Proverbs 11-12: The righteous and the unrighteous.

July 9, 2015. Daily Reading: Proverbs 11-12. Background: Proverbs 10. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 11 Proverbs of the righteous and unrighteous: As we move into the bulk of the proverbs of Solomon, it will become difficult to see an overview of a full chapter as each couplet can be autonomous, though many of them are…

Freedom… to become slaves.

July 4, 2015. “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1) Independence day is one of my favorite holidays of the year. It is a great time to be with family, without the stress that usually comes with the holiday season, eat together and celebrate the…

Proverbs 10: Character comparisons.

July 2, 2015. Daily Reading: Proverbs 10. Background: Proverbs 8-9. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 10 Wisdom versus folly: Chapter 10 begins a collection of various proverbs that are typically short in nature (2-6 lines) but great in implication and teaching. This chapter seems to focus on three groups, each the antagonist of the other, showing the…

Psalm 72-74: Speaking to the Lord.

June 24, 2015. Daily Reading: Psalm 72-74. Background: Psalm 69-71. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 72 Justice for the king: This psalm which is attributed to Solomon (the final verse of this chapter is likely in reference to the ending of the second book of the psalms, which houses many of David’s psalms) is one that…

I Samuel 21-25: Saul pursues David.

April 14, 2015. Daily Reading: I Samuel 21-25. Background: I Samuel 16-20. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 21 1. Learning from examples: As David begins his run from Saul, he comes in haste to Nob meet Ahimelech the priest, looking for something to eat for him and his men. The problem is, however, that the only bread that…

Psalm 36-38: Appeals to God.

April 1, 2015. Daily Reading: Psalm 36-38. Background: Psalm 33-35. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 36 Contrast between the wicked and righteousness: In this psalm, David gives a contrast between the wicked and the Lord’s righteousness, with an ending plea for the Lord to remember him as righteous. The psalm opens with a picture of the…

Job 23-24: Where is God?

March 26, 2015. Daily Reading: Job 23-24. Background: Job 22. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 23 Where is God? It seems as time progresses, Job is growing bolder in his questioning and more and more frustrated at the vain talk of his friends, who have proven to be ‘miserable comforters’ (see Job 16:2). Now he turns his…

Mark 1-2: The early ministry of Jesus.

March 20, 2015. Just as a heads up, I have switched the order of reading for today and tomorrow. Today we will look at Mark 1-2, and tomorrow we will look at Isaiah 56-61. _________________________________________________________ Daily Reading: Mark 1-2. Background: Mark is the beginning of the testament of Christ, a recording of His ministry. Many…

Psalm 24-26: Glory and instruction.

March 4, 2015. Daily Reading: Psalm 24-26. Background: Psalm 21-23. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 24 The King of Glory: The 24th psalm has mainly one subject: the King of Glory. This phrase is repeated five times in the final stanza, as repetition is a common technique in Hebrew poetry, must like rhyme is a common…

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…

Matthew 5-7: The sermon on the mount.

January 24, 2015. Daily Reading: Matthew 5-7. Background: Matthew 3-4. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 5 1. The Beatitudes: The beatitudes are some of the most well known words of Jesus amongst Christians. They are the first words recorded at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and have had a lasting effect throughout the generations. One way…

Isaiah 6-11: Behold, Immanuel.

January 16, 2014. Today’s Reading: Isaiah 6-11. Background: Isaiah 1-5. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 6 1. The fear of the Lord and His righteousness: The sixth chapter of Isaiah opens with an impressive scene, much like the one that is described in Revelation 4, in both instances where seraphim are praising the Almighty saying things…