Old Testament Daily Bible Reading Notes For Job-Malachi

1^st January 2006 Job 1:1 to 2:10

Job is cast in the format of a historical drama. It deals with the problem of pain, of suffering, of terrible tragedy. How am I to react towards God when these things happen? Is He to blame?

2^nd January Job 2:11 to 3:26

Job’s three friends might have woeful theology, but they do feel for him. The reasons for Job’s cursing his birth are revealed in verses 20-26. What did Job fear? What do you fear?

3^rd January Job 4, 5

Verse 7 contains the heart of what Eliphaz believes – good happens to good people, bad to bad. Eliphaz can say such wonderful words eg 5:17, yet heap false guilt upon his friend. Eliphaz sees God disciplining Job for sin, not Job suffering because he lives in a world broken by sin.

4^th January Job 6, 7

Job blames God. He wants to have his day in God’s court, so he can argue against what he perceives as God’s injustice towards him and his. The cruelty and unfairness of it all overwhelm him. His words are all black. God never condemns Job for how he feels. Such things are cruel and not right.

5^th January Job 8

Bildad now has a go. He returns to the theme that if bad has happened, Job must have deserved it. God, says Bildad, does not pervert justice. Isn’t it strange how we can say the right things so wrongly! The friends don’t believe that sin has made paradise hell. The wrong premise is that this world is OK, that it’s not out of kilter, that evil things don’t happen to good people.

6^th January Job 9, 10

One thing obvious from here is that Job knows God. Nature’s testimony has convinced him of God’s existence. Depression is a very common issue for many people. Job believes that God could have changed things. The fact that He didn’t, makes Job say such strong and cutting things to God. (10:20) Have you ever felt like Job?

7^th January Job 11, 12

Zophar begins and ends with angry words. Like Eliphaz, Zophar says the right things so wrongly. (11:7,8) Zophar wants Job to repent of his sins. God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins when we repent them.

8^th January Job 13, 14

Job reacts bitterly to Zophar’s implied criticism of Job’s great sin. 13:1,4 Job knows that his friends are not perfect Christians. They too leave much to be desired in the manner of their lives. In wonderful divine irony, Jesus utters Job’s words in 13:23 when He argued with the Jews, (John 8:46) and when He stood before Caiaphas. (John 18:23) Jesus knew how Job felt!

9^th January Job 15

If you can’t meet a person’s arguments, you pour scorn and derision on him – so the world teaches. Eliphaz gets very hot as he seeks to make Job admit his sin. We, the audience to this drama, know that what has happened has nothing to do with any sin of Job’s. Have you ever been falsely accused?

10^th January Job 16, 17

Miserable comforters, long-winded speeches! Job wants to shake his friends and make them see – this has not happened to him because of some sin of his. The only explanation Job can think of is that God is being deliberately cruel. (16:9,11) His cry in 17:11 rends the heart still.

11^th January Job 18, 19

Bildad torments Job by his fixed belief in Job’s secret sin. “Can this be my friend? He knows me so little.” Consider 19:21,22 as advice on dealing with friends, whom you believe have erred. Job displays the faith of Abraham. 19:25-27 are a great testimony to the God of resurrection – many centuries before Christ.

12^th January Job 20

Zophar expounds on the coming judgment for the godless. He means every point to be taken by Job as directed to himself! How would you treat friends who persisted in blaming you when you don’t deserve it? How did God tell Job to treat his friends? 42:8

13^th January Job 21

Job flattens the fallacy that God always rewards the evil with evil and the good with good. What would the friends say to Jesus’ death? Job’s thoughts are repeated by Asaph in Psalm 73, a leading poet and musician in King David’s day. Read Asaph’s conclusion.

14^th January Job 22

Eliphaz is an example of how not to go about evangelism. He comes right out and accuses Job of wickedness in verse 22:5, and goes on to speculate as to what that wickedness might be. There is a time to call for repentance and a time to refrain from such calls. God give us the discernment to know the difference.

15^th January Job 23, 24

Job digs himself deeper into depression. He has fallen down and his friends just beat him down further. The present reality of evil, and the evil men do, is a crushing weight on Job. He can’t understand God. Do you ever feel like this towards God? Read on!

16^th January Job 25, 26, 27

Bildad begins with a doxology. He’s a good example of deluded spirituality. He sounds spiritual, so that though many feel his teaching or leading is wrong, they don’t like to oppose him because that would seem unspiritual! Can you tell the difference between sounding spiritual and the real thing?

17^th January Job 28

Job asks a penetrating question: where can wisdom be found? Job gives a similar answer to Ecclesiastes in verse 28. See Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.

18^th January Job 29, 30

What sort of person does this chapter reveal Job to be? This protest to his innocence of the charge of his friends is set against the backdrop of his agony over what has happened to him and his family. The Apostle Paul’s defence of the rejection of his apostleship by Corinthian Christians (2 Cor.10, 1 Cor.4:9-16) has a very similar ring.

19^th January Job 31

In all his defence, Job’s great cry is for someone in heaven to come and be his defence lawyer before the judgment seat of God! Verses 31:35-37. Job is crying out for a mediator between God and himself! Isn’t Jesus the answer to his cry?

20^th January Job 32, 33

What do you think of Elihu’s anger towards Job and towards the three friends? Is he justified? Elihu is the angry young man who charges in where angels fear to tread! His words burst forth in a passionate torrent. Elihu paints himself as the angel in 33:23 who comes to mediate between God and Job. Elihu will plead with God for Job, so he begs Job to repent of his sin! Elihu, too, believes that the issue is Job’s sin.

21^st January Job 34, 35

Elihu rushes to defend the Lord, but in this whole drama, the Lord doesn’t need man’s defence! He sits enthroned in heaven! Passionate Elihu has a very restricted vision of God – his God is too small! He reminds me of the Islamic terrorists who passionately defend God with their lives. God’s cutting evaluation of the Elihu’s of this world’s is in Job 38:2.

22^nd January Job 36, 37

Passionate preaching alone should not awe you. Look at the content. In verse 36:21, Elihu says that Job seems to prefer evil to affliction. This misses the point of Job’s anguish and distress. Job believes that God has rejected him and done this deliberately. Job does not know what we know – that Satan is the agent of his distress.

23^rd January Job 38, 39

Job 38:2 refers to all five men! But Job knows that it refers to him. The Lord is dealing with him face to face! God does not answer Job question as to why this has happened. What God does is reveal His glory, wonder and goodness to Job through the natural creation.

24^th January Job 40, 41

The Lord humbles Job using two examples of huge animals – both land and sea. Behemoth and Leviathan sound like dinosaurs on a straight reading. No hippo or crocodile matches this description. Nature humbles us when we experience its force and might.

25^th January Job 42

Read Peter’s advice in 1 Peter 5:6. This is just what Job does. He finds no answers, but he does find the Lord again! Job is told to pray for his three friends. They are to repent of their wrong assessment of God and of Job. Elihu is not even mentioned! This is no oversight, but a very pointed lesson.

26^th January Psalm 1, 2, 3

The themes of the first two psalms are the Law of Moses (Ps.1) and the Prophets (Ps.2). Psalm 3 arises out of terrible anguish of heart. David’s own son has tried to kill him!

27^th January Psalm 4, 5, 6

The Psalms show us people’s responses to life and all the sorts of things that can happen. They may not be very “politically correct”, just because they mirror how people really feel. The Psalms show you how you can come to God and bare your heart.

28^th January Psalm 7, 8

Psalm 8 is one worth learning off by heart. It’s reflection on God and on the place and value of human life is full of big concepts expressed simply in word pictures. Think about phrases like Psalm 7:10 “My shield is God Most High”.

29^th January Psalm 9, 10

Have you ever found yourself feeling like David in Psalm 10:1? David’s response is to pray: “God! Do something!” (Ps.10:12) Then he reflects on what God is like – He does notice what is going on!

30^th January Psalm 11, 12, 13, 14

Chose something that strikes you from these four short psalms to think about today. I often skim read over the four and then hone in on one psalm and, in particular, one thought that speaks to what I am going through at the present.

31^st January Psalm 15, 16

These two psalms form part of the Messianic teaching in the Old Testament. The first asks the question: Who can live with God? And the second looks at David the Messiah’s prayer to God to preserve his life. Peter quotes this psalm in his sermon on the day of Pentecost as prophesying about the resurrection of Christ. (Acts 2:25-32)

1^st February Psalm 17

Knowing David’s history, you might wonder at his words in this psalm. However, in life, not everything bad that happens to you will be the result of your own doing. Many times it will be because of others. Read again verses 6-9. Then too, this is the word of the Messiah! David was to be an example of godliness to all believers. How important it is that God gave us Jesus, who stood the test where David failed!

2^nd February Psalm 18:1-29

In a psalm like this, every year will bring something new to bear in your thinking. When reading verses 4-7, remember that these are the words, too, of Jesus the Son of David in Gethsemane. It is important to know that our Messiah has gone through the depths too. He can sympathise with you!

3^rd February Psalm 18:30-50

David knew God from first hand experience! So David the Messiah has this glorious irrepressible hope in God. In the present there are many battles and enemies, but He will keep His promises! This same hope we find in Jesus’ heart and lips. (Luke 18:31-34) Is it in your heart and on your lips?

4^th February Psalm 19

This psalm, too, has been a favourite for believers to memorise for thousands of years. Its thoughts are at the heart of the current debate over intelligent design or unintelligent design in nature. Nature and the Law of God give a twofold witness to the Living God! Two witnesses!

5^th February Psalm 20, 21

Lord, save the King! These words at the close of Psalm 20, find their New Testament complement in the wonderful fact that God did just that when He raised Jesus from the dead! We pray with certainty (20:1-5) for each other, because God did save His Messiah. We trust in Him!

6^th February Psalm 22

Jesus uttered the opening words of this psalm as He died. David was a suffering messiah himself. This psalm ends with hope – the Lord will save His Christ and the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord! Jesus died in hope as also in anguish!

7^th February Psalm 23, 24

Psalm 24 was the psalm that they sang as a closing song at the morning temple worship. On Palm Sunday, the people had just come from singing this psalm, when Jesus rode in through the gate on a donkey! No wonder they sang ‘Hosanna’!

8^th February Psalm 25

David not only had good text-book information about God, he knew God. Do you speak to God like this? What verse stands up and grabs your attention? Meditate on it.

9^th February Psalm 26, 27

Think about how David describes God in Psalm 27. The Apostle Paul often uses the thought in verse 27:14 – Romans 8:23,25, 1 Corinthians 1:7,4:5, 1 Thessalonians 1:10.

10^th February Psalm 28, 29

Reflect on the words in Psalm 29: The voice of the Lord, and tie them in with the Word of the Lord – Jesus.  In Psalm 28, David uses the image of the Rock! A concordance will help you trace references to this important image – e.g., Exodus 17:6, 33:22, Isaiah 8:14, 32:2, 1 Samuel 2:2, Daniel 2:2,3.

11^th February Psalm 30

This is a psalm written in hope. David did not live to see the Temple built! He believed the promises of God that Solomon would build it, so he wrote this psalm to be sung at its dedication. The occasion that gave rise to this psalm is probably 2 Samuel 24 and the stopping of the plague.

12^th February Psalm 31

Passion and pathos mark the psalms. The whole range of human emotions can be found in them as people like David responded to God in the midst of joy or great suffering. Take the psalms as a pattern for your prayers.

13^th February Psalm 32, 33

You are my hiding place! 32:7 It is good to have the Lord as your hiding place, someone you can run to in trouble of heart, mind or soul. It is not good to bear burdens alone.

14^th February Psalm 34

You can read about this incident in 1 Samuel 21. David did not passively sit and wait for God to do things. David used his wits to escape from Gath. He used his wits too to write this acrostic psalm. David gives the glory to the Lord, not to his wits!

15^th February Psalm 35, 36

David knew the heartache of personal attack, abuse and lies. What do you do when people repay you evil for good? Read again the first verses.

16^th February Psalm 37

Over the ages, Christians have memorized many of these verses and found comfort. They will comfort you too. Print out one and place it on your fridge.

17^th February Psalm 38, 39

David often suffered from depression following sin and its consequent guilt, and incidents in life that he describes as the blow of Your hand. David has left you a most remarkable pattern to follow – he wrote down his prayers in passionate words.

18^th February Psalm 40, 41

Hebrews 10:5-7 puts the words of this psalm into the mouth of Jesus. David is the Christ of God. What he wrote as the Christ comes to its fulfilment in his greater Son – Jesus Christ. David looked forward to the day when God would provide a better sacrifice than the blood of bulls and goats.

19^th February Psalm 42, 43

This second section of Psalms has a mixed authorship. When you read the psalms, you realise that life has never been easy. Both these psalms have the refrain: put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him! Knowing God, His character, His past behaviour, all combine in the believer as that sure hope!

20^th February Psalm 44

Have you ever felt that God was asleep? We feel it would be blasphemous to voice such thoughts and doubts out loud, and we’re wrong. The right thing is to voice them to God Himself and to trust in His unfailing love.

21^st February Psalm 45, 46

Psalm 45 has strong links with Revelation 21. Hebrew 1:8 quotes this verse and applies it directly to our Lord Jesus Christ. Psalm 46 is a beautiful psalm of great compassion. It gives comfort and strength especially to those in mourning or sorrow. 46:5 came to fulfillment on that glorious resurrection Sunday. Zion was helped!

22^nd February Psalm 47, 48

Sometimes it is good just to praise the Lord, to tell out what He has done! Try to pray a prayer just with praise and confession, but without any asking. It’s hard, but worth the effort in just spending a few minutes telling the Lord what you think and feel about Him.

23^rd February Psalm 49, 50

Both these psalms contain a message to the whole world. What does God warn of and what is He looking for?

24^th February Psalm 51

This famous psalm tells us the same lesson as Hebrews 10:1-4. David knew that religious ritual was meaningless in itself. There was nothing that he could do that could wipe out his sin of adultery and murder. He asks God to do something! He hopes in God! Jesus came!

25^th February Psalm 52, 53, 54

What do you trust in? David trusted in God’s unfailing love. (Ps 52) The same word is also translated mercy. David’s hope was not in God’s promise or covenant with him (the result), but in God’s love and mercy (the source).

26^th February Psalm 55

David had his Judas, his close friend and confidante Ahithophel. Ahithophel conspired with David’s own son and heir Absalom to murder David. David finishes with a heart-stopping and thrilling cry.

27^th February Psalm 56, 57

David often pleads for God’s mercy or pity. His life was anything but charmed. When disaster comes will you take refuge in the shadow of His wings until it passes?

28^th February Psalm 58, 59

Injustice, malice, venom – these form a constant refrain in David’s psalms. He has some strong metaphors – snarling dogs, snakes. But David also says of God: You are my refuge in times of trouble!

1^st March Psalm 60, 61

These psalms have some memorable lines! Confidence in God brings marvellous strength and the spirit to persevere! He is the Rock that is higher than my problems and myself.

2^nd March Psalm 62, 63

Life is often very uncertain. Faith in God is no lucky rabbit’s foot, guaranteeing an untouched, charmed life. Faith leads us to strength for the way, hope for the day and rest for the weary.

3^rd March Psalm 64, 65

Psalm 65:2 expresses David’s great hope – God would provide an atonement for him when his sins overwhelmed him. God’s awesome deed of righteousness was to send Jesus. Jesus said to John the Baptist when John objected to baptising Jesus: (this baptism will) fulfil all righteousness.

4^th Psalm 66, 67

Come and see! Come and listen! Psalm 66 is exuberant in joy at the wonder of God’s grace in salvation. The Psalmist rejoices over God’s way through the Red Sea and the dry Jordan. We rejoice at the way of Christ – crucifixion and resurrection.

5^th March Psalm 68

The opening thought of this psalm is the familiar Your kingdom come of the Lord’s prayer. About the last words of the New Testament are: Amen, Come Lord Jesus. This wonderful God who saves excites David. Am I excited?

6^th March Psalm 69

“Worn out”, “throat parched”, “eyes fail”. David’s faith struggles with terrible circumstances. He knows the goodness of God’s love, the greatness of His mercy. Verse 29 sums up the psalm. David’s sufferings  (v.21) are prophetic of Jesus’ crucifixion. God’s Messiah is the suffering Messiah.

7^th March Psalm 70, 71

The troubles of life can come thick and fast for the believer, just as for David. Look again at Psalm 71:17-20 and notice the resurrection hope. Let us finish our pilgrimage as we began it – with persevering hope, joy and faith.

8^th March Psalm 72

Verse 17 recalls God’s covenant promise to Abraham. Genesis 18:18 Paul taught that this verse reveals that God would justify the Gentiles by faith! Galatians 3:8 Verses 12-14 show us what Messiah’s heart was like. If this was partially true for Solomon, it is doubly true for Jesus.

9^th March Psalm 73

The prosperity of the wicked! It seems cruel and unnatural that such things should be – yet that is the state of the world. We must live in a fallen world, not a redeemed one. Look beyond the prosperity of the wicked to their final destiny. God is the strength of your heart!

10^th March Psalm 74, 75

Two more songs by Asaph: Asaph was one of David’s leading Levite musicians. When David brought the Ark into Jerusalem, Asaph was one of those playing out in front of the ark. He lived through some dark days, as Psalm 74 recalls. Asaph’s faith (Psalm 74:12) is like that of Joshua who declared, but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord!

11^th March Psalm 76, 77

Later generations looked upon David’s and Solomon’s reigns as the golden era. The reality was very different. These two psalms reflect both prosperous and joyous times and those that were times of distress and anguish. Asaph remembered what God had done in His salvation at the Red Sea. This was the ground of Asaph’s sustaining faith in both good and bad times. (76:8, 77:16-19)

12^th March Psalm 78:1-31

Asaph recounts the disastrous effects of party spirit within God’s church. The Tribe of Ephraim was jealous of the Tribe of Judah, King David’s tribe. Ephraim thought of themselves as the natural ruling caste for the church. They were the heirs of Joseph, once prime minister of Egypt. What does Asaph warn those imbibed with party spirit of?

13^th March Psalm 78:32-72

Asaph continues with his potent warnings against party spirit and its divisive tactics. The result was unthinkable – God abandoned His Tabernacle! The New Testament teaching is that our sins nailed Christ to His cross – God abandoned His TABERNACLE! Asaph is calling for this result: Repent and do according to His commands!

14^th March Psalm 79, 80

We have a real enemy – the Devil. He goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8 When the church takes one step forward and things begin to look bright, something terrible can happen, so that we cry out again as in 80:7. The psalms teach us to speak freely with God, and to stand firmly with our brethren shield to shield in these spiritual battles for the life of our church and people.

15^th March Psalm 81, 82

It is the responsibility of those appointed watchmen amongst God’s people to warn a sinner about his ways. Ezekiel 33:7-9 What warning of Asaph’s speaks to you?

16^th March Psalm 83, 84

Asaph is torn to see the enemies of God’s people conspire to destroy His church. His prayer is: Make them like tumbleweed, like chaff, Lord! Psalm 84:10 is one verse that should be the motto of every person aspiring to leadership within Christ’s church.

17^th March Psalm 85, 86

The sons of Korah beg God for revival! Can we do any less today? Consider what David says about God in 86:5, 15. How can such knowledge help you persevere with God in prayer?

18^th March Psalm 87,88

Psalms like Psalm 87 have inspired several songs – e.g., Glorious things of you are spoken, Zion city of our God by John Newton. Is you name written in the Lamb’s book of life, in the register of the peoples? Heman the Ezrahite is someone deep in depression. His Psalm 88 shows where he found light – the God who saves me!

19^th March Psalm 89:1-18

How should you make known the faithfulness of God today? Look at what Ethan wrote – the covenant with David, the heavens praise your wonders, you rule the surging sea, righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Those words in verse 4 find their fulfilment in Jesus – the heir of David who lives forever. The line stopped with Jesus!

20^th March Psalm 89:19-52

Reflect on God’s wonderful promises to His Christ or Messiah David. More, not less is promised to the Christ – Jesus of Nazareth, David’s greater Son. As the psalm says, David’s sons forsook God’s Law, Solomon’s line petered out in the exile! Their faith hoped in God’s promises (v49). We know that God sent Jesus! God did remember!

21^st March Psalm 90, 91

Moses’ psalm is one of the oldest living songs on this planet. It has been sung and read now for 3,500 years! There is much in this psalm that will strengthen your faith and walk with the Lord.

22^nd March Psalm 92, 93

The title: for the Sabbath day, tells us that this is a psalm very suitable for reading and thinking about on the Lord’s Day. Sabbath just means “rest”. It never meant Saturday. The weekly Sabbath was on Saturday, but our rest is in God’s new creation in Christ, not in this present old creation. We rest now in Jesus’ resurrection! Hence our Sabbath is Sunday.

23^rd March Psalm 94, 95

O God who avenges! Sometime in life you will need to know that God is a God who avenges! This is the Lord whom you can safely make your fortress, the rock in whom you take refuge. Psalm 95 is a psalm with great thoughts of praise. It also contains a very sober warning.

24^th March Psalm 96, 97, 98

Joy, song, worship, splendour, glory, faithfulness. There is so much praise in these psalms. What verse(s) speak to your situation today?

25^th March Psalm 99, 100, 101

Knowing truths about God and listening to Him can be two different things. Verses 3,4 of Psalm 101 warn us that our practice should mirror our profession. What great truths about God stand out to you today from these psalms?

26^th March Psalm 102

Wrestling with disease, cancer, stroke, misfortune, or some great loss taxes the hardiest soul. Perseverance with God is founded on knowing something of His compassion and promises (v.13). God remains! This is the thought that comforts this afflicted man.

27^th March Psalm 103

Countless generations have learnt this psalm by heart. It’s truths both comfort and challenge. It ends with the glorious truth that I have to rely on Him myself!

28^th March Psalm 104

Nature shows ample evidence of its Creator’s hand! There is intelligence, creativity, thoughtfulness, care and even humour in our God – all seen in His nature, His world!

29^th March Psalm 105

This Psalm sees the mighty hand of God, not in Nature, but in the lives of men and women, specifically in that of the families of Israel. God redeems us to LIVE a resurrection quality life NOW! This is what the conclusion is all about.

30^th March Psalm 106

It is distressing to realise that we can’t help ourselves. It is also instructive and a severe mercy from the Lord. It is at this point that we turn to Him and simply cling to His cross! Consider the request in verse 47 and the subsequent lifting of the heart in praise.

31^st March Psalm 107

The theme of this psalm is the great love of the LORD. You can bring the content of the psalm up to date New Testament-wise by correlating its stanzas with incidents and episodes from the life of Jesus.

1^st April Psalm 108

A steadfast heart is one of God’s great blessings. We often need one in life. David finds grounds for steadfastness in God’s love and faithfulness, in His being active within history, not quiescent. What a resounding conclusion: with God we shall gain the victory!

2^nd April Psalm 109

We find the silences of God disturbing. People can be so cruel. We can suffer so much from their hands. David is not quiescent in the face of such attack. He turns to God and pours out all the feelings of his heart. Don’t be shocked. Turn to Him for He is at your right hand in your need!

3^rd April Psalm 110, 111

Psalm 110 is one of the great Messianic psalms. The New Testament book of Hebrews quotes from this psalm extensively. God’s coming Christ was to be a priest of the order of Melchizedek. Jesus quotes this psalm in Luke 20:41-44. David proclaimed that his descendant who was to be God’s Christ after him was his LORD!

4^th April Psalm 112, 113, 114

Think of a man who has just had his girlfriend say “Yes” to his proposal of marriage. You can’t shut him up about how wonderful this girl is. The writers of these psalms have found God wonderful. Look for one thing to meditate on.

5^th April Psalm 115, 116

What marvellous words to start a song: I love …(Psalm 116) What did this psalmist love about God? And what did he say he’d do about it? This psalm is often quoted at the beginning of the Lord’s Supper.

6^th April Psalm 117, 118

Psalm 117 may be short, but its message makes you think – great love, enduring faithfulness! What a wonderful character reference he gives the Lord in this testimony.

7^th April Psalm 119:1-40

Psalm 119 is a most unusual psalm. Look up what an acrostic poem is. Why should you value the Ten Commandments? This songster will tell you, whether you are young or old.

8^th Psalm 119:41-72

Unfailing love, comfort, portion/inheritance, doing good. God’s guidance and wisdom in the Ten Commandments will only bless you as you seek His presence and person.

9^th April Psalm 119:73-112

Verse 105 is the motto of Scripture Union. It is plain that we must be doers of the Word of God and not hearers only. This New Testament teaching is an Old Testament one.

10^th April Psalm 119:113-144

You find many emotions in this psalm – despair: verse 123, impatience: verse 126, love: verses 113, 127, wonder: verse 129, trust: verse 117. Every time you read this psalm, you can find one thing that speaks to your heart and mind.

11^th April Psalm 119:145-176

Have you ever wanted something to happen or come or be, so that you prayed with the fervour of these verses: 145-152? Prayer, suffering, persecution, petition – the Word of God applies to all these situations.

12^th April Psalm 120, 121, 122, 123

These are songs sung as a pilgrim climbed up the road to Jerusalem. Psalm 121 has long been loved as a parting song or poem when family and friends leave for distant parts – The Travellers Psalm. Psalm 122 reminds us that prayer follows worship, as hand follows heart. The answer to prayerlessness lies in worship!

13^th April Psalm 124,125,126,127

“If the Lord had not been on our side …” The opening words of Psalm 124 follow reflection on the past. We find God’s doings, His footprints on the sand of the past. Such reflection is a catalyst to present faith.

14^th April Psalm 128, 129, 130, 131

Psalm 131 contains a beautiful image – of the weaned child. Children were often weaned somewhere between 3-5 years of age. This is the age of cuddles, of finding comfort when afraid in your mother’s arms. Her caresses are desired then, while later they may be embarrassing. As Jesus said: “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:2 Desire such intimacy with God as you come to worship!

15^th April Psalm 132, 133

Unity amongst the members of a congregation, a presbytery is very precious. This is something we need to tell ourselves often: that such unity is good and pleasant. Our unity is firstly one of faith in Christ, a spiritual unity. As parents let their children know how it pleases them that their children are friends, so does the Lord with us.

16^th April Psalm 134, 135

Both these psalms contain the words: you who minister in the house of the Lord. These are psalms firstly for priests and then for everyone (135:21). You and I are now a royal priesthood. These are psalms for public worship. Reflect on the place the Bible gives corporate public worship in your own spiritual health and growth.

17^th April Psalm 136, 137

As you look back over the years, as you look back especially on the Gospel history of Jesus, do you see that God is Someone whose love, mercy, and covenant faithfulness (all meanings of the Hebrew word: chesed) endures forever!

18^th April Psalm 138, 139

God made David bold and stouthearted! His character rubs off on us as we spend time with Him, as we admire Him. This is His Spirit’s work in sanctification. Psalm 139 is another psalm that contains many searching and bright gems of the Faith. Countless millions have prayerfully repeated the last two verses since David wrote them.

19^th April Psalm 140,141

Slander is both evil and violent. The Bible is a mirror that we quake to look into! When I slander I don’t want to think of myself like this. Our prayer should be as in Psalm 141:3,4. When slandered yourself, talk to the Lord as David did!

20^th April Psalm 142, 143

Read Jonah’s prayer in Jonah 2 as you read these two psalms. They are peas from the same pod! Did Jonah model his prayer on the memory of this psalm of David’s? It is certainly a good idea to model our prayers on the psalms.

21^st April Psalm 144, 145

David the soldier gave God praise for his God-given skill in battle. (Psalm 144) David takes the pictures of this psalm from the Exodus and from the book of Proverbs (our barns filled). Psalm 145:4 is one verse that speaks to the Great Commission – generation to generation. The Great Commission is for parents and grandparents!

22^nd April Psalm 146, 147

This psalm 146 testified to who Jesus was when He gave sight to the blind and gave food to the hungry etc. He is the Lord Himself! Israel was not asked to believe Jesus on blind faith, but on the testimony of the Old Testament.

23^rd April Psalm 148, 149, 150

The Psalter closes with three hallelujah psalms. Hallelujah is the first word in each. What attribute of God or of his character strikes you in these psalms today?

24^th April Proverbs 1

The first nine chapters of this book are a discourse on the nature of wisdom and stupidity (or folly). The literary form of proverbs is an ancient way of transmitting attitudes and reasons for godly behaviour. What are the marks of both wise and stupid people?

25^th April Proverbs 2

It is interesting and thought-provoking to look for the words associated with wisdom: pleasant knowledge, discretion, understanding, salvation from stupidity. Stupidity is the adulteress, for stupidity is based on adulterated knowledge. The Devil blinds us to the true state of things.

26^th April Proverbs 3

There is much to ponder on in this chapter that is true, noble, pure, right, lovely, admirable à la Philippians 4:8.

27^th April Proverbs 4

The purpose of this prologue to the Proverbs proper is to encourage us to get wisdom! To strive with heart and mind and main to get wisdom! Godly wisdom is essential to your sanctification, growth in grace, and wellbeing. Our own wisdom will lead us up the garden path!

28^th April Proverbs 5:1-6:19

The warning against adultery can be taken as just that – a warning against sexual perversion of any and every kind. It is also a warning against the folly or stupidity of unbelief, of a hard heart. The Devil baits his hook with adulterated truth that appeals to the physical, spiritual, intellectual desires of mankind: “did God really say …” Genesis 3

29^th April Proverbs 6:20-7:27

Stupidity or Folly captivates, beggars, burns, and kills whoever comes within its arena. Just the application to adultery itself gives you sufficient information. The world paints adultery in wonderful, romantic colours. It does not show you this picture!

30^th April Proverbs 8

In today’s reading what verses stand out to you? The last three verses summarise the stance of this book. They are reminiscent of Jesus’ words in John 6:35-40, and Revelation 3:20.

 

 1^st May Proverbs 9

Wisdom versus Folly (Stupidity). This distinction is the key to sanctification, to a faith that bears fruit, to a faith WITH works. This distinction is the key too to James’ letter in the New Testament. The proverbs of chapters 10-31 are there to help us see this distinction in everyday life.

2^nd May Proverbs 10

Family relationships, material possessions, work practices, education, personal discipline (eg of the tongue) and much more are covered in this chapter. Find one proverb that speaks to something happening in your life this week. Write it out!

3^rd May Proverbs 11

Verses 10 and 11 are good ones for those in local or state government. Generosity (v24,25) is different from a foolish beggaring of yourself. Generosity counts the cost and still gives! It is witting and blessed as Jesus said of the widow and her mite.

4^th May Proverbs 12

It is often good to look for a subject to follow on any one reading of the Book of Proverbs. Choose one subject – such as discipline, character, the tongue, work, and find the proverbs that speak to this subject. Verse 18 is always challenging.

5^th May Proverbs 13

In the Book of Proverbs, sluggards are always male and dripping taps are always female. This is not saying that these are universal truths, but are general failings of each sex. A general failing may not be someone’s particular failing! It’s for thoughtful self-evaluation. Verse 24 is so true for boys.

6^th May Proverbs 14

Prudent men and wise women: There are plenty of proverbs in this chapter explaining how to find the wise way in life for each sex.

7^th May Proverbs 15

Verses 13-16 all major on the heart – a happy heart, a discerning heart, a cheerful heart. Verse 19 is one to laugh over. A wise man is not easily put off by a few difficulties.

8^th May Proverbs 16

Reflect on verse 2: motives are weighed by the Lord! In terms of verse 25, think about some of the ways has our society declared to be right, but which lead to things falling apart – in the area of modern behaviour, attitudes, morals, standards.

9^th May Proverbs 17

Much of the great literature of the world uses the themes that you find in this chapter. Many proverbs deal with matters outside the scope of legal address, matters of the heart and spirit, as exampled by verse 14.

10^th May Proverbs 18

Many of these proverbs have something to do with the tongue. There are for self-reflection as well as for understanding others. We all thank God for the Friend who sticks closer than a brother!

11^th May Proverbs 19

Both the negative and positive aspects of poverty and wealth are covered in the opening verses of this chapter. Verse 14 is a good proverb for both husbands and wives to learn!

12^th May Proverbs 20:1-21:11

Verse 6 reminds us that deeds not words of self-promotion should govern our assessment of others. This present century is one where self-promotion is expected and encouraged.

13^th May Proverbs 21:12-22:16

There are many thought-provoking proverbs in today’s reading: eg 21:17, 22:2,6,15. 21:14 is a piece of wisdom for those living under totalitarian or arbitrary rule of corrupt officials, kings and dictators. The Scriptures explicitly say: Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous. Exodus 23:8

14^th May Proverbs 22:17-23:11

Many of the proverbs were intended as guidance for those working in public service in the execution of their duties. You will notice several today that impinge on issues of government and society, or government and its employees.

15^th May Proverbs 23:12-35

While the Scriptures decry sadism, brutality or bullying, they do teach corporal discipline for children. The second half of today’s reading covers the parent-child relationship from the child’s perspective with some good wisdom for children of whatever age.

16^th May Proverbs 24

There are several proverbs today dealing with your behaviour and reactions to people – viz. the verbs: rescue; hold back; don’t lie in wait, gloat, fret. Payback is unwise, even stupid! 24:29

17^th May Proverbs 25:1-26:12

These proverbs cover a wide range of life from personal wisdom, to behaviour before those senior to you in your employment, to mission statements, to dealing with fools.

18^th May Proverbs 26:13-27:23

Recognizing what’s wrong with your own behaviour is the first step to changing it. The second is accepting that such behaviour is stupid. These proverbs therefore use humour to make their point – on laziness, “I was only joking”, gossip, hypocrisy, malice, etc.

19^th May Proverbs 28

Think about Biblical characters and these verses: eg Moses and Pharaoh, Joshua and Achan. Biblical proverbs aim at giving knowledge beyond personal experience, at extending your understanding of people and situations, of feeding a hunger for wisdom in your heart!

20^th May Proverbs 29

Verse 10 is unfortunately so very true – people of integrity and fairness arouse the hate and anger of those who are bloody-minded. Jesus Himself is the supreme example.

21^st May Proverbs 30

These proverbs come in paragraphs, not in single verses. Verses 7-9 are often quoted. They give a realistic if pessimistic view of human nature, of the limits of a Christian’s morality or actual spirituality.

22^nd May Proverbs 31

The epilogue of Proverbs is on the subject of the wife of noble character. This is to parallel the contrast in the prologue of wisdom and the foolish wife. Our deeds, our living reveals whether our faith is real or counterfeit.

23^rd May Ecclesiastes 1:1-2:10

Ecclesiastes is a book that pulls no punches in exposing the emptiness of life, as it is presently constituted on this earth. Solomon asks: What’s it all been for? Death robs all life of any purpose or meaning.

24^th May Ecclesiastes 2:11-3:15

You will notice that the theme of the Book of Proverbs, wisdom & folly, is the theme of Ecclesiastes too. The section A Time For Everything is very thought provoking.

25^th May Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:16

We take satisfaction in our work and this is right, but the terrible reality we must face in the earth is that we more often meet with injustice and corruption than with justice.

26^th May Ecclesiastes 5, 6

Don’t let the evils of life rob you of your faith in God and your pleasure in the ordinary joys of life.

27^th May Ecclesiastes 7

Wisdom and Stupidity are good subjects for every person to learn about and think through. What do you think about verses 15-18? Read them in another translation too.

28^th May Ecclesiastes 8:1-9:10

If there is no God, then death makes a wise and righteous life irrelevant and pointless, for the righteous and the wicked share a common destiny. This is the evil that happens in everything under the sun! Our hearts rebel against this destiny, and we cling to life – verse 4.

29^th May Ecclesiastes 9:11-10:20

Solomon advances several reasons as to why wisdom is still better than folly/stupidity.

30^th May Ecclesiastes 11, 12

The knowledge of my accountability to God acts as a check on stupidity and folly in youth as in old age. He is my Judge, and far more! He is our Saviour and Redeemer! Ecclesiastes just openly looks at some of the evils He redeems us from! Be thankful!

31^st May Song of Solomon 1:1-2:7

In New Testament times, you had to be over 18 years of age before you were allowed to read this book. This meant that you were most likely married too. God never wrote a marriage manual for us, but He did cause to be written this love poem. It celebrates the joys of marriage and of sex within marriage. To understand the poetic metaphors used, you must SEE or PICTURE the various scenes or illustrations. This book is meant for couples to read out loud to each other the appropriate parts.

1^st June Song of Solomon 2:8-3:5

The illustration of the little foxes in the vineyard is about fornication as something to be detested – you have to picture the little foxes poking up into the greenery to eat the grapes. The contrast is with the joys and good pleasures of the marriage relationship using very explicit images from nature – both animal and plant.

2^nd June Song of Solomon 3:6-5:1

The Apostle Paul when he uses the illustration of the human body to the Church says: And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty. So too in this work, those parts are treated with special modesty. Images such as hills, mountains, gardens, fountains, aromatic plants all were immediately understood 3,000 years ago in terms of human physiology and bodily responses. God wants married couples to be able to talk with each other about this most central subject to their marriage with appropriate delicacy, humour and tact.

3^rd June Song of Solomon 5:2-6:9

The expression of our sexuality in marriage is both good and desirable – “eat … drink your fill, O lovers”. It is good to look for appropriate and modern metaphors in talking with your spouse about their body. Proverbs 5:18,19 has some good advice to husbands in this area.

4^th June Song of Solomon 6:10-8:14

Grape vines budding and pomegranates flowering in the grove of nut trees are two very explicit images that should be immediately understandable (especially if you’ve seen the process of a pomegranate flowering). God’s design for humanity is chastity, not celibacy. All must be chaste, while some might have to be both, as Jesus said of Himself. Matthew 19:12

5^th June Obadiah

Edom had a 1000 year history of conspiring to destroy Israel up to Obadiah’s time of 590BC. Have you experienced some unrelenting attack?  Draw strength from this knowledge – that God has secured the future for His people. The meaning of Obadiah’s name is Serving the Lord.

6^th June Joel 1

Joel: The Lord is God! Joel wrote about 790BC in the Kingdom of Judah, with his contemporary Amos in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The terrible calamity of a locust plague had befallen Palestine. Obadiah sees natural disasters as a potent reminder of sin’s cosmic consequences and hence an occasion for repentance – returning to God.

7^th June Joel 2

Chapter 2 is a vivid picture of being in a locust swarm and of its effect on the land. Verses 13,14 call for national heart repentance not national ritual or ceremony. Consider the promise of verse 25. Peter tells us in Acts 2:16-21 that verses 28-32 were fulfilled at Pentecost.

8^th June Joel 3

Judgment and blessing – these are corollaries, not opposites. This chapter is rich in metaphor and memorable picture language. The fountain prophecy comes to its fulfilment with Jesus, the water of life. (John 14:14, Revelation 21:6,22:1,17)

9^th June Jonah 1, 2

Jonah prophesied about 50 years before Amos and Obadiah. He lived in the Kingdom of Israel, north of the Kingdom of Judah. Jonah’s prayer has much in common with the great prayers of men like David – Psalm 86. Jesus uses this passage to teach His resurrection. Matthew 12:39-41

10^th June Jonah 3, 4

The Assyrians were a savage and cruel nation who practised terrible barbarities on the peoples they raided. Jonah wanted judgment, not mercy for them! Our thoughts are not God’s thoughts! Isaiah 55:8

11^th June Amos 1, 2

Amos lived some 800 years before Christ. Believers and unbelievers all must give account of the things done in this life. Notice the sins of Judah and Israel. Do you see any similarity between believers’ sins then and now?

12^th June Amos 3, 4

Ashdod and Egypt (the Philistines and the Egyptians) were the two witnesses to God’s dealing with His people. Judgment is not a light matter for God. Nature itself is here the agent of His judgment. Nature rebels against man as man rebels against God. This is one terrible consequence of Adam’s sin – we cast off God’s authority over our lives, we cast off His providential care. We must live in a very broken world!

13^th June Amos 5, 6

You find God’s heart in 5:4-6. Verse 5:24 is a good motto for police detective work and our lawyers and judges. God Himself and belief in Him is the foundation of good justice that is for our common weal! Complacency was and still is a besetting sin for believers.

14^th June Amos 7, 8

Locusts and fire are images that the Apostle John uses as well in Revelation when the angels sound their trumpets – first to fifth trumpets (Revelation 8,9). Isaiah 28:16,17 announces that justice is God’s measuring stick and righteousness is His plumb-line.

15^th June Amos 9

Amos 9 declares that terrible New Testament truth: all have sinned – the wages of sin is death! But God’s judgment is tempered with mercy. God promises that He Himself will deliver man from sin, the Devil and death through David’s collapsed family (the fallen tent).

16^th June Hosea 1:1-2:1

Hosea wrote his prophecies about 670 years before Christ. He was married to a woman Gomer who was repeatedly unfaithful to him. Eventually Gomer ended up enslaved in a brothel. While she lived with Hosea, she bore him three children. Hosea was to parallel his treatment of Gomer with that of God to Israel and Judah.

17^th June Hosea 2:2-3:5

Peter quotes 2:23 as applying to gentile Christians in 1 Peter 2:10. Once we were Loammi (not God’s people), but now we are Ammi (God’s people). Hosea bought Gomer out of her slavery to the brothel and restored her as his wife. Is God any less patient and faithful?

18^th June Hosea 4:1-6:3

God tells Hosea that all paths DO NOT lead to Him. Many paths, much religion, leads to spiritual prostitution. This is how God feels about it when His people follow their own made up god – God as we make him up to be. It is terrible when someone we trust or love is unfaithful and false. Let us be like Jesus: Faithful and True! Revelation 19:11

19^th June Hosea 6:4-7:16

Sin really is serious. It cuts us off from God, and from all blessings that flow from Him. The horror is in verses 7:8,9 – we get to the stage when we can no longer tell deception from blessing.

20^th June Hosea 8, 9

Reap the whirlwind is a Biblical phrase that passed into the English language many centuries ago. Wanderers amongst the nations (9:17) recalls the Gospel perspective – remember James’ description of the Christian Church: the twelve tribes scattered amongst the nations, and Peter’s: God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout …

21^st June Hosea 10:1-11:11

Israel was a false vine (they turned to idolatry): Jesus said: I am the true vine! When you read verse 3 remember the Jews before Pilate: We have no king but Caesar! 11:1 is quoted by Matthew as confirmation as to who Jesus is! Matthew 2:15

22^nd June Hosea 11:12-14:9

Ephraim was the premier Tribe in the northern kingdom of Israel, as opposed to Judah, where David’s descendants reigned. God holds Israel responsible for their religion and life-styles. Judgment is tempered with mercy for those willing to return to the Lord.

23^rd June Isaiah 1

Isaiah’s prophesies were written about 750BC to 700BC in the southern kingdom of Judah. In Chapter 1, Isaiah sets forth the evils of human rebellion against God and of hypocrisy in religion. Compare verse 11 with Hebrews 10:4. There are many wonderful verses in this chapter.

24^th June Isaiah 2

Another name for the Mountain of the Lord is the Rock of Israel. Isaiah 30:29 Think of the important mountains in the Scriptures: Ararat, Babel’s ziggurat, Sinai, the split Rock of Moses, Zion, the split mountain of Zechariah which provides the way of salvation, Transfiguration, Ascension, Mount Zion heavenly Jerusalem of Hebrews 12:22 (Jerusalem Above which is eternal as opposed to Jerusalem Below which is temporal).

25^th June Isaiah 3, 4

Isaiah has some of the most memorable and beautiful passages in the Bible. Judgment and mercy are the constant twin themes of this book. The Branch of the Lord is the promised Messiah of King David’s family. Other Biblical metaphors of parallel meaning are the seed of David; the stump of Jesse; the tender shoot.

26^th June Isaiah 5

The song of the vineyard is a parable of God’s dealings with Israel and theirs with Him. The list of things that distress God about how God’s people live is very thought provoking.

27^th June Isaiah 6

Isaiah’s vision of the Lord reveals Him as Moses’ God (His smoke filled the Temple just like the Tabernacle). The only hope for God’s people is the holy seed (of David). He is the stump that will provide the future tree of God’s Kingdom.

28^th June Isaiah 7:1-8:4

The sign of Immanuel is truly wonderful. Judah was delivered within the period a child grew from birth to an age of understanding right from wrong from her enemies. This fulfilment of the prophecy was the shadow of the greater deliverance that arrived with the birth of Jesus – our Immanuel (means: God with us) in a very unique way.

29^th June Isaiah 8:5-9:7

Assyria was located roughly in what is now Kurdistan – which covers an area at the intersection of Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Syria. 8:19 is a telling condemnation of the stupidity and uselessness of occultist practices. Why look to shadows when we have the Light! To us a Son has been given!

30^th June Isaiah 9:8-10:4

Wickedness provides its own fire! Injustice produces thorns and thistles as its crop. It is the litter of injustice and wickedness that provides fuel for a coming judgment. Such a nation has no resistance of spirit and heart, when the Hitlers and Stalins arise.

1^st July Isaiah 10:5-34

Assyria was the terrorist nation of its day. God’s tells His people that He will judge not only His Church, but also Assyria, the rod of His anger. God holds us accountable for the how of our service, as both Israel and Assyria learnt. Some hundreds of years later, Ezra, Nehemiah and the other returning exiles found these words about the remnant of comfort and hope.

2^nd July Isaiah 11, 12

Central to Isaiah’s prophecies is what God says about the coming Messiah. When Isaiah wrote, David’s descendants still sat upon the throne. No one could envisage an Israel without them. But the Lord had revealed to Isaiah that David’s house would be cut down. God promised, before it happened, that He would keep David’s line going through one descendant, and from that shoot would come the One who was to be the Branch.

3^rd July Isaiah 13

Babylon was the Washington or Moscow of its day. Babylon was just then becoming the world power. She was like the US at the end of World War I – great potential but still subdued. That was soon to pass. Isaiah reminds us that the great nations and powers cannot oppose God’s judgment on their actions. (verse 11)

Tuesday 4^th July Isaiah 14

Compassion is a major characteristic of God and so of believers. Israel had to go through suffering, turmoil and cruel bondage. God’s promised word was to sustain them as us in such times of almost unbelievable cruelty and hardship.

5^th July Isaiah 15,16

This oracle continues the series on the nations round about ancient Israel. Moab was a cousin nation, of a similar racial and religious (originally) background. Moab opposed Moses and Israel from the time of Exodus. They supported the very cruel treatment given to Israel by her opponents. God does see and take note and act! Wait patiently is the New Testament corollary. (Revelation 13:10, 14:12)

 6^th July Isaiah 17,18

Cush is Ethiopia. In God’s good providence, Damascus was one of the first cities beyond the borders of Palestine that received the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When we read of judgment, we also need to remember God’s mercy and grace. The Gospel is for all nations and peoples – Syria’s original religion followed the LORD. They forgot God their Saviour! (17:10)

7^th July Isaiah 19, 20

The Day of the Lord is one of the great themes of the Bible. That Day will culminate with Christ’s return. In that Day, Egypt and Assyria will turn to their Saviour and Defender. The Middle East is destined to follow Christ! Today Assyrians are mostly Christian.

8th July Isaiah 21:1-22:14

These four prophecies or oracles testify that the Lord God is the One who decides the future of the nations. No nation by its great military or technological power, can withstand the effects within its own midst of its own sins.

9th July Isaiah 22:15-23:18

Tyre was one of the great economic powers of the world – 2,700 years ago. Economic might did not save them from the Iranians when ancient Media and Persia overthrew Babylon (Iraq). The Lord persevered with Tyre, though Tyre remained hardened.

10th July Isaiah 24

God’s judgment is not something wealth or position can save you from.  The Day of the Lord will be the finish of the Devil, sin and death, as well as human tyrants  – see verse 21.

11th July Isaiah 25

This chapter is rich in symbolism – the Lord’s Supper, death destroyed, the wiping away of tears and suffering. Many and great promises are yours!

12^th July Isaiah 26

This chapter contains that great hope of resurrection – verse 19. Hope in the Lord!

13^th July Isaiah 27

Revelation 19 takes up this picture of Jesus with sword in hand going to conquer Satan – that ancient serpent! We will be the fruitful vineyard, because of God’s gardening in our lives!

Friday 14^th July Isaiah 28

Politicians 2,700 years ago were just as corrupt as today. As we live in a corrupt world, we must look up to God and see that He is the one who is powerful and strong to do all He has promised. This chapter contains that well-known promise of the precious cornerstone that God will lay – Jesus!

15^th July Isaiah 29

Verse 13 challenges us today as strongly as it did in Isaiah’s day. Our hope is seen in verse 19-24.

16^th July Isaiah 30

Jesus spoke strong words like these in the Sermon on the Mount. We are to be doers of the words of Christ as well as hearers.

17^th July Isaiah 31, 32

The King of Righteousness is contrasted with those who look to world powers for salvation of society, and not to God, and with those who are complacent. What should I be?

18^th July Isaiah 33

In times of distress, look to God and ask Him to be gracious to you. May our eyes see the King of kings in His beauty and find comfort and strength.

19^th July Isaiah 34, 35

The Christian religion is for every nation. God calls all the nations to pay attention to Him. Christ is our peace. We neglect Him to the fraying of peace in our lives. Chapter 35 is the chapter Jesus looked to, to answer John the Baptist’s query: “Are you the ‘Christ’?”

20^th July Isaiah 36:1-37:7

Earthly tyrants have always thought they could and should destroy the Faith. Sennacherib threatens to devastate Zion. Isaiah strengthens Hezekiah with the promise that God will deal with Sennacherib. He did!

21^st July Isaiah 37:8-38

We have here King Hezekiah’s great prayer for God to deliver Israel from the Assyrians. Isaiah brings Hezekiah a heartening answer from God, and a deliverance without an army.

22^nd July Isaiah 38, 39

These are pivotal chapters in Israel’s history. Because God answers Hezekiah’s prayer with restoration of health, Babylonian envoys see Israel’s wealth and covet it. Babylon is Israel’s ally against Assyria, but becomes Israel’s destroyer.

23^rd July Isaiah 40

This word of comfort reminds us of two things – the Bible stands forever and will never disappear; our God is an awesome God. Do you see and feel that?

24^th July Isaiah 41:1-20

Verses 9 and 10 contain a most strengthening message for days of sorrow or hardship – “I have chosen you and not cast you off; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God!”

25^th July Isaiah 41:21-42:21

Our understanding of God is to be drawn from the Bible and not from our experience and thinking. Here is a warning about idolatry and also the great chapter 42 where Isaiah introduces the coming Messiah. There are wonderful promises here that must have blessed the heart of Jesus!

26^th July Isaiah 42:22-43:10

Songs have been made about chapter 43. The great cry is “Fear not” is repeated three times with three different reasons why. It is good to ponder on them.

27^th July Isaiah 43:11-44:5

This passage begins with a wonderful declaration by God: “I, I am the LORD and besides me there is no saviour!” May your heart be warmed and blessed as you ponder on them.

28^th July Isaiah 44:6-23

An idol is a skewed understanding of God. Often we replace what God has revealed in the Bible about Himself with what we think in the light of modern thought and experience. Idolatrous Israelites called their idols the LORD, just as believing Israelites did of the God of Abraham.

29^th July Isaiah 44:24-45:8

This prophecy about Cyrus was about 230 years before the actual Cyrus was born. Its existence is one of the reasons why Cyrus gave such aid and support to the Jews in his day – after the exile, when Daniel was a very old man.

30^th July Isaiah 45:9-25

The Apostle Paul uses verse 9 in his reasoning in Romans 9:19-21.Verse 22 is remarkable when you realise that this is talking of a day when Israel had been destroyed as a nation. The Church’s destruction or failure is no proof of atheism or an uncaring God. God calls us to faith and repentance in good days and evil.

31^st July Isaiah 46

Verse 4 is a comfort as you grow old. God still cares with the same passion and energy as He did when you were young. We suffer modern examples of Bel and Nebo here in Australia. Take heart, God is greater than the spiritual and secular forces arrayed against the Church.

1^st August Isaiah 47

Nations that turn to materialism, pride and selfishness cannot expect to enjoy God’s blessings. Such behaviour brings its own judgments. New Age practices and beliefs are empty wells!

2^nd August Isaiah 48

Verse 20 reminds us of Jesus’ words to believers in Matthew 24:15-22. The first century believers remembered those words and fled Jerusalem before the second Roman attack that destroyed the city completely.

3^rd August Isaiah 49

The coming of Jesus is not some new plan brought into operation because the old failed. The old, old story, Praise the Lord it’s true! – God intended His Servant Jesus to come as a covenant for the people and to save us. These passages introduce that wonderful theme of Isaiah – the Suffering Servant!

4^th August Isaiah 50:1-51:8

The use of divorce as an example shows us how God feels about our rejection and indifference to Him and our rebellion from Him. Chapter 51 has that wonderful cry for repentance and faith: “Look to the Rock from which you were cut!”

5^th August Isaiah 51:9-23

Verse 11 has often been turned into song. There are wonderful words of challenge here for who God really is. Verse 17 introduces us to the cup that Christ drank in your and my stead.

Sunday 6^th August Isaiah 52:1-12

What marvellous verses. Verses 7-10 recall us to a new insight as to how we regard our parents, ministers, leaders, and teachers.

7^th August Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Jesus did act wisely and does act wisely today. This chapter is often read at Easter. As you read it today, let these awesome words roll over you like a cleansing ocean of God’s love.

Tuesday 8^th August Isaiah 54

A barren woman was considered a tragedy back then. We too have many things we consider a tragedy – for ourselves and for our church. This great chapter places the challenge to trust our wonderful God in the face of our well-grounded fears for our society and church.

9^th August Isaiah 55:1-56:8

Think of Jesus’ words at the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem in John 7:37,38: “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”

10^th August Isaiah 56:9-57:21

This is a very sad passage. We are indifferent to the things that produce our peace, and feed those things that destroy our peace. The last verses 13b-21 bring us to God’s great promises. Make Him your refuge today.

11^th August Isaiah 58

Our religious deeds by themselves don’t mean much to God. This upset people then and it does us today. Verses 6,7 describe that God looks for a consistent faith over all parts of my life. It is good to meditate on such verses.

12^th August Isaiah 59

Cobweb religion seeks to hide from ourselves and others our own lawless ways and behaviour. I can’t help myself here. Our helplessness appalled God. This is why He sent Jesus from before the foundation of the world – God’s own arm worked our salvation.

13^th August Isaiah 60

This chapter is like a great shout “Hallelujah! Emmanuel has come to us!” The Light has dawned. As John wrote John 1:4,5 “In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood (overcome) it.”

14^th August Isaiah 61

This is what Jesus read from the Bible in the synagogue at Nazareth and said: “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:21 These are great words of what God is doing within history and of the end He is bringing.

15^th August Isaiah 62:1-63:14

Our hope is that God will not give up until He has done all He promised, until He has finished us. We might despair at our own ability to change. Look to God’s ability to change you, to transform you into the image of Jesus.

16^th August Isaiah 63:15-64:12

This reading recounts the spiritual history of Israel. It makes sorry reading, just like our own spiritual histories. The wonderful thing is that God did rend the heavens and come down! (64:1)

17^th August Isaiah 65

Judgment and salvation are corollaries. They always go hand in hand with each other. Awe and respect are equally necessary in my life as love and joy. Isaiah’s majestic words humble and thrill us.

18^th August Isaiah 66

This is the last great chapter of Isaiah. What sort of religion does God esteem? Religion where we are humble and contrite in spirit – where we are doers of what Jesus has said as well as hearers. Our behaviour is to mirror our profession of faith.

19^th August Micah 1, 2

This vision is for two churches, as it were – one that has remained largely faithful, and one that has departed from the Bible. God, through Micah speaks to both bluntly. The only hope for both is God’s decision to act – 2:12,13. We need humility in the way we deal with each other’s sins.

20^th August Micah 3:1-4:8

Leadership in the Church is a fearful thing. We often grasp it and desire it. God holds leaders very responsible. Pray for elders and ministers, and executive officers in church organizations.

21^st August Micah 4:9-5:15

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day quoted verse 5:2 in answer to Herod’s question as to where the Messiah would be born. The promise is given that Messiah’s greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth. Be assured!

22^nd August Micah 6

God addresses the whole church – in both ‘faithful’ and ‘unfaithful’ branches. Verse 6 is a call to accept God’s Messiah. This was Paul’s great hope for the Jews – that they would accept Jesus as the Messiah (Romans 11). Will our denomination heed the Rod that is Jesus? See Psalm 2.

23^rd August Micah 7

Our hope in what God will do with our church should be undaunted by our departure from Him. The day for building her walls shall come! (verse 11) Our lawless ways shall be hurled into the depths of the sea!

24^th August Nahum 1

Nineveh was the world power of the 8^th century BC. Assyria was a vicious and deadly world power. Such forces do not last! Fear God more than such powerful forces. He does last!

25th August Nahum 2, 3

Consider the description of Nineveh in 3:1 – the City of Blood! The ancient Assyrians practiced terror and torture as instruments of government over its subject peoples. Rather than objecting to God’s strong language, we should take heart that such barbaric doings get Him angry!

26^th August Habakkuk 1

Habakkuk teaches us that it is right and good to take our complaints straight to God. Have you ever felt as he did about God – that He won’t listen to your cries? Consider God’s answer to Habakkuk’s first complaint.

27^th August Habakkuk 2

Habakkuk’s second complaint asks why God allows evil, cruelty and economic oppression. God’s answer is: the righteous will live by faith! by what he knows of Me, of who I am and what I’m really like. When we become still and know that He is God, we find the hidden wells of strength, understanding and grace to go through such times.

28^th August Habakkuk 3

Here is Habakkuk’s response to God’s answers to his serious complaints. It is prayer. I find Habakkuk’s request: renew Your deeds in our day, and his ending: yet will I rejoice in the LORD, challenging, uplifting and heartening. Don’t you?

29^th August Zephaniah 1

Josiah was a godly king who turned to God with all his heart, soul and strength. Yet the kingdom hardly survived his death in battle. Zephaniah’s message is one of judgment on an obstinate and unrepentant Jerusalem and the people of Judah who opposed passively and actively their Messiah, Josiah.

30^th August Zephaniah 2

Zephaniah cries out: seek the LORD, seek righteousness, seek humility. The NKJV puts the translation: It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the LORD’s anger. Jew and Gentile, all are accountable to God for their actions, policies, plans.  Whatever other Australians do, let us seek the Lord!

31^st August Zephaniah 3

Jerusalem Above is the future God has for His people. Jerusalem Below (earthly, present Jerusalem) is the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled. It has no future with God.

1^st September Jeremiah 1

Jeremiah, like John the Baptist, is called from the womb. (Luke 1:13-17) However, Jeremiah is over 30 when he hears God’s call. Think about verses 17-19.

2^nd September Jeremiah 2

Israel was the first-fruits of God’s harvest of the world. They were like Adam and Eve again in the Garden. Am I appalled, as I should be, when Christians exchange our Glory for the worthless beliefs of today? (verses 11,12)

3^rd September Jeremiah 3:1-4:2

Jeremiah likens Israel, and therefore we Christians too, to a woman who leaves her husband and lives with many lovers as a prostitute. God’s question “would you now return to me?” is answered in verses 12-13. This great call to return is given to a city that did not listen. Lord, may our loved ones and country listen!

4^th September Jeremiah 4:3-31

Judgment will no longer be delayed. What Isaiah prophesied now will come to pass. Jeremiah has to live through this disaster that came from the north – Iraq! Judgment is terrible – that is not hidden from us who read today. Jesus came to save us from that far worse judgment – the eternal one.

5^th September Jeremiah 5

Paul quotes from this chapter (judgment is through a people whose language Israel did not understand). Paul uses it, and Isaiah 28:11,12 in 1 Corinthians 14 to say that tongues (languages) are a sign to unbelievers, because tongues are a sign of judgment, e.g., Babel and Iraq’s invasion under Nebuchadnezzar.

6^th September Jeremiah 6

Our great problem is that we cannot purge out wickedness from our midst. (v.27-30) It is in our own hearts and minds. We can restrain sin, but not remove it. Unless the Lord does that, there would be only judgment for you and me.

7^th September Jeremiah 7

What makes religion WORTHLESS? Jeremiah and other prophets dwell on this question at length. Worthless religion is when truth perishes, when we don’t practice what we preach, when there is no awe of God’s presence.  Remember how you felt as you entered the headmaster’s office in primary school!

8^th September Jeremiah 8

God questions why we don’t return to Him. Israel’s future is like dry bones dug up and scattered over a cemetery. Ezekiel felt the same thing. Jeremiah does the best thing – he turns in agonised prayer to his Comforter!

9^th September Jeremiah 9

Remember Jesus weeping over Jerusalem? Jeremiah does too, like his Master and yours. Such tears sow blessing in the midst of our great curse – our uncircumcised hearts.

10^th September Jeremiah 10

It is good to question our religious customs every so often. Jeremiah’s personal prayer (v.23-25) is a most excellent guide for your own prayer, as you consider your own spiritual walk.

11^th September Jeremiah 11

God is the author of our religion. It is not up to us to pick and choose our beliefs and practices. We are to be guided by God’s covenant with us and by His covenant promises. He has told us what is good!

12^th September Jeremiah 12

Jeremiah brings to God one of the BIG QUESTIONS! Why do the wicked prosper? Think about God’s answer to Jeremiah in the rest of the chapter.

13^th September Jeremiah 13

A linen belt was expensive, beautiful, and not for ordinary wear. This is the sort of thing you wore on your wedding day or some other equally important occasion. Verse 11 tells us what God made us to be. Think about what God’s expectations are of you!

14^th September Jeremiah 14

A chapter of drought, famine, the sword and worthless religion, does not make encouraging reading. Jeremiah’s plea in the closing verses (19-22) gives us guidance as to our prayers as we hope for peace.

15^th September Jeremiah 15

Israel needed someone far greater than Moses or Samuel to deliver them from God’s judgment. God Himself became that person! Take heart also from Jeremiah’s lament in verse 10 and the Lord’s promise to him in verses 11 and 19-21.

16^th September Jeremiah 16

God asked of Jeremiah a hard thing – not to marry and have children. This was so that Jeremiah would not suffer their deaths in the attack by Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah is given a hard message to give to God’s people in Jerusalem (verses 10-13), but a message of hope to the exiles who everyone in Jerusalem said God had cursed. How wrong they were!

17^th September Jeremiah 17

Verse 4 is one to ponder. We often blame God or someone else for loss in status, life, health, position. Verses 7-8 reiterate the message of Psalm 1. Write out verses 9 and 10 and place them on your fridge! The Glory of Worship and the Sabbath Day are other themes that challenge our attitudes.

18^th September Jeremiah 18

The Apostle Paul uses this chapter and similar passages in Isaiah (29:16, 41:25, 45:9, 64:8) in his argument in Romans 9:21. We don’t like the idea of being clay to God’s moulding. What is the message here for the Presbyterian Church, and for your congregation in particular?

19^th September Jeremiah 19,20

Broken pots – a fitting symbol for our lives. The Apostle Paul takes up this thought in a positive light in 2 Corinthians 4:7 “we have this treasure in jars of clay …”. Notice how depressed Jeremiah feels in chapter 20. When you feel likewise, what comfort and light can Paul’s words bring you?

20^th September Jeremiah 21,22

The king wanted God to do what He did at Exodus. The Word of the Lord (Jesus – John 1:1) tells the king in 22:2-5 that religion is not about God keeping you safe, but about Trust and Obey – there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus! The judgment of verses 28-30 did come upon Jeconiah. His heir was a very distant relative – Shealtiel Matthew 1:12.

21^st September Jeremiah 23

Religious and political leaders will and can never do what God alone can do. God promises to send a Righteous Descendant of David whose Name tells it all. While prophet and priest were equally at fault, great space is given to condemning the prophets. Why do you think this is so? Do these words apply to much popular prophecy today?

22^nd September Jeremiah 24,25

Popular feeing can be wrong! The popular feeing in Jeremiah’s day was that the exiles were people with no future and the people God left at Jerusalem were blessed. Jeremiah told them the opposite was true! No wonder he was unpopular. 25:12 gives the prophecy about the exile lasting 70 years.

23^rd September Jeremiah 26

Jeremiah finds some highly placed friends with great courage. These men are like Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. Thank the Lord for all your true friends – people who will stand up for you when everyone else is against you.

24^th September Jeremiah 27

Zedekiah is given a graphic message from the Lord that will preserve him and his family and kingdom – submit to the Iraqi king. All the prophets in the church at that time told a different story – resist and God will bless you with victory. Read the biblical test for prophets – Deuteronomy 13. History confirms Jeremiah!

24^th September Jeremiah 27

Zedekiah is given a graphic message from the Lord that will preserve him and his family and kingdom – “Submit to the Iraqi king”. All the prophets in the church at that time told a different story – resist and God will bless you with victory. Read the biblical test for prophets – Deuteronomy 13. History confirms Jeremiah!

25^th September Jeremiah 28

Hananiah the prophet is in God’s firing line. His name means God has been gracious! When people today tell us The Lord revealed to me this or that, we can tell the truth of the matter by judging via the Scriptures. Anything contrary to the plain teaching of the Bible is untrustworthy.

 26^th September Jeremiah 29

Letters are so important. They can encourage and greatly bless. Jeremiah writes to the exiles and assures them of God’s providential care and plan – verses 10-14. Jesus repeats verse 13 in His famous words on prayer – ask, seek, knock Matthew 7:7+.

27^th September Jeremiah 30

This remembered promise (v1-3) forms the background to the Book of Revelation. The storms of the Lord are not wilful, feral or sadistic. (verses 23,24) Verses 18-21 contain the purpose of His storms. Trust Him, for, in days to come, you will eventually understand.

28^th September Jeremiah 31

We hear in this chapter resurrection joy – the Israel of God will live again. Matthew quotes verse 15 in regard to the slaughter of the babies in Bethlehem by Herod. Our future hope in Christ does make a difference with life’s tragedies. Read out loud to yourself the wonderful promise of the new covenant in verses 31-34.

29^th September Jeremiah 32

Jeremiah, the prophet of approaching judgment, redeems a family field! There is a future for us! You don’t buy land if there is no future. The deeds are sent to the safekeeping of the exiles through faithful Baruch. Consider the Lord’s question in verse 27, and His further assurance of redemption in the midst of devastation. Here is LIGHT for every black time.

30^th September Jeremiah 33

Verses 22-26 are key verses. God’s promise to Abraham is repeated and is to be fulfilled through David’s line and the Levites. Read 1 Peter 2:9,10 to see how this applies to us through Christ. Use verses 3, 6-9 for meditation on God’s purposes for your church.

1^st October Jeremiah 34

BE FAITHFUL! This is what God requires of us. The third commandment – Take not the Name of God in vain! – is about keeping your word as a Christian. Every promise involves God’s Name, even if it is never actually mentioned. God held His people accountable for their pledged word.

2^nd October Jeremiah 35

The Recabites obeyed their ancestor Recab through many generations by remaining Bedouin and teetotal. The Recabites are examples for us in obedience to the Lord!

3^rd October Jeremiah 36

The disaster that was Nebuchadnezzar did not fall on the church (Israel) without warning. God warned them time and again. None of us will be able to accuse God: “You didn’t tell us!”

4^th October Jeremiah 37

We think we’re in bad times with poor church attendance, rising crime and violence etc. Jeremiah lived in equally depressing times – even more so. He ended up in prison because of his faith. The wonderful message for believers is that God isn’t hindered in any way when we Australians pay no attention either to Him or His Word.

5^th October Jeremiah 38

God grant every one of His servants an Ebed-Melech as a friend. Pray for those who preach and teach God’s Word.

6^th October Jeremiah 39

Jeremiah and Ebed-Melech are preserved during this holocaust. The people are cast out of the land, as Adam and Eve were from Eden. The Lord leaves Jeremiah amongst the survivors as His messenger.

7^th October Jeremiah 40

A most severe test comes upon the survivors within Israel. This is a time of turmoil, betrayal and fear. Johanan is correct regarding Ishmael’s plot. The test for Johanan is soon to come – will he believe God in the midst of the realisation of his fears.

8^th October Jeremiah 41

Ishmael murders Gedaliah and all the Babylonians with him. Johanan rescues everyone. They stop near Bethlehem on their flight to Egypt. Their fears outweigh their faith. What fears do you face, and what does your faith tell you?

9^th October Jeremiah 42, 43

Everyone, including Johanan, wants to feel good about fleeing to Egypt. They want Jeremiah to tell them this is God’s will. Everyone pledges to obey God’s word – and no one does, when it contradicts what he or she wants to do. Do you see yourself here?

10^th October Jeremiah 44

False hopes are powerful delusions. Jeremiah demolishes the survivors’ false hopes. What was so wrong with burning incense to the Queen of Heaven? Do you see any similarities with modern feminist spirituality?

11^th October Jeremiah 45, 46, 47

Three messages – and only one with comfort and hope. Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:2 regarding the poor in spirit reveal why it is Jeremiah’s friend Baruch the scribe who receives comfort in the midst of disaster. It is faith, and not worldly power, that counts with God.

12^th October Jeremiah 48

This chapter reveals the path that pride and arrogance lead us on, and the woe that they bring. The final verse brings just a ray of hope and light. God’s grace is the ray of light. Moab’s redemption is beyond Moab’s power to achieve – they are destroyed. It is not beyond God’s! Hallelujah!

13^th October Jeremiah 49

The worship of Molech was very evil, involving the sacrifice of your first-born. The country Ammon, though, receives a promise of God’s undeserved grace (verse 6). Edom (the people of Esau) however, receives no such promise. Meditate on this great mystery – of God’s undeserved grace. The last scions of Edomite blood were the Herods of the New Testament.

14^th October Jeremiah 50

In this series of messages to the nations, God uses Jeremiah to prepare the way for the exiles to return. Think about the effect of verse 8 over the next seventy years in the hearts and minds of believers back then. Jesus said similar words about Jerusalem.

15^th October Jeremiah 51:1-24

The Babylonians released Jeremiah because he told Israel to submit to Nebuchadnezzar. Everyone on both sides thought that Jeremiah was pro-Babylonian. They were wrong – he was God’s prophet. Meditate on verse 19.

16^th October Jeremiah 51:25-64

Verse 26 is a strong statement regarding the future – our hope will not be in any world power. The Babylons of this world will never be the foundation or cornerstone for the future. Christ is the cornerstone that counts! Again, verses 45-48 remind us of Jesus’ words re Jerusalem in Matthew 24.

17^th October Jeremiah 52

Jeremiah returns to the fall of Jerusalem for a reason. The Temple is dismantled and all its articles taken away. This is the real horror – the Glory of God had departed, and no one realised! Jehoiachin is a fruitless branch of David – he has no surviving sons. The heirship of David passed to a distant line coming from Solomon’s full brother Nathan (Luke 3:31). How thankful we should be that God sent Jesus! The Glory returned!

18^th October Lamentations 1

Before revival comes, we must see our wretchedness, our spiritual poverty, our nakedness. Meditate on verse 16. Think about the paradox of the crucifixion – the enemy prevailed and the enemy suffered complete defeat!

19^th October Lamentations 2

This is not a different God. We need to respect God and not treat Him with contempt as Israel did. Verses 6 and 7 contain threads that reach from Genesis to Revelation. The Tabernacle of Jesus’ body brings this entire lament to its deepest depths. Yet this dark valley is the way to joy, the joy of resurrection.

20^th October Lamentations 3

Have you ever felt like Jeremiah as he pours out his complaint with God in these first 20 verses? Then meditate on verses 22-27. Why is faithfulness so precious?

21^st October Lamentations 4,5

Treasure in earthen vessels! The old Testament source for Paul’s great thought (2 Cor 4:7) came from here and from Jeremiah 18,19. Clay pots are easily broken. This was reality for Jeremiah. How does the treasure help you face brokenness and continue to hope in and plead for God’s mercy?

22^nd October Ezekiel 1

Ezekiel stirs us with powerful word pictures. His vision of the Lord is one source of John’s vision of Christ in Revelation 1. Sense the Majesty and the Glory of God our Father.

23^rd October Ezekiel 2:1-3:15

In 1975, God used these verses to call me to the ministry of Word and sacrament – to my own people. Ezekiel was sent to his own people surviving in exile. Why would this be a hard ministry?

24^th October Ezekiel 3:16-4:17

Coming judgment brings a responsibility to those who know to warn others to turn to the Lord from our own bent ways. Ezekiel excites sympathy from the exiles for those remaining in Jerusalem. Jerusalemites looked down on the exiles as God’s rejects.

25^th October Ezekiel 5,6

Ezekiel had to do some strange things – he was a living visual aide for his prophetic message. God left no stone unturned in seeking to elicit repentance in His people.

26^th October Ezekiel 7

The end has come! Ezekiel and Jeremiah were unique – their words of doom did come to pass. Notice the closing sentences in chapters 6 & 7: Then they will know that I am the Lord! The exiles were enslaved but safe. When the doom fell, these exiles did remember and believe. From them came the people who inhabited Israel in Jesus’ day.

27^th October Ezekiel 8,9

The Apostle John reveals that this figure in verse 2 is Jesus. (Revelation 1:13-15) Notice John calls Jesus Son of Man, just as this figure calls Ezekiel. Jesus is truly and totally human. Idolatry brings a historic reward – see 2 Kings 10.

28^th October Ezekiel 10

In the Garden of Eden, man had to leave the presence of God. Here, the presence of God leaves man! This is a terrible chapter – like unto Jesus being abandoned on the cross – the penalty for our sin. One terrible thing was that the people living in Jerusalem didn’t realise what had happened. Indeed, they refused to listen to Jeremiah and Ezekiel.

29^th October Ezekiel 11

Ezekiel sees twenty-five deceiving prophets in a vision. End time theories and prophecies – do these confuse you? How do we know who is right? Reflect on verses 11,12,19,20. What place should the Ten Commandments have in our discernment of deceiving preachers and prophets?

30^th October Ezekiel 12

Once again Ezekiel is a living visual aide to the Exiled Jews in Iraq. The teachers of Jerusalem taught that the exiles were the cursed of God; that Jerusalem was the blessed; and that Ezekiel’s visions were false. It was like they said: It’s all religious claptrap! What was God saying?

31^st October Ezekiel 13

Ezekiel’s warning to deceived and deceiving prophets should make every Christian speaker, preacher, leader give pause to reflect on what they say is from the LORD! The Apostle John tells us (in Revelation 19:10) that the spirit of true prophecy is the testimony of Jesus – not the testimony of our future.

1^st November Ezekiel 14,15

An idol is our own idea of God! This is why meditative reading of the Bible is so important – we are challenged with who God really is. While the church needs people of Noah’s calibre, such people cannot save the Church! More than great leaders we need Jesus to pour out His Spirit upon us in revival!

2^nd November Ezekiel 16:1-34

This allegory is graphic and powerful. It lets you and me know how God feels about us living by our own light, having our own religion – He feels it as adultery. This is why the Presbyterian Church upholds the Regulative Principle – to put in worship only those things that God has commanded.

3^rd November Ezekiel 16:35-63

Imagine the effect of these words (16:35) on believers in Ezekiel’s day! Shock and horror! Is this how God thinks of you and me? Then comes that wonderful word of promise that has now been fulfilled with Jesus (16:60-63).

4^th November Ezekiel 17

This chapter is about Solomon’s line petering out. Solomon began the worship of idols amongst David’s descendants. God would take a twig of David (through Solomon’s full brother Nathan and so on to Jesus) and will put the government of the nations upon His shoulders. (This is what the picture of the tree is all about.)

5^th November Ezekiel 18,19

Children often suffer because of their parent’s behaviour and attitudes – neglect, caste, physical abuse, substance abuse, etc. With God it is different – we never suffer with Him because of our parents. Reflect on verses 18:23 and 18:32.

6^th November Ezekiel 20:1-44

Whose prayers does God hear? Here some elders of Israel are told God refuses to listen to your prayers. What angers God in our religion today? Notice the New Testament theme that God alone is the author of salvation; that man cannot save himself, because of our bent to sin.

7th November Ezekiel 20:45-21:32

Jerusalem Below is to be destroyed – and it was. Solomon’s heir Zedekiah (verses 25-27) is to lose the kingship. The kingship is to depart until he comes to whom it rightfully belongs 21:27. At Jesus’ baptism, John the Baptist anoints Jesus King and Priest! (Baptism is by pouring or sprinkling on the head – anointing!)

8th November Ezekiel 22

When religion goes wrong, it goes very wrong. Murder, idolatry, injustice, oppression, turmoil, rape, immorality, and commercial and bureaucratic thuggery, amongst others things, all flow from hearts that have forgotten the Lord, with terrible social consequences. Verses 30,31 tell us why God sent His Son!

9th November Ezekiel 23

This is not a nice chapter. It deals with a very real side to the Church and to our own Australian society – that darker side of religious syncretism and idolatry. It will be better for our country, our loved ones, our friends and acquaintances, to know that God is the Sovereign Lord now and not wait to find out on that Day!

10^th November Ezekiel 24,25

In the midst of doing God’s will in ministry, Ezekiel’s wife suddenly dies. Ezekiel has the Spirit of Christ and gives His reply: Your will be done! May God use our deaths as well as our lives for the supreme good of those we love!

11^th November Ezekiel 26

This oracle is one of a series.  Tyre was the commercial capital of the ancient world. Commercial interests often see faith in Christ as the enemy of profits – for this reason British commercial interests like the East India Company vehemently opposed Christian missions to India for centuries. They were blind to the things that belonged to their peace!

12^th November Ezekiel 27

God has already told Ezekiel that He doesn’t take delight in the death of the wicked, but in their repentance. (18:23) Ezekiel brings God’s lament at the shattering of Tyre. The real problem is our hardness, not God’s.

 13^th November Ezekiel 28

The beliefs of the King of Tyre are akin to Satan’s. Indeed, Ezekiel is talking more to Satan than to the King in verses 11-19. Satan, the deceiver then, is the deceiver of world leaders and powers still. He is Christ’s vanquished foe!

14^th November Ezekiel 29:1-30:19

The importance of the 40 years (29:13) is that God promises to treat Egypt as He treated Israel. The period of their judgment is finite. God will use it to destroy their pride. It is no co-incidence that the Church in Egypt is a lowly church in terms of the world’s power and influence – a clay pot that holds the Treasure.

15^th November Ezekiel 30:20-31:18

In these oracles, government and king are likened to the Tree of Life in Eden – an ancient metaphor, like our metaphor of government providing an umbrella of security for society. Such security lasts a very short time. Eternal security comes through Jesus’ death on the Tree, thus opening the way for us to the real Tree of Life again.

16^th November Ezekiel 32

Notice that Ezekiel as Son of Man speaks the Word of God! Jesus takes this title as special to Himself! World history is not driven by blind forces, but by the will and decree of God. He will overcome the darkness in the nations – here Egypt, Assyria, Elam, Edom and Sidon.

17^th November Ezekiel 33

A watchman for God’s house! Ezekiel’s job as God’s prophet was to sound the warning. What people did with that warning was not his weight. Notice in 33:31 God requires the practice of what we hear – as Jesus re-iterates in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:24-27).

18^th November Ezekiel 34

Hireling shepherds were the king and the ruling class of Israel. The church’s future did not depend on her leadership, but on the Good Shepherd God promised to provide! Christmas is the result! The Good Shepherd Is Jesus. Christmas brings great joy!

19^th November Ezekiel 35:1-36:15

Harbouring ancient hostilities and resentments brings God’s condemnation and judgment, not His understanding and approbation. God kept His promise here to Israel. Many exiles returned from Iraq and rebuilt their towns. He is the same today!

20^th November Ezekiel 36:16-38

Our salvation is how God shows the holiness of His great Name! Verses 24-27 are ones read at baptism services, because they contain the promise that Christ fulfilled. He has sprinkled us clean!

21^st November Ezekiel 37

When we believe that the church has no future, God delights to show us that He has remembered His covenant, even if we think it is impossible for Him. He is the God of RESURRECTION! Also see the twin things that must happen – cleansing from sin and death, and the breath of new life – atonement and the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist said the same thing regarding Jesus in Matthew 3:11.

22^nd November Ezekiel 38

Gog and Magog are those who conquer through terror and war. Notice in verse 22, the plagues of Egypt. The ruthless don’t get the final victory. They too will tremble at His presence.

23^rd November Ezekiel 39

Read through Revelation 19:11-21 and 20:7-10. While some see these nations as specific end-time nations, I believe that they apply to all such nations, for the promise in v.25-29 was fulfilled at Pentecost.

24^th November Ezekiel 40

It is soon obvious that Ezekiel is talking about the Temple in Jerusalem Above and not in Jerusalem Below in Israel. The book of Hebrews intimates that this heavenly Temple is the true one, and the Jew’s temple a copy. The Gospels proclaim that Jesus is this true Temple! Paul reminds that we together are the Temple of the Holy Spirit. 1Corinthians3:16. (The you is plural.)

25^th November Ezekiel 41

Details, details! They all give us the knowledge that God is taking particular care in building this heavenly Temple – so as Peter writes: We are living stones being built into a spiritual house – the body of Christ the true Temple.

26^th November Ezekiel 42

Rooms for priests. Believers are now all priests – Rev. 5:10. Jesus’ words in John 14 have especial poignancy – In my Father’s house are many mansions or rooms!

27^th November Ezekiel 43

The Glory returns! We know the joy that the Apostles felt when Jesus rose again! Jesus’ atonement is one cornerstone of the true Temple. Read Hebrews 7:27,28.

28th November Ezekiel 44

This portico is the very one that Jesus entered in Jerusalem Below, riding on the donkey’s colt. It is presently walled up. Dwell on verse 2 and what it says! We do right to trust in the Lord!

29th November Ezekiel 45

Fairness and justice, honesty and trustworthiness are the backdrop of heaven. Consider what the prince offered when He came. The Book of Hebrews gives us good guidance of how to understand the fulfilment of this vision. Read through Hebrews 7 & 8.

30^th November Ezekiel 46

There are many echoes of Ezekiel in Revelation eg Revelation 10:9-11 = Ezekiel 3:1-6. The prince brings our captivity captive (by offering Himself on the cross as the Lamb) and gives gifts unto men – Ephesians 4:8.

1^st December Ezekiel 47

The river is associated with Eden, the place where God walks and talks with man. Ezekiel’s Jerusalem Above is Eden Regained. The Scripture trail is Genesis 2:10 and Zechariah 14:8 and Revelation 22:1,2. God alone can regain Eden for man!

2^nd December Ezekiel 48

Ezekiel ends his prophecies with a section that recalls the division of the land of Palestine under Joshua. God will give His people an eternal inheritance, a real inheritance, a place on the new earth. The LORD is there! Hallelujah!

3^rd December Daniel 1

The book of Daniel occupies a similar position in the Old Testament as Revelation does in the New Testament. Daniel is a revelation, rather than strictly prophecy. In the Hebrew division of the Old Testament, Daniel is never grouped with the prophetic writers, but with the other writings, of which the Psalms was premier. A brief sketch of Daniel’s personal history is given in this chapter. These four young men are faithful to God and He is to them. What an encouragement!

4^th December Daniel 2:1-23

Nebuchadnezzar was a sceptic. He appears sick of self-serving sycophants. Daniel urges his friends to prayer rather than despair. What is Daniel’s response to God’s revelation in 2:19?

5^th December Daniel 2:24-49

This is a unique situation. God uses Daniel to show Nebuchadnezzar that He really is. His confession in verse 47 is not commitment, but it is the beginning of the way to God. Commentaries will tell you who the kingdoms are in the vision.

6^th December Daniel 3

This well known history recounts Nebuchadnezzar’s next step – his pride and its humiliation. He glimpses the Son of God and honours and protects those who believe in the Living God.

7^th December Daniel 4

The Tree Dream arises from the start of man’s sin – to be as God. It is a common dream of reformers, tyrants and other political leaders. The dream today is recast as the civil government being the social umbrella – providing cradle to grave protection to all its citizens. What did God reveal to Nebuchadnezzar? Verses 34,35.

8^th December Daniel 5

Belshazzar treats the LORD with contempt as the idol of a conquered nation, though he knows his grandfather’s history and his declaration. He and his guests eat from the Jerusalem Temple’s plates and dishes. Daniel is the only one who can interpret God’s revelation. What was Belshazzar’s sin? (v.22,23)

9^th December Daniel 6

This is more than just a good story. God is revealed to Darius in such a way that he fears and reveres Him. What special knowledge about God can you glean?

10^th December Daniel 7

This is the second section of Daniel, dealing with his visions and dreams. Notice a similar vision of God as Ezekiel. Notice too that the Apostle John uses verses 9, 10 in Revelation 4. You will see other verses as well. Whose kingdom will last?

11^th December Daniel 8

Daniel is shown the place that Iran and Greece/Macedonia will have in Israel’s history. Iraq is still the world power. Within Daniel’s lifetime, Iran had conquered Iraq. 200 years later, Macedonia conquered Iran. Because of God’s revelation, God’s people were well placed to survive these catastrophic times.

12^th December Daniel 9

This is one of the great prayers of the Bible. It involves praise, acknowledgment of God’s righteousness and mercy, confession and petition. God answers Daniel’s prayer immediately. The term Anointed One (v. 25) is literally Messiah or Christ.

13^th December Daniel 10

The Messiah of 9:25 is revealed to Daniel in all His glory – the One who looked like a man, and who became man. The Apostle John uses this picture in Revelation 1 – Jesus is revealed as God’s Christ. What does the Lord’s touch do for Daniel? Verse 19.

14^th December Daniel 11:1-20

It is revealed to Daniel that the triumphs and defeats of the great powers of the nations are all inside God’s will, even when they exercise their destructive power over Jerusalem Below. The infighting of Alexander the Great’s generals after his death are encompassed in this vision.

15^th December Daniel 11:21-45

The Maccabean Jews saw their revolt against the oppression of Antiochus IV as fulfilment of these words, especially v. 32. The power of the great Hellenistic kingdoms was overcome by Rome.

16^th December Daniel 12

In 70AD, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and millions of Jews in a great war begun by the rebellion of the Jews. The Jewish Christians survived by leaving Jerusalem between the first and second Roman attack, heeding this and Jesus’ similar warning in Matthew 24.

17^th December Haggai 1

This is the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. Iran rules from Turkey to Egypt to India. The concern of Haggai is for more than bricks and mortar. However, the physical condition of a church building is a good indicator of the congregation’s spiritual condition.

18^th December Haggai 2

Both David’s heir and the High Priest are addressed. It is their responsibility to build the Temple. What was preventing them? What prevents us from building that spiritual house of the Lord? 1 Peter 2:5 We are both kings and priests to God! Revelation 1:6

19^th December Zechariah 1

This book appears to be on Jesus’ mind as He approached His death. He quotes from it several times. Myrtle is a symbol of the church and a picture of joy and peace. It was used to make the booths at the Feast of Tabernacles (the feast at the end of the harvest). The church (Israel) is in a ravine (a dark place), yet the Lord is in the midst.

20^th December Zechariah 2,3

The surveyor vision is a prophecy of hope – it reveals God’s sure plans for Zion. John, in Revelation 11, uses the same picture. Why is it necessary to have a clean, a cleansed, High Priest? Think about this in relation to Jesus and His ministry.

21^st December Zechariah 4

You will find this vision in Revelation 11 as well. It is a vision of the heavenly Tabernacle. The King and Priest (those anointed) bring the outpouring of the Holy Spirit through their work. Does this tell us anything about Jesus and His work?

22^nd Zechariah 5,6

These visions are repeated in Revelation – with differences. The scroll and its seven seals and the Lamb, the Angel and the Little Scroll, the Woman on the Beast, the Four Horsemen, and Crown Him With Many Crowns!

23^rd Zechariah 7

This chapter searches out our worship practices – fervency, orthodoxy and excellence are all no substitute for hearts, hands and tongues that bow to the Father’s way and will. Think about v.9, 10. Are our deeds this week bitter or sweet?

24^th Zechariah 8

Salvation and lifestyle are indivisible from each other. Repentance involves more than the emotion of sorrow. Think through some practical applications from your daily life of vs.16,17. Verse 20 reminds you of Jesus’ great commission.

25^th Zechariah 9,10

God’s Never Again (v.8), is brought about by the King entering Jerusalem riding on the colt of a donkey. Zechariah has much to say about the Passion Week — viz. the blood of My covenant with you.

26^th Zechariah 11

Verses 3,4 explain Christ’s coming, His ministry, His passion. God would provide the Good Shepherd Himself. All leaders need to take the admonition about worthless shepherds seriously.

27^th Zechariah 12:1-13:6

God’s promised deliverance of Israel comes about through faith in the One they have pierced. This is true for Jew and Gentile. On the Day of the Lord Jesus, God opened up a fountain for cleansing. This age is His Day!

28^th Zechariah 13:7-14:21

Hear these words on Jesus’ lips as He came to the Last Supper. Mark 14:27 In chapter 14, deliverance is in the split ROCK! From Him flows the living water. Zechariah finishes with the Feast of Tabernacles – the Marriage Feast of the Lamb. The harvest will be completed.

29^th Malachi 1:1-2:9

What offerings should we bring Him in worship? Be generous towards God with our heart, time, talents, possessions. These are searching chapters regarding hypocrisy between profession of honouring/respecting God and my actual practice.

30^th Malachi 2:10-3

2:13-16 are words on adultery that search out our hearts. They were necessary then and are still so today. 3:1 is the prophecy of John the Baptist. The essence of true religion is not feeling good, but in wanting to please God.

31^st Malachi 3.8-4:6

Robbing God! These words startle now as then. How do I rob God? This is a good question to ask yourself. 4:5,6 closes the Old Testament with the coming of John the Baptist prophesied. John the Baptist opens the New with his testimony of Jesus.