Latest Commentaries

Joshua 9:22-27 describes a curse on the Gibeonites for deceiving Israel. The Gibeonites confess their fault, throwing themselves at Joshua's mercy. He rescues them from the angry Israelites but makes them woodcutters and water carriers for the LORD’s sanctuary.

Joshua 9:16-21 shows how the Israelites learn that the Gibeonites were not foreigners as they claimed. Despite the complaints from the Israelite assembly, their leaders spare the lives of the Gibeonites because of their vows. Nevertheless, they allow them to live in Israel as servants.

Joshua 9:7-15 shows that the Israelites first question the truth of the Gibeonite claim that they live from afar, but ultimately are deceived. Without seeking the counsel or will of God, Israel makes a peace treaty with the Gibeonites.

Joshua 9:3-6 shows how the Gibeonites fear a forthcoming Israelite invasion. They act craftily to deceive Joshua and the Israelites to protect themselves. They urge God’s people to make a peace treaty with them.

Joshua 9:1-2 records how the Canaanite kings ally themselves to fight against Joshua and the Israelites when they hear about their success in Jericho and Ai.

Joshua 8:24-29 records how, after Israel’s victory over Ai, the people take the spoils for themselves and hang the king's corpse on a tree until evening. At sunset, they take his body down from the tree and build a cairn over it to memorialize the defeat of Ai.

Joshua 8:18-23 records how the LORD instructs Joshua to raise his javelin toward Ai, symbolizing Israel’s victory. Once Joshua stretches out his javelin, the men in ambush seize the city and burn it, confusing the enemy soldiers who pursue them. God’s people destroy the enemy but bring the king of Ai alive to Joshua.

Joshua 8:10-17 details the beginning of the battle against Ai. After commissioning 30,000 soldiers to set an ambush west of Ai, Joshua instructs a second contingent of 5,000 men to set an ambush between Bethel and Ai. Meanwhile, he and the main fighting force launch a full-frontal assault and flee before the adversaries, dragging them away from the city to trap them.

Joshua 8:3-9 shows Joshua commanding 30,000 warriors to lie in ambush west of Ai at night. Meanwhile, he and the rest of the people stay in the camp to launch a full-frontal assault and flee before the enemy, dragging them away from the city to allow the 30,000 soldiers to seize it.

Joshua 8:1-2 records how the LORD urges Joshua to be brave as he leads the Israelite army to attack the city of Ai a second time. God instructs His covenant people to destroy Ai and keep the spoils of war.

Titus 3:12-15 concludes this letter and provides final instructions to Titus. Paul informs Titus to meet him in Greece if he’s able to before the winter. Paul advises Titus to call upon the Cretans to raise money to help buy passage and food for Zenas and Apollos (who seem to be the couriers of this letter) as they depart from Crete. This would be another opportunity for the Cretans to practice good works that help others. Paul signs off with a final greeting and blessing.

Titus 3:8-11 emphasizes Paul’s instructions for Titus to make the gospel message abundantly clear to the Cretan believers, shining the light of truth on them so that they will no longer be divided by the false teachers among them, so that they will follow God’s ways and make decisions to the benefit of themselves and others. Paul advises Titus to avoid debating with the false teachers because it is a waste of time. Instead, he should assert his authority, warn these teachers in the way of truth, and if they continue to be divisive after two warnings, send them out of the midst of the church.

Titus 3:4-7 summarizes the gospel message of God’s compassion toward us. While we were in a fallen sinful state, God showed His love by sending His Son to save us. Nothing we do can earn our way out of the penalty or power of sin. Only faith in Jesus’s death and resurrection. Once we believe, we are saved to live forever with God, and are made into new people by the power of the Holy Spirit, being declared righteous in God’s sight.

Titus 3:1-3 consists of Paul’s final encouragement to Titus on what key behaviors to remind the Cretan believers to emulate. Living as believers in Christ looks like obeying local governments and being generally obedient and ready to do good at all times. Believers should not speak badly of others, but should exhibit peace and kindness toward all people. Paul reflects how apart from Christ, we are driven by our desire to exploit other people, rather than serve them in love.

1 Kings 11:1-8 shows how Solomon's heart turns away from the LORD as he loves many foreign women and follows after their gods. A lifetime of small compromises and divided devotion leads Israel's wisest king into idolatry, violating God's covenant commands.

God values the heart that obeys Him more than any outward display, and Saul's refusal to follow through completely brings dire consequences.

Prideful words and unchecked anger lead to chaos, but true wisdom chooses humility and restraint.

God’s creation displays stately purpose and fearless authority, reminding humanity of the dignity and strength that lie in living under the sovereignty of the Almighty.

Small creatures teach an invaluable lesson: when we embrace God’s wisdom, no matter our position, we can thrive and serve Him with diligence and humility.

This passage reminds us that upended social orders—when entrusted to the unprepared and unwise—will inevitably bring turmoil.