Matthew 1:5 and Ruth 4:13-17)

Then Joshua cursed any man who tried to rebuild Jericho.  (See 1 Kings 16:34)

Joshua 7.

ISRAEL IS ON A ROLL!!!  Champions!!  Conquerors!!  Unstoppable! —- Until they weren’t.

The next day, Joshua and the army looked at the little town of AI, and thought they could take it in their sleep. Joshua sent spies, and they brought back the same message.  “No problem!”  So they sent only a small strike force. 

But the “easy battle” fell flat, they were soundly defeated, and 36 Israeli soldiers were killed. The hearts of the people of Israel melted now, and became like water

WHY?????

Joshua tore his clothes and fell on his face before the Ark of the Covenant. “Alas, O LORD, why did you bring us here if your are going to give us into the hands of our enemies to destroy us.  Would that we’d been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan.  We turned our backs like cowards!  The Canaanites will trash your great name!! Boo-hoo!”

“GET UP!” said the LORD to Joshua. “Why have you fallen on your face.  ISRAEL HAS SINNED AND TRANSGRESSED MY COVENANT.  They have taken some of the things I forbade you to take from Jericho. I will be with you NO MORE UNLESS YOU DESTROY THE DEVOTED THINGS AMONG YOU.  

The LORD told Joshua to present the people before Him in the morning, to find the guilty man.

So Joshua rose early and brought Israel, tribe by tribe, clan by clan, and man by man, until ACHAN was found.  “My son, give glory to the Lord God of Israel and praise Him. Confess.”

So Achan confessed his lust and greed and covetousness for a beautiful cloak from Shinar, 200 shekels of silver and a gold bar. “I coveted them and took them.”  Sure enough, Joshua found the stash in his tent.

So Joshua and all the people brought him, and the silver and the cloak and the gold, and his sons and daughters and his oxen and donkeys and sheep, and his tent and all that was in it to the Valley of Achor. 

And all Israel stoned them with stones. They burned it all with fire, then piled up a great heap of stones over it all. 

Joshua 8.

Then God told Joshua to take ALL the fighting men to Ai.  “I have given you the king, his people, and all his city and land. Do to it as you did at Jericho. This time, lay an ambush behind the city.

And so Joshua led them to victory.

(Hey, obey God. Seek His face and direction in all you do. And see how it goes!!

Israel obeyed, struck them all down by the sword. They devoted all the inhabitants to destruction, only the stock and spoil of that city they were allowed to take.

Then Joshua took all Israel to Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim and put half of the people on one, and the other half on the other, with the Levitical priests and the Ark of the Covenant in the middle. Then they read the curses and blessings to each other, as Moses instructed. 

And the whole (entire) book of the Law of Moses was read to the people. “There was not a word of all that Moses commanded” that Joshua did not read before the assembly of Israel, including women, little ones, and the sojourners among them. And he built an alter to the LORD, the God of Israel.

Had he learned his lesson? 

I don’t think so………………….