Reflections and meditations about the Bible by Peter DeHaan, PhD.
It Is Finished Today’s passage: John 19:28–30, with Matthew 27:45–54, Mark 15:33–39, and Luke 23:44–48 Focus verse: Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:30) Together, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John combine to record seven things Jesus says on the cross as he dies. One […]
When God Wants to Give You a Second Chance Make Sure You’re Ready to Receive It You’re probably not familiar with Ahithophel in the Bible. His life serves as a lesson in how not to respond to disappointment. Though his name does show up a few times during the reign of King David, Ahithophel is […]
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 […]
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 […]
Opposing Moses It may surprise you to see Jannes and Jambres in our discussion of Old Testament sinners and saints. This is because they don’t appear in the Old Testament. They show up in the New Testament and then only once. Yet the reference ties them to Moses, so this places them in the Old […]
Today’s passage: Matthew 21:23–27, Mark 11:27–33, and Luke 20:1–8 Focus verse: “By what authority are you doing these things?” [the religious leaders] asked. “And who gave you this authority?” (Matthew 21:23) Let’s recap what Jesus has done in the past few hours. First, he rides into Jerusalem like a victorious king, with the people shouting […]
Gideon Tells His Men to Follow His Example Just before Gideon goes to battle, he tells his men to “watch me,” “follow my lead,” and “do exactly what I do.” His men do and God uses their collective actions to throw the enemy into complete confusion. As a result, a great victory is won. Gideon’s actions […]