“To show partiality is not good—yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.” (Prov 28:21 WEB).

A few days ago I read Psalms 111 and 112 (which, most scholars agree, are a pair that are linked together). I was powerfully struck, once again, by the lessons in these psalms.

What was in Peter’s mind, that he ended up in the courtyard at the high priest’s house while Jesus was on trial inside?  What did he think his presence there would do?

It’s possible to teach simplified versions of Bible stories to our children, and then feel like we ourselves have outgrown those stories. But the reality is that the originals are stories for grownups. Just because we may have outgrown the simplified version doesn’t mean there’s nothing more there for us.

It’s not that human beings are incapable of good.  If we were incapable, then what would be the sense of all the commands and exhortations we read, all the imploring by the Almighty and His Son?  They beg us to do good, to do right.  It must be that we are capable of heeding them.

It is the darkest time of the night, just before the sun’s rays begin to creep over the horizon. The city streets are quiet. Out of the shadows, a young woman emerges.

The account of the death of Uzzah can be an uncomfortable read. All he did was stick his hand out and the ark from falling off the cart upon which it was being carried. Yes, they weren’t following the prescribed way of carrying the ark, but isn’t striking Uzzah with a death blow a little harsh?

What is the key verse in the prophecy of Ezekiel?

On the eve of his death, Jesus made sure to eat the Passover meal with his disciples. With so much on his mind, he took the time to break bread with his brethren.

It’s interesting what the book of Chronicles picks out from the lives of the individuals recorded therein. Yesterday it was Mattithiah, and his job making flat cakes. Today it’s to do with the life of Saul.

Our reading today from 1 Chronicles 9 lists the priests and Levites of Judah after their return from captivity in Babylon. They were very well organized with roles for each Levite, whether that was being a gatekeeper (vs. 17-27), in charge of the utensils (vs. 28-32), or singers (vs. 33-34).

The prophecy of Ezekiel is a hard book to read. A lot of it details the iniquity of the people and the reason why God brought judgments upon them. But, as with many similar prophecies in Scripture, amid the destruction, there is hope.