Daily Bread — Friday, August 16, 2024
Dan is a lion’s whelp; he shall leap from Bashan. (Deuteronomy 33:22) The name Dan means "to judge," and so very often, the tribe of Dan is represented on banners with a scale symbolizing justice. When Jacob blessed and prophesied of this tribe, he referred to Dan as...
11 Av — Fight For The Promise
It was on this day, in 1948, that Arab forces blew up a pumping station that supplied water to the city of Jerusalem. This occurred just months after the state of Israel had become a reality. By cutting off Jerusalem’s water supply, the enemies of Israel tried to...
Daily Bread — Thursday, August 15, 2024
Blessed is he who enlarges Gad; he dwells as a lion, and tears the arm and the crown of his head. He provided the first part for himself, because a lawgiver’s portion was reserved there. He came with the heads of the people; he administered the justice of the Lord,...
10 Av — The Sons of Issachar
According to tradition, it was on this day that the son of Jacob, Issachar, was born. One of the most notable verses about Issachar and the sons of Issachar is found in 1 Chronicles 12: “And of the children of Issachar which were men that had understanding of the...
Daily Bread — Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, and Issachar in your tents! They shall call the peoples to the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness for they shall partake of the abundance of the seas and of treasures hidden in the sand. (Deuteronomy...
9 Av — We Are Well Able
It was on this day that the scouts returned with their evil report. Ten of twelve notable men were convinced that the conquest of Canaan was impossible; only Joshua and Caleb were ready to go into the land. Upon hearing the report, the Exodus generation, responded...
Daily Bread — Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Let the blessing come on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers. (Deuteronomy 33:16) With this statement, Moses actually quotes what Jacob had said of Joseph just before he died. If he repeats Jacob, it merits our...
8 Av — Brother Against Brother
It was on this day in the year 66 that civil war broke out in Jerusalem between activists and the so-called “Peace Party” - those who wanted to sue for peace with the Romans - demonstrating that, when judgment comes, it isn’t necessarily administered by an external...
Daily Bread — Monday, August 12, 2024
And of Joseph he said: “Blessed of the Lord is his land, with the precious things of heaven, with the dew, and the deep lying beneath, with the precious fruits of the sun, with the precious produce of the moon.” (Deuteronomy 33:13-14) Following the blessing pronounced...
7 Av — When the House is Empty
It was on this day, in 586 B.C., that Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, occupied Solomon’s Temple. As we’ve stated in previous installments, Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon epitomize everything that God’s people are to avoid and resist. Babylon manifests everything we are...
Daily Bread — Sunday, August 11, 2024
Of Benjamin he said: “The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, who shelters him all the day long; and he shall dwell between His shoulders.” (Deuteronomy 33:12) Most everyone knows that the Temple of God was established on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem which...
6 Av — Head East, Young Man (and Old Man, Too)!
Horace Greeley, writing for the New York Tribune, once told his readers: “Go West, young man. Go West and grow up with the country.” At that time the country was, indeed, growing and expanding westward with the belief that it was mandated by heaven. The history books...