Read Your Bible 2007

Sad but true

2007-11-14T12:17:00.000-05:00

Oblivion is where we ended up. I really enjoyed this blog for a long time. I greatly underestimated how hard it is to maintain something like this daily. I hope that you have kept reading your Bibles. I know that I haven't nearly as much as I was when we had some nice discussions going. Perhaps I will try to revive the site at another time.

Nahum 1-4

2007-10-07T07:35:00.000-05:00

Nahum 1-4 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Must say I have no recollection of ever studying (or reading carefully) this book, but I find it very interesting that God gives such a detailed expression of just how he would destroy them. I can't believe people still think God is incapable of such feelings.

Micah 4-7

2007-10-06T12:02:00.000-05:00

Micah 4-7 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Reading these chapters really makes me see how the Jews could be looking for a conqueror to liberate them from Roman control. It certainly sounds that way. On the other hand, being this side of Jesus and the day of Pentecost, I certainly see a lot of foreshadowing here. The text even mentions "all nations" not just the Jewish nation. Very interesting stuff.

I can't pass up an opportunity to mention Micah 6:6f. What does the Lord require of us? To bring sacrifices of our predetermined offering, or songs, or prayers? No, we must love kindness, do justice, and walk humbly. That is our sacrifice to the Lord. Make sure you give your Lord your best today!

Micah 1-3

2007-09-28T12:28:00.000-05:00

Micah 1-3 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

It is no wonder prophets were not popular people. Just look at what they had to say, "For her wound is incurable, and it has come to Judah;it has reached to the gate of my people, to Jerusalem" and "Hear, you heads of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel! Is it not for you to know justice?—you who hate the good and love the evil, who tear the skin from off my people and their flesh from off their bones, who eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them, and break their bones in pieces and chop them up like meat in a pot, like flesh in a cauldron."

Very descriptuve language for a people's sin that God tolerated a long time. I wonder what He thinks of me?

Jonah 1-4

2007-09-27T13:10:00.000-05:00

Jonah 1-4 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

I recall a study on Jonah not too long ago that really made me think about its meaning and purpose. It one of those books that you think you understand because you have heard about him from childhood. It is a curious history though which many seem to think ends abruptly. Jonah never does what God wants--first he tries to flee and then he does it but not with his heart. He is stereotypical for how the Israelites were at the time. His heart just wasn't in it--and he felt that God was their God and their God only.

This makes Jesus' comment make a little more sense when he says that no sign will be given except that of Jonah. Well I see the three days and three nights allusion, but why Jonah? The lesson that Jonah missed was exactly the problem of those Jews questioning Jesus: God was telling them things to do, but they did not want to believe and therefore fled from it or complained (or in the case of Jesus, killed him).

Ezekiel 10-12

2007-09-01T09:16:00.000-05:00

Day 227
Ezekiel 10-12 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Ezekiel 7-9

2007-09-01T09:15:00.002-05:00

Day 226
Ezekiel 7-9 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Ezekiel 4-6

2007-09-01T09:15:00.001-05:00

Day 225
Ezekiel 4-6 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Oh and by the way Ezekiel, make a little toy battle and make sure the people know it is Jerusalem (but remember don't talk). Then lay on your left side for 390 days, a day for each year of Israel's disobedience. Then turn on your rights side for forty more days, and I am going to make it so you can't even move until this is over.

Ezekiel 1-3

2007-09-01T09:09:00.000-05:00

Day 224
Ezekiel 1-3 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Ezekiel begins in a very unique manner. The people are in exile in Babylon yet still rebellious. If I remember right, Jerusalem has not yet been destroyed. God gives him the charge to go and tell the people just how terrible they are, but the first thing he does is shut Ezekiel's mouth and send him home and to not leave his house. This kind of peculiar behavior will be the norm in all of the book.

Lamentations 4-5

2007-08-29T06:20:00.000-05:00

Day 223
Lamentations 4-5 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

I will sing my own lamentation... I have learned one important thing: if you maintain something daily and are to be out traveling, prepare all the material beforehand for all travel dates plus some or you won't be able to do it. I am back from all my travels and will be continuing catchup, but the posts, as my blog intro suggests, will pick up immediately. My apologies and see you soon!

Jeremiah 16-18

2007-08-17T07:21:00.001-05:00

Day 196
Jeremiah 16-18 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

I think the prophets are extremely important to read--they really show a side of God that many in the religous world today say does not exist. "Well, my God simply wouldn't send people to torment because he loves us." There could be nothing further from the truth. When God decides that it is time to drop the hammer--because after all He shows extreme patience--he really pours out his wrath in a fantastic showing. Here he says the children will lie dead on the field like dung--the birds will eat their flesh. Such a horrid picture but it is what awaits us all who decide to live contrary to His Laws. Preach that message.

Jeremiah 13-15

2007-08-15T11:54:00.000-05:00

Day 195
Jeremiah 13-15 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

I had wanted to do a massive catchup but that is proving to be quite difficult. Rather than keep losing time I will continue with the readings and post a summary catchup later on.

Catch up

2007-08-10T08:32:00.000-05:00

I have been out of town for the last 2 1/2 weeks and just haven't been around internet in a reliable fashion while I was away. I am now back and will be updating the site over the weekend. I hope you have been reading--look forward to your comments soon!

Isaiah 1-3

2007-07-20T07:40:00.000-05:00

Day 195
Isaiah 1-3 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Hmm, brief recap of the kings that Isaiah prophesied under. This is late in Judah's history.

Uzziah: king at 16, blessed as long as he sought the Lord as the priest Zechariah had taught him. He was successful against the Philistines, Arabians, and others. He built up Jerusalem and had a huge army. He then became very proud and went in to burn incense in the temple (priests only) at which point leprosy burst out all over him. He remained a leper to the day of his death.
Jotham: Jotham ruled at age 25 and did what was right in God's eyes. Chronicles says that he was like his father in that he became very mighty, except he did not enter the temple. I should think after what happened to daddy that he wouldn't. He built up the temple area, adding gates. He also built forts in the towns of Judah. The text says that even though Jotham was good, the people did evil.
Ahaz: evil, built idols to worship. God punished Judah for this. Sryia came and took away captives. Israel even took captives along with Edom, Assyria, Philistia. You really do not want on God's bad side. Ahaz didn't learn his lesson though. In his distress he looked to the Gods of those conquoring him.
Hezekiah: He repaired much of the damage that his daddy had done. He reinstated temple worship which had evidently been stopped. It seems he made attempts to get the people to return to the Lord, but was mocked for it.

The opening vision seems like what was going on during Uzziah's time at the end of his reign. I love this verse: "...though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." God, in the midst of foretelling their destruction, also discusses his mountain of the house of the Lord. I feel that this is a direct reference to his church. It talks about the Law leaving Jerusalem and He will judge. I am no expert but it seems very Messianic to me. Another very applicable quote for today: "The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day."

Song of Solomon 5-8

2007-07-20T07:22:00.001-05:00

Day 194
Song of Solomon 5-8 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

"Many waters cannot quench love", what beautiful sentiments. It is too bad that so much of the imagery is lost on me, because the descriptions are very extensive. Perhaps it would be a good exercise to re-write them using moden imagery.

Song of Solomon 1-4

2007-07-18T11:20:00.000-05:00

Day 193
Song of Solomon 1-4 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

I don't have a lot to say about this reading. To be honest there is just so much that I do not understand. One thing I do notice: Those who think the Bible does not speak of romantic passionate love are just wrong. The book seems to highlight it.

Ecclesiastes 10-12

2007-07-17T08:40:00.001-05:00

Day 192
Ecclesiastes 10-12 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

I believe that a lot of the message here is to have humilty. Humilty in the sense that you know and understand your place in the world. "As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything. In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good."

It is also very interesting to me that the author comes to the conclusion that he does purely by observation. It is what makes it so powerful. His words are not unlike those we say today: put God first. This is not a phrase to be simply heard. It must be understood that all ways other than God's end in futility. The only way for man to find true happiness is in fulfilling his purpose here which is to serve his Creator.

Ecclesiastes 7-9

2007-07-17T08:39:00.001-05:00

Day 191
Ecclesiastes 7-9 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

So much of this book I find disturbing and contradicting. I know that the things that seem contradicting are merely to be understood in their own context, but the statements can be a little shocking. Like, don't be overly righteous nor overly wicked. It seems he is saying, be mediocre. I think he is actually warning against the pursuit of wisdom as an avenue to happiness. He says that the more you know, the more grief it brings you. But neither are we to be fools. I also like some of the practical adivse. Don't try to know what everyone is saying, because they might be talking bad about you. This will upset you perhaps without reason--you too have probably talked poorly of them at times.

Ecclesiastes 4-6

2007-07-17T08:34:00.000-05:00

Week 28
Sunday	Ecclesiastes 4-6
Monday	Ecclesiastes 7-9
Tuesday	Ecclesiastes 10-12
Wednesday	Song of Solomon 1-4
Thursday	Song of Solomon 5-8
Friday	Isaiah 1-3
Saturday	Isaiah 4-6

Day 190
Ecclesiastes 4-6 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

"He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep." I find this verse extremely insightful. Keep life simple. The more you have the more you have to worry about in keeping/protecting it. Work hard and enjoy eating and drinking. That is the best reward. Work to live not live to work.

Ecclesiastes 1-3

2007-07-16T09:49:00.000-05:00

Day 189
Ecclesiastes 1-3 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Especially coming from the point of view of one working in research (you could say that my job is to pursue knowledge) this chapter is fairly bleak. I can certainly identify with what the author says. There is no happiness in earthly pursuits. They are temporary at best and in the end can be undone in a moment. The author pursued happines by many avenues: wine, buildings, possessions, greatness, sex. Exactly what man pursues today...he concludes it is vanity and worthless.

"I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil--this is God's gift to man."

Proverbs 28-31

2007-07-13T13:03:00.000-05:00

Day 188
Proverbs 28-31 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

And so Proverbs closes. I have had actual very few comments on this book. I feel that while there is much to say, most of Proverbs speaks for itself. That is kind of the point of them being called Proverbs. Mostly I just listed some of my favorite proverbs or ones that really stood out to me. If you have a few favorites, post them. I would love to read them. Tomorrow, on to Ecclesiates!

Proverbs 25-27

2007-07-12T09:07:00.001-05:00

Day 187
Proverbs 25-27 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great, for it is better to be told, "Come up here," than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.
It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.
Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

Proverbs 22-24

2007-07-11T08:35:00.001-05:00

Day 186
Proverbs 22-24 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

The rich and the poor meet together; the LORD is the maker of them all.
Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy; do not desire his delicacies, for he is like one who is inwardly calculating. "Eat and drink!" he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the LORD see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.

Proverbs 19-21

2007-07-10T12:21:00.001-05:00

Day 185
Proverbs 19-21 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the LORD.
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.
The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.

Proverbs 16-18

2007-07-09T12:50:00.000-05:00

Day 184
Proverbs 16-18 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

Proverbs 13-15

2007-07-09T12:47:00.000-05:00

Week 28
Sunday	Proverbs 13-15
Monday	Proverbs 16-18
Tuesday	Proverbs 19-21
Wednesday	Proverbs 22-24
Thursday	Proverbs 25-27
Friday	Proverbs 28-31
Saturday	Ecclesiastes 1-3

Day 183
Proverbs 13-15 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.

Proverbs 10-12

2007-07-07T15:48:00.001-05:00

Day 182
Proverbs 10-12 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the LORD, but those of blameless ways are his delight.
Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.

Proverbs 7-9

2007-07-06T10:44:00.001-05:00

Day 181
Proverbs 7-9 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Oh how easy it is to observe this man lacking sense and how hard it is to recognize when it is you who lacks sense. I also like the statement in chapter 9: the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. The way to becoming truly wise is to know the Holy One...so much of what Solomon says about wisdom is that you must recognize that it comes from God.

Oblivion

2007-07-05T10:17:00.002-05:00

So, this is what oblivion looks like. Over the past month this site has slowly degraded and now I only update it once a week or maybe twice, never really writing much of anything. This is not at all what I had in mind when we started. I have fallen down to catching up every week, but lately I am not even catching up. Our goal initially was to read the whole Bible in a year. I knew many (including possibly myself) would waver. Good habits are so hard to create. Our secondary goal was to develop a habit of reading the Bible every day. While I think on its words many days of the week, I am not thinking about it every day and to be honest I can feel a difference between now and when we were actively working on keeping the readings up to date and commented.

We have just begun Proverbs, if you have fallen off the wagon so to speak, jump back on and read Proverbs with us. Spend each day reading and thinking on its meaning. I look forward to seeing what you have to say.

Proverbs 4-6

2007-07-05T10:17:00.001-05:00

Day 180
Proverbs 4-6 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

The beginning of wisdom is: get it! Initially this seems like foolishness. It seems like it is saying the first thing you need to know about getting wisdom is that you need to get it. But that is exactly the point. Many spiritual qualities can be faked. Just look at the Pharisees. They are testaments to the fact that we can seem 100% pure spiritual and actually be whitewashed tombs: pretty on the outside, death on the inside. Wisdom doesn't work like that. You have to actually want it, actually prize it. The first thing you have to work on with wisdom is wanting it--not just in word, but in reality. Proverbs says that if you do, God gives it.

Proverbs 1-3

2007-07-05T10:14:00.001-05:00

Day 179
Proverbs 1-3 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. This is a very fundamental thought. Without the proper respect and atitude toward God, we cannot hope to be wise. Later in Proverbs, a reason is spelled out: it is because God gives the wisdom. If God gives wisdom and we choose to disrespect him, how can we hope to receive from him the understanding that we crave?

Proverbs is not about getting all the answers to our problems. Proverbs is about helping us make wise decisions that will carry us far from problems and sin. Many times there is no right or wrong decision. Instead there is a prudent or inprudent one.

Psalms 146-150

2007-07-05T10:13:00.001-05:00

Day 178
Psalms 146-150 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 141-145

2007-07-05T09:51:00.000-05:00

Day 177
Psalms 141-145 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 136-140

2007-07-05T09:49:00.000-05:00

Week 27
Sunday	Psalms 136-140
Monday	Psalms 141-145
Tuesday	Psalms 146-150
Wednesday	Proverbs 1-3
Thursday	Proverbs 4-6
Friday	Proverbs 7-9
Saturday	Proverbs 10-12

Day 176
Psalms 136-140 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 131-135

2007-07-05T09:45:00.001-05:00

Day 175
Psalms 131-135 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 126-130

2007-07-05T09:43:00.000-05:00

Day 174
Psalms 126-130 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 121-125

2007-07-05T09:42:00.000-05:00

Day 173
Psalms 121-125 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 116-120

2007-06-27T09:27:00.001-05:00

Day 172
Psalms 116-120 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 111-115

2007-06-27T09:26:00.001-05:00

Day 171
Psalms 111-115 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 106-110

2007-06-27T09:16:00.000-05:00

Day 170
Psalms 106-110 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 101-105

2007-06-27T08:54:00.000-05:00

Week 26
Sunday	Psalms 101-105
Monday	Psalms 106-110
Tuesday	Psalms 111-115
Wednesday	Psalms 116-120
Thursday	Psalms 121-125
Friday	Psalms 126-130
Saturday	Psalms 131-135

Day 169
Psalms 101-105 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 96-100

2007-06-27T08:49:00.002-05:00

Day 168
Psalms 96-100 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 91-95

2007-06-27T08:49:00.001-05:00

Day 167
Psalms 91-95 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 86-90

2007-06-27T08:47:00.000-05:00

Day 166
Psalms 86-90 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 81-85

2007-06-20T09:26:00.001-05:00

Day 165
Psalms 81-85 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 76-80

2007-06-19T08:27:00.000-05:00

Day 164
Psalms 76-80 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Long list of favorite passages:

Been a little behind, but been keeping a list of favorite passages that I have seen. I have enjoyed reading the Psalms more than ever this time through them. Maybe it is because this is a more-than-usually stressful time and I find comfort in their expressions of safety and divine care. What have you enjoyed about the Psalms?

"His glory is great through your salvation; splendor and majesty you bestow on him For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence."
"Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me..."

Psalms 71-75

2007-06-19T08:26:00.000-05:00

Day 163
Psalms 71-75 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 66-70

2007-06-18T08:56:00.000-05:00

Week 25
Sunday	Psalms 66-70
Monday	Psalms 71-75
Tuesday	Psalms 76-80
Wednesday	Psalms 81-85
Thursday	Psalms 86-90
Friday	Psalms 91-95
Saturday	Psalms 96-100

Day 162
Psalms 66-70 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 61-65

2007-06-18T08:42:00.000-05:00

Day 161
Psalms 61-65 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 56-60

2007-06-18T08:41:00.000-05:00

Day 160
Psalms 56-60 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 51-55

2007-06-14T10:30:00.000-05:00

Day 159
Psalms 51-55 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 46-50

2007-06-14T10:29:00.002-05:00

Day 158
Psalms 46-50 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 41-45

2007-06-14T10:29:00.001-05:00

Day 157
Psalms 41-45 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 36-40

2007-06-14T10:28:00.001-05:00

Day 156
Psalms 36-40 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 31-35

2007-06-14T10:20:00.000-05:00

Week 24
Sunday	Psalms 31-35
Monday	Psalms 36-40
Tuesday	Psalms 41-45
Wednesday	Psalms 46-50
Thursday	Psalms 51-55
Friday	Psalms 56-60
Saturday	Psalms 61-65

Day 155
Psalms 31-35 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 26-30

2007-06-09T10:33:00.001-05:00

Day 154
Psalms 26-30 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 21-25

2007-06-08T08:13:00.001-05:00

Day 153
Psalms 21-25 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 16-20

2007-06-07T04:48:00.000-05:00

Day 152
Psalms 16-20 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Favorite Quote: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight..."

Psalms 11-15

2007-06-06T09:08:00.002-05:00

Day 151
Psalms 11-15 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Favorite Snippets from first 15:

"his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night." I think about it a lot, but I wish I could say that about myself.
"Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain...against the LORD and against his anointed...He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision."
"O LORD my God, in you do I take refuge..." Do I take refuge in the Lord? When times get busy, I slack off on reading and praying...how is that taking refuge in the Lord?
"...judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me." This reminds me of Nehemiah. Quite a bold statement to be asking God for judgement. I typically take teh standpoint that I do what I know to be right and hope that it pleases God. Here, there is confidence in knowing that he has done right and asking for God's righteous judgement.
"And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you."
"In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor...his thoughts are, 'There is no God.'...He says in his heart, 'I shall not be moved; throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.'...He says in his heart, 'God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.'...[the wicked] says in his heart, "You[God] will not call to account""

Psalms 6-10

2007-06-06T09:08:00.001-05:00

Day 150
Psalms 6-10 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Psalms 1-5

2007-06-06T08:31:00.000-05:00

Day 149
Psalms 1-5 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Hope everyone has been keeping up. I haven't posted much on Job, but to tell you the truth, I never much cared for Job. I know many people just love that book, but I guess I find it hard to get. The people that liked it, I find, took the class by Dr. Roberts. Maybe that is why they love it--he surely did a great job of explaining it. The overall point isn't hard to grasp, and I think is very important as it addresses a very popular criticism of God: Why do bad things happen to good people? The answer in short is that you aren't God and cannot possibly understand him or his thoughts.

I think the Psalms will be a nice change of pace. Hope you have enjoyed reading the first few.

Job 40-42

2007-06-04T07:58:00.000-05:00

Week 23
Sunday	Job 40-42
Monday	Psalms 1-5
Tuesday	Psalms 6-10
Wednesday	Psalms 11-15
Thursday	Psalms 16-20
Friday	Psalms 21-25
Saturday	Psalms 26-30

Day 148
Job 40-42 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Job 37-39

2007-06-04T07:56:00.000-05:00

Day 147
Job 37-39 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Job 34-36

2007-06-01T13:40:00.001-05:00

Day 146
Job 34-36 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Job 31-33

2007-05-31T10:37:00.000-05:00

Day 145
Job 31-33 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Job 28-30

2007-05-30T06:10:00.001-05:00

Day 144
Job 28-30 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Again, sorry for late posts. I haven't been commenting lately but keeping up with readings. Not quite caught up with Job yet. Hope that things are well with you! Thanks for keeping on reading, it is encouraging!

Job 25-27

2007-05-30T06:06:00.002-05:00

Day 143
Job 25-27 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Job 22-24

2007-05-30T06:06:00.001-05:00

Day 142
Job 22-24 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Job 19-21

2007-05-30T06:01:00.000-05:00

Week 22
Sunday	Job 19-21
Monday	Job 22-24
Tuesday	Job 25-27
Wednesday	Job 28-30
Thursday	Job 31-33
Friday	Job 34-36
Saturday	Job 37-39

Day 141
Job 19-21 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Job 16-18

2007-05-30T05:58:00.000-05:00

Day 140
Job 16-18 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Job 13-15

2007-05-26T11:17:00.002-05:00

Day 139
Job 13-15 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Job 10-12

2007-05-26T11:17:00.001-05:00

Day 138
Job 10-12 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Job 7-9

2007-05-26T11:15:00.000-05:00

Day 137
Job 7-9 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Job 4-6

2007-05-25T10:01:00.000-05:00

Day 136
Job 4-6 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Job 1-3

2007-05-23T11:46:00.000-05:00

Day 135
Job 1-3 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Esther 7-10

2007-05-23T11:37:00.000-05:00

Week 21
Sunday	Esther 7-10
Monday	Job 1-3
Tuesday	Job 4-6
Wednesday	Job 7-9
Thursday	Job 10-12
Friday	Job 13-15
Saturday	Job 16-18

Day 134
Esther 7-10 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Esther 4-6

2007-05-19T20:59:00.000-05:00

Day 133
Esther 4-6 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Esther 1-3

2007-05-18T17:25:00.000-05:00

Day 132
Esther 1-3 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Animo!

2007-05-17T11:24:00.000-05:00

I know that I have had some days were posts haven't come on time--even as much as a week. We must keep on though. It is difficult to maintain good habits but this is one well worth the effort. I have received many comments from people who say that this site has helped them read more of the Bible than ever. That is great! Let's keep it up. I noticed that hits per day have dwindled to 10. I am not concerned about the site being popular, it is only a measure of who is coming daily. Let's take some encouragement and make it a point to start anew today!

Thanks so much for your participation. If it weren't you all I too would have dropped this several months ago.

Nehemiah 10-13

2007-05-16T23:35:00.001-05:00

Day 131
Nehemiah 10-13 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Nehemiah ends up appointed their governor. The final chapter especially is interesting. There were problems and it shows how Nehemiah dealt with them. First, the people are doing work on Sabbath as well as trading. Nehemiah confronts them directly and even goes to the point of shutting the city gates to reduce the amount of travel possible. He seems to me the very firey man we need to today. Someone convicted of God's truth and not afraid to push man to obedience. Sometimes we need a good push. The book ends with a simple plea, Remember me God, for the good I do.

Nehemiah 7-9

2007-05-16T12:33:00.001-05:00

Day 130
Nehemiah 7-9 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

The wall is completed in remarkable time and the city now has its fortifications to grow in a protected environment. You will notice Ezra pops up here. Their histories overlap. Chapter 9 is a wonderful chapter. It deals with the remnant admitting their sins and praising God for blessing them. We can never forget what God has done for us.

Nehemiah 4-6

2007-05-16T12:32:00.001-05:00

Day 129
Nehemiah 4-6 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Nehemiah strikes right at the heart of the matter. Here they are trying to rebuild the walls and 'kick-start' Jerusalem. Yet the people on the inside who have land and food are forcing their kinsmen into selling properties/sons/daughters. This is terrible for the work so Nehemiah just strikes right at the heart of the matter and tells them it is wrong. He shows how he is an example by not even asking the food "tax" that he could be asking of them.

Nehemiah 1-3

2007-05-16T10:58:00.000-05:00

Day 128
Nehemiah 1-3 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

There really is so much here in Nehemiah. I highly recommend that you read this book carefully. A funny thing happened to me several years back. I was re-exposed to Esther and Nehemiah and halfway through each I realized that my dad used to read these books to us. It never clicked at the time that it was the Bible.

I think the most impressive thing to note about Nehemiah is how he believes in God's promises and is not afraid to ask God humbly to remain faithful to these promises. Consider his prayer, "...Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your dispersed be under the farthest skies, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.'"

Ezra 7-10

2007-05-15T10:29:00.000-05:00

Week 20
Sunday	Ezra 7-10
Monday	Nehemiah 1-3
Tuesday	Nehemiah 4-6
Wednesday	Nehemiah 7-9
Thursday	Nehemiah 10-13
Friday	Esther 1-3
Saturday	Esther 4-6

Day 127
Ezra 7-10 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

It is funny how sometimes being extreme is the easier thing to do. The people of Israel seem to finally begin to get this whole idolatry thing. So Ezra is very upset when they being to intermarry with people from the bordering nations. Of course he isn't talking about inter-racial marriages. The text is quite clear, "shall we break your commandments again and intermarry with the peoples who practice these abominations?" The problem was that they practiced things that were abominations to the Lord. Still a problem today. What communion has light with darkness?

Ezra 4-6

2007-05-15T10:18:00.000-05:00

Day 126
Ezra 4-6 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

By this time, the Jews had few people who wanted to see them succeed. The people living in the immediate area wish to help them rebuild, but the Jews will have none of that. I think this is the beginning of the Jewish elitist attitude and the people later known as the Samaritans. Througout this period of history, the Jews will be discouraged by neighboring districts. They go so far as to send a letter to the (now not Cyrus) king of Persia. They gently direct him to the chronicles of Jerusalem and how rebelious and powerful they had been in the past. So the king orders work to be stopped. This is actually around were other minor prophets and Nehemiah enter in the picture.

Ezra 1-3

2007-05-15T09:56:00.000-05:00

Day 125
Ezra 1-3 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Can you imagine what a slap to the face this was for the Jews: "The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem..." I mean, God didn't even allow David to make him a house and here is this non-Jew (certainly not greater than David) and here he is being told to build God a house.

The following detail is also cool to note. When the foundation is laid, the people shout. The text says some remembered the temple from before so they were crying, but you couldn't tell the difference. ...for the people shouted with a great shout, and the sound was heard far away.

2 Chronicles 34-36

2007-05-15T09:50:00.001-05:00

Day 124
2 Chronicles 34-36 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

I am always impressed by such moments in Israel's history. They were just totally ignorant of what God said. Consider the king's reaction:Go, inquire of the LORD for me and for those who are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out on us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do according to all that is written in this book. The king, after reading, knew exactly why everything was happening to them. We cannot forget God's words--I am sure that possibility does not enter our minds. I am sure it didn't enter the minds of the Israelites either, yet it happened.

2 Chronicles 31-33

2007-05-09T11:07:00.001-05:00

Day 123
2 Chronicles 31-33 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

What a nice statment about Hezekiah, I hope that someday (or even right now) the Lord thinks the same about me: And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.

We remember Mannaseh as a terrible king, but it really shows what God means when he says that he resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. Mannaseh, unlike Ahaz before him, when he was suffering for his actions, humbled himself. God heard his prayer and let a man so evil return.

2 Chronicles 28-30

2007-05-08T10:22:00.000-05:00

Day 122
2 Chronicles 28-30 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Maybe this was highlighted in the Kings account of the history, but I am just amazed at Ahaz's stubborness and complete lack of knowledge of God.

In the time of his distress he became yet more faithless to the LORD--this same King Ahaz. For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus that had defeated him and said, "Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me." But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel.

This should underscore why continuing to study the Bible is so important. How do you get a king like Ahaz? I am sure it didn't happen overnight. Gradually the people in general lose knowledge of God and they begin doing what seems good to them. We cannot forget who God is nor what he has said. I have heard friends comment before that they are tired of study this or that--a strong point is that everything we study helps us keep out minds focused on God, never forgetting him like Israel and Judah did.

A related note: Even the very great men in the Bible failed at passing their sense of spirituality to their children. Hezekiah is a wonderful king despite his father, but his son is perhaps the worst ever. I think it underscores just how difficult it is to raise children. To those in the midst of doing so, may God bless you and your young ones and may they never forget the Lord.

2 Chronicles 25-27

2007-05-07T12:42:00.001-05:00

Day 121
2 Chronicles 25-27 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Sometimes we seem to get more information of the bad kings than the good ones. When they are good, it says they were good and died and rested with their fathers. When they are bad, it is recorded for all time and history to observe. Kind of sobering. Many men today work good deeds and are quickly forgotten or never noticed. Who hasn't heard of Hitler, or Jeffrey Dahmer?

2 Chronicles 22-24

2007-05-07T12:11:00.001-05:00

Week 19
Sunday	2 Chronicles 22-24
Monday	2 Chronicles 25-27
Tuesday	2 Chronicles 28-30
Wednesday	2 Chronicles 31-33
Thursday	2 Chronicles 34-36
Friday	Ezra 1-3
Saturday	Ezra 4-6

Day 120
2 Chronicles 22-24 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

2 Chronicles 19-21

2007-05-05T08:43:00.000-05:00

Day 119
2 Chronicles 19-21 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

I haven't had a lot to comment on recently, especially since this is round two of the history. One thing to note: Jehoshaphat was a much better king than he is remembered for. I remember that he married his son into perhaps the worst family of all history, Ahab's. However, as this reading emphasizes, he did many things maintaining God as the one who provided safety and blessing.

2 Chronicles 16-18

2007-05-04T18:11:00.000-05:00

Day 118
2 Chronicles 16-18 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

2 Chronicles 13-15

2007-05-03T14:01:00.001-05:00

Day 117
2 Chronicles 13-15 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

Wow, that was fast!

2007-05-02T08:04:00.000-05:00

I can't believe that I got that behind on posts that fast. Boy, when you let a habit go even for one day, it turns into a week very quickly. Thanks for your posts of encouragement, we shall press on. If you have fallen behind, make it a point to get caught up today!

2 Chronicles 10-12

2007-05-02T08:03:00.001-05:00

Day 116
2 Chronicles 10-12 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

2 Chronicles 7-9

2007-05-02T08:02:00.002-05:00

Day 115
2 Chronicles 7-9 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

I have always had an affinity for Gandalf-like characters in children's stories. I understand they are fictional and don't go all anti-Harry Potter on me, but these stories of magic have always caught my attention. Consider the following:

As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD's house. When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, "For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever."

Please do not read that paragraph as you would a story book--it is historical. I like that in Spanish, the word that translates story implies fiction. For real accounts, like Biblical accounts, they woudl use the word histories. This is a wonderful thing to keep in mind while reading these texts.

2 Chronicles 4-6

2007-05-02T08:02:00.001-05:00

Day 114
2 Chronicles 4-6 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

A lot of seemingly mindless details fly by in this book, but don't miss the jewels that are in there: ...the house of the LORD was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.

2 Chronicles 1-3

2007-05-02T07:55:00.000-05:00

Week 18
Sunday	2 Chronicles 1-3
Monday	2 Chronicles 4-6
Tuesday	2 Chronicles 7-9
Wednesday	2 Chronicles 10-12
Thursday	2 Chronicles 13-15
Friday	2 Chronicles 16-18
Saturday	2 Chronicles 19-21

Day 113
2 Chronicles 1-3 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

I wonder if we can ever really fathom what the phrase means "And the king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stone." I also like the following statement made by Solomon: The house that I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods. But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him? It is slightly strange that God allowed a physically ornate place to be built for him. He seems very emphatic in no idolatry. A temple would only encourage idolatry. Solomon's comment really shows he understands the point.

1 Chronicles 25-29

2007-05-02T07:53:00.000-05:00

Day 112
1 Chronicles 25-29 | NASB | NIV | NKJV | ESV

This statement of David to his son sounds of the Proverbs. I wonder if this was typical of David speaking to Solomon. Remember the proverbs are written as advice that Solomon had received from his father.

And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.