Old Testament reading: Hosea 1-3

Hosea begins a section of the Old Testament known as the Minor Prophets and takes us back more than 200 years from where we just left off in Daniel. (This figure is determined from the reigns of the kings listed in Hosea 1:1 compared to the restoration of Israel in 536 B.C.)  As He would do with Ezekiel (cf 24:15-27), God made Hosea a painful object lesson, as He commanded him to take a harlot for a wife (1:2). After two children are born to Hosea and Gomer, we see God instruct Hosea to name the third child Lo-Ammi, meaning “Not My People.” Through this Hosea learned the child was not his, but rather that his wife had been unfaithful to him as Israel was unfaithful to her husband, the Lord. Finally, we see that Hosea’s wife had left him and returned to her harlotry. In spite of this, God instructs Hosea to go and buy her back. Herein is God’s love for Israel pictured as well as His love toward all men. All have sinned and turned their back on God (Rom 3:23), but God, in His great love for us, sent His Son to redeem us and buy us back to Himself (Isaiah 53:6; Gal 1:3-5).

New Testament reading 2 Corinthians 6-10

“They shall not appear before the Lord empty handed; every man shall give as he is able” (Deut 16:16). Paul makes a similar statement in 2 Corinthians 8:12, wherein he says our giving “is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.” I must remember that my giving is just that, my giving. It is not measured against the givning of another. Though she only contributed two small coins, the widow of Mark 12:41-44 was said to have “put in more than all those who have given to the treasury.” Our giving is not reckoned by God according to its amount, but according to the level of sacrifice. Paul challenged the church at Corinth to prove their sincerity based on the diligence in giving by the Macedonians (8:8). Moreover, giving in the early local churches was done publicly, as is evidenced by the giving of Barnabas in Acts 4:32-36 and Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. Covetousness is a sin that will cause a man to miss heaven (1 Cor 5:10; Col 3:5). Think about it – How can the elders of the local church warn a man against covetousness unless they have some idea what he is giving?

Old Testament reading: Daniel 11-12

If your Bible is like mine, it has topical headings above the various chapters and/or paragraphs. My Bible publisher (Nelson publishes the NKJV) provides the following header at the beginning of chapter 12: “Prophecy of the End Time.” This is likely the most popular view of this chapter, but it is wrong! Without regard to determining the meaning of the 1290 days of verse 11 or the 1335 days of verse 12, verse 11’s “abomination of desolation” is the key. In Matthew 24:15, Jesus told those who were standing there that they would be witness to “the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet.” Thus, this event must have been fulfilled in the first century, not the end of the world as so many have been led to believe. Knowing this, we also understand that “the end” of Daniel 12:8-9 refers to the end of the physical nation of Israel, and not the end of the world. This coincides with “the end” that Jesus foretold in Matthew 24:14. Finally, Jesus said that all “these things” of Matthew 24:4-33 would take place during the days of that specific generation (Matt 24:34).

New Testament reading: 2 Corinthians 1-5

“Though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day” (2 Cor 4:16). As one who has entered middle age, I have grown to appreciate this text. Though I do my best to follow a healthy lifestyle and exercise, it is evident that my body cannot do what it once did, neither does it recover as quickly (or completely) as in my younger years. On the other hand, without any intent to boast, I believe my inward, spiritual man is as strong as ever. Not only so, I believe this is exactly what God expects! Additionally, I know that even though my physical body will continue to deteriorate, my spiritual man can continue to grow, mature, and strengthen for many years to come. So true is Paul’s statement to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:8, “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”

Old Testament reading: Daniel 9-10

While much of the Christian world focuses on the 70 weeks of Daniel 9, I think there is a greater, more practical lesson to be learned from the early section of this chapter. First, Daniel was reading the writings of Jeremiah. Jeremiah had never been to Babylon, but had sent his writings to Babylon in the hand of Seraiah the quartermaster (Jer 51:59-64). These words were kept safe and were considered worthy of Daniel’s attention. Second, Daniel did not take God’s promise of restoration for granted. He did not say, “Well God, the seventy years are completed. When are we going home?” Instead, Daniel fasted, clothed himself in sackcloth and ashes, and made confession for the sins of the people. He did not exclude himself from this confession. Note the use of “we,” “our” and “us” throughout his prayer. Daniel declared God’s righteousness in the actions of His wrath and pleaded with God, crying, “O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act!” Then, as Daniel prayed, God acted (vv 20-21). In like fashion, God has given us many exceeding great and precious promises (2 Pet 1:4). Like Daniel, let us pray and act accordingly, recognizing God’s great love and mercy that has been extended to us in these. Let us confess our sins and pray for the fulfillment of God’s promises in our own lives.

New Testament reading: 1 Corinthians 15-16

“On the first day of the week, let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there will be no collections when I come” (1 Cor 16:2). Note not only the absence of any command to tithe, but also that our giving is to be done in accordance with our prosperity. One note on the language here in verse 2 – Where the King James begins with “Upon” and the New King James with “On,” the word so translated may also be translated “Every.” The New American Standard and the English Standard Bibles both give the rendering, “On the first day of every week.” This gathering or laying by in store would have been done when the church was brought together each Sunday when they also gathered for the purpose of observing the Lord’s Supper (cf 1 Cor 11:18-33, Acts 20:7).

Old Testament reading: Daniel 7-8

As seen from the first verse of Daniel 7, this vision was seen in the first year of Belshazzar’s reign. Since Belshazzar was killed in chapter 5, this is our first indication that Daniel is not written in chronological order. This vision contains one of my all time favorite texts, namely Daniel 7:13-14. In these verses the Lord Jesus (One like the Son of Man) is pictured approaching the Heavenly Father (the Ancient of Days) to receive His kingdom, the same everlasting kingdom foretold in Daniel 2:44 that would never be destroyed. Note also that this kingdom was given as the Son of Man entered the Father’s presence “with the clouds of heaven.” How did Jesus ascend to heaven when His time on earth was finished? Acts 1:9 says He was taken in a cloud. What happens in Daniel 7 when Jesus entered heaven? He was given a kingdom. What happened in Acts 2 following Jesus’ ascension? Christ’s church, His kingdom, was established (cf Acts 2:47, Matt 16:18-19). This vision also pictures the four kingdoms seen in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of Daniel 2. The four beasts are identified as four kings, representing those four kingdoms that would rise before the coming of Jesus — Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome.

New Testament reading: 1 Corinthians 12-14

“Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says” (1 Cor 14:34). Though this is a different word for silence than is found in 1 Timothy 2:11, they are nonetheless the same though their relationship to Divine appointment. In 1 Corinthians, a woman’s silence is said to be with submissiveness in connection with the Divine instruction of the Law, but which law? There is no specific Mosaic injunction for women to keep silence. In 1 Timothy 2:11, her silence is connection with the Divine order of creation and the fall of man (vv 13-14). Thus, one should understand the silence commanded in the law is a reference back to Genesis 2-3, and specifically 3:16. A glance at “silence” in 1 Corinthians 14:28-34.  Understood contextually, the demand for silence in 1 Corinthians 14:34 is not absolute. The Greek word translated silence in verses 28-34 appears three times in the chapter and nowhere indicates absolute silence. The word must be understood in its context.

Old Testament reading: Daniel 5-6

“He saw the handwriting on the wall.” This well known phrase comes from our reading today. As in the day the event occurred, the phrase indicates the inevitability of an event or conclusion. Belshazzar appears to be a sad case of a young man who was given everything in life and never challenged in matters pertaining to personal growth or moderation. Throwing a great feast for his lords, he and his debauched companions drank wine from the gold and silver vessels taken from Solomon’s temple, vessels sanctified for the service of the God of heaven. As they praised their idols it happened, a man’s hand appeared and wrote on the wall before him. As in chapter 2, Daniel was summoned when the king’s “wise men” could neither read nor interpret the writing. Before interpreting the writing on the wall, Daniel reminded Belshazzar of his grandfather’s comeuppance and condemned him saying, “But you… have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this.” The lesson was learned, but it was too late to save the king or his kingdom. Note – Nebuchadnezzar is called Belshazzar’s father, but the word here means ancestor (cf Josh 24:15). Nebuchadnezzar was Belshazzar’s grandfather. Belshazzar’s father was Nabodinus, who spent most of his time practicing idolatry in Teima.

New Testament reading: 1 Corinthians 8-11

1 Corinthians 11 – “Looking” at the Lord’s Supper. Among the problems in the Corinthian church was the mess they had made concerning the Lord’s Supper (vv 18-22). In verses 23-33, Paul gives instruction to correct the matter. First, he commands them to look backward to the cross – “do this in remembrance of Me.” Second, he instructs them to look forward to the return of Jesus – “you proclaim the Lord’s death till he comes.” Third, he commands them to look inward – “but let a man examine himself.” Finally, he commands them to look around – “Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.” In other words, the Supper is to be observed in unity and consideration of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Remembering where to look has been a great help to me in my personal observance of the Lord’s Supper.

Old Testament reading: Daniel 4

When my son was young, we’d watch television together. On some of the programs, there was a struggle between good and evil. Sometimes he would ask of one or more of the characters, “Daddy, is he a good guy or a bad guy?” I have likened this youthful inquiry to the case of Nebuchadnezzar. When you hear the name “Nebuchadnezzar,” do you think “good guy” or “bad guy?” Most of us would probably say “bad guy.” However, the Bible says when a wicked man turns from his sins and does what is right, he shall live. None of his sins shall be remembered against him. Why is this the case? Because God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked (cf Eze 18:21-23). God yearns for all to turn from evil and live for Him (cf 1 Tim 2:4). What we have read thus far of Nebuchadnezzar has been less than flattering, and today’s reading is no different… until we get to the end. Daniel 4 is a confession of sorts, as it originates with Nebuchadnezzar himself and concludes with this magnificent statement, “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.” End of the Nebuchadnezzar narrative. Appears to be a “good guy.” Something to think about!

New Testament reading: 1 Corinthians 3-7

If there is any command to the church that has not only been ignored, but also openly opposed, it is the command to withdraw from the unfaithful. 1 Corinthians 5 is dedicated to the matter of church discipline. Among those from whom the church must distance herself include those members who are sexually immoral, covetous, idolaters, revilers (those who use abusive speech), drunkards, and the like. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 is another text commanding the church to withdraw herself from those who walk disorderly, or out of step with the way the church is to walk. When was the last time you heard of a congregation withdrawing from one of her members? Some don’t even want to talk about the subject or hear it taught. The lack of discipline in our society is obviously detrimental to its tranquility and longevity. The same can be said for a lack of discipline in the church.

Old Testament reading: Daniel 3

Of all the accounts in the Old Testament, this one remains an all-time favorite for me to this day (FYI – as of this writing, I am 48). There are a number of reasons for my love for this text. First, I love how the Bible shows the propensity of man to forget God. I love this not because it happens, but because it serves to warn me. I am intrigued as to how the king could do such a thing after his earlier encounter with Daniel. Apparently, it didn’t make as lasting an impression as one might think. Second, I love the faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Not only were they unwilling to compromise their faith in bowing down, they were “not careful to answer” the king in this matter (KJV). In our modern vernacular, they said to the most powerful man on the planet, “King, this one is a no brainer. Our God is able to deliver us from your hand. But even should He choose not to do so, we will not worship your idol.” What faith! What conviction! What courage! One question I have that will likely never be answered this side of eternity is, “Where was Daniel in all of this?”. Some have speculated that Daniel was off in some other portion of the kingdom doing the king’s business. Others think that Daniel was not subject to the command as he “sat in the gate of the king” (2:49). I am inclined to believe the former explanation, as the latter doesn’t explain why Daniel didn’t speak to or try to persuade the king. Oh well. I know the most important part of this account, and that’s what counts!

New Testament reading: 1 Corinthians 1-2

“Eye has not seen nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor 2:9). I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this text read or quoted at funerals or in sermons in an attempt to describe the beauty and glory of heaven. There’s only one problem… This text has absolutely nothing to do with heaven! The quote is from Isaiah 64 and speaks to God’s plan to save man through Jesus and the gospel (see 1 Cor 2:7-8). Note also that in verse 10, the things neither seen nor heard nor entering into men’s hearts has been revealed to us by God through the Holy Spirit! So they are no longer hidden, but made manifest to all (cf Eph 3:8-11).

Old Testament reading: Daniel 1-2

Daniel’s life and work spanned the entirety of the seventy year captivity. Taken in the first carrying away (1:1-6), he lived through the fall of Babylon and into reign of Darius (Dan 5:31-6:2), who restored Israel to their homeland (Ezra 6). As a kid, Daniel was far and away my favorite book of the Bible. I never tired of Daniel and “the Hebrew children” (a.k.a., Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego), their refusal to eat the king’s food and the matter of the fiery furnace. Daniel in the lion’s den was another personally captivating account. The book still thrills me today, but for different reasons. One of these is seen in today’s reading of Nebuchadnezzar’s vision of Daniel 2. Daniel’s interpretation of the king’s “forgotten dream” foretells of the coming of four great earthly kingdoms followed by one spiritual kingdom that will supersede all earthly kingdoms. These four kingdoms were the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek, and Roman. In the days of the kings of Rome, an everlasting spiritual kingdom would be established. That kingdom is the church of Christ, established on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2.

New Testament reading: Romans 15-16

Romans 16 contains two “problem passages.” In verses 1-2, Phoebe is called a “servant of the church.” The word there is the feminine form of the word translated “deacon” in 1 Timothy 3. Thus, some have tried to make her an office-holder in the church. The original word appears 30 times in the New Testament, but only 3 times in connection with the office of a deacon (cf 1 Tim 3:8, 12, and Phil 1:1). Most other renderings appear as “minister” or “servant” in the general sense, twice referring to civil government as “God’s minister” in Romans 13:4. The word is also used of Satan’s “ministers” in 2 Corinthians 11:14-15. Our second “problem passage” is akin to the first, and appears in verse 7. “Junia” is a feminine name, and some have tried to identify her and Andonicus as apostles. However, the entire tenor of Scripture runs contrary to such. An apostle is an authorized messenger. No commissioned female messengers are seen elsewhere in the New Testament, not in the Commission of Matthew 10, the Twelve, Paul, Barnabas, or James the Lord’s brother.

Old Testament reading: Ezekiel 48

This magnificent piece of literature closes with a vision of the dividing of the restored nation among the tribes. The description of the land division is a bit difficult to picture, but a Google search of “Ezekiel 48 map” will give you a good idea. This restoration hearkens back to Ezekiel 37:15-28 and the reuniting of all the tribes of Judah and Israel (there called Joseph and Ephraim) as one. From a chronological perspective, Israel will never again be divided. Though the first nine Minor Prophets will speak of the nations of Israel and Judah separately, it must be remembered that only the last three (Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi) were written after the captivity. The 17 prophetic books (Isaiah-Malachi) are not organized by chronology, but by length, and then (somewhat) by chronology within the two divisions. One more thing that might be mentioned is there may be something implied as Judah and Benjamin are closest to the temple sanctuary. Perhaps this is because these were the two tribes who remained faithful the longest and where Jerusalem was located. Dan lies to the extreme north, farthest away, and was generally held in low esteem among the other tribes, so much so as to be completely omitted by John in Revelation 7:5-8 and replaced with Manasseh.

New Testament reading: Romans 13-14

In Romans 13:8-10, Paul reaffirms what Jesus had taught years earlier in Matthew 22:36-40. Namely, that the intentional and diligent practice of love is the fulfillment of all of God’s commands. What’s more, Paul is clear that we owe love to every single living person, whether family, friend or foe. Paul referenced the fulfillment of the Ten Commandments as being contingent on such love. This is only a few brief sentences removed from Paul’s admonition in Romans 12 to “bless those who persecute you” (v 14), “repay no man evil for evil” (v 17), “have regard for good things in the sight of all men” (v 17), “live peaceably with all men” (v 18), and to feed our hungry enemies and give drink to our thirsty ones (v 20). As I see increasing violence in our world, it is difficult for me to get my mind right toward those who advocate such, especially Muslims. Does Jesus love these people? Did He die for them? He did. I must do the same.

Old Testament reading: Ezekiel 46-47

The restoration of the people to their homeland and the temple to the holy city are meaningless without a restoration of proper worship. Proper worship is requisite for the unity, harmony and growth of God’s people. Without it, the entire system is doomed to fail, as is evidenced by the present plight of Israel as Ezekiel penned this book. Failure in regard to worship was detailed in chapters 43-44, having also received mention in chapters 33, 34, 36, 37. God’s people are facing the same threat today in regard to worship. Whether it be shallow appeals to the flesh (praise teams, hand raising, etc) or outright rejection of the authority of the Scriptures (rejection of male leadership, instrumental music, ecumenism), all are a threat to the harmony and peace of God’s people around the world. God did not restore His people so that they could follow the dictates of their own collective or individual conscience. Neither did He send His Son to die to purchase and establish the church so that men might be left to their own imaginations and devices.

New Testament reading: Romans 10-12

One could never become too comfortable when reading the writings of Paul. He was and is an equal opportunity disturber. Recall in Romans 1 how he “laid the wood” to the Gentiles, but then in chapter 2 turned his attention to the Jews? He does the same thing in reverse in today’s reading. After speaking to the manifold failures of Israel to see and understand God’s plan to include the Gentiles in chapters 9-10, Paul’s attention is reverted back to the Gentiles, warning them not to be boastful concerning their inclusion in God’s promises, for salvation to all men came through Israel, specifically Jesus Christ. Paul reminds the Gentiles that they are considered as wild olive branches who have been grafted into a cultivated olive tree, that is to say, the spiritual heritage of Israel. Thus, he says, “remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you” (v 18). The two must coexist in harmony and love, realizing the life of both comes from God, and that God is capable of pruning both the cultivated and grafted (wild) branches.