Resources to Help You Grow

Overview

It may surprise you to learn that not all of Proverbs was written by King Solomon. In fact, chapter 30 begins, "The sayings of Agur... to Ithiel and Ucal." None of these people are found anywhere else in the Bible, but the words of Agur live on in the timeless truths he shares. You might think of it as "Wisdom in Twos, Threes, and Fours." Agur describes four things that are never satisfied (vv. 15-16); four that are amazing (vv. 18-19); four that are insufferable (two from each sex! vv. 21-23); four that are small and yet extremely wise (vv. 24-28); and four that are stately (vv. 29-31). The concluding chapter of Proverbs was penned not by King Solomon, but by King Lemuel. In it, you will read godly advice handed down from his mother, and you will find a description of a virtuous woman who honors the dignity of womanhood. A godly wife is a rare treasure indeed.

Your Daily Walk

Can you think of 22 good reasons to applaud your wife or mother? The Book of Proverbs closes with the exhortation: "A woman who fears the LORD is to be praised" (31:30).

Then, just to show it can be done, Lemuel writes 22 verses (vv. 10-31, one verse for each of the 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet) extolling the virtuous women in his life. Think of it as going from A to Z in his praise of the godly women who have impacted his life for God.

Take a sheet of paper and try it yourself. Across the top, write the name of your wife, mother, or another virtuous woman in your life. Down the left side of the paper, write the 26 letters of the English alphabet. Then begin combing 31:10-31 for praiseworthy characteristics of your "Mrs. Far Above Rubies." For example: T = Trustworthy (v. 11), Z = Zealous about her housework (v. 27). When you've finished, invite the woman in your life out for a special dinner and present her with your "Scroll of Praise."

Insight - Women to Be Avoided, Women to Be Applauded

Contrast the immoral woman of Proverbs 7 with the impeccable woman of Proverbs 31 in dress, speech, and conduct.

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Ecclesiastes

 

The author of Ecclesiastes (traditionally thought to be Solomon) enjoyed power, wealth, and access to all of life’s pursuits and pleasures. After experiencing a full measure of life “under the sun,” he declares it all to be futile and unsatisfying. Only as he lives “above the sun”—with an eye toward God—does life become meaningful and fulfilling. Ultimate satisfaction comes not from the good things of life, but from the Giver of life—the One we are to fear, honor, and obey.

 

July 10

 

Ecclesiastes 1-6

 

The Meaning of Life Explored

Key Passage:
Ecclesiastes 1-2

 

 

Overview

Making sense out of life is not always easy. This is the problem facing the Teacher of the Book of Ecclesiastes as he thinks his way through what he has seen and experienced in life. Every enterprise he has undertaken from acquiring wisdom to amassing wealth-has ended in emptiness. In a sudden burst of emotion, the Teacher realizes that God does indeed appoint the times and purposes of life. But his insight fades as he focuses on the futility of life under the sun, and he overlooks the One who alone can put life together into a meaningful whole.

Your Daily Walk

Think about the people in your school, office, or neighborhood, and select the three you would consider "Most Likely to Succeed." Now analyze what caused you to select them: their money, intelligence, position, or possessions.

If any Old Testament character was ever a candidate for success, Solomon was the one. Blessed with wisdom, wealth, power, and prestige, he had everything a man could want. Or did he? Look at his evaluation of it all: "Pleasure... [is] meaningless.... Laughter... is foolish. Silver and gold... wisdom... this was the reward for all my labor... everything was meaningless... nothing was gained under the sun" (2:1-11).

A depressing picture? Perhaps. But don't miss verse 24. As Solomon sees the events and endeavors of life from God's perspective and the good things of life as gifts "from the hand of God," his life takes on meaning and purpose. Make a list of the good things you are enjoying today that come from the hand of God: health, employment, family, education, etc.

Insight - Silver Threads Among the Gold

One of the most moving passages in Ecclesiastes is the figurative description of the aging process (12:1-7). Realizing that the afflictions of age will catch up with everyone, the writer of Ecclesiastes counsels his audience: "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come" (12:1).

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July 11/12

 

Ecclesiastes 7-12

 

The Meaning of Life Explained

Key Passage:
Ecclesiastes 7, 9, 12

 

 

Overview

Up to this point the Teacher has concentrated mainly on the problems of life without seeking an explanation. But the deeper he probes life's patterns and perplexities, the more conclusive becomes the evidence that points him to the solution: Fear God. When wisdom becomes meaningless, fear God (7:18). When God's ways seem unsearchable or uncertain, fear Him (8:12-13). When all is said and done, fear God (12:13), "for this is the whole duty of man."

Your Daily Walk

If life to you seems meaningless, then you could be on the verge of the greatest discovery of your life. God has many unusual ways of drawing individuals to Himself and of demonstrating His love and care. With Job, He used tragedy; with the psalmist David, He used the life of a fugitive; with the Teacher of Ecclesiastes, He used the emptiness of existence on earth. What is He using in your life today to teach you the same important lessons?

It is interesting to note that every time the word God appears in the Book of Ecclesiastes, it is the Hebrew word meaning Creator. The personal name Lord never appears. The Teacher is speaking not of a God he knows personally, but of a God who is far above-like many speak of God today. And this is why the discovery of life's meaninglessness apart from God can be so important. If an empty, unsatisfying life causes you to search for the personal God of the universe, then you are about to meet the most important Person in life! The Bible says that meaningful life, eternal life, abundant life, only comes through knowing God and His Son, Jesus Christ (John 10:10; 17:3). Read those two verses several times. Then tell God the desire of your heart. He is waiting to meet you right now.

Insight - An Atheist's Testimony Concerning Ecclesiastes

An atheistic professor, after reading Ecclesiastes, commented that it was the only book in the Bible that made sense to him. Too bad he overlooked the last two verses of the book.

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July 13

 

Song of Songs 1-8

 

Extolling Marital Love

Key Passage:
Song of Songs 1, 3, 6

 

 

Overview

Song of Songs is a love song written by Solomon that abounds in metaphors and oriental imagery. Historically, it depicts the wooing and wedding of a shepherdess by King Solomon and the joys and heartaches of their love for each other. Many have seen in the book a majestic picture of God's love for His people Israel, and of Christ's love for His bride, the church. As human love finds its highest fulfillment in the love of husband and wife, so spiritual life finds its highest fulfillment in the love of the Creator for His creation.

Your Daily Walk

True or False: "Love means never having to say you're sorry." The writer of the old song with this line seems to imply that apologizing is out of vogue when true love exists. (If the Shulammite had followed that ill-guided advice instead of seeking her lover's forgiveness, she might still be in the locked bedroom!)

Nothing could be further from the truth. But on the other side of the coin, Solomon's response to his lover's request for forgiveness is equally noteworthy. It would have been easy to take advantage of the apologizing partner and make her suffer through a series of "I told you so's." But look at Solomon's response in 6:4-10. He compliments her beauty and dignity, praises her hair and bright smile, and sets her apart as the one and only woman for him. In short, he reassures her of his forgiveness and continuing love.

What a pattern for forgiving and being forgiven in family disputes! Have you wronged your mate (or parent or child) through something you have said or done? Then take the initiative in asking for forgiveness. Remember, "Love means wanting to say you're sorry, and in God's strength, doing it."

Insight - Potent Lessons from a Moving Love Story

Apart from its historical significance, the Song of Songs pictures for the reader the strength of Christ's love (8:6-7); His delight in hearing and answering prayer (8:13); and the danger of failing to respond immediately to His knocking (5:2-6).

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Isaiah

 

The Book of Isaiah, the “mother lode of Hebrew prophecy,” sets forth a lifetime of preaching by the statesman and prophet for whom it is named. In the first 39 chapters, the prophet stresses righteousness, holiness, and the justice of God, announcing His terrible judgment upon a world stained scarlet with sin (1:18). But the last 27 chapters portray God’s glory, compassion, and undeserved favor. Messiah will come as a Savior to bear a cross, as a Sovereign to wear a crown.

 

 

July 14

 

Isaiah 1-4

 

Judah's Indictment

Key Passage:
Isaiah 1

 

 

Overview

A crisis exists in the nation of Judah. Wickedness has permeated deep into every fiber of the social, political, and spiritual life of the country, a condition that God finds intolerable. Divine indictment falls from the lips of His prophet Isaiah. Unless repentance sweeps the nation, God will reduce His people to ruin. Famine and pestilence will replace feasting and pleasure to show that the Holy One of Israel still rules in Zion. King and commoner, priest and prophet, no one will be safe when the terrifying day of God's wrath descends upon His people.

Your Daily Walk

What do these three cities all have in common: Pompeii, Hiroshima, and Sodom? They are all sites of historic disasters. Pompeii was destroyed in the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius; Hiroshima was destroyed by an atomic bomb in World War II; and Sodom was destroyed by heavenly fire and brimstone in the days of Abraham.

Now add to that list the name of Judah. Until the days of the prophet Isaiah, Sodom stood alone as the universal symbol of depravity and shameful disgrace. If your nation was compared to Sodom, you had sunk as low as you could possibly go morally, spiritually, and socially (1:9). But now, in God's eyes, Judah had replaced Sodom as the object of scorn and ridicule (1:10). And Judah's judgment would be even more severe because Judah's privilege had been even more significant.

Opportunity brings responsibility-in Judah's day and in yours. Make a list of the religious freedoms you enjoy today: freedom to pray, to memorize Scripture, to share your faith without fear of physical harm. If judgment fell today in proportion to your use (or abuse) of those privileges, what might happen? And what can you do today to see that it doesn't?

Insight - From the Tragic to the Trivial (1:21-23)

In Isaiah's funeral dirge over Jerusalem, the prophet shows that every aspect of city life has been affected by the nation's spiritual revolt: justice, morals, money, and even the quality of the beer.

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July 15

 

Isaiah 5-7

 

Judah's Immanuel

Key Passage:
Isaiah 6-7

 

 

Overview

Isaiah's national call for repentance is so urgent that even his personal call and commission to the prophetic office must wait until chapter 6. Isaiah's "Woe" (I am sinful, v. 5) is met by God's holiness (I am holy, v. 7), resulting in Isaiah's "Here am I. Send me" (I am available, v. 8) and God's "Go" (I want to use you, v. 9). The task set before Isaiah is an unenviable one, for God promises from the start that the people will be spiritually deaf and nearsighted. But armed with confidence in his Immanuel, Isaiah begins to declare harsh words from on high in the courts and palaces of Judah.

Your Daily Walk

It is not so much what God can do through you as it is what you will allow God to do to you that determines the measure of your effectiveness for Him.

God had a message for Isaiah to deliver a message of holiness and judgment, a message of hope in the midst of heartache. But before His prophet could carry the message, Isaiah first had to carry the burden. He had to come to grips with his own sinful condition-his own waywardness and spiritual lukewarmness-before he could confront an entire nation suffering from the same tragic conditions. Before Isaiah could stand toe-to-toe with the king of Judah, he first had to kneel before the King of the universe. With a rekindled sense of God's awesome holiness and grandeur, Isaiah had no trouble volunteering for the Lord's service.

Are you trying to serve God before you have seen Him? Take a tip from Isaiah: Make no appeal till first you kneel, for that's the way to serve with zeal. After you have walked with God today, share with at least one other person how he or she can walk with Him too.

Insight - An Object Lesson in the Palace (6:1)

Isaiah received his call "in the year that King Uzziah died." Thus, his call is linked with the king's death, a premature death from leprosy for flouting God's holiness the very condition that would bring about the death of the nation as well.

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Overview

Psalms 120-134 are called "songs of ascents" sung by Jewish travelers on the way up to the Jerusalem temple for the annual days of festival. These hymns of the highway reflect the thoughts of a pilgrim traveling far from home and looking for peace, protection, and provision along the journey.

Your Daily Walk

Homecoming brings a remarkable feeling-the feeling of being back where you belong, back where the family is together and the surroundings are familiar. Only those who have been away from home for long periods of time can appreciate the feeling.

Psalm 126 describes a homecoming. God's people, absent from their land of blessing and promise, have come home at last. It is like a dream come true-unspeakable joy punctuated by laughter, singing, and tears of gladness. The pilgrims have returned!

But lest the emotions of the moment sweep you away, don't miss the principle the psalmist underscores: "He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him" (126:6). The agony of waiting, like the toil of the farmer, will one day bear fruit. Your tears and toil-as a parent, a Sunday school teacher, a faithful employee, a praying neighbor-will one day produce a harvest. God has staked His reputation on it. So rejoice! Sing! Laugh! And dream just a little as you labor for the Lord. Weeping will turn to reaping at the harvest.

Insight - What Goes Down (to Jerusalem), Must Come Up!

The old city of Jerusalem is located on a hill rising 2,600 feet above sea level. Because of its elevation, pilgrims arriving for the festivals of Passover, Pentecost, or Booths would go "up to Jerusalem," regardless of the direction from which they were arriving. Thus Jesus, traveling "down" from Capernaum (in the north) to Jerusalem (in the south), was still going "up" (John 2:12-13).

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June 26

Psalms 128-134

Overview

Walking to the temple, the pilgrim contemplates the blessings of walking with the God of the temple. Whether with family (128) or foes (129), in the midst of cries (130) or quiet moments (131), in the house of God (132, 134) or among the people of God (133), it is good to praise the Lord, for that is the pilgrim's most joyous privilege.

Your Daily Walk

Which does your home most closely resemble: (a) the eye of the hurricane, or (b) the hurricane itself?

Psalm 128 describes a family scene, with father, mother (the fruitful vine), and children (olive plants) assembled around the table. It's a picture of tranquility, harmony, and stability. And at first it may be a scene you have trouble envisioning at your house. (As one harried mom described it, "Getting my kids to sit still at the dinner table is like trying to nail jelly to the floor!")

But don't miss the point of the psalm. The psalmist is not trying to turn your dining room into a setting for Better Homes and Gardens, but rather to show you the path to true happiness in the home. Even in the midst of chaotic schedules, you can find satisfaction and stability as a family if you will keep uppermost these three things: reverence (fearing the Lord, v. 1a), obedience (walking in His ways, v. 1b), and perseverance (laboring to make it work at any price, v. 2). This evening, call a family council to discuss ways to put Psalm 128 to work in your home. God has a blessing for your family if only you will follow the blueprint. Will you commit yourself to reverence, obedience, and perseverance in your home?

Insight - Fifteen Psalms for Fifteen Steps

According to the Mishnah (the body of Jewish tradition compiled about A.D. 200), 15 steps led up from the Court of the Women to the Court of the Israelites in the Jerusalem temple, and these corresponded "to the fifteen Songs of the Ascents in the Psalms, [which] the Levites used to sing."

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June 27/28

 

Psalms 135-139

 

The Everywhere, Everything God

Key Passage:
Psalm 139

 

 

Overview

Sometimes it is easy to praise the Lord simply by recalling the past (135-136); at other times, memories of the past produce more pain than praise (137). But even times of tears and troubles can produce shouts of praise to God for His loyal love (138) and His infinite knowledge and presence (139).

Your Daily Walk

Nothing is quite as comforting-and at the same time quite as disconcerting-as the truth that God knows everything.

He knows your thoughts, your actions, and your words. He knows when you get up and when you go to bed. He understands your motives and intentions even when no one else does.

He also knows your secret sins that no one else ever sees: pride, lust, jealousy, covetousness. And He holds you accountable for all of it.

Similarly, God's presence can be both a comfort and a concern. There is no mountain you can climb, or depth you can descend, where He is not there. His presence shines through the darkness and transcends distance. But at the same time, that puts the lie to rest of any notion of secret sins you can commit without His being there. His presence with you is persistent.

God knows you completely, and He still wants to accompany you everywhere you go. That's loyal love! What should be your response to the knowledge that "God knows me; God goes everywhere with me; God created me to be the unique person that I am"?

The last two verses of Psalm 139 will tell you. Make them your prayer of commitment as you close your devotional time today.

Insight - Psalm 139 in a Nutshell (Four Stanzas of Six Verses)

Verses 1-6: God knows all about me.
Verses 7-12: God goes everywhere with me.
Verses 13-18: God made me.
Verses 19-24: God, search me!

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June 29

 

Psalms 140-145

 

A People of Praise

Key Passage:
Psalm 145

 

 

Overview

Your enemies will either drive you from God or cause you to walk closer to God. As the psalmist finds himself surrounded by those who would harm him, he cries out to be rescued (140), avenged (141), sustained (142), acquitted (143), and delivered (144). Truly God is great and glorious, a fact deserving to be acknowledged and broadcast by all His creatures (145).

Your Daily Walk

How many times did you worship God last week? Perhaps your first reaction to that question was to count how often you attended church: Sunday morning worship, Sunday evening, mid-week... but read Psalm 145 and you'll come away with a totally different picture of what it means to worship God. In verse 2, David describes worship as the daily joy of his life: "Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever." If David were alive today, this psalm might read something like this: "All through my day, as I drive on the road, work in the office, meet with clients, tend to the home, my thoughts will be on You and Your praiseworthy actions for me."

Worship can take place even when you are nowhere near a church. You can worship God with your children at bedtime (145:4) or declare His greatness on a crowded bus to those who do not even know Him (145:11-12). And if you think you've exhausted your thoughts about God or run out of things to worship Him for, remember verse 3: "His greatness no one can fathom."

Using one of David's suggestions from Psalm 145, spend a few minutes right now worshiping God.

Insight - A Fitting and Final Volley of Praise

Psalms 144-150 conclude the Psalter with a crescendo of praise. Psalms 144-146 are examples of personal praise (employing the pronouns I, me, and my); Psalms 147-150 contain corporate praise, imploring the nation as a whole to join in the chorus and "praise the Lord!"

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June 30

 

Psalms 146-150

 

Praise for the Praiseworthy God

Key Passage:
Psalm 150

 

 

Overview

The psalmist's emotions have ridden a roller coaster in the psalms you have read thus far, from the pit of depression to the pinnacle of exaltation. But the final segment of the Psalms leaves one clear impression on the reader: God is worthy of praise! Praise Him from one generation to the next; praise Him for His help in time of trouble; praise Him as Creator and Sustainer, Savior and Lord.

Your Daily Walk

Psalms 146-150 all begin and end with the same Hebrew word: hallelujah, which means "praise the Lord!" It's the psalmist's way of saying, "Shout from the rooftops the praiseworthy character of the Lord and His mighty deeds on behalf of His people!" Psalm 146 alone catalogs a dozen things for which God should be exalted, including His creation, truth, judgment, provision, healing, protection, and rule. Every part of creation-from the sun to the sea creatures, from snowflakes to stars-shouts forth the news of a great God in heaven (Psalm 148).

Psalm 150 provides the capstone of the section, and indeed the Book of Psalms as a whole. In just six short verses, the psalmist issues the command to "praise" a total of 11 times! The point of the psalm is clear: With every breath you take, let your life be an anthem of praise to God, for He is worthy of your public proclamation of His greatness.

You are surrounded by people who need to hear about the praiseworthy character of your God. Construct your own list of 10 friends, relatives, neighbors, and associates who need to hear and respond to God's love. Begin to pray for each person, each day, by name. And pray for yourself, that when God opens the door of opportunity, you'll be ready.

Insight - An Acrostic to Teach You How to Praise

Simply put, praise is: Publicly recounting the Acts of the Incomparable Sovereign of Eternity. A handy acrostic to remember!

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Overview

In times of distress, the best place to be standing is on the promises of God, for there you can never be moved. In the face of defeat and discouragement, God has promised to be your Help (60), your Strong Tower (61), and your Rock (62). No wonder David bursts forth in praise for his praiseworthy Lord! God will satisfy the thirsty (63) and deliver the downcast (64-65), surely causing them to shout His mighty acts to all the earth (66).

Your Daily Walk

Psalm 61 contains only eight brief verses. But buried in the psalm are word pictures describing five kinds of protection for the psalmist. Can you find all five in less than a minute? Ready?...go!

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Rocks and towers may not seem like anything special until you remember the terrain in which David lived and fought-much of it parched, waterless wilderness, without trees for shade or many cities for protection. In such an environment, every promontory is of vital importance for shade, defense, observation, and protection.

Find your own observation point (an upstairs window, scenic view, or high-rise building) as you meditate on this thought: "If you're doing all right under the circumstances, you could be doing a lot better under His wing." That is the heritage of those who fear God's name (61:4-5); make it your heritage today as well.

Insight - A Moving Hymn from the End of the Earth

Psalm 61:2 prompted William O. Cushing to compose the well-known hymn, "Hiding in Thee," the first verse of which reads:
O safe to the Rock that is higher than I,
My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly.
So sinful, so weary-Thine, Thine would I be;
Thou blest "Rock of Ages," I'm hiding in Thee.

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June 13/14

Psalms 67-72

Overview

The six psalms you will read today provide ample reason to take time to praise. God is big enough to rule the affairs of nations (67) and ride on the clouds of heaven (68), yet small enough to tend to the hurts of His people (69-71). Truly, He is worthy of your worship and adoration as King over creation (72).

Your Daily Walk

Aging is a paradox. For the first twenty years, we can't grow up fast enough. During the middle years, we're appalled at how time flies. And for the last twenty years, time has stood still.

With an average of 80 or more years to serve in the family of God, what is God's purpose for those crowning years? Where can the senior saint turn for strength and security? And how can he or she find meaningful service?

Psalm 71 shows that for every need the elderly experience, God can richly supply it. Security? "You are my rock and my fortress" (71:3). Hope? "You have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD" (71:5). Stamina? "I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD" (71:16). Encouragement? "You will... comfort me once again" (71:21). Purpose for living? "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come" (71:18).

Read Psalm 71 again thoughtfully. Then write an encouraging note to a senior citizen you know, sharing God's love with them.

Insight - Four Ways to Praise

At the conclusion of Psalm 71, the psalmist looks for ways to exalt the name of the Lord, even in his crowning years, and he discovers four. Can you find them in verses 22-24?

"I will praise you with the harp."
"I will sing to you with a lyre."
"My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you."
"My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long."

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June 15

 

Psalms 73-77

 

What's Good About the Old Days?

Key Passage:
Psalm 77

 

 

Overview

Asaph, composer of the five psalms you will read today, struggles with some of the most difficult questions of life: Why do the wicked prosper (73, 75)? Why do the righteous suffer (74)? Why do prayers seemingly go unanswered (77)? In the midst of fear and uncertainty, Asaph discovers there is an immovable Rock.

Your Daily Walk

How do you respond when your thoughts turn to memories of the past? Is it a painful experience? Do you find yourself longing for the good old days?

Memories of the past play a vital role in Asaph's thinking as he records Psalm 77. Lying on his bed at night and anxiously searching for God's comfort (vv. 1-6), he finds himself asking, "God, have You changed? Are you still interested in me and my personal problems?" But then Asaph remembers God's works down through history (vv. 10-12): His redemption of the nation from bondage, His guidance of the people through the Red Sea, His provision of food and water where there was none. And suddenly, aided by his good memory of God's past dealings, Asaph finds his self-pity turned to praise.

Have you been battling the blues lately? Here's a divine remedy that worked for Asaph and one that will work for you, too. Think back over yesterday, and identify at least one good thing God did for you. Now do the same with last week, last month, and last year. If your memory fails, enlist the help of your spouse, children, parent, or friend. 

Insight - Putting Together a Profile of Asaph's Life

According to 1 Chronicles 25:1, Asaph and his sons were skillful players of the harp, lyre, and cymbals. Asaph was an accomplished singer, according to 1 Chronicles 15:16, 19. In 1 Chronicles 25:6, we are told that Asaph was under the king's direct supervision for the music of the Lord's temple. Asaph also wrote many psalms.

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Overview

Internal strife in the Israelite camp causes as much unrest as the battle thrusts from outside the camp. The people are suffering under financial stress imposed by their Persian masters. Worse yet, the Israelites are exacting interest from their own brothers who have borrowed to pay their debts. After correcting this abuse, Nehemiah again turns his attention toward the threats from neighboring enemies. He is not ensnared by an assassination plot on his life, nor will he be intimidated by the threats of a slanderous letter. After 52 days of building and battling, the walls stand completed. At last, the holy city of Jerusalem can be resettled.

Your Daily Walk

How do you react when you see the poor exploited? Does your heart beat a little faster? Now imagine it is a member of your family being exploited. How would you respond to that?

Lack of grain and oppressive Persian rule had forced some of the Hebrews in Jerusalem to mortgage their homes and sell themselves into slavery in order to pay their debts. When Nehemiah heard that the rich were extorting money from their own countrymen, his reaction was immediate and unmistakable.

You may never have exacted interest from someone suffering hardships, but have you been guilty of taking advantage of another Christian by ignoring his difficult circumstances? Leave your money at home today and let your empty wallet remind you of the usury tactics of Nehemiah's day. Then look for a way to assist, rather than simply avoid, a Christian brother or sister who is in difficult financial straits.

Insight - Doing Wrong to Do Right Is Wrong, Right?

Shemaiah's offer of safety in the temple to Nehemiah (6:10-14) was a direct violation of God's Law, which forbade anyone other than priests from entering the sanctuary. Even if Shemaiah had been telling the truth (which he wasn't), for Nehemiah to enter the temple would have been a fatal mistake.

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Overview

With his time in Jerusalem nearly at an end, Nehemiah busies himself with the final duties of his mission. He oversees the redistribution of the population in the cities: one-tenth in Jerusalem and the rest in the surrounding suburbs. A joyous celebration is held in which two processions of praising people march along the walls to dedicate them to God. Nine years after returning to Persia, Nehemiah hears disturbing news from his homeland once more. He returns to correct abuses in the temple and deal with the stubborn problem of mixed marriages.

Your Daily Walk

It is sad but true that those who do not learn from history are destined to repeat it. The closing chapters of Nehemiah provide a sobering warning and an opportunity to learn from the past.

The people under Nehemiah had made several vows in chapter 10. They agreed to obey God's Word, abstain from intermarriage with pagan people, keep the Sabbath, and support temple worship. Less than a decade later, they had broken every promise.

Today would be a great time to renew old promises and vows before the Lord. Are you married? If so, spend some quiet time with your spouse, reminding each other of the vows you made on your wedding day. Confess your areas of failure, and praise your spouse for faithfully keeping your vows.

If you are a single, never-married Christian, you have an extra privilege (and responsibility) to serve God with undivided attention during your single years (1 Corinthians 7:32-33). Use that privilege today.

Insight - Nehemiah's Prophetic Partner

Malachi, who lived and ministered during the same time as Nehemiah, spoke to the moral condition of the Jews who returned to Jerusalem. You might want to read his short four-chapter book alongside Nehemiah. Malachi paints a bleak picture of cold-hearted indifference toward God-a condition that persisted for 400 years until the appearance of the Promised One (John 1:29).

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Esther

 

The Book of Esther provides the only biblical portrait of the majority of Jews who chose to remain in Persia after the exile rather than return to Jerusalem. Though God’s name appears nowhere in the book, His divine hand of providence and protection on behalf of His people can be seen throughout. Haman's plot to exterminate the Jews (chapters 1-4) is thwarted by Esther's courage and Mordecai's wise counsel, resulting in a great deliverance (chapters 5-10).

 

May 12

 

Esther 1-2

 

Esther Becomes Queen of Persia

Key Passage:
Esther 1:1-12; 2:8-23

 

 

Overview

Xerxes, the Persian king, hosts a sumptuous banquet for his court officials. After a week of partying, the king calls for Queen Vashti to entertain the guests. When she denies his request, he banishes her from the palace in a fit of anger and embarrassment and begins the search for a new queen. Esther, a beautiful Jewish orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai (2:7) and living in exile under Nebuchadnezzar, rises above the competition and wins the king's heart. Through Mordecai, Esther learns of a plot against the king and tells him in time to save his life. The heroism of Mordecai is duly recorded in the official records and promptly forgotten.

Your Daily Walk

If anyone ever had reason to have vengeful thoughts, it was Mordecai. When he was first deported under Nebuchadnezzar's army in 597 B.C., Mordecai's family was transported hundreds of miles from their homeland. Life in exile was the only life Mordecai had ever known.

If anyone ever had occasion to translate vengeful thoughts into action, it was Mordecai. Unknown to the king (but well known to Mordecai), an assassination plot was afoot. It would have been easy for Mordecai to remain silent, reasoning that the Lord's vengeance was at work at last. But instead, Mordecai risked his life to save the king.

What would you have done in a similar situation? Look up the following verses and see what each has to say about the way God wants you to respond to those in authority over you: Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; 1 Peter 2:17. Now complete this sentence: "Instead of getting even, with God's help I will respond to someone who deserves my vengeance by ________________."

Insight - The Girl Who Went from Rags to Riches

Esther changed overnight from an obscure Jewish girl to the queen who had at her disposal up to "half the kingdom" of Persia (5:3). That kingdom extended from modern-day Greece (west) to India (east) and from southern Russia (north) to Saudi Arabia (south), an area of more than 600,000 square miles!

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May 13

 

Esther 3-4

 

Haman Plots to Destroy the Jews

Key Passage:
Esther 3:1-6; 4:13-17

 

 

Overview

After Mordecai's heroic deed, the villain Haman enters the drama. Enraged by Mordecai's refusal to bow down to him in reverence, Haman devises a sinister plot to exterminate Mordecai along with every Jew in Persia. The superstitious throw of the dice determines the date of his proposed massacre, and the 11-month countdown begins. When Mordecai confronts Esther with the danger of Haman's plan, she is left with a painful choice: either approach the king (and possibly lose her life) or remain silent (and allow the annihilation of her people and herself).

Your Daily Walk

Make a mental list of things you know about yourself that no one else knows: details that could be used against you if they were public knowledge. Now consider that Esther's secret ancestry went from an asset to a liability overnight. The same Jewish ancestry that provided her incredible beauty now put her life in jeopardy. She could have turned her back on her "roots" and her countrymen, enjoying the protection of the palace. Instead, she identified herself with the people of God and made herself available for God's service.

Are you tempted to disqualify yourself from God's service because of something in your background? Perhaps God has raised you up "for such a time as this" (4:14). But before God can use you, He must possess you, assets, liabilities, and all.

Insight - Moses, Esther, and Who?

Esther could have turned her back on the plight of the Jews and relied on the privilege of her rank and the protection of the palace. This was also true of Moses. He abandoned all the privileges of the Egyptian palace and "chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time" (Hebrews 11:25). Can you think of anyone else who abandoned kingly privileges to rescue His people?

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May 14

 

Esther 5-7

 

Esther Plans to Save the Jews

Key Passage:
Esther 5, 7

 

 

Overview

Fortified by faith, Esther courageously enters the king's court to present her request. Wisely, she invites the king and Haman to a special banquet in their honor and uses the occasion to invite them to a second banquet. Before the second banquet takes place, however, three events happen in rapid sequence: Haman builds an enormous gallows for hanging Mordecai; King Xerxes discovers Mordecai's previously overlooked act of bravery in saving his life; and Haman is forced to endure the humiliation of bestowing on Mordecai the very honor that he himself so greedily craved. At the second banquet, Esther uncovers the plot against the Jews, and then Haman is hanged on his own gallows.

Your Daily Walk

Toss a coin in the air, and see how many times in a row you can correctly guess which way it will land. Statistically, if you succeed five times in a row, you have done what only one person in 32 might be expected to do.

In the first seven chapters of Esther, at least a dozen events show the fingerprints of God's sovereign control, including Esther's coronation, Mordecai's forgotten act of bravery, Haman's lots, Esther's uninvited audience with the king, the timing of Esther's two banquets, and the king's insomnia. (Can you suggest six more?) The odds of 12 events happening in consecutive order by chance are one in 479 million! Incidentally, the "odds" of this happening in God's sovereign plan are one in one. Both the what and the when of life are under His loving control. Take a minute to acknowledge that fact before Him right now in a prayer of praise for His providence in your life.

Insight - The Fickle, Forgetful Monarch (6:1-11)

During his sleepless night following Esther's first banquet, King Xerxes learned that Mordecai's act of heroism had been duly recorded in the court chronicles. The king instructed Haman to give Mordecai the equivalent of a modern-day ticker-tape parade, completely forgetting he had just signed an edict to exterminate the Jews.

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May 15

 

Esther 8-10

 

Jews Commemorate God's Deliverance

Key Passage:
Esther 8:1-9:19

 

 

Overview

Haman is dead, but his murderous decree against the Jews lives on. Though a "law of the Medes and the Persians" could never be reversed, its effects could be counteracted by a subsequent decree. The king issues a new edict permitting the Jews to defend themselves throughout the empire on the day Haman had selected to annihilate them. The Feast of Purim is inaugurated as an annual celebration to commemorate this historic deliverance of the Jewish people.

Your Daily Walk

What do the following words have in common: Tishri, Chislev, Nisan, Adar, and Sivan?

Answer: They are all months in the Jewish calendar. For the devout Jew, the calendar was more than a way of marking time. It provided a ready-made way to annually recall God's dealings in the life of the nation. Nisan marked Passover, the time of Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Sivan brought the Feast of Pentecost, the celebration of yet another bountiful harvest from God. Tishri took the people back to their wilderness wanderings through the Festival of Booths. Each holiday became a holy day-a time of recalling, repenting, and renewing commitments to follow the God of Israel.

Why not establish your own annual "Feast of Purim," a time when you and your family rehearse God's special provisions over the past year? Begin tonight.

Insight - Present-Day Purim

Devout Jews observe Purim as follows: The day before (the 13th of Adar) is kept as a day of fasting in accordance with the command of Queen Esther (4:15-16). As soon as the stars appear, candles are lit, and the Book of Esther is read in the synagogue. Every time the name of Haman is mentioned in the reading, the congregation stamps on the floor exclaiming, "Let his name be blotted out. The name of the wicked shall rot!" The rest of the festival involves feasting, games, and gift-giving.

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Overview

Abijah, king of Judah, is used by God to discipline and defeat Jeroboam, king of Israel. During their battle, 500,000 Israelites fall, a shattering defeat from which Jeroboam will never fully recover. What Abijah accomplishes in the military sphere, Asa attempts to duplicate in the spiritual realm. He removes all traces of foreign religion from the land and commands the people to return to the careful observance of God's statutes. But toward the end of his reign, Asa faces a threat from Baasha (king of Israel) and seeks an alliance of protection with the king of Syria. Even on his deathbed, he puts his trust in earthly physicians alone, rather than in the Great Physician.

Your Daily Walk

Have you ever found yourself in a seemingly hopeless situation, one in which you looked at your circumstances and felt fear? Or despair? Or discouraged? What did you do? Did you try to fix the situation yourself? Or did you ask God to step in? Things were looking bad for King Asa. Baasha, the king of Israel, had sealed off all escape routes, and the situation looked hopeless. So Asa, instead of asking God to help, turned to the king of Syria, Ben-hadad, and bribed him to come to his rescue. On the surface, the strategy worked.

But God saw it differently. Earlier, Asa had trusted in the Lord, not in foreign powers. Now he was turning from trust in God to trust in himself, and God disciplined him.

What is the pattern of your life: belief in God, belief in yourself, or belief in others? Faith or sight? God or self? Each time you are tempted to rely on yourself, remember that it's always safe to trust the Lord.

Insight - A Dubious Distinction (16:7-10)

Hanani the seer, who condemned Asa for his reliance on foreign armies rather than on the Lord, becomes the earliest "persecuted prophet" in the pages of the Bible. (Check Luke 11:47-51 for the name of one other man who, though seldom thought of as a prophet, might also lay claim to this rather dubious distinction.)

Overview

The Assyrian assault and the dispersion of Israel are completely omitted at this point in the Chronicles account, even though they have a profound impact on Hezekiah's life and rule in Judah. Inheriting a disorganized country and a heavy tribute burden to Assyria, Hezekiah nevertheless puts first things first. In the very first month of his administration, he reopens and repairs the house of the Lord, restores the long-neglected temple worship and Passover celebration, and declares war on idol worship and pagan practices. When the Assyrian King Sennacherib besieges Jerusalem, and the situation looks hopeless, Hezekiah puts his faith to work once again in earnest prayer for deliverance. God answers his plea and crowns his life with prestige and power.

Your Daily Walk

Wouldn't it be wonderful to know that someone like Hezekiah was praying for you every day? Here was a man whose every recorded prayer was answered.

Wouldn't you like to have that kind of "clout" working for you? Then read and ponder the margin's sermon-in-a-sentence by Robert Murray McCheyne, Scottish missionary and preacher who never lived to see his 30th birthday. See Hebrews 7:25.

("If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference; He is praying for me.")

Insight - "Dear Diary, It Was a Bad Day in Jerusalem..."

Sennacherib's own account of this invasion has been found on a clay prism he himself made. It is now in the Oriental Institute Museum in Chicago, and reads in part: "As for Hezekiah, king of Judah, who had not submitted to my yoke, 46 of his fortified cities ... I besieged and captured... 200,150 people... I took it as booty. Hezekiah himself was shut up like a caged bird in Jerusalem, his royal city. I built a line of forts against him, and turned back everyone who came forth out of his city gate."

No Assyrian king would ever record a defeat, especially one as devastating as the Jerusalem debacle, but it is significant that Sennacherib did not claim to have taken Jerusalem, a most remarkable confirmation of biblical history.

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April 30

2 Chronicles 33-36

Overview

While 1 Kings centers on the ministry of Elijah, 2 Kings focuses on the ministry of Elisha. After Elijah makes his last prophetic utterance the prediction of Ahaziah's death for turning to lifeless idols rather than to the living God he is taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, leaving his understudy Elisha to continue the prophetic work of calling the nation back to God. With the mantle of Elijah on his shoulders and a double portion of Elijah's spirit to fortify him, Elisha wastes no time beginning his prophetic and miraculous ministry. He predicts that God will fill the valleys of Edom with water, enabling King Joram to defeat the forces of Moab and turn back the enemy threat.

Your Daily Walk

If a miracle is something so difficult that only God can do it, what area of your life most needs a miracle? And how does it compare with these "miracle stories"?

The Lord said to Abraham: "Is anything too hard for the LORD?" (Genesis 18:14). And Abraham fathered Isaac at age 100.

Jeremiah affirmed: "Nothing is too hard for you" (Jeremiah 32:17). And God delivered His people from exile.

The angel told Mary: "For nothing is impossible with God" (Luke 1:37). And a virgin gave birth to the Savior.

When Elisha instructed Joram to dig trenches in the valley because God was going to fill them with water in spite of a drought, Elisha assured the king, "This is an easy thing in the eyes of the LORD" (2 Kings 3:18). The next morning, the waters came.

What challenge in your life seems too big for anyone but God? Write your name by one of the stories above as your testimony of confidence in God's ability to do the impossible.

Insight - Going to School with the Prophets

The "company of the prophets" (2 Kings 2:3, 5, 7, 15; 4:1, 38; 5:22; 6:1) were probably young men studying the Law and the history of Israel in order to teach the people.

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April 9

2 Kings 4-8

Overview

Elisha, the great miracle worker of God, performs no fewer than nine miracles in the space of today's section: providing an "oil well" for a destitute widow, giving new life to a dead boy, making poisoned stew harmless, multiplying bread for a hungry crowd, curing a leprous army captain, making an ax head defy the law of gravity, reading the mind of an enemy king, opening the eyes of a servant to see the angels of God, and closing the eyes of the enemy to the same spectacle. In each case, God's power at work in the individual shows His readiness to do the same in the nation He has called His own.

Your Daily Walk

Myopia, simply defined, is improper focus. Images appear fuzzy or blurred because the eye cannot focus light to a sharp point. Physical myopia can be detected and corrected quite easily.

There is a similar visual problem in the spiritual realm. Let's call it spiritual myopia. The symptoms: clear focus when identifying problems, obstacles, and difficulties in everyday life, but great difficulty focusing on the reservoir of power and protection that God has provided to meet those problems head-on. Spiritual myopia was the condition of Elisha's servant when he focused on the problem (6:15) but not the provision (6:17). He saw only a horde of Syrians, while Elisha saw the host of angels.

On an index card, draw a small eye chart (similar to what you would find in an ophthalmologist's office), using the words of 2 Kings 6:16, and place it on your mirror or near your computer screen. Let it remind you often of the importance of proper spiritual focus in your walk with God.

Insight - How to Fly Off the Handle

In biblical times, the iron head of an ax was attached to the handle by leather thongs. Thus, it was common for the head to fly off the handle whenever the thongs broke or slipped. Accidents with axes were so common that a special provision was included in the Law of Moses to handle such cases (Deuteronomy 19:1-6).

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April 10

 

2 Kings 9-12

 

Jehu's Revenge, Joash's Reform

Key Passage:
2 Kings 9-10

 

 

Overview

Anointed king over Israel at Elisha's direction, Jehu wastes no time carrying out his mission. He heads straight for the city of Jezreel, where Joram is recuperating from his battle wounds. There he slays the ruling heir of Ahab's house in the vineyard of Naboth, for which Ahab's wife had committed murder a generation before. But Jehu is far from finished. In addition, he kills Ahaziah, king of Judah (who was making an untimely visit to Joram), Jezebel (Joram's wicked mother-in-law), and finally the entire surviving family of Ahab, thus fulfilling God's sentence of death. But while Jehu is executing judgment in Israel, a different and potentially more dangerous execution is taking place in Judah. Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, seizes the throne and seeks to remove the rest of the royal line. The sole surviving heir, Joash, grows up to be Judah's youngest monarch and one of its greatest reformers.

Your Daily Walk

Whatever else you can say about Jehu (and you can say plenty), his single-minded attention to the task God gave him is exemplary. Jehu was a man with a divine calling, a man with a mission, who lost no time in carrying it out. He brought to fulfillment the prophecy of Elijah against the house of Ahab (1 Kings 21:19-24) and, for a time, completely rid Israel of the heathen worship of Baal. God approved of Jehu's faithfulness to his calling and rewarded him for it.

How do you tackle the assignment God has set before you? Carelessly? Halfheartedly? Or with the zeal of a Jehu? Whether you are a student or a parent, a minister or an office worker, you can put your heart into your work if the God of Jehu is in your heart.

Insight - Judgment Can Be Murder

Jehu was anointed as God's instrument for the task of exterminating the house of Ahab, and along with it, the worship of Baal. Baalism was so viciously cruel that only a person of Jehu's relentlessness could have done the job. By the end, Jehu had indeed wiped out the entire house of Ahab and had thoroughly purged the nation of Baal worshipers.

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April 11/12

 

2 Kings 13-17

 

Ruin of Israel

Key Passage:
2 Kings 13, 17

 

 

Overview

On his deathbed, Elisha offers King Joash of Israel the opportunity to utterly rout his Syrian enemy. But the king's lack of faith results in something far short of complete victory, and presents a picture of the problem that has plagued Israel's kings for centuries. The alliance between Israel and Judah, secured under Jehoshaphat, now gives way to constant warfare. Anarchy and apostasy rip the land of Israel as the first king is assassinated, and then another is assassinated. When Israel and Syria form an alliance against Judah, Ahaz (king of Judah) buys the help of Assyria. But the downward spiral continues, and soon the 10 tribes in the north are deported to the remotest corners of the Assyrian empire, while other conquered peoples are imported to fill the vacuum.

Your Daily Walk

Historians and political scientists have developed elaborate explanations for the conquest of Israel, and later of Judah. "These were small countries," they say, "in the buffer zone between large, powerful neighbors to the south (Egypt) and north (Assyria and Babylon)." But the Bible states that the conquest and exile were God's judgment because of the sin of His people. Israel had turned her back on the Lord, turned to idols, and ignored the repeated message of God's prophets to "shape up or ship out." They had no one to blame but themselves.

That biblical principle remains in force today for nations as well as individuals, Christians as well as unbelievers. God will deal with an individual, with a family, or with a nation according to the unchanging principle that "a man reaps what he sows" (Galatians 6:7). When was the last time you "sowed" a word for God by means of a brief phone call or email to one of your elected officials? If an issue is crucial, we can't afford to remain silent.

Insight - It's a Long Way to Captivity

In the Assyrian dispersion, many Israelites were resettled in northern Mesopotamia (more than 400 miles away) and others in the area of the Medes (a full 1,000 miles from Samaria).

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April 13

 

2 Kings 18-21

 

Reforms of Hezekiah

Key Passage:
2 Kings 18, 20

 

 

Overview

With the captivity and deportation of Israel, the curtain drops on the northern 10 tribes. But what of their countrymen in the south? Will they learn from Israel's calamity and turn back to God? At this crucial juncture, God raises up Hezekiah, who does "what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done" (18:3). Spiritually, Hezekiah institutes sweeping reforms to bring the nation back to a wholehearted worship of God. Politically, he refuses to pay tribute any longer to Assyria, choosing instead to trust God for protection from reprisal. In answer to his prayer, God decimates the Assyrian army, breaking the back of that once mighty nation. However, by the time of his death, Hezekiah's pride and family negligence ensured that Judah's days were numbered.

Your Daily Walk

If you're looking for some help in your prayer life, spend some time studying an Old Testament character whose every recorded prayer was answered.

Hezekiah was a man of faith (18:5) and prayer. His first reaction when confronted with a problem was to bring it before the Lord. Whether the problem was 185,000 uninvited Assyrians (19:35) or a painful illness (20:7), Hezekiah took it to God in prayer. And when he prayed, things happened.

Prayer is not a magic formula, but verbal communication with the sovereign God of creation. Examine your own prayer habits. Are they built on a personal relationship with God? Are you strengthening your prayer life with daily exercise? Are you more comfortable talking to God today than you were a year ago? Try this: Every time you get into or out of your car today, spend a few seconds in prayer. You'll find it habit-forming.

Insight - Smashing an Ancient Artifact

Hezekiah's zealous reform included even the destruction of the bronze serpent that Moses had made in the wilderness (Numbers 21:8-9), which the people were burning incense to.

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April 14

 

2 Kings 22-25

 

Ruin of Judah

Key Passage:
2 Kings 22-23

 

 

Overview

Those who do not learn from history are destined to repeat it, and Judah is no exception. Though Israel has been swept away in judgment, the southern kingdom continues its pagan "business as usual." Good King Josiah makes a last desperate attempt to turn the nation back to God. He locates the long-lost Book of the Law and institutes sweeping reforms. But though he can impose changes in actions on the people, only wholehearted repentance can change the attitudes of godlessness and self-indulgence that are the root of the problem. As a result, when Josiah dies, his successors revert to pagan practices. At last, God brings down the curtain on the southern kingdom as Babylonian soldiers topple the walls, homes, and temple of once-mighty Jerusalem.

Your Daily Walk

What is the most important book in the world to you? Assuming your answer is "the Bible"..

THINK: How many days this month have you spent time in the Bible? Assuming your answer is "at least one"..

THINK: How did you respond to the truth you encountered there? Assuming your answer is an honest one...

THINK: Are you satisfied with your response to that truth? Assuming your answer is less than a resounding "yes"..

REREAD 2 Kings 23:2-3. The power of God's Word to change lives is perhaps nowhere more evident than in those two verses. The Word pierces where no manmade sword can reach: to the very heart of the king, priests, prophets, and people, turning their hearts collectively back to God. The result: a national spiritual awakening.

God's Word convicts, but only you can commit yourself to doing God's will. Is there an area of your life where a response is overdue?

Insight - The Short and Long and Short and Long of It

The lengths of the reigns of the last four kings of Judah are easy to remember once you see the pattern. The sequence is 3 months, 11 years, 3 months, 11 years.

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1 Chronicles

 

Recalling the period of Jewish history from 2 Samuel through 2 Kings, the priestly writer of Chronicles focuses on the exciting life and righteous reign of King David (1 Chronicles) and the fortunes of the southern kingdom of Judah (2 Chronicles). The first book falls into two parts: Chapters 1–9 trace David’s royal family tree all the way back to Adam; chapters 10–29 detail David’s successful administration as Israel’s second king, showing the importance of proper worship for God’s covenant people.

 

 

April 15

 

1 Chronicles 1-9

 

David's Family Tree

Key Passage:
1 Chronicles 1

 

 

Overview

Chronicles is more than just a repetition of the books of 2 Samuel through 2 Kings. Though it covers the same period of history, Chronicles approaches the task from an entirely different perspective. It focuses on religious (not political) history, giving special attention to events surrounding the temple (not the palace) and the southern kingdom of Judah (the Davidic royal line). Down through the centuries, God has provided a witness for Himself and protected the people who were the ancestors of the coming Messiah of Israel-a fact clearly seen in the table of genealogies.

Your Daily Walk

Before you write off today's section as a lost cause in your pursuit of excitement in daily Bible reading, look beyond the monotonous repetition of "begat" and "the sons of" to see the personalities and events involved. For example:

• How many of the names do you recognize?

• For how many of the characters can you recall at least one fact or story from the Old Testament?

• Who would you say are the five most important people mentioned in these lists? Why did you select those five?

• How many reasons can you think of that God might want to include these chapters in His Word?

The opening chapters of 1 Chronicles give not only the historical roots of God's people, but also the spiritual roots. Can you trace yours? Who are the important people in your spiritual heritage? Which of them are still alive today? Is there a tangible way you could say thank you for their role in your spiritual development? You might want to begin a page of spiritual roots in the back of your Bible and add to it as your research continues.

Insight - Curious Omissions in a Copious List

Chapters 1-9 may seem like an exhaustive genealogy, but they are not. Careful study reveals several significant omissions, including the family of Eli and the tribes of Zebulun and Dan.

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Overview

The Book of 2 Samuel opens where 1 Samuel closed, with the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. David's lament over the loss of his closest personal friend and of God's anointed leader is captured in a moving song with the repeated refrain, "How the mighty have fallen!" (1:19, 25, 27). Assured by the Lord that the time for his ascension to the throne has come at last, David is installed as king over Judah. But his acceptance as Israel's new national leader will be slow and painful. Ish-bosheth, Saul's surviving son, usurps power in the north, sparking a civil war between Israel (led by Abner) and Judah (led by Joab). Intrigue, assassination, and defection result in the deaths of Asahel, Abner, and finally Ish-bosheth. With the opposition to David's rule removed, the way is cleared for David to reign over a united kingdom at last, more than seven years after Saul's death.

Your Daily Walk

Have you learned to separate personality from authority? God's commands are often based on a line of authority. Within the chain of command, he has instructed children to obey their parents, young people to respect their elders, and citizens to submit to the ruling authorities, whether or not they like the personality of the one in authority over them. In the same way, David honored Saul as God's anointed king throughout his life. Refusing to carry a personal vendetta or to retaliate against Saul's family, David sincerely mourned Saul's passing and showed kindness to Saul's house, though Saul was no doubt his "favorite person."

Whether or not you agree with the personality and philosophy of your civic leaders, you have a spiritual responsibility to submit to them, honor them, and above all, pray for them (1 Timothy 2:1-3). Have you done that yet today? It will help them and you.

Insight - Family Feud, Old Testament Style

In 3:1-5, six of David's sons are named, each born to a different wife. David's moral laxity, so evident in these verses, would ultimately contribute to his downfall.

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March 25

2 Samuel 5-7

Overview

The internal strife has finally ended, and David is firmly established as king over a united kingdom. Now, in his first official act as monarch, he relocates the nation's capital from Hebron to Jerusalem. In addition to Jerusalem's becoming the political center of Israel, David now makes it the religious center as well by transporting the ark from Gibeah. At last, David is ready to see the fulfillment of a lifelong dream: the construction of a house for God. But through the prophet Nathan, God redirects those plans. Because David has been a man of war, it must be left to his son, Solomon (whose name means "peace"), to build God's temple. But while David will not be permitted to build a house for God, God will build a house for David: a throne, a family, and a kingdom that will stand forever.

Your Daily Walk

How do you respond to the death of a dream? When your most cherished ambition is shattered by a financial reversal, a physical injury, or an unexpected change of plans, what is your reaction?

After God curtailed David's plans to build a permanent house for the ark, David responded with gratitude (not grumbling) and praise (not pouting). He thanked God for all the good things He had done in the history of the nation, and reaffirmed God's sovereign right to veto David's plans: "Now, LORD God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised" (7:25). Personal ambition yielded to sovereign direction.

Have you committed your dreams and ambitions to God? He may want to approve and confirm them, or He may want to change and refashion them into something you've never dreamed. That's His right as Creator. So give Him that right-right now!

Insight - Learning a Life-and-Death Lesson (6:3-7)

For perhaps 50 years, the ark had been considered little more than a piece of furniture. God's stern judgment upon Uzzah for touching it marked the beginning of a new era in which the people recognized the sanctity of God's presence again.

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March 26

 

2 Samuel 8-10

 

David's Reign over an Expanding Nation

Key Passage:
2 Samuel 9

 

 

Overview

Once David has consolidated his nation politically and religiously, he turns to the task of being God's man of war. By subduing the neighboring nations, David extends Israel's borders: Philistia to the southwest; Amalek to the south; Edom, Moab, and Ammon to the east; Syria to the northeast; Zobah to the north. Each succumbs to David's withering assault. But though he is a man of war, David maintains a tender heart. He seeks out and befriends the sole surviving heir of Saul's dynasty, a lame grandson named Mephibosheth, by making him part of the king's family.

Your Daily Walk

Insurance companies today have a name for those who apply for insurance while suffering from heart disease or who have a family history of premature death. Such individuals are "bad risks."

When a new king came to the throne in the ancient Near East, you might say the remaining family members of the preceding dynasty were bad risks. According to the custom of the day, they had two chances for survival: slim and none. The usual practice was for the new king to pursue and slaughter any possible claimants to the throne. That's why David's gesture of mercy and clemency to Mephibosheth was so amazing.

God's grace to us, which is illustrated by this story, is even greater. "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). If you have not received God's grace, do so right now (see Ephesians 2:8-9). If you have, thank God anew for it. Then look for a Mephibosheth in your life who needs to learn about God's love and forgiveness.

Insight - Just Call Me "Mephibosheth"

A helpless cripple, heir of King Saul, and a self-proclaimed "dead dog," Mephibosheth was nonetheless welcomed with open arms into David's own royal family. What a beautiful illustration of God's grace to us crippled as sinners, yet lifted from our shame and given an inheritance by the King Himself.

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March 27

 

2 Samuel 11-14

 

David's Sin and God's Judgment

Key Passage:
2 Samuel 11-12

 

 

Overview

A person's life can pivot on one small event. Such is the case with David. Idling around the palace when he should have been leading his troops on the battlefield, David sets himself up for disaster. A chance look leads to lust, which gives birth to sin, which in turn results in death. But even in his darkest moment, the "man after [God's] own heart" (Acts 13:22) shows his true character. When confronted by Nathan the prophet about his sin, David responds with wholehearted repentance. Though he experiences God's forgiveness, the seeds of sin have been planted. All too soon, David will reap the harvest of that sin.

Your Daily Walk

The crash of the giant redwood could be heard for miles. But the question on everyone's mind lingered long after the sound had died away. There was no chainsaw, no forest fire, no dynamite. How had such a mammoth tree come toppling down?

Silently, secretly, thousands of tiny beetles ate away at the very heart of the tree. The signs of decay went unnoticed until the crash, and then it was too late.

David's sin with Bathsheba was no sudden collapse of his moral values, but rather the outgrowth of an undisciplined life given to passion, polygamy, and idle pleasure. When the temptation came, David had no willpower to resist. He saw, he inquired, he yielded. And the crash could be heard for generations to come in the form of treachery, immorality, jealousy, and murder.

Where are subtle sins eating away at your spiritual vitality? If it is true that disaster in the Christian life more often results from a slow leak than a blowout, take time today to examine your life for any "slow leaks." You can't afford to ignore them.

Insight - Solomon, the Peace Child (12:24)

As part of the judgment upon David's sin, the child born of adultery died in infancy. But later God gave to David and Bathsheba another son, whom they appropriately named Solomon-"peace." Despite his past failure, David was now at peace with his God.

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March 28-29

 

2 Samuel 15-18

 

Absalom's Attempt to Overthrow David

Key Passage:
2 Samuel 15, 18

 

 

Overview

Incest, murder, intrigue, rebellion-the story of David's family from chapter 12 on reads like a horror story. But the worst is yet to come. Absalom, David's favorite (and most undisciplined) son, seizes the opportunity to usurp his father's throne. After sowing discontent among the people, Absalom launches a dramatic, unexpected invasion of Jerusalem, forcing David to flee for his life. In his flight, David is deceived by Ziba, maligned by Shimei, and befriended by Barzillai. But he owes his life largely to Hushai, who remains behind in Jerusalem and counsels Absalom to mount a careful (and delayed) attack, rather than to pursue immediately. When the battle is joined in the forest of Ephraim, Absalom's dreams of power come to a "hair-raising" conclusion.

Your Daily Walk

What do Monday morning quarterbacks and many politicians' speeches have in common? They are always right because they are always based on 20/20 hindsight.

Absalom would have made a good Monday morning quarterback. Certainly, he was an outstanding politician, for he won the hearts of the people by second-guessing the decisions of the king and promising the people what they wanted, though he had no authority to grant it.

When a bad decision has been made, do not hesitate to give open, honest criticism to the person who's responsible. Wrong decisions cannot be ignored. But watch the human tendency to become an armchair general.

All statements beginning, "If I had been there..." are dangerous. Pick a church or civic leader and focus your efforts this week on positive support, rather than negative second-guessing.

Insight - Hair Today, a "Goner" Tomorrow

Absalom's luxuriant head of hair was the crowning glory of a vain egomaniac. How ironic that it became the instrument of his death, suspending him from the low-hanging branches of a tree.

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March 30

 

2 Samuel 19-20

 

David's Restoration to the Throne

Key Passage:
2 Samuel 19

 

 

Overview

David's unceasing grief for Absalom (at the expense of those who risked their lives for the king) prompts an abrupt but effective confrontation with General Joab. A king's personal feelings must give way to the good of the nation. So, accompanied by his faithful followers, David begins his triumphal return to Jerusalem. His reestablishment as king in Israel marks the return of discontent to the nation. Jealousy between the tribes, an attempted coup by Sheba, murder in the palace guard- the violence is a continual reminder that "uneasy lies the head that wears the crown."

Your Daily Walk

Think back over the chapters you have read in 2 Samuel, and make a list of your impressions of Joab, David's general.

Every leader needs a man like Joab. For all his bad points (and there were plenty-he was brutal, bloodthirsty, vengeful), Joab had a side that was commendable. His devotion to David and to the nation was exemplary. He was a man who saw what had to be done and did it, regardless of how unpopular the action or how unwanted the rebuke. Though David often questioned Joab's actions, he never questioned Joab's motives and rightly so.

Do you have the fortitude to do the unpopular thing when it is right and needs to be done? Do you have the courage to speak up when a voice needs to be heard? No one enjoys such roles, but they are a vital part of godly exhortation. Select an admirable trait from Joab's life (such as commitment, fortitude, or selflessness) and use it as a pattern for your activities today. God will give you the strength and wisdom to be a Joab when the job calls for one.

Insight - David's Shrouded Grief

After learning of Absalom's death, David "covered his face" (19:4), the customary way of expressing grief. The covered head symbolized the agony that shut David off from the world and also pictured the shroud of Absalom's burial.

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March 31

 

2 Samuel 21-24

 

David's Final Words and Works

Key Passage:
2 Samuel 23-24

 

 

Overview

Years of ruling the nation (and getting into and out of trouble) have taken their toll on David, leaving him faint in battle and feeble in old age. But though David can no longer pursue the enemy, problems continue to pursue him to the end of his reign. A broken treaty with the Gibeonites results in three years of famine; a sinful census leads to the deaths of 70,000 Israelites. But in each case, David repents of his sinful ways and assumes the familiar posture of a worshiper of God, the hallmark of his life. To the end of his days, David remains a man after God's own heart.

Your Daily Walk

When called upon to support the work of God with your money, do you "give till it hurts" or "hurt when you give"?

David provides a valuable model for giving. When God punished the Israelites for David's proud census, the prophet Gad told David to build an altar on Araunah's threshing floor. It would have been an easy matter for David to confiscate Araunah's property, or at least to accept Araunah's offer of free animals and wood for the sacrifice. But David refused, knowing that such an offering would not be pleasing to God. "I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing" (24:24).

Examine your own offerings to the Lord your God. Do you tend to give superficially or sacrificially? Are your gifts the overflow of a grateful heart? As you look forward to your next paycheck, think about increasing the amount you give to your church or a Christian organization you support. And remember, "God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Insight - A Mighty Man in a Curious Place

In David's list of 37 mighty warriors (23:8-39) is one curious inclusion: Uriah the Hittite! Though David masterminded his death, he never forgot Uriah's exemplary conduct.

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Overview

Israel's oppression under Midian is brief but severe, as Midian forcibly takes Israel's harvest. Gideon, called by a divine messenger to deliver God's people, is a reluctant savior and doubtful candidate for greatness. It takes a pair of confirming signs (first a soggy fleece, then a dry one) to convince Gideon that God can use him. But once his faith is sparked, Gideon watches as God removes all the props upon which he might have trusted: his army (reduced 99 percent); his weapons (reduced to pitchers, torches, and trumpets); and his military strategy (reduced to a single command: "Stand still!").
When a miracle of deliverance occurs, there can be only one explanation—God did it.

Your Daily Walk

Are you a skeptic—the kind of person who never takes anything at face value, who asks a lot of questions, and who always requires confirmation of the facts? Then you will appreciate the life of Gideon.

In 1 Corinthians 1:22, Paul comments that "Jews demand miraculous signs," and such was the case with Gideon. Faced with an overwhelming assignment and equipped with rather dubious human qualifications, Gideon needed a bolstered faith. Nowhere in the passage did God chide Gideon for his request for a confirming sign. He gladly and patiently provided what Gideon needed.

When the will of God is clear, to demand a sign is evidence of unwillingness to obey. When God's will is uncertain, but you are earnestly seeking it (like Gideon), God will make it clear to you. Take a decision you are wrestling with today and ask God to confirm His will through the Bible, Christian counsel, circumstances, or inner assurance. Remember, delayed obedience is really disobedience.

Insight - God's Unbeatable Team (7:22)

In Leviticus 26:8, God had promised Israel that "five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand." With Gideon's band of 300 men, God fulfilled that promise, proving He isn't concerned about the odds.

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March 10

Judges 9-12

Overview

Abimelech, Gideon's son by a concubine, is never called a judge in Israel, though he sets himself up as king and murders 69 of his 70 brothers. As Jotham (the only surviving son) predicted, Abimelech dies as violently as he lived. The brief records of two minor judges, Tola and Jair, are followed by a lengthy treatment of Jephthah in the days of oppression by the Philistines and Ammonites. In contrast to Gideon, who sought to appease the tribe of Ephraim, Jephthah ends up going to war against Ephraim. His action-filled reign as judge is best remembered for his presumptuous vow, which seals the fate of his virgin daughter forever. The section closes with a brief look at three other minor judges who are most noteworthy for their enormous families.

Your Daily Walk

Should Christians take oaths or make vows today? Those who respond "No!" will find ample support in the tragic result of Jephthah's presumptuous vow (11:30-31, 34-40).

Vows are not to be taken lightly. But the real tragedy of Jephthah was his unwillingness to admit he had acted foolishly and had made a mistake. A willingness to admit errors and seek help is evidence of maturity and strength, not weakness.

Is there a family member or friend you have wronged through a mistake? Admitting you were wrong, asking for forgiveness, and making restitution for any damage can open new opportunities for fellowship and service with that person. God wants you to be an open, honest person with a realistic view of yourself—one who (unlike Jephthah) is quick to admit mistakes and knows when to seek wise counsel.

Insight - A Deadly Slip of the Tongue

The 42,000 Ephraimites Jephthah slew were identified by the fact that they said "Sibboleth" instead of "Shibboleth" (12:6). But they aren't the only ones in Scripture who were betrayed by an accent. When Peter was in the high priest's courtyard the night Jesus was arrested, he was accused of being a follower of Jesus because of his Galilean speech (see Matthew 26:73).

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March 11

 

Judges 13-16

 

Samson, the Carnal Champion

Key Passage:
Judges 13, 16

 

 

Overview

The life of Samson is a study in unfulfilled potential. The only child of an elderly couple, designated by God a Nazirite from birth, blessed with superhuman strength, and commissioned to "begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines" (13:5), Samson instead spends most of his life fulfilling his own passions and desires. His lack of self-control eventually results in blindness and bondage. But God gives him one last portion of power, and in his death, Samson destroys more Philistines than during his entire life of compromise.

Your Daily Walk

Here are some of the wisest words ever penned by Benjamin Franklin: "Doing an injury puts you below your enemy; avenging one makes you but even with him; forgiving one sets you above him."

Revenge is one of the most natural—and destructive of all human responses. Rather than trying to right a wrong by forgiving it, the most common reaction is to try to right a wrong by committing another wrong—namely, lashing out at the other person. Such was the problem with Samson. He spent much of his time burning with anger (14:19) and doing harm to those who had wronged him (15:3). But his temper only complicated the problem, never corrected it.

What is your response when someone has wronged you? Do you count to 10 before "blasting off"? Or do you "go into orbit" immediately? To help you cultivate a proper response to others, put this verse to work today: "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Proverbs 15:1). You'll find it hard to express anger—or harbor it—when you whisper.

Insight - Nazirite or Nazarene—What's the Difference?

Many confuse the two terms Nazirite and Nazarene. Jesus, a Nazarene, was so called because He lived in Nazareth. Samson, a Nazirite, was so called because he did not drink wine, touch dead bodies, or cut his hair—all prohibitions of a Nazirite vow. (For added details concerning this vow, see Numbers 6:1-21.)

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March 12

 

Judges 17-21

 

Examples of National Degradation

Key Passage:
Judges 17; 19; 21:25

 

 

Overview

The closing chapters of Judges provide graphic snapshots of the spiritual and moral degeneration of a nation in which "everyone did as he saw fit" (17:6; 21:25). Chronologically these events belong with chapter 3, but thematically they form a fitting conclusion to the book. The spiritual decline is illustrated by Micah, who carves his own idol, consecrates his own son as priest, and hires a traveling Levite to minister on his behalf. The tribe of Dan confiscates both the idol and the priest to serve their own interests instead. The story of the Levite and his concubine is a grisly flashback to the days of Sodom and Gomorrah. In the ensuing civil war, the tribe of Benjamin is decimated, and efforts to repopulate it result in little more than anarchy.

Your Daily Walk

Is it possible one of the reasons the forces of evil and wickedness are so successful is that the children of God are simply naive?

When you read chapters in the Bible like Judges 17-21, your immediate reaction may be, "It can't happen here." No one wants to believe the veneer of civilization is really that thin and fragile. But until you recognize the problem, there is little hope of finding a solution.

Check up on your own I.Q. (Information Quotient). Do you know what the crime rate is in your area? What percent of your community is unchurched? How many unwanted babies were aborted last year? How many incidents of divorce, child abuse, and substance abuse were recorded? Knowing some of those statistics can help you pray more intelligently.

Insight - My, How Times Have Changed!

The Book of Joshua records the history of the nation of Israel in days of victory with faith in God, spiritual vision, strength, and unity. But as you read in Judges of Israel's defeats, apostasy, worldliness, weakness, and anarchy, you may have thought you were reading about an entirely different nation.

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March 13

 

Ruth 1-4

 

Ruth: Interlude of Love

Key Passage:
Ruth 1, 4

 

 

Overview

The Book of Ruth provides a beautiful interlude of love in the period of the judges in Israel—an era marked by immorality, idolatry, and war. This heartwarming account of devotion and faithfulness tells the story of Ruth, a Moabite widow who leaves her homeland to live with her widowed, Israelite mother-in-law in Bethlehem. God honors her commitment by guiding her to the field of Boaz (a near kinsman), where she gathers grain and eventually finds a husband. The book closes with a brief genealogy in which Boaz's name is prominent as the great-grandfather of King David, and an ancestor of Jesus.

Your Daily Walk

Love is more readily demonstrated than described. Ruth demonstrated the true character of love when she willingly and steadfastly pledged her allegiance and devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi. Clearly, by traveling to a foreign country she had more to lose than gain. She was still young and easily could have remarried someone of her own nationality. But her primary concern was not for her own well-being, but rather for the well-being of Naomi. Ruth exemplifies sacrificial love the kind that Jesus portrayed when He gave His "life for the sheep" (John 10:11).

How can you give of yourself sacrificially to someone around you your spouse, roommate, employer, neighbor, or friend? Jot down a name in the margin, a specific act of selfless love you can do for that person, and the date when you will do it. Don't let your love be "Ruthless," or it will soon become useless (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).

Insight - Ruth and Esther—Alike and Yet So Different

Ruth and Esther are the only two books in the Bible named after women. Ruth, a Gentile, lived among Hebrews and married a Hebrew. Esther, a Hebrew, lived among Gentiles and married a Gentile. Both women were greatly used by God to bring glory to Himself.

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1 Samuel

 

By the end of the chaotic period of the judges, God’s people are clamoring for a king. The Book of 1 Samuel tells the story of Israel’s last judge (Samuel), its first king (Saul), and the early years of its greatest king (David). Because Saul lacks a heart for God, he is rejected by God. Young David—anointed to take his place—must flee to the wilderness to escape Saul’s jealous pursuit. At last, Saul and his sons meet death on Mount Gilboa, setting the stage for 2 Samuel and the golden age of King David.

 

 

 

March 14/15

 

1 Samuel 1-3

 

Samuel's Birth and Call

Key Passage:
1 Samuel 1:1-20; 3:1-21

 

 

 

Overview

Like a ray of sunshine in the gloomy period of the judges stands the godly family of Elkanah and his barren wife, Hannah. God hears Hannah's fervent prayer for a son, who would be dedicated to the service of God, and graciously provides Samuel (along with three more sons and daughters). In fulfillment of her vow, Hannah brings Samuel to Shiloh, where he begins his life of godly service under the tutelage of Eli the priest. But when Eli fails to discipline his own sons, bringing reproach upon both God and the tabernacle, Samuel is commissioned by God to declare judgment upon Eli's house.

Your Daily Walk

Analyze the following statement: Being a good businessperson does not guarantee that you will be a good parent. Now, substitute for the word "businessperson" each of the following groups of words, and then reread the statement thoughtfully: Bible study leader, Sunday school teacher, volunteer worker, civic leader, student, church leader.

In today's passage, you were confronted by a sobering scene. Eli, a man who knew his job well as a priest and functioned adequately in his service before the Lord, was nevertheless a failure in his role as a father. Success in one sphere did not guarantee success in the other. And because of his failure as a father, he lost his influence in the spiritual realm as well.

Parents, take an objective look at how well you're doing in raising your children to glorify God. Are there some pressing areas of need? Your church library or local Christian bookstore offers a gold mine of resources to help you teach God's truths creatively and practically to your children. But only you can make parenting the priority it needs to be.

Insight - Samuel, the Tabernacle Toddler

In the ancient Near East, it was common to nurse children until the age of four or five. Thus, since Samuel was brought to the tabernacle after he was weaned (1:22), he was already old enough to learn much from Eli about the Law and priestly duties.

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Overview

From the general principles of the Law and exhortations to obedience, Moses now moves to more specific regulations governing life in the promised land. God Himself would specify the place and manner of worship, and Israel must reject all idolatrous practices. Purity, tithing, release from debt, and servanthood are all ways in which Israel can demonstrate her unique relationship with God. And the nation must be careful to observe all the feast days that mark important events in her miraculous history.

Your Daily Walk

Today, pierced ears are considered fashionable. But in Israel, ears were pierced for a vastly different reason.

In today’s reading Moses gives instructions concerning the release of servants after a six-year period. Once in a while there arose a situation in which a servant so loved his master that he did not wish to be set free. He would prefer to remain under his master’s protection, devoted to his work, rather than to set out on his own. As a perpetual sign of this new relationship, the master would pierce the servant’s ear, thereby proclaiming to the world, “This is my beloved servant; I am perpetually his beloved master.”

In Psalm 40, David picks up this image: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced…I desire to do your will, O my God” (40:6, 8 niv).

What about your ears? Have they been pierced for the Lord? Are you the property of the Father, ready to do His will as a loving servant? If not, give God your ears—and life—right now.

Insight - “You are not to do as we do here today” (12:8)

The disruption of life caused by the conquest of the land east of the Jordan may have made orderly worship impossible. This verse may have been intended to prohibit the use of private altars for worship or sacrifice. Once in the land, only one central place of worship would be sanctioned.

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February 25

Deuteronomy 17–20

Overview

Because Israel was a civil society as well as a religious community, laws governing national affairs were as vital as religious statutes. In today’s reading Moses delivers a set of regulations providing for justice and impartiality in the settling of a wide variety of situations that might arise in the life of the nation. Included are laws governing kings, priests, and prophets; peacetime and war; national and international affairs; the guilty and the innocent.

Your Daily Walk

“Now, I don’t know if this is true or not, but did you hear about…?”

If you’ve ever been the subject of such talk, you know the pain and destructiveness of hearsay. God hates rumors, hearsay, and gossip. That’s why He designated a system of justice in Israel whereby no action could be taken against an accused person until two or three witnesses had testified to the truthfulness of the accusation (17:6-7). This law required a thorough investigation and gave the accused the right to be confronted by his accusers. The system was so effective that it became standard practice in the New Testament for handling church discipline (2 Corinthians 13:1). Jesus reaffirmed the Old Testament law when He said: “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault…But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses’ ” (Matthew 18:15-16).

God’s principle is clear: You are responsible to investigate a charge of wrongdoing against a fellow Christian before acting on it or telling someone else about it. Remember to squelch rumors and hearsay before they hurt someone else.

Insight - The Motive Behind the Monarch (17:14-15)

Although Israel’s request for a king would seem harmless enough, 1 Samuel 8:4-9 reveals that this desire for a human monarch was indicative of Israel’s refusal to retain God as her true King.

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February 26

 

Deuteronomy 21–26

 

Societal Laws for Canaan

Key Passage:
Deuteronomy 23:1-8; 26:16-19

 

 

Overview

The concluding portion of Moses’ second sermon contains a variety of wise guidelines for life in the promised land. Moses anticipates (and resolves) situations that could arise to disrupt the smooth functioning of Israel’s society. In areas as diverse as marriage, capital punishment, purity, and tithing, Moses provides God’s view of what should and should not be done.

Your Daily Walk

Can you identify with this humorous sign? Then you might get a chuckle out of this tidbit: A man whose life was notoriously cluttered and confused asked that this epitaph be etched on his tombstone: “Organized at last!”

If you are one of those impeccably organized people who plans everything well ahead of time, then you may skip today’s devotional reading. But if you’re like the majority of the human race, you may find Moses’ example in today’s reading very helpful. He greatly served Israel by giving the people clear directions in anticipation of a number of difficult situations. What can you learn from him?

Take the matter of potentially sinful situations. You have a child causing you disciplinary problems. You have a boss or fellow employee who irritates you. Why not plan right now the biblical, God-honoring response you will make the next time that situation arises? Make three columns on a sheet of paper and write down (1) the anticipated situation; (2) your natural response; and (3) your prayerful, planned response. Keep that sheet handy and with God’s help, plan ahead to glorify Him in the midst of a difficult situation.

Insight - The Motive Behind the Monarch (17:14-15)

Although Israel’s request for a king would seem harmless enough, 1 Samuel 8:4-9 reveals that this desire for a human monarch was indicative of Israel’s refusal to retain God as her true King.

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Overview

In today’s reading Moses concludes his presentation of the new Law for the new generation. First, he sets forth the consequences of obeying and of violating the covenant. Complete surrender to God’s will as revealed in the Law will bring blessing upon the nation, the family, and the individual. Crops will flourish, cattle will multiply, and daily needs will be met. On the other hand, disobedience will result in disaster: pestilence, plagues, and ultimately removal from the land. The responsibility is left squarely on the shoulders of the people. They are free to choose the path they will take, but they are not free to escape the consequences of their choice.

Your Daily Walk

Do you ever find the will of God elusive or unclear? You have an important decision to make, and you want to do the right thing. You want to honor God. But which direction should you take? First, turn to the Word of God. God has something to say to you, and it’s contained in the Bible. All that remains is for you to read and obey it.

God is not in the business of hiding His will or making it difficult to understand. To the Israelites Moses wrote: “What I am commanding you today is not too difficult or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, ‘Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?’ ” (30:11-12). God’s will for you is not in a heavenly fog; it is a down-to-earth reality you can understand.

Read 30:11-20 twice. Then list three things that characterize God’s will for you today. Don’t worry about the things in the Bible you don’t understand; think about the things you do. And “do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5).

Insight - The Day the Slave Markets Were Glutted

The horrible curse of 28:68 literally came true. After the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, the slave markets of Egypt became so glutted with captive Israelites that there were not enough buyers for them all. God always keeps His promises.

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February 28

 

Deuteronomy 31–34

 

Farewell and Death of Moses

Key Passage:
Deuteronomy 31, 34

 

 

Overview

Moses’ long and illustrious life is drawing to a close. During his final days as Israel’s leader, he delivers some significant words of counsel to the priests, the Levites, his successor Joshua, and the entire nation. He has learned much during his 120-year walk with God, and his final words of warning and encouragement deserve careful attention. To make his last utterances easily remembered, Moses writes them down in the form of a song. After blessing each of the 12 tribes, Moses climbs Mount Nebo for a final look at the promised land, and there he dies a strong and vigorous man.

Your Daily Walk

Do you have trouble identifying with a great Old Testament saint such as Moses? Moses was a unique historical figure. He stood in the very presence of God, performed miracles before Pharaoh, parted the Red Sea, turned rocks into drinking fountains, and died at the age of 120, still full of youthful vigor.

The Bible paints Moses in very human shades, though. He spent the first two-thirds of his life wrestling with his calling before he finally yielded to God’s will. Being a man of action, he found it frustrating to administer the affairs of a large, rebellious group of people. In a moment of impatience and anger, he struck a rock instead of speaking to it, thus denying himself the opportunity to set foot in the promised land. Yet, God’s commentary on Moses is this: “No prophet has arisen…like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face” (34:10).

Let the words of Deuteronomy 29:29 provide a fresh motivation for you to know and do God’s will next month as you follow in the footsteps of Moses.

Insight - The Promised Land at Last

Moses, deliverer of his people, never set foot in the promised land. Or did he? Though he climbs Mount Nebo for one last faraway look at Canaan before his death, he is seen inside the promised land years later on the Mount of Transfiguration, along with Jesus and Elijah (Matthew 17:3; Luke 9:30-31).

Overview

The closing chapters of Leviticus contain a variety of instructions for Israel when the people occupy the promised land. Oil and bread must be provided for the sanctuary. The death penalty must fall on those who blaspheme the name of God. The land must be given periodic rest during the sabbatical and jubilee years. God promises to honor obedience to His commands and reward disobedience with stern judgment. The work of the Lord must be faithfully supported by the tithes of God’s people, and vows must not be entered into lightly.

Your Daily Walk

People are born with an innate desire to possess. Children at play argue loudly, “That’s mine!” Though adults usually tend to be more civilized about it, you’ll find the same sentiment voiced repeatedly: “I want what’s mine!”

God recognized this tendency in His people and instituted ways to help teach them a crucial spiritual truth. Every seventh year, all land was to remain uncultivated in order to remind the nation that the land belonged not to them, but to God. And every 50th year, known as the Year of Jubilee, all land that had been sold was to be returned to its original owners. God would give the land a Sabbath of rest (25:2). They could enjoy it—not as permanent owners, but as foreigners and temporary residents (25:23).

How do you view your possessions? Do you hold on to them tightly, or have you recognized them as something graciously loaned to you by God? Remember, a steward is someone who owns nothing but is responsible for everything entrusted to his care. To reinforce that truth, choose one room of your house and list everything in it. Then across the list, write these words: “Mine by stewardship, His by ownership.” Get the picture?

Insight - Captivity Foretold

One of the earliest predictions of the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities occurs in today’s reading (26:33-35). Israel knew from the start what would happen if the people disobeyed God’s Word. Yet centuries later, it would come true.

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Numbers

February 10

 

Numbers 1–4

 

Counting and Camping

Key Passage:
Numbers 3

 

 

Overview

With the laws given and the ceremonies specified, God now commands Moses to count the people and position them in a square formation around the tabernacle. The number of fighting men (603,550) suggests a total population of more than three million men, women, and children. The Levites are then positioned and numbered, and each priestly group is assigned a work detail related to the care and transport of the tabernacle.

Your Daily Walk

What is it that we all have the same amount of, but no one ever seems to have enough of? (Hint: The answer is not IQ, money, or credit card accounts.)

You probably guessed it. The one commodity shared equally by all members of the human race is time. Whether you are a peasant or a president, God’s gracious gift of time comes to you in bite-sized, 24-hour chunks—no more, no less. Perhaps you have been frustrated in your attempt to manage your time and accomplish everything you set out to do each day. If so, consider this: You have all the time you need to accomplish everything God intends for you to accomplish today. That means if you are too busy to do the things you know God wants you to do, then you are busier than God intends for you to be.

Analyze your time priorities. Across a sheet of paper, draw seven columns for Sunday through Saturday, and divide each day according to the way you normally spend it. Is there adequate time for sleep? Bible study? prayer? recreation? family activities? If not, what would need to change for God to be honored in your use of time?

Insight - The World’s Largest Campground

\If the population estimate of three million is accurate, and a minimum living space is allowed for each Israelite’s family and flocks, the camp of Israel must have been enormous—covering more than 100 square miles (about twice the size of San Francisco). Yet through a detailed, God-given plan for pitching, striking, and moving camp, Moses maintained order in the nation.

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February 11

 

Numbers 5–8

 

Cleansing and Congregating

Key Passage:
Numbers 5:11-31; 6:1-21

 

 

Overview

With the Israelites numbered and positioned, God further prepares the nation for entering the promised land by giving Moses instructions for cleansing and worship. First, Israel must be free of defilement from immorality and suspicions. The people must sense the sanctity of binding commitments such as the Nazirite vow. They must provide for the material needs of the tabernacle. And they must have a purified group of Levites to minister effectively for them in the corporate worship and celebration of the nation.

Your Daily Walk

A jealous husband. A suspicious wife. The combination can eat like acid into the marriage relationship. For this reason, God provided the seemingly strange ritual of Numbers 5:11-31 in order to deal decisively with jealousy and suspicion in the home. The ordeal by “bitter water” was designed to dramatize the bitterness and heartache caused by festering jealousy.

Today, the problem of jealousy remains just as widespread and malignant. But God’s prescribed cure has changed somewhat. According to James 4:7-10, it involves three parts: (1) submission to God; (2) confession to one another; (3) restoration in forgiving love. As with Numbers 5, the process is painful, but necessary.

Examine your heart right now. Are you harboring suspicion or jealousy toward a spouse, Christian friend, or family member? The place to begin is by talking to God. Confess your wrong attitude and appropriate His forgiveness. Then confront the other party in love. It won’t be pleasant, but when the alternative is simmering bitterness and broken fellowship, wouldn’t you agree that God’s way is best?

Insight - No Wine, Corpses, or Haircuts Allowed

The requirements of the Nazirite vow might seem strange unless understood in their symbolic sense. Wine symbolized comfort and enjoyment. Death and corpses represented defilement. Long hair stood for God-given strength and dignity. By avoiding the former two and maintaining the latter, a Nazirite declared his or her total devotion to God.

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February 12

 

Numbers 9-12

 

Criticizing and Complaining

Key Passage:
Numbers 9–10

 

 

Overview

Finally, the day has arrived for the nation to pull up stakes and set out for Canaan. As silver trumpets herald the journey’s commencement, the huge camp prepares to march. The long-awaited move has begun. But all too soon, gratitude turns to grouchiness: The people complain about their daily diet of manna and express jealousy over Moses’ leadership. In the midst of miraculous provision, there is persistent complaining, until at last the weary Israelites arrive at Kadesh-barnea, on the very border of Canaan.

Your Daily Walk

How many things can you think of that were truly “good” about the “good old days”?

When you experience adversity—even though you’re obeying God—you may catch yourself looking back on the “good old days” with a twinge of nostalgia. Memory is selective. Current difficulty often seems to bring to mind only the best of yesterday.

The Israelites had hardly broken camp when they began to complain about God’s daily provision of manna. To hear them tell it, you’d think they had left paradise in Egypt (11:5). But their foresight was even worse than their hindsight, for they forgot God’s promise of future blessing. God never intended for His children to spend the rest of their lives in the desert, eating manna.

Have difficult times caused you to look longingly at the way life used to be? To help you keep your eyes focused on God’s purpose for you, write these verses on an index card and carry it today:

“One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). Keep looking up, and you’ll never want to look back.

Insight - Ark in the Middle, Ark in the Front

Compare Numbers 2 and 10, and note that the ark enjoyed a position of prominence both in the camp and on the march. Can you suggest a reason for each position?

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February 13

 

Numbers 13–16

 

Death in the Wilderness

Key Passage:
Numbers 13

 

 

Overview

At the Lord’s command, Moses selects one man from each tribe to form a spying party to survey the land of Canaan. They return 40 days later, all having seen the same thing but divided in their opinions as to what it meant. The majority opinion: “The people are stronger than we are.” The minority opinion: “We shall surely overcome.” Disheartened and faithless, the people threaten to stone Moses and return to Egypt rather than face what seems to them a certain massacre. God’s punishment for their unbelief is severe: one year of wilderness wandering for each day the spies were in the land—and death in the wilderness for that entire generation. Yet, God’s plans will not be ultimately thwarted, as seen in the laws that He gives them to practice in the land.

Your Daily Walk

Two bricklayers were asked what they were doing. The first replied, “I’m laying brick”; the second, “I’m building a great cathedral.” Same task, same bricks, two different perspectives.

On the verge of entering the promised land, the Israelites evaluated the spies’ report. The land flows with milk and honey, but it also overflows with fortified cities and giants. Obviously, there could be only one response—“Let’s go!” The question was, in which direction? Joshua and Caleb responded with faith: “Let’s go forward!” The other 10 spies responded with feelings: “Let’s go back to Egypt!” The majority opinion prevailed, and Israel traced circles in the desert for 40 years.

Where is God stretching your faith today? Spy out your situation and make a list of what you see. Then ask yourself two questions: “How could I respond to this without faith? How should I respond to this in faith?” Then do the thing that will please God.

Insight - “Hey, Moses, You Remind Me of Someone…”

He was a humble man. His own people wanted to stone him, but in turn, he asked God to spare their lives. He was innocent, but he had to share the same punishment as his followers. He eventually delivered them into a new life in the promised land. Does Moses remind you of Someone else you know?

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February 14/15

 

Numbers 17–20

 

 

Aaron and Levites in the Wilderness

Key Passage:
Numbers 18, 20

 

 

Overview

As the grumbling generation marches through the wilderness outside the promised land, their discontent focuses on Moses and Aaron. Only a miraculous budding of Aaron’s rod can convince the people that Aaron represents God’s authority. In this context of rebellion, God again emphasizes the Levites’ role in the service of the tabernacle and provides the red cow as a means of cleansing the people from the ever-present defilement of death. Eventually, Moses is affected by the nation’s complaining attitude as well. In a moment of anger, he strikes the rock instead of speaking to it as God commanded, and so forfeits his privilege to set foot in the promised land.

Your Daily Walk

In the margin, write three things that you feel are essential for your future security. Now go back over your list and cross off any item that could easily be destroyed by a natural disaster or a financial reversal. Is there anything left?

God made it clear to Aaron and his family that their security lay in Him alone, even as they enjoyed their new homeland. God had faithfully supplied Aaron’s daily needs in the past (18:18-19), and He would do the same in the future. This was also true for the nation as a whole. God had been their great Sustainer, and would continue to provide even when they possessed wealth of their own.

Though owning property or having a bank account is not wrong, the danger is in allowing such things to crowd out your daily dependence on God. You may be in “good hands” financially, but you’re in better hands with God. Reread Numbers 18:20 to remind you that true security comes from God.

Insight - Don’t Touch That Grave!

Because a Jew was defiled by touching a human grave (19:16), tombs in Israel were often whitewashed so that unwary passersby could avoid contact with them. This helps explain why the Pharisees were offended when Jesus denounced them in Matthew 23:27 as “whitewashed tombs.”

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Overview

Israel could scarcely be called a nation. Up to this point, she’s just a vast group of unorganized people. Self-government was impossible in Egypt, and as yet, there are no laws. But at Mount Sinai, in a setting designed to remove distractions and focus attention on God, the people receive their charter as God’s chosen nation. After declaring their willingness to obey the commands they are about to receive, the Israelites spend two days preparing themselves to hear God. On the third day, beginning with an awe-inspiring display on Mount Sinai, God delivers the spiritual and moral principles by which the nation’s social and religious life will be conducted.

Your Daily Walk

“The Christian life is a bunch of dos and don’ts!” “The Christian life is liberty to do as I please!”

To be sure, in Christ there is freedom from bondage to sin and release from the guilt of past failures. But liberty does not mean license to live as you please. Just because the Israelites were free from Egyptian slavery did not mean they were free to follow their every desire. God still wanted them to live as His chosen people, so He gave them rules for their daily conduct—not a list of dos and don’ts to spoil their fun, but a series of commands for their protection and profit.

Imagine what a football game would be like without rules: no boundaries, no clock, no referees, no time limit. And probably no fun. Rules are essential for the enjoyment of life.

Read your way slowly and thoughtfully down the list of commandments in today’s reading again. Try to think of at least one reason why each command would make your life happier or safer if you kept it unquestioningly. Is there one you need to work on?

Insight - What Was the Hike up Sinai Like?

Mount Sinai is best identified as Jebel Musa, a 7,363-foot peak on the southern end of a mountain ridge two miles long and one mile wide. Before it stretches a plain adequate to hold Israel’s camp.

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January 27

Exodus 21–24

Overview

The law given by God to Israel at Sinai falls into three categories: moral and spiritual laws (Exodus 20), civil and social laws (Exodus 21–23), and religious laws (Exodus 24–Leviticus). Today’s reading contains the civil and social laws that comprise “the Book of the Covenant” (24:7), given alongside the Ten Commandments. Following a formal ceremony ratifying the covenant, Moses is called again by God to Mount Sinai to receive further revelation.

Your Daily Walk

Some things bear repeating, and even then, they don’t always sink in. God’s word to Israel in the first two commandments could hardly have been clearer: “No other gods … no idols.” Yet He would later repeat those same warnings again and again. He wanted to impress upon His people the seriousness of His lordship, and to make certain they understood the necessity for exclusive devotion to the God of Israel.

God knew that we eventually worship that which we serve (23:24). Therefore, whatever or whoever commands our attention becomes our god. Recognizing that fact can help us guard against idolatry. Here are two good questions that point to the real “Lord” of your life:

1. What do you think about when your mind is in neutral?

2. What do you do during your idle moments?

Review your own loyalties, and then fill in the blank: “An objective observer of my life over the past week would conclude that _______________ is my god.” Is there something that needs to change so that you, like Israel, have “no other gods” besides the Lord?

Insight - A Forbidden Recipe

The prohibition against boiling a young goat in its mother’s milk (23:19) made little sense to modern scholars until archaeological discoveries revealed that the practice was current in Canaan as a pagan magic spell connected with agricultural fertility rites.

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January 28

 

Exodus 25–27

 

Design of the Tabernacle

Key Passage:
Exodus 25:1-9

 

 

Overview

During Moses’s stay on the mountain, God reveals His detailed plans for the tabernacle in which He will dwell and receive His people’s worship. No item is overlooked in God’s design of this portable tent of worship. Everything is to be done “according to the plan shown you on the mountain” (26:30). God’s dwelling place with His people, Israel, will be the central structure in the camp and the focus of the nation’s attention and activities.

Your Daily Walk

How big is your God? Having studied the tabernacle in detail, keep in mind this was a portable building, capable of being dismantled and carried around as Israel journeyed. Though God’s presence uniquely inhabited the tabernacle, the fact that it could be disassembled for travel reminded the Israelites that their God could not be confined to four walls. He was with them in the fire and cloud; He could divide great seas and drown mighty armies; He could provide water from rocks and manna from the morning dew. Contrast this with the pagan gods of neighboring nations—powerless idols that had to be carried on their worshipers’ shoulders (Isaiah 46:5-7). Israel’s priests carried God’s temporary house on their shoulders, but Israel’s God carried them!

If at times you find yourself wishing God were a little more flexible, yielding more to your own desires and expectations, consider this fact: If God were small enough for you to control, He would not be strong enough to help you in times of need.

If you can, visit your church sometime today, and in the quiet, worshipful atmosphere of the silent sanctuary, spend a few minutes praising the God you serve—a God no building can contain.

Insight - How Would You Like to Hang These Drapes?

The Jewish historian Josephus explained that the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was four inches thick. It was so sturdy that it could not be torn apart by horses tied to it, pulling in opposite directions.

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January 29

 

 

Exodus 28–31

 

Special Instructions for Priests

Key Passage:
Exodus 29

 

 

Overview

No center of worship is complete without people to minister in it and utensils to use in the worship services. Chapters 28–31 describe the priests, Israel’s representatives before God, who are chosen to lead the worship in the tabernacle. Everything about them is special, from the clothing they wear to the elaborate sacrifices needed to prepare them for ministry, as well as the utensils and supplies they use (such as incense, perfumes, oil, the altar, and the basin) in the tabernacle worship. Even the designers and construction workers are handpicked by God.

Your Daily Walk

Preparing a priest for service in the tabernacle was no small chore (chapter 29). The most curious part of the ceremony involved killing a ram and applying the blood to the tip of the priest’s right ear, the thumb of his right hand, and the big toe of his right foot (29:20). The blood was a picture of cleansing. Before the priest could minister before the Lord, he had to be cleansed from the sin that polluted him. Then he needed to be dedicated to the Lord from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet. Every part of him, from his ear (which hears God’s Law) to his hand (which does God’s will) to his foot (which follows in God’s steps) must be surrendered to the will of God.

Does God have that kind of control over your whole life? If not, starting with your head, give each part of your body to Him in a prayer of dedication: “Lord, take my eyes; help me to look at those things that please You. Take my ears; help me to listen to things that build up, not tear down…” Then you, like Israel’s priests, will be ready to do His will—from head to toe.

Insight - Mystery Stones

The Urim and Thummim were probably two flat stones kept in the high priest's breastplate and used to determine the will of God. Each may have had one dark side and one light. Some scholars speculate that they were tossed into the air and allowed to fall to the ground. Two dark sides showed “yes,” two light sides showed “no,” and one of each showed “no reply.”

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January 30

 

Exodus 32–34

 

Incident of the Golden Calf

Key Passage:
Exodus 33–34

 

 

Overview

Six weeks have passed since the people made their solemn vow of fidelity to God. Concluding that Moses has died on the mountain, they insist on creating a replica of an Egyptian god. Coming upon this grotesque scene, Moses dashes the newly inscribed tablets to pieces, dramatically proclaiming the broken covenant. He destroys the golden calf and orders the Levites to slay guilty Israelites. Israel’s repentance, Moses’ selfless intercession, and God’s faithfulness to His promises account for a renewal of the covenant. New tablets are engraved and Moses experiences yet another encounter with God on Mount Sinai.

Your Daily Walk

“I can’t understand teenagers. One minute they want to be treated like adults; the next minute they act like children.”

This oft-voiced exasperation of many a parent illustrates a fact about growth. The process of maturation does not always move in a consistently forward direction. Everyone at one time or another reverts to former patterns of behavior.

The incident of the golden calf is but one of many cases of backsliding in Israel’s history. One lesson is clear: Believers are not immune from the practice of reverting to old habits and patterns of living. It may occur in an unguarded moment, such as an outburst of temper. Or it may be the result of impatience, when God’s timetable seems agonizingly slow. Or it may be because of the world’s culture that still lures your unguarded heart.

Take a personal inventory of your spiritual life. Have you made a commitment to the Lord in recent weeks? If so, have you followed through on it, or did you revert to your previous behavior? If you see a “golden calf” in your life, deal with it now.

Insight - The Golden Calf—A Lingering Legacy

Calf worship was expressly forbidden in the law (Exodus 20:4-6) and shown to be utterly useless by the plagues in Egypt. Yet, at least twice in Israel’s history, golden calves spelled destruction for the people (see Exodus 32; 1 Kings 12:28).

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January 31

 

Exodus 35–40

 

Tabernacle Erected and Occupied

Key Passage:
Exodus 40

 

 

Overview

The Book of Exodus closes with a detailed account of the construction of the tabernacle, the new place of residence for the God of Israel as He accompanies His people to Canaan. Notice the many steps involved in the project: Moses organizes the needed workers and materials; skilled artisans do the actual construction; Moses inspects the finished work; the tabernacle is erected and the furniture set in place; and finally, the glory of the Lord fills the tabernacle, showing God’s pleasure with the structure. From start to finish, the entire project is done “just as the Lord had commanded” Moses.

Your Daily Walk

God has always sought to dwell in the midst of people. Think back to the opening chapters of Genesis. There you find Adam and Eve in the garden. And in the cool of the evening, God walks through the garden, seeking face-to-face fellowship with His creation.

In today’s reading, God’s glory takes up residence in the tabernacle in order to accompany the Israelites on their journey to Canaan. Later in Israel’s history, God’s presence will reside in Solomon’s magnificent temple. And today God’s Holy Spirit indwells every child of God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The lesson is clear: God wants to identify Himself with those who are truly His. More specifically, God wants to identify Himself with you, to fellowship with you, to spend time with you, and to help you get to know Him better.

How do you go about building a relationship like that? Jot down the first five things that come to mind. Now use your list to help you organize your day and assign priorities to your activities. Place “time with God” at the top of the list. After all, that’s His greatest desire: to walk and talk with you. If that’s your greatest desire, tell Him so right now.

Insight - A Long Way to Find Freedom

Exodus begins with a mob of miserable slaves held captive in Egypt, yet ends with an emancipated nation in fellowship with God and on its way to Canaan. No wonder Exodus is called the “book of redemption.”

 

 

TAKE THE FIRST STEP

 

Congratulations! You’ve started your new year the right way by beginning a journey through the Bible with this devotional guide.

But every walk demands a first step. Have you taken the crucial first step in the Christian life … the step of faith to salvation? Unless you take that step, your so-called relationship with God will meander aimlessly, and your path will lead only to frustration and defeat. But take this mandatory step, and your walk with Jesus will be vibrant and fulfilling for all eternity. Consider these stepping stones on the path of salvation:

1. All people are sinners. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
2. The penalty for sin is death.“The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
3. Salvation comes by personal trust in God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

“It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

Christ paid the price on the cross for every one of your sins so that you might have eternal life. By believing in His death, burial, and resurrection all on your behalf, you enter into an eternal relationship with God.

“God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Free salvation awaits you. Take the first step now, and watch your pathway unfold!

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Overview

The story of Isaac continues, focusing on his family and work. Though Abraham has died, God’s promises to him live on in his son Isaac and his twin grandsons, Esau and Jacob. Sin, too, lives on—as demonstrated by Jacob’s theft of his brother’s birthright (Genesis 25:33) and by Isaac’s imitation of his father’s deception (Genesis 26:7). Despite human failings, God’s covenant remains sure, as He says to Isaac: “I will…confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham” (26:3).

Your Daily Walk

“God has no grandchildren.” This means that each generation must be personally related to God by faith. It’s not enough that your parents trust Christ as their Savior; you must commit yourself. It is a personal, individual decision. You become a child of God by faith in Christ. So do your children and your grandchildren. Seen that way, it’s clear that God has no grandchildren.

And so it is with the promises of God. Each succeeding generation must learn to receive and rest in them personally to enjoy their benefits. God has promises for you today that Christians have been claiming for centuries.

Check up on your relationship with Christ. Is it strictly firsthand, based on personal faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross? Or are you relying on secondhand knowledge from your parents, your church, or your friends to get you through? You can become a child of God right now by believing on His Son (John 1:12). Then you can discover the joy of finding God’s timeless promises true in your own life. But the choice is yours. God said, “I will …” What do you say?

Insight - A Family Tradition

The cave of Machpelah, near Mamre, was originally purchased by Abraham from Ephron the Hittite as a tomb for Sarah. It would soon become the burial place for Abraham himself (25:9); Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah (49:30-31); and Jacob (50:13).

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January 12

Genesis 27–31

Overview

Chapters 27–31 introduce the third major character of the patriarchal era: Jacob (“he grasps the heel”, “supplanter,” or “deceiver”), a man who lives up to his name. The theft of the family blessing intended for his twin brother, Esau, demonstrates his scheming character. But it is through Jacob that God’s promises—made more than a century and a half earlier—begin to be fulfilled to a greater degree. During a 20-year stay in Haran, Jacob works for one wife and gets three more in the bargain, fathers 11 sons and a daughter, and amasses huge quantities of livestock and servants—the nucleus from which God will fashion a new nation.

Your Daily Walk

For every Jacob, you’ll usually find a Laban. For every individual who insists on doing things his own way, giving God a helping hand, there is often a painful head-on collision with someone who is at least his equal as a schemer.

Laban became God’s rod of discipline in Jacob’s life. There’s no doubt God was accomplishing His purpose with Jacob despite his stubbornness and conniving (28:15), but Jacob could have spared himself 20 years of grief if he had learned to wait on God.

Have you noticed “The Laban Principle” at work in your own spiritual life? A family member, a fellow employee, or a creditor may apply God’s stroke of discipline. But the goal is always the same: to help you develop spiritual maturity.

Write out a one-paragraph description of what you are going to do the next time you feel like rushing ahead of God. Chances are, before the week is out, you’ll need it—and use it.

Insight - Marital Bliss…or Marital Blisters?

The wisdom of God’s original one-man/one-woman blueprint for marriage is illustrated in the sad example of Jacob’s household, where jealousy, bickering, and scheming between Leah and Rachel were regular occurrences. Refresh your memory of family life God’s way by rereading Genesis 2:23-24. Then look up 1 Kings 11:1-8 to discover another man for whom multiple wives meant multiplied woes.

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January 13

 

Genesis 32–36

 

Struggles of Jacob and Esau

Key Passage:
Genesis 32

 

 

Overview

In chapters 32–36, Jacob the schemer becomes Jacob the servant of God. After leaving his Uncle Laban, Jacob fears the inevitable reunion with his estranged brother, Esau. But before he can be reconciled to Esau, he must first be reconciled to God. At the ford of Jabbok, he wrestles with the angel of the Lord, insisting on a blessing before he will release him. The angel assures him of God’s continued presence, and leaves him with a new name—Israel (in Hebrew, the name Israel sounds like “he struggled with God”; see Genesis 32:28)—and a permanent limp. After an emotional reunion with Esau, Jacob returns to Canaan, where God confirms the promises He made to Abraham and Isaac—promises of a large posterity and a new homeland.

Your Daily Walk

Is it possible to be a rich Christian in the will of God? That question would have brought a chuckle from Abraham or Jacob. Both men were fabulously wealthy in their day. Jacob, in particular, shows how a person blessed by God can gain great wealth in the world. His own personal testimony is found in 32:10: “I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two groups.” When he first crossed the Jordan, all Jacob owned was the staff in his hand and the clothes on his back. Now, some 20 years later, it takes two companies of men to carry all of God’s blessings back across.

Reflect on the material possessions God has given you. Could it be that God has prospered you so that you, in turn, might be a blessing to others? If so, who are the “others” God has brought into your life for that purpose? If God brings someone to mind, write that individual’s name in the margin. Then let Jesus’ own words in Acts 20:35 spur you to action.

Insight - When God Prospers Someone, Look Out!

Beginning with nothing, Jacob amassed such wealth over 20 years that when he left for Canaan, he could afford to give his brother Esau 550 animals as a gift without straining the family budget.

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January 14

 

Genesis 37–40

 

Joseph’s Enslavement and Imprisonment

Key Passage:
Genesis 37, 39

 

 

Overview

Beginning with chapter 37, the narrative focuses on the next generation: Joseph, dreamer of dreams. Though the favorite son of his father, Jacob, Joseph alienates himself from his brothers by his forthrightness. Envy grows into hatred, until finally the brothers sell him into slavery. Taken to Egypt, Joseph continues to suffer injustices, first at the hands of Potiphar’s wife, and later from the forgetful chief butler. While Joseph is resisting the temptation of immorality, his brother Judah falls prey to the same sin. Clearly something is needed to insulate the chosen family from moral corruption for the next four centuries while it multiplies into a mighty nation.

Your Daily Walk

“I know some of the things I do to be accepted by my friends are wrong. But if I don’t go along, they’ll laugh at me.”

Joseph could relate to that statement. He learned firsthand the consequences of doing what was right. He could have avoided much discomfort by deciding to disobey his father or to give in to Mrs. Potiphar. Loyalty to his convictions carried a price tag.

But faithfulness had its compensations too. Note the repeated expression in chapter 39: “The Lord was with Joseph.” Which would you rather be: a guilt-ridden brother trying to explain Joseph’s disappearance, Judah trying to untangle the mess created by his lack of restraint, Potiphar’s frustrated wife, or Joseph? Only one of those individuals was truly free.

Where is compromise threatening to dull your faith? Ask God to give you the courage to stand true to Him with love and tact. Then take the next opportunity to set the record straight and make your convictions known to all parties involved.

Insight - Clothes Mark the Man

Joseph’s famous “coat of many colors” was probably an ornamented, ankle-length coat with long sleeves. It identified the wearer as a favorite son and perhaps indicated Jacob’s intent to make Joseph chief heir of the family fortune.

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January 15

 

Genesis 41–44

 

Joseph’s Egyptian Rule

Key Passage:
Genesis 43–44

 

 

Overview

A difficult dream sent by God to Pharaoh jars the memory of the chief butler, and Joseph is soon promoted from prisoner to prime minister because of his God-given insight. The dream is a reliable forecast of the prosperity and famine in the years ahead. The worldwide famine prompts Jacob to send 10 sons to Egypt for grain, where Joseph, recognizing them immediately, proceeds to teach them a painful lesson. A series of confrontations culminates in chapter 44, where the brothers unknowingly fulfill Joseph's boyhood dreams.

Your Daily Walk

For years, Joseph’s brothers had lived with their cunning deception of Jacob. The secret was so complete that Jacob probably blamed himself for the loss of his favorite son. And the other sons, though seeing their father's agony, maintained their conspiracy of silence at his expense.

But they overlooked one witness to their crime—God. As Judah discovered: “God has uncovered your servants’ guilt” (44:16). God gave them time to set things right, then He applied pressure. The result was a band of frightened men haunted by the memory of their lost brother. Guilt, anxiety, and uncertainty were their constant companions until their wrong was set right through confession and restoration.

As a sinner in the presence of God, you have two choices. You can carry the anxiety of your “secret” sins until God chooses to expose them. Or you can confess those sins to God and to those you’ve wronged, and as a result find forgiveness and peace. Because of Jesus’ death, you can take steps today to make things right with a brother or sister, pastor or neighbor, spouse or roommate. Will you do it?

Insight - Whatever Happened to the Tribe of Joseph?

Joseph’s sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, were later “adopted” by Jacob (48:5). Consequently, the descendants of Joseph would later comprise two tribes of Israel, named respectively for his two sons.

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