Joshua

If the Pentateuch is the long road of promise, then Joshua is the moment the promise finally touches the ground. It reads like a historical epic with battle scenes, miraculous signs, ancient city-states, shifting borders, yet it never loses its theological heartbeat. Many Bible videos and Bible Project overviews frame Joshua as the “fulfillment book,” where God begins delivering on promises first given centuries earlier to Abraham.

The Setting: A New Generation Steps Forward

The book begins with the passing of the torch. Moses, Israel’s great prophet-leader, is gone. Joshua, his apprentice and battlefield commander, now stands before a nation perched on the edge of Canaan. Bible storytellers often describe this moment as a “hinge in Israel’s history” a transition from wandering to possessing.

God’s opening words to Joshua set the tone (Joshua 1):
Be strong and courageous. I am with you wherever you go.

This isn’t just encouragement; it’s a commissioning.

Crossing Into the Promise

The early chapters unfold like dramatic scenes from a faith-based documentary:

  • The spies in Jericho
  • Rahab’s brave sheltering of Israel’s spies highlighted often in children’s videos and Bible recaps
  • The miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, where the waters stand still just as they did at the Red Sea

Each moment signals that God is actively making a way, just as He did for the previous generation.

The Battles: Conquest and Complexity

Joshua’s middle chapters are famous for their military campaigns, though Bible teachers often emphasize the theological layers over the battlefield details.

Major highlights include:

  • The fall of Jericho (Joshua 6), often dramatized in animated Bible stories with the iconic marching and trumpet blasts
  • The setback at Ai, caused by Israel’s disobedience (Joshua 7)
  • The southern and northern campaigns, showing Israel pushing into key city alliances
  • The sun standing still in Joshua 10—one of the most visually striking miracle moments emphasized in Bible videos

Modern summaries often address the tension in these chapters (the moral and historical questions around conquest) while also explaining how ancient Near Eastern warfare accounts were understood in their own time.

The Land: Promises Become Geography

A large portion of Joshua is devoted to dividing the land among the tribes. It may feel slow to modern readers, but Bible Project videos often point out how these chapters fulfill God’s long-standing covenant promises.

This section is Israel’s first ancient map—a tangible reminder that God doesn’t just make promises; He roots them in real soil, real borders, and real inheritance.

Key moments include:

  • Caleb receiving Hebron at age 85
  • The allotment of territories
  • Cities of refuge, showing God’s concern for justice
  • Levitical cities, grounding worship throughout the land

A Leader’s Final Words

Just as Moses gave his farewell, Joshua ends his life with a covenant renewal. His speeches (Joshua 23–24) act like a spiritual anchor for the nation. Many Bible-based teaching videos highlight his declaration at Shechem:

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua 24:15

It’s more than a household motto, it’s Joshua’s legacy.

Why Joshua Still Matters

Joshua isn’t just the story of battles and borders; it’s a narrative about trusting God enough to step into the unknown. It reminds readers that faith is both belief and action, and that promises often require courage to claim.

Bible Project overviews often describe this book as a picture of God’s faithfulness meeting human responsibility. Israel doesn’t enter the land because they’re strong, but because God is keeping His word—and inviting them to participate.

Joshua stands as a historical and spiritual turning point, bridging the journey from wandering to belonging and setting the stage for the turbulent era of the Judges.

Judges Summary

The Book of Judges

If the Book of Joshua feels like Israel charging triumphantly into the Promised Land, then Judges is the sobering reality check that follows: a raw, unfiltered look at what happens when a nation forgets its foundation. Judges is one of the most dramatic books in the Hebrew Bible, blending history, theology, and storytelling with a strikingly human honesty. Many Bible video overviews like those from The Bible Project or dramatized retellings from Bible Stories for Kids describe it as an ancient “cycle of brokenness,” and that phrase really captures the heartbeat of the narrative.

The Setting: A Leaderless Nation

Judges spans roughly 300–350 years after Joshua’s death. With no central king and no unified leadership, Israel becomes a patchwork of tribes learning (often painfully) how to survive morally and politically.

The book opens with what could have been a hopeful moment: Israel continuing to conquer the land (Judges 1). But the momentum slips quickly. They fail to fully drive out the surrounding nations, and this slow compromise becomes the seed of deeper issues.

Bible Project videos often highlight this as “the beginning of the downward spiral” which is a theme that defines the rest of the book.

The Cycle: Sin → Oppression → Cry for Help → Deliverance

One of the clearest patterns in Judges is its repeated spiritual and social cycle:

  1. Israel abandons God for the idols of surrounding nations
  2. Foreign oppression rises
  3. Israel cries out in distress
  4. God raises a judge: a spirit-empowered leader
  5. Temporary peace, until the cycle starts all over again

If you’ve seen animated Bible summaries, they often use a literal spiral graphic to show how each cycle gets worse than the last, less faithful, less heroic, and more tragic.

The Judges Themselves: Imperfect Heroes

“Judge” here doesn’t mean a courtroom official; it means a military deliverer and regional leader. Some are well-known; others get only a verse or two.

Major judges include:

  • Othniel – the ideal model judge (Judges 3)
  • Ehud – the left-handed strategist who frees Israel from Moab
  • Deborah – prophetess, leader, and the only female judge (Judges 4–5)
  • Gideon – called while hiding in fear; later struggles with pride (Judges 6–8)
  • Jephthah – a tragic figure known for his rash vow (Judges 11)
  • Samson – perhaps the most famous judge; gifted with supernatural strength but undone by lack of discipline (Judges 13–16)

Modern Bible video commentaries often explore how the judges become progressively flawed—reflecting Israel’s own growing corruption.

A Nation Unraveling

The final chapters (Judges 17–21) are some of the darkest narratives in Scripture. There are no judges, no heroes just moral chaos. These stories show:

  • Idolatry spreading unchecked
  • Violence and civil war between tribes
  • A society drifting far from God’s laws

The repeated line, highlighted in many dramatic retellings and commentaries, serves as the book’s haunting refrain:

“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
Judges 21:25

It’s not just a summary, it’s a warning.

Why Judges Still Matters

Judges is more than a collection of wild stories; it’s a historical mirror. It shows the dangers of spiritual forgetfulness, the consequences of compromise, and the resilience of God’s mercy. Every time Israel breaks the covenant, God raises up deliverance as imperfect though it may be.

Bible Project videos emphasize that the book ultimately creates longing:
longing for true leadership, true transformation, and a king who can lead with righteousness.

That longing sets the stage for the books of Samuel and the rise of David.

It Is Well: Walking Away From Anxiety

🗓 Week 1: Resting in God’s Peace

Primary Focus: Understanding worry and embracing Jesus’ invitation to rest.

  • Days 1–5:
    • Scripture passages like Matthew 11:28–30 guide reflection on weary hearts.
    • Key prompts: Identify personal stressors and what it feels like to carry them.
    • Prayer and journaling activities ask you to lay burdened thoughts before God.
  • Weekly Reflection:
    • Reassess how daily stress impacted your week.
    • Notice tangible moments of rest or peace.
    • Encourage looking for God’s provision in small, everyday moments.

🗓 Week 2: Trusting God as Source of Hope

Primary Focus: Shifting from fear-focused thinking to hopeful, Christ-centered trust.

  • Days 6–10:
    • Introduce hope-filled promises, e.g., Romans 8:28 or Psalm 42:5.
    • Study how biblical figures (like David or the Israelites) dealt with fear and where they found hope.
    • Reflection questions encourage recounting personal examples of God’s faithfulness in past anxieties.
  • Weekly Reflection:
    • Compare initial worries from Week 1 with current insights.
    • Identify verses or truths that most encouraged you.
    • Pray through areas of renewed hope, thanking God for ongoing care.

🗓 Week 3: Redeeming Fear & Anchoring in God’s Love

Primary Focus: Understanding how God transforms worry into worship, rooted in who He is.

  • Days 11–15:
    • Dive into God’s love as the ultimate antidote to anxiety, often anchored in verses like 1 John 4:18 or Romans 8:38–39.
    • Activities may include memory verse work, personalizing Scripture (e.g., “God loves me, and nothing can separate me from Him”).
    • Prompts invite recognizing fearful thought patterns and intentionally replacing them with gospel truths.
  • Weekly Reflection:
    • Summarize your transformation—how have your thoughts, emotions, or actions begun to shift?
    • Consider setting a “faith posture plan” for future anxiety moments, anchored in Scripture from this study.
    • If used in a group, share victories and prayer requests to encourage one another.

🔁 Study Features Throughout

  • Daily Scripture + journaling (~15 min/session) with clear prompts.
  • Weekly reflection days to create space for integration and application.
  • Built-in memory work to hide God’s Word in your heart.
  • Group adaptability, ideal for discussion or silent meditation.
  • Christ-centric structure—each week intentionally builds from rest → hope → redemption.

🎯 Goal by Week 3’s End

  • Week 1: Identify and hand over sources of anxiety.
  • Week 2: Grow in trusting God’s promise and presence.
  • Week 3: Solidify redemption—learning to exchange fear for love and anchor in gospel truth.

Galatians

Galatians 1 – No Other Gospel

Key Themes:

  • Paul’s authority as an apostle
  • The danger of false gospels
  • The divine origin of Paul’s message

Important Verses:

  • Galatians 1:6-7 – “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all.”
  • Galatians 1:10 – “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?”

Highlights:

  • Paul defends his apostleship and message, saying it came from Jesus Christ, not men.
  • He warns the Galatians about turning to false teachers preaching legalism.
  • Emphasizes that salvation is through grace, not works.

Galatians 2 – Justified by Faith

Key Themes:

  • Unity of the apostles
  • Justification by faith, not by the law
  • Living in Christ

Important Verses:

  • Galatians 2:16 – “A person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.”
  • Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”

Highlights:

  • Paul confronts Peter for hypocrisy (favoring Jews over Gentiles).
  • Strong declaration that righteousness comes by faith in Christ, not the law.
  • Paul’s personal testimony of living by faith, not by human effort.

Galatians 3 – Faith or Works?

Key Themes:

  • The foolishness of returning to the law
  • Abraham’s faith
  • The law as a guardian

Important Verses:

  • Galatians 3:11 – “The righteous will live by faith.”
  • Galatians 3:28 – “There is neither Jew nor Gentile… for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Highlights:

  • Paul argues that the Spirit comes through faith, not law.
  • Uses Abraham as proof that justification has always been through faith.
  • The law was a temporary guardian until Christ came, not a means to salvation.

Galatians 4 – Heirs Through Christ

Key Themes:

  • Adoption as sons and daughters
  • Freedom vs. slavery
  • Allegory of Hagar and Sarah

Important Verses:

  • Galatians 4:6-7 – “Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts… So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child.”
  • Galatians 4:9 – “But now that you know God… how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces?”

Highlights:

  • Believers are adopted into God’s family and made heirs with Christ.
  • Paul expresses heartbreak that they are turning back to slavery under the law.
  • Uses Hagar and Sarah to illustrate the difference between being a child of slavery (law) and freedom (grace).

Galatians 5 – Freedom in Christ

Key Themes:

  • Living by the Spirit
  • Christian freedom
  • Fruit of the Spirit

Important Verses:

  • Galatians 5:1 – “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free… do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
  • Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

Highlights:

  • Believers are called to live in the freedom Christ offers, not under legalism.
  • Warning against using freedom as an excuse for sin.
  • Encouragement to walk by the Spirit, not the flesh—resulting in spiritual fruit.

Galatians 6 – Sowing and Reaping

Key Themes:

  • Restoring others gently
  • Sowing to the Spirit vs. the flesh
  • Boasting only in the cross

Important Verses:

  • Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
  • Galatians 6:14 – “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Highlights:

  • Encouragement to carry each other’s burdens.
  • Warning that what you sow (to the flesh or Spirit), you will reap.
  • Final encouragement to remain faithful and to boast only in what Christ has done, not human efforts.

OVERALL MESSAGE OF GALATIANS:

  • Salvation is by grace through faith—not by works of the law.
  • Christ brings freedom from sin and legalism.
  • The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live transformed lives.

Lucy Shimmers and the Prince of Peace Review

Lucy Shimmers and the Prince of Peace is not just a film—it’s an emotional journey that gently wraps your heart in warmth, compassion, and hope. From the very first frame, it’s clear that this story is driven by a deep desire to uplift and inspire, and it succeeds with grace.

At the center is Lucy, a radiant little girl whose innocence and unwavering faith become the emotional core of the film. Despite her illness, Lucy’s optimism never falters. Her belief in kindness, love, and the healing power of compassion is both humbling and profoundly moving. Through her eyes, we see a world where forgiveness and second chances are possible—even for those who believe they’ve fallen too far.

The film’s connection between Lucy and Edgar, a hardened inmate, is nothing short of miraculous. Their bond speaks to the redemptive power of love and how the purest hearts can reach the darkest souls. Watching Edgar’s transformation, prompted by Lucy’s courage and unwavering light, is one of the most emotionally powerful elements of the story.

What truly elevates Lucy Shimmers and the Prince of Peace is its unapologetic embrace of faith—not in a preachy way, but in a deeply human, healing sense. It reminds us that even in the darkest times, peace can find us, often through the most unexpected messengers.

The performances are gentle and heartfelt, especially from Scarlett Diamond as Lucy. Her portrayal is so genuine that it lingers long after the credits roll. The film’s direction, pacing, and soundtrack all complement the story’s emotional resonance.

In a world often clouded with cynicism, Lucy Shimmers and the Prince of Peace is a rare and beautiful reminder of hope, second chances, and the quiet power of grace. Prepare to cry, reflect, and be moved—it’s a story that leaves a lasting impression on the soul.

Embracing Femininity + Godly Dating

Embracing Femininity

Singleness is a gift. It’s a time for cultivating wholehearted devotion to Jesus, a time for growing in faith and contentment. A time for self control, for seeking and building the Kingdom of God. Singleness was meant to be lived in relationship with Jesus, and it is this relationship that brings beauty, joy, and purpose. It is this relationship that brings abundant life. 

We hear so much about the Proverbs 31 woman but what does that really mean? The purpose of Proverbs is to implement wisdom, discipline and understanding. It was written by Solomon who had a history of lustful behavior. It was written to his sons and the men of Israel to seek Godly wisdom. In Proverbs 31 he highlights the importance of the perfect, Godly woman. When reading it as a woman we can often interpret it to God speaking to us, his children, as he asks us to seek the true wisdom within each of us and pursue a pure life. 

History and Overview of Proverbs:

Title and Author: The book of Proverbs is traditionally attributed to King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom. The title “Proverbs” comes from the Hebrew word “Mashal,” meaning “parables” or “sayings.” Solomon is credited with writing the majority of the proverbs, although other contributors include Agur (Proverbs 30) and King Lemuel (Proverbs 31).

Historical Context: Proverbs was written during the reign of Solomon, around the 10th century BC, a period marked by peace and prosperity in Israel. This era allowed for the flourishing of wisdom literature, as the nation was not preoccupied with warfare or survival.

Audience: The primary audience of Proverbs was the people of Israel, particularly young men who were being molded for leadership and responsibility. However, its teachings are universal and timeless, applicable to all who seek wisdom.

Purpose: The purpose of Proverbs is to impart wisdom, discipline, and understanding. It aims to guide individuals in living a life that is pleasing to God, characterized by righteousness, justice, and equity (Proverbs 1:2-3).

Genre and Style: Proverbs is a collection of wisdom literature, characterized by short, pithy sayings and poetic parallelism. It uses metaphors and similes to convey deep truths.

 You don’t have to be single in order to pursue or become a Proverbs 31 woman. I think it is sometimes hard when we go through life and find our soulmates and have our children to identify ourselves outside of those relationships. I do believe it’s important to do self-work and deep dive into who we are on an individual level. It’s important for us women who are often caretakers to take care of ourselves and pour into ourselves so we can furthermore pour into those that we love. “You cannot pour from an empty cup”, as they say.

Furthermore, when you feel good on the inside and develop a strong sense of self, you begin to glow with confidence, reassurance and a type of strength that cannot be dimmed or lessened. This can attract truly wonderful things in life whether it’s a new job, opportunity or partner. Your path becomes clearer and the possibilities of what you can accomplish are endless. 

  • What verses or statements stand out most between the two pictures?
  • What are some of your strengths in life? What do you think that you can work on?
  • Do you believe in the Law of Attraction?
  • What do you look for in an ideal partner? Do you see any of these traits within yourself?
  • Do you find that your ideal partner reflects someone God would want for you?
  • What is your favorite verse about love?

         As you dive into your femininity, it’s important to devote time with God so that you can truly hear Him. The biggest part of your spiritual journey is setting time aside so that your goals and aspirations align with God’s goals and aspirations for you. Ladies, this even applies to dating and relationships with others. Those who are meant to be in your life will stay even after you pray about them. If you pray that God touches the hearts of those that you love and care about He will work on their hearts just as He is working on yours. The more you take God seriously the more He will work in favor of you. Think about Job and his journey with God. 

Practice dating with God. Take long nature prayers walks, use arts and crafts as a form of creative worship, have devotional time in a cafe, express your love and gratitude for God throughout your day, and take a picnic with Jesus. There are so many ways you can set time aside to build your relationship with Him, single or not. 

Godly Dating 

The Law of Attraction suggests that positive thoughts bring positive outcomes in people’s lives. I believe that this can go a step further and say that the more you build yourself up and step into your Godly femininity the more you attract the right people in your life, this goes for not only men or partners but also friends. Your glow can even inspire those who are already in your circle to do the same. 

It can be scary to date as a Christian, you want your beliefs to align with others and you don’t want to push people away by feeling like you are too much. But you should embrace being too much. Embrace being yourself. The right person is going to love and cherish you for who you are and see your value and try to feed into that and not shy away. It can be scary but it will be well worth it in the end. You will find people who will turn you away or not stay and you have to be okay with that. You have to be willing to stand on your boundaries and remain confident in your life choices. You may have to be the one to turn away and that is okay too. 

Christian Dating Tips:

  1. Pray for each other.
  2. Pray before meals together
  3. Have a weekly bible study date
  4. Do bible reading plans together
    1. This can be done with devotionals or through the bible app! Just set a daily reminder and chat about it! You can choose a plan that works best for you two!
  5. Consider going on a church date.
    1. This can be with your home church or theirs or even one that is completely different! After church go out for lunch and discuss the sermon and what you thought about the experience
  6. Respect that family responsibilities and church responsibilities come before dates and relationship
  7. Be honest and open with each other
  8. Be encouraging and respectful
  9. Pray together before making decisions
  10. Talk/pray about your futures together
  11. Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul and mind before you love each other
  12. Put God first in your relationship, always.
  13. Don’t stress too much about where to go, or what to do, just have fun.
  14. Don’t just date to date, date to see if they are the person God wants you to spend your life with.
  15. Praise God together, serve God together, study God together and love God together

Which of these 15 tips stand out to you the most?

You will come across a lot of toxic people in this world, not just in the dating scene. There are safe, Godly ways to deal with certain people. First of all you want to pray for them and hand them over to God. (Matthew 10:14) Like I mentioned before, God knows people’s hearts way better than we do. You may see the potential in someone but God knows them better. Set clear boundaries. (Matthew 18: 15-17) This can mean distancing yourself physically (1 Corinthians 15:33) and letting go emotionally. (Proverbs 4:23) Give yourself time to heal spiritually, mentally and physically (Psalm 34:18) They’re called toxic for a reason. These people can wear down your soul and drain you. Give yourself time to heal from this and detect yourself healthily. Lastly, spend time with healthier relationships (Proverbs 27:17) It’s important to always embrace those in our lives that are for us and love us deeply and truly. Surround yourself with your people. The people that bring out the best in you. 

If you are single and thinking about dating or dating already it’s important to pray for your future spouse. You want these prayers to reflect the person you see yourself being with. Even if you are already in a relationship or married it’s important to continue to pray for your spouse and your relationship.

How to pray for your future spouse:

  • unchecked That he/she will resist sexual temptations. (1 Corinthians 6:18; Ephesians 5:3-5)
  • uncheckedThat he/she will make wise choices (Galatians 5:13)
  • uncheckedThat he/she will have great knowledge of the Lord (2 Peter 3:18)
  • uncheckedThat he will have a heart for our children (Colossians 3:21; Malachi 4:6; Ephesians 6:4)
  • uncheckedThat he will be the spiritual leader of the family (1 Corinthians 11:3)
  • uncheckedThat he/she will be a hard worker. (1 Corinthians 15:38, Colossians 3:23, Proverbs 31:31)
  • uncheckedThat he/she will love me deeply. (Ephesians 5, Colossians 3:19)
  • uncheckedThat he/she will have spiritual endurance (Hebrews 12:1, Isaiah 40:31)

What are some other prayers you would like to add to this list?

What do you feel is the biggest struggle for dating in this day and age? 

What do you think can be done to make it better?

Do you feel as though most men in today’s age are husband material?

What do you look for in a Godly Husband?

How to know a relationship is from God?

  • It comes back to you even after you surrender it and let it go.
  • It brings peace, not confusion.
  • It comes with a purpose and feels like an answered prayer.
  • It’s rooted in Christ. Pulls you closer to Jesus, not further away.
  • You feel grace all around you and it helps you recognize the mercy of God.

LIST OF BOOKS OF THE BIBLE BY CHAPTERS

LIST OF BOOKS OF THE BIBLE BY CHAPTERS:

REGULAR ORDER:

OLD TESTAMENT

Genesis – 50
Exodus – 40
Leviticus – 27
Numbers – 36
Deuteronomy – 34
Joshua – 24
Judges – 21
Ruth – 4
1 Samuel – 31
2 Samuel – 24
1 Kings – 22
2 Kings – 25
1 Chronicles – 29
2 Chronicles – 36
Ezra – 10
Nehemiah – 13
Esther – 10
Job – 42
Psalms – 150
Proverbs – 31
Ecclesiastes – 12
Song of Solomon – 8
Isaiah – 66
Jeremiah – 52
Lamentations – 5
Ezekiel – 48
Daniel – 12
Hosea – 14
Joel – 3
Amos – 9
Obadiah – 1
Jonah – 4
Micah – 7
Nahum – 3
Habakkuk  – 3
Zephaniah – 3
Haggai – 2
Zechariah – 14
Malachi – 4

NEW TESTAMENT

Matthew – 28
Mark – 16
Luke – 24
John – 21
Acts – 28
Romans – 16
1 Corinthians – 16
2 Corinthians – 13
Galatians – 6
Ephesians – 6
Philippians 4
Colossians – 4
1 Thessalonians – 5
2 Thessalonians – 3
1 Timothy – 6
2 Timothy – 4
Titus – 3
Philemon – 1
Hebrews – 13
James – 5
1 Peter – 5
2 Peter – 3
1 John – 5
2 John – 1
3 John – 1
Jude – 1
Revelation – 22

SHORTEST TO LONGEST:

One Chapter:

  • 2nd John
  • 3rd John
  • Jude
  • Obadiah
  • Philemon

Two Chapters:

  • Haggai

Three Chapters:

  • 2 Peter
  • Titus
  • Habakkuk
  • Nahum
  • Zephaniah
  • Joel
  • 2 Thessalonians

Four Chapters:

  • Colossians
  • Jonah
  • Malachi
  • Philippians
  • Ruth
  • 2 Timothy

Five Chapters:

  • James
  • Lamentations
  • 1 Thessalonians
  • 1 Peter

Six Chapters:

  • 1 Timothy
  • Galatians
  • Ephesians

Ten Chapters:

  • Ezra
  • Ester

Twelve Chapters:

  • Daniel
  • Ecclesiastes

Thirteen to Twenty Chapters:

  • Hebrews – 13
  • 2 Corinthians – 13
  • Nehemiah – 13
  • Hosea – 14
  • Zechariah – 14
  • 1 Corinthians – 16
  • Romans – 16
  • Mark – 16

Twenty to Thirty Chapters:

  • Judges -21
  • 1 Kings – 21
  • John – 21
  • Revelation – 22
  • Luke – 24
  • 2 Samuel – 24
  • Joshua – 24
  • 2 Kings – 25
  • Leviticus – 27
  • Matthew – 28
  • Acts – 28
  • 1 Chronicles – 29

Thirty+ Chapters:

  • Proverbs – 31
  • 1 Samuel – 31
  • Deuteronomy – 34
  • Numbers -36
  • Exodus – 40
  • Job – 42
  • Ezekiel – 48
  • Genesis – 50
  • Jeremiah – 52
  • Isaiah – 66
  • Psalm – 150

Nahum

Written by: the Prophet Nahum

  • A collection of poems announcing the downfall of Assyria and Nineveh

Assyria was one of the great ancient empires and also known as one of Israel’s great oppressors. Assyria’s expansion into Israel destroyed The Northern Kingdom and it’s tribe there. (2Kings17)

The fall of Assyria came in 612 BC, Babylonians rose up and took the city of Nineveh (Assyria’s capital) Chapter two depicts the fall of the city of Nineveh followed by chapter three where it depicts the fall of the empire entirely. BUT chapter one’s introduction to the book begins with the Lord’s anger and how he plans on seeking vengeance for his people of Israel and heal the oppressed and those who go against Him. God appears to judge the evil among nations.

“The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7

Nahum quotes Exodus (34: 6-7) by saying The Lord is slow to get angry, but His power is great and He never lets the guilty go unpunished. The poems then goes on to discuss the differences and similarities to The Fate of the Nations vs. The Fate of God’s Faithful Remnant. He never mentions Ninevah or Assyria by name in chapter one which could imply a few things:

Nahum is portraying Ninevah’s fall as an example of how God is at work in different points of history.

Chapter two then brutally depicts the battle of Ninveah and the state in which the city becomes.

Chapter three goes into detail about how the city’s downfall effects Assyrian’s as a whole. “Woe to the city built on innocent blood” He proceeds to explain that their own voilence is what ultimately lead to their downfall.

Highlights from James 1

When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it a great opportunity for joy.”

Not “if” but “when”. God knows we will face trials and tribulation and with his word he will give us everything we need to fight these battles.

“… Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea.”

As hard as it might be, you must have faith in God and God alone. You must be loyal to Him. Do not let your fear override your faith in Him.

“God blesses those who endure testing and temptation.”

Temptation does not come from God. He is never tempted to do wrong. When your faith is tested your endurance strengthens. God will gift you with the good and the perfect. We are God’s most prized possession and He reminds us of this throughout history. In Him, we are cared for.

“… You must be quick to listen and slow to speak and slow to get angry. “

Take time to hear what God is telling you. Do not be tempted by anger and aggression. Our human anger does not produce God’s righteousness. We must always humbly accept God’s word as it has the power to save our souls in times of temptation and weakness.

“Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says.”

According to God, the perfect law will set you free. It’s important to apply the word to daily life. To not only read it but meditate on it and let it reside in your soul. God will bless you for doing so.

“If you claim religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself…”

Always be kind and courteous when it comes to your words. The tongue is the key to life and death, it can lead you astray. It important to season yourself with comforting words of grace and patience. Be kind to others, in word and in deed.