Contemplative Bible Reading

Esther 5:14 (New Living Translation) So Haman’s wife, Zeresh, and all his friends suggested, “Set up a sharpened pole that stands seventy-five feet tall, and in the morning ask the king to impale Mordecai on it. When this is done, you can go on your merry way to the banquet with the king.” This pleased […]

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Esther 2:8 (New Living Translation) As a result of the king’s decree, Esther, along with many other young women, was brought to the king’s harem at the fortress of Susa and placed in Hegai’s care. This verse has bothered me for years. Esther, the good Jewish woman, entered the king’s harem. Perhaps something is lost […]

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2 Kings 11:12 (New Living Translation) Then Jehoiada brought out Joash, the king’s son, placed the crown on his head, and presented him with a copy of God’s laws. They anointed him and proclaimed him king, and everyone clapped their hands and shouted, “Long live the king!” What would you give a seven-year-old King? That […]

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Isaiah 1:24-26 (New Living Translation) Therefore, the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the Mighty One of Israel, says, “I will take revenge on my enemies and pay back my foes! 25 I will raise my fist against you. I will melt you down and skim off your slag. I will remove all your impurities. […]

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Psalms 119:3 (New Living Translation) I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us. This is a good practice – reciting aloud. Perhaps, in days gone by, we used to do this more than we do now. As a child attending a Christian elementary school, we memorized Bible passages and recited them. Note […]

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Isaiah 5:7 (New Living Translation) The nation of Israel is the vineyard of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. The people of Judah are his pleasant garden. He expected a crop of justice, but instead he found oppression. He expected to find righteousness, but instead he heard cries of violence. Wonderful poetry here. The content is […]

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Isaiah 58:13 (New Living Translation) “Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly. The Jews tripped […]

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Zephaniah 2:3 (New Living Translation) Seek the Lord, all who are humble, and follow his commands. Seek to do what is right and to live humbly. Perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you— protect you from his anger on that day of destruction. There isn’t much to comment on this passage. Tucked away in […]

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Jeremiah 7:4-5 (New Living Translation) 4 But don’t be fooled by those who promise you safety simply because the Lord’s Temple is here. They chant, “The Lord’s Temple is here! The Lord’s Temple is here!” 5 But I will be merciful only if you stop your evil thoughts and deeds and start treating each other […]

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Ezekiel 20:12 (New Living Translation) And I gave them my Sabbath days of rest as a sign between them and me. It was to remind them that I am the Lord, who had set them apart to be holy. The prophet is relaying the words of the LORD. God gave his people days of rest. […]

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