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bible study devotion

Spiritual lessons from Ai: devotion

Joshua 7:1-8

1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the devoted things; for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. Therefore Yahweh’s anger burned against the children of Israel. Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth Aven, on the east side of Bethel, and spoke to them, saying, “Go up and spy out the land.” The men went up and spied out Ai. They returned to Joshua, and said to him, “Don’t let all the people go up but let about two or three thousand men go up and strike Ai. Don’t make all the people to toil there, for there are only a few of them.” So about three thousand men of the people went up there, and they fled before the men of Ai. The men of Ai struck about thirty-six men of them. They chased them from before the gate even to Shebarim, and struck them at the descent. The hearts of the people melted, and became like water. Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before Yahweh’s ark until the evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads.

Joshua 7:1-6
(please read the rest of Joshua 7 on your own)
A satellite image of the middle east, showing Egypt, the Sinai Peninsula, and the Red Sea
A satellite image of the middle east, showing Egypt, the Sinai Peninsula, and the Red Sea

Reflection

After the successful military campaign of Jericho, the Israelites came to the city of Ai. Compared to the fortified city of Jericho, Ai was a very small town with no walls. Ai was located to the east of Bethel, and about 2 miles to the west of Jericho. Abraham built an altar to the Lord between Ai and Bethel, Genesis 12:8. The Israelites’ first military campaign to take Ai was a total failure.

He left from there to go to the mountain on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to Yahweh and called on Yahweh’s name.

Genesis 12:8

The Israelites sinned because Achan secretly took some spoils of war from the battle of Jericho and hide them. The Lord forbade the Israelites from taking anything in Jericho. Everything must be destroyed because they were cursed. Only articles of gold, silver, brass, and bronze were to be preserved. Only Rahab, the prostitute, and those family members who stayed in her house would be saved. The LORD’s anger burned against the Israelites.

At that moment, Joshua did not know about this. He sent spies to Ai. Ai in Hebrews means heaps of ruins. Modern-day Ai is Baythin in the West Bank. The spies returned and told Joshua that Ai would be an easy target and that all they needed was a small army. Without enquiring from the LORD, Joshua sent three thousand fighting men to Ai.

They men of Ai defeated the Israelites on the battlefield. Thirty-six Israelites were dead and the rest fled out of Ai terrified with fear. Joshua and the elders of Israel tore their clothes, applied ashes on their heads, and fell prostrate before the ark until evening. The people in biblical times tear off their clothes and apply ashes on their heads during times of grief, mourning, and loss.

The Lord revealed to Joshua that one of his men had taken some spoils of war from the battle of Jericho and hidden them. Joshua assembled the people and drew lots tribe by tribe, clan by clan, family by family, and men by men until the lot fell on Achan.

During the Old Testament time, the Israelites drew lots using the Ummim and the Tummin to seek God’s will, Leviticus 8:8, Proverb 16:33.

He placed the breastplate on him, He put Urim and Tummin in the breast plate.

Leviticus 8:8

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh

Proverbs 16:33

Achan confessed to Joshua that he had taken a Babylonian robe, two hundred shekels of silver, and one piece of gold weighing fifty shekels, and had buried them in his tent. Joshua sent men to Achan’s tent, who went and brought back the stolen items. At the LORD’s command, Joshua and his men stoned Achan and his family members to death and burned their bodies with his animals, belonging, and stolen items in the valley of Achor.

Application

Sin

Joshua and his men were defeated at Ai because of many reasons. After the victory at Jericho, they became overconfident and proud. They did not seek God’s will and direction. They planned and acted on their own agenda and with their own strength.

You cannot hide any sin from God. God is omniscient and knows everything, Luke 8:17, Hebrews 4:13 Unconfessed sin will lead to a defeated spiritual life. If you have sinned, confess, repent and claim the promise of 1 John 1:9. God will forgive and restore you.

For nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light

Luke 8:17

There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.

Hebrew 4:13

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

1 John 1:9

You must not be overconfident and proud because of past victories. Always seek God’s will and wait for His direction first. Do not fight the battle with your own strength. You are fighting a spiritual battle using spiritual weapons such i.e. prayer, fasting, worship, and the word of God, 2 Corinthians 10:4. The battle belongs to God and not to you. You are not fighting against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers, Ephesians 6:12

the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds

2 Corinthians 10:14

For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:12

Seeking God’s will

Buddhists draw lots to seek god’s will in the Buddhist temple. On the altar, they juggle a bamboo container containing sticks with words on them. If they juggle long enough, one of the sticks will fall out to the ground. The words on the stick will be taken as god’s answer to their prayer.

As a Christian, you do not draw a lot. You seek God’s will through prayer, fasting, worship, meditation, and bible study. God will also speak to you through the Bible, the still small voice and the prompting of the Holy Spirit, and other mysterious ways.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we confessed that we are sinners. Please forgive our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. We pray that You will speak to us through Your Word, the still small voice, the Holy Spirit and other ways. Help us to discern Your good, pleasing, and perfect will. Help us to put on the full armor of God that You have provided for us. Thank You that the battle belongs to You, and not to us, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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bible study devotion

In the beginning, God: devotion

.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, Genesis 1:1

a satellite image of the earth from outer space
Satellite image of the earth from outer space

 

Reflection

Genesis begins with “in the beginning”. When is the beginning? Who created what?

The Hebrew word for “create” is bara, which means, to create something out of nothing.

In the beginning, in eternity past, God created the entire universe out of nothing.

God has no beginning because He is transcendent and outside our time-space continuum. God is pre-existent, self-existent, eternal, from everlasting to everlasting, from eternity past to eternity future. He is the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, the alif and the tau, the A and the Z, the author and finisher of our faith.

God created the universe in six days. God’s reckoning of time is not the same as our reckoning of time. 1 day for God can be long as 1000 years and 1000 years can be as short as 1 day.

2 Peter 3:8, But don’t forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day.” 

In God’s divine calendar, 2000 years can be as short as 2 days!

There are three theories regarding the universe. The young age theory postulates the universe to be 6000-plus years old. The old age theory postulates the universe to be 4.5 billion-plus years old. The gap theory postulates a time gap of billions of years between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2.

The Bible says that God created the universe into existence. There is no record of a big bang theory or evolution.

The Gospel of John also begins with “in the beginning.”  In the beginning, Jesus Christ, the word of God was with God and was God.

in the beginning, was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God

John 1:1

Application

I find it is easier to believe in creation than in evolution. If you can believe that God created the heavens and the earth, you will have no problems believing the rest of the Bible.

Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity

Romans 12:2, J B Philips

Prayer

Heavenly Father, We pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit to enlighten and give us wisdom and understanding of Your word. Open our hearts, minds, eyes, ears, and spirits to receive, understand, see, hear, feel, and apply Your word of eternal life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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bible study devotion

Genesis 12: bible study

The calling of Abraham

A photo showing an opened Bible and a spectacle
an opened bible

Genesis 12: 1-20, God called Abram

Abraham was Abram before God changed his name to Abraham in Genesis 17:5. God appeared to Abram and called him to leave his home, relatives, country, and everything, to an unknown destination, with an unknown future. This was a tall order and it must have come as a shock to him. But God promised to bless him and the whole world, through him.

Genesis 17:5, Your name will no more be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.

Verses 1-3, 1 Now Yahweh said to Abram, “Leave your country, and your relatives, and your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great. You will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who treats you with contempt. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”

God called Abram to leave his dwelling place in Ur of the Chaldees, his relatives, his father’s house, to go to an undisclosed destination, not knowing what his future will be. The Hebrew word for God is the tetragrammaton YHWH, or Yahweh, represented by the capitalized LORD. Yahweh is the covenantal name of God.

God gave Abram 6 promises, make him into a great nation, bless him, make his name famous, bless those who bless him, curse those who curse him, and bless the whole world universally through him.

Verses 4-5, 4 So Abram went, as Yahweh had told him. Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5 Abram took Sarai his wife, Lot his brother’s son, all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they went to go into the land of Canaan. They entered into the land of Canaan.

Abram did not fully obey the LORD. Abram left Ur of the Chaldees with his father, Terah, his wife Sarai, and his nephew Lot, see Acts 7:4. Ur of the Chaldees was Mesopotamia, present-day Iraq. Abram did not go to Canaan immediately. After leaving Ur of the Chaldees, he settled down in Haran instead of proceeding all the way to Canaan. Haran, in present-day Turkey, is northwest of Ur and is only halfway to Canaan.

Abram left Haran with his wife Sarai and nephew Lot, after the death of his father Terah, and traveled southwest to Shechem in Canaan. Abram was 75 years old when he left Haran. Canaan was present-day Israel.

Acts 7:4, “Then he came out of the land of the Chaldaeans and lived in Haran. From there, when his father was dead, God moved him into this land, where you are now living.”

Verses 6-8, 6 Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time, Canaanites were in the land. 7 Yahweh appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” He built an altar there to Yahweh, who had appeared to him. 8 He left from there to go to the mountain on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to Yahweh and called on Yahweh’s name. 

Abram passed through Shechem in the land of Canaan The LORD appeared to Abram a second time and gave promised to give Canaan to him and his descendants. Abram built an altar to the LORD and prayed to Him at Shechem. He pitched his tent on a mountain between Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. Abram was an idol worshiper before God called him. Now he built an altar to Yahweh and worship the One true God. Abram was a nomad, pitching his tent as he went from place to place.

Verses 9-13, 9 Abram traveled, still going on toward the South. 10 There was a famine in the land. Abram went down into Egypt to live as a foreigner there, for the famine was severe in the land. 11 When he had come near to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, “See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman to look at. 12 It will happen that when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ They will kill me, but they will save you alive. 13 Please say that you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that my soul may live because of you.”

As Abram continued to travel south, the LORD tested him by bringing on a famine. Instead of trusting the LORD to provide for him in the famine, he went down to Egypt. Sarai was very beautiful and Abram was afraid the Egyptians would kill him. He pleaded with Sarai to lie to Pharoah by telling him that she was his sister. Abram the father of faith failed the test of faith! He ran away from Canaan because of a famine. He connived with his wife to tell a lie!

Verses 14-16, 14 When Abram had come into Egypt, Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15 The princes of Pharaoh saw her, and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. 16 He dealt well with Abram for her sake. He had sheep, cattle, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels. 

When Abram entered Egypt, Pharoah was struck by Sarai’s beauty and took her into his harem. He treated Abram well because he thought Abram was his sister. Pharoah gave Abram sheep, cattle, donkeys, servants, and camels.

Verses 17-20, 17 Yahweh afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18 Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this that you have done to me? Why didn’t you tell me that she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife? Now, therefore, see your wife, take her, and go your way.” 20 Pharaoh commanded men concerning him, and they escorted him away with his wife and all that he had.

The LORD struck Pharaoh and his household with plagues because he was trying to get close to Sarai. When Pharoah discovered that Sarai was Abram’s wife, he summoned Abram to leave Egypt immediately with all his possessions.

Application

The post-flood people wanted to make their names great by their own effort, but the LORD displaced them into obscurity and confused their language. The LORD called Abraham out from obscurity and his name great. Abraham did not do anything. He just had to believe and trust the LORD. You must not try to promote yourself. God will promote you if you believe and trust Him.

Abraham did not fully obey the LORD. He stopped at Haran and settled down there. He waited until his father’s death before proceeding to Canaan. If God calls you, will you obey Him fully, partially, or not at all? If you did not obey the LORD fully, you will miss out on His blessing.

Abram built a prayer altar to the LORD in Shechem. Have you built a prayer altar to the LORD in your house?

Abram’s faith was weak. He left Canaan when there was a famine. He told Sarai to tell a lie to Pharoah that she was his sister. Abram did not trust the LORD to provide for him in the famine. Will you trust God to provide for your needs? The LORD is Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides, Genesis 22:14.

Genesis 22:14,  So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”

Spiritually speaking, going to Egypt is always going down, and going to Jerusalem is always going up. Egypt represents the world and Jerusalem represents the city of God.

Canaan is the promised land. God promised to give Canaan to Abram, Genesis 12:7.

If God called you to an unknown destination, and start from scratch, will you obey Him and go?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help us to obey You. Help us to follow Your leadership and guidance. You know what is best for us. You know how our future will end. Our future is in Your hand. Help us to walk worthy of Your calling. Increase our faith, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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bible study

Bible Study: Genesis 11

Genesis 11:1-32, Tower of Babel, Dispersion of nations

 

Genesis 11 traced the genealogy from Shem to Abraham. Human beings became proud, arrogant, and self-sufficient. Under the leadership of Nimrod, they started to build a tall skyscraper in Shinar called the Tower of Babe. Nimrod in Hebrews means to rebel. The tower was to be a pagan religious, astrological centre that will reach into heaven. Instead of worshiping the Creator God, they worshiped the sun, the moon, and the stars. God confused their language and dispersed them all over the world. Babel in Hebrews means confusion. Shinar is Mesopotamia or modern-day Babylon. At the end of world history, during the seven-year tribulation, Babylon will be the political and religious headquarter of the one-world government under the antichrist.

 

 

Verses 1-4, 1 The whole earth was of one language and of one speech. As they traveled east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they lived there. They said to one another, “Come, let’s make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar. They said, “Come, let’s build ourselves a city and a tower whose top reaches to the sky, and let’s make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad on the surface of the whole earth.”

 

The people of the post-flood world spoke only one language and one dialect. The people traveled east and settled in Shinar. They became arrogant, ambitious, and proceeded to construct a skyscraper in Shinar called the Tower of Babel high up in the sky towards heaven. They wanted to build a name, city, and tower by and for themselves so as to be independent of God.

 

Verses 5-7, 5 Yahweh came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men built. Yahweh said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do. Now nothing will be withheld from them, which they intend to do. Come, let’s go down, and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.”

 

The Trinitarian LORD came down from heaven to see their construction. Seeing their pride, arrogant, self-dependence, defiance, and rebellious attitudes, God confused their language so that different people speak a different language. The people could not understand each other and discontinued building the skyscraper.

 

Verses 8-9, 8 So Yahweh scattered them abroad from there on the surface of all the earth. They stopped building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel, because there Yahweh confused the language of all the earth. From there, Yahweh scattered them abroad on the surface of all the earth.

 

The LORD dispersed the people to different parts of the earth according to their family clans, language, and people group. The people migrated out from Shinar to settle in other countries. The people of different countries spoke different languages, adopted different cultures, lifestyles, and customs.

 

Verses 10-11, 10 This is the history of the generations of Shem: Shem was one hundred years old when he became the father of Arpachshad two years after the flood. 11 Shem lived five hundred years after he became the father of Arpachshad and became the father of more sons and daughters.

 

This is the sixth time the word generations or genealogy was used, compare Genesis 2:4, 5:1, 6:9, 10:1, and 10:32.  Shem was one hundred and ten years of age when he fathered Arpachshad, two years after the flood. Shem lived another five hundred years and died at the age of six hundred years.

 

Verses 12-15, 12 Arpachshad lived thirty-five years and became the father of Shelah. 13 Arpachshad lived four hundred three years after he became the father of Shelah and became the father of more sons and daughters. 14 Shelah lived thirty years and became the father of Eber. 15 Shelah lived four hundred three years after he became the father of Eber, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

 

Arpachshad was the father of Shelah, and he died at the age of 438 years. Shelah was the father of Eber, and he died at the age of 435 years.

 

Verses 16-19, 16 Eber lived thirty-four years and became the father of Peleg. 17 Eber lived four hundred thirty years after he became the father of Peleg and became the father of more sons and daughters. 18 Peleg lived thirty years and became the father of Reu. 19 Peleg lived two hundred nine years after he became the father of Reu and became the father of more sons and daughters.

 

Eber was the father of Peleg and he died at the age of 239 years.  Peleg was the father of Reu, and he died at the age of 238 years.

 

Verses 20-26, 20 Reu lived thirty-two years and became the father of Serug. 21 Reu lived two hundred seven years after he became the father of Serug and became the father of more sons and daughters. 22 Serug lived thirty years and became the father of Nahor. 23 Serug lived two hundred years after he became the father of Nahor and became the father of more sons and daughters. 24 Nahor lived twenty-nine years and became the father of Terah. 25 Nahor lived one hundred nineteen years after he became the father of Terah and became the father of more sons and daughters. 26 Terah lived seventy years and became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Reu was the father of Serug and he died at the age of 239 years. Sreug was the father of Nahor and he lived 230 years. Nahor was the father of Terah and he lived 238 years. Terah was the father of Abram, whom God renamed Abraham.

 

Verses 27-32, 27 Now this is the history of the generations of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran became the father of Lot. 28 Haran died in the land of his birth, in Ur of the Chaldees, while his father Terah was still alive. 29 Abram and Nahor married wives. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah, the daughter of Haran, who was also the father of Iscah. 30 Sarai was barren. She had no child. 31 Terah took Abram his son, Lot the son of Haran, his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife. They went from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan. They came to Haran and lived there. 32 The days of Terah were two hundred five years. Terah died in Haran.

 

This is the seventh time the word generations or genealogy was used, compare Genesis 2:4, 5:1, 6:9, 10:1, 10:32, and 11:10. The genealogy of Terah was listed. Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Terah died at the age of 205 years. Haran was the father of Lot. Abram married Sarai but Sarai was barren. Later, God will rename Sarai to Sarah. Terah took Abram, Lot, and Sarai and went from Ur of the Chaldees to Canaan but he settled in Haran and did not make it to Canaan. Terah died at the age of two hundred and five years. The life span of the people post-flood became shorter and shorter. Noah lived 950 years, Shem lived 600 years, and Terah lived only 205 yeras. Haran is modern-day Syria. 

 

There were ten generations from Noah to Abraham, viz. Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah, Eber, Peleg, Reu,Serug, Nahor, Terah, and Abram or Abraham.

 

Application:

 

The people wanted to build a name, a city, and a tower for themselves by their own self-effort, independent of God. This is rebellion towards God. They wanted to worship the sun, the moon, and the stars instead of God. There is a saying, “man proposes but God disposes”. God confused their language and dispersed them from Shinar. Are you building a name for yourselves or are you trusting in God to build a name for you? Humble yourself to God and He will raise you up. Do not be self-sufficient but be God-dependent.

 

Prayer:

 

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the stamina, strength, persistence, perseverance, insight, and wisdom to study Your word in the book of Genesis. We believe that You created the heavens and earth. We believe that the Bible is Your word written by You to us, for our benefit, to instruct, correct, convict, and to train us in righties living, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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bible study books devotion

Understanding Genesis 1-11

From Adam to Abraham

by Dr. Andrew C S Koh

a picture of a book cover of Understanding Genesis 1-11
book cover

:

Reviews

This book is based on the first book in the Bible. It is great in helping the laymen to understand and reflect on these chapters of Genesis. It is easy to read and very informative. Beautiful prayers are there in each chapter. A great read. I am on the ARC team. I received this book free and I leave an honest review. I recommend this book to other readers, Sharmani Jeyaram, Amazon, 5 out of 5 stars

EXCELLENT: This book is an EXCELLENT interpretation of Genesis 1:1-11 The book correlates with scripture and relays in terms that are easy to comprehend. Dr. Andrew C. S. Koh has become one of my favorite authors!, Tiffany Townsend, Goodreads, 5 out of 5 stars

Understanding the beginning: The author has given cliff notes on the most pivotal books in history. Making the book a great study guide. The best thing about books by the author is that every word written matches the Bible. If you are new or well-versed in the faith-recommend book, Tiffany Townsend, Amazon, 5 out of 5 stars

Very informative. Dr. Koh adds scriptures and prayer after each section. Learned from his writings that I had not even thought of. Would recommend it to those who are really looking into getting to know God in a more intimate way, Rachelle Bachiu, Goodreads 5 out of 5 stars.

Description

This is a Christ-centred, life-changing, Expository Commentary, Daily Devotion, and Bible Study Guide, on the first book of the Bible, Genesis from chapters 1 to 11. This is a simple, non-academic commentary for laymen to understand and apply biblical truth to contemporary life. This is a continuation of Biblical Commentaries I wrote during the pandemic of 2020-2022. This book has the power to change, correct, convict, deepen, transform, mature, enrich, teach, and bless your life. If you are searching for the truth and want to study the book of Genesis systematically, this is the book for you.

https://drandrewcskoh.dashnexpages.net/genesis-1-11/

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bible study books dashnex devotion you tube

Book: Moses

let My people go

by Dr. Andrew C S Koh

book trailer

https://drandrewcskoh.dashnexpages.net/moses-let-my-people-go/

A Christ-centred, life-changing, verse-by-verse expository commentary, bible study guide, and daily devotion on the book of Exodus chapters 1-20 by Dr. Andrew C S Koh

What people are saying

“This book is synchronized with the Word well. There are no opinions, assumptions, or speculation about what translation could mean. It’s all factual. Word by word the writings of God through Moses about Moses is explained in detail. If you want to read the oldest rescue of a child —then read this account of Moses, a born leader”

— Tiffany Townsend, Amazon, Bookbub, Goodreads 5 of 5 stars.

“I have had the opportunity to read several of Dr. Koh’s reviews and devotions of the Bible. He makes no assumptions, and presents the facts as is, allowing you to enjoy a new revelation of Biblical times. It happened as I was reading this book I was also watching an archeological presentation of the time of Moses. The two intertwined and neither forced me to accept, just gave me the knowledge of the times”

— Pamela Anne Reinert, Bookbub, 5 out of 5 stars

What people are saying

“This great book on the Exodus helps us better understand Moses’s life and journey. This book teaches us more about the truth and faith God gave to Moses. This is a great book for daily devotion and Bible study on the life and travels of Moses. A great daily devotional, commentary, and Bible study guide. Provides an easy-to-read and good interpretation of Moses and his faith journey”

— J Sharmani, Bookbub, and Goodreads, 5 out of 5 stars

“Dr. Koh has such a wonderful way of bringing the Bible to life in his books. In this one, he shows Moses and his trials and the rescue of his people in such a brilliant way. This was a very good book”

— Rowan E Creech, Goodreads, and Bookbub, 5 out of 5 stars

What people are saying

“Very insightful into the ways of my beliefs and many others. A much easier way to understand the teachings of the Bible”

— Galo Wyo, Amazon, 5 out of 5 stars

“I am more and more impressed with Dr. Koh’s work. I highly recommend this book for those who may want to know more about biblical times and want to learn more about this time of the Bible”

— Pamela Anne Reinert, Bookbub, 5 out of 5 stars

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books devotion you tube

Book: Life of Jacob

Genesis 26-36

by Dr. Andrew C S Koh

book trailer

https://bestbookmonkey.com/books/life-story-of-jacob-genesis-26-36/

https://drandrewcskoh.dashnexpages.net/life-story-of-jacob/

A Christ-centred, Biblical-based, Holy Spirit-enabled, Life-changing commentary, bible study, and devotion

https://awesomegang.com/life-story-of-jacob-genesis-26-36-by-dr-andrew-c-s-koh/

What people are saying

“A Christ-centred, Daily Devotion, and Bible Study Guide, on Genesis chapter 26 to 36 on Jacob’s life, adventures, travels, and faith journey. Dr. Andrew C S Koh takes the biblical passages and compares them to his life story. His writing brings the Bible to life and the reading contemporary. As he makes comparisons to his life, we are able in turn look inside our own souls. I have read several books by Dr, Koh and I enjoy each and every one of them”

— Pamela Anne Reinert, Goodreads, 5 out of 5 stars

“This is a good book to take you on Jacob’s journey during your daily life. Jacob’s story is such an interesting tale and Dr.Andrew C. S. Koh brings it to life in a modern world for the reader to enjoy and understand”

— Rowan E Creech, Goodreads, 5 out of 5 stars.

What people are saying

“The author continues to amaze me with Bible scripture and accuracy. He really knows his Bible -which is portrayed in his commentaries. Dr. Andrew C. S. Koh has become one of my favorite authors, The best thing about the book is its accuracy. The book is based on scripture alone. Throughout the book, the author does NOT give opinions. If you are curious about Jacob and want to read it accurately-read this book”

— Tiffany Townsend, Amazon, 5 out of 5 stars

“A great Bible study of Genesis chapters 26 to 36 on the life and travels of Jacob. An easy to understand and great study material for all ages. A valuable book to help in the growth of faith. Beautiful prayers accompany each chapter. A well-written book on Genesis and the life journey of Jacob. A great book to read and study and helps readers of all ages to grow in faith. I am on the ARC team and I leave an honest review. I recommend this book to other readers”

— Sharmani Jeyaram, Goodreads and Bookbub, 5 out of 5 stars

Categories
bible study books devotion you tube

Book: Life of Joseph

by Dr. Andrew C S Koh

Book Trailer

https://drandrewcskoh.dashnexpages.net/story-of-joseph/

A Christ-centred, Biblical-based, Life-changing expository commentary, bible study, and daily devotion

Description

A Christ-centred, life-changing, Expository Commentary, Daily Devotion, and Bible Study Guide, on the first book of the Bible, Genesis from chapters 37 to 50 on the life, adventures, travels, and faith journey of Joseph. This is an easy-to-read commentary for you to understand and apply biblical truths to contemporary living. This is a continuation of Biblical Commentaries written during the pandemic of 2020-2022. This book can change, correct, convict, deepen, transform, mature, enrich, teach, and bless you. This book will help you encounter God through His Word.

What people are saying

“This book as one of the many is an invaluable resource for getting an in-depth view of the Bible scriptures and in this case the Life of Joseph. A very enlightening read,”

— Rowan E Creech, Goodreads 5 out of 5 stars

“The author stayed as close to scripture as possible. I thoroughly enjoyed this life-like journey through Israel”

— Tiffany Townsend, Amazon, Goodreads, and Bookbub, 5 out of 5 stars

What people are saying

“A Great read about the story of Joseph. Well written and explained concerning the bible. There are beautiful prayers after each very meaningful chapter. I am on the ARC team and I leave an honest review. I recommend this book to other readers”

— Sharmani Jeyaram, Amazon, 5.0 out of 5 stars

“This is a Christ-centered, daily devotion that looks at Joseph’s life, adventures, travels, and faith journey. These Biblical truths are presented to the reader in an easy-to-understand devotion, allowing the reader to apply biblical truths to our contemporary living. These Biblical Commentaries are presented to the reader in a Christ-centered outlook This devotion was provided to the reader by Story Origin. This is my true and honest review”

— Pamela Anne Reinert, Bookbub, 5 out of 5 stars

Categories
bible study books devotion you tube

Book: Faith Journey of Abraham

Genesis 12-25

by Dr. Andrew C S Koh

book trailer

https://youtu.be/49PC8CKMYiM

https://drandrewcskoh.dashnexpages.net/faith-journey-of-abraham-2/

Faith Journey of Abraham

A Christ-centred, Biblical-based, Holy Spirit-enabled, Life-changing expository commentary, bible study guide, and daily devotion

What people are saying

This was educational and entertaining to read and learn about the life of Abraham. Dr. Koh works very hard to make the gospels and individuals come to life in a down-to-earth and entertaining way that is very refreshing”

— Rowan E Creech, Goodreads, Bookbub, 5 out of 5 stars

“The communication between God and his people is remarkable and translated by the author exactly as written. This account of faith shows the awesome power of God. The author always lines up scripture with his works. So you can be sure you are studying the Word of God. Come study the route Abraham takes in his life. You won’t be disappointed”

— Tiffany Townsends, Goodreads, 5 out of 5 stars

What people are saying

“The author is one of my favorites. The works by Dr. Koh line up with scripture and his format is easy to follow and learn from. The thing I liked most about this story is easy to understand format and the miracle of God’s intervention”

— Tiffany Townsends, Bookbub, 5 out of 5 stars

“A Great book on the Bible study of chapters 12 to 25 on the Genesis of the life and faith journey of Abraham the father of faith. It is easy to read and understand and is good study material for all ages. Beautiful prayers accompany each chapter. A great faith builder and a well-written book for daily use. I am on the ARC team and I leave an honest review. I recommend this book to other readers”

— J Sharmani, Bookbub and Good reads, 5 out of 5 stars

What people are saying

“A Great study on Genesis in chapters 12 to 25 of the Bible on the life and faith journey of Abraham, the father of the faith. This book is easy to understand and mediated the Greatness of God in giving Abraham the faith and making him and his descendants the inheritors of God’s main tribe on this earth. This book is a great faith builder too. I am on the ARC team and I leave an honest review. I recommend this book to other readers”

—-J Sharmani, Goodreads, 5 out of 5 stars

Categories
bible study

Bible Study: Genesis 10

Chapter 10, Genesis 10:1-32, formation of nations

Genesis 10 traced the genealogy of the three sons of Noah, Shem, Japheth, and Ham, whose descendants gave rise to the different tribes and people groups of the post-flood world, who spoke different languages, and dialects. These people groups are called the table of nations. Genesis 10 listed seventy names and seventy people groups. The entire world population today are descendants of these seventy people groups from the three sons of Noah.

Verses 1-5, 1 Now this is the history of the generations of the sons of Noah and of Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Sons were born to them after the flood. 2 The sons of Japheth were: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. 3 The sons of Gomer were: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. 4 The sons of Javan were: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. 5 Of these were the islands of the nations divided in their lands, everyone after his language, after their families, in their nations.

This is the fourth time, the word generations or genealogy was used, compare Genesis 2:4, 5:1, and 6:9. This passage traced the genealogy of Japheth down two generations. Magog is modern-day Russia. Japheth in Hebrew means to expand.

Japheth’s descendants today are the people of Europe and Asia.

Verse 6-20, 6 The sons of Ham were: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan. 7 The sons of Cush were: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah were: Sheba and Dedan. 8 Cush became the father of Nimrod. He began to be a mighty one in the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before Yahweh. Therefore it is said, “like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before Yahweh”. 10 The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. 11 Out of that land he went into Assyria, and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah, 12 and Resen between Nineveh and the great city Calah. 13 Mizraim became the father of Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, 14 Pathrusim, Casluhim (which the Philistines descended from), and Caphtorim. 15 Canaan became the father of Sidon (his firstborn), Heth, 16 the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites, 17 the Hivites, the Markets, the Sinites, 18 the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites. Afterward the families of the Canaanites were spread abroad. 19 The border of the Canaanites was from Sidon—as you go toward Gerar—to Gaza—as you go toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim—to Lasha. 20 These are the sons of Ham, after their families, according to their languages, in their lands and their nations.

This passage traced the genealogy of Ham down three generations. Canaan is modern-day Israel. One of the great-grandsons of Ham was Nimrod, a violent, wicked, ruthless, and cruel religious and political dictator who built Babel, Nineveh, Shinar, and many other cities. Babel is Babylon, modern-day Iraq. Nimrod was a foreshadow of the antichrist. He was the founder of pagan religious practices and astrology in the city of Babel. He was the ring leader who started building the Tower of Babel described in Genesis 11. Just as Babel was prominent in the post-flood world, Babylon will also rise to prominence during the seven-year tribulation of the end time. Babylon will be the headquarter of the antichrist’s one world government.

Ham in Hebrews means hot. Ham’s descendants today are mainly the Africans.

Verses 21-31, 21 Children were also born to Shem (the elder brother of Japheth), the father of all the children of Eber. 22 The sons of Shem were: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram. 23 The sons of Aram were: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash. 24 Arpachshad became the father of Shelah. Shelah became the father of Eber. 25 To Eber were born two sons. The name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided. His brother’s name was Joktan. 26 Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, 27 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, 28 Obal, Abimael, Sheba, 29 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan. 30 Their dwelling extended from Mesha, as you go toward Sephar, the mountain of the east. 31 These are the sons of Shem, by their families, according to their languages, lands, and nations.

This passage traced the genealogy of Shem down four generations. The genealogy of Shen is important because he was the ancestor of Abraham and Jesus Christ. Aram is modern-day Syria. Shem in Hebrews means name.

The descendants of Shem today are the Middle Eastern people and the Jews.

Verses 32 These are the families of the sons of Noah, by their generations, according to their nations. The nations divided from these in the earth after the flood.

This is a summary statement of Genesis 10. This is the fifth time, the word generations or genealogy was used, compare Genesis 2:4, 5:1, 6:9, and 10:1.

Application:

This chapter explained to us our ancestry. All of us are descendants of Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Although people lived in different countries, spoke different languages, practiced different customs and lifestyles, people belonged to one race, the human race. People share the same ancestries. People share the same blood and DNA although in different combinations and compositions. There is no place for racism and discrimination.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for all that You have done for us in our lives. Thank You for salvation and justification by grace through faith in Christ. Thank You for sanctification through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for the gift and promise of eternal life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.