Contemplative Bible Reading

Genesis 34:7 (New Living Translation) Meanwhile, Jacob’s sons had come in from the field as soon as they heard what had happened. They were shocked and furious that their sister had been raped. Shechem had done a disgraceful thing against Jacob’s family, something that should never be done. A group of brothers is furious that […]

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Genesis 28:14 (New Living Translation) And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants. God is speaking to Jacob. God is passing on the blessing and task to Abraham’s grandson as He did to Abraham and then to Isaac. Wow, this is great, right? My family will bless the […]

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Exodus 31:13 (New Living Translation) Tell the people of Israel: ‘Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy. God is giving instructions to […]

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Genesis 18:19 (New Living Translation) I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. God is discussing Abraham, who will become the father of many nations. God selected Abraham from all mankind to keep the […]

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2 Samuel 8:7 (New Living Translation) David brought the gold shields of Hadadezer’s officers to Jerusalem David captured gold items from a defeated enemy. He brought to gold to Jerusalem to use for God. Let’s step through this one. The enemy was evil, no respect for God the creator. God helps David defeat this enemy. […]

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1 Samuel 18:17 (New Living Translation) 17 One day Saul said to David, “I am ready to give you my older daughter, Merab, as your wife. But first you must prove yourself to be a real warrior by fighting the Lord’s battles.” For Saul thought, “I’ll send him out against the Philistines and let them […]

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Judges 13 (New Living Translation) 6 The woman ran and told her husband, “A man of God appeared to me! He looked like one of God’s angels, terrifying to see. … 16 “I will stay,” the angel of the Lord replied, “but I will not eat anything. However, you may prepare a burnt offering as […]

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Deuteronomy 29:19-20 (New Living Translation) 19 “Those who hear the warnings of this curse should not congratulate themselves, thinking, ‘I am safe, even though I am following the desires of my own stubborn heart.’ This would lead to utter ruin! 20 The Lord will never pardon such people. Instead his anger and jealousy will burn […]

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Ezekiel 20:5 (New Living Translation) Give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: When I chose Israel—when I revealed myself to the descendants of Jacob in Egypt—I took a solemn oath that I, the Lord, would be their God. The last part of this verse is quite simple and yet profound. All the people’s in […]

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Ezekiel 18:23 (New Living Translation) Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live. In our (post post post whatever) modern world, many see God as the big punisher. God is the ultimate big brother […]

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