In my daily Bible reading, I came across a phrase with which I was not familiar:
“Moab is My washbowl; I will throw My sandal over Edom; Shout loud, Philistia, because of Me!” (Psalm 60:8)
Why is throwing your shoe over a country or region an insult or a statement of dominance, as it appears to be in the verse?
You have heard scripture interprets scripture. In this case we can refer to Ruth 4:7 for an explanation of the shoe handling:
Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning the redemption and the exchange of land to confirm any matter: a man removed his sandal and gave it to another; and this was the way of confirmation in Israel.
I looked it up some more. This is where commentaries come in handy.
Barnes’ Notes on the Bible says the same as the Ruth 4:7 verse above, and goes on with a bit more context-
He here expresses the utmost confidence that he would succeed in this, notwithstanding the adverse events which had occurred. It is supposed that there is allusion in the expression “I will cast out my shoe,” to the custom, when transferring a possession, of throwing down a shoe on the ground as a symbol of occupancy. Compare Ruth 4:7. In the middle ages this was expressed by throwing down a glove; in the time of Columbus, by solemnly taking possession and setting up a cross; in other times, by erecting a standard, or by building a fort.
You may have heard that ‘throwing down a glove” (gauntlet) in the Middle Ages meant the fight was on. History.com and Merriam-Webster Dictionary explain,
The term “gauntlet” comes from the French word gantelet, referring to the heavy, armored gloves worn by knights, according to History.com. Meaning: It was a literal, public act of defiance that, if accepted (by “taking up the gauntlet”), required personal combat to resolve a dispute
Apparently in Bible times, throwing the shoe was the signal that one side was prepared to fight for victory, in other words, ‘I’m coming for you! – and I will win!”
It’s helpful to pursue some of these long-ago idiomatic phrases that help us understand the verse more deeply.
SYNOPSIS: Modern “heaven tourism” claims continue resurfacing through books, interviews, and testimonies, but many contradict Scripture and even themselves. Christians should exercise biblical discernment, reject subjective revelations, and trust the sufficiency of God’s Word alone regarding heaven, hell, eternity, and salvation.
Charles Spurgeon wrote a commentary on all the Psalms. It is called The Treasury of David. You can find it online in several places, such as here. Or here.
It’s obvious to anyone with eyes that sin is drenching the world n higher and higher quantities. Sin running rampant in the flesh is a terrible thing. Runaway violence, anger, and thievery seems to have become the norm. Yet God still holds the universe in His hand and controls all the unfolding commotion with a steady progression toward the fulfillment of all that He has said will occur.
I hope that Spurgeon’s exposition of Psalm 75:3 encourages you.
The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved. When anarchy is abroad, and tyrants are in power, everything is unloosed, dissolution threatens all things, the solid mountains of government melt as wax; but even then the Lord upholds and sustains the right. I bear up the pillars of it. Hence, there is no real cause for fear. While the pillars stand, and stand they must for God upholds them, the house will brave out the storm. In the day of the Lord’s appearing a general melting will take place, but in that day our covenant God will be the sure support of our confidence.
“How can I sink with such a prop As my eternal God, Who bears the earth’s huge pillars up, And spreads the heavens abroad.”
Selah. Here may the music pause while the sublime vision passes before our view; a world dissolved and an immutable God uplifting all his people above the terrible commotion.
Through the commotion of the world, look up to God where there is peace. EPrata collage
SYNOPSIS: I reflect on the dignity and necessity of support roles, comparing them to biblical examples like Baruch, Jonathan, Ruth, Barnabas, and Timothy. I emphasize faithful service, humility, loyalty, and contentment, arguing that ALL roles, whether front line or background support – ultimately glorify God and strengthen His people.
When someone says “summer reading” it usually brings to mind beach reads, AKA light novels, that are aimed to entertain. Since people take vacations in summer, they bring with them a novel that isn’t mentally demanding, just aiming to soak up the book in their hand and the sun above as they escape briefly from their workaday life.
I’m the opposite. Summer reading for me means I choose demanding books because I’m off work for the summer. During school my mental capacities are stretched to the max. I teach reading to a succession of 6 small groups over 4 different grades using 3 different reading programs. It’s a lot. I love it, but it drains me mentally.
When I get home, I’m a zombie and it takes a pot of tea and an hour to recover. I have nNo capacity for demanding novels.
So in the summer when I’m off and I’m not being challenged mentally, it’s the perfect time to make my TBR stack of classics, or ‘books I’ve always wanted to read but haven’t yet’ or ‘a book that is hard for me. Four summers ago I tackled Moby-Dick. Then it was Treasure Island. Then Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. So this summer it’s going to be…
I saw it advertised on Grace Books’ website and it is not only one I’ve always wanted to read but this edition is a beautiful book. I mean, you had me at ‘gilt edged’. And ‘cloth bound’. Yes, I judge a book by its cover. Come at me, lol.
It’s John Milton’s epic poem, “Paradise Lost’. Written in 1667, the publisher promises that it is an unabridged version but there are margin notes for unfamiliar words. So already I know the language is going to be demanding. And harder for me personally, is the fact that it is written as an Epic Poem. I have a rough time with poetry, I just don’t understand it.
An Epic Poem is (according to Encyclopedia Britannica), “long narrative poem recounting heroic deeds. Outstanding examples of the written epic include Virgil’s Aeneid and Lucan’s Pharsalia in Latin, Chanson de Roland in medieval French, Ludovico Ariosto’s Orlando furioso and Torquato Tasso’s Gerusalemme liberata in Italian, Cantar de mio Cid in Spanish, and John Milton’s Paradise Lost and Edmund Spenser’s Faerie Queene in English.”
I read The Aeneid, The Odyssey and The Iliad, when I was in my early 20’s. Forty-five years later – ahem – my brain may have dimmed somewhat. In fact, I when I was in High School and just after, I read most of the standard classics listed in top 100 lists and I’m glad I did back then because reading or re-reading them now is much harder. But every summer, I select a classic to read or re-read, and that is my Summer Reading!
The version issued by Grace Books was on 40% off the regular price at the time (it’s still 10% off now), so of course I could not resist. The book itself (according to the blurb) contains:
Explanatory notes are included in the margins for allusions to Greek mythology and obscure words.
Introduction by Dr. Leland Ryken
Cover design by Stephen Crotts
50 vintage illustrations by the renowned Gustave Doré; modified to cover nudity
Genuine cloth cover with gold foil print and a ribbon page marker
What is Paradise Lost about? Adam and Eve’s rebellion and humanity’s fall from grace. One reviewer of this edition on Amazon said,
“Having biblical backgrounds in its plot of being about Adam and Eve‘s temptation and humanity’s fall from grace, “Paradise Lost” should be read for its unparalleled sonorous language, it’s profound exploration of human freedom, disobedience and rebellion, and its impact on Western literature. It offers a complex, timeless, psychological portrait of Satan serving as a foundational text for understanding the archetypal antihero.”
OK, this should keep me busy! Here are the photos of this beautiful edition. I appreciate Gustave Doré’s illustrations. He was a famous French artist, printmaker, and caricaturist who died in 1883. He is best known for his wood-engravings illustrating classic literature, especially Dante’s Divine Comedy. What I really appreciate in this edition is that though the language has been left alone, the illustrations have been lightly edited to cover up the nudity in Doré’s illustrations.
Beautifully illustrated cloth cover
Gorgeous end papers!! AND a ribbon!
Crisp font and white pages for easy reading, side notes with explanations and scriptures.
One of Dore’s illustrations. He was a master at his craft.
I mentioned I do judge a book by its cover. Here are two others I’ve recently acquired. The Pilgrim’s Progress was a free gift from Chapel Library, and the Van Dyke I bought myself. See what I mean? If I am going to own books, they might as well be beautiful. My other reading selection this summer is a re-read of Pilgrim’s Progress. I’ll also finish the Grisham I started, as well as Lady Audley’s Secret, Lord willing and the eyes don’t fail!
Happy reading and book-ing this summer! What is on your TBR list?
SYNOPSIS: This essay explores God’s hatred of lying, tracing deception through Scripture, modern culture, media, government, and everyday life. Using biblical examples and commentary from pastors and theologians, it argues that dishonesty corrupts society, reflects Satan’s influence, and violates God’s standards. Yet through repentance, Christ offers forgiveness, restoration, and the call to pursue truthfulness.
SYNOPSIS: This essay examines Beth Moore’s early role as a sorority chaplain, critiques her experiential approach to Christianity, and urges discernment regarding chaplaincy in general.
Synopsis: A thoughtful reflection on Revelation’s “fatal wound,” exploring whether the Antichrist’s resurrection is literal, counterfeit, or technologically fabricated through AI deception, while ultimately affirming Christ’s sovereignty, victory, and eternal promises.
SYNOPSIS: Naomi, overwhelmed by loss, blames God and grows bitter, unlike Job. Yet God restores her through Ruth’s lineage, reminding believers to trust His sovereign goodness rather than interpret suffering as abandonment.
SYNOPSIS: Rising digital fatigue, AI deception, and surveillance concerns are driving people toward analog experiences, urging believers especially to reclaim attention, deepen comprehension, and pursue real-world connection and spiritual focus.
the-end-time.org 