The Two Surviving Sons of Aaron God strikes down Nadab and Abihu for their disobedience. Without any heirs, this means that all the priestly duties now fall to their brothers, Eleazar and Ithamar. Though all four brothers should have served God together, the work now goes to the two remaining sons of Aaron. As a […]
Today’s passage: Matthew 22:34–40 and Mark 12:28–34 Focus verse: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” (Matthew 22:37) After he shares the three parables, the religious leaders—roiling over Jesus’s parable of the tenants—seek to trap him […]
Not Everything That’s Spiritual is Good Here’s the situation. The prophet Samuel is dead. God has abandoned King Saul, and the once-promising ruler is losing his grip on power. Saul prays, but God doesn’t respond. A Desperate King Saul None of the ways Saul has heard from God in the past are working now. In […]
Jesus Is the Word Today’s passage: Revelation 19:11–21 Focus verse: His name is the Word of God. (Revelation 19:13) Though the invitations to Jesus’s wedding have been sent, this doesn’t mean the wedding is ready to take place. Not yet. Jesus has more to do first. The next thing John sees in his vision is heaven opening […]
Discover Why Small Groups Often Fall Short of Meeting Expectations I’ve been in small groups, I’ve led small groups, and I’ve overseen a church’s small group ministry. Small groups have the potential to connect people, helping them on their faith journey and better navigate life. Yet small group failure seems a more common outcome. Don’t […]
The Sons Receive Judgment for Their Sins Aaron has four sons. They are Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. With Aaron as the first priest, all four boys are destined to follow him. With Nadab and Abihu as the oldest two, they take the lead in this. Nadab and Abihu, however, fail to follow God’s precise […]
Today’s passage: Matthew 21:28–46, Mark 12:12, and Luke 20:9–19 Focus verse: When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them. (Matthew 21:45) Immediately after Jesus counters the religious leaders who challenge his authority, he shares some parables. With a crowd already gathered, it provides him with a […]
The People of Israel Ask Samuel To Intercede for Them Throughout the Old Testament, the Philistines show up as a recurring nemesis for God’s chosen people, the nation of Israel. The Bible mentions the Philistines 191 times in seventeen of the Old Testament’s books. In most of these cases the Philistines are doing something to […]
Hallelujah Today’s passage: Revelation 19:1–10 Focus verse: “For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” (Revelation 19:7) How many times do you think the word hallelujah appears in the Bible? Like me, you may have guessed many times, even hundreds. Yet hallelujah only shows up four times throughout all […]
The Answer Comes from Culture and Not Scripture In answering the question, what day of the week is the seventh? let’s look and see what the Bible says. The Days of the Week The various translations of the Bible never list the days of the week as we understand them now. There is no mention […]