TruthSerum

The Book of the Twelve – Hosea Part 1

Hosea 1:1–6:3 Hosea writes his prophecy to the northern kingdom of Israel/Ephraim, pronouncing judgment against her for her covenant unfaithfulness but also promising her restoration based on the LORD’s faithfulness, with the desire to see Israel repent of her idolatry and turn to the LORD. Hosea’s marriage is a shocking illustration of Israel’s covenant unfaithfulness. Like a wayward wife,…

The Building of the Tabernacle

Exodus 35–40 The tabernacle is built with all its trappings, including the ark of the covenant (the lid of the ark is the mercy seat where the LORD will meet with Moses), the table of showbread, the golden lampstand, the bronze altar, the garments for the priests, the sacrifices, and the altar of incense according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, according to the pattern given to him on the…

The Golden Calf and Moses’s Intercession

Exodus 32–34 When Moses is slow to come down the mountain, the people once again complain and convince Aaron to make an idol for them. It doesn’t take the people long to violate the first and most important commandment. Pretty shocking how quickly they’ve turned away after all that they’ve experienced through the plagues and the Red Sea, water and manna and quails in the wilderness, the defeat…

Instructions for the Tabernacle

Exodus 25–31 The LORD gives instructions for the building of the tabernacle and all its trappings, including the ark of the covenant (the lid of the ark is the mercy seat where the LORD will meet with Moses), the table of showbread, the golden lampstand, the bronze altar, the garments for the priests, the sacrifices, and the altar of incense. The LORD also prepares skilled craftsmen to carry out…

The Lovingkindness of the LORD

Ruth 1–4 In the time of the judges, as the nation of Israel moves farther from covenant faithfulness with each successive cycle of rebellion and everyone does what is right in their own eyes, the story of Ruth is a reminder that the LORD has not forgotten His promise. He will be faithful to provide a Redeemer for His people, and He will preserve a remnant within the nation who will be faithful…

The Giving of the Law and the People’s Response

Exodus 21–24 The ten words having been given, Moses now receives a series of instructions detailing what it means to live out the ten words, including observing the sabbath and the three annual feasts. Then the LORD promises to send His angel to bring the sons of Israel into the land. If the people will fear the LORD and obey Him, the LORD will fight for them, and they will succeed. If not,…

Luke 12:13–34 Where is your treasure? What captures your heart? What consumes your time? What gets you up in the morning or keeps you up at night? Is it on earth or in heaven? If greed says, “I can never get enough”, worry says, “I’m afraid I may not have enough.” Both reveal a wrong view of God. Greed is short-sighted and turns our stuff into idols. Always wanting more, we think our stuff will…

Mount Sinai and the Ten Commandments

Exodus 19–20 Three months after the LORD brings the sons of Israel out of Egypt, they arrive at the foot of Mount Sinai, where they will have a terrifying encounter with the LORD and begin receiving the Law, starting with the ten words. The LORD has great plans for Israel. His treasured possession. A kingdom of priests and a holy nation. If only they would listen to His voice and keep His…

Our Resurrected King

Matthew 28:1–20 Just as the women are instructed to go and tell the disciples, and the disciples are told to go out and tell all the world, so we also are to go and tell. To give our testimony, to tell our story, of what Jesus has done for us, what the resurrection means to us. The resurrection proves that everything Jesus said and did is absolutely true. He is the Hero that God’s people hoped…