South Webster Christ Methodist

03/19/2026

March 19, 2026
Judges 3 - 5

In Book of Judges chapters 3–5, several early judges of Israel are introduced, and the cycle of sin, oppression, and deliverance becomes clear. Judges 3 explains that some surrounding nations were left in the land to test Israel’s faithfulness. When the Israelites turned away from God and served foreign gods, they were oppressed by Cushan-Rishathaim. God raised up Othniel, who defeated the enemy and brought peace for forty years. Later, Israel again sinned and was oppressed by Eglon. God delivered them through Ehud, who cleverly assassinated Eglon and led Israel to victory over Moab. The chapter ends by briefly mentioning Shamgar, who killed six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad and also delivered Israel.

Judges 4 tells the story of Israel’s oppression under Jabin, whose army commander Sisera had nine hundred iron chariots. God raised up Deborah, who led Israel alongside the military leader Barak. After Barak gathered an army, God caused Sisera’s forces to be defeated. Sisera fled on foot and sought refuge in the tent of Jael, who ultimately killed him with a tent peg while he slept, securing Israel’s victory.

Judges 5 records the Song of Deborah, a poetic celebration sung by Deborah and Barak after the victory. The song praises God for delivering Israel and honors those tribes and individuals who joined the battle, while criticizing those who stayed away. It especially praises Jael for defeating Sisera and concludes with a reflection on how Israel’s enemies perish while those who love the Lord grow strong. The chapter ends by noting that the land then had peace for forty years.

03/18/2026

March 18, 2026
Judges 1 & 2

In Book of Judges chapters 1–2, the story shifts to the period after Joshua’s death and shows how Israel struggled to fully obey God while settling the land. Judges 1 describes how the tribes of Israel continued fighting the remaining Canaanite peoples. Some tribes, like Judah, successfully captured several cities, including Jerusalem and Hebron, and drove out many inhabitants. However, many tribes failed to completely remove the Canaanites from their territories. Instead, they allowed them to remain or forced them into labor, which was contrary to God’s command. The chapter repeatedly shows partial obedience—Israel had victories but did not fully take possession of the land as instructed.

Judges 2 explains the spiritual consequences of this incomplete obedience. An angel of the Lord rebukes the Israelites for not destroying the pagan nations and their altars, warning that these peoples would become a source of trouble and temptation. After the generation that served under Joshua died, a new generation arose that did not remain faithful to God. The Israelites began worshiping the Canaanite gods, particularly Baal and Ashtoreth, abandoning the Lord. Because of this, God allowed surrounding nations to oppress them. When the people cried out for help, God raised up leaders called judges to rescue them. However, the cycle kept repeating: Israel would fall into sin, suffer oppression, cry out for deliverance, and then be rescued—only to turn away from God again after the judge died. These chapters introduce the main theme of the book: Israel’s recurring cycle of disobedience, judgment, repentance, and deliverance.

03/17/2026

March 17, 2026
Joshua 22 -24

In Book of Joshua chapters 22–24, the book concludes with events that emphasize unity among the tribes of Israel and a final call to faithfulness to God. In Joshua 22, Tribe of Reuben, Tribe of Gad, and the Tribe of Manasseh (the half-tribe living east of the Jordan River) return to their land after helping the other tribes conquer Canaan. Before crossing the Jordan, they build a large altar. The other tribes fear this means they are rebelling against God by creating a rival place of worship, and they prepare for war. However, after sending a delegation led by Phinehas, they learn the altar was only meant as a memorial—a witness showing that the eastern tribes still belong to the Lord and share in Israel’s worship. The explanation prevents conflict and preserves unity among the tribes.

In Joshua 23, Joshua, now very old, gathers Israel’s leaders and gives a farewell address. He reminds them that God has fought for them and fulfilled His promises by giving them the land. Joshua urges them to remain faithful to God’s law, not to associate with or worship the gods of the surrounding nations, and warns that if they turn away from God, they will lose the blessings they have received.

In Joshua 24, Joshua gathers all the tribes at Shechem and recounts Israel’s history—from Abraham through the exodus and conquest—to show how God guided and delivered them. He challenges the people to choose whom they will serve, declaring the well-known statement: “Choose this day whom you will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” The people renew their covenant with God, and Joshua sets up a stone as a witness to their promise. The book ends with the death of Joshua at age 110, the burial of Joseph’s bones in the land, and the note that Israel served the Lord during the lifetime of Joshua and the elders who outlived him.

03/16/2026

March 16, 2026
Joshua 19-21

In Book of Joshua chapters 19–21, the remaining land of Canaan is distributed among the rest of the tribes of Israel, completing the division that began earlier. Joshua 19 records the territories given to tribes such as Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan, describing the cities and boundaries assigned to each. Simeon’s land is taken from within Judah’s territory because Judah’s portion was too large. The chapter ends with Joshua himself receiving a city, Timnath-serah, in the hill country of Ephraim as his inheritance after the others had received theirs. Joshua 20 establishes the cities of refuge, special towns where someone who accidentally killed another person could flee for protection from revenge until a fair trial was held; these cities were spread throughout Israel so they were accessible to everyone. Joshua 21 focuses on the Levites, the tribe set apart for religious service, who did not receive a single tribal territory but instead were given 48 cities scattered among the other tribes, including six that served as cities of refuge. The chapter concludes by emphasizing that God faithfully fulfilled His promises to Israel—giving them the land, granting them rest from their enemies, and ensuring that every promise the Lord had made to the house of Israel came true.

03/15/2026

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March 15, 2026

03/15/2026

03/15/2026

March 15, 2026

Joshua Ch. 16 - 18:
In Book of Joshua chapters 16–18, the land of Canaan continues to be divided among the tribes of Israel. Chapter 16 describes the territory given to the descendants of Joseph, specifically the tribe of Ephraim. Their land is outlined by its boundaries and cities, but the chapter notes that they did not completely drive out the Canaanites living in Gezer, and those inhabitants remained among them as forced labor.

Chapter 17 focuses on the land given to the tribe of Manasseh, the other tribe descended from Joseph. The inheritance includes land on both sides of the Jordan River. The daughters of Zelophehad receive an inheritance among the tribe because their father had no sons, fulfilling a command previously given through Moses. Later in the chapter, the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh complain to Joshua that their territory is too small for their large population. Joshua responds that they should clear the forested hill country and drive out the remaining Canaanites, even though those enemies have strong cities and iron chariots.

Chapter 18 explains that the Israelites gather at Shiloh, where the tabernacle is set up as the central place of worship. Joshua challenges the remaining tribes that have not yet taken their inheritance to stop delaying and begin occupying the land God has given them. He sends representatives from those tribes to survey the remaining territory so it can be divided. After the survey is completed, the land is distributed by casting lots before the Lord, and the first portion is given to the tribe of Benjamin.

03/14/2026

March 14, 2026

Joshua Ch. 13 - 15
In Book of Joshua chapters 13–15, the focus shifts from conquering the land to dividing it among the tribes of Israel. In chapter 13, God tells Joshua, who is now old, that much land still remains to be possessed. God instructs him to begin distributing the territories to the tribes. The chapter first reviews the land that had already been given east of the Jordan River during the time of Moses to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. It also notes that the tribe of Levi does not receive a specific territory because their inheritance is their service to the Lord.

Chapter 14 describes how the remaining land west of the Jordan is to be divided by casting lots among the nine and a half remaining tribes. During this process, Caleb, one of the faithful spies from earlier generations, reminds Joshua of the promise Moses made to him for his loyalty to God. Even at an advanced age, Caleb confidently asks for the hill country around Hebron, where powerful enemies still live, showing his strong faith that God will help him defeat them. Joshua grants Caleb’s request and blesses him.

Chapter 15 details the territory given to the tribe of Judah. The chapter carefully describes the boundaries of Judah’s land and lists many of the cities within it. It also mentions Caleb successfully driving out the descendants of Anak from Hebron. Caleb promises his daughter in marriage to the man who captures the nearby city of Debir, and Othniel accomplishes this task and marries her. The chapter ends by noting that the people of Judah were not able to fully drive out the Jerusalem inhabitants at that time, showing that some areas of the land were still not completely conquered.

03/13/2026

March 13, 2026

Joshua Ch. 10 - 12:
In Book of Joshua chapters 10–12, the Israelites continue their conquest of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua. In chapter 10, a coalition of five Amorite kings led by the king of Jerusalem attacks the city of Gibeon because it had made peace with Israel. Since Israel had promised to protect Gibeon, Joshua leads his army in a surprise night march to defend it. During the battle, God helps Israel defeat the enemy by sending large hailstones on the Amorite armies. Joshua famously asks for the sun to stand still so the Israelites can finish the battle, and the sun and moon remain in place until the victory is complete. The five Amorite kings are eventually captured and executed.

Chapter 11 describes another major battle when a large northern alliance of kings gathers under the leadership of the king of Hazor to fight Israel. God encourages Joshua not to fear them, and Israel defeats this northern coalition as well. Joshua captures and burns Hazor, which had been the leading city of that region. These victories establish Israel’s control over much of the land.

Chapter 12 summarizes the results of the conquest so far by listing the kings defeated by Israel. It first recalls the two kings defeated east of the Jordan River during the time of Moses, including Sihon and Og. It then lists thirty-one kings defeated by Joshua and the Israelites west of the Jordan, highlighting the extent of Israel’s military victories as they begin to take possession of the promised land.

03/12/2026

March 12, 2026

Joshua Ch. 6 - 9:
In Book of Joshua chapters 6–9, the Israelites begin their conquest of the land of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua. In chapter 6, God gives Joshua an unusual strategy to conquer the fortified city of Jericho. For six days the Israelites march around the city once each day with priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant. On the seventh day they march around it seven times, blow trumpets, and shout. God miraculously causes the city’s walls to collapse, allowing Israel to capture it. The city is destroyed, but Rahab and her family are spared because she had helped the Israelite spies earlier.

In chapter 7, Israel suffers an unexpected defeat when they attack the smaller city of Ai. God reveals that the loss happened because a man named Achan secretly took valuable items from Jericho that had been devoted to God. After Achan’s sin is discovered and punished, the nation is restored to God’s favor.

Chapter 8 describes Israel’s second attack on Ai. Following God’s instructions, Joshua sets an ambush behind the city. The Israelites draw the army of Ai away from the city, allowing the hidden troops to capture and burn it. After this victory, Joshua leads the people in renewing the covenant by building an altar on Mount Ebal and reading the law publicly to the entire nation, including women, children, and foreigners.

In chapter 9, the people of Gibeon use deception to avoid being destroyed. Pretending to come from a distant land, they trick Joshua and the leaders of Israel into making a peace treaty with them. Israel fails to ask God for guidance before making the agreement, and when the deception is discovered, the treaty must still be honored. As a result, the Gibeonites are allowed to live but are assigned to serve as laborers and woodcutters for the community and the altar of God.

03/11/2026

March 11, 2026

Joshua Ch. 1 - 5:
In Book of Joshua chapters 1–5, leadership of Israel transitions to Joshua after the death of **Moses. God commands Joshua to be strong and courageous as he leads the Israelites into the promised land, assuring him that He will be with him just as He was with Moses. Joshua is instructed to carefully obey the law so that Israel will prosper. The people respond with loyalty and promise to follow Joshua’s leadership as they prepare to cross the Jordan River into the land.

In chapter 2, Joshua secretly sends two spies to explore the city of Jericho. There they are sheltered by Rahab, who hides them from the king’s soldiers. Rahab explains that the people of Jericho are afraid because they have heard how God delivered Israel from Egypt and defeated other nations. She asks the spies to spare her family when Israel attacks the city, and they agree, telling her to mark her house with a scarlet cord as a sign.

Chapters 3 and 4 describe Israel’s crossing of the Jordan River. When the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant step into the river, God miraculously stops the water so the people can cross on dry ground, reminding them of the earlier crossing of the Red Sea. After crossing, Joshua commands that twelve stones be taken from the riverbed and set up as a memorial so future generations will remember how God brought Israel safely into the land.

In chapter 5, the Israelites prepare themselves spiritually before beginning the conquest of the land. The new generation of men is circumcised as a renewal of the covenant with God, and the people celebrate the Passover in the land for the first time. The manna that had sustained them in the wilderness stops because they now eat food from the land of Canaan. The chapter ends with Joshua encountering the commander of the Lord’s army, reminding him that the coming battles belong to God.

03/10/2026

March 10, 2026

Deuteronomy Ch. 32 - 34:
In Book of Deuteronomy chapters 32–34, the final events of Moses’ life are recorded. Chapter 32 contains the Song of Moses, a poetic message that Moses teaches the Israelites as a witness for future generations. In the song, Moses praises God’s faithfulness and justice, describing God as a rock who perfectly cares for His people. It also recounts how God chose and protected Israel but warns that the people will eventually become unfaithful and turn to false gods. Because of this rebellion, they will experience judgment and hardship, yet the song also declares that God will ultimately show compassion and vindicate His people. After delivering the song, God instructs Moses to go up Mount Nebo and view the promised land that the Israelites will soon enter, though Moses himself will not go into it because of his earlier disobedience.

Chapter 33 records Moses giving a final blessing to the tribes of Israel before his death. Similar to a farewell speech, he pronounces individual blessings over each tribe, asking for God’s protection, strength, and prosperity for them as they settle in the land. The chapter concludes with praise for Israel’s unique relationship with God and declares that no other nation has a God like theirs who fights for and rescues them.

Chapter 34 describes the death of Moses. From Mount Nebo, God shows him the entire promised land that will belong to Israel. Moses dies there in the land of Moab, and God Himself buries him in an unknown location. The Israelites mourn Moses for thirty days. Leadership then passes to Joshua, who is filled with wisdom and ready to lead the people. The book closes by honoring Moses as a unique prophet in Israel’s history, noting that no one else had known God so directly or performed such great signs and wonders among the people.