Song of Songs 5-8

It's a strange book. There's no way around that. It's meaning or purpose within the canon is not entirely clear. It's application is even less so, if that's possible. Other than being beautiful, what does this have to do with us? What should we take away from it? How should this book impact our daily … Continue reading Song of Songs 5-8 →

1 Samuel 21-24 Psalm 84

David is a good man. Here we see David running for his life. You see him behaving well, just trying to survive. You see him risking his life to save a city even while he’s on the run. You see Saul punish priests and there families for helping a man they did not even know … Continue reading 1 Samuel 21-24 Psalm 84 →

Ruth 1-4 Psalm 77

Ruth. There is so much said about Ruth. So much written. Unlike some of the stories in Judges, it is fairly easy to understand. Unlike most of the stories in Judges, it is beautiful. We have a beautiful, romantic story of loss, grief, loyalty, obedience, vulnerability, responsibility, and love. So much love. People can debate … Continue reading Ruth 1-4 Psalm 77 →

Deuteronomy 4-6 Psalm 54

Moses says two things that bind the rest of these chapters together: 1. Don’t add to the words I’m about to command you, nor take from it. 2. These words shall be on your heart. Teach them diligently to your children and keep them always in mind. See, like Jesus will say much later, the … Continue reading Deuteronomy 4-6 Psalm 54 →

Exodus 32-34 Psalm 28

The golden calf. Moses is up on the mountain so long the people of Israel assume he’s dead and demand a replacement. Some of the language suggests that perhaps the calf was a replacement for Moses rather than God: not so much a new deity as… a new point of access. So, a violation of … Continue reading Exodus 32-34 Psalm 28 →

Exodus 22-24 Psalm 24

Oh, the beginning of the lovely law passages that will continue through Leviticus and Deuteronomy. They’re thick. They’re heavy. They’re boring. By and large, they’re difficult. You know what I take away from this passage? What jumps out at me the most? The emphasis on justice and protecting the vulnerable. Justice is about righting the … Continue reading Exodus 22-24 Psalm 24 →