God can use even less-than-best
Samson: Judges 13–16 Samson wasn’t the son many of us would wish on the children of your worst enemies: cruel, disrespectful, wanton, and quite possibly …
Author Archives: Bible Blog Writer
That Ammonite king: Tell ‘im he’s dreamin’
Jephthah takes on the Ammonites, but loses his daughter; Ibzan, Elon, Abdon judge: Judges 11–12 The king of the Ammonites wanted …
The first king of (part of) Israel
Abimelech murders his brothers, assumes power in Shechem, then dies in an attempt to crush a rebellion: Judges 9–10 Who …
Let the idol defend itself
Gideon: Judges 6–8 Gideon’s father, Joash, had lost one of his prize bulls, but he wasn’t going to let the …
They needed a leader
Deborah brings 40 years of peace: Judges 4–5 It was a repeating pattern for Israel. A judge would die, the …
What happened to the Jebusites?
A partially successful invasion, and the consequences of disobedience: Judges 1–3 The Jebusites were one of the Canaanite peoples whom God …
Gad and Reuben: we still belong to God
The tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh go home; Joshua’s last words: Joshua 22–24 Was it buyer’s remorse? Had the …
Taking (most of) the land
Cities of refuge; cities for the Levites: Joshua 20–21; 1 Chronicles 6:54-81 Eventually, the Israelites had taken over all the …
Waiting for the land
Dividing up the land (Part 2): Joshua 16–19 Even though the land was under Israelite control, seven tribes hadn’t occupied …
Dividing the land on a promise
Dividing up the land: Joshua 12–15 Although age had no limits for Caleb, at least for a while, Joshua eventually …
The brutal invasion of Canaan
Israel makes a treaty, defeats attacking armies, occupies the land: Joshua 9–11 It was a long and brutal campaign. The defending …
The fall of Jericho
The battles of Jericho and Ai; Aachan’s sin; the covenant renewed: Joshua 6–8; 1 Chronicles 2:7 God had given Jericho, …
A river crossing induces fear
Crossing the Jordan; Joshua meets the Lord: Joshua 3–5 The Israelites had just crossed the Jordan River as their parents’ generation had …
Study the Word always
Joshua prepares to invade, Rahab hides the spies: Joshua 1–2 While the account of Rahab has more action, it is …
Our God the rock
Moses’ sings a warning to Israel, and a prayer: Deuteronomy 31–32; Psalm 90 It’s not easy to describe God. Moses …
If you know better, you’re accountable
The (re)making of a covenant; Israel’s sin is foretold: Deuteronomy 29–31 Is ignorance of the law a defence? Well, yes …
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