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...
Daily Bread — Saturday, August 10, 2024
And of Levi he said: “Let Your Thummim and Your Urim be with Your holy one, whom You tested at Massah, and with whom You contended at the waters of Meribah -- who says of his father and mother, ‘I have not seen them’; nor did he acknowledge his brothers, or know his...
5 Av — Piece By Piece
It was on this day, in 1970, that one of many cease fires that have occurred during the many wars Israel has fought with her enemies went into effect along the Egyptian, Jordanian and Lebanese border. Like many more to follow, this cease fire did not produce a...
Daily Bread — Friday, August 9, 2024
Hear, Lord, the voice of Judah, and bring him to his people. Let his hands be sufficient for him, and may You be a help against his enemies. (Deuteronomy 33:7) The tribe of Judah, as we know, is the royal tribe from which the Davidic line would descend. Therefore, in...