Old Testament reading: Deuteronomy 14-15
The Bible was not divided into chapters until 1227. Some chapter divisions are obviously bad, others questionable. Deuteronomy 14 begins with two verses that may well belong in the previous chapter. I tend toward the view that the warning against improper mourning should be included with the previous text on the extermination of apostates. The text immediately following makes reference to clean and unclean meat and does not seem to reflect the tenor of the previous admonition. Thinking of these opening verses, I am reminded of the deaths of Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10:1-3. These two sons of Aaron were struck dead for disobeying God. Aaron and his remaining sons were commanded not to mourn the deaths of the disobedient, but rather mourn the lack of obedience that brought the wrath of God among the people (v 6). This illustrates the extreme reverence in which God and His holiness must be held. I love the opening of chapter 15 regarding the release of debt in the 7th year and the associated promises, particularly verse 6, “For the Lord your God will bless you just as He promised you.” Chapter 15 also reminds us of our financial obligations to God as well as the poor. I find verse 11 intriguing. In spite of the incredible blessings of God, it is said, “the poor will never cease from the land.” Thus, they were to be generous to their brother, their poor and their needy. Jesus also said, “the poor are always with you” (Matt 26:11).
New Testament reading: 2 Corinthians 6-10
Chapter 6 begins with two verses that cannot be reconciled with Calvinism and its error concerning God’s grace. Calvinism teaches that God’s grace is irresistible, yet one could never draw that conclusion by reading 2 Corinthians 6:1. Moreover, verse 2 is descriptive of the Christian Age, or dispensation of the gospel. We live in the age of salvation, and the grace of this salvation is available to all men. This grace may be rejected or received according to the exercise of free will. The end of verse 2, which is not a part of the quote of Isaiah 49:8, is an explanation to the Corinthians that they were living in the day prophesied by Isaiah. It was the day wherein the grace of God was revealed in its fullness, bringing to all men the opportunity to be saved.
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