In our reading today we begin our journey through the hymn book of God’s people – the Book of Psalms. Hymns to pagan gods have been preserved in the literature, but they are much different than the Psalms. Hymns to the gods and demi-gods in Greece are written in very flattering tones which are meant […]

In yesterday’s reading, we saw how Job’s 3 friends came to console him and ended up condemning him. They were guilty of a simplistic view of how life works. They see Job’s great suffering, therefore he must be guilty of great sin which he is too proud to confess. We know from Job 1&2 that […]

Some Bible scholars think that the Book of Job is the oldest part of the Biblical record. In fact, it may be the oldest book in the world. It is certainly one of the most profound treatments in exploring the mystery of suffering, especially in the life of the godly. The Book is an extended […]

The Book of Esther is right in the middle of our reading today. This Book has 10 chapters but not once is the name of God mentioned. The careful reader, however, will not be misled by this. In the story of Esther and her older cousin Mordecai, the LORD is very much involved in what […]

Nehemiah is one of my favorite characters form the Old Testament. He expresses a great devotion to the LORD (Neh.1:4-11;2:4), a great sensitivity to dealing justly with the poor (Neh. 5:1-19) and a great capability to organize God’s people to do a great work for God (Neh. 2,4,6). Under his leadership, the Israelites are able […]

At the end of 2Chronicles, the southern kingdom of Judah finds itself in Babylonian exile for covenantal unfaithfulness. In Chronicles 36:15-17b, we read these words: “The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. But […]

In the beginning of our reading today, the LORD appears to Solomon right after he finished building the Jerusalem Temple. I find it very interesting what the LORD says to Solomon. The LORD makes reference to the covenant He had made with Solomon’s father David in 2Samuel 7:11-16. Both in 2Samuel 7 and here in […]

In Ezra 1:1 – 4, we read of King Cyrus’ edict to the Jews in his realm, giving them permission to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. The 2 Books of Chronicles are written to these returning Jews who are encouraged to carry out Cyrus’ decree. Under the Mosaic Covenant, it was Aaron’s descendants […]

The Books of 1 & 2 Chronicles were written for the Jewish remnant that returned to the Promised Land from Babylonian Exile (1Chronicles 9:1,2). It exclusively focuses on the Davidic kings of the southern kingdom of Judea. No mention is made of the apostate kings of the northern kingdom of Israel. These Books also pay […]

It has been said that the Book of Leviticus has been the graveyard of many adventurers who had begun the journey to read through the Bible. The Levitical rituals have slain many Bible pilgrims on the way to the Promised Land. Today’s reading covers another section which can bog down the serious adventurer through the […]