Daily Reading for 2014

I discovered a blog post on reading the Bible (here) that had a particularly interesting plan called Kingdom Bible Reading Plan by Jason DeRouchie. It was introduced in DeRouchie's book, What the Old Testament Authors Really Cared About: A Survey of Jesus' Bible. I then discovered that OliveTree.com had that reading program in their Bible Study App, which I have of course. So this year I am reading my Bible according to the canonical ordering of the Jewish Scriptures in Jesus' day. Each day I get to read from each of the three Old Testament sections (Torah, Prophets, Writings) and the New Testament. Sounds like a lot but still only takes 15 minutes or so. I'm looking forward to this schedule.

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.