Old Testament History
The posts here are from the historical books of the Old Testament
- Joshua - Studies and devotionals from the book of Joshua
- Meditate on It Day and Night – Joshua 1:7-8 - May 17, 2018 - Meditate on God's word day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and…
- Rahab: Faith in Action – Joshua 2:8-9 - October 19, 2022 - Rahab is a shining example of faith in action. She believed Israel would defeat Jericho, and she acted on that belief.
- Crossing the Jordan River – Joshua 3:14-16 - October 20, 2022 - Before Israel could enter the promised land, they had to cross the Jordan River. What rivers are in your way that you need to cross…
- Setting Up A Memorial Stone – Joshua 4:4-7 - November 22, 2022 - Have you set up a memorial stone to help you to remember what God has done for you. If not, I would encourage you to…
- Sin’s Far-Reaching Consequences – Joshua 7:10-12 - October 26, 2022 - The far-reaching consequences of Achan's sin may be an extreme example. But our sin has an impact on us as well as those around us.
- Failing to Inquire of the Lord – Joshua 9:14-15 - October 28, 2022 - How often, when faced with a decision, do we fail to inquire of the Lord as to the best choice? And then suffer the consequences.
- Give Me this Hill Country – Joshua 14:10-12 - November 30, 2018 - What hill country has the Lord placed you in? Always be ready to engage the giants who are there, working to drive them from their…
- Love and Serve the Lord – Joshua 22:5 - November 6, 2022 - Joshua's charge to Israel is appropriate for us as well. To faithfully love, obey, and serve the Lord our God.
- Choose this Day – Joshua 24:15 - May 21, 2018 - Joshua's words are just as relevant today as they were some 3500 years ago. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
- Judges - Studies and devotionals from the book of Judges
- Putting Out a Fleece – Judges 6:36-38 - November 20, 2019 - Is it ever appropriate to 'put out a fleece' to test God? It may be when contemplating a significant change in ministry. A way to…
- Only God’s Strength Can Save Us – Judges 7:2 - November 16, 2022 - My strength is insufficient to save me or enable me to serve God. But God's strength is more than sufficient to save and empower me.
- The Angel of the LORD – Judges 13:17-22 - November 23, 2022 - The angel of the LORD periodically appears in the Old Testament. But who is this angel? This passage points to him being synonymous with God.
- This Was From the Lord – Judges 14:4 - July 13, 2021 - Samson's action, even though in violation of the Mosaic Law, was described as being from the Lord. Nothing is outside his providential work.
- Mixing Idolatry With the Worship of God – Judges 17:3-6 - July 26, 2021 - Are you guilty of idolatry at the same time as you come to worship God? I believe there are some subtle ways many of us…
- In Those Days Israel Had No King – Judges 21:25 - December 1, 2022 - In the days of the judges, Israel had no king to lead them. And the result was that everyone did what they wanted and evil…
- Ruth - Studies and devotionals from the book of Ruth
- Your God Will Be My God – Ruth 1:16-17 - May 12, 2021 - Do others see God within us? And see a Lord that would make them want to know him as well? That seems to be part…
- 1 Samuel - Bible studies and devotional readings from 1 Samuel
- The Word of God Came – 1 Samuel 3:21-4:1a - November 5, 2022 - The word of God came to his inspired prophets and apostles. And they have passed that word on to us through their writings in the…
- The Bitter Fruit of Disobedience – 1 Samuel 4:10-11 - July 8, 2020 - The story of Hophni and Phinehas is a sad one. Israel's spiritual leadership was currupt and the whole nation suffered the fruit of their disobedience.
- To Sin by Failing to Pray for Others – 1 Samuel 12:23 - December 13, 2021 - Samuel sets a good example for us in understanding our responsibility to pray for others. Failing to pray neglects that responsibility.
- To Obey is Better than Sacrifice – 1 Samuel 15:22 - February 6, 2019 - Don't be satisfied with just the outward forms of worship. God wants our hearts more than empty worship. To obey is better than sacrifice.
- Outward Appearances Are Deceiving – 1 Samuel 16:7 - May 30, 2018 - All too often we judge a person based on their outward appearances. The problem with this is that outward appearances are often deceiving and can…
- The Battle is the Lord’s: David and Goliath – 1 Samuel 17:47 - July 22, 2020 - When you find yourself engaged in a spiritual battle, remember David's encounter with Goliath. And know that the battle is the Lord's, not yours.
- The Far-Reaching Consequences of Our Sin – 1 Samuel 28:19 - December 27, 2021 - Our sin is never just a personal matter. It has far-reaching consequences, impacting everyone who is a part of our lives.
- Finding Strength In the Lord – 1 Samuel 30:6 - August 26, 2020 - How do you respond to distressing situations. When David found himself overwhelmed, he found strength in the Lord, trusting in God.
- 2 Samuel - Bible studies from the book of 2 Samuel
- The Lord Is My Rock – 2 Samuel 22:1-3 - April 24, 2019 - My hope is in God. Even should all else around me fail, I can trust in him. He is my deliverer. My Savior. The Lord…
- 1 Kings - Devotionals and short Bible studies from 1Kings
- The Uniqueness of God – 1 Kings 8:23 - September 13, 2021 - There are many so called gods who are worshipped and followed today. But the Lord God we follow is unique in his covenant of love…
- A Nation’s Troubles: Who is Responsible? – 1 Kings 18:16-18 - September 9, 2020 - The United States is facing many troubles. And the source of the nation's troubles is turning away from the true God toward false gods.
- If Only God Would Reveal Himself To Us – 1 Kings 18:38-39 - May 15, 2019 - Many people say they would believe if God would reveal himself more explicitly to them. Yet the contest on Mt Carmel would suggest otherwise.
- The Still Small Voice of God – 1 Kings 19:11-13 - September 16, 2020 - When we are at our lowest, God will whisper in our hearts. And the voice of God, if we will hear it, will challenge us…
- No Turning Back: Following the Call – 1 Kings 19:21 - May 22, 2019 - When Elisha is called to follow Elijah, he truly left all to follow God's call. For Elisha, there was no turning back. He was committed.
- 2 Kings - Studies and devotionals from the book of 2 Kings
- You Can Make a Difference – 2 Kings 5:2-3 - June 19, 2019 - You can make a difference in the lives of those around you. Even seemingly insignificant actions can have an impact.
- Wash and Be Cleansed – 2 Kings 5:13 - October 21, 2020 - Naaman felt that Elisha's instruction to wash in the Jordan to be cleansed was beneath him. Yet his ultimate obedience was key to his healing.
- Surrounded by Horses and Chariots of Fire – 2 Kings 6:15-17 - June 5, 2019 - Lord, open my eyes so that I can see your horses and chariots of fire that surround me. And encourage me to fearlessly take my…
- 1 Chronicles - Studies and devotionals from the book of 1 Chronicles
- Understanding the Times – 1 Chronicles 12:32 - December 30, 2020 - How well do you understand the times we live in today? Are you seeing them from a human perspective? Or as God does, and acting…
- Give Thanks to the Lord – 1 Chronicles 16:34 - January 31, 2022 - No matter what we might face in our lives, it is always appropriate to give thanks to the Lord. He is good, and we can…
- Everything Comes from God – 1 Chronicles 29:14 - November 4, 2020 - As David says, "Everything we have comes from God". So when we give to him, we are simply returning back what is his.
- 2 Chronicles - Studies from 2 Chronicles
- The Key To Revival – 2 Chronicles 7:14 - February 21, 2014 - The church in America seems to be dangerously lukewarm. We need revival, and the key is to humble ourselves, pray, and seek the Lord.
- The Battle is Not Yours, But God’s – 2 Chronicles 20:15 - September 4, 2019 - When you face a crisis situation and feel overwhelmed, remember Jehoshaphat and what God said to him. "The battle is not yours, but God's."
- Be Careful Who You Listen to – 2 Chronicles 24:17-18 - February 23, 2022 - The people that we are close to have a great influence on us. So, it is important to be careful about who we hang with…
- His Pride Led to His Downfall – 2 Chronicles 26:16 - March 30, 2022 - Uzziah was generally a good king. But his pride led to his downfall. Be careful of claiming credit for what God has done.
- Power Through Obedience – 2 Chronicles 27:6 - March 31, 2022 - Jotham's power as a king came because of his obedience to the Lord. Similarly, if we walk steadfastly before God, he will empower us for…
- Do Not Be Afraid or Discouraged – 2 Chronicles 32:7-8 - October 2, 2019 - If you are a child of God, you do not need to be afraid of anything that may come your way. God is for you,…
- How to Save a Nation – 2 Chronicles 34:27 - December 4, 2019 - Few have the influence of Josiah. But God will respond to all who follow his example. And in doing so, you may help to save…
- Renewing the Covenant – 2 Chronicles 34:31 - December 31, 2021 - Josiah personal renewed the covenant of God. Committing himself to it. I believe he sets a good example for all who follow the Lord.
- Ezra - Studies and devotionals from the book of Ezra
- Carefully Study and Obey the Bible – Ezra 7:10 - October 16, 2019 - We do not know a lot about Ezra. But he was careful to study and then obey the words of the Bible. And God blessed…
- Broken Over Sin In the Body – Ezra 9:6 - November 27, 2019 - The consequences of sin in the body are severe. We should respond to it like Ezra, in confession and repentance, even if the sin is…
- Stand Behind Your Pastor, Supporting Him – Ezra 10:4 - December 9, 2020 - Do you stand behind your pastor and support him, even when he makes unpopular decisions? Or do you condemn and criticize?
- Nehemiah - Studies and devotionals from the book of Nehemiah
- Remember Me with Favor – Nehemiah 13:31 - April 10, 2022 - Nehemiah's plea for God to remember him with favor expresses his desire to hear Jesus say to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
- Esther - Studies and devotionals from the book of Esther
- Are You Here for Such a Time as This – Esther 4:14 - November 13, 2019 - Like Esther, God has placed us here 'for such a time as this.' So make every effort to be a positive influence on the world…
Genesis? Not OT history?
While Genesis does contain history, it is a part of the Torah, and so is included under the Old Testament Law.