Jewish tradition gives names to every Sabbath as Christians name Sundays in the sacred year. As you read the Torah readings, especially this year A (the first of the three-part division of each portion), see how the title relates to the subject matter of the reading. “Send” refers to the Lord’s command to send out spies into the land of promise.

13:16 is the very first time that the name of Joshua appears. Moses does something to his name as God did to Abraham and as Jesus did to Simon; the name is changed or slightly altered to give it special meaning. Moses changed Hoshea to Joshua, the latter meaning “Yahweh (the Lord) is Salvation.” It is the same name as Jesus, the Greek form of the Hebrew name.

Fear paralyses the hearts of the other spies. Notice the “Yes, but” to which they yield in 13:28. “But” cancels out all that goes before it. Pray that you face the “enemies” in your life as fearlessly as Joshua and Jesus faced theirs.

Numbers 13:1—14:7

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Shelah L’cha (Send) 
Conservative and Reform Jewish congregations read only this part this year,
as also in this Bible plan.
Here is the entire portion in all three parts.
Numbers 13—15

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Inward milk and honey flows 13:27 

The Saturday passages follow the reading list that Jewish people use in their synagogue worship
throughout the world. They are taken from
“The Torah,” the first five books of the Bible from Genesis to Deuteronomy
that are read each year beginning with autumn.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information

As though admonishing his readers down through the ages to resist the temptation to point fingers after reading chapter 1, Paul begins chapter 2 with a sharp rebuke about judgment. You will need to read slowly to catch the argumentation of his thought about the law and its relation to Jew and Gentile. However, the basic thought is clear: we are to mind our own business and examine our own selves. God gives a conscience to each person, whether Jew or Gentile, as the means to come to a basic understanding and reception of God and God’s ways.

Paul wants to loosen the Jewish Christians from any arrogance in their unique call through the ages. The heart needs to be circumcised—to respect and respond to God’s presence that is offered to every person.

Where in your life do you feel admonished in this reading?

Romans 2:1—3:20

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Show me, Lord, the path of peace 3:18

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Paul’s Letter to the Romans.

For all the Firestarters in the original version, I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these Firestarters with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

Click on the image for a video meditation on Psalm 23.

This favorite psalm of countless persons over the ages is yours today. Millions know it from memory. If you need to refresh your memory, the task will be as sweet as the psalm itself if you link the images together. Be as the sheep in the first four verses. Sense the sequence of resting and movement. The word for comfort in verse 4 is nacham, making a sound, just as it does—the deep sighs of those receiving comfort, as well as those giving it.

Verse 5 shifts to the image of an army arrayed for battle. Victory is so assured by the Lord that the troops sit down to a banquet as the enemy looks on. The anointing for spiritual warfare takes place. The sixth and last verse combines the image of movement with rest again. Notice how right living causes goodness and mercy to pursue David.

Move through this prayer and you will be dwelling in the house of the Lord today, looking forward to forever.

Psalm 23

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: You lead beside still waters v. 2

We continue to follow the Psalms in numerical order.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information