What does it mean when God says He regrets making Saul king in 1 Samuel 15:11?

1 Samuel 15:11 — God Regrets Making Saul King

What Does It Mean?

When God says He regrets (Hebrew: nāḥam) making Saul king in 1 Samuel 15:11, it is an expression of divine grief. This does not mean that God made a mistake or lacked foreknowledge. Rather, it shows His sorrow over Saul’s rebellion and moral failure.

Key Points

  • Anthropopathic Language: “Regret” reflects God using human terms to express divine emotion. He is not admitting error, but communicating His grief over Saul’s disobedience in a way we can grasp.
  • Moral Displeasure: God regrets Saul’s kingship because Saul directly disobeyed Him (vv. 3, 9) and rejected His word (v. 23). The regret is over Saul’s actions—not over God’s sovereign choice.
  • God’s Grief is Real: God is not cold or detached. His heart is grieved by rebellion. This moment shows us that God mourns sin even when it occurs within His perfect plan.
  • Not a Contradiction: Verse 29 clarifies that God “does not regret like a man.” His regret is not rooted in ignorance or indecision. He remains faithful and consistent in His purposes.

Summary

God’s “regret” in 1 Samuel 15:11 reveals that He is not emotionally indifferent. He grieves over sin and rebellion, even when it unfolds within His sovereign will. His regret shows the depth of His righteousness and relational heart, not a flaw in His plan.

Lesson 2 Outline – Israel’s Covenant Failure

Brett Cushing – Teacher

Israel’s Covenant Failure – Outline

  1. Introduction and relevance
    1. Week two of “The Second Exodus” study
    2. Connection between ancient people and modern believers
      1. ancient people are “like our peeps” – our ancestors
      2. their situations mirror our own experiences
      3. times of crisis, confusion, and self-inflicted captivity
  2. Main thesis: God’s covenants comfort us in times of crisis
    1. Central theme: God’s covenants provide comfort during crisis
    2. Three key points covenants reveal
      1. God desires to dwell with us
      2. we desire not to dwell with God
      3. God still desires to give us grace
  3. Understanding covenants
    1. Definition: a binding promise between two people
    2. Historical context: often between king and subjects
    3. Two types of covenants
      1. conditional promises (require mutual agreement and fulfillment)
      2. unconditional promises (unilateral, God doing it for us)
    4. Purpose: disclose God’s overall salvation plan for the entire world
  4. Major biblical covenants demonstrating God’s desire to dwell with us
    1. Noahic covenant (Genesis 9:11)
      1. unconditional covenant
      2. God’s promise never to flood the world again
      3. comfort: God’s redemptive purpose for entire world
      4. shows God doesn’t desire to destroy but to dwell with us
    2. Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12, ratified in Genesis 15)
      1. two promises to Abraham
        1. make him into a great nation
        2. all peoples blessed through his seed
      2. unique ratification ceremony
        1. Abraham cut animals in half
        2. only God walked through (Abraham was in deep sleep)
        3. God took penalty upon Himself for covenant failure
      3. modern relevance
        1. we are under same covenant (those with faith in Christ are Abraham’s children)
        2. foreshadows new covenant in Jesus Christ
    3. Mosaic covenant (Exodus 19-24)
      1. established 430 years after Abrahamic covenant
      2. God’s promises to Israel
        1. special nation with special role
        2. kingdom of priests (intercessors)
        3. God’s treasured possession if they obey
      3. people’s response: “We got this! We’re all in!”
      4. comfort for us: Jesus fulfilled the Mosaic law
        1. didn’t come to abolish but fulfill
        2. we get credit for everything Jesus did perfectly
        3. we become His righteousness
    4. Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-17)
      1. given after repeated disobedience by God’s people
      2. God’s promise of David’s descendant (Jesus Christ)
      3. God would build house for His name
      4. kingdom will endure forever
      5. fulfillment in Jesus
        1. angel’s announcement to Mary
        2. Jesus’ favorite teaching theme: kingdom of God
        3. gives us God’s presence, peace, and purpose
    5. New covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34)
      1. prophesied during captivity and exile
      2. God’s promises
        1. put law within them, write on hearts
        2. “I will be their God, they shall be my people”
        3. all will know the Lord
        4. forgive iniquity, remember sins no more
      3. addresses essential problem: wrong desires
      4. fulfillment through Jesus and Holy Spirit
        1. Spirit guides, counsels, convicts
        2. sanctifies and makes us more like Jesus
        3. three aspects: justification (God’s present), sanctification (God’s process), glorification (God’s promise)
  5. We don’t desire to dwell with God
    1. Illustration: Indonesian airliner pilots
      1. pilots didn’t trust instrument panel
      2. desired to trust themselves only
      3. landed at wrong location (military base)
      4. parallel: God’s people in exile asking “How did we get here?”
    2. Root of the problem: wrong desires leading to disobedience
      1. disobedience lurks behind loud declarations
      2. problem began with Mosaic covenant
        1. initiated by God’s grace
        2. people declared “We will do everything!”
        3. immediate disobedience followed
    3. Pattern of wrong desires throughout Scripture
      1. Adam and Eve: tree of knowledge vs. tree of life
      2. Eve desired the apple (looked good and pleasing)
      3. Cain: God warned “sin’s desire is for you”
      4. David’s desire for Bathsheba
      5. Israel’s desire for control
    4. Jesus’ teaching on desire vs. behavior
      1. sermon on the mount
      2. murder begins with anger
      3. adultery begins with lust
      4. disobedience is fundamentally about desire
  6. Israel’s progressive rejection of God
    1. Initial enthusiasm but quick failure
      1. started strong in Exodus 19
      2. immediately made golden calf (God they could control)
    2. Downward spiral through Old Testament
      1. book of Joshua: started great, ended failing
      2. early Judges: God as less desirable option
      3. later Judges: God became obsolete
      4. end of Judges: God seen as enemy, everyone did what was right in own eyes
    3. Desire for worldly ways
      1. craved created things rather than creator
      2. rejected Samuel’s sons
      3. demanded a king like other nations
      4. replaced God with created things
      5. connection to Romans: worshiped created rather than creator
  7. Personal application: our similar struggles
    1. Our desires fuel our disobedience
    2. Rooted in wrongful dependence
      1. “I will determine what’s right and wrong for me”
      2. tendency to decide first, then ask God to bless it
    3. God sees wrongful dependence as obstinance
    4. Disobedience results in experiencing God’s absence
  8. God’s response: grace despite obstinance
    1. Isaiah 30 example
      1. context: Israel surrounded by enemies
      2. their desire: alliance with Egypt for strength and autonomy
      3. God’s invitation: salvation through quietness, waiting, repentance, rest
      4. opposite of “Nike slogan” – don’t just do something, wait on God
    2. God’s heart revealed
      1. God craves to give grace
      2. “I am waiting, I am yearning, I can’t wait to give you grace”
      3. God’s obstinate children don’t stop His grace
      4. God is not mad at us – He loves us through Jesus Christ
  9. Conclusion: God’s covenants provide comfort
    1. All covenants based on God’s grace
    2. God does all the work in all covenants
    3. Even Mosaic covenant included sacrifices (God knew they would fail)
    4. Our part: simply depend upon and trust in God
  10. Final application questions
    1. What keeps me from having comfort in crisis and confusion?
    2. What do I need to do?
    3. What will my life look like when I turn back to God?
    4. How can I embrace that His grace is available and He’s craving to give it?

September 19, 2025 – Bible Recap Journal

Haggai 1–2

Common Theme

God calls His people to prioritize His house over their own comforts and assures them that His presence and future glory will surpass their past. Though the people had neglected rebuilding the temple, God remained faithful, stirring them to return to the work and promising to bless them.

Questions

  • What are you currently prioritizing above God’s presence or purposes?
  • How does God’s promise of future glory encourage you in seasons of discouragement or delay?

God Shot

God is the Sovereign Lord who lovingly disciplines and stirs His people when they drift from His purposes. He delights in dwelling among them, and His glory is not dependent on human grandeur but on His faithful presence and promises.

Deeper✝

Haggai 1

Haggai 1:1–11 conveys a prophetic message urging the Jewish people to take action regarding the rebuilding of the temple, highlighting the connection between their neglect and their suffering. God addresses their situation, questioning their priorities and emphasizing the need for reflection on their ways. The passage warns that inaction will lead to further curses, linking human efforts to divine purposes. Ultimately, the call is for the people to act not just for relief but for God’s pleasure and glory. This message challenges modern readers to prioritize God’s kingdom work over physical structures.

Haggai 1:12–15 highlights the people’s faith response to Haggai’s message, emphasizing God’s promise of presence, "I am with you." This new generation of Jews, facing challenges, begins the temple project after previous failures. The passage illustrates that God provides resources and empowerment for fulfilling His priorities, requiring human involvement while ensuring divine support.

Haggai 2

Haggai 2:1–9 addresses a discouraged community celebrating a festal event amidst the ruins of their temple. The passage encourages renewed strength and action despite feelings of frustration. It warns against evaluating current experiences through past spiritual paradigms, urging individuals to remain open to God’s present impact rather than becoming paralyzed by nostalgia.

The book of Haggai, particularly 2:10–23, provides a historical context for the prophet’s messages, linking them to Jewish feasts and the temple’s rebuilding. This passage marks the anniversary of the temple’s foundation and addresses the people, priests, and Zerubbabel, emphasizing themes of blessing, purity, and royal power. Haggai encourages the community by contrasting their troubled past with a hopeful future tied to their obedience and Zerubbabel’s leadership. The text highlights the importance of genuine worship and obedience, warning against empty rituals. Haggai’s message foreshadows the establishment of God’s rule, with the coming of Christ offering greater hope and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Believers today live in anticipation of the ultimate divine intervention, paralleling the faith of Haggai’s audience.


✝Deeper excerpt from NIV Application Commentary, One-Volume Edition.

Lesson 1 Outline – God’s Covenant Promise to Israel

Tom Ibach – Lesson Teacher

  1. Introduction to the Study
    1. Greetings and context for study year
    2. Study focus: The Second Exodus – Trusting a Faithful God
    3. Transition from New Testament study to Old Testament study
    4. Importance of the Old Testament for Christians
  2. The Importance and Composition of the Old Testament
    1. Old Testament as foundational to the New Testament
    2. Diverse authorship over about a thousand years
    3. Consistent message: God’s plan to redeem through the Messiah
    4. Challenge of knowing the Old Testament thoroughly
    5. Introduction to the Second Exodus within Old Testament narrative
  3. The First and Second Exodus Compared
    1. The Great Exodus from Egypt led by Moses
    2. The Second Exodus from Babylonian captivity
    3. Differences between the first and second Exodus
    4. God’s providence as a key theme in the Second Exodus
    5. Timeframe and scope of the Second Exodus
    6. Resource availability for study and timeline
  4. Books Covered in the Study
    1. Final three historical books: Ezra, Esther, Nehemiah
    2. Last three prophetic books: Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
    3. Key events: rebuilding the temple, city, and national revival
    4. Inspirational characters and their qualities
  5. Relating to the People of the Second Exodus
    1. Spiritual ancestry and connection through Abraham
    2. Shared human experiences and struggles
    3. Learning lessons from their faith and challenges
    4. Encouragement for those facing hard things today
  6. Understanding Covenant in the Bible
    1. Definition and significance of covenant
    2. Two types: conditional and unconditional covenants
    3. God’s covenants with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and Jesus
    4. Focus on Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants in this lesson
  7. The Abrahamic Covenant
    1. Unconditional promises: land, descendants, blessing
    2. Significance of faith and righteousness (Genesis 15:6)
    3. Covenant-making ritual with blood sacrifice
    4. God’s oath symbolized by passing between animal pieces
    5. Covenant as a foundation of hope for Abraham’s descendants
  8. The Mosaic Covenant
    1. Conditional covenant based on God’s law given to Moses
    2. Purpose: address sin and establish holy living
    3. Role of the Ten Commandments and sacrificial system
    4. Israel’s initial acceptance and subsequent rebellion
    5. Consequences of disobedience: wandering and curse/blessing principle
    6. Reissuing of the law in Deuteronomy
  9. God’s Faithfulness and Covenant
    1. God always upholds his part of the covenant
    2. Israel’s failure contrasted with God’s unchanging faithfulness
    3. The fulfillment of the law and covenant in Jesus Christ
    4. New covenant through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection
    5. Reflection questions on personal trust in God’s faithfulness
  10. Closing and Prayer
    1. Thankfulness for God’s faithfulness
    2. Prayer for strengthened faith and confidence in God’s promises
    3. Encouragement for a faithful walk with God

September 18, 2025 – Bible Recap Journal

Ezra 4–6; Psalm 137

Common Theme

Despite intense opposition and discouragement, God’s sovereign hand ensures the completion of His purposes and the rebuilding of His temple. Psalm 137 captures the emotional and spiritual toll of exile, showing the deep longing for restoration and justice among God’s people.

Questions

  • When facing resistance or discouragement, do you tend to stop building—or trust that God is still working?
  • How do you express your longing for God’s justice and presence in the midst of grief or opposition?

God Shot

God is faithful to His promises, sovereignly moving through kings, prophets, and providential timing to ensure His house is rebuilt. Even when His people are in anguish or under threat, He sees, remembers, and acts in perfect wisdom and power.

Deeper✝

Ezra 4

Ezra 4:1–5 discusses the significant opposition faced by the Jews during the rebuilding of the temple under Cyrus’s reign. The narrative emphasizes the importance of understanding the completed task in light of this opposition. The locals, identifying themselves as exiles, sought to assist the Jews, but Israel’s leaders, prioritizing theological purity, rejected their help. This decision led to anger and retaliation from the excluded locals, who aimed to discourage the Jews, ultimately causing a sixteen-year halt in the rebuilding efforts. The passage highlights the necessity of conviction in leadership and the implications of saying no.

Ezra 4:6–24 discusses the opposition faced by the Jews during the reigns of Xerxes and Artaxerxes, leading to a halt in their rebuilding efforts. The text highlights an unspecified accusation against the Jews early in Xerxes’ reign and a formal complaint to Artaxerxes, backed by influential figures from various regions. The complaint centers on loyalty, suggesting that rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls threatens the empire’s stability. The informants claim Jerusalem’s past rebellions justify their concerns, contrasting human perspectives with divine views on the city’s fall. The king’s response includes orders to investigate and cease the rebuilding. The passage reflects spiritual warfare, emphasizing the ongoing struggle against evil and the challenges faced by the church in spreading the gospel.

Ezra 5

Ezra 5:1–17 discusses the resumption of temple rebuilding in Jerusalem, motivated by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah after a sixteen-year pause. Persian officials challenge the Jews, not to hinder their efforts but to ensure compliance with regulations, indicating a protective oversight from God. The chapter includes Tattenai’s inquiry to King Darius about the project, showing the officials’ intent to gather information rather than express malice. The Jews respond confidently, providing a historical account of the temple, strategically omitting Solomon’s name. The text draws parallels to modern U.S. residents’ rights to free speech and worship, emphasizing that true security for Christians should rely on more than just political rights.

Ezra 6

Ezra 6:1–12 discusses the discovery of evidence in Ecbatana that supports the Jews’ right to rebuild the temple. Darius responds to Tattenai by prohibiting any interference with the construction, both physically and financially, reflecting Persian kings’ interest in their subjects’ religious practices. He also enforces penalties for disobedience regarding the temple. The passage emphasizes that opposition to God’s people will ultimately be met with divine intervention, both through prophets and supportive individuals from outside the covenant community. The restoration of Zion is assured, as God will oppose those who oppose His people.

Ezra 6:13–22 describes the completion of the temple and the subsequent celebration. The rebuilding was facilitated by a lack of governmental interference and motivated by the prophetic preaching of Haggai and Zechariah. The temple was completed on March 12, 515 BC, following the encouragement from these prophets. The dedication and celebration of the temple were marked by joy, contrasting with previous mixed emotions during earlier phases. This event recalls the dedication of Solomon’s temple, emphasizing continuity in worship despite the reduced number of tribes. The ultimate result of the temple’s completion was the resumption of traditional worship, highlighted by the celebration of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which connected the community to their past and symbolized their deliverance from exile. The Levites ensured the proper observance of these feasts, emphasizing purity and devotion to God. The narrative underscores Yahweh’s sovereignty over the rebuilding process, encouraging believers to dedicate their lives to God and celebrate His works, with Jesus as the ultimate Passover Lamb.

Psalm 137

Psalm 137 reflects on the experience of exile in Babylon, emphasizing the community’s sorrow and commitment to Jerusalem. It recalls the pain of displacement and urges collective remembrance. The psalm concludes with a plea to Yahweh to remember the actions of Edom and Babylon, highlighting the harsh realities of warfare and suffering.


✝Deeper excerpt from NIV Application Commentary, One-Volume Edition.

The Second Exodus – Lesson 1

INTRODUCTION PART 1—GOD’S COVENANT PROMISES TO ISRAEL

The second exodus of Israel is best understood when you understand Israel’s preceding history. Before we look at Israel’s return to the promised land, let’s turn the pages of Scripture and trace Israel’s story from the beginning to learn how she ended up in captivity in the first place. In this introductory lesson, we will study God’s covenant promises, Israel’s record of failures, Israel’s kings, and God’s faithfulness to His judgment and promises.

God Makes a Covenant with Abram

God reveals Himself in Scripture to be a covenant-keeping God, promising to do all that He vows. Covenants are promises that God gives to His people to reveal His character and unchanging love for them. Throughout history, God made a series of covenants like the Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic; these were a progression of promises about God’s faithfulness, redemption, and provision for His creation, culminating in the new covenant. Because of the death of Jesus, the new covenant offers a new heart and forgiveness for all who believe.

FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH

THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT

God made a very personal promise to Abraham that He would make him into a great nation, with specified land, innumerable descendants, and many spiritual blessings (Gen. 12:1–3 and 15:5). God would fulfill His promises and keep this everlasting covenant, no matter the choices of Abraham or his descendants. God’s covenant keeping is based on His own faithful character, not on man’s human actions. Though this covenant was a promise from God, man had to receive it through faith (Gen. 15:6), not by doing any works. The Abrahamic covenant and the new covenant (which Christ followers are under today) are one covenant of grace made to sinners who receive them through saving faith.

  1. Read Genesis 12:1–4. God began the nation of Israel with a man named Abram, who was later renamed Abraham. What do you learn in this interaction between God and Abram?

    God commands Abram to leave his country, his family, and his father’s house to a land God will show him. God promises to make Abram a great nation, to bless him, to make his name great, and to make him a blessing to others. God vows to bless those who bless Abram and curse those who curse him. Abram responds in faith and obedience by leaving as the Lord instructed

  2. Read Genesis 15:1–6. Despite the promise of God, Abram and his wife Sarai remained childless. What words of assurance did God give Abram, and how did Abram respond?

    God reassures Abram: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” Even when Abram shares his concerns about being childless, God promises Abram a son from his own body and that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars. Abram believes the Lord, and his faith is credited to him as righteousness

  3. Read Genesis 15:7–21. In this strange scene, the Lord continues to disclose his commitment to His covenant as He reveals Himself as a “smoking fire pot and a flaming torch” passing between the bloodied halves of three sacrificial animals.
    • What are the Lord’s instructions and Abram’s response (vv. 9–12)?

      The Lord instructs Abram to bring a heifer, goat, ram, dove, and pigeon. Abram cuts the larger animals in two and arranges them as God commands. Abram obeys fully and waits, driving away birds of prey

    • What are the Lord’s terms and promises (vv. 13–21)?

      God reveals that Abram’s descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, enslaved and oppressed for 400 years, but will eventually leave with great possessions. Abram is promised a long, peaceful life. God covenants specific lands for Abram’s descendants, stretching from Egypt to the Euphrates and covering the territory of many ancient peoples

FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH

RIGHTEOUSNESS

God’s righteousness means that God always acts in accordance with what is right and that He Himself is the final standard of what is right.

For man to be right before God, his sins must be forgiven. When Abraham believed God, he had faith in God’s promises; thereby, God imputed righteousness to Abraham’s account. His sin was removed; and God granted him righteousness based on Jesus’ sacrificial death, which paid the debt man owed. Righteousness through faith precedes the Mosaic law, which underscores salvation through faith alone, not by doing the law. Salvation is and has always been by faith alone.

“Scripture is clear that because Adam’s sin has corrupted every man, ‘none is righteous, no, not one’ (Rom. 3:10; cf. Ps. 14:1–3). But it is also clear that Jesus Christ lived a perfectly righteous life and died for our sins in order to free us from our punishment and credit us with His own righteousness—the righteousness of God (see 1 Cor. 1:30 and 2 Cor. 5:21). This is the gospel.”

  1. According to the Bible, how are you able to live in a right relationship with God and others? What would you tell someone who thought they could be righteous by “doing righteous things”?

    a) According to the text, living in a right relationship with God is only possible through faith in God’s promises and trusting in what Jesus has done through His sacrificial death. Forgiveness and righteousness are granted by God based on faith, not on human effort or good deeds. This means that, according to the Bible, righteousness before God comes by faith alone, just as it did for Abraham.

    b) The text makes it clear that no one can be righteous by simply “doing righteous things” because Scripture says “none is righteous, no, not one.” True righteousness comes by faith, not by works. Human deeds cannot remove sin; only trust in Jesus’ perfectly righteous life and sacrificial death can result in forgiveness and a right standing before God.

God Makes a Covenant with Israel

Fulfilling God’s prophecy, Abraham’s offspring became the nation of Israel and were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years. During that time, God multiplied His descendants, heard their cries, and delivered them from bondage through Moses (Ex. 1–12). That deliverance from Egypt, through the Red Sea, is called the great exodus.

God’s presence accompanied Israel on the way to the promised land as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Ex. 13:21–22). And along the way, God gave Israel the law through Moses (Ex. 20–23), which is known as the Mosaic covenant.

FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH

THE MOSAIC COVENANT

When God redeemed Israel from Egyptian bondage, He established Israel as a theocratic nation and made a temporary covenant with her called the Mosaic covenant. This covenant would not only teach God’s righteous standards but amplify sin and drive man to his need for a savior.

“The Mosaic covenant was an administration of detailed written laws given for a time to restrain the sins of the people and to be a custodian to point people to Christ. Paul says, ‘Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made’ (Gal. 3:19), and ‘The law was our guardian until Christ came’ (Gal. 3:24).”

  1. How did Israel respond to the Mosaic covenant in Exodus 19:8, 24:3, and 7–8?

    In Exodus 19:8, 24:3, and 7–8, Israel responded to God’s covenant by expressing willingness and obedience. They repeatedly said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do,” agreeing to the covenant and its stipulations.

  2. Moses went up on the mountain to receive the law from God, where he remained for 40 days and nights (Ex. 24:12, 18). Compare Exodus 20:2–4 with 32:1–14. How did the Israelites violate God’s law while Moses was on the mountain?

    While Moses was on the mountain, the Israelites demanded Aaron make a golden calf, breaking the commandments against idolatry (Exodus 20:2–4 vs. Exodus 32:1–14). They worshipped the calf and attributed their deliverance from Egypt to it, which was a direct violation of God’s law.

FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH

IDOLATRY

Idolatry is the worship or allegiance to anything other than God alone. If something holds a controlling force or position in your life, it is an idol. Idols can be materialism, pride, self-fulfillment, and power. We can even worship “our religion” instead of God. In the Old Testament, idol worship meant worshiping objects or images that represented various pagan deities. In the time between Joshua’s death and the Babylonian exile, Israel repeatedly fell into worship of the pagan gods of the peoples around them, especially Baal and Asherah. The first and second commandments instruct God’s people to worship only God and not make or serve any idol (Ex. 20:3–5). Israel’s idolatry led to their judgment, captivity, and exile at the hands of the Babylonians.

  1. Why is idolatry such an offense to God? In what way are you giving your time, money, allegiance, or effort to an idol that is holding you captive?

    Idolatry is an offense to God because it places anything or anyone above God, violating His command to worship Him alone. It constitutes spiritual unfaithfulness and breaks the unique relationship between God and His people.

  2. Exodus 34:5–7 reveals God’s covenantal commitment to Israel. “This ancient confession of faith is the basis for both the mercy and the justice of God.” Read this passage. What is the key to God’s mercy?

    The key to God’s mercy is His character—He is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” God’s mercy is rooted in who He is, offering forgiveness while maintaining justice.

Israel’s Past Disobedience and God’s Promise of Present Blessings

In God’s covenant with Abraham, God promised that the land of the Canaanites would belong to Abraham and to his descendants. Several centuries later, when it was time to take possession of the promised land, the Israelites refused because they feared the people of the land more than they trusted God.

  1. Read Numbers 14:26–34. What were the consequences that Israel suffered because of their disobedience and unbelief?

    God condemned the entire unbelieving generation to die in the wilderness. Only Caleb and Joshua would enter the promised land. Their children would wander for 40 years before inheriting the land.

  2. About 40 years later, Moses prepared the next generation of Israelites to go up and take the land. Read Deuteronomy 28:1–2 and 13–14. What did God promise to His people if they faithfully obeyed Him and did not turn aside to go after and serve other gods?

    God promised that Israel would be set high above all nations and receive abundant blessings. They would be the head and not the tail, always at the top. These promises were conditional on wholehearted obedience to God’s commands.

  3. Despite Israel’s past disobedience, write down some of the specific blessings God promised to His people in Deuteronomy 28:3–12.

    God promised blessings in the city and field, fruitful offspring, abundant crops, victory over enemies, and a storehouse of provision. The land would be blessed with rain, and Israel would lend to many but borrow from none. God would establish them as His holy people and bless all the work of their hands.

  4. Recognizing that these blessings were particular to the nation of Israel, in what specific way have you experienced God’s undeserved blessing because of your obedience?

    I’ve seen God provide peace and clarity in difficult decisions when I chose to walk in obedience to Him. His favor has shown up in relationships, open doors, and spiritual growth that I could not have orchestrated myself.

God’s Promise of Curses for Israel’s Disobedience
  1. God warned Israel of the curses that would come upon them for disobedience. Read Deuteronomy 28:15–19 and notice how these curses are exactly opposite of God’s promised blessings in Deuteronomy 28:3–12. Summarize more curses listed in Deuteronomy 28:20–35.

    • Verses 20–24

    God would send confusion, frustration, disease, drought, and destruction. Their work would fail, and the skies would withhold rain. The land would become as hard and barren as bronze and iron.

    • Verses 25–26

    Israel would suffer military defeat and become an object of horror to other nations. Their dead bodies would be left unburied, eaten by birds and beasts with no one to drive them away.

    • Verses 27–28

    God would strike them with diseases like boils, tumors, and incurable skin conditions. He would also bring madness, blindness, and confusion of heart.

    • Verses 29–35

    They would grope in daylight like the blind and experience continual oppression and robbery. They would be robbed of their families, homes, livestock, and crops, with no one to help or restore them.

  2. What repeated phrase do you see in all the curses brought on Israel? (See Deut. 28:20, 21, 22, 25, 27, 28, and 35.) What do you learn about the Lord?

    The repeated phrase is “The Lord will strike you…” or similar variations. This shows that God is personally and actively involved in upholding His covenant justice. He is not passive toward sin and holds His people accountable when they rebel.

  3. What would be the ultimate curse brought on Israel if they didn’t obey the Lord and keep His commandments? (See Deut. 28:49–52 and 64–65.)

    God would bring a foreign nation against them, one that shows no pity, to besiege and destroy their cities. They would be scattered among the nations, serving other gods and finding no rest or peace. Their lives would be filled with anxiety, fear, and despair.

  4. God expects repentant hearts from His people. When people persistently refuse to repent of their sin against God, what does that reveal? When you persistently sin against God’s commands, what does that reveal?

    Persistent refusal to repent reveals a hard and rebellious heart that rejects God’s authority. It indicates pride, unbelief, and a lack of fear of the Lord. Ongoing sin without repentance shows a need for true transformation and humility before God.

God Renews the Covenant with His People
  1. As Israel prepared to enter the promised land, only two who left Egypt and agreed to the covenant at Mount Sinai would enter in, Caleb and Joshua. God would renew His covenant with the new generation of Israelites. Read Deuteronomy 29:10–15. What do you observe about the covenant?

    The covenant was made not only with those present but also with future generations. It established a relationship between God and His people, binding them to Him as their God. The covenant was inclusive and forward-looking, rooted in God’s faithfulness.

  2. Read Deuteronomy 29:22–28. How does Moses answer this question: “Why has the Lord done thus to this land? What caused the heat of this great anger?”

    The Lord’s anger burned because the people abandoned the covenant, served other gods, and provoked Him with idolatry. As a result, He brought curses, devastation, and exile upon the land. Their disobedience and unfaithfulness were the direct cause of God’s judgment.

  3. Read Deuteronomy 30:1–10. What important truths do you learn about the “Lord your God”? What important truths do you learn about man?

    God is merciful, willing to restore, forgive, and bless His people if they return to Him with all their heart and soul. He delights in compassion and will gather His people from exile. Man is called to wholehearted repentance and obedience, and restoration follows genuine return to the Lord.

FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH

COVENANT

At its most basic level, a covenant is an oath-bound relationship between two or more parties. Thus, human covenants (for example, marriage) fall under this general definition. In divine covenants, God sovereignly establishes the relationship with His creatures. There are other nuances, but a divine covenant given after the fall is, fundamentally, one in which God binds Himself by His own oath to keep His promises. Still, there are conditions attached to that oath on the human side. If the human party involved in a covenant with God does not keep the covenant’s conditions, there will be consequences.

  1. How does understanding the concept of covenant change your understanding of being a Christian? Write a prayer that expresses your dependence upon or belief in God’s promises.

    a) Understanding covenant deepens the sense of God’s unbreakable commitment and the weight of our responsibility to trust and obey. Christianity becomes more than belief—it is a binding relationship grounded in grace and faithfulness. We live under God’s promise, but also under a call to loyal obedience.

    b) Lord, thank You for binding Yourself to me through Your promises. I trust in Your faithfulness, not my own strength. Help me walk in obedience, confident in Your mercy and committed to Your Word.

September 17, 2025 – Bible Recap Journal

Ezra 1–3

Common Theme

God faithfully fulfills His promises by stirring hearts to return, rebuild, and restore. These chapters highlight the sovereign orchestration of return from exile and the beginning of temple restoration, emphasizing God’s covenant faithfulness.

Questions

  • What does it reveal about God’s character that He moved both a pagan king (Cyrus) and the people to accomplish His purposes?
  • In what ways might God be prompting you to "rebuild" something in your life that reflects His glory?

God Shot

God is the sovereign Restorer who stirs hearts, opens doors, and orchestrates history to fulfill His redemptive plans. He is faithful to His promises and powerful enough to move both kings and common people to bring His purposes to pass.

Deeper✝

Ezra 1

Ezra 1:1–11 discusses Cyrus’s proclamation regarding the return of the Jews to Jerusalem after the fall of Babylon in 539 BC. The text emphasizes that this event is not just a political shift but a divine intervention by God. Cyrus acknowledges that his success is due to "The LORD" and commissions the Jews to rebuild Yahweh’s dwelling in Jerusalem, providing financial support and resources. The response to Cyrus’s proclamation includes leaders from Judah and Benjamin, as well as priests and Levites, indicating a collective effort. Neighbors also contribute by providing assistance. The chapter concludes with a tally of resources, affirming God’s presence with His people and fulfilling prophetic promises. The application highlights the importance of trusting in God’s faithfulness to restore and keep His word despite challenges.

Ezra 2

Ezra 2:1–70 details the return of the exiled people to Jerusalem and Judah, fulfilling a promise from the prophet Isaiah. Key figures in this restoration include Zerubbabel, linked to the Davidic line, and Joshua, the high priest. The text categorizes the returning individuals into lay people and ministers, emphasizing their connections to their ancestral roots and geographical origins. The lay people are identified by family names and towns, reinforcing their legal ties to the land. The ministers include priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers, and temple servants, with specific families noted for each role. However, some individuals lack documentary proof of their Israelite descent, raising concerns about their eligibility for priestly duties. The chapter concludes with a numerical summary of the returning group, although the total does not match the individual counts, reflecting common discrepancies in ancient records. The application emphasizes the importance of spiritual identity, suggesting that true understanding of self comes from recognizing one’s relationship with God, rather than relying on human-made markers of identity.

Ezra 3

Ezra 3:1–13 describes the rebuilding of the altar and the preparations for the temple after the return from exile. The seventh month marks a significant time for the community, symbolizing both practical and theological progress in worship. Joshua, the high priest, and Zerubbabel lead the efforts to build the altar for sacrifices, adhering to the Law of Moses. Despite challenges, the people engage in daily worship and celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, reflecting on God’s provision during their ancestors’ desert journey. After the altar’s completion, they focus on gathering supplies and personnel for the temple’s foundation, with Levites supervising the work, emphasizing unity. The first worship service after exile highlights the community’s praise for Yahweh, although some who remembered Solomon’s temple wept at the sight of the new foundation. The chapter concludes with the sound of their praises echoing beyond the community, setting the stage for future challenges. The text underscores God’s goodness amidst difficulties and the assurance of His presence.


✝Deeper excerpt from NIV Application Commentary, One-Volume Edition.

September 16, 2025 – Bible Recap Journal

Daniel 10–12

Common Theme

God reveals detailed visions of future conflict, persecution, and deliverance, reminding His people that He is sovereign over history and that their suffering has purpose. These chapters underscore the spiritual battle behind earthly events and the ultimate triumph of God’s kingdom.

Questions

  • How does knowing that unseen spiritual battles are occurring impact the way you pray or persevere through hardship?
  • What encouragement can you draw from the promise that those whose names are written in the book will be delivered?

God Shot

God is revealed as the One who commands angelic armies and knows the future with perfect clarity. He is not distant from suffering but is actively engaged in the spiritual and historical battles that shape His redemptive plan.

Deeper✝

Daniel 10

Daniel recounts a vision received after three weeks of mourning and prayer for understanding. On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, he sees a terrifying heavenly being resembling a human, dressed in linen and gold, whose voice is powerful. Although those around him do not see the vision, they sense its might and flee. The supernatural being reassures Daniel, who is described as precious to God, and reveals a cosmic battle involving the "prince of the Persian kingdom," a supernatural entity opposing divine forces. This conflict illustrates the struggles faced by God’s people. The messenger announces that he will share what is written in the "Book of Truth," indicating that God has a plan for history, culminating in the rescue of His people. The text emphasizes the need for believers to recognize their reliance on God’s strength in spiritual battles, urging them to don the armor of God and turn to Jesus as their ultimate source of power against evil.

Daniel 11

The passage outlines a prophetic narrative concerning the historical events involving Persia, Greece, and the subsequent rulers, particularly focusing on the conflicts between the Ptolemies and Seleucids. The text begins by affirming the truth of the prophecy, which Daniel hears in the sixth century, detailing events that span several centuries. It identifies Alexander the Great and his successors, leading to the struggles for control over Palestine.

The narrative highlights the reign of Antiochus III and his son Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who aggressively opposed the worship practices of the Jewish people, culminating in the desecration of the temple. The text describes the division among the Jewish people regarding their response to Antiochus’s Hellenization efforts.

Daniel 12

As the prophecy progresses, it shifts to a broader eschatological perspective, suggesting a climactic king who embodies pride and rebellion against God. The passage emphasizes the ultimate conflict between good and evil, culminating in the salvation of God’s people, as indicated in chapter 12. The text concludes with a celestial dialogue about the future, underscoring the mystery of God’s plan and the assurance of divine control despite present chaos.

The application stresses God’s sovereignty amidst contemporary turmoil, encouraging believers to trust in His control over the world, regardless of societal challenges. The message reassures that, like in ancient times, God remains in command today, urging a response of faith rather than panic.


✝Deeper excerpt from NIV Application Commentary, One-Volume Edition.

Restoring My Mother’s Bible

In Honor of My Mom, Helen, Whose Birthday is Today, September 16, 1931

After my mom passed away in 2020, my older sister Barb handed me my mother’s Bible that she had since her confirmation. It is such a meaningful reminder of Mom and how she cherished prayer. The original leather cover was in pretty rough condition, but the spiritual and emotional value of this Bible was beyond measure.

I found a respected Bible rebinder in Neil McCauley, owner of Resurrection Rebinding. They did such a wonderful job of restoring Mom’s Bible to a beautiful condition. Every time I read from this Bible, I will think of my mom.

Below is a visual journey from its original state to its masterfully restored form. Each “Before” image is immediately followed by its “After” counterpart for clear comparison.

Front Cover

Before

After

Back Cover

Before

After

Spine

Before

After

Inside Cover

Before

After

Presentation & Title Page

Before

After

Inside Back Cover

Before

After

Unboxing the Restored Bible

Fresh from Resurrection Rebinding.

Unboxing photo 1 Unboxing photo 2 Unboxing photo 3
Unboxing photo 4 Unboxing photo 5 Unboxing photo 6
Unboxing photo 7 Unboxing photo 8 Unboxing photo 9
Unboxing photo 10 Unboxing photo 11 Unboxing photo 12
Unboxing photo 13 Unboxing photo 14 Unboxing photo 15

Closing Thoughts

This transformation preserves not just a Bible, but a tangible piece of our family’s faith heritage. The craftsmanship honors both the Word it contains and the woman who treasured it. I’m so thankful for the care and excellence that went into this restoration—every time I open its pages, I remember my mom, her prayers, and her love for God’s Word.

September 15, 2025 – Bible Recap Journal

Daniel 7–9

Common Theme

God is sovereign over history and time, revealing future kingdoms and their downfall, culminating in His eternal rule. He responds to repentance and fulfills His promises despite overwhelming opposition and delay.

Questions

  • How does Daniel’s response to the visions (prayer, confession, intercession) shape your view of how to respond to difficult revelations from God?
  • What do these chapters teach us about God’s timeline versus our own expectations?

God Shot

God is the Ancient of Days, enthroned in holiness and judgment, ruling over all nations and kingdoms. He listens to humble prayer, sends divine messengers, and sovereignly sets the times for redemption and justice.

Deeper✝

Daniel 7

Daniel 7:1–28 marks a shift from court narrative to apocalyptic literature, requiring a different reading approach due to its metaphor-rich nature. Apocalyptic literature uses analogies to convey complex ideas, emphasizing caution in interpretation. Daniel’s vision begins with a chaotic sea, symbolizing horror and evil, from which four bizarre beasts emerge, representing forces opposing God. The first beast, resembling a lion with eagle wings, is interpreted as Babylon. The second, a bear, raises debate over its identification as Medo-Persia or Media. The third beast, a swift leopard, may symbolize the Persian army or Alexander the Great’s conquests. The fourth beast is less defined, often linked to Greece or Rome, depending on previous identifications.

The narrative transitions to a courtroom scene where the "Ancient of Days" represents God as judge, and "one like a son of man" signifies a divine figure, emphasizing the contrast between depraved human kingdoms and the divine realm. The fourth beast and its horns are debated, with interpretations suggesting they represent Greece or Rome, and the climactic horn linked to Antiochus IV or the New Testament’s antichrist.

The phrase "a time, times and half a time" is often interpreted as three and a half years, though its vagueness suggests a broader meaning. Ultimately, Daniel 7 illustrates the pervasive nature of human evil, resonating with Christians who face oppressive regimes and highlighting the universal struggle against self-seeking rebellion against God.

Daniel 8

Daniel 8:1–27 presents a vision involving a ram and a goat, focusing on a small horn that symbolizes a king or kingdom, which grows and challenges the heavenly army, particularly the commander of the Lord. This small horn represents a power that rebels against God, causing suffering to God’s people and disrupting worship. The vision indicates that this disruption will last for 2,300 evenings and mornings before the sanctuary is reconsecrated.

The interpretation of the vision is provided by the angel Gabriel, who clarifies that it pertains to the second century BC, identifying the ram as the kings of Media and Persia and the goat as Greece, led by Alexander the Great. Following Alexander’s death, his empire is divided among his generals, referred to as the "four prominent horns." The focus then shifts to Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Seleucid ruler known for his persecution of the Jewish people and desecration of the temple, actions that are seen as direct affronts to God.

The vision concludes with a reaffirmation of the suffering’s timeframe, emphasizing that the numbers given are not for precise calculations but to assure believers of God’s control. The application warns against misusing apocalyptic dates to assert control over God’s timeline, urging the church to focus on present realities while maintaining hope for the future. This reflects a broader theme of living faithfully in the present rather than being consumed by speculation about the end times.

Daniel 9

Daniel 9:1–27 discusses Daniel’s prayer in the context of the fall of Babylon and the anticipated return of the Judeans to their homeland. In the first year of Darius, Daniel reflects on the seventy-year prophecy from Jeremiah, recognizing that Babylon’s fall marks a potential end to the exile. He acknowledges God’s greatness and faithfulness while confessing the people’s rebellion against Him, highlighting their failure to heed the prophets sent to them. Daniel connects the people’s sins to their suffering, emphasizing that their exile is a consequence of their actions, not arbitrary punishment from God.

He appeals for mercy, invoking God’s past deliverance during the Exodus, suggesting that the return from exile would be a second Exodus. Daniel’s plea is based on God’s righteousness rather than the people’s merit. Gabriel responds to Daniel’s prayer by reinterpreting the seventy years as seventy "sevens," outlining six significant actions that will occur during this period, including the eradication of sin and the establishment of righteousness.

The prophecy also discusses a future destructive force that will disrupt the covenant and lead to desolation. Ultimately, the text emphasizes the importance of seeking God’s voice, as Daniel did through Scripture, and points to Jesus as the fullest revelation of God today, encouraging believers to engage with the Bible to encounter Him.


✝Deeper excerpt from NIV Application Commentary, One-Volume Edition.