Author Archives: Maryann Spikes

Judges 1:1-3:8, Ruth 1:1-13 Bible Narrative Project Background on Ruth from the book intro link above: “The story is set in the time of the judges, a time characterized in the book of Judges as a period of religious and moral … Continue reading →

Joshua 22-24 Bible Narrative Project Ch22: Reuben Gad and Manasseh go back across the Jordan to their agreed-upon land and set up a controversial altar, which they explain is not in place of the main altar, but only a copy … Continue reading →

Joshua 20-21 Bible Narrative Project Ch.20: Israel is not the only people to designate cities of refuge. In “Eternity in Their Hearts” Don Richardson tells about the Yali of New Guinea and the Hawaiian “cities of refuge” of which Pu’uhonua-o-honaunau … Continue reading →

Joshua 14 Bible Narrative Project Caleb asks for Hebron. It makes me chuckle, the bit about “for you heard on that day that Anakim were there”…as if to say, “Let me take this beautiful, fertile land so you don’t have … Continue reading →

Joshua 9-11 Bible Narrative Project Chapter 9: The Gibeonites send a few who pretend to be from far away, to make a covenant which would allow them to live as servants, partially fulfilling Noah’s prophecy regarding Canaan in Genesis 8:25-26. … Continue reading →

Joshua 5-8 Bible Narrative Project Chapter five: Since the land is shaking in their boots, Israel has some down time for circumcision. They eat some food from Canaan and the manna ceases. The captain of God’s army is not on … Continue reading →

Joshua 1-4 Bible Narrative Project Readings to discuss: Conquest of Canaan Did God Command Genocide in the Old Testament? Chapter one. It’s go time. Be strong and courageous. The two and half tribes are reminded of their obligation to help … Continue reading →

Deuteronomy 32-34, Psalm 91 Bible Narrative Project The song of Moses, God telling Moses how he would soon die, the blessing (final words) of Moses (compare with Jacob’s blessings on his sons in Gen 49), and the death of Moses. Like … Continue reading →

Deuteronomy 30-31 Bible Narrative Project The continued very long goodbye of a very great man. He prophecies restoration, he urges them to choose life, he gives further counsel, he prophecies that Israel will fall away, and writes a song about … Continue reading →

Deuteronomy 28-29 Bible Narrative Project Blessings opposite the cursings of the previous chapter, followed by still more warnings of (downright horrible) consequences if they go their own way. Also, the covenant in Moab.