Provision in the Bible

David prepares abundantly for the temple he cannot build, gathering materials of gold, silver, bronze, iron, timber, and stone. He charges Solomon to build the temple and be strong and courageous, echoing God's words to Joshua.

Solomon's administration is described in detail, including his officials and twelve district governors. His wisdom surpasses all others, and he composes 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs. People come from all nations to hear his wisdom.

Solomon makes an alliance with King Hiram of Tyre to obtain cedar and cypress timber for the temple. He conscripts laborers and arranges the massive workforce needed for the construction project.

God appears to Solomon a second time, promising blessing for obedience and warning of judgment for apostasy. Solomon's building projects, trade activities, and the cities he builds are described.

The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon, overwhelmed by his wisdom and wealth. She declares that the reports she heard were less than half the truth. Solomon's immense wealth and trading empire are described.

The prophet Elijah appears and declares a drought upon Israel. God sends him to the brook Cherith where ravens feed him, then to a widow at Zarephath whose flour and oil never run out. Elijah raises the widow's dead son back to life.

After Mount Carmel, Jezebel threatens Elijah's life, and he flees to the wilderness in despair. God ministers to him with food and rest, then speaks to him not in wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a still small voice. Elisha is called as Elijah's successor.

Hannah, barren and deeply distressed, prays fervently at the tabernacle in Shiloh for a son. She vows to dedicate him to God. God answers her prayer, and she gives birth to Samuel, whose name means heard by God.

David flees to Nob where the priest Ahimelech gives him consecrated bread and Goliath's sword. David then escapes to the Philistine city of Gath, where he pretends to be insane before King Achish to avoid danger.

David asks the wealthy Nabal for provisions, but Nabal insults him. David sets out to destroy Nabal's household, but Nabal's wise wife Abigail intercepts with gifts and a persuasive appeal. God strikes Nabal dead, and David marries Abigail.

David returns to Ziklag to find it burned and all the families taken captive by Amalekite raiders. Strengthening himself in the Lord, David pursues, recovers everything, and distributes spoil equally among those who fought and those who guarded supplies.

Paul gives practical instructions for caring for widows, honoring elders, and handling accusations against leaders. He teaches that the church should provide for genuine widows while younger widows should remarry. Elders who serve well deserve double honor.

Solomon goes to Gibeon to worship and God appears to him in a dream, offering anything he desires. Solomon asks for wisdom and knowledge to govern God's people. Pleased, God grants him unparalleled wisdom along with wealth and honor.

Solomon enlists King Hiram of Tyre to provide craftsmen and materials for the temple. He organizes a massive labor force of aliens living in Israel. The preparations emphasize the grandeur of the temple project.

The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon and is overwhelmed by his wisdom and splendor. Solomon's immense wealth, trading empire, and international renown are described. Solomon dies after reigning 40 years.

Jehoshaphat strengthens Judah and seeks God. He sends officials and Levites throughout the land to teach the Book of the Law. The fear of the Lord falls on surrounding nations, and Jehoshaphat receives tribute. His army numbers over a million men.

Jotham is a faithful king who builds and conquers but does not enter the temple as his father did. He grows powerful because he orders his ways before the Lord. His reign is brief but positive.

The people destroy idolatrous sites throughout Judah and even into the northern territory. Hezekiah organizes the priestly and Levitical divisions and establishes generous provision for temple workers through tithes and offerings.

Paul encourages generous giving for the Jerusalem collection. God loves a cheerful giver, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. God is able to make all grace abound so that in all things you always have everything you need, abounding in every good work.

Israel, Judah, and Edom unite to fight Moab. Running out of water, they consult Elisha, who provides water miraculously and prophecies victory. The Moabites misread the water as blood and are defeated.

Elisha performs multiple miracles: multiplying a widow's oil to pay debts, promising a son to a Shunammite woman, raising that son from death, purifying poisoned stew, and feeding 100 men with 20 loaves.

Elisha makes an axe head float, reveals Aramean battle plans to Israel's king, and is surrounded by an enemy army. He prays for his servant's eyes to be opened, revealing mountains full of angelic horses and chariots of fire. Elisha leads the blinded Arameans into Samaria and feeds them.

During a severe famine in besieged Samaria, Elisha predicts abundance by tomorrow. Four lepers discover the Aramean camp abandoned — God had caused the enemy to flee. The prophecy of abundance is fulfilled exactly as Elisha declared.

The Shunammite woman's land is restored after Gehazi tells the king of Elisha's miracles. Elisha weeps prophesying that Hazael will become king of Aram and bring terrible suffering to Israel. Jehoram and Ahaziah, wicked kings of Judah, are introduced.

David expands his kingdom by defeating the Philistines, Moabites, Arameans, and Edomites. He establishes a powerful empire and administers justice throughout the land. Key officials in his government are listed.

Ahithophel advises Absalom to pursue David immediately, but Hushai convinces Absalom to delay, buying David time. When Ahithophel's counsel is rejected, he goes home and hangs himself. David crosses the Jordan to safety.

Moses recounts the wilderness journey, highlighting how God directed Israel to avoid conflict with Esau's descendants in Seir, Moab, and Ammon because God had given those lands to them. Israel then defeats King Sihon of Heshbon when he refuses to let them pass peacefully through his territory.

Moses reminds Israel that God humbled and tested them in the wilderness for forty years to teach them dependence on Him. He taught them that man does not live by bread alone but by every word from God's mouth. Moses warns that when they prosper in the land, they must not forget God or claim their own power made them wealthy.

Moses urges Israel to love God and keep His commands, recalling the mighty acts they witnessed — the plagues, the Red Sea crossing, and the swallowing of Dathan and Abiram. He presents the Promised Land as dependent on God's rain rather than irrigation, requiring ongoing trust. He sets before them blessing and curse.

Every seventh year, debts among Israelites must be cancelled. Moses warns against being tightfisted toward the poor and commands generosity, promising that God will bless those who give freely. Hebrew servants must be released in the seventh year with generous provisions. The firstborn of flocks and herds are consecrated to God.

The Levites' inheritance is described as the Lord Himself and the offerings. Occult practices — divination, sorcery, mediums, spiritists — are strictly forbidden as detestable to God. Moses prophesies that God will raise up a prophet like himself from among the people, whom Israel must obey — a key Messianic prophecy.

Laws address divorce (a certificate is required and remarriage after a second marriage is prohibited), pledges (a millstone cannot be taken), kidnapping (punishable by death), and fair treatment of hired workers (pay them promptly). Gleaning laws ensure food for foreigners, orphans, and widows.

Moses prescribes two ceremonies for the Promised Land: offering firstfruits with a confession recounting God's rescue from Egypt, and presenting the third-year tithe with a declaration of obedience. The chapter concludes with the covenant declaration — God claims Israel as His treasured people and Israel claims Him as their God.

Moses presents the fullest statement of covenant blessings and curses. Blessings for obedience include prosperity, military victory, agricultural abundance, and honour among nations. Curses for disobedience are far more extensive — disease, drought, defeat, siege, exile, and scattering among the nations. The chapter prophetically describes events that would unfold centuries later.

Before his death, Moses blesses each tribe individually, similar to Jacob's blessing in Genesis 49. Judah receives strength in battle, Levi the priesthood and teaching role, Joseph extraordinary fruitfulness, and Benjamin God's protection. The chapter opens and closes with majestic praise for God who rides the heavens to help His people.

Warnings about hasty words before God—let your words be few. Better not to vow than to vow and not fulfil. The lover of money never has enough. Wealth brings anxiety. The Teacher affirms that enjoyment of God's gifts is itself a gift.

God announces the final plague: the death of every firstborn in Egypt, from Pharaoh's son to the servant's son. Moses warns Pharaoh, but his heart remains hardened. God tells Israel to ask the Egyptians for silver and gold, and the Egyptians give generously because God has given the people favour.

The Israelites grumble about food in the wilderness, and God provides manna from heaven each morning and quail in the evening. God instructs them to gather only what they need daily, with a double portion on the sixth day for the Sabbath. Some disobey, and the leftover manna breeds worms.

The people quarrel with Moses at Rephidim because there is no water. God tells Moses to strike the rock at Horeb and water flows out. The Amalekites attack Israel, and as long as Moses holds up his hands, Israel prevails; Aaron and Hur support his arms until Joshua wins the battle.

God gives laws about justice in court, sabbath rest for the land, and three annual pilgrimage festivals — Unleavened Bread, Harvest, and Ingathering. God promises to send an angel ahead of Israel to guard them and drive out the inhabitants of Canaan, warning them not to worship foreign gods.

The craftsmen receive so many offerings that Moses has to issue a command to stop giving — the people have brought more than enough. The construction of the tabernacle begins with the linen curtains, goat hair coverings, frames, crossbars, and the inner veil separating the holy places.

The bronze altar and bronze basin are constructed for the tabernacle courtyard. The courtyard is enclosed with fine linen hangings on bronze pillars. A detailed inventory records all the gold, silver, and bronze used — nearly a ton of gold, over three tons of silver, and two and a half tons of bronze.

God condemns the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves instead of the flock. He will rescue His sheep personally and raise up one shepherd — His servant David — to tend them. A covenant of peace and showers of blessing will follow.

Water flows from under the temple threshold, growing from ankle-deep to a river that cannot be crossed. Wherever the river flows, everything lives — even the Dead Sea teems with fish. Trees along its banks bear fruit every month with leaves for healing. A vision of paradise restored.

Cyrus king of Persia issues a decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple, fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecy. He even returns the temple vessels Nebuchadnezzar had taken. About 50,000 Jews prepare to return under Sheshbazzar.

A detailed census lists the families, priests, Levites, temple servants, and others who return from Babylon. The total is about 42,360 people plus 7,337 servants. They bring generous freewill offerings for rebuilding the temple.

King Darius finds Cyrus's decree and orders the temple rebuilding to continue with full support and funding. The temple is completed and dedicated with joy. The returned exiles celebrate Passover, and God turns the heart of the Assyrian king to help them.

Decades later, Ezra the scribe leads a second group of returnees from Babylon. He is described as a skilled scribe devoted to studying, practicing, and teaching God's Law. King Artaxerxes gives him a generous letter of support and authority.

God blesses Noah and establishes a covenant never to destroy the earth by flood again, setting the rainbow as its sign. God gives new dietary permissions and institutes the principle of capital punishment for murder. Noah plants a vineyard, becomes drunk, and Ham's disrespect leads to prophetic blessings and curses on his sons.

God calls Abram to leave his homeland and go to a land He will show him, promising to make him a great nation and bless all families of the earth through him. Abram obeys and travels to Canaan, then goes to Egypt during a famine where he deceives Pharaoh about Sarai.

Abram and Lot separate due to their growing wealth and the strife between their herdsmen. Lot chooses the well-watered Jordan plain near Sodom, while Abram remains in Canaan. God reaffirms His promise to give Abram all the land he can see and descendants as numerous as dust.

Isaac is born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age, fulfilling God's promise. Sarah insists that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away, and God assures Abraham that Ishmael will also become a nation. Abraham makes a treaty with Abimelech at Beersheba.

God tests Abraham by commanding him to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah. Abraham obeys in faith, binding Isaac on the altar, but the angel of the Lord stops him at the last moment and provides a ram as a substitute. God reaffirms His covenant blessings because of Abraham's obedience.

Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac from his relatives in Mesopotamia. The servant prays for God's guidance and meets Rebekah at a well. Rebekah agrees to return and marry Isaac, demonstrating God's faithful providence.

A famine sends Isaac to Gerar where God reaffirms the Abrahamic covenant with him. Isaac repeats his father's deception by calling Rebekah his sister. Despite opposition, Isaac prospers greatly and makes a peace treaty with Abimelech at Beersheba.

Jacob flees to Haran and on the way has a dream at Bethel of a stairway reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending. God appears above it and renews the Abrahamic covenant with Jacob. Jacob vows that if God protects him, the Lord will be his God.

The rivalry between Leah and Rachel intensifies as they compete for Jacob's attention through childbearing, including through their servants Bilhah and Zilpah. Rachel finally conceives and bears Joseph. Jacob negotiates with Laban for speckled and spotted livestock as his wages, and through shrewd breeding he prospers greatly.

God tells Jacob to return to the land of his fathers. Jacob secretly flees from Laban with his family and flocks, and Rachel steals her father's household idols. Laban pursues and confronts Jacob, but God warns Laban in a dream not to harm him, and they make a covenant at Mizpah.

Jacob and Esau meet and reconcile after twenty years apart. Esau runs to embrace his brother and they weep together. Jacob settles near Shechem in Canaan and buys a plot of land, setting up an altar called El Elohe Israel.

Joseph serves in the house of Potiphar in Egypt and prospers because the Lord is with him. Potiphar's wife repeatedly tries to seduce Joseph, but he refuses, saying he will not sin against God. She falsely accuses him and Joseph is thrown into prison, where the Lord continues to bless him.

Pharaoh has two dreams that none of his wise men can interpret. The cupbearer finally remembers Joseph, who is brought from prison to interpret the dreams: seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh appoints Joseph as second-in-command over all Egypt to manage the crisis.

The famine reaches Canaan and Jacob sends ten of his sons to buy grain in Egypt, keeping Benjamin home. Joseph recognises his brothers but they do not recognise him. He tests them by accusing them of being spies and demands they bring Benjamin to prove their honesty, keeping Simeon as hostage.

When the grain runs out, Jacob reluctantly allows Benjamin to go to Egypt with his brothers. Joseph receives them, seats them in birth order — astonishing them — and gives Benjamin five times more food than the others. They dine together and the brothers are overwhelmed by Joseph's generosity.

Joseph can no longer contain himself and reveals his identity to his brothers, weeping loudly. He tells them not to be angry with themselves, for God sent him ahead to preserve life. Joseph sends for Jacob and Pharaoh invites the whole family to settle in the best land of Egypt.

Jacob sets out for Egypt with his entire household. God speaks to him at Beersheba in a vision, reassuring him not to fear going to Egypt and promising to make him a great nation there. The chapter lists all seventy members of Jacob's family who enter Egypt, and Joseph joyfully reunites with his father.

Joseph presents his family to Pharaoh, and Jacob blesses Pharaoh. The family settles in Goshen. As the famine worsens, Joseph acquires all the money, livestock, and land of Egypt for Pharaoh in exchange for grain. Jacob makes Joseph swear to bury him in Canaan, not in Egypt.

The returned exiles have built their own paneled houses while God's temple lies in ruins. Haggai challenges them: consider your ways — you eat but never have enough, earn wages only to put them in a purse with holes. They obey and begin rebuilding the temple.

A magnificent invitation: Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters — buy wine and milk without money. Seek the Lord while He may be found. God's thoughts are higher than ours, and His word never returns empty but accomplishes its purpose.

Arise, shine, for your light has come! Nations stream to Zion's light, bringing wealth and worship. The sun will no longer be needed because God Himself will be the everlasting light — imagery fulfilled in Revelation's New Jerusalem.

Jesus performs His first miracle at the wedding in Cana, turning water into wine. He then cleanses the temple in Jerusalem, declaring it His Father's house. When challenged for a sign, He prophesies His own death and resurrection—destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.

Jesus feeds five thousand and walks on water. He declares Himself the bread of life—whoever comes to Him will never hunger, and whoever believes will never thirst. Many disciples leave after His hard teaching about eating His flesh and drinking His blood, but Peter affirms there is no one else to follow.

God continues his nature tour, describing the mountain goat, wild donkey, ox, ostrich, horse, and hawk. Each creature reveals divine wisdom and care in areas beyond human control or comprehension.

Job repents in dust and ashes, saying he now sees God with his own eyes rather than by hearsay. God rebukes the three friends and vindicates Job. God restores Job's fortunes, giving him twice what he had before.

The locust army becomes an image of the Day of the Lord — darkness and gloom, a powerful people like the dawn. Yet God calls: rend your heart, not your garments. He promises restoration, rains, and His Spirit poured out on ALL flesh — sons, daughters, old, young, servants. Peter quotes this at Pentecost.

The Israelites are circumcised at Gilgal, observe Passover, and the manna ceases as they eat the produce of Canaan. Joshua encounters the commander of the Lord's army near Jericho.

God tells Joshua that much land remains to be conquered despite his old age. The territories east of the Jordan given to Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh are described in detail.

The territory allotted to the tribe of Judah is described in detail, including its borders and cities. Caleb conquers Hebron and Debir. Judah cannot drive out the Jebusites from Jerusalem.

The territory of the descendants of Joseph — Ephraim — is described. The Ephraimites fail to drive out the Canaanites from Gezer, who remain as forced laborers among them.

The territory of the half-tribe of Manasseh west of the Jordan is described. The descendants of Joseph complain about receiving too little land, and Joshua challenges them to clear the forested hill country.

The tabernacle is set up at Shiloh and Joshua rebukes seven tribes for delaying to claim their inheritance. He sends surveyors to map the remaining land and distributes it by lot. Benjamin's territory is described.

The remaining tribal allotments are given: Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan. Joshua himself receives the city of Timnath-serah in Ephraim as his personal inheritance.

The Levites receive 48 cities with pasturelands distributed throughout the tribal territories as God commanded through Moses. The chapter concludes affirming that God fulfilled every promise He made to Israel.

God institutes the Sabbath year (every seventh year the land rests) and the Year of Jubilee (every fiftieth year). In Jubilee, all land returns to its original owners, slaves are freed, and debts are cancelled. God promises to provide enough in the sixth year to sustain through the rest period.

God presents the blessings and curses of the covenant. Obedience brings rain, harvests, peace, and God's presence. Disobedience brings terror, disease, famine, exile, and the land made desolate. Yet even in judgment, God promises that if they confess their sins, He will remember His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Jesus sends out the Twelve, feeds five thousand, and Peter confesses Him as the Christ. The Transfiguration reveals His glory before Peter, James, and John. Jesus sets His face toward Jerusalem, teaching that whoever wants to follow Him must deny themselves daily.

Jesus warns against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and the folly of storing up earthly treasures. He tells the parable of the rich fool and teaches about anxiety, urging followers not to worry because the Father knows their needs. He calls for readiness and faithful stewardship.

Continuing the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches about authentic spiritual practices—giving, praying, and fasting in secret rather than for show. He delivers the Lord's Prayer and commands followers to seek first the kingdom of God, trusting the Father for daily provision.

Herod executes John the Baptist. Jesus feeds five thousand with five loaves and two fish, then walks on water. Peter steps out in faith but begins to sink when he takes his eyes off Jesus, who immediately reaches out to save him.

Jesus confronts the Pharisees about elevating human tradition above God's commands. He teaches that what defiles a person comes from the heart, not from external ritual. He heals the Canaanite woman's daughter and feeds four thousand.

Jesus is rejected in His hometown of Nazareth. He sends the Twelve out in pairs and John the Baptist is beheaded by Herod. Jesus feeds five thousand with five loaves and two fish, then walks on water to reach His disciples' boat in a storm.

After feeding four thousand, Jesus heals a blind man at Bethsaida. Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ, but Jesus begins revealing His coming suffering and death. He teaches that following Him means denying yourself and taking up your cross.

Nehemiah boldly asks King Artaxerxes for permission to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, and the king grants his request with letters and timber. Nehemiah secretly inspects the walls by night, then rallies the people: Let us rebuild! Opposition from Sanballat and Tobiah begins immediately.

Israel celebrates the Passover at Sinai one year after the exodus. A provision allows those who are unclean or traveling to observe Passover one month later. God's cloud over the tabernacle guides Israel's movements — when it lifts, they march; when it settles, they camp.

God instructs Moses to make two silver trumpets for summoning the community and signalling camp movements. Israel finally departs from Sinai after nearly a year, marching in formation with the cloud leading. Moses invites his father-in-law Hobab to journey with them and serve as a guide.

The people complain about hardships and then about the lack of meat, weeping for the food they had in Egypt. God's anger burns and Moses is overwhelmed, so God puts His Spirit on seventy elders to share the leadership burden. God sends quail in abundance, but strikes the greedy with a plague.

God defines the roles of priests and Levites more precisely. Priests alone handle the sacred objects and altar; Levites assist them. The Levites receive the tithe of all Israel as their inheritance in place of land. In turn, the Levites give a tenth of the tithe to the priests.

Miriam dies at Kadesh. The people again quarrel about water, and God tells Moses to speak to the rock. Instead, Moses strikes the rock twice in anger, and God declares that Moses and Aaron will not enter the Promised Land because they did not trust Him. Aaron dies on Mount Hor and his son Eleazar succeeds him.

God commands Israel to take vengeance on Midian for the Baal Peor seduction. Twelve thousand soldiers defeat Midian, killing their kings and Balaam. The plunder is divided between warriors, the community, and the Levites. The soldiers offer gold to the Lord as a memorial because not one Israelite was lost in battle.

The tribes of Reuben and Gad request to settle east of the Jordan because the land is good for livestock. Moses initially rebukes them, comparing them to the faithless spies. They agree to cross the Jordan and fight alongside their brothers before returning to their eastern inheritance. Half of Manasseh also settles east.

God defines the precise boundaries of the Promised Land — from the wilderness of Zin in the south to Mount Hor and Lebo-hamath in the north, the Mediterranean Sea in the west, and the Jordan River in the east. Leaders are appointed from each tribe to oversee the land distribution.

God commands the Israelites to give the Levites forty-eight cities with pasturelands throughout the nation. Six of these are designated as cities of refuge where someone who accidentally kills another can flee for protection from blood revenge. The chapter distinguishes between murder and manslaughter.

The leaders of Manasseh raise a concern that if the daughters of Zelophehad marry outside their tribe, their land inheritance would transfer permanently. God rules that women who inherit land must marry within their own tribe to keep each tribe's territory intact. The book closes with Israel on the plains of Moab, ready to enter the land.

Proverbs on the power of words, hard work, and truthfulness. The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Those who work their land have food; those who chase fantasies lack judgement.

The words of Agur son of Jakeh. He confesses his ignorance before God and asks for neither poverty nor riches. Contains the famous "two things I ask" prayer and numerical proverbs about four things that are never satisfied and four that are stately in their stride.

The most beloved psalm in Scripture. David declares the Lord as his shepherd who provides, guides, restores, and protects. Even through the valley of the shadow of death, God's presence removes all fear. Goodness and love follow the believer forever.