By the time the Israelites had their third king, the nation split into two groups: the 10 tribes in the north, forming the Kingdom of Israel, and the remaining two tribes in the south, forming the Kingdom of Judah. The Lord called a mighty prophet, Elijah, to remind His people of their true King: Jehovah (Jesus Christ). Elijah testified to the people that their idol worship was taking them farther away from God.
“If the Lord Be God, Follow Him” Read More »
Going from tabernacle to temple was a big deal for the Israelites. So big, in fact, that even those building the temple had to be worthy of the task. David’s sin in his lust for Bathsheba disqualified him to build the Lord’s house, resulting in his son Solomon completing it. For building the temple with a pure heart, the Lord promised Solomon that so long as he kept the commandments, “I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people” (1 Kings 6:13).
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The story of David versus Goliath teaches many important principles, with one being that if we try our best and have real faith in God, He will help us make the most of our efforts. Though an army was present and he was offered the king’s armor, David brought his sling and his belief that the Lord would prevail through him. It was enough: “the Lord saveth not with sword and spear” (1 Samuel 17:47) but with trust and hope.
“The Battle Is the Lord’s” Read More »
Have you ever been jealous of your neighbor? The Israelites sure were. They wanted a king to rule over them as other nations had, believing that life would be better and more secure. However, when Israel’s prophet prayed about having a king as a leader, the Lord responded that the people’s jealous desire was actually a rejection of Him as their true King: “they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them” (1 Samuel 8:7). Their need for what others’ possessed had decreased their faith in Him.
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The Lord loved His people, the children of Israel. We read in Ruth that His love wasn’t just for the nation as a whole, but for each person individually who kept their covenants. Ruth is an example of a convert to the faith who trusted in the Lord to keep her and her mother-in-law safe during a famine. Ruth’s loyalty to God helped her see His blessings in her life and trust that even in an uncertain world, good things would come.
“My Heart Rejoiceth in the Lord” Read More »
What does the perfect parent look like? Is it someone who never yells? Who is always present with their children? Maybe it’s someone who cooks food that the kids never complain about. The Book of Judges teaches us that even with specific rules and expectations, the children of Israel had a habit of returning to sin and idolatry time and time again. Even after they sinned or complained yet again, the Lord always invited them to start new and return to Him.
“The Lord Raised Up a Deliverer” Read More »
Most of the Israelites heading into the Promised Land had been born in the wilderness. Few remembered the treacherous journey across the bottom of the Red Sea, yet all would experience the miracle again as they crossed the Jordan River on dry ground. This time, however, it was not a crowd of fleeing former slaves who worshipped golden calves. It was the camp of Israel, a covenant-making people who had proven their faithfulness to the Lord.
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Moses taught that faith is best nurtured through the natural rhythms of family life rather than through formal lessons alone. He commanded parents: “Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way” (Deuteronomy 6:7). Integrating gospel conversations into daily activities helps our children guard against “forgetting the Lord” during times of ease and prosperity.
“Beware Lest Thou Forget the Lord” Read More »
Moses did not have an easy time being the Israelite’s prophet. From constant squabbles amongst the people to outright apostasy against the Lord, there was plenty of drama he had to deal with. As a prophet, Moses knew what the Israelites could be if they stayed faithful. He told Joshua it would be less of a struggle if everyone could see what the Lord had shown him: “would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!” (Numbers 11:29).
“Rebel Not Ye against the Lord, Neither Fear” Read More »
Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, but he found that once they were in the wilderness, it wasn’t so easy to take Egypt out of the Israelites. Even with the many miracles and signs the people had witnessed, they still wanted to return to a life of slavery with every hardship they encountered. If the Israelites were to be the Lord’s chosen people, this could not be.
“Holiness to the Lord” Read More »