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#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 129

May8

    Day 129—We are in our FIFTH month of Bible reading.   Are you loving God more each day? Are you reciting, praying, and singing the Psalms we’ve been reading?  Share in the comments section.

    Day 129 – 2 Samuel 8 – 9, 1 Chronicles 18. – (David’s victories & compassion as king)

2 Samuel 8 recounts the battles and victories over the nations surrounding Israel: Philistia, Moab, Amalek, Edom, and Zobah (as far as the Euphrates River), and the Syrians at Damascus.

In all these, David collected tribute and spoils that he dedicated to the LORD (later to be used by Solomon in building the Temple and its furnishings). But most importantly, the chapter says, “the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went.” (verses 6, 14) King David wisely gave glory to God.

2 Samuel 9 shows King David’s kindness and loyalty to his BBF Jonathan, Saul’s son, who was killed in battle. “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul that I may show him the kindness of God for Jonathan’s sake?” 

They found a young man – Mephibosheth – a son of Jonathan alone. He had been crippled as a child when his nurse dropped him and crippled him in his feet. When David heard about Mephibosheth, he called for him and installed him in his house to “eat at his table always.” He also personally restored all the land that belonged to Saul and directed servants to till the land, harvest the crops, and give the proceeds to him. 

Mephibosheth could hardly believe his good fortune!  “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I.”

Isn’t this what God has done for believers in Jesus?  We are sinners, separated from a holy God by eons and light years because of our iniquity and transgressions.  And yet he has brought us to Himself by sending His Son, Jesus, who paid all our sin debt on the cross. Now we can sit at the banquet table of the King forever. 

1 Chronicles 18 also tells of the victories of King David over his enemies, expanding the kingdom of Israel far and wide. It’s interesting that he disabled 9/10s of the chariot horses after conquering Hadadezer, the king of Zobah. 

Why this cruelty?  For sure, to prevent an uprising and return of a mighty foe. However, it could also be that David remembered God’s cautions for the kings of Israel not to accumulate horses and chariots for themselves to win battles but instead to depend on God for their victories.

Verse 14: “So David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and equity to all his people.”   (Wow. If only that was David’s final epitaph….)

 

Verses 15-17 end with a list of the important men in his service:

Joab – commander of the army

Jehoshaphat – recorder

Zadok & Ahimelech – priests

Shavsha – secretary

Benaiah – over the Cherethites & Pelethites, the loyal non-Jewish men who attached themselves to the king as his bodyguards

David’s sons – chief officials in the king’s service. 

 

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 66

Mar6

    Day 66—  TODAY, Day 66, is a day to celebrate. Studies have shown that if you perform a new action for 66 days, it’s 100% likely that you will have established a “habit.” So CELEBRATE your habit of daily Bible reading! Hooray!  We are in the THIRD month so far! Praise God!

   Day 66 – Numbers 28 – 30 (Reviewing celebrations & offerings, Vows)

In Chapter 28 & 29, Moses reviews, summarizes, and strengthens the instructions for honoring Sabbaths, Celebration Feasts (Holidays), and the various offerings for each, as Israel is about to enter the Promised Land and a lot of things will change.

(Remember the food, grain, peace, and other offerings are many times given as support to the Priests and Levites after being donated or “waved” before God.  This was very important because 22,000 Levites were depending on this.)

Chapter 30 reviews the taking of vows. Moses clarifies and reinforces the laws as they apply to married women and under age girls.  In one case, the woman’s husband has “veto” rights if his wife makes a “thoughtless” vow. In the case of a young girl still living at home, her father can annual the vow. Neither of these women will be guilty before the LORD for not following through.  In the case of widowed or divorced women however, there is no one to veto the vow. It stands before God.

Instead of thinking of this as a limitation, see it as a protection for women.  I like it that my Hubby has the ultimate responsibility before God.  Whew!

“Give Me Liberty!”

Jul4

ATT222MA14888213-0023My Bible reading today took me to Acts 13:32-39 

Paul’s sermon to the people in the synagogue at Antioch seems perfect for our July 4th, Independence Day. The leaders there asked him to give them “any word of encouragement for the people,” and Paul preached about freedom.

As with our own liberty in America, his sermon began with a lesson in history. Paul reviewed how God had been faithful to His chosen people, delivering them from bondage in Egypt, teaching (and disciplining) them through the long wilderness journey, and bringing them into the Promised Land.

He reminded them about their most righteous leader, King David, whom God testified was “a man after my heart, who will do all my will,” and about God’s promise concerning him. A savior for Israel (and the world) would come through this David’s lineage. He would be of David’s offspring: Jesus.

Then Paul preached the message of salvation.

Those who lived in Jerusalem, and their rulers, DID NOT RECOGNIZE or UNDERSTAND the words of their own prophets, which they read from every Sabbath. But they “fulfilled” them anyway, by condemning Jesus, and though they found no fault in Him, asked Pilate to execute Him. When He died, they buried Him.

But that was NOT THE END. God raised Jesus from the dead and He appeared to many of those who followed Him, who are now His witnesses.

And now, the CONCLUSION to Paul’s sermon. “We bring you the Good News! (the Gospel)”

1. God’s promise of a Savior was fulfilled in Jesus.

2. Through HIM the forgiveness of sin is proclaimed to you.

3. By HIM everyone who believes IS FREED from everything from which the law couldn’t free you.

“For the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, he condemned sin.” Romans 8:2-3

And Paul’s final warning: “Beware lest what is said in the Prophets should come about…  that, as scoffers, you are astounded (by the Gospel) but perish. “I (the Lord) am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.”  Instead, believe and receive the Good News. Amen!

“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36

 

“Give me  liberty, or give me death!”  ~~~ Patrick Henry (about the fledgling United States of America)

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