Key Verse
22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. 
 
Meditation
The extraordinary grace of God brings true freedom to all who believe. Jesus was condemned as guilty so that sinners like you and me could be forgiven and free. Because Jesus substituted Himself in our place, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Him (Romans 8:1).
 
In today’s reading, Jesus stands accused before Pilate (vv. 1-2). Yet Pilate immediately declares, “I find no guilt in this man” (v. 4)... a verdict echoing through the chapter like sound through a canyon. Pilate repeats it two more times (vv. 14, 22), Herod confirms it (v. 15), and even the dying criminal beside Jesus confesses, “This man has done nothing wrong” (v. 41). Five times Jesus’ innocence is proclaimed, yet He is still mocked, beaten, and crucified (vv. 24-49), while guilty Barabbas walks free (vv. 18-25).
 
This is the great exchange foretold by Isaiah: the innocent Messiah bearing the sins of the guilty so the guilty might be declared righteous (Isaiah 53:4–6). Jesus, who “knew no sin,” became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus committed no sin (1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5), yet He died as the pure and spotless Lamb for sinners (1 Peter 1:18–19).
 
We earn death through our sin, but we receive life through the death of Christ (Romans 6:23). God’s righteous anger against sin is satisfied in Jesus’ sacrifice (1 John 4:10). Through the guiltless One who took our guilt, we are reconciled to God (Colossians 1:12–14) and freed forever from condemnation.
 
Today’s Reading
Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”3 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.”4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” 5 But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”

Jesus Before Herod
6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. 9 So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him.11 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.

13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore punish and release him.”

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified
18 But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— 19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.

The Crucifixion
26 And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.27 And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. 28 But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.29 For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

The Death of Jesus
44 It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour,45 while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.

Jesus Is Buried
50 Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.

On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today's reading, especially the emphasis on Jesus' guiltlessness?

-Why is it easy for you to believe but difficult for you to receive the reality that Jesus was a guiltless substitute for you, that you may be found without condemnation in Him?

-Because this is true, what difference (specifically) does this make for you?
​
Key Verse
22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. 

​Key Verse
38 All these, men of war, arrayed in battle order, came to Hebron with a whole heart to make David king over all Israel. Likewise, all the rest of Israel were of a single mind to make David king. 
 
Meditation
The world needs Christians to respond to God’s grace with whole hearted courage to serve God’s anointed king with a single mind.
 
In today’s reading, Ezra recalls Israel’s mighty men coming to the king “with a whole heart” and a “single mind” (v. 38). He identifies Benjaminite ambidextrous marksmen (vv. 2–6), elite warriors from Gad (vv. 8–15), and loyal troops from Manasseh (vv. 19–22) among the thousands who pledged loyalty to David (vv. 23–37). These mighty men were the elite of the elite, “the least was a match for a hundred men and the greatest for a thousand” (v. 14). Together they came to “help” (vv. 1, 17, 21, 22) establish David’s kingdom.
 
God gathers leaders to serve His anointed king. The mighty men were with David in the wilderness at Ziklag (v. 1) and at coronation in Hebron (v. 38). They came together “until there was a great army, like an army of God” (v. 22). Their loyalty was anchored in God’s choosing David as king (v. 18) and their pledge to use their skills to serve king David with a single mind calls courage from Christians today.
 
Christians are not to consider how to become “mighty warriors” for God before we contemplate how to respond to God’s grace by being “whole hearted” servants of the true King called to have a “single mind” to give Jesus glory in everything. Jesus was a mighty warrior for us, the king who fought for His people by giving His life as the penalty of our sin. In view of this mercy, we must be whole hearted, single minded, servants of our King.


 
Today’s Reading
Now these are the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he could not move about freely because of Saul the son of Kish. And they were among the mighty men who helped him in war. 2 They were bowmen and could shoot arrows and sling stones with either the right or the left hand; they were Benjaminites, Saul's kinsmen. 3 The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, both sons of Shemaah of Gibeah; also Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; Beracah, Jehu of Anathoth, 4 Ishmaiah of Gibeon, a mighty man among the thirty and a leader over the thirty; Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, Jozabad of Gederah, 5 Eluzai,  Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, Shephatiah the Haruphite; 6 Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korahites;7 And Joelah and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.

8 From the Gadites there went over to David at the stronghold in the wilderness mighty and experienced warriors, expert with shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions and who were swift as gazelles upon the mountains: 9 Ezer the chief, Obadiah second, Eliab third, 10 Mishmannah fourth, Jeremiah fifth, 11 Attai sixth, Eliel seventh, 12 Johanan eighth, Elzabad ninth, 13 Jeremiah tenth, Machbannai eleventh. 14 These Gadites were officers of the army; the least was a match for a hundred men and the greatest for a thousand. 15 These are the men who crossed the Jordan in the first month, when it was overflowing all its banks, and put to flight all those in the valleys, to the east and to the west.

16 And some of the men of Benjamin and Judah came to the stronghold to David. 17 David went out to meet them and said to them, “If you have come to me in friendship to help me, my heart will be joined to you; but if to betray me to my adversaries, although there is no wrong in my hands, then may the God of our fathers see and rebuke you.”18 Then the Spirit clothed Amasai, chief of the thirty, and he said,

“We are yours, O David,
    and with you, O son of Jesse!
Peace, peace to you,
    and peace to your helpers!
    For your God helps you.”
Then David received them and made them officers of his troops.

19 Some of the men of Manasseh deserted to David when he came with the Philistines for the battle against Saul. (Yet he did not help them, for the rulers of the Philistines took counsel and sent him away, saying, “At peril to our heads he will desert to his master Saul.”) 20 As he went to Ziklag, these men of Manasseh deserted to him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, chiefs of thousands in Manasseh. 21 They helped David against the band of raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor and were commanders in the army. 22 For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like an army of God.

23 These are the numbers of the divisions of the armed troops who came to David in Hebron to turn the kingdom of Saul over to him, according to the word of the Lord.24 The men of Judah bearing shield and spear were 6,800 armed troops. 25 Of the Simeonites, mighty men of valor for war, 7,100. 26 Of the Levites 4,600. 27 The prince Jehoiada, of the house of Aaron, and with him 3,700.28 Zadok, a young man mighty in valor, and twenty-two commanders from his own fathers' house. 29 Of the Benjaminites, the kinsmen of Saul, 3,000, of whom the majority had to that point kept their allegiance to the house of Saul. 30 Of the Ephraimites 20,800, mighty men of valor, famous men in their fathers' houses. 31 Of the half-tribe of Manasseh 18,000, who were expressly named to come and make David king. 32 Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.33 Of Zebulun 50,000 seasoned troops, equipped for battle with all the weapons of war, to help David[c] with singleness of purpose. 34 Of Naphtali 1,000 commanders with whom were 37,000 men armed with shield and spear. 35 Of the Danites 28,600 men equipped for battle. 36 Of Asher 40,000 seasoned troops ready for battle. 37 Of the Reubenites and Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh from beyond the Jordan, 120,000 men armed with all the weapons of war.

38 All these, men of war, arrayed in battle order, came to Hebron with a whole heart to make David king over all Israel. Likewise, all the rest of Israel were of a single mind to make David king. 39 And they were there with David for three days, eating and drinking, for their brothers had made preparation for them. 40 And also their relatives, from as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, came bringing food on donkeys and on camels and on mules and on oxen, abundant provisions of flour, cakes of figs, clusters of raisins, and wine and oil, oxen and sheep, for there was joy in Israel.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the warriors who whole heartily came to serve king David with one mind?
 
-Are you whole hearted in your service to King Jesus? Do you have “one mind” to glorify Him and “one mind” with others seeking to glorify Him?
 
-Jesus is the king who fights for us, the mighty man who makes eternal life possible. How, specifically, does knowing the grace of Jesus compel you to be whole hearted and single minded for Jesus?
 
Key Verse
38 All these, men of war, arrayed in battle order, came to Hebron with a whole heart to make David king over all Israel. Likewise, all the rest of Israel were of a single mind to make David king. 

​Key Verse
7 He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. 8 His heart is steady; he will not be afraid…
 
Meditation
The wise person will praise God for His covenant blessings to those who fear Him. 
 
Today’s Psalm of wisdom begins with a call to worship, “Praise the Lord! (literally, Hallelujah!)” before unfolding a portrait of the person who “fears the Lord.”  Fearing the Lord shapes a person's inner life (vv. 1, 7, 8), directs their outward conduct (vv. 4, 5, 9), and results in abundant covenant blessings (vv. 2, 3, 6, 7, 9).  
 
The way of the wicked perishes (v. 10), but the promise for those who fear the Lord are “forever” (vv. 3, 6, 9). Specifically, the righteousness of those who fear the Lord will endure forever (vv. 3, 9), never being moved in the present and leaving generational impact after parting in death (v. 6). 
 
How do you know if you are presently on the path of wisdom and fearing the Lord? Those who fear the Lord:
     - delight in God’s word (v. 1),
     -trust in the Lord (v. 7), and
      - live with generosity towards the poor (v. 9).
 
Psalm 112 points to Jesus who is Himself the treasury of wisdom (Colossians 2:3). Jesus perished in death, condemned as wicked, so those of us who delight and trust in things other than the Lord can be forgiven and freed to walk in wisdom. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord for His mercy! May viewing God’s mercy in Christ mold God’s character in us, shaping our conduct as we celebrate the covenant promises of God that are all “Yes!” in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20).
 
Today’s Reading
Praise the Lord!
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
    who greatly delights in his commandments!
2 His offspring will be mighty in the land;
    the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house,
    and his righteousness endures forever.
4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright;
    he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.

5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends;
    who conducts his affairs with justice.
6 For the righteous will never be moved;
    he will be remembered forever.
7 He is not afraid of bad news;
    his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
8 His heart is steady; he will not be afraid,
    until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.
9 He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor;
    his righteousness endures forever;
    his horn is exalted in honor.
10 The wicked man sees it and is angry;
    he gnashes his teeth and melts away;
    the desire of the wicked will perish!
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the contrast of the temporary nature of the wicked and forever promises for those who fear the Lord?
 
-What is it you delight and trust in? Do you live generously, especially towards the poor? What does this reveal about your heart?
 
-How does the work of Jesus compel you to walk in wisdom, fearing the Lord? Where, specifically, do you need to embrace this realiy?
 
Key Verse
7 He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. 8 His heart is steady; he will not be afraid…

​Key Verse
8 For Jerusalem has stumbled, and Judah has fallen, because their speech and their deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence.
 
Meditation
God’s great goal for history is to be present with His people, the primary purpose of His covenant. Today’s reading presents readers with God’s just punishment for rejecting His presence and points us to the work of our covenant representative, Jesus Christ, through whom His covenant purpose is fulfilled. 
 
Isaiah proclaims judgement on reckless men (vv. 1-15) and “haughty” women (vv. 16-26), detailing the erosion of their society and devastating loss. The core issue for God’s corrupt covenant people? “Jerusalem has stumbled, and Judah has fallen… (for) defying His glorious presence” (v. 8).
 
Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2), a reality evidenced since the fall of humanity through Adam’s representative rebellion (see Genesis 3). God’s covenant provided a remedy for reconciliation, established through representatives Abraham (Genesis 15), Moses (Exodus 24), and David (2 Samuel 7). God’s point for covenant relationship was to be present with His people, to “dwell among them” (see Exodus 25:8; Ezekiel 37:27). God’s new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34) reverses Adam’s representation through the faithful work of Jesus Christ, through whom the fullness of God’s eternal purpose is guaranteed.
 
Jesus was God come to dwell with us (John 1:14), rejected by the world. In Jesus’ death, the Father turned His face away so His people could be forgiven and welcomed back into His forever presence. Jesus became our sin, taking the covenant curse of separation upon Himself. The down-payment of God’s eternal promise is His Holy Spirit dwelling in believer’s hearts and community. The full reality will be realized when God Himself proclaims from the throne, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man! ...” (Revelation 21:3).
 
 
Today’s Reading
For behold, the Lord God of hosts is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah support and supply, all support of bread, and all support of water; 2 the mighty man and the soldier, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, 3 the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor and the skillful magician and the expert in charms. 4 And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them.
5 And the people will oppress one another, every one his fellow and every one his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the despised to the honorable.
 
6 For a man will take hold of his brother in the house of his father, saying: “You have a cloak; you shall be our leader, and this heap of ruins shall be under your rule”;
7 in that day he will speak out, saying:  “I will not be a healer; in my house there is neither bread nor cloak; you shall not make me  leader of the people.” 8 For Jerusalem has stumbled, and Judah has fallen, because their speech and their deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence.
 
9 For the look on their faces bears witness against them; they proclaim their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! For they have brought evil on themselves.
10 Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds. 11 Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for what his hands have dealt out shall be done to him.

12 My people—infants are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, your guides mislead you and they have swallowed up the course of your paths. 13 The Lord has taken his place to contend; he stands to judge peoples.
14 The Lord will enter into judgment with the elders and princes of his people: “It is you who have devoured the vineyard, the spoil of the poor is in your houses. 15 What do you mean by crushing my people, by grinding the face of the poor?” declares the Lord God of hosts.
 
16 The Lord said: Because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with outstretched necks, glancing wantonly with their eyes, mincing along as they go, tinkling with their feet, 17 therefore the Lord will strike with a scab the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will lay bare their secret parts.

18 In that day the Lord will take away the finery of the anklets, the headbands, and the crescents; 19 the pendants, the bracelets, and the scarves; 20 the headdresses, the armlets, the sashes, the perfume boxes, and the amulets; 21 the signet rings and nose rings; 22 the festal robes, the mantles, the cloaks, and the handbags; 23 the mirrors, the linen garments, the turbans, and the veils.

24 Instead of perfume there will be rottenness; and instead of a belt, a rope; and instead of well-set hair, baldness; and instead of a rich robe, a skirt of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty. 25 Your men shall fall by the sword and your mighty men in battle. 26 And her gates shall lament and mourn; empty, she shall sit on the ground.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What descriptions of rebellion of Israel do you observe in this chapter?  Do you think “defying God’s presence” (v. 8), sinning like Sodom (v. 9), or devouring and crushing the poor for personal gain (v. 15) deserves punishment?
 
-God is Holy and Just but He is loving and merciful. He restores His presence with His people through paying the price for our sins and purifying us from all unrighteousness. God has done all the work to restore His presence with His people. How does this merciful love shape you, strengthen your desire for sanctification, and send you to serve Him today?
 
 
Key Verse
8 For Jerusalem has stumbled, and Judah has fallen, because their speech and their deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence.

​Key Verse
3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 
 
Meditation
False teachers infiltrate God’s people, fracture the community, and further the enemy’s deceit. Since the garden, Satan has sought to cast doubt on God’s word (Genesis 3:1). Peter uses false prophets from Old Testament Israel to warn the Church that false teachers will manifest among them too (2 Peter 2:1-2). Satan’s strategy remains the same: Twist God’s truth for the destruction of God’s design. Likewise, God’s direction remains the same: Let your love for God be manifest through fidelity to His Word.
 
Removing false teaching is the backbone of today’s reading. Moses warns God’s people that false teaching will come through people who claim to speak on God’s behalf (“prophets and dreamers” in vv. 1-5), through family affiliation and familiar relationships (vv. 6-11), and through popular movements in villages and cities (vv. 12-18). In each case, the false teaching (and the teachers!) are commanded to be rejected, removed (even through death!), and replaced with the word of God. False teachers were a vehicle for God to “test you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul” (v. 3).
 
Hymenaeus and Philetus were in the church of Ephesus, forgotten for a reason. They “swerved from the truth” by denying the resurrection, minimizing God’s physical redemption by elevating Gnosticism, ultimately removed from the church (2 Timothy 2:16-19). The Church today must embrace the same vigilance, recognizing false teaching, removing it, and replacing it with God’s Word. Vigilance for God’s Word is fruit of knowing God’s grace and the path towards loving the Lord with all your heart!
 
Today’s Reading
“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ 3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him. 5 But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has taught rebellion against the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of slavery, to make you leave the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.

6 “If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son or your daughter or the wife you embrace or your friend who is as your own soul entices you secretly, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods,’ which neither you nor your fathers have known, 7 some of the gods of the peoples who are around you, whether near you or far off from you, from the one end of the earth to the other, 8 you shall not yield to him or listen to him, nor shall your eye pity him, nor shall you spare him, nor shall you conceal him. 9 But you shall kill him. Your hand shall be first against him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people. 10 You shall stone him to death with stones, because he sought to draw you away from the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.11 And all Israel shall hear and fear and never again do any such wickedness as this among you.

12 “If you hear in one of your cities, which the Lord your God is giving you to dwell there, 13 that certain worthless fellows have gone out among you and have drawn away the inhabitants of their city, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods,’ which you have not known,14 then you shall inquire and make search and ask diligently. And behold, if it be true and certain that such an abomination has been done among you,15 you shall surely put the inhabitants of that city to the sword, devoting it to destruction, all who are in it and its cattle, with the edge of the sword. 16 You shall gather all its spoil into the midst of its open square and burn the city and all its spoil with fire, as a whole burnt offering to the Lord your God. It shall be a heap forever. It shall not be built again. 17 None of the devoted things shall stick to your hand, that the Lord may turn from the fierceness of his anger and show you mercy and have compassion on you and multiply you, as he swore to your fathers, 18 if you obey the voice of the Lord your God, keeping all his commandments that I am commanding you today, and doing what is right in the sight of the Lord your God.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Do you see the structure of the passage patterned after Moses’ warnings against false teachers (vv. 1, 6, 12)? What stands out to you about his words?
 
-Where does the church today embrace false teaching, and why are Christians afraid to call out false teachers?
 
-What false teaching do you need to address by recognizing it, rejecting it, removing it, and replacing it with God’s Word? Be specific and sincerely address it.
 
Key Verse
3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.