Daily Bread — Thursday, October 17, 2024
Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide in times of trouble? (Psalm 10:1) In Jewish tradition, it is believed that this psalm and the previous one are to be read together. At the end of Psalm 9, David -- who had been persecuted and oppressed by his enemies...
14 Tishri — No Flesh Shall Glory In His Presence
Tradition teaches that it was on this day that the Temple of Solomon was finally dedicated. The Bible records the prayer that Solomon offered on that momentous day in 2 Chronicles 6:18-21: “But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven...
Daily Bread — Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Arise, O Lord, do not let man prevail; let the nations be judged in Your sight. Put them in fear, O Lord, that the nations may know themselves to be but men. (Psalm 9:19-20) As this psalm concludes, David calls upon the LORD to arise, reminding us of what Moses said...
13 Tishri — As Guilty As Sodom
On this day it is believed that God rained down fire and brimstone and destroyed the cities of the plain, including Sodom and Gomorrah. It’s recorded in Genesis 19:24-25: “Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from...
Daily Bread — Tuesday, October 15, 2024
The nations have sunk down in the pit which they made; in the net which they hid, their own foot is caught. (Psalm 9:15) In days of old, hunters used different methods to secure a kill; in addition to spear and arrow, they would often dig pits in which to ensnare...
12 Tishri — Fulfilling the Impossible
It’s believed that on this day Abraham was visited by three angels who promised that his wife, Sarah, would give him a son. It’s recorded in Genesis 18:10: “And He said, ‘I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife...
Daily Bread — Monday, October 14, 2024
Have mercy on me, O Lord! Consider my trouble from those who hate me, You who lift me up from the gates of death, that I may tell of all Your praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion. I will rejoice in Your salvation. (Psalm 9:13-14) In antiquity, the gates of a...
11 Tishri — Let’s All Do Our Part
It’s believed that on this day Moses made the first appeal for the contributions of material and metal for the building of the Tabernacle. We can read about this in Exodus 25:1-2: “Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Speak to the children of Israel, that they...
Daily Bread — Sunday, October 13, 2024
The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. (Psalm 9:9-10) Looking at the Scripture overall, it becomes clear that God...
10 Tishri — The Day of Atonement
Today is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. There are so many events that are believed to have occurred on this day, but our focus will be on just one. Tradition has it that on this day Moses returned from the top of Mt. Sinai, carrying the second tablets of the Law....
Daily Bread — Saturday, October 12, 2024
The Lord shall endure forever; He has prepared His throne for judgment. He shall judge the world in righteousness, and He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness. (Psalm 9:7-8) David begins this verse with an obvious truth -- the LORD is eternal; an...
9 Tishri — Let Brotherly Love Continue
Today, the 9th of Tishri, is the day before Yom Kippur. And so on the eve of Yom Kippur - the day when we entreat the Creator to forgive us of our transgressions - do we stop and consider just what are the most serious of our crimes? Perhaps with some it is anger;...