December 19, 2015. Daily Reading: III John. Background: This is the third epistle that we have that was written by the apostle John (see the intro to I John). Unlike the other two epistles, this one is addressed to a single person, Gaius, whom the apostle “love[s] in truth,” encouraging him to support the brethren…
Category: Christianity
Zechariah 1-14: Addressing the people of God.
December 11, 2015. Daily Reading: Zechariah 1-7. Background: Zechariah is one of the final Hebrew prophets and is a contemporary of Haggai (see Ezra 5:1) encouraging the returning exiles to continue rebuilding the house of the Lord. Though not much is known about the personal life of Zechariah, he does date his writings more specifically than…
Psalm 135-138: The steadfast love of the Lord.
December 16, 2015. Daily Reading: Psalm 135-138. Background: Psalm 132-134. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 135 Praising the Lord: This is a psalm about praising the Lord, calling all His servants into His praise. The psalmist calls for praise to the Lord because He is good and His name is pleasant. The Lord had chosen the…
Ezra 5-10: Finishing the temple and seeking the Lord.
December 15, 2015. Daily Reading: Ezra 5-10. Background: Ezra 1-4. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 5 The rebuilding begins again: After a long period of cessation due to persecution, Haggai and Zechariah, prophets of the Lord, stirred up the Jews who had returned to Judah and Jerusalem to begin again rebuilding the temple. The two strong leaders,…
Song of Songs 1-3: The courtship.
December 10, 2015. Daily Reading: Song of Songs 1-3. Background: Traditionally attributed to Solomon, the Song of Songs is very unique amongst the Hebrew scriptures as it is, in its base form, a celebration of romantic love between a husband and wife as we travel through their courtship and subsequent marriage. The courtship is described in…
Ezra 1-4: The beginning of rebuilding the temple.
December 8, 2015. Daily Reading: Ezra 1-4. Background: The book of Ezra was originally combined with the book of Nehemiah until it was divided into two books by Christians around the third century. The story records the story of the exile’s return from Babylonian captivity to rebuild the temple, as per Cyrus’ decree that is…
I John 1-5: Walking in the Light.
December 6, 2015. Daily Reading: I John 1-5. Background: The first of three letters that have been persevered, I John is attributed to the Apostle John, author of the gospel that bears his name. The letter is written to what would seem to be believers that the aged apostle held in his care, who he…
Acts 13-14: The first missionary journey.
December 5, 2015. Daily reading: Acts 13-14. Background: Acts 10-12. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 13 The first missionary Journey, Paul and Barnabas: As Paul and Barnabas were staying in Antioch doing much teaching, the Holy Spirit called them out specifically to a work that He had appointed them to do. Notice that even after they were…
Ecclesiastes 11-12: The meaning of life.
December 3, 2015. Daily Reading: Ecclesiastes 11-12. Background: Ecclesiastes 9-10. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 11 The preacher’s wisdom: As the book comes to a close, the preacher gives some practice wisdom for this life. Different interpretations of these proverb-like sayings have been given and thus what is commented here should not be taken as fact…
Psalm 129-131: Looking to the Lord.
December 2, 2015. Daily Reading: Psalm 129-131. Background: Psalm 126-128. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 129 Enduring affliction: Another psalm in the series of the songs of ascents (see psalm 120), this psalm recounts affliction that the people of Israel had endured from the people who oppressed them even from the beginning. As Israel was becoming a nation…
II Chronicles 33-36: The decline of Judah.
December 1, 2015. Daily Reading: II Chronicles 33-36. Background: II Chronicles 29-32. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 33 Manasseh and Amon: The beginning and ending of this chapter is very similar to II Kings 21:1-9 and II Kings 21:19-24, respectively. The difference we find in Chronicles about Manasseh’s reign is a record of his prayer and…
Deuteronomy 10-12: Seeking the Lord whole heartedly.
November 30, 2015. Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 10-12. Background: Deuteronomy 7-9. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 10 Circumcision of the heart: As Moses continues his discourse from the previous chapter to the children of Israel, he reminds them of how he was told to make two new tablets of stone and an ark, that the Lord might write…
Twenty Eight Eighteen 