Solomon’s Temple Devotions on 1 Kings 5:1-5, 8:1-13 Monday–Solomon’s Temple “Now the Lord has given me rest on every side” (1Kings 5:4). Jill Kildare held her husband’s hand as she surveyed the construction of an office building. Eventually, the building would house the headquarters of Jill’s expanding service empire. “You have worked hard, and […]
The Ten Commandments
Deuteronomy 5:1-6:9–God’s Covenant with Israel
God’s Covenant with Israel Devotions on Deuteronomy 5:1-12, 6:4-9 Monday–God’s Covenant with Israel “The Lord made a covenant with us at Horeb” (Exodus 5:1). The journey of the Israelites was drawing to an end. Before they crossed over the Jordan River and began to settle the Promised Land, Moses gathered the people together. The first […]
Exodus 20:17, Coveting and Luther’s Small Catechism
Devotions on Exodus 20:17 As you know, the Narrative Lectionary reading for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost is very short—one verse. It is rather difficult to prepare seven days of devotions on one verse. I have decided, therefore, to use Martin Luther’s Small Catechism and his explanation to the Ten Commandments as the basis for […]
Exodus 20:3-11, Love the Lord Your God
Devotions on Exodus 20:3-11 Monday–Love the Lord Your God “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). In ancient times, a person could make gods out of almost anything. Archeologists have found idol figurines made out of stone, pottery and wood. If we use Martin Luther’s definition of a god/idol as anything […]