bible reading june 23

Bible reading for June 23.

Deuteronomy 28:20-68.

"Whereas you were as numerous as the stars of heaven, you shall be left few in number, because you did not obey the voice of the LORD your God." (Deuteronomy 28:62)

THE CURSES. This list of curses, God's judgment upon unfaithfulness, is shocking to read. What it should highlight to us is that humankind can be reduced to almost nothing. Just as the chaotic earth was turned into order and fruitfulness (Genesis 1), so judgment is a return to disorder and barrenness. It's like having a porcelain teacup that has been broken into several pieces -- you can hold it together with a gentle grasp and support of your hand. It's beautiful. But should you release your grip, even a little bit, the pieces fall apart again. The beauty and marvel of creation comes from God's hand. He holds it together. And all the blessedness of marriage, children, work, health, strength, and a community at peace can be lost at the release of God's hand. We did not earn the blessings, nor can we guarantee their continuance. God's verdict is righteous, his judgment is real, and the resulting condition is caused by the removal of his blessing. Takeaway: This should cause sober pause for all of us, for a great, final judgment is coming (Matt 25:46; 2 Thess 1:9; Jude 1:7; Rev 22:14-15). Every good thing we have is from the Lord's hand. The Lord desires that his people embrace him in thankfulness for all his blessings. If we will not have him, then neither will we have the blessings. As C. S. Lewis wrote, “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.'" (The Great Divorce)

================

Psalms 119:25-48.

"Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it." (Psalm 119:34-35)

THE BEAUTY OF HIS WORD. God's verbal revelation to his people is poetically described in this psalm, and varying terms are used, mainly as synonyms. They are God's "words, ways, statutes, precepts, law, rules, testimonies, and commandments." God has revealed his mind and heart and will in divine Scripture. Takeaway: as you read this psalm ask yourself, "How is his word described? what does his word do for me? What should be my attitude and response to his word?"

Image credit: photo of a storm over Singapore, taken by Lee Junda on Unsplash.
We are following the Robert Murray M'Cheyne (RMM) two-year reading schedule, as arranged by D. A. Carson.
Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The NET Bible is a free, online resource, and a ministry of bible.org.

clement quotes hebrews

Clement of Rome wrote to the church in Corinth around AD 90. This is perhaps the same Clement, companion of Paul, mentioned in Philippians 4:3. Many hold him to be the first bishop / pope in Rome, aka St. Clement I. Clement quotes from the letter to the Hebrews. Origin suggested that Clement was in fact the writer (as transcriber or amanuensis) of Hebrews. Perhaps this letter began as a "word of exhortation" given by Paul at the synagogue (Heb 13:22; cf Acts 13:15) which then became a circular letter for the churches. Other possible authors of Hebrews include Luke, Barnabas, or Apollos. The theology is Pauline, but the transcriber is obviously second-generation (Heb. 2:3-4). At any rate, this early church leader in Rome, is already quoting Hebrews in his letter in AD 90: CHAPTER 36 ALL BLESSINGS ARE GIVEN TO US THROUGH CHRIST This is the way, beloved, in which we find our Savior, even Jesus Christ, the High Prie...

Howard Hendricks on OT books chronology

When I was in seminary, Howard Hendricks (aka "Prof") gave us a little card with the books of the OT chronologically arranged. The scanned copy I have was a bit blurry and I wanted to make something like this available for our church class in OT theology ("Story of Redemption"). A few minor edits and here it is...

sword and trowel

"From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me." (Nehemiah 4:16-18 ESV) The great London preacher, Charles Spurgeon, published a monthly magazine called The Sword and The Trowel; A record of combat with sin and of labour for the Lord. It was published from 1865 to 1892. The cover of the journal had a drawing taken from Nehemiah 4, which included both a trowel (representing the work) and a sword (representing the fight). The sword was necessary to protect what the men with trowels were building. These citizen-soldier-builders would successfully complete the wall aroun...

my burg

Search This Blog