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Bible reading for February 3 -- 4 Feb 3 -- Job 2 and Romans 6 Feb 4 -- Job 3 and Romans 7 "After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth." (Job 3:1)  WISDOM IN SUFFERING. Though we don't know many of the details about where and when Job lived, we know that he was a real person in history (Ezek 14:14, 20; James 5:11). The book of Job may be the oldest of the books in Scripture, and is first in the lineup of the wisdom books. Wisdom literature is written, usually in poetic form, to address the big mysteries of life, as well as those practical matters in life that require discernment. Job deals with pain and suffering, specifically, the suffering of the righteous. The Song of Solomon deals with pleasure, specifically, the pleasures of courtship, sex, and marriage. In between, Proverbs gives wisdom for successfully navigating the problems of life, and Ecclesiastes teaches the limitations both of our lives and of what we can know. One thing we learn up front...

Bible reading for February 1--2 Feb 1 -- Esther 9-10 and Romans 4 Feb 2 -- Job 1 and Romans 5 The weather forecast is predicting a snow and ice storm for our region. Since we often loose power during those times I am getting the next Bible reading post out early. Enjoy! "For Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus, and he was great among the Jews and popular with the multitude of his brothers, for he sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people." (Esther 10:3) GOD UNSEEN, BEHIND THE SCENES . The book of Esther tells us about the historical events behind the Jewish feast of Purim. At the end not only are the Jews spared, but Mordecai, like Joseph in Egypt many generations earlier, is exalted to the second highest position in the empire. The book reveals God's providence not by miraculous power but by the seemingly coincidental. He is behind the scenes, as it were. Things that might be described as chance or random are actually incidents ...

Bible reading for weekend January 29--31 Jan 29 -- Esther 6 and Romans 1 Jan 30 -- Esther 7 and Romans 2 Jan 31 -- Esther 8 and Romans 3 Here is the PDF copy of our reading schedule .  THE PRIDE OF MAN . I'm not sure if this is the earliest version of, "Give a man enough rope and he'll hang himself," but the image fits. The gallows that Haman built were certainly big enough! The Bible teaches that evil plans and conspiracies will ultimately rebound against those who make them: "Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling" (Prov 26:27). At the root of this is pride: "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom" (Prov 11:2). Some years before this event, the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar was humbled before God, and he confessed, "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in ...

Bible reading for January 27--28 Jan 27 -- Esther 4 and Acts 27 Jan 28 -- Esther 5 and Acts 28 "For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14) FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS. The Bible reveals God to be the Lord of time, and times. He creates order in the passing of time (Genesis 1). The sun, moon, and stars serve as lights and markers: "...for signs and for seasons, and for days and years" (Gen 1:14). The word "time" in Scripture may refer merely to the passing of time, but often the sense is that of an appointed time, or the right time, designating a point or season of significance or opportunity. In Israel's history, the men of Issachar knew that it was the right time to come to King David's aid, for they "had understanding of the times, to know what...

Bible reading for January 25--26 Jan 25 -- Esther 2 and Acts 25 Jan 26 -- Esther 3 and Acts 26 "In the first month, which is the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur (that is, they cast lots) before Haman day after day; and they cast it month after month till the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar." (Esther 3:7)  READING ESTHER. Reading the book of Esther is to be immersed into a different culture and a distant time in history. This book precedes the events of Ezra and Nehemiah (5th century BC) and most Jews are still living in the Babylonian culture, now under Persian rule. We read of the decadence of imperial life, the abuse of power, the subjugation of women, much drinking, intrigue, and passionate hatred. In the midst of this we see a warm family relationship comprised of Mordecai, an older Jewish man of integrity, who cares for his orphaned younger cousin, Hadassah, whose Persian name is Esther (meaning "star"). These two...

Bible reading for weekend January 22--24 Jan 22 -- Nehemiah 12 and Acts 22 Jan 23 -- Nehemiah 13 and Acts 23 Jan 24 -- Esther 1 and Acts 24 "And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away." (Nehemiah 12:43)  CELEBRATING THE COMPLETED WORK (ch 12). Here we find another list of names (vv 1-26). The Bible is interested in names, genealogies, numbers, and geography because this is real history and is part of the archives of Israel the nation. We must remember that the Bible was written for us, but not to us. This also reminds us that God is interested in individuals and their place in his unfolding plan. King David is remembered by name (vv 24, 36, 45-46). Several times Nehemiah prays, "Remember me, O Lord..." (5:19; 13:14, 22, 31). The story of history is being written, and the most important place where our names should be recorded...

  Bible reading for January 20--21 Jan 20 -- Nehemiah 10 and Acts 20 Jan 21 -- Nehemiah 11 and Acts 21 "Because of all this we make a firm covenant in writing; on the sealed document are the names of our princes, our Levites, and our priests."  (Nehemiah 9:38) THE BEAUTY OF COVENANT (ch 10). We had a very interesting discussion in our young adult Bible study recently about why most couples today prefer to live together rather than get married, and how do we make a case for God's design in marriage. We spoke of the security, stability, sacrificial love, intimacy, maturity, and faithfulness which are possible through covenant marriage. Covenant is one of the most beautiful words in the Bible ! A covenant is a solemn mutual agreement between people or between God and people. It was to be permanent, and was considered more serious than a contract or temporary commitment. When in relation to the Lord the human role had more to do with submission to God, and a pledge of faithf...