Welcome to Day 54 of Word for Word: The Bible.

In this episode, we continue our journey through Deuteronomy with a complete, word-for-word reading of chapters 20–22. As Israel stands on the edge of the Promised Land, Moses addresses matters of warfare, justice, family structure, personal responsibility, and everyday holiness. These instructions reveal that obedience to God extends into every arena of life—both public and private.

Today’s reading includes:

• Instructions for going to war, trusting the Lord for victory, and offering peace before battle
• Protection of fruit trees during siege, showing restraint even in conflict
• Atonement for an unsolved murder and the removal of innocent bloodguilt
• Laws governing marriage, inheritance, and the rights of the firstborn
• The sobering case of a rebellious son and the seriousness of covenant responsibility
• Commands to care for a neighbor’s lost property and to protect life through practical safeguards
• Boundaries that preserve moral order, purity, and justice within the community
• Protections for women and consequences for sexual misconduct

These chapters show that God’s holiness is not confined to the tabernacle or moments of worship. From battlefields to rooftops, from city gates to vineyards, the Lord calls His people to live with integrity, compassion, discipline, and reverence. No part of life is spiritually neutral when we belong to Him.

Each episode of Word for Word: The Bible includes:

• A brief introduction to provide context
• A full, uninterrupted reading of the assigned chapters
• A closing reflection and prayer

Thank you for joining this journey through Scripture. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with others who want to read the Bible word for word.

Welcome to Day 53 of Word for Word: The Bible.

In this episode, we continue our journey through Deuteronomy with a complete, word-for-word reading of Deuteronomy chapters 17–19. As Israel stands on the edge of the Promised Land, Moses lays out God’s blueprint for leadership, justice, worship, and accountability within the covenant community.

These chapters reveal that authority in Israel was never meant to operate independently of God. Kings, priests, judges, and prophets were all to remain under His law. Justice was to be careful, thorough, and rooted in truth. Mercy was to protect the innocent without excusing guilt. Everything was designed to preserve righteousness in the land.

Today’s reading includes:

• The prohibition of defective sacrifices and the seriousness of idolatry
• The requirement of two or three witnesses in capital cases
• Instructions for difficult legal cases and the authority of the priests and judges
• God’s design for a future king who must remain humble and devoted to the law
• Provision for the Levites and their inheritance in the Lord
• A clear warning against occult practices and divination
• The promise of a prophet like Moses whom the people must listen to
• Guidelines for discerning true and false prophets
• The establishment of cities of refuge for unintentional manslaughter
• Protection of property boundaries and safeguards against false testimony
• The principle of measured justice: life for life, eye for eye

These chapters remind us that righteousness is intentional. God establishes order so that His people can live in truth, fairness, and peace. When leadership is accountable to God’s Word and justice is upheld without partiality, the community is protected and His name is honored.

Each episode of Word for Word: The Bible includes:

• A brief introduction and prayer
• A complete, word-for-word reading of the assigned chapters
• A closing reflection and prayer

Thank you for listening. If this podcast has been helpful to you, please consider subscribing and leaving a review. And if you know someone who would benefit from walking through Scripture one day at a time, we invite you to share it with them.

Welcome to Day 52 of Word for Word: The Bible.

In this episode, we continue our journey through Deuteronomy with a complete, word-for-word reading of Deuteronomy chapters 13–16. As Israel stands on the edge of the Promised Land, Moses continues preparing the people for covenant life. These chapters emphasize discernment, devotion, generosity, sacred rhythms, and justice—showing that faithfulness to God shapes both belief and daily living.

Today’s reading includes:

• A warning against false prophets and those who would lead Israel to worship other gods
• The call to wholehearted loyalty and covenant faithfulness
• Laws concerning clean and unclean foods
• Instructions on tithing and provision for the Levites, foreigners, widows, and the fatherless
• The Year of Canceling Debts and God’s command to care for the poor
• The freeing of servants and the remembrance of Israel’s redemption from Egypt
• The setting apart of the firstborn animals
• The observance of Passover, the Festival of Weeks, and the Festival of Tabernacles
• The appointment of judges and the command to pursue justice without partiality

These chapters move from guarding truth to practicing generosity, from rejecting deception to celebrating God’s faithfulness through sacred feasts. Obedience is not limited to worship alone—it shapes finances, leadership, compassion, community, and the rhythms of time itself.

Three times a year, Israel is commanded to appear before the Lord in celebration. They are also commanded to give freely, forgive debts, release servants, and judge fairly. Covenant faithfulness is both reverent and practical.

Each episode of Word for Word: The Bible includes:

• A brief introduction to provide context
• A complete, word-for-word reading of the assigned chapters
• A closing prayer to reflect on what we’ve read

Thank you for joining this journey through Scripture. If this podcast has been meaningful to you, please consider subscribing and leaving a review. And if you know someone who would benefit from reading the Bible consistently, feel free to share it with them.

We’ll continue tomorrow with the next portion of Deuteronomy.