Archive | April 2024

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 121

Apr30

    Day 121—We have been reading the Bible daily for a third of the year.   What have you learned about God? About yourself?

Day 121 – 2 Samuel 5, 1 Chronicles 11-12 – (David is crowned king of all Israel. His mighty men are listed, as are some battles.)

God had said, “You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.”

Now, both Samuel and Chronicles tell how David is finally anointed King of all Israel, including three-quarters of the tribes that had followed Saul. The first thing King David does is lead a battle against the Jebusites, defeating them and claiming Zion (Jerusalem) as “The City of David,” his capital. The mighty man who led that battle was Joab, whom King David chose as the commander of his army.

Unlike Saul, King David inquired of the LORD before going to battle. He was given instructions to go or stay and once to conquer them by listening for noise in the tops of balsam trees.

The chapters in Chronicles (11-12) list King David’s leaders, his mighty men and their accomplishments, and the number of soldiers coming to him from the northern tribes and those on the east side of the Jordan River.  King David met them saying,

“If you have come to me in friendship to help me, my heart will be joined to you; but if to betray me to my adversaries, may the God of our fathers see and rebuke you.”

In answer, the chief man of his top thirty men, who was “Spirit-clothed” said,

“We are yours, O David, and with you, O son of Jesse!  Peace, peace to you, and peace to your helpers! For your God helps you,”

After that, King David received them.  And all met in Hebron to celebrate for three days eating and drinking, for those from Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali came bringing the food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen – abundant provisions of four, cakes of figs, clusters of raisins, wine, oil, oxen, and sheep.

For, there was joy in Israel.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 119 & 120

Apr29

    Day 119 & 120—We have been reading the Bible daily for a third of the year.  What have you learned about God? About yourself?

(Note: SUNDAY’s and MONDAY’s readings are combined.)

1 Chronicles 7 – 10 (Genealogies of Benjamin [2] others, duties of Levites, Death of Saul & sons)

This is the last of the genealogies in 1 Chronicles. Remember they were important to the returning Jews from exile to claim their portions of land, assure the messianic line of David, and place Levites in temple management. (This book was probably written by Ezra about 500 years after the time of Saul and David when the Jews returned to the land.

Chapter 7 lists the descendants of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali (only one verse), Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher.

Chapter 8 Lists the genealogy of Benjamin again, centering on King Saul.  It also foretells a possible “mini-split” in the tribe, after the time of David.

Chapter 9 summarizes why Israel was taken captive in Babylon – “because of their breach of faith.”  And since the Levites were the “first to dwell again in their possessions in their cities, they and their duties are listed again. Some of their duties were as 1) gatekeepers, keepers of the thresholds of the tent, and keepers of the entrance. (David and Samuel had established these in their duties). Others 2) had charge of the service utensils, to count them; some were appointed over the furniture; 3) some were over the flour, wine, oil, incense, and spices; 4) some prepared the mixing of spices and the baking of the showbread. There were 5) singers, free from other services, day and night.

Saul’s genealogy is also repeated; in chapter 10, the story of his death is repeated: how he was mortally wounded, his armor bearer refused to finish him off, and how he “fell on his sword.”

Verses 13-14 are his final, sad epitaph.  “So Saul died for his breach of faith.  He broke faith with the LORD in that he did not keep the command of the LORD, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the LORD. There, the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David, the son of Jesse.”

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Day 120 – Psalms 102 – 104 – (A psalm of complaint, and two psalms of praise)

I’m so thankful that both types of prayers/songs are listed in the Bible. I can praise and worship God, and I can also pour out my troubles and depression. He heals all of them.

Psalm 102 is a song by someone depressed and in despair about what is happening to him and his people. He begs God to hear and answer him. He feels that his enemies and God Himself are too harsh with him.

“My days pass away like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace.”   “My days are like an evening shadow; I wither like grass.” 

But still, the writer acknowledges God’s supremacy and begs him to regard his people and act on their behalf. “But You, O LORD, are enthroned forever; you are remembered throughout all generations.”  He asks God to look down from heaven and help his people, “so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD.”

David writes Psalm 103 and blesses the Lord in scores of ways. Many have memorized it as a way to praise God:

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.”    

“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.”    “For He knows our frame, he remembers that we are dust.”   “Bless the LORD, O my soul!”

Psalm 104 is 35 verses of praise to God for His glory in CREATION.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul! O Lord my God you are very great. You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent.”

“He set the earth on its foundations so that it should never be moved. You covered it with the deep as with a garment.”

“You cause the grass to grow for livestock and plants for man to cultivate that he may bring forth food from the earth and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart.”

“He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting.”

“O LORS, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.”

“I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 118

Apr27

    Day 118—We have been reading the Bible daily for a third of the year.   What have you learned about God? About yourself?

Day 118 – Psalms 81, 88, 92, 93 – (Songs by Asaph and Ethan, and for the Sabbath & praise.)

(As we saw yesterday in 1 Chronicles 6,  David appointed three men among the Priests to be in charge of the “service of song.”  Two are mentioned in today’s reading; Asaph and Ethan.)

From Asaph’s Psalm 81 – (Can you imagine him leading the congregation in song?)

“Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob! Raise a song; sound the tambourine, the sweet lyre with a harp.”  He tells of promises to Israel from their God, “Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! I would soon subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes.”   “…..with honey from the rock, I would satisfy you.”

Ethan’s Psalm 88 is a song of lament, and the congregation would sing it together, perhaps in times of gloom and repentance. (Yes, we, too, can pray like this to God.)

“O LORD, God of my salvation; I cry out day and night before You. Let my prayer come before You; incline your ear to my cry!  For my soul is full of troubles and my life draws near to Sheol.”    “But I, O LORD, cry to You; in the morning my prayer comes before You. O LORD, why do you cast my soul away? Why do You hide Your face from me?”

In contrast is  Psalm 92, to be sung on the Sabbath.  “It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.”    “For You, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.”

Asaph sings this sweet promise to “older” believers and worshippers of God. — “The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in OLD AGE; they are ever full of sap and green…”

Psalm 93 is another song of praise and worship to God.  “The LORD reigns; He is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting.”    “Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O LORD, forevermore.”

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 117

Apr26

    Day 117—We have been reading the Bible daily for a third of the year.   What have you learned about God? About yourself?

Day 117 – 1 Chronicles 6 – (the genealogies of the priestly tribe of Levi)

Reading all these unusual-sounding names may be difficult and boring, but the lists were crucial to Israel. After they were exiled to Babylon for 70 years (verse 15) and returned, they needed to know where their portion of land was located. They needed to keep track of the kingly line in Judah, through which the Messiah would come. And the Levites needed to know their portion of work in the newly built temple.

The three priestly clans of Levi are listed: Kohath, Gershom, and Merari. From Numbers 4, we read about each having their work in the Tabernacle service and in the packing up and carrying of the parts of it when they “wandered in the wilderness.”

It’s interesting to see that the prophet Samuel was a Kohathite. By God’s specific choice, he was able to offer sacrifices even though he was not a descendant of Aaron. (Verses 22-28)

Also interesting are the men David chose to be in charge of “the service of song” in the house of the LORD after the Ark rested there. He chose one from each of the Levite clans: Herman, a Kohathite, Asaph, of Gershom, and Ethan of Merari. (Verses 31-48) Yesterday we read three of the songs written by Asaph. Asaph wrote twelve in all (Psalms 50, 73-80).  Herman wrote Psalm 88, and Ethan wrote Psalm 89.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 116

Apr25

    Day 116—We have been reading the Bible daily for a third of the year.   What have you learned about God? About yourself?

Day 116 – Psalms 73, 77, 78. (Psalms of Asaph)

Psalm 73 – Asaph begins by acknowledging that God is truly good to Israel, to all who are pure in heart. But then he admits that in his own heart there is envy for the prosperity of the wicked. But when his heart turns to God, his attitude changes.

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Psalm 77 – Asaph again begins writing about the day of his trouble, how he prays and weeps all night, but there is no comfort. But again his attitude changes when his thoughts turn to God.

“Then my spirit made a diligent search: Will the LORD spurn forever, and never again be favorable?  Has his steadfast love forever ceased?  Are His promises at an end for all time?”  “I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes I will remember Your wonders of old. I will ponder all Your work and meditate on Your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?”

Psalm 78 has 72 verses and describes God’s wonderful love and care for Israel and what Israel should tell the coming generations about Him.

“I will utter puzzling sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD and His might and the wonders that He has done…. that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.”

Then, Asaph writes about the glorious (and horrible) history of God and Israel. He tells how God gloriously rescued and provided for Israel repeatedly, how Israel sinned, doubted, complained, tested, and rebelled, provoking God’s righteous judgments on them. Over and over Israel spurned the Holy God.

“Yet He, being compassionate atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; He restrained His anger often and did not stir up all His wrath. He remembered that they were but flesh.”

Asaph tells about God rejecting Israel during the turbulent times of the Judges when they looked to pagan idols and their enemies battled with them continuously.  And he tells of God choosing Judah and setting His presence in Zion.

“He chose David, his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; for following the nursing ewes He brought him to shepherd Jacob His people, Israel his inheritance. With an upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.“

(Oh for leaders like that today!)

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 115

Apr24

    Day 115—We have been reading the Bible daily for a third of the year.   What have you learned about God? About yourself?

Day 115 – 1 Chronicles 3 – 5. (Genealogies in David’s line, Judah, Simeon, Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh.)

1 Chronicles 3 chronicles King David’s line until the Babylonian captivity. We see the sons and the daughter whose actions will cause David severe problems. Solomon, David’s tenth son, is mentioned as well.

1 Chronicles 4 chronicles the line of Judah, the Messianic line, and the diminishing tribe of Simeon, which is eventually swallowed up in Judah’s territory.

1 Chronicles 5 chronicles the line of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn who forfeited the birthright. The double-portion birthright then passed to the firstborn of Israel’s other wife, Rachael, Joseph. This chapter also gives the lineage of the Gadites and the 1/2 tribe of Manasseh which settled east of the Jordan River.

In both chapters 4 and 5, we see God answering prayer. In 4:9-10, Jabez “called upon the God of Israel, asking for more land, blessings, and safety for himself. And “God granted what he asked.”

In 5:18-20, the East Jordan tribes waged war against several pagan nations. Even though there were less than half the enemy’s number, when they “cried out to God in the battle, He granted their urgent plea, because they trusted Him.”

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 114

Apr23

    Day 114—We have been reading the Bible daily for a third of the year.   What have you learned about God? About yourself?

Day 114 – Psalms 43, 44, 45, 49, 84, 85, 87. (Psalms of David, prayers for help and praises.)

Psalm 43 – “Why are you cast down, O  my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?  Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God!”

Psalm 44 – “You are my King, O God; ordain salvation for Jacob! Through You we push down our foes; through Your name we tread down those who rise up against us. For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me. But You have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us! In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever.”

Psalm 45 – “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness, You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.”

Psalm 49 – “Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit.”    “But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me.”

Psalm 84 – “My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.”    “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”    “O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!”

Psalm 85 – “You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. You withdrew all your wrath; and turned from your hot anger. Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us!”

Psalm 87 – “On the holy mount stands the city He founded; the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God.  Among those who know me, I mention RAHAB and BABYLON; behold, PHILISTIA and TYRE, with CUSH — ‘This one was born there,” they say. And of Zion it shall be said, ‘This one and that one were born in her;’ for the Most High himself will establish her.  The LORD records as He registers the PEOPLES, ‘This one was born there.’

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 112 & 113

Apr22

    Day 112 & 113—We have been reading the Bible daily for a third of the year and have begun reading the 12th book. What have you learned about God? About yourself?

(Note: SUNDAY’s and MONDAY’s readings are combined.)

Day 112 – Psalms 6, 8, 9, 10, 14, 16, 19, 21. (Psalms of David)

Psalm 6 – “O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath. Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled.”   “The LORD heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer.”

Psalm 8 – “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.”    “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him?”

Psalm 9 – “I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult to you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.”    “The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.”

Psalm 10 – “Why O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?”    “Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted.”

Psalm 14 –  “Why O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?”    “In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek Him; all his thoughts are, ‘There is no God.'”    “Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted.”

Psalm 16 – “I say to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.'”    “I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.”    “I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.”    “You make know to me the path of life; in your presence there is fulness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures for evermore.”

Psalm 19 – “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”    “The law of the Lord is Perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes, the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are pure and righteous altogether.  MORE to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.”     “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.”

Psalm 2 – “O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults!  You have given him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.”    “Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power.

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Day 113 – 1 Chronicles 1-2 (Genealogies in the kingly line & others)

1 Chronicles 1 tells the genealogy of the Jewish people (with sidelines included) from Adam to Abraham’s grandson, Jacob/Israel.

1 Chronicles 2 gives the genealogy of Israel’s twelve sons (tribes) to David who would become king, along with a lists of his relatives., who would become king, along with a list

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 111

Apr20

    Day 111—Today we begin the eleventh book in the reading plan. We have been reading the Bible daily for a third of the year. What have you learned about God and yourself?

   Day 111 – 2 Samuel 1 – 4 (David as king, ending Saul’s dynasty)

1 Samuel ends with the death of Saul in a battle with the Philistines. Saul is fatally wounded and ends his own life. Three of his sons also die in battle, including Jonathan.

Meanwhile, David battles the Amalekites and has a resounding victory.

In 2 Samuel 1, a warrior comes to David with the news that King Saul and Jonathan are dead. Thinking he will garner some favor with David, he claims that HE killed them. David inquires who the man is and finds he is an Amalekite.  David mourns the death of Saul and Jonathan and has this man killed for what he thinks is his part in the death of “the LORD’s anointed.”  David then laments Saul and Jonathan with a beautiful song eulogizing them.

In 2 Samuel 2, David asks, and the LORD tells him to go to Hebron, where the tribe of Judah anoints him their king.  Meanwhile, Saul’s son Ish-bosheth is proclaimed king in Israel by Saul’s commander, Abner. (Where was Abner in the battle that killed his king?)  Then Abner, with the servants of Ish-bosheth, meets Joab with the servants of David and they face off. They decide that 12 from each group will fight. They do and kill each other. Then they all fight and Abner’s group is defeated and runs.  Joab’s men chase them, with Joab’s brother Asahel personally chasing Abner. Twice, Abner warns him away, but Asahel persists, so Abner turns around and kills him. (Oops. Not good!)

Joab’s men keep after Abner until a group of Benjaminites (Saul’s tribe) stand with him to fight.  They call a truce, and Joab and crew return home.

2 Samuel 3 tells us that there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David, with David growing stronger. Abner attempts a coup by sleeping with Saul’s concubine, and Ish-bosheth calls him on it. Abner then vows to take all of Israel to David and sends this message to David.  Judah’s king agrees to meet Abner but requires him to bring David’s first wife, Michal, whom Saul gave to another man. Abner grabs her and goes south, with the grieving husband following behind, crying.  David is pleased to get Michal back and sends Abner away in peace.

Joab is horrified that David made peace with the man who killed his brother and follows him. He beckons Saul to a private conversation by the wall, where he kills him.  David becomes angry with Joab and curses him and his family.  Then David makes them all mourn for Abner and bury him in Hebron, and so lets the people know it was not HIS fault that Abner is dead.

(Even though David does not punish his commander for going behind his back, his last word to his son Solomon before he died was to KILL JOAB.)

2 Samuel 4 tells how Ish-bosheth is murdered by two of his own men. These men took Ish-bosheth’s head to David, and much like the Amalekite, claimed they killed David’s last enemy.  And, like before, David has THEM killed for assassinating the young man in his own bed, and buries the head.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 110

Apr19

    Day 110 —  We have been reading the Bible daily for almost a third of the year. What have you learned about God? About yourself?

   Day 110 – Psalms 121, 123, 124, 125, 128, 129, 130. (More psalms by David, mostly praising God)

Psalm 121 “I will life up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD who made heaven and earth.” (Plus more praising God for all He is and does.)

Psalm 123 “To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens!”

Psalm 124 “Our help is in the name of the LORD who made heaven and earth.”

Psalm 125 “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people, from this time forth and forevermore.”

Psalm 128 “Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways!” “The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! May you see your children’s children! Peace be upon Israel.”

Psalm 129 “The blessing of the LORD be upon you! We bless you in the name of the LORD!”

Psalm 130 “If You, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O LORD, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness, that You may be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His Word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen (wait) for the morning. O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD, there is steadfast love, and with Him is plentiful redemption. And He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.