Daily Bible Reading Day 202

Psalms 31-33;  Acts 21:15-40.  Psalm 31 is another lament. Psalm 32 however is a confession of sin. He describes himself as wasting away while hiding his sin. He isn't describing what God is doing to him so much as describing what we go through inside ourselves while dealing with the guilt. Psalm 33 appears to be a thanksgiving psalm. Perhaps it expresses the joy of forgiveness.

Paul gets to Jerusalem. After sharing with the elders the conversions on this last trip the elders ask Paul to take a vow and go up to the temple. They want him to show the brethren that he still keeps the Law and thinks it's okay for any Jew who is a Christian to do so. While there some Jews see Paul and recognize him and take him outside and start beating him. They believe he has brought a Gentile into the temple. While beating him the Roman soldiers show up and they arrest Paul. After a brief interrogation the centurion allows Paul to address the crowd.

Daily Bible Reading Day 200

Psalms 25-27; Acts 20:17-38.  Psalm 25 is a classic teen devotional song, Unto Thee O Lord. The song and the psalm proclaim the loyalty that a child of God should have for our God who is faithful and mighty. Psalm 26 asks God to try to him and see his faithfulness. He still is in complaint mode somewhat. Psalm 27 David proclaims his trust in The Lord and says that no matter what he will maintain his faith.

Paul meets with the elders of the Ephesus church in Miletus. He wanted to see them on his trip back to Jerusalem. He encourages them and warns them about wolves in their midst. Does this mean wolves in the eldership or in the membership? They kneel down to pray and then he continues his journey to Jerusalem.

Daily Bible Reading Day 199

Psalms 22-24;  Acts 20:1-16.  Psalm 22 is the one quoted by Jesus on the cross and the one we probably misinterpret the most. Upon reading the Psalm one will learn that David felt forsaken because God had not answered his prayer in the way he wanted. Instead God allowed him to stay in his difficult situation and he felt abandoned. As you work your way through the Psalm you realize that David wasn't abandoned instead it was his perspective. Psalm 23 is a classic especially for funerals. Yet the Psalm is quite a contrast to Psalm 22. It is the picture of peace and prosperity. Psalm 24 again asks who can ascend to God's place. The psalm feels almost regal in setting.

Paul leaves Ephesus and travels to Macedonia and then to Greece. Then he heads back. He is on his way to Jerusalem. He hurries past Ephesus on the way back because he wants to make Jerusalem in time for Pentecost.  

Daily Bible Reading Day 198

Psalms 19-21; Acts 19:21-41.   Psalms 19 is a favorite. It begins by extolling creation and how this brings glory to God. Then David moves to the Law (torah) of The Lord. I wonder how far into Book I of Psalms this is. Psalm 20 has a distinctive ring of a community psalm since "we" is quite prominent. Psalms 21 has "we" as well but doesn't stand out as much.

A protest mob breaks out in Ephesus. The craftsmen are stirred up because they are afraid Paul's preaching will rob them economically. The disciples won't let Paul come into the assembly. Finally the town clerk gets them to calm down and then dismisses them. 

Daily Bible Reading Day 197

Psalm 17-18. Acts 19:1-20.  It is much easier doing these summaries when the text is narrative rather than the poetry of the Psalms. Psalms 17 is more of I need your help but not as intensely so. Psalm 18 has the title that says this is about when God delivers David from the hand of Saul. This psalm does seem more victorious than the others so far.

Paul enters the high country near Ephesus. He finds disciples but they no only the baptism of John. Does Luke hint that Apollos is the one who baptized them since he too knew only the baptism of John? If so why didn't he go and correct the situation when he discovered his error?  Paul teaches them briefly and they respond in baptism. The Holy Spirit comes upon them. Paul then goes to the synagogue and spends 3 months there proclaiming Jesus. Their resistance forces him elsewhere. He goes to the School of Tyrannus. He spends 2 years there. Of all Asia hears because of the work that he and his team does.

Daily Bible Reading Day 196

Psalms 13-16; Acts 18.  David continues with the theme - I've cried out to you but you aren't listening and responding. Two things of note. One is Psalm 15 where David asks who can dwell in God's tent. His answer is short and to the point. There is a focus on behavior and how he treats others. Second is Psalm 16 which is quoted by Peter in his opening sermon in Acts 2. Peter says that David was looking forward to the resurrection of Jesus in this verse.

Paul meets Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth. They work together. They synagogue is resistant to Paul's message. Timothy and Silas arrive from Macedonia and Paul begins to devote himself to full time ministry. He stays there a year and six months. At the end the Jews try to bring him up on charges before the proconsul. But he won't hear of it. They beat one of the leaders of the synagogue in front of the proconsul but he is unconcerned. Paul leaves and ends up back in Antioch. Then he heads out on his third missionary tour. First stop is Ephesus. Apollo was there. He knew Jesus but only knew the baptism of John for a response to his preaching. Aquila and Priscilla are there now and they teach him privately and he heads out to Corinth. 

Daily Bible Reading Day 195

Psalms 10-12;  Acts 17:16-34.  Psalm 10 is the first psalm since #3 that doesn't have a title.  The psalms complains that God is being aloof when he is needed. The wicked prosper and do their thing In spite of complaining about God not responding the writer does take refuge in God. This is probably where the lyrics "Flee as a Bird" came from.  Psalm 12 again asks the Lord's help because the wicked are always trying to gain control. The wicked strut but aren't really in control. Still we need to know The Lord is helping.

Paul is provoked by the all the idols in Athens. His team isn't fully there but he goes to the synagogue and the marketplace. The marketplace seems the most intrigued by what he is saying. He is taken to the Areopagus in order for him to share his teaching.This is certainly a more known speech by Paul. He ends with his appeal to judgment of the whole world in the future based upon the resurrection of Jesus. Most sneer and are unconvinced, but some are.

Daily Bible Reading Day 194

Psalms 709;  Acts 17:1-15.  In Psalm 7 David pleads with The Lord to take care of the wicked. Psalms8 is perhaps one of the most well known. Here David ponders the beauty of creation which shouts the glory of The Lord. Then he wonders why it is that in this vast universe God care for man. Psalms 9 David thanks The Lord for his judgment and power. In the end he wants the nations to know that they are weak humans compared to God.

Paul and company travel to Thessalonica. They are in the synagogue for three Sabbaths. A number of Jews believe, as well as God fearers and leading women. The Jews create a mob scene and Paul is forced to move on. The move on to Berea. The Jews from Thessalonica follow Paul there and also create a mob scene that forces Paul to leave. Paul arrives in Athens. 

Daily Bible Reading Day 193

Psalms 4-6; Acts 16:16-40.  Psalm 4 requests that God answer by dealing with those who reproach the righteous Even though the psalm begins in some anguish it ends in peace.  Psalm 5 again requests that God give him refuge from those seeking his harm. Psalm 6 continues to show the author in distress and longing for God to deliver him.

Paul and company are being followed by a slave girl with a spirit who through fortune telling brings profit to her masters. She is telling the crowds who Paul and company is. Paul becomes annoyed and casts the spirit out. The masters seize them and bring charges against them. The magistrates have them beaten and then thrown in prison. During the night while they are singing an earthquake comes. The prison is opened and cuffs are off. The jailer is about to commit suicide when Paul stops him. He wants to know what to do to be saved. Paul explains to him and he is baptized. The magistrates try to release Paul but are afraid when they find out they are Roman citizens. They go to Lydia's house after their release.

Daily Bible Reading Day 192

Psalms 1-3; Acts 16:1-15.  Psalms 1 establishes that there are two ways to walk - follow sinners or follow the LORD. Psalms 2 establishes that the nations do not acknowledge the authority of the king (son) of Israel as the anointed of God. Psalms 3 has a title and is of David. It is about David running from Absalom. The psalm is considered a lament. Laments are found mostly in the first three books of Psalms and then gradually give way to praise psalms.

Paul after separating from Barnabas begins his second missionary tour. He find Timothy and he joins Paul. Paul has a dream and is called to Macedonia. The writer begins using "we" and so we can assume that Luke has joined Paul's missionary group, even though he doesn't tell us anything about their meeting. They travel to Philippi. After arriving they find a group meeting at the riverside Does that mean a synagogue located on river front property or meeting open air by the riverside? Lydia is there. She is described as a merchant of purple (rich people's clothing) and a worshiper of God. God opens her heart and she responds. 

Daily Bible Reading Day 191

Job 40-42;  Acts 15:22-41.  God comes to a spot where Job answers and admits he knows nothing compared to God. God then continues to remind Job of His power and might through the Behemoth and the Leviathan.  Job answers again and repents. God restores Job's family and fortune. God tells the three that if they want to remain on his good grace they should bring a burnt offering and ask Job to pray for them. They do. Job has twice what he had before. Someone reminded me a few days ago that even though Job's wife had advised him earlier to curse God and die, she is still here with him and has a new set of children with him. 

The meeting at Jerusalem concludes by writing a letter for the Gentile church with four recommendations for the Gentiles in order that they might get along better with their Jewish brothers and sisters. Paul and Barnabas decide to revisit some of the places they have been. Barnabas wants to take John Mark along but Paul refuses. The disagreement is so big they part ways and go separately. 

Daily Bible Reading Day 190

Job 38-39; Acts 15:1-21.   God now speaks to Job. I always find it interesting that here is Job in pain and misery having lost everything (well, he lost his children, his wealth, and his health but he still has his  wife) and his three friends are torturing him with words and when God speaks it is not a word of comfort for Job. Instead God asks Job a series of questions concerning creation. Where were you when I created the universe? He continues to question Job by bringing up all different kinds of animals and asking Job if he knows about how to deal with them or why they do what they do? What he does is say to Job, "Look at creation and tell me if you can explain it? If not then you cannot instruct me." He seems to imply that what Job has said so far isn't right.

Paul and Barnabas must deal with some Pharisees who become believers and then come to Antioch where they are located and begin teaching that the Gentiles must accept the covenant of Moses by being circumcised before they can be saved by Jesus. In other words they must become Jewish proselytes first before they can enter the kingdom. Paul and Barnabas are sent to Jerusalem to work this out. They share the conversion of the Gentiles with the churches as they travel to Jerusalem. Upon arriving they begin the discussion. Peter speaks first. He reminds them of the first Gentile converts which he privileged. I wonder if this is what Jesus meant by giving the keys of the kingdom to Peter - he speaks first to Jews and unlocks for them the kingdom and then he speaks to Gentiles and they come to the kingdom as well. Then James, the brother of Jesus, speaks and quotes from Amos 9. He agrees with Peter and then offers a suggestion as to what they can say to the Gentiles that will help this situation.

Daily Bible Reading DAy 189

Job 35-37; Acts 14.  Elihu continues his response to Job and his three friends. Elihu sure seems to know a lot about God. Again I have to wonder why Elihu is introduced as a character in Job. What he says sounds lofty and majestic. Why does God ignore Elihu when he speaks to Job?

Paul and Barnabas arrive at a synagogue and speak. Some follow. The rest stir up the Gentiles of the city against him. I wonder if those Jews knew anything about Paul? Persecution arises and they flee to another city. There Paul heals a man. The Gentiles are so impressed that they think Paul and Barnabas are gods of some kind. They try to offer a sacrifice to them. They get them to stop. Then Jews from Antioch arrive and stir the people against Paul. They take him out of the city and stone him so that they think he is dead. The disciples surround him and he gets up and walks away.  So they continue to visit churches strengthening them and appointing elders.

Daily Bible Reading Day 188

Job 33-34; Acts 13:2-52.  Elihu continues his diatribe against Job. He does capture Job's claim to innocence quite well. He claims that he is just a man. He claims that Job is wrong in his protest against God. I still think that in general there is nothing about what the friends, including Elihu, say that is particularly wrong. They are wrong for applying the generalities of what they say to a specific situation like Job. 

Paul concludes his lesson. I'm amazed that Paul's last quote seems to imply that he is calling his audience scoffers, yet they all beg him to come back next Sabbath. Unfortunately when he does the whole city does as well, including Gentiles. The Jews become jealous and instigate a persecution. They move on. But those who are converted grow.

Daily Bible Reading Day 187

Job 31-32; Acts 13:1-23.  Job now specifically asks that God show him what he has done wrong. Job lists a bunch of possibilities and asks which one. He maintains that he has trained himself to not look and lust, to not trust in wealth, to help the poor, so he maintains that there is nothing in his life that would cause the troubles he currently has.  His three friends are finished because they can no longer answer him. We are now introduced to Elihu, who is a younger man. He has been listening but now is angry because Job is righteous in his own eyes and justifies himself before God. So Elihu is now about to add his thoughts.

Paul and Barnabas are in Antioch. The Holy Spirit sets them apart and they are sent out. This is called Paul's first missionary tour. He will have two more. They go to Cyprus. They meet a magician whom they blind. This convinces the proconsul  to believe. As they travel on, John (also called Mark) leaves and goes back to Jerusalem. They arrive at Pisidian Antioch and go to the synagogue on the Sabbath. They are asked to bring a word to the synagogue. Paul begins by recounting Israel's entrance into the land and then on to David. 

Daily Bible Reading Day 186

Job 29-30; Acts 12.  Job reminisces about what life was like before his troubles took over. He laments that God was over his tent and things went well. Now the sons of those men he would not entrust with keeping his dogs act arrogant towards him. He cries out to God but God doesn't answer. Life has changed.

James is arrested by Herod. He has him put to death. The Jewish people like this and Herod arrests Peter. Puts him under a heavy guard. The church in Jerusalem must be having an impact. During the night an angel comes and releases Peter. Then Peter goes to the home of Mary (not the mother of Jesus). Saul and Barnabas return to Antioch. 

Daily Bible Reading Day 185

Job 26-28; Acts 11.  Job continues his sarcastic response to his friends as they speak. He continues to maintain his basic innocence. He has done nothing really big to deserve what he is receiving. Then he talks about wisdom. His speech sounds very much like the teaching of wisdom in Proverbs. He also says that the fear of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 

When Peter gets back to Jerusalem he is confronted by Jewish Christians for his contact with uncircumcised Gentiles. He explains his vision to them. He explains his message and what the Holy Spirit did during his proclamation. So the disciples in Jerusalem accepted this expansion of the Gospel into Gentile territory. 

Daily Bible Reading Day 184

Job 23-25; Acts 10:24-48.  Job continues to believe that if he could just approach God's throne and plead his case God would take away his current punishment. It sure seems that Job sort of rattles on and on. Then Bildad speaks, but his speech is quite short.

Peter arrives at the Cornelius household. Cornelius tells Peter about his dream and what the angel told him to do. Peter then states that he now gets the vision he had = God is helping Peter to expand his preaching from the Jews to the Gentiles. As Peter is telling Cornelius about Jesus, the Holy Spirit "fell" on Cornelius and those who were listening to Peter. Then Peter baptized them.

Daily Bible Reading Day 183

John 20-21; Acts 10:1-23.   Job continues to complain about his friends. It sort of seems like in chapter 20 he waffles a bit on whether or not the wicked are dealt with by God decisively like he and his 3 friends believed. Then Eliphaz chimes in again. His dialogue seemed to actually accuse Job of specific sins. Like turning away the hungry and widows in need. 

Luke is about to record the conversion of the first full Gentile, uncircumcised. The Eunuch that Philip baptized was a Gentile but a proselyte so Cornelius will be the first. Cornelius is praying. He has a dream and an angel appears to him and tells him what to do. He sends servants and a trusted soldier to Joppa to get Peter. Just as the men are approaching the place where Peter is staying, Peter has a vision. He sees a sheet with all manner of animals, unclean and clean, on it. A voice tells him to kill and eat. He says no, because he has never broken the Law which says to not eat unclean food. The voice lets him know that food has no intrinsic value other than what God gives it. While Peter is pondering this vision the men from Cornelius arrive. 

Daily Bible Reading Day 181

Job 16-18; Acts 9:1-22.  Job says that his friends are sorry comforters. He goes on to describe that the derision that he receives from others. To some degree it almost sounds like the situation of Jesus on his last couple of days. Bildad weighs in again and describes the situation of those who don't know God and seems to imply that Job fits that situation.

Saul is feeling strong after Stephen's death and his initial efforts to stop the Way. He is growing in strength. He asks for permission to go to Damascus to arrest followers of Jesus and bring them back to Jerusalem. Does the Roman government allow the Jews to police their own in this way?  On the way there Jesus appears to him. He is blinded and taken to Damascus Ananias is sent to him. He tells him what is going to happen. Saul regains his sight and is baptized. He begins to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues in Damascus. 

Daily Bible Reading Day 180

Job 13-15; Acts 8:26-40.  Job want to contend with God because God appears to have made Job an enemy. Job cries out but God isn't listening. Though He slay me, I will still trust in him. No matter what emotions bubble up during this ordeal Job will maintain his trust in God. Eliphaz speaks again, Claims his experiences demonstrate his side of the story. 

Philip is taken by the Spirit out to a lonely desert road. There he sees a chariot. Does this Ethiopian eunuch have a big entourage or is he by himself? Anyway, the eunuch is reading an Isaiah scroll and in particular from chapter 53. So Philip begins with that portion of Scripture and proclaims Jesus. During Philip's proclamation they come across water and the eunuch requests baptism. Here is the confession we use before baptism yet the best MSS don't contain this confession. Philip baptizes the eunuch and the Spirit snatches him away to Azotus. Philip continues proclaiming Jesus and arrives at Caesarea. 

Daily Bible Reading Day 179

Job 10-12; Acts 8:1-25.  In this cycle Job states rather clearly that he doesn't understand what is happening to him. He does believe what his three friends believe - namely that what is happening to him (Job) usually happens to those who are wicked. Job knows he isn't in the wicked category so he wants God to explain it to him. Zophar now weighs in the discussion. He doesn't really add anything to what the others have said.

After Stephen's death Saul gains confidence and enthusiasm to stop Christianity. He starts dragging people to prison for believing in Jesus. The persecution becomes so bad that people are scattered from Jerusalem. Far from being a bad thing the people leave and start proclaiming the word as they are traveling. The apostles however do not leave. 

Philip leaves and goes to Samaria. He is up against Simon the magician. I think the KJV calls Simon a sorcerer. This is perhaps correct since magic back then was often associated with a pagan god or what we call the occult. Many believe and are baptized, including Simon. None of them are filled with the Holy Spirit to do miraculous things. So Peter and John are sent. They pray and then lay hands upon the Samaritans and they receive the Holy Spirit and begin to do miracles. Simon tries to buy this ability and Peter condemns him. I think Simon is repentant. 

Daily Bible Reading Day 178

Job 7-9; Acts 7:44-60.  Job says "What is man?" during his first rebuttal and this sounds a lot like Psalm 8. Anyway, Job complains bitterly about his situation. Then Bildad weighs in. Bildad seems to understand Job as saying he has not done anything worthy of the trouble he has received. Bildad seems to be saying Job should repent and it will all go away. Job seems to agree with Bildad but still claims that there is nothing for him to repent of.

Stephen comes to the conclusion of his message. God gave Israel the land and then Solomon built the temple and God dwelt in it though no building could hold him. But Israel rejected the prophets and persecuted them. Stephen accuses the current generation of being stiff-necked like Israel has always been. Then the crowd could contain themselves no longer and they took him out of the city and stoned him to death. Interesting that the leaders turned Jesus over to Pilate because they weren't allowed by the Romans to execute those worthy of death but here spontaneously they executed Stephen. Stephen sees Jesus standing at the right hand of God and Stephen speaks to Jesus to receive his spirit.

Daily Bible Reading Day 177

Job 4-6; Acts 7:20-43.  Job is not going to be easy to summarize. Job's friend, Eliphaz, sees Job's first words as suggesting that he doesn't know why he is in such bad times. Eliphaz says that God is just and that only the wicked feel the pain of God's wrath. Job answers back that this isn't the case. The Almighty has wounded him without cause.

Stephen continues his message with Moses. Moses was born into a Jewish family but raised in Pharaoh's house. At age 40 he goes to visit his brethren. Discovers an Egyptian guard beating a Jewish a slave. Moses decides to intervene and kills the guard. He thinks the Jews will understand his intention but they don't. Then in the wilderness they show that they really don't understand what is going on when they ask Aaron to build them a god to worship as the god who brought them out of Egypt. Actually some of them will never get it right because they brought gods with them from Egypt into the wilderness and didn't give them up.

Daily Bible Reading Day 176

Job 1-3; Acts 7:1-19.   Job begins with a description of Job. He is an exceptional man of God. He is wise, mature, and thoughtful about God. He has it all. Wealth, family, and a great reputation. Then Satan challenges God to see if Job would curse God because Satan alleges that Job is only faithful because of his blessings. So his blessings are taken away. Four servants in a row come and tell Job of his loss of his wealth and then his children. Job appropriately mourns but doesn't curse or blame God. Satan furthers the challenge and says that if Job is inflicted with a disease then he would curse God. So Satan is allowed to smite Job with boils. His wife encourages him to curse God and die. But Job doesn't. His three friends show up and they mourn with him for they see his pain. Then Job curses the day he was born and begins his journey to try to make sense of what has happened to him.

Stephen begins his explanation before the high priest and other leaders of his message. He begins with Abraham and how God called him to a new land. He was promised the new land but first his descendant must spend some time in bondage before getting there. In order to make that happen the plan began with Joseph sold into slavery by his brothers. Then the process of rising to the top at Egypt and saving his family in Egypt. Then a pharaoh arose who didn't know Joseph and he enslaved the descendants of Israel.

Daily Bible Reading Day 173

Ester 1-3;  Acts 5:1-16.  Esther opens with the king of Persia (Ahasuerus) throwing a big banquet. His queen (Vashti) was throwing a banquet for the women. Ahasuerus wanted Vashti to come display her beauty before those at his banquet. She refuses. So the king, on advice of his wise men, replaces her. They don't want the women of the kingdom to think they run the place. So young women are sought to replace her. They are pampered and given what they need to make themselves beautiful for the king. Esther has been raised by her uncle Mordecai and is placed in the palace for preparation to see if she is the one. Mordecai tells Esther not to reveal her ethnic background. Esther spends her time with the king. She pleases the king and is chosen as the replacement for Vashti.  Meanwhile Mordecai uncovers a plot to kill the king and reports it. The two men are hanged. The incident is recorded. The king advances a man named Haman. Haman loves his position and expects everyone to bow to him. Mordecai refuses. Haman discovers Mordecai is Jewish and plots to kill all the Jews. He uses his position to convince the king that's it's best to destroy the Jews. So the plot becomes law and a day is set for the destruction of the Jews.

The church is growing but there is trouble in the camp. A man and woman plot to look like they are righteous and generous but you can't escape the all-seeing eye of God. They sell their land and pretend to give all the proceeds to the apostles. Peter confronts the man and he dies. Then Peter confronts the wife and she dies. Great fear comes over the church. The church continues to grow. The church finds favor with the people. The people bring their sick to be healed. They even try to bring their sick in contact with Peter's shadow. 

Daily Bible Reading Day 171

Nehemiah 12-13; Acts 4:23-27.   Nehemiah records the priests and Levites who returned with Zerubabbel. He assigns various duties. They celebrate the finishing of the wall. Then he heads back to the capital. Then he asks permission and comes back to Jerusalem. He finds that that one of the families has set up Tobiah, a foreigner, in a chamber of the temple. He throws out the man's stuff and cleanses the room. He discovers they are not keeping the Sabbath like they promised. He recalls the priests and Levites and stations them to receive the tithe. He gets the gatekeepers to close the gates on the Sabbath. He runs off the merchants who hang around during the Sabbath. Then he confronts those who have married foreigners.

The apostles come back from their first persecution by the Council and speak with the church. They quote some Old Testament passages that predict the situation. They continue their generosity by selling off property and putting the money into the hands of the apostles who see to it that it is distributed to those in need. Leading the way in this is Barnabas. 

Daily Bible Reading Day 171

Nehemiah 9-11; Acts 4:1-22.  The reading today starts off with a prayer in which Nehemiah confesses the rebelliousness of the Israelites. The chapter contains a recitation of the history of Israel from the release from Egypt, through the wilderness, and on into the promised land. Israel is portrayed as rebellious but God is seen as faithful to his promise to Abraham. The people then make a covenant on a written document which they sign and seal. They promise to be faithful but also to honor the Sabbath by not buying grain from the merchants and contributing yearly to the upkeep of the temple. As in Chronicles, Nehemiah focuses on Israel's relationship to the temple, the house of God. They then cast lots to supply wood to the priests and Levites. Then the section closes with a look at the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the temple servants, and where they live.

Peter and John and the man they healed are arrested by the Jewish Council. They are brought in and interrogated. Peter lets them know that the man was healed in the Name of Jesus whom they crucified, whom God raised from the dead. They threaten them to not preach in the name of Jesus but Peter says no.

Daily Bible Reading Day 170

Nehemiah 7-8; Acts 3.  The wall is finished. Nehemiah gathers the people to read the original genealogy of those who came back with Zerubbabel. This connects the current generation with the generation who originally came back from captivity in Babylon.

The Ezra reads from the Law of Moses. While he reads the priests and Levites filter among the people and explain the meaning the of what was being read. This reading connects the current generation n with the original generation that came out of Egypt and received the Law through Moses at Mount Sinai. 

Peter and John go up to the temple at the hour of prayer. There is a man who was lame begging at the temple. Peter heals the man. He gets up and clings to them. The people are amazed. Peter tells them that they shouldn't be amazed because the man was healed by Peter's power but through faith (Peter's faith) n Jesus who was raised from the dead. Jesus' resurrection was to fulfill the promises God made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 

Daily Bible Reading Day 168

Nehemiah 1-2; Acts 2:1-13.   Nehemiah gets word that the folks in Jerusalem aren't doing well. In particular the walls and gates are in such condition that they are a reproach to those areas around them. Nehemiah spends quite a bit of time in prayer. In fact prayer comes up quite a bit of the time in Nehemiah's time at Jerusalem. As it turns out Nehemiah is in an important position in the capital. He's cupbearer to the king. It's really a high and trusted position for the king. The king sense Nehemiah is down hearted and asks why. Nehemiah responds. The king decides to let him go and help his people. So Nehemiah makes his requests and off he goes. Upon arrival he surveys Jerusalem at night. Then tells the people why he's there. They say, Let's build!

The apostles are empowered by the Holy Spirit to begin the work of proclaiming the gospel to the world. I believe that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is Jesus sending/pouring out the Holy Spirit on his people. When you are baptized you receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). But the Holy Spirit then decides how to empower you.The Holy Spirit has already been sent. He now empowers the apostles and they begin to speak in other languages. The crowd gathered for Pentecost is amazed that they each hear in their own language. I had not noticed before but Pentecost was when the Jews celebrated Moses receiving the Law at Mount Sinai. So it is appropriate that on that day God would give the gospel to the world.

Daily Bible Reading Day 167

Ezra 9-10; Acts 1.   As the book of Ezra draws to a close we come upon perhaps the reason for Ezra's coming to Jerusalem, to cleanse Jerusalem and the land of their impurity. Namely, marriage to foreigners. It's not because they are foreigners (i.e. racially different) but because they worship foreign gods and idols. Marriage brings idolatry into the life of an Israelite. Israel pledged to God in the Torah (Law of Moses) that she would not do this. So the purge begins. Alas we will learn in Nehemiah that not everyone got the message.

The book of Acts opens with Luke addressing Theophilus of his previous writing (Luke) and that now he intends to take the story a step further by showing Jesus' disciples in their doing and teaching. Jesus continues to teach the disciples for 40 days. Tells them to wait in Jerusalem until they receive the promise of the Father (the Holy Spirit). Then Jesus ascends to heaven. An angel tells them that he will return just as he left. In Jerusalem Peter tells them they need to replace Judas according to Scripture. He gives the requirements of the one they need and two are put forth as candidates. They cast lots, trusting God to guide their lots, and choose Matthias. 

Daily Bible Reading Day 166

Ezra 6-8; John 21.   King Darius issues a decree for those in the area to leave the Israelites alone while they rebuild their city and temple. So they complete the temple and then observe the Passover.

Ezra 7 opens with Ezra being given permission by king Artaxerxes to travel back to Jerusalem with supplies to continue doing the work started by the initial return. Ezra assembles his entourage and discovers that no Levis are present. So the travel is delayed while they find some which they do. Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah all have a similar outlook on the need for faithful Levites in addition to faithful priests. Ezra calls for a fast while they pray for God's protection on their journey. They have a lot of precious metal. They arrive and place the supplies in the temple.

John's last chapter has the disciples out fishing. Jesus arrives after they have been out all night. Has them cast their net on the other side and they have a big catch that normally would tear their net but the net isn't torn. They realize it's Jesus. Peter is stripped for work and jumps in the water. They come to the shore where Jesus has a fire going. He asks for some fish for breakfast. Then he quizzes Peter three times - do you love me? Some make a point that Jesus uses agape in the first two questions and Peter responds with phileo. Then Jesus uses phileo and Peter responds the same. Some today think that in the first century the Greeks wouldn't have seen much of a difference between the two words. Still why does John record a conversation that uses two different words? The chapter closes with John's testimony that his words are true. I was reading recently about the Gospels and this author pointed out that John's Gospel has a strong eyewitness component to it, unlike the other three. Although Matthew certainly is an eyewitness he doesn't stress such in his Gospel. I wonder if John's Gospel comes last because of this final statement that there is an eyewitness behind all the Gospels? This is how the Gospels close out, 

Daily Bible Reading Day 165

Ezra 3-5; John 20.  Upon return the priest build the altar and begin offering sacrifice. They are frightened by the people in the land. They get started building the temple and lay the foundation. Those old enough to remember the first temple weep The rest shout for joy. Their joy is short lived since the enemies decide to shut them down. So the work stops. Then two prophets bring word that God wants them to build that temple. So they start. The enemies again write to the king in order to stop them. 

Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb of Jesus. He isn't there so she runs and tells Peter. Peter and another disciple (John) run to the tomb. They find the burial clothing still there but no Jesus. Mary comes back. She sees two angels. She turns and sees Jesus. She doesn't recognize him at first but then does when he speaks to her. Jesus then appears to some of the disciples. They tell Thomas who wasn't there. Thomas says he won't believe unless he can touch. Then Jesus comes back when Thomas is there. He wants Thomas to touch him. Doesn't say whether or not Thomas actually touched him but Thomas gives that famous confession, My God and My Lord. Jesus says those who believe without seeing are blessed. The chapter ends with John stating his purpose in writing. He wrote about signs that demonstrated that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the son of God (king of Israel) and that by believing (present, active) one might have life.

Daily Bible Reading Day 164

Ezra 1-2; John 19:23-42.    Ezra begins with the same text that closed 2Chronicles, namely, Cyrus sending the exiled Jews home to Jerusalem. Ezra records what they brought and who come. Plus the resources that Cyrus pledged to them,

Jesus is crucified John doesn't record the derision that the crowd heaps on Jesus. Instead he focuses on the soldiers dividing his garments among them. Then on Jesus passing his mother to him (John) in order for John to care for her. Jesus says he's thirsty. This is to show fulfillment of Scripture. A soldier checks to see if Jesus is actually dead by piercing his side. Blood and water come out. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus prepare the body for burial. He is buried nearby in a tomb that has never been used. And so we wait.

Daily Bible Reading Day 163

2Chronicles 34-36;  John 19:1-22.  Josiah becomes king at age eight. How does a king become so faithful at a young age? Especially since his father was unfaithful. He reigns a good while but his youthful start makes him 39 at his death. He begins reforms early on. Then they find the book in the temple.  Is this the king's copy they find or the actual book of the Law? I guess in heaven we'll find out. He continues to his reforms even to the point of seeking out a prophet to find out God's will at that moment. Josiah dies when he tries to stop Pharaoh Neco of Egypt from coming through Israel to fight the Babylonians 

One son of Josiah's becomes king and is deposed by Neco after only three months. Another son is put on the throne. He does evil. Eventually Babylon comes and takes him off and his son becomes king. He is shortly deposed and his uncle, Zedekiah, becomes king. He reigns over Judah until Babylon puts Judah down completely.

Chronicles ends with the first few verses of Ezra. 

The more Pilate tries to release Jesus the more the leaders push to have him crucified. The more they push the more afraid Pilate becomes. Finally Pilate turns him over to be crucified. 

Daily Bible Reading Day 160

2Chronicles 26-28; John 17.  Uzziah becomes king at 16 years old. Initially he does right like his father. The text does not compare him to David. He builds fortifications in the land. His army gets big and powerful. Somewhere along the way he gets a little too big for his britches. He enters to the temple to perform the priest's duties. They try to get him out of there and he refuses at first. Then leprosy breaks out on his forehead and he is rushed out. He remains a leper to the day of his death.

Jotham replaces Uzziah. He walks in his father's ways. Again he is not a bad king but is not compared to David. Chronicles has a short listing for him. He is smart and doesn't enter the temple like his father. 

Jotham dies and Ahaz takes his place. Ahaz walks in the ways of the kings of Israel. He not only lets the people worship as they want, he does as well. He burns his sons in the fire. He continually loses in battle and doesn't receive the help he wants. During his loss to Aram, Israel tries to take captive some of the people of Judah. A prophet meets them along the way and tells them if they don't return the captives they will be in for big trouble. They return the captives. Ahaz appeals to Assyria for help. Instead of helping they afflict Judah. Ahaz gets deeper into idol worship as a result. He still doesn't find the relief he seeks. He dies and Hezekiah reigns in his place.

This is called Jesus' high priestly prayer. He prays first about himself and his work. He is bringing glory to the Father as was planned. Then he prays for his apostles and their work. Then he prays for those who would believe in him through the word of the apostles. Throughout this prayer he emphasizes the oneness that is and should be.

Daily Bible Reading Day 159

2Chronicles 23-25; John 16:16-3.   Jehoiada takes courage and puts Joash on the throne. He first gets the loyalty of the priests and Levites. Then he has a great coronation. Athaliah is put to death. As long as Jehoiada is alive the king is faithful but once Jehoiada dies he goes astray. One of Jehoiada's sons comes to Joash as a prophet but Joash has him stoned. Then the Arameans attacked with a small number yet they were able to defeat the army of Judah. Some of Joash's servants conspired and put him to death. Amaziah his son reigns in his place.

Amaziah puts to death those servants who conspired against his father. He goes to put down a rebellion in Edom. He takes on the gods of Edom after the battle. A prophet comes and asks why he would do such a thing. Then he goes against Israel. The king of the North warns him that he is being over-confident but he doesn't listen. Israel defeats him and loots the treasury of Judah. He dies in Lachish fleeing from Israel.

Jesus tells his disciples that he will speak plainly about his upcoming death. They come to realize that he has spoken plainly. He tells them not to worry about the world's response to them after his death because he has overcome the world. 

Daily Bible Reading Day 158

2Chronicles 17-19; John 15.  I think there is a blip in YouVersion's daily Bible reading schedule since it is having me read again chapters I've already read plus it skipped John 15 but now is putting it back in.

John 15 is where Jesus talks about us being the branches and he is the vine. Why is it assumed so readily that Jesus is talking about evangelism? Jesus goes on to remind his disciples that they will face opposition and persecution in the world for following him. Be prepared.

Daily Bible Reading Day 157

2Chronicles 20-22; John 16:1-15.  Chronicles is such a great read! A great army (an alliance of Moab and Ammon plus others) comes against Jehoshaphat and Judah. The king gathers everyone together and they call upon The Lord. The Lord routs the army and the people take three days to gather up the spoils. Jehoshaphat is a faithful king and praised as such. Yet towards the end of his life he does act wickedly and God thwarts his plans.

Jehoram becomes king. He walks in the ways of Ahab, king of Israel, because his wife is Ahab's daughter. He receives a letter from Elijah warning him of what was coming. The Philistines attack and carry off his wives and sons but his youngest son is left. He reigns only eight years and he dies of an incurable bowel disease. Jehoahaz, Ahaziah, takes over as king. He also walks in the ways of Ahab because his mother is Ahab's daughter. He reigns only one year. He is killed by Jehu who was sent by God to stop the house of Ahab. When his mother, Ahab's daughter, hears about her son's death she kills all of her son's sons. However, Ahaziah's sister, Jehoshabeath, saves one son, Joash. 

Jesus reveals a little more about the upcoming plans for when he departs. When Jesus goes back to the Father he will send the Holy Spirit. The Spirit will convict the world. The Spirit will also guide the apostles into all truth and will be their guide. So their sorrow will give way to joy.

Daily Bible Reading Day 156

2Chronicles 13-19; John 14.  Abijah becomes king. There is war between he and Jeroboam, between Judah and Israel, between North and South. Jeroboam has the bigger army, double in size. Yet Abijah has a speech that shows Jeroboam in rebellion against God. God helps Abijah to rout Jeroboam. 

Asa becomes king next. The text didn't say whether or not Abijah was a good or bad king. The text says Asa was a good king. He had lots of building projects. Then Ethiopia attacks with a million men. Asa and Judah cry out to God for help and they rout the Ethiopians. A prophet meets Abijah on his way home and has a good prophecy for him. Asa continues his reforms. There is peace in the land. Then the king of Israel attacks and Asa makes a treaty with the king of Aram. A prophet approaches Asa and asks why he didn't trust in The Lord the same way he did with the Ethiopians. Asa throws the prophet in prison. Asa then has a disease in his feet. He dies and Jehoshaphat becomes king.

The text says that Jehoshaphat is not only a good king but walks in David's ways.He is one of only three kings after Solomon of whom that is said. It is interesting that in spite of his faithfulness not only does Jehoshaphat enter into a treaty with Ahab but he allies himself with him through marriage. When he goes to battle with Ahab he does request a prophet of The Lord instead of the yes-men prophets of Baal that belong to Ahab. Ahab dies in the battle and Jehoshaphat escapes. Back home he is met by a prophet who rebukes him for his alliance with Ahab and Jehoshaphat responds well unlike his father Asa. In fact he sends out Levites to teach throughout the land. Even the Philistines send tribute to him because of the dread of The Lord that spread throughout the land through the teaching. 

This chapter has one of Jesus' most memorable statements, "Do not let your hearts be troubled." I think he is preparing his disciples for his upcoming death. He wants them to know that in the midst of their sadness that what is about to happen to him is planned and will bring about great benefits. They know the Father because they know Jesus.

Daily Bible Reading Day 155

2Chronicles 10-12;  John 13:18-38.  Rehoboam becomes king and Israel, the northern tribes, approach him with a request to lighten their load. Rehoboam doesn't listen to Solomon's advisers who tell him to lighten their load as they requested. Instead he listens to his friends who tell him to take a get tough attitude with them. The advice doesn't work and Israel is divided. He gathers the troops to go against the north but a prophet stops them. Then Rehoboam gets busy building and fortifying some of the cities of Judah. He also wisely distributes his sons throughout Judah. He forsakes The Lord and the Law and God brings the king of Egypt against them He plunders the gold. But Rehoboam and the other leaders do repent so God doesn't allow the king of Egypt to destroy them. However over time it appears that Rehoboam isn't faithful to God.

Jesus tells his apostles that one of them will betray him. They don't understand. Peter gets John to ask Jesus who it is. Jesus' response they don't understand. Judas leaves but the others think he's going to buy more food for the night. Jesus tells them that loving one another as he has loved them is how the world will know that they are his disciples. Peter proclaims that he will follow Jesus to the death but Jesus tells Peter that he will betray him before the rooster crows.

Daily Bible Reading Day 153

2Chronicles 4-6; John 12:20-50.  Solomon has the bronze altar built. It is big and has oxen (bronze) underneath.  He made 10 basins for washing the utensils needed for making the offerings. He made a bigger basin (sea) for the priests to wash. He brings the ark and places it in the temple. Then he assembles everyone. The musicians play, the singers sing, and God fills the temple with His Cloud. Solomon then has his dedication speech/prayer. He basically reminds the people that they have obligations to God and when those obligations are violated if they pray earnestly to God, God will heal them of their afflictions. 

Some Greeks come to Philip and request an audience with Jesus. Jesus tells them (us) of the importance of following him and doing his word. He didn't come to judge us but to save us but his word will judge us if we reject it.

Daily Bible Reading Day 152

2Chronicles 1-3; John 12:1-19.  Solomon's first act on becoming king is to go up to the Tabernacle and worship The Lord.  He then sets about building the temple and his own royal palace. He appears to appoint 70,000 workers and 80,000 quarry workers and then 3,600 to supervise these workers. But later it says that these are aliens in Israel. Need more research on subject because I've forgotten what I discovered when I studied it for the class I taught. Solomon calls on the king of Tyre to deliver cedars from Lebanon. As he gets started God appears to him in a dream and says he can ask what he wants. Solomon asks for wisdom and knowledge to lead the people. God is pleased and grants him his request plus riches and honor. Solomon is off to a good start.

Jesus goes to Bethany, the home of Lazarus and his two sisters, for dinner. Mary anoints Jesus with an expensive jar of perfume. Judas protests because he wants it sold and put in their money bag which he pilfers. Many Jews find out where Jesus is staying and come out to see him and Lazarus. Meanwhile the chief priests are plotting to kill Jesus and Lazarus. Jesus then enters Jerusalem and the people hail him as the king of Israel. The stage is set.

Daily Bible Reading Day 151

1Chronicles 28-29; John 11:47-57.  David speaks to the whole assembly of Israel. He recounts for them them the plan of God concerning the temple. David wanted to build it but God said no. Instead God choose Solomon to be king in David's place and to build the temple. David told of his preparations and contributions. He then turned the plans over to Solomon. The people then contributed gold, silver, iron, and precious stones. Then the people pledged their allegiance to Solomon.

The leaders meet after the raising of Lazarus. They realize that Jesus is becoming popular and that his popularity might cause problems with the Romans. Caiaphas prophecies without knowing it that Jesus must die for the nation. So they begin to plot to kill Jesus.

Daily Bible Reading Day 150

1Chronicles 26-27; John 11:18-46.  In these two chapters the writer lists the various officers. There are the gatekeepers, those in charge of the treasuries, those in charge of the treasuries dedicated to the temple, the chiefs of each tribe, The writer is meticulous in mentioning each and every individual.

Jesus comes to Bethany. Martha greets him first. She expresses her belief that Jesus could have prevented Lazarus' death. Jesus directs her away from the selfish request to his purpose in coming. He is here to reclaim everyone if they will just trust him. Martha expresses her belief in Jesus as the Messiah that is just as strong as Peter's in Matthew's Gospel. Then Mary comes and expresses the same belief. Jesus goes to the tomb and calls Lazarus. Even though Jesus weeps when he comes to the tomb the text says two or three times that Jesus is deeply moved in spirit. Once Lazarus comes forth John records the reactions that Jesus' signs are intended to produce: some believe and some go to the Pharisees to report what Jesus has done.

Daily Bible Reading Day 149

1Chronicles 23-25;  John 11:1-17.  David begins the work of giving the Levites, those who are not priests, new job descriptions. Since they can no longer work at or carry the Tabernacle, they need new jobs. David reassigns them new tasks. The text recounts the genealogy of the Levites and the chiefs and then orders them into 24 divisions. He also makes some singers and some musicians. Asaph, Heman, Jeduthan, and the sons of Korah are mentioned in Chronicles and they are also mentioned in some of the titles of the Psalms.

Jesus is on a retreat with the disciples. He gets word from Mary and Martha that their brother Lazarus is sick unto death. He delays seemingly to give time for Lazarus to die. Then he sets out to go there to Lazarus. He tells them that Lazarus has fallen asleep which they don't understand. The Jews want to kill him so why risk going back? Jesus is glad that he wasn't there so that now God can be glorified.

Daily Bible Reading Day 148

1Chronicles 20-22;  John 10:22-42.  David continues his victories. Against the sons of Ammon. Against the giants of the Philistines. Then after all these victories David decides he wants to know exactly how many soldiers he has. This is such a bad idea that even Joab knows it's wrong. God gives David a choice for punishment and David chooses three days of pestilence. As people are dying David sees the angel of The Lord. The angel stops at the threshing floor of Ornan. David buys the threshing floor and offers a burnt offering. This will become the site of the temple. David then begins all the preparations for building the temple for Solomon. It is amazing that in Chronicles there is no hint that anyone else tries to take the throne after David's death. 

Jesus continues his teaching that he is here to do his father's will. During this teaching the Jews pick up stones to stone him. He asks why and they tell him that he, being a man, has made himself equal with God. Jesus says that if he does the deeds of the father then don't reject him but accept him. Others debate and some point out that John's testimony about Jesus is coming true. So they believe.

Daily Bible Reading Day 146

1Chronicles 14-16; John 9:24-41.  David's family grows. Philistines attack. David defeats them. David has the Ark brought to Jerusalem properly with the Levites carrying it on poles as God instructed in the Law of Moses. David also has the Levites play instruments and sing while the Ark is coming into Jerusalem. David rejoices and dances before The Lord. But his wife Michal despises him.

The Pharisees continue to grill the man born blind in order to find a weak spot in his story. The man doesn't know much about Jesus but he knows that Jesus has healed him. That's enough for him. The Pharisees claim they know all about Moses and his relationship with God but they know nothing of Jesus. They put the man out of the synagogue. The man who had nothing, suddenly has everything because of Jesus, is willing to risk it for Jesus, again has nothing. Jesus seeks him and reveals to him who he is. The man worships Jesus. 

Daily Bible Reading Day 145

1Chronicles 11-13; John 9:1-23.  Chronicles recounts the first few days of David's reign after Saul's death. There is a summary of the tribes and how they supported him. Then there is a discussion of David's three and then the thirty. These are David's valiant men, mighty warriors. It was interesting to read about the warriors from Gad. Some were as good as one hundred and a few as good as one thousand. 

David tries to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. It's on an ox cart. Uzzah and Ahio are the ones guiding the cart. The oxen stumble and the Ark is about to fall off and Uzzah quite naturally reaches out to keep it from falling. The Lord strikes him dead because he is not a Levite and has no business transporting the Ark. Good intentions are not enough when serving The Lord. David is angry then afraid.

Jesus finds a blind man and then heals him. I'm sure that this scene is about spiritual blindness and spiritual enlightenment. The man born blind (I hope we find out his name in heaven) deepens his faith in Jesus the more he is forced to defend what Jesus did to him. The Pharisees grow further away from Jesus the more they contemplate that Jesus didn't follow their regulations of the Sabbath. The last contrast is with the parents. They will admit to this being their son but they will not take their stand with their son in defending Jesus. They fear being thrown out of the synagogue. 

Daily Bible Reading Day 144

1Chronicles 8-10; John 8:37-59.  More genealogies. Benjamin gets their mention. Even though Saul comes from Benjamin, the tribe remains loyal when the nation splits into two countries. Chapter 10 begins the story of Israel with Saul's death. The nation immediately, according to Chronicles, puts David as king. 

Jesus continues this discussion by focusing on the Father and his relationship to the Father. Jesus knows his father but the Jews do not. Instead their father is Satan. Jesus says that those who believe his word will never die. The Jews say "aha, we caught you." They remind him that Abraham and the prophets have all died. But Jesus says that before Abraham was born I AM.

Daily Bible Reading Day 143

1Chronicles 6-7; John 8:21-36.  More Genealogies! Will I ever get out of here? The Levites get a lot of space for being the smallest tribe. But in Chronicles the writer is showing just how important they are. In Kings they get little mention but in Chronicles they get quite a bit. Naphtali gets one verse. 

Jesus continues to teaching about his departure. When he is lifted up then we will know that he is "I AM."  I noticed a connection I don't think I've noticed before. Jesus says the famous saying "the truth shall set you free" in this section. But it is connected to "if you continue in my word." So in order to discover the truth we must continue in Jesus' word which is truth.

Daily Bible Reading Day 142

1Chronicles 3-5; John 8:1-20.  The genealogies continue. Two interesting sections in these chapters. One if the story of Jabez. It is brief and tells us that some of the people of Judah are faithful outside of the family of David. Perhaps it also tells us that not everyone experiences the tremendous wealth of the king's family. It also tells us that in spite of his pain, Jabez is blessed. The other section is at the end of chapter five where the writer summarizes the idolatry of the 2 1/2 tribes on the other side of the Jordan. Their idolatry caused God to bring Assyria against them and take them away into captivity. Was this idolatry continuous from the beginning of the nation? Or was it just in line with the 10 Northern tribes when they split with Judah under Rehoboam? 

This NT section is perhaps one of the favorite stories about Jesus. A woman is brought to him after being caught in adultery. The leaders demand from Jesus what he suggests they do. The Law says stone her. They are looking for ways to accuse Jesus and condemn him. He suggests that they stone her and the first to throw a stone is the one without sin. Of course they leave in a huff (my imagination) and Jesus doesn't condemn the woman but does tell her to go and sin no more. It would be nice if one of these days a manuscript is found that shows this story was part of John's Gospel as he wrote it and not a later insertion. 

Daily Bible Reading Day 141

1Chronicles 1-2; John 7:32-53.  The first two chapters contain genealogies of Israel. The genealogies begin with Adam. These genealogies tell the story of the world leading to God's choosing of Israel as the nation through whom God would bring about his redemption.

The Pharisees send guards to seize Jesus. Jesus tells the crowds that he is going someplace they cannot follow. He tells the crowds that their thirst will one day be slated by the Spirit. John mentions that the Spirit had not been given since Jesus was not yet glorified. Since Jesus did give the disciples some ability to perform miracles I don't think John has the Spirit's power-enabling in mind. I think John has something else in mind. Pretty sure it's the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Yet I'm sure that the baptism is not what everyone thinks it is.

The guards return with Jesus. They say they've never heard anyone speak as he does. The Pharisees chide the guards and say that no one of the rulers has been led astray. Ironically Nicodemus speaks up to defend Jesus, the one who has already visited Jesus. John's use of irony comes on strong here. I've never made this connection before.

Daily Bible Reading Day 139

2Kings 20-22; John 6:45-71.  Hezekiah gets sick and prays to The Lord. Isaiah comes with word that Hezekiah will get 15 years. Then an envoy from Babylon comes and Hezekiah shows him all his treasure. Isaiah says that Judah one day will go to Babylon.

Hezekiah dies and Manasseh, his son, reigns in his place. Manasseh is the complete opposite of his father. He revives all the idolatry that Hezekiah tore down. Manasseh even manages to surpass the nations around them. The prophets predict that one day Judah will fall.

Manasseh dies and Amon his son reigns in his place. He continues his father's policies. Not much is mentioned about Amon. He dies and Josiah, his son, reigns in his place. Josiah is the complete opposite of his father. He is very much like Hezekiah. He tears down the idolatry that Manasseh brought in. During temple repair a book (scroll) is found. Perhaps it is that part that God wanted every king to have to remind them that He will bring His wrath against Israel if they depart from His covenant. Josiah is humbled and inquires of The Lord what to do. God tells him he is doing well and to keep doing it.. 

Jesus tells us that if we eat his flesh and drink his blood we will find eternal life. I know that this passage isn't about the Lord's Supper but I can understand why some would associate it. Plus this passage is in the context of a Passover. So the connection is easy to make. Jesus' disciples of course are amazed at this teaching and some leave. He turns to the 12 and they say to whom can we go, They know that Jesus has the words of life. I think to some degree the end of John 6 is the equivalent to Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ in the Synoptic Gospels.

Daily Bible Reading Day 138

2Kings 18-19; John 6:22-44.  Hezekiah becomes king. He trusts fully in The Lord. He made great reforms. Got rid of the high places and the altars. Even got rid of the serpent which Moses made in the wilderness. Apparently it was worshipped by Israel. He rebelled against Assyria. Then Assyria marched right into Judah and began capturing the other fortified cities. They came to Jerusalem and told them of their intentions - defeat Jerusalem. Hezekiah spread the letter from Assyria before The Lord in the temple and God responded that He would deal with Assyria. That night an angel went into Assyria's camp and 185,000 die in the camp of the Assyrians. The king of Assyria goes back to Nineveh and is killed in the house of his god.

Jesus is found by the people. He says they seek him not because they saw signs and believed but because he fed them. He tells them to seek for true food and then tells them that he is true food from heave. He has come to do his Father's will.

Daily Bible Reading Day 137

2Kings 15-17; John 6:1-21.  You can tell that Israel is nearing the end due to the rapid assassinations and replacements of kings. During Israel downhill trend Ahaz becomes king in Judah. He makes a treaty with Assyria against Damascus. Assyria helps him defeat Damascus. While there Ahaz sees an altar that he likes. He sends blueprints back to the high priest in Jerusalem who makes it for him. I wonder if Ahaz's treaty with Assyria is setting the stage for Assyria to destroy the Northern Tribes? Hoshea is the final king in Israel. He tries to make a treaty with Egypt against Assyria but Assyria comes and defeats Hoshea. There is a three year siege and finally the North falls. The Assyrian king removes them from Israel and resettles them elsewhere. He also brings in people from other countries. God sends lions to kill some of them. They ask Assyria to send a priest to help them learn of the god of the area. Even though the priest teaches them the way of The Lord they still walk in the ways of the gods of their homelands. I've often thought that Samaritans were half Jewish and half Gentile but reading this part again suggests that Samaritans were wholly Gentiles who accepted The Lord in some capacity but certainly not in a faithful capacity. So the Samaritans accepted circumcision and the Law of Moses but not much else.

Jesus feeds the 5,000. This is one of the few stories that John has in common with the other three Gospel writers. Jesus knows that the people want to make him king because of his ability to feed them miraculously so he leaves. The disciples get on a boat in the Sea of Galilee and storm comes up. Jesus walks on the water up to the boat. They are frightened but Jesus speaks to them and they invite him into the boat.

Daily Bible Reading Day 136

2Kings 12-14; John 5:25-47.  Jehoash becomes king. During Jehoiada's life he is faithful. He criticizes the priests for not repairing the temple and so they do. When Hazael, king of Aram, attacks Jehoash sends gold and silver articles from the temple to the king and he leaves. Jehoash is killed by his servants and Amaziah, his son, reiigns.

Jehoahaz becomes king in the North. He is evil. He has continual problems with Aram. He entreats The Lord and The Lord listens. He dies and Jehoash, his son reigns.

Elisha becomes sick. Joash, king of Israel comes to see him. Elisha has him strike the ground with some arrows. Joash only does it three times. He will only defeat Aram a little. Elisha dies and is buried. Later the Moabites would invade. As they were burying a soldier who died, he touched the bones of Elisha and was resurrected.

Amaziah becomes king of Judah. He does right. He kills 10,000 in Edom and then decides to invade the North. Instead he is captured. The treasure of the House of The Lord was taken and from Amaziah's personal treasury. Amaziah lived 15 years after the death of Jehoash, king of Israel. Amaziah's son, Azariah reigned in his place.

Jesus tells the crowd that the dead hear his voice and are raised. A time is coming when those in the tomb will hear his voice and be raised. Judgment will then occur. Jesus says that his testimony is greater than John's because of the work that His Father has given him. The Scriptures testify of Him and if Israel really believed Moses they would believe Him.

Daily Bible Reading Day 135

2Kings 9-11; John 5:1-24.  Elisha sends a servant to find Jehu. God is ready to take revenge out on the house of Ahab. The servant anoints Jehu and tells him that God wants him to execute the house of Ahab. So Jehu kills Ahab's son and the king of Judah, Ahaziah. Then he has Jezebel thrown down from the balcony. Then he goes to a city where most of Ahab's sons live. The city people kill them and pile the heads at the gate. Then Jehu gathers the worshippers of Baal at their temple and kills them. Even though Jehu doesn't worship Baal he does continue in Jeroboam's ways and worships the golden calfs that Jeroboam made. 

Meanwhile in Judah, when Ahaziah's mother saw that he was dead, she killed all his sons. One, Joash, was hidden by Ahaziah's sister. The priest Jehoiada kept the boy until he was able to become king. Jehoiada got everyone ready for the anointing and Athaliah showed up and they had her executed. 

Jesus goes to the pool of Siloam where those wanting healing are waiting. They think the that first one to enter the pool when it is suddenly stirred up will be healed. Jesus finds a paralyzed man and heals him. He also tells him to pick up his pallet and walk. While carrying his pallet the leaders find him and chastise him for breaking the Sabbath. He tells them that Jesus told him to do so. They come to Jesus and Jesus tells them why he is working. They understand that Jesus is claiming to be equal to the Father. They plot against Jesus.

Daily Bible Reading Day 134

2Kings 6-8; John 4:31-54.  The sons of the prophets decide that their current dwelling is too small. They go to get wood, lose an axe head in the water and Elisha makes it float. The Arameans discover that Elisha is giving the King of Israel their hiding places so the king sends a force to kill him. They arrive and Elisha blinds them and leads them to Samaria. The king feeds them and send them on their way. They don't bother Israel again for a while.

There is a famine in Israel, it's caused by a siege of the Arameans. Elisha predicts the end of the famine to be abrupt but one of the officials questions him. Elisha says that he shall see the end but not partake of it. Sure enough the Arameans flee during the night. Four lepers discover the empty camp and tell the city. The official is trampled as the people run out to the camp to eat.

The woman whose son Elisha resurrected was warned by Elisha to go sojourn in another country for the famine returns. Elisha helps her gain her land back. The king of Aram gets sick and inquires of Elisha as to whether or not he will recover.  Elisha tells the one who comes that he will become king and do great evil to Israel. Sure enough he kills Ben-hadad and becomes king. 

Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, becomes king. He walks in the ways of Israel because married Ahab's daughter. He reigns 8 years and dies. Ahaziah becomes king of Judah. He is a descendant of Ahab as well as of Jehoshaphat. He is evil as well. He joins in battle with Ahab's son. 

Jesus meets with the town folk who come from the same village as the Samaritan woman that Jesus met at the well. He tells the disciples about harvest. Then as Jesus goes back to Galilee a royal official meets him and pleads for his son to be healed. Jesus says he is healed. The man returns to find his son healed ad ascertained that is was about the same time that Jesus said it would happen. He believed. 

Daily Bible Reading Day 133

2Kings 4-5; John 4:1-30.  One of the wives of one of the prophets came to Elisha, Her husband was dead and the creditors were wanting to take her children. Elisha had her gather as many vessels as she could. He then began to fill them out of the little oil she had. They filled enough for her to sell and pay her creditors.

Elisha and Gehazi passed through a village where a woman and her older husband took care of them. They promised a son which they had. One day the son got sick and died. The woman went to Elisha and Elisha came back and resurrected the son.

The prophets fixed a bowl of stew and added something that was poisonous. Elisha fixed it. Then a man brought some food for the prophets but Elisha said to give it to the people and they ate their fill and had some left over. Shades of Jesus feeding the 5,000 and 4,000 men.

The captain of the army of Aram, Naaman, had leprosy. His wife had a servant girl who was Jewish. The servant girl told the wife that Elisha could heal his leprosy. So he went. Elisha sent his servant before Naaman arrived and told him to go dip 7 times in the Jordan. Naaman was incensed because back home he had better rivers. His servants convinced him to at least try. He did and was healed. He tried to compensate Elisha but he refused. On his way home Gehazi decided to get something from Naaman without Elisha's knowledge. But Elisha confronted him and Gehazi took on Naaman's condition, leprosy.

Jesus travels through Samaria and the disciples go into a nearby town for some food. Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. The conversation is familiar and I didn't really see anything new. 

Daily Bible Reading Day 132

2Kings 1-3; John 3:22-36  Ahab's son falls and is in bed. He sends some men to inquire of a god if he will get better. Elijah meets them on the way and wonders if Ahaziah thinks there is no god in Israel. He tells the men that the king will not recover and die. The king sends a captain of fifty to get Elijah. He calls fire from heaven to consume them. Another fifty come with the same results. Another fifty come but this time the captain pleads for his life and the life of his men. Elijah goes with them. Tells the king he will die and he does. His brother reigns in his place.

Elijah travels to beyond the Jordan. Tries to get Elisha to stay behind but he won't. Elisha requests a double portion of his spirit before he leaves. Elijah grants it. Elijah is taken up in a whirlwind of fire. Elisha now begins his ministry. His first act is to purify the water supply of a city. His second act is to call out two female bears to tear apart a bunch of lads who mock him. Curious.

Moab rebels against Jehoram, king of Israel, and he asks Jehoshaphat to help him. Jehoshaphat requests a prophet of the LORD, like last time with Ahab, and Elisha comes. Elisha gives them the word of the LORD. They defeat Moab and as they are losing the king of Moab offers his son, the one to reign in his place, as a sacrifice.

Jesus is now baptizing as is John but more seem to be coming to Jesus. John's disciples are worried but John assures them that this is God's plan. John says that he must decrease but Jesus must increase. Jesus is the groom and is to get all the attention. If only we all learned from John's humility.

Daily Bible Reading Day 131

1Kings 20-21; John 3:1-21.  Ahab sees a vineyard close to his house that he desires. Naboth is the owners name and he wont give it to Ahab even though Ahab promises to generously compensate him. Ahab is sullen and wont eat. What a selfish boy! Jezebel promises to deliver it and she does. She arranges a feast with Naboth as head. She or someone else hires two worthless fellows to accuse Naboth of blasphemy. He is taken out and stoned to death. Ahab takes over the vineyard. Then Elijah comes and prophecies Ahab's demise. Ahab puts on sackcloth and ashes. God is impressed with Ahab's humbling of himself and promises that total destruction to Ahab's family wont come in his lifetime, which turns out to be rather short.

Jehoshaphat from Judah comes up to help Ahab against Aram. The false prophets predict victory but Micaiah predicts Ahab's death. In battle Ahab disguises himself but a random arrow finds him and he dies. His son takes over. The son is cut from the same cloth as his father.

Jehoshaphat becomes king during Ahab's fourth year. He's a good king. His attempt to get gold from Ophir fails. Not much is said about him in Kings as compared to Chronicles. Interesting because Chronicles really hails him as one of three kings descended from David that are faithful and walk in David's ways. 

Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night. John will show Nicodemus' growth in faith in two more scenes later in his gospel. This is really a significant scene in John's Gospel. In a sense Israel is confronted with the kingdom and entrance into it but does not fully comprehend. Jesus continues to teach Nicodemus and connects the kingdom with God sending his son (Jesus) into the world as a sacrifice. Today those who are waiting for the kingdom have missed it just like Israel did because they are waiting for the wrong kind of victory. The victorious battle the ended Satan's reign took place on the cross and in the grave and came by the resurrection. 

Daily Bible Reading Day 130

1Kings 19-20; John 2.  Elijah flees from Jezebel. Amazing that this man could challenge 850 prophets, win, have them put to death, and then run away from Jezebel. He ends up on Horeb, the same mountain as Moses. The Lord passes by for Elijah just like He did for Moses. Elijah then goes and recruits Elisha. Meanwhile Ahab deals with Ben-Hadad. Ben-Hadad attacks Israel with lots of help but somehow the Israelites defeat him. Ahab makes a covenant with him. A prophet comes disguised to Ahab with a message from God that says Ahab should have guarded Ben-Hadad more closely. Not sure I fully understand what is going on or the sleep has not left my brain.

Jesus goes to a wedding in Cana. They run out of wine. He turns water (120 to 180 gallons) into wine. and saves the day for the one hosting the wedding party. Jesus then goes to Jerusalem for the Passover. He confronts the merchandisers in the temple area. Tells the people that the temple will be torn down and rebuilt in 3 days. Of course they misunderstand his meaning. This sets us up for the rest of John where others wil misunderstand Jesus' meaning when he talks with them. 

Daily Bible Reading Day 129

1Kings 16-18; John 1:2-51.  Israel goes through a power struggle. Baasha dies and son Elah takes his place. But he's killed by Zimri, however Israel follows Omri. Omri's son Ahab becomes king and he's worse than Jeroboam because he marries Jezebel and introduces Baal and Asherah. Elijah comes on the scene and a drought ensues. Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal and Asherah to a challenge. Prepare a sacrifice and call on your god to send fire from heaven to consume it. They chant all day and lose. Elijah has water poured over the sacrifice three times and it is enough to fill a trench around the altar. The he prays once and God responds with fire. Israel is amazed and seizes the prophets of Baal and Asherah and kills them. Elijah then goes to the top of a mountain and sends word to Ahab that the drought is about to end.

John the Baptist introduces Jesus to Andrew who gets his brother. Then Jesus goes to Bethsaida and finds Phillip. Phillip finds Nathaniel and he comes. John's account of the calling of the disciples is quite different than Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

Daily Bible Reading Day 128

1Kings 14-15; John 1:1-28.  The son of Jeroboam becomes sick. He sends his wife in disguise to a prophet to find out what will happen. She does not fool the prophet and receives a negative report for her husband. The son dies but that's because God saw something good in him and took him before he could be corrupted. Jeroboam dies and his son Nadab takes his throne. Nadab is executed by Baasha who becomes king. Nadab and Baasha walk in the ways of Jeroboam. Baasha attacks Judah but Asa bribes the king of Aram to attack Israel and Baasha departs Judah.

King of Egypt comes and surrounds Jerusalem. Rehoboam takes the gold from the temple to give him as tribute. He makes shields of bronze to replace the ones he gave away. Rehoboam dies and Abiijam takes his place. Abijam walks as Rehoboam did. He only lasted 3 years. Asa his son takes his place. He's a good king and walks in the ways of David. He defends Jerusalem against attack from Israel by making a treaty with the ting of Aram who then attacks Israel and causes Baasha to withdraw from Judah.

The opening verses of John are perhaps the most intriguing in all the Bible. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John begins his Gospel account by giving us insight into who Jesus is and how he came to this earth and why he came.

Daily Bible Reading Day 127

1Kings 2-13; Luke 24:36-53. Rehoboam becomes king in Solomon's place. The northern tribes ask for him to lighten their load from Solomon's days. Rehoboam consults with his father's older and wiser counsels but rejects their counsel which said to listen to the people. He consults with the younger men he grew up with and they tell him to speak harshly to Israel. He takes their advice and the kingdom is split. Rehoboam prepares for war with Israel but a prophet shuts them down.

Jeroboam as king over the 10 northern tribes prepares a new worship system to keep the people from going to Jerusalem to worship and reuniting with Judah. A prophet is sent by God to speak against Jeroboam and his altar. As the prophet is heading home which God told him to do an older prophet comes to him and says an angel appeared to him and told him to bring the prophet back to his place. The younger prophet went. The older prophet during dinner receives a revelation that says the younger prophet will not make it back to be buried in his father's tomb. A lion kills him on the way home. The older prophet hears of it and buries the younger prophet.

Jesus appears to the disciples and shows them his hands and side. He opens their minds so that they can understand Moses, the prophets, and the Psalms where it is written that the Christ must suffer and then rise again on the third day. Repentance and forgiveness of sins are to be preached in his name, Jesus tells them to go to Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father (the Holy Spirit).

Daily Bible Reading Day 126

1Kings 10-11; Luke 24:1-35. Solomon's fame and wisdom spread over the nations and the Queen of Sheba arrives to check him out. She's impressed. Who is the Queen of Sheba? indeed, not only does Solomon's wisdom seem to increase but so does his wealth. His ships bring in 666 talents of gold in one year. Does that mean each year or only that one year? In spite of his wisdom Solomon allows his foreign wives to turn his heart away from God and not walk in the manner of his father, David. God raises up three adversaries against Solomon because his departure from walking in the ways of The Lord. The peace that Solomon experienced at first is now gone.

Jesus is raised from the dead. Some women go to the tomb. Two angels greet them and tell them to go tell the others. Peter arrives, looks in, and goes back home. Jesus appears to two disciples walking to Emmaus. They are down-hearted. Jesus explains the Scriptures concerning him to them. When he has bread with them at the home of one of them, their eyes are opened and they go tell the others what happened.

Daily Bible Reading Day 125

1Kings 8-9; Luke 23:39-56. Solomon completes the temple and his house and he has a long prayer of dedication to remind Israel that The Lord is good and gracious and omnipresent. He also reminds Israel that since God has provided them with such a great house that they are obligated to walk in God's ways. If they don't God will send them away from his sight. But if they repent in the foreign land God will bring them back to this land. Solomon gives Hiram, king of Tyre, some cities in Galilee but Hiram is not pleased with them. Solomon builds a fleet of ships to bring in his gold.

On the cross the one thief chides Jesus about saving them but the other admits that their condemnation is just but pleads with Jesus to still him. Jesus promises such. Then Jesus gives up his spirit and dies. Joseph of Arimathea takes the body of Jesus and prepares it for burial. They rested on the Sabbath.

Daily Bible Reading Day 124

1Kings 6-7; Luke 23:27-38. These to chapters tell the story of Solomon building the temple. Two interesting features are first there is no hammer or noise at the building site. All the cutting of stone is done at the quarry. Second Solomon brings a man named Hiram from Tyre, whose mother is a widow from Naphtali and his father is from Tyre. Hiram is filled with the Spirit to do work with bronze. The temple takes seven years. Solomon's own house takes thirteen years. I would imagine with 700 wives and 300 concubines his house was quite extensive. Pharaoh's daughter had her own house. I wonder how many other wives had a separate house?

On the way to the place of crucifixion a large crowd and women are following and weeping. Jesus tells them not to weep for him but for their children. He again tells them that Jerusalem will pay the price for rejecting him. Once there Jesus utters the line, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Some are sneering and the mocking begins.

Daily Bible Reading Day 123

1Kings 3-5; Luke 23:1-26. Solomon is visited by God in a dream. Solomon is given a blank check from God. Solomon asks for wisdom in leading the Israelites. God not only promises him wisdom but also riches and honor. Immediately we are given a scene where Solomon renders judgment for two harlots who are arguing over whose baby this is. Solomon has a unique solution and his wisdom spreads far and wide. Solomon contracts with Hiram for cedars and cypress from Lebanon. Solomon marries Pharaoh's daughter and even at this early stage is sacrificing on the high places.

Jesus is questioned by Pilate who finds no guilt in him. Pilate discovers that Jesus is from Galilee and sends him over to Herod, who is over Galilee but in Jerusalem at the moment. Herod questions him and sends him back. Luke says that the two become friends because of this gesture by Pilate. Pilate continues his quest to release Jesus but the crowd is already demanding that he release Barabbas. Interesting that Luke doesn't record that Pilate had Jesus scourged. Luke takes us immediately to Simon being compelled to carry Jesus' cross.

Daily Bible Reading Day 122

1Kings 1-2; Luke 22:54-71. David is now old and about ready to die. They secure for him a young and beautiful maiden to keep him warm. During this time Adonijah, one of David's sons, decides to try to take the throne for himself. He gets Joab and Abiathar to follow him. Nathan gets Bathsheba to go tell David and David officially announces Solomon as king. David counsels Solomon to deal with Joab and Shimei. Solomon also gives the high priest office to Zadok instead of Abiathar. Adonijah doesn't fight the ascension of Solomon but does ask for the young maiden that served David. For that request Solomon has Adonijah executed.

While Jesus is taken to be questioned by the high priest, Peter follows and ends up in the courtyard near where Jesus is being questioned and beaten. After his three-fold denial Jesus turns and looks at him. This part is unique to Luke's Gospel. Jesus captors demand to know if he is the Christ but Jesus says that even if he tells them they will not believe.

Daily Bible Reading Day 121

2Samuel 23-24; Luke 22:31-53. David's last words. Presumably his last inspired words. David's mighty men are discussed - his three and his thirty. It also mentions that during a battle with the Philistines, David mentions his longing for a drink of water from Bethlehem. His three break through and retrieve some water for him but he refuses to drink it. Never understood that. Still don't. Then David counts his army and God is displeased and gives David a choice for punishment. David chooses three days of pestilence. 70,000 die those three days. David buys a threshing floor where he sees the angel of the LORD, and offers burnt offerings to God.

Jesus tells Peter that he will betray Jesus three times before the rooster crows. Jesus takes his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane. Luke's version adds that Jesus' sweat becomes like drops of blood. Judas arrives with the soldiers and kisses Jesus. Someone with Jesus cuts off the ear of the slave of the high priest. Jesus tells them to put away their swords.

Daily Bible Reading Day 120

2Samuel 21-22; Luke 22:1-30. David and Israel does battle with the Philistines again. This time Goliath's relatives are involved. One of them almost kills David. He's told to stay home. David then has a psalm of deliverance.

Jesus has the disciples prepare the Passover. Luke's version is slightly differently than Matthew and Mark's because he has Jesus drink a cup first then go into what we describe as the institution of the Lord's Supper. He ends by telling them that the greatest among them must be a servant.

Daily Bible Reading Day 119

2Samuel 19-20; Luke 20:2-38. David is mourning over Absalom to the point that everyone in Israel walks on eggshells. Joab finally rebukes to David to straighten up. So David begins to address the people of Israel. But there are hard feelings between the people of Judah and the rest of Israel. Sheba, a Benjaminite, takes advantage of the situation and declares himself king. David gets the ball rolling to counter his rebellion. Along the way Joab kills Amasa, whom David made commander. Joab finds Sheba in a walled city and prepares to attack. A wise woman of the city has a conversation with Joab and Joab tells her to turn over Sheba and he won't attack the city. Soon the head of Sheba is thrown over the wall.

Jesus continues to supply the disciples the details of what will happen when God decides to destroy Jerusalem. Jesus finishes by telling the parable of the fig tree. It signals when it is ready to begin making fruit by putting out leaves. So when the disciples see these things they will know that redemption is nigh.

Daily Bible Reading Day 118

2Samuel 17-18; Luke 21:1-19. Absalom receives counsel from Ahithophel as to how to attack and kill David. But then he asks for Hushai's counsel. Somehow he like Hushai's counsel better. Hushai sends word to David. The attack begins. David tells the troops to deal gently with Absalom. During the battle Absalom gets his hair caught in an oak tree. A soldier sees him and reports it to Joab. Joab is angry the soldier didn't kill Absalom but he takes his armor bearers and they kill Absalom and drop him into a pit. David begins a period of mourning.

Jesus sees the widow putting into the treasury two small copper coins and says that she outdoes the rich. Jesus tells the disciples that the temple will be destroyed. The disciples ask about when this will be and Jesus begins telling them the signs.

Daily Bible Reading Day 117

2Samuel 15-17; Luke 20:27-47. Absalom finally puts together his conspiracy to take over the throne. He goes to Hebron. David flees. David gets a prophet, Hushai, and the priest, Zadok, to stay behind. He hopes Hushai can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel. Absalom pitches a tent in Jerusalem and lies with David's 10 concubines in front of all Israel.

Jesus s approached by the Sadduccees. They tell a made up story they believe disproves the resurrection from the dead. Jesus counters with the nature of the age to come (humans become like angels) and Scripture. Moses is told by God, I am the God of (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) which means the three were alive when God spoke to Moses even though all three had died. Jesus then warns the people about the scribes who love their position and the praise from the people it brings.

Daily Bible Reading Day 115

2Samuel 13-14; Luke 29:1-26. One of David's sons, Ammon, falls in love with one of David's daughters, Tamar. One of David's nephews helps Ammon get Tamar alone so he can have his way with her. He rapes her. Then he hates her. So he really wasn't in love with her. Absalom, another son of David's, plots to kill Ammon. He carries out his plot then runs away. Joab, David's commander, helps to get Absalom back. When David doesn't bring Absalom back into his presence Absalom turns to Joab but he doesn't respond either. So Absalom has Joab's field set on fire. Joab responds and gets Absalom an audience with David. Absalom is showing that he is bad news.

While teaching in the temple area Jesus is asked by the leaders the source of his authority. He asks them what they thought the source of John the Baptist's authority was. When they refused to answer so did Jesus. Then the leaders sent some to ask Jesus about paying taxes to Caesar, surely a controversial subject which would get Jesus into trouble no matter what his answer. But Jesus' answer, render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, left them speechless.

Daily Bible Reading Day 114

2Samuel 10-12; Luke 19:29-48. David tries to honor the dead king of the Ammonites but the son was given bad advice as to David's intentions and humiliates the entourage that David sent. David attacks and conquers them. David commits adultery with Bathsheba. Nathan later confronts David and the baby is taken. Later Bathsheba gives birth to Solomon. David continues his victories in battle.

Jesus enters Jerusalem on a colt with the people lining his way. Jesus weeps over Jerusalem because one day soon it will be destroyed. He then enters the temple and throws out the money changers. The Jewish leaders plot daily to to destroy him.

Daily Bible Reading Day 113

2Samuel 7-9; Luke 19:1-28. David decides to build a house for The Lord. But The Lord appears to Nathan the prophet that night and tells David no. But The Lord does promise David the a son of his will build a house doe The Lord and that he will sit on the throne for ever. David gladly accepts and is humbled in prayer. David then goes out and conquers many of the nations around Israel and receives tribute from them. Then David decides to make sure anyone who left of the house of Saul is taken care of. Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan, is still left so David restores his land and has him eat at the king's table.

Jesus arrives in Jericho. He meets Zaccheus. He invites himself to his house for a meal. Zaccheus gladly accepts. The crowd complains. Zaccheus repents. Jesus reminds the crowd that this is why he came - to seek and save the lost. Jesus goes on to tell a parable, the parable of the minas. It is similar to the parable of the talents but I think easier to explain in our modern culture.

Daily Bible Reading Day 112

2Samuel 4-6; Luke 18:18-43. Two men murder Ish-bosheth, Saul's son who tried to be king, thinking David would be pleased with them. David had them executed. All Israel acknowledges David as king. David takes Jerusalem and it becomes his city. The Philistines attack and David defeats them. David then has the Ark brought to Jerusalem on an ox cart and Uzzah loses his life when he touches the Ark to keep it from falling. David has it carried in properly. Michal despises David because he is dancing before The Lord somewhat stripped down. She criticizes him because he is dancing before the maids in an undignified manner. She never has children because of this.

The scene with the rich young ruler. Jesus teaches them about his upcoming death and resurrection. On the way to Jericho Jesus heals a blind man.

Daily Bible Reading Day 111

1Samuel 30-31; Luke 17:20-37. David and his men return to Ziklag only to find that the Amalekites have raided it and taken everything, including wives and children. So David calls for the priest's ephod and inquires of God. God says go, and they go. They find the Amalekites and kill almost all and take back their possessions, wives, and children. Meanwhile Saul and Israel fight the Philistines but they are too strong. They kill Saul's sons and Saul falls on his sword.

This section is about the kingdom of God and judgment. But not final judgment. It's about God judging Israel for crucifying Jesus.

Daily Bible Reading Day 110

1Samuel 27-29; Luke 17:1-19. David decides to leave the land in order to make Saul give up trying to find him. He allies himself with the Philistines. The king gives David Ziklag. David and his men raid other tribes but make Achish think they are raiding Israel. Soon the Philistines come to fight Israel. Saul doesn't know what to do so he goes to a medium. He wants to speak with Samuel. Samuel does come up but tells Saul he will die and Israel will lose in this fight. Meanwhile the Philistine lords don't want David included in the battle.

Jesus tells the disciples to forgive seven times in a day if necessary. They asked for him to increase their faith. Jesus then comes across 10 lepers and heals them. They all leave but one returns to praise Jesus and he's a Samaritan. Luke has an agenda with the Samaritans.

Daily Bible Reading Day 109

1Samuel 25-26: Luke 16:19-31. David is enraged because Nabal refused to give food to the young men of David who guarded Nabal's sheep shearers. This appears rather over the top to we moderns but was this the usual response back in those days? Nabal's wife, Abigail, hears and rides to the rescue with plenty of food and drink plus takes the blame. David is pleased and stops his rampage. Nabal dies after Abigail reveals to him David's plan. David then takes Abigail as his wife. David again has an opportunity to kill Saul and refuses to do it. Instead he displays Saul's spear and jug in order to prove his loyalty to Saul. Saul relents and invites David back home.

Jesus tells the parable/story of Lazarus and the rich man. The rich man has the opportunity to help a poor man every day yet refuses to do so. The story is short and is intended to show in a short time that the rich man doesn't use his wealth of unrighteousness in a wise way. So he has no friends to take him in. Lazarus on the other does have a friend to take him in. However the real lesson of the story is to listen to Moses and the prophets (i.e. the word of God).

Daily Bible Reading Day 108

1Samuel 22-24; Luke 16:1-18. David continues his run from Saul. He takes his parents to Moab. He delivers a town from the Philistines. He hides in a cave and then Saul enters to relieve himself. David cuts a piece of Saul's robe while he's in the cave. Afterwards he reveals to Saul what he had done. He vows loyalty to Saul. Saul returns and David still stays in exile.

Jesus tells the parable of a manager about to be fired who reduces the debts of his master's debtors in order to be received by them when he's fired. The master praises the unrighteous manager for his shrewdness. So does Jesus. We should use earthly wealth to secure spiritual friends. Jesus told this parable because the Pharisees were lovers of money. What does divorce have to do with this context?

Daily Bible Reading Day 107

1Samuel 19-21; Luke 15:11-32. Saul continues his campaign against David. Jonathan continues to help David. The text shows that David at first wasn't continually on the run. It also shows that David didn't understand why Saul was out to kill him.

Jesus tells the third parable about God reclaiming the lost with the Prodigal Son. Perhaps this parable is so well known that it's almost impossible to see it fresh each time you read it. Yet it still retains the power to present to us a loving father willing to welcome us back home when we come.

Daily Bible Reading Day 106

1Samuel 17-18; Luke 15:1-10. The classic Bible tale of David vs. Goliath but the real story is David vs. Saul. Saul is cowering in fear while he should be leading Israel against their enemies. David comes trusting in The Lord and uses an unconventional weapon and the enemy is defeated. Of course Saul becomes afraid of David and frost tries to kill him. Then sets a trap by offering his daughter in marriage provided David brings 200 foreskins from the Philistines. David succeeds and Saul is even more afraid.

Luke 15 has 3 parables about rejoicing over the finding of the lost.

Daily Bible Reading Day 105

1Samuel 15-16; Luke 14:25-35. Samuel tells Saul to utterly wipe out the Amalekites. Saul almost does. He saves the king and the best animals. Further proof that God regretted making Saul king. God sends Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint the next king. He is sent to Jesse and considers each of his sons. It turns out to be Jesse's youngest son, David. When he is anointed by Samuel it says the Spirit comes upon him mightily. Yet David does no miracles but he does prophecy because he writes many of the Psalms. I wonder if the Spirit also helps David become a better leader and king.

Jesus tells the people to pick up their cross and follow him. He then tells twin parables of counting the cross which he encourages people to do before following him.

Daily Bible Reading Day 104

1Samuel 13-14; Luke 14:1-24. Saul asserts himself as king and offers the burnt offering because Samuel is delayed. He thinks the people will scatter. Samuel arrives just as he finishes and tells him God has rejected him as king for another. Jonathan leads the charge against the Philistines and they are defeated. During the battle Saul binds the people under an oath to not eat. Jonathan wasn't there and eats. Later when Saul finds out he wants to kill Jonathan as per the oath but the people rescue Jonathan.

Jesus goes to eat at the home of a Pharisee on the Sabbath. He heals a man after challenging the guests to explain why he shouldn't heal on the Sabbath. Then he tells the guests that they shouldn't grab the seats of honor but take the lower seats and let the host move them up. Then he tells a parable to the host about a man who was snubbed by those he invited to his feast and that host invited people from all over who normally would not have been invited.