Today’s Bible Reading

July 12

Old Testament I
Judges 5
Judges 5 is a poetic song of victory celebrating the military success of the Israelites against their oppressors, the Canaanites. The chapter is commonly referred to as the "Song of Deborah," as it is attributed to Deborah, a prophetess and judge of Israel.

The song begins with an exhortation to praise God for the victory He has given His people. Deborah recounts how the Israelites were oppressed by the Canaanites and how the Lord raised up Deborah and Barak, the military leader, to lead the Israelites in battle.

Deborah praises the tribes of Israel who joined the fight against the Canaanites, and she rebukes those who did not. She highlights the role of Jael, a woman who killed the Canaanite general Sisera with a tent peg, as a symbol of the Lord's deliverance.

The song also describes the battle itself, with vivid imagery of the clash of armies and the pursuit of the fleeing Canaanites. The Israelites are depicted as strong and courageous, and the Canaanites as weak and cowardly.

The song concludes with a prayer for God to continue to bless and protect His people, and for the enemies of Israel to be defeated. Deborah's song of victory serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and power to save His people, and inspires confidence and trust in Him.

Old Testament II
Isaiah 26
Isaiah 26 is a song of praise and trust in God, written to encourage the people of Israel to trust in Him, especially during times of trouble and oppression.

The chapter begins with a declaration of trust in God, stating that He is a strong and unchanging rock that the people of Israel can rely on. The chapter then goes on to describe how God will bring judgment on the wicked and oppressors, and how He will ultimately restore and redeem His people.

The chapter also contains several prophetic passages that point to the ultimate victory of God over evil and His establishment of His kingdom on earth. The chapter concludes with a call to the people of Israel to wait patiently for the Lord, to trust in Him, and to seek His righteousness.

Overall, Isaiah 26 is a powerful reminder of the faithfulness of God and the hope that His people can have in Him, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. It encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty and to wait patiently for His ultimate redemption and restoration.

New Testament
1 Corinthians 5
 First Corinthians 5 is a chapter in the New Testament book of 1 Corinthians, in which the Apostle Paul addresses a specific issue that was occurring in the church in Corinth. The chapter can be summarized as follows:

Paul starts by rebuking the Corinthians for their tolerance of sexual immorality in their midst. He specifically references a man who has taken his father's wife, and notes that even the non-believing Gentiles would find such behavior abhorrent. Paul urges the Corinthians to remove this man from their fellowship, so that he might come to repentance and be saved from eternal destruction.

Paul goes on to explain that Christians are called to judge those within the church, and that they must remove any wickedness from among them. He also clarifies that he is not talking about judging those outside the church, as that is God's prerogative. Paul emphasizes the importance of purity in the church, and warns that a little bit of sin can have a corrupting influence on the entire community.

Finally, Paul exhorts the Corinthians to live a life of holiness, urging them to celebrate the coming of Christ by purging themselves of all malice and evil. He reminds them that they have been purchased at a great price, and that they must glorify God in their bodies.

Overall, 1 Corinthians 5 is a chapter that deals with the issue of sexual immorality in the church, and emphasizes the importance of purity and holiness. It also provides guidance on how Christians should deal with sin in their midst, emphasizing the need for judgment and discipline.