Romans 15-16: Summery and closing remarks.

February 15, 2015. Daily Reading: Romans 15-16. Background: Romans 12-14. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 15 1. Former instruction and how we should treat others: Continuing on the theme from the last chapter, Paul makes some clear statements that are very hard to put into practice for they seem to go against human nature. We are often selfish…

Matthew 14-16: Jesus’ ministry.

February 14, 2015. Daily Reading: Matthew 14-16. Background: Matthew 11-13. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 14 1. Belief without faith: At the beginning of this chapter we gain an interesting perspective into the mind of Herod the tetrarch and can glean an important lesson about a characteristic of man that we might sometimes overlook in our own lives….

Isaiah 29-33: Downfall, complacency and hope.

February 13, 2015. Daily Reading: Isaiah 29-33. Background: Isaiah 23-28. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 29 1. A spirit of deep sleep from the Lord: As with times before, this is yet another prophecy against Jerusalem for their disobedience and apostasy, foretelling of the calamity that was in store for them if they would not repent and…

Job 11: Kick ’em when he’s down.

February 12, 2015. Daily Reading: Job 11. Background: Job 9-10. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 11 1. When comfort turns into accusation: After Job has given two rebuttals to his friends ever pressing judgment on him, Zophar the Naamathite decides it is his turn to try to talk some sense into Job. However, probably due to his frustration…

Psalm 15-17: The life of the righteous person.

February 11, 2015. Daily Reading: Psalm 15-17. Background: Psalm 12-14. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 15 The life of the righteous person: The question that is asked at the beginning of this psalm is an important one, as it sets up the meaning of the entire psalm. Who shall sojourn in the Lord’s tent, and who…

Genesis 20-23: Abraham’s example.

February 9, 2015. Daily Reading: Genesis 20-23. Background: Genesis 15-19. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 20 1. A sin in ignorance is still a sin: As Abraham traveled in the land of Canaan, an interesting story is recorded about his interaction with Abimelech king of Gerar. Out of fear, Abraham does the same thing that he did in…

Matthew 11-13: Speaking in parables.

February 7, 2015. Daily Reading: Matthew 11-13. Background: Matthew 8-10. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 11 1. John the baptizer and the Messiah: John had come as the one who would prepare the way for the Messiah, a voice crying in the wilderness. As Jesus’ and John’s ministries begin to overlap, John sends messengers to Jesus to…

Isaiah 23-28: The glory of the Lord.

February 6, 2015. Daily Reading: Isaiah 23-28. Background: Isaiah 18-22. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 23 Destruction of the proud: The city of Tyre has a somewhat interesting history in relation to the children of Israel. The first time the city is mentioned in the bible (besides as a reference point when Joshua was portioning out the…

Job 9-10: The difference between God and man.

February 5, 2015. Daily Reading: Job 9-10. Background: Job 8. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 9 The difference between God and man: This chapter and the next are closely related (besides the fact that they are one speech made by Job) in that they show an evolution in Job’s response to Bildad, and ultimate his response…

Psalm 12-14: Strong words.

February 4, 2015. Daily Reading: Psalm 12-14. Background: Psalm 9-11. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 12 A smooth tongue: It is very true that a smooth tongue can get a person into a lot of trouble. James calls the tongue a fire, a world of unrighteousness that no man can tame (see James 3:2-12). In this…

Joshua 21-24: Wrapping up.

February 3, 2015. Daily Reading: Joshua 21-24. Background: Joshua 16-20. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 21 1. Referring to the word of God: Though the portions of the land of Canaan had been allotted out to the different tribes of Judah, completing the promise that God made to Abraham in Genesis 12 about giving the land…

Genesis 15-19: Impatience, stubbornness and unrighteousness.

February 2, 2015. Daily Reading: Genesis 15-19. Background: Genesis 9-14. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 15 Re-telling the promise, established via covenant: At the beginning of this chapter, Abram has just returned form rescuing Lot from Chedorlaomer king of Elam and the kings that accompanied him in battle against Sodom and Gomorrah. After returning successfully, the word of…