The period of the judges lasted for more than three centuries between Joshua’s death and the anointing of Saul as the first king. During this time, the pattern of human rebellion and God’s redemption was solidified in Israel, and stands as an example to Christians today. What can we learn about the cycle of rebellion and redemption from this period of Israel’s history?
(Preaching through the story of early Israel. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on March 23, 2025.)
There is a mysterious recurring figure in the Old Testament: “The Angel of Yahweh” appears at several critical points in the narrative to guide, support, and direct the people of Israel. What is so special about the angel, and what distinguishes him from other angels in the Bible?
(Preaching through the story of the Bible. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on March 16, 2025.)
The story of Joshua is full of war, conflict, and strife. As Israel was about to cross the Jordan and enter the promised land, Joshua was repeatedly told to “be strong and courageous.” What reasons did God give him to be so, and how does Joshua’s need for strength and courage mirror our own?
(Preaching through the story of early Israel. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on March 16, 2025.)
As we transition out of our reading of the Pentateuch and into Joshua and Judges, I thought it would be helpful to put together a timeline of early Israel, from the Exodus to the beginning of the temple construction in 1 Kings 6:1. The two verses that form the backbone of this timeline are Judges 11:26 and 1 Kings 6:1, which impose pretty hard limits on the overall dates of the judges and kings. I hope this is helpful for you!
(Note: you can find links for the maps mentioned in this sermon below.) As we transition from the Pentateuch to the so-called books of history in the Old Testament, Israel is transitioning from their wilderness wanderings into the promised land. How did they enter, how did their early encounters with the inhabitants go, and how did such a weak and nomadic nation conquer all the land from the Jordan to the Mediterranean?
You can find the maps for this sermon here (Joshua 1-9), here (Joshua 10), here (Joshua 11), and here (land allotment).
(Preaching on early Israel. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on March 9, 2025.)
I previously posted a black and white version of a map depicting the land allotment for Israel in Joshua, but I think the color version is easier to read. I hope this is helpful!
Jesus, immediately after claiming that he came not to abolish, but fulfill the law of Moses, proceeded to make what seems to be pretty major alterations to the law in Matthew 5-6. What did he mean by claiming to “fulfill” the law, and how should we understand his teaching about the things that were told to the Israelites of old?
(Preaching on the law of Moses. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on March 2, 2025.)
Deuteronomy, in addition to being a summary and recap of the law given through Moses, serves as Moses’s farewell address to Israel. At the end of his life, Moses was predominantly concerned with how Israel would keep God’s covenant after he was gone. Deuteronomy contains his admonition and encouragement for Israel to keep the covenant. What can we learn from his instruction to Israel for our own efforts to keep covenant with God?
(Preaching through the Pentateuch. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on March 2, 2025.)
As we transition into a new phase of the story in our journey through the Bible in 2025, it might be helpful to be able to visualize the land of Israel. Here is an overview chart for Deuteronomy, as well as a map of the land allotment for the Israelites given to them by Joshua.
While there certainly are a lot of numbers in the book of Numbers, a better title for the book might be the Jewish one: In the Desert. The narrative sections focus on Israel’s struggles to obey the Law they had just received through Moses, and their journeys in the desert as a result. But our struggle to obey God mirrors theirs; we have the same heart problems and motivational issues as they did. What can we learn from their struggles in the desert?
(Preaching on Numbers. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on February 23, 2025.)
Watts in the Word 
