First Reading of Ruth: 2, Abundance, Respect, & Support

I have been away too long!  My husband got very sick for three solid weeks, and our household has been in chaos.  But let’s get back in where we left off.  Just open your Bible to Ruth chapter 2 and read through it.  It’s quite short.  Come back when you’re there and let’s go through … More First Reading of Ruth: 2, Abundance, Respect, & Support

First Reading of Ruth: 1, This is What Love Looks Like

As I approached writing a First Reading post on Ruth, I believed it would be easy.  The book of Ruth is very short, tells only one story, and contains nothing that will upset or frustrate the reader.  Unlike literally every other book of the Old Testament before it, Ruth gives us only good examples.  The people … More First Reading of Ruth: 1, This is What Love Looks Like

First Reading of Judges: 21, When Vows Lead to Violence

  Well, this will be the last First Reading post on the book of Judges.  It always feels good to complete something, and this experience of writing everything down has been wonderfully beneficial for me.  I hope it’s useful for other people, too, and if nothing else, I hope it encourages people to open their … More First Reading of Judges: 21, When Vows Lead to Violence

First Reading of Judges: 18, Unholy Conquest

Because of the utter moral failure of Israel after the death of Joshua, God never allowed portions of the Promised Land to be fully occupied by the Israelites.  The Israelites intermarried with Canaanites and adopted the customs and idol-worship of Canaan.  Israelites gave their favor to false gods, so God removed his favor from Israel. … More First Reading of Judges: 18, Unholy Conquest