Now that the civil war in Israel is over and David is king of all Israel, will he take up the completion of the conquest of the Promised Land? It was a conquest that laid dormant for centuries. We get an answer in the very next passage, 2 Samuel 5, verses 6 through 12. DavidContinue reading “How can David be a man after God’s own heart and have so many wives? – 2 Samuel 4—5, Part 3”
Tag Archives: promised land
David’s example of waiting the right way – 2 Samuel 4—5, Part 2
The twelve tribes of Israel are embroiled in civil war. It is one tribe versus the other eleven. David is king of the one tribe, Judah. Ish-Bosheth is king of the other eleven. We learned in the previous post that assasins take Ish-Bosheth’s life, cut off his head and bring it to David, claiming thatContinue reading “David’s example of waiting the right way – 2 Samuel 4—5, Part 2”
The biblical background to 1st Samuel – 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11, Part 1
Today we start a new blog series on the life of the great warrior poet king David of ancient Israel. We read about David’s life in the books of 1st and 2nd Samuel, 1st Kings briefly, and in the parallel account in most of 1st Chronicles chapters 11-29. This blog series will primarily follow theContinue reading “The biblical background to 1st Samuel – 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11, Part 1”
A biblical murder mystery? [Crime & Punishment – Deuteronomy 21, part 1]
Do you like crime dramas? Last year I watched a Netflix documentary called Making A Murderer. It was gripping, often feeling like an extended episode of the TV show, Law & Order. There were many interesting characters and plot twists, but in this documentary, all of it was real. No actors. Real interviews. Courtroom andContinue reading “A biblical murder mystery? [Crime & Punishment – Deuteronomy 21, part 1]”
The difficulties of holy war passages in the Old Testament [Christians & War – Deuteronomy 20, part 3]
In part 1 and part 2 of this series on Deuteronomy 20, we learned that Israel’s priests and army officers are to address the army before battle. Now God gives them some instructions about how to carry out battle. If you aren’t aware of these passages of Scripture, brace yourselves, as they can be shocking.Continue reading “The difficulties of holy war passages in the Old Testament [Christians & War – Deuteronomy 20, part 3]”
How to grow your love for God, part 3 (dealing with our fears)
What do you fear? Even if you are the kind of person who is not afraid of hardly anything, do you have concerns? What bothers you? Maybe your personality really struggles with fears. I’ve talked in a previous post about my own struggles with anxiety. I’ve come to realize I have triggers: health and financialContinue reading “How to grow your love for God, part 3 (dealing with our fears)”
How to grow your love for God, part 2
Yesterday I referred to the axiom, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” but I didn’t talk about how it matters. This week we are looking at Deuteronomy 11, and how to grow love for God, and I promise that I’ll eventually explain how the axiom about the apple tree relates to this. ButContinue reading “How to grow your love for God, part 2”
Why we need a wilderness mindset, even when we live in the promised land
How can we remain faithful to God when life is good? How do we remain faithful in the Promised Land? When we are in the wilderness, we feel like we are going to die, and we need God to rescue us, we know that there is nothing we can do, and God has to intervene. Continue reading “Why we need a wilderness mindset, even when we live in the promised land”
The surprising danger of the promised land
The Promised Land is a dangerous place. Dangerous? Really? In yesterday’s post, I asked whether you are living in your own personal wilderness, or are you experiencing a promised land? In Deuteronomy 8 Moses is talking to the people of Israel who have just journeyed for decades through the wilderness and are set to enterContinue reading “The surprising danger of the promised land”
Do you feel like you’re walking through a wilderness? Or living it up in the Promised Land?
Recently our high school Booster club had the Harlem Wizards at the school for a fundraiser event. A selection of teachers from the district played a game versus the Wizards. It was a great mixture of comedy and trick shot basketball, including a bunch of amazing acrobatic slam dunks. At the end of the game,Continue reading “Do you feel like you’re walking through a wilderness? Or living it up in the Promised Land?”
Engaging Scripture 