Saul Reads the Bible

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: Judges 6:11-6:40
Poetry/Prophecy: Jeremiah 2:1-2:37
New Testament: John 1:1-1:18

In Judges, we hear about the call of Gideon, who has been selected by God to lead Israel. Gideon is faithful, but he requests a number of signs along the way. God supplies these signs without objection.

In Jeremiah, God begins to take the people of Judah to [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: Judges 5:1-6:10
Poetry/Prophecy: Jeremiah 1:1-1:19
New Testament: Revelation 22:1-22:21

In Judges, we hear a song of victory from Deborah and Barak. The land then enjoys peace for 40 years. After that, however, the cycle begins anew: the people backslide and return to worhiping foreign gods, and the Lord turns them over to the Midianites for [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: Judges 3:15-4:24
Poetry/Prophecy: Isaiah 66:1-66:24
New Testament: Revelation 21:9-21:27

In Judges, two brutal killings under the leadership of two Judges of Israel: Ehud and Deborah.

We end the book of Isaiah with God again railing against those who fail to follow Him wholeheartedly, but promising deliverance to those who do.

And in Revelation, more description of the splendor of the [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: Judges 2:1-3:14
Poetry/Prophecy: Isaiah 64:1-65:25
New Testament: Revelation 21:1-21:8

Today in the book of Judges, we learn why God allowed the conquest of the Promised Land to remain incomplete. We are then introduced to a cycle of righteous leaders, beginning with Othniel, being used by God to deliver the people, only to have future generations fall right [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: Judges 1:1-1:36
Poetry/Prophecy: Isaiah 63:1-63:19
New Testament: Revelation 20:1-20:15

Today we begin the book of Judges with a recap of the action in Joshua, including a reminder that the conquest of the Promised Land was not completed as completely as Joshua – or Moses for that matter – might have hoped.

In Isaiah, God uses strong imagery of conquest [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: Joshua 24:1-24:33
Poetry/Prophecy: Isaiah 62:1-62:12
New Testament: Revelation 19:1-19:21

Today we end the book of Joshua, and the people of Israel promise to remain faithful to the teachings they have been given. We are told that they are successful at this – at least until the whole generation of those who personally witnessed God’s deliverance dies out.

In [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: Joshua 23:1-23:16
Poetry/Prophecy: Isaiah 60:1-61:11
New Testament: Revelation 18:1-18:24

The end of Joshua’s life draws near after a long period in which Israel has been at peace, having seen all of God’s promises for conquest and a homeland fulfilled. Joshua again sets out the choice before the people: obey and continue to prosper, or disobey and be [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: Joshua 22:1-22:34
Poetry/Prophecy: Isaiah 59:1-59:21
New Testament: Revelation 17:1-17:18

In Joshua, the 2.5 tribes are sent back to home with honor to the east side of the Jordan. But conflict ensues when they build an altar, and the 9.5 tribes plus Levites take it very personally.

In Isaiah, God speaks of His desire for justice, and His commitment [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: Joshua 20:1-21:45
Poetry/Prophecy: Isaiah 58:1-58:14
New Testament: Revelation 16:1-16:21

Today in Joshua, the Levites receive their cities as Moses had promised, and with that, the allocation of land is complete. And, with that, all of the promises God made to the Israelites, beginning with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, have been delivered. So – what now?

In Isaiah, [...]

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament: Joshua 19:1-19:51
Poetry/Prophecy: Isaiah 56:1-57:21
New Testament: Revelation 14:13-15:8

Today in Joshua, the six remaining landless tribes receive their allotment of land – and we learn that some land was taken back from Judah to be resdistributed to the other tribes.

In Isaiah, God welcomes eunuchs and foreigners into the bounty of His grace – but warns idolaters of [...]