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Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 322

Nov18

Day 322 – Reading – Acts 7-8

Read and believe in Jesus!

Acts 7.

(Remember yesterday that Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, aggravated some Jews in the Greek synagogue (including possibly Saul), with wise and powerful words about Jesus.  They tattled to the religious leaders, and he was seized.  Today, Stephen stands before the council whose members are a little unsettled by his face, glowing like an angel’s.)

“How do you plead?” asked the high priest.

Stephen begins his defense, or really his defense of Jesus.  It’s 53 verses long and full of Old Testament quotes and the history of the Jews, starting with Abraham, highlighting Moses, and ending with Stephen’s harsh indictment of THEM. 

“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit.  As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute?  And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom YOU have now betrayed and murdered, YOU who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”

Whoa!  The council was enraged!  They ground their teeth at him!

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.   And he TOLD THEM what he saw.

The Council cried with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and then rushed at him. They grabbed him and dragged him outside the city and threw him down.  Then they stoned him to death.

“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!  Lord, do not hold this sin against them!”  And Stephen fell asleep (and was received into Heaven).

The garments of the Jews who stoned him were laid at the feet of Saul for safekeeping.  Saul watched as Stephen was mercilessly killed, and he “approved of his execution.”

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Acts 8.

And so we see how a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem. Stephen was the first martyr.  Devout men buried him, and there were great lamentations over him. Maybe for the first time, the believers seriously “counted the cost” of their faith in their living Lord.

After approving of Stephen’s death, Saul ravaged the church, and, entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. 

Believers scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, fleeing his rage while preaching the message of Jesus. Only the apostles stayed in Jerusalem.

Philip, another of the deacons, went to Samaria and proclaimed Christ with signs and wonders. Many heard and saw and rejoiced. 

A sorcerer named Simon lived there and observed the healings and casting out of demons, and “was amazed by that power.”  Verse 13 says that “Simon himself believed the good news and was baptized, and stuck with Philip.”  However, when Peter and John came from Jerusalem to check out this revival and pray for the believers to receive the Holy Spirit as they had, old Simon approached them with his wallet open.

“Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”  I’ll pay you!

Peter responded harshly, ‘May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!  You have no part in this, for your heart is not right before God.  REPENT of this wickedness of yours and pray to the Lord, if possible, that the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity!”

Simon responded, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you said may come upon me.”

But was his heart sincere?  Had he truly believed and misunderstood?  Or was his heart always full of guile?  Was there repentance?  Or was his response only to escape Peter’s words?  We don’t know.

Peter and John then returned to Jerusalem, preaching along the way in the towns of Samaria.

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Philip was next called to a barren road along the Gaza Strip, where he saw a chariot heading south.  In it was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of the queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of her treasure. (This was revealed to Philip by the angel, for he couldn’t have discerned it by seeing the man.)

The Ethiopian had been to Jerusalem to worship, so he was a converted Jew. He was now returning, seated in his Chariot, while the driver kept the horse(s) steady, reading from the prophet Isaiah, in chapter 53. 

The Spirit told Philip to approach the man, so he ran over to the chariot, jogged alongside, and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”  

“How can I unless someone guides me? ”  He didn’t seem surprised at a man appearing next to his chariot and talking to him, but invited Philip up into the chariot to sit by him.

Then he pointed to verses 7-8 and asked Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about another?”

And Philip, beginning with this scripture, told him the good news about Jesus. And the Ethiopian believed.

“See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”

Nothing!  He ordered the chariot stopped, and they both went down into the water.  Philip baptized the Ethiopian as Jesus had commanded.

And then… Philip was whisked away by the Spirit. He next found himself in Azotus (still wet?), where he continued to preach the gospel to all the towns, along the coast, clear up to Caesarea. 

Meanwhile, the Ethiopian went on home, rejoicing in his newfound faith.   Did he ever wonder about Philip’s amazing appearance and disappearance?   

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See what can happen if you earnestly study and seek to understand God’s Word??

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Days 320 & 321

Nov17

SUNDAY and MONDAY studies are posted together on Mondays

Day 320 – Reading – Acts 1 – 3

Day 321 – Reading – Acts  4 – 6

Read and believe in Jesus!

SUNDAY – Day 320 – Acts 1 – 3.

A new era is beginning. Jesus has instructed His hand-picked men (less one) in the message of Salvation. He has demonstrated His power over death and the devil.  Soon they will be empowered from above as He promised.  His “work” on earth finished, Jesus raises His arms in blessing and returns to His Father, leaving these precious “earthen vessels” waiting to be lit by the fire of the Holy Spirit.  Is the world ready for them and their message??

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Ascension and Promises.

We got a glimpse of Jesus’ ascension yesterday in the Gospel of Luke, but here in Acts, the good doctor provides more details. 

Jesus stayed around after His resurrection for 40 days (40 being a time of testing or proof).  He showed Himself to the disciples, His brothers, and groups of believers up to 500 at a time.  There can be no doubt. Now it was the time for Jesus to return to His Father.  Another member of the trinity, who could be present with them all, individually and forever, would be sent by the Father.  They were to wait for this Heavenly baptism.

“Oh, but Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? “they asked,

(“Seriously, guys?) “It’s not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.” Jesus again reminded them. “After the Holy Spirit comes with power, you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem … in all Judea … Samaria … and to the ENDS of the earth.”

Then Jesus began to rise right off the ground, and up toward the sky, and into the clouds until He vanished. The disciples stood gawking, their mouths hung open, hardly believing what their eyes saw. 

“Men of Galilee!” a voice interrupted.  They blinked and looked around, seeing two angels in brilliant white robes. “Why do you stand looking into heaven?  This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

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A Replacement Apostle.

After Jesus’ ascension, the disciples/apostles returned to Jerusalem to the upper room where they were staying. All eleven, along with the women and Jesus’ mother Mary, and Jesus’ brothers (who now believed) were of one accord, giving themselves to prayer.

Peter, taking the leadership that Jesus had given him, stood up and said they should replace Judas (who had betrayed the Lord and then gone and hung himself) among the twelve apostles.  The person had to have been with them since Jesus was baptized by John and had witnessed the resurrection.  All agreed.

There were two men eligible, Matthias and Joseph Barsabbas.  They prayed and drew lots, leaving the choice up to God.  Matthias was chosen.  He was thereafter numbered with the eleven.

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Pentecost & The Holy Spirit.

As Jesus instructed, they all waited in Jerusalem for Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit with power.  All 120 of them were in the upper room when suddenly there came from Heaven the sound like a mighty rushing wind which filled the entire house where they were sitting. Then the appearance of divided tongues of five, dividing and resting on each one of them. 

They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues/languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. 

Since it was the Feast of Pentecost (or “Weeks” referring to 50 days after Passover, one of the three festivals required of Jewish men to attend), Jerusalem was crowded with Jews from far and wide who had come to celebrate. All spoke Hebrew, as well as the tongues of the countries they lived in – Parthians, Medes, Elamites, People of Mesopotamia, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Libya, Cyrene, Rome, Crete, and Arabia. 

At the sounds of the 120 speaking other languages, these foreign Jews all came together.  And they were bewildered, amazed, and perplexed because EACH ONE was hearing them speak in their own language.

“What does this mean?” they said to one another

“Ha! They are filled with new wine!” said others, mocking.

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Peter’s First Sermon.

But Peter, the rock, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them.  “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you.  These people are NOT DRUNK, as you suppose, since it is only 9 a.m.  But this is what the prophet JOEL prophesied. 

“In the last days…I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh…

in those days, I will pour out my Spirit and they shall prophesy…

And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord

will be saved.”

And Peter began his first sermon, a beautiful and powerful sermon that pointed out their sin in killing Jesus (although it was indeed God’s plan from the beginning of time), and the mighty resurrection, again quoting Psalms.

“Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom YOU crucified.”

“Brothers, what shall we do?” the crowd cried. 

“Repent, and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…. for the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day … about three thousand souls.

And these new believing souls devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”  “And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

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A Lame Beggar Healed.

Peter and John were going to the temple to pray around 3 p.m. when they noticed a lame man being carried to the “Beautiful Gate” of the temple.  He was going to beg for alms as people entered the temple.  The lame man called out to the apostles, “Alms! Alms!”

Peter and John stopped and asked the man to look at them.  When he did, Peter said, ‘I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

Then Peter took the man by the hand and pulled him upright.  Immediately, the man’s feet and ankles were made strong.  The man leaped up to his feet and began walking.  He went into the temple with them, walking, and leaping, and praising God!

All the people saw him and recognized him as the lame beggar.  They were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.  They ran together to the portico called Solomon’s Porch, where Peter and John were.

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Peter’s Second Sermon

Peter saw the opportunity to preach. He immediately told them that the power to heal the lame man did not come from themselves.  The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob glorified His Servant, Jesus – whom THEY had delivered to Pilate to be crucified. THEY had denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be released. THEY had killed the Author of Life….. whom God RAISED FROM THE DEAD.

WE are witnesses, Peter preached. “And in His name – by faith in His Name – have made this man strong.  Faith, through Jesus, has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.”

That miracle settled, Peter went on preaching for their souls.  “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out. 

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MONDAY – Day 321 – Acts 4 – 6.

The glory of Pentecost and the massive response to Peter’s preaching, plus the healing of a man who was lame from birth, caught the attention of the religious leaders in Jerusalem.  They were greatly annoyed at Peter and the others who preached and proclaimed that Jesus (whom they had killed) had been resurrected from the dead.  (NOT THIS. again!!)

They arrested Peter and John. 

Did Jesus’ words come to the apostles’ minds in that cell?  “If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you.” and “If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you.” 

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Peter and John Before the Council

Priests, Sadducees and the captain of the temple guard heard Peter preaching. They were greatly annoyed that they were teaching and proclaiming to the people that Jesus was resurrected from the dead. (Remember the Sadducees did NOT believe in resurrection.)

The arrested Peter and John and put them into custody until the next day. (Peter and John were the only ones present at Jesus’ trials before these men.  Did they wonder what was to happen? 

(Meanwhile, those that the two had been talking to BELIEVED their message, making the total amount of believers around 5,000!)

The next day, the Jewish leaders gathered together in Jerusalem with Annas, the high priest, his father-in-law, Caiaphas, as well as John, Alexander, and all who were of the high priestly family. 

“By what power or what name did you do this healing?” they demanded. 

And just like Jesus promised, that when they were before magistrates, the Holy Spirit would tell them what to say, Peter opened his mouth.  “If we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, but what means this man was healed ….. let it be known to YOU and to all the people of Israel that by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom YOU crucified, whom GOD raised from the dead … by Him this man is standing before you well. 

(The Jews thought they were done with this Jesus, and people getting healed.)  But Peter wasn’t finished.

“This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you!  He’s become the cornerstone. AND, there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other Name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved!”

When these men saw Peter and John – uneducated men – speak with such boldness, they KNEW they had been with Jesus.  Gulp.  Now what?  They took them out of the room to have a private consultation.

“What shall we do with these men, for a notable sign has been performed, and we cannot deny it.?”

“Let us warn them to speak no more in this “Name.”  (And they called Peter and John back.)

“Okay, we’ll give you a warning. Do not speak or teach any more in the name of Jesus.” 

“Ha! Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge.  For we CANNOT BUT SPEAK of what we have seen and heard!”

Because of the people who were praising God at the miracle, the rulers threatened Peter and John, then let them go, finding no reason to punish them.

When they were released they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests had said.  And there was great rejoicing and praised their Sovereign Lord.  And they prayed further,

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The Believers Pray for Boldness

“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while signs and wonders are performed through the name of Your Holy servant, Jesus. 

After that prayer and praise, the whole house was shaken and all who were there were filled with the Holy Spirit.

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They Had Everything In Common

Such love did these new believers have, that they sold their possessions to help each other, for some were very needy.  One particular, godly man, Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus sold his property and brought the money to the apostles for that use.

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Ananias and Sapphira

Barnabas, had a pure heart of love. He encouraged the needy by his selfless act.  (He was the very opposite of the Rich Young Ruler who had come to Jesus.  He did not find it in his heart to sell his possessions and give to the poor.)

There was another couple who wanted to get in on the glory.  They sold a piece of property, kept some back for themselves in case they also came on hard times.  The rest of the cash they gave to Peter, indicating they had done as Barnabas and given ALL to the poor. 

Peter: “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy spirit and keep back a portion for yourself?  It was YOURS you could have kept all or part of the money.  BUT to say you are giving all to be seen as “holy” before men, is a great sin.  You have lied to God.”  And Ananias fell down dead.

The same thing happened when Sapphira claimed the same thing before the Apostle. She also fell down dead. 

“And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.”

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Many Signs and Wonders Done

Teaching and preaching continued by the Apostles. Many miracles were performed to verify their words, and multitudes of both men and women were added to the Lord.  People began bringing the sick and possessed to the apostles, and they were all healed.

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The Apostles Arrested and Freed

But this did not please the high priest, and all the Sadducees with him.  They were filled with jealousy and arrested Peter and John again, putting them into public prison.

BUT!!!  During the night and angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, telling them to go to the temple and continue to speak to the people “all the words of this life.  And they obeyed.

Next day when the council called for the prisoners, but it was told to them that the apostles were gone.  The prison was locked securely and the guards were on duty… but the cell was empty!  The Jews were perplexed.

Then someone came to tell them Peter and John were in the temple teaching.  A guard was sent to get them – but not by force, for they feared the people.  Politely they brought the apostles before the council for questioning.

Council. “We told you not to teach in that name, and you have FILLED Jerusalem with your teaching. You intend to bring this Man’s blood upon us.”

Peter: “We MUST obey God more than man. God raised Jesus – whom YOU killed.  God exalted Him at His right hand – to give repentance  to Israel and forgiveness of sins.  WE are witnesses.”

This infuriated the council, and they wanted to kill Peter and John.

Gamaliel, a Pharisee:  “Wait, wait!”  And after the apostles were take out again, he continued, “Men of Israel, be careful what you are about to do to these men.  Keep away from them. Let them alone. For if this plan is of man, it will fail.  But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them.  You might even be found opposing God!”

So, they beat the apostles, and again let them go, charging them NOT to speak or teach in that Name.

Peter and John left there rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ Name.  And… they DID NOT cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

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Seven Chosen to Serve.

A small problem arose in the growing “church,” as they struggled to meet the physical needs as well as the spiritual needs of the multitudes of believers.  The apostles thought it not right to have their time taken up with all the details of distribution.  God had called them to preach.  So seven men of good refute, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, were chosen to run the operations.  Steven was one of the seven chosen, a man full of faith and the Spirit.

And so the word of God continued and the number of disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem.  EVEN a great many PRIESTS became obedient to the faith.

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Stephen is Seized.

Stephen – full of grace and power – was doing great wonders and signs among the people.  But some of the Greek synagogue rose up to dispute with him. Some from Cilicia….. rose up against him too.  But they could not withstand the wisdom and Spirit with which he spoke.  (Remember, Saul/Paul was from Cilicia. He probably was a member of this synagogue….)

The disputers secretly instigated men who said they’d heard Steven blaspheme Moses and God.  And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes.  These religious rulers came upon Stephen and seized him and brought him before the council, and they brought false witnesses (Just like with Jesus) who claimed Stephen spoke against the Temple and the Law, saying that that Jesus of Nazareth would destroy the temple and change customs. 

But the council, gazing at Stephen, “saw that his face was like the face of an angel.”

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Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 315

Nov11

Day 315 – Reading – John 14, 15, 16, 17.

Read and believe in Jesus!

John 14.  (as well as 15-17) is Jesus’ private teaching to the eleven disciples. Judas has gone, the meal is finished, and before they “sing a hymn” and go out to Gethsemane, Jesus comforts, teaches, promises, and prays for these closest of His chosen men.

Jesus has just told them in chapter 13 that in a little while He would be going away and that they couldn’t follow Him.  When Peter cried out that he would follow Jesus anywhere, even to death, Jesus told him of his failure that very night. (He’s still worrying about this.)

And now, looking at them, Jesus said, “Let not your hearts be troubled.”  He explains (though they do not understand right then) that He’s going away to prepare a “place” for them, but He will come back for them and take them there.

When Jesus told them that they knew the way to where he was going (back to His Father, John 7:33), Thomas asked in panic, “Lord, we do NOT know where you are going. How can we know the way?’  (Hear the anxiety in his voice.)   Gently, Jesus answers that He, Himself, is the Way AND the truth and the life.  That HE is the way to His Father.  “You know Him, right?  You’ve seen Him.”

Now Philip cries, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”

You can almost hear Jesus sigh.  “I have been with you so long, and you still don’t know me Philip?  If you’ve see ME, you’ve seen the FATHER.  I am in the Father, and He is in Me.  My words are His words. My miraculous works are His. Believe me!  I and the Father are one.”

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Jesus then continues with the amazing teaching about the Holy Spirit in chapters 14, 15, and 16..

  • I will ask the Father and He will give you another Helper to be with you forever, even the SPIRIT of Truth. He will dwell with you and be IN you.
  • The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will TEACH you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
  • The Helper, the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father, will BEAR WITNESS about me.
  • It is to your advantage that Jesus “was going away” because then He will send the Helper to you.
  • The Helper will convict the world of sin and righteousness and judgment concerning sin.
  • When the Spirit of Truth comes, He will GUIDE you into all truth.
  • He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears, He will speak and will declare to you the things to come.
  • He will glorify Me.

He also speaks of love in these chapters.

  • If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
  • Whoever has my commandments and does them, that person loves me.
  • He who loves me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and show myself to him.
  • If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him.  We will come to him and make our home with him.
  • Whoever does NOT love Me, does not keep My words.
  • As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Abide in My love.
  • If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love.
  • This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
  • Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends.

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John 15.

Jesus here gives an illustration of how their relationship with Him should be.

He describes a vineyard. His Father is the Vinedresser – the one who planted and cares for the vines.  Jesus Himself is the true vine (with roots deep into the soil).  They – His disciples and all who follow Him later – are the branches growing out from the vine onto wires to spread them out. From these branches, the grape clusters will grow.

As long as the branches are connected to the sturdy vine, they will bear fruit that will remain and grow until harvest.  But the branches MUST stay connected to the Vine.  If wind or animals/bugs, or even the Vinedresser when He prunes,  separates them from the Vine, they will quickly wither and die.  And of course, no grapes will come from those dead branches.

The Vinedresser does purposefully cut some of the branches off the Vine; those that are withered and do not bear fruit.  He does this so the fruit-bearing branches get more nourishment and produce more fruit.

Jesus uses this as a warning.  “Abide in me and bear much fruit.  Apart from Me, you can do nothing.”

And, “My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”

And, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain.”

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In Chapter 16, as well as explaining the Spirit’s ministry, Jesus tells them plainly that in a little while they won’t see Him. They will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. They will be sorrowful, BUT their sorrow will turn to joy – like a woman in childbirth rejoices when the babe is laid into her arms.

“You WILL rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”

“But…. the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave Me alone.” 

At their confused faces, Jesus says, “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

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Chapter 17.

This entire chapter is Jesus praying.  THIS is the one we should be calling “the Lord’s Prayer.”  He prays like a priest, standing between God the Father and His own disciples (present and future).  He acknowledges His relationship with the Father, asking that He would glorify the Son (Himself) in order that the Son would bring glory to the Father.

Then Jesus prays for “the people God gave to Him out of the world.” These are the ones who believe in Jesus and the Father, have received His words, and know the truth.

  • “Holy Father, keep them in Your Name, that they may be one, even as We are one.” 
  • The world hates them, as they hated Me. I do not ask You to take them out of the world.  Keep them from the Evil One.”
  • Sanctify them in the truth. Your word is truth. 
  • I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word.” 
  • O righteous Father, even though the world does not know You, I know You, and these know that You have sent me.
  • The love with which You have loved Me, may it be in them, and I in them.”

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Amen! Thank You, Jesus!

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 304

Oct31

Day 304 – Reading – Matthew 19 and Mark 10

Read and believe in Jesus!

Matthew 19 and Mark 10,

Both of these chapters speak about divorce.   It seems when Jesus was teaching and healing, that some legalistic Pharisees approached Him with a question … again, to test Him,

“Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife ‘for any cause’?”

“What did Moses say?” Jesus asked them, and went on to answer these “supposed” Bible scholars. “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become ONE flesh.’  Whatever, therefore, God has joined together … let not man separate.”

Pharisees:  “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and then send his wife away!“

Jesus: “It was because of your hardness of heart that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives.  But from the beginning, it was not so.  I say to you, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.'”

Later, in private, Jesus’ disciples asked him if it was better to NOT get married. Jesus told them that that way of life was not for everyone.  But if God called someone to abstain from marriage ‘for the sake of the kingdom,’ then it was a good thing.

Then, after blessing marriage, Jesus blesses children. He welcomed them and the Moms who brought them, scolding the disciples for trying to keep them away. “Let the little children come to me. Do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child … shall not enter it.”

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The following incident is when Jesus counseled the rich young ruler, which we studied yesterday. The young man had “kept” the law as far as he was concerned, even saying that he “loved his neighbor as himself.”  However, he still felt some lack in his life that would keep him from “eternal life.”  What was it?

It was the FIRST great commandment. He did not love God with ALL his heart, mind, and strength. Jesus saw that his MONEY was first in his heart, and challenged him to sell everything he had, give the money to the poor, and follow Him with just the “shirt on his back.”   This man was sorrowful. He probably cringed at that thought.  And he just couldn’t do it.  Sadly, he went away.

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During this teaching on marriage, receiving children, and not having a heart for God, Jesus was still in Judea, East of Jericho.  Now, on that journey to Jerusalem, He headed west, passing through Jericho.  As usual, a great crowd followed Jesus and his disciples.

In the midst of the dust and noise of the crowd passing, a blind beggar sitting by the road heard the name, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’  He began calling, “Jesus! Son of David, have mercy on me!  (Calling Jesus the Son of David meant he recognized Him as the promised Messiah.)

The people around him hushed him.  But Bartimaeus called even louder, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  This was his one and only chance. He called even louder.

And Jesus stopped the procession. “Call him.”  

Now the crowd changed its attitude. “Take heart. Get up; He is calling you!” Throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.

“Rabbi, let me recover my sight!”

“Go your way. Your faith has made you well.” 

And Bartimaeus immediately recovered his sight and followed Jesus on the way. 

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Compare the response of the rich, young man and the poor, blind man to following Jesus.  The rich man had too much to lose to follow Jesus.  All that wealth and “stuff” held him back.  The blind man jumped at the chance, with nothing hindering him. He’d even thrown off his cloak.  Jesus was enough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 302

Oct29

Day 302 – Reading – John 11

Read and believe in Jesus!

John 11.

THIS Lazarus (brother to Martha & Mary) is not the same as the poor beggar, Lazarus, who sat begging at the rich man’s gate, died, and went to Abraham’s side, in yesterday’s reading.  This man is probably the youngest of the three siblings in a semi-wealthy family. Not rich by any means, but owning a house that could accommodate Jesus and His disciples. 

The Setting:  Jesus and His disciples are way North-East of the Holy City, on the other side of the Jordan River. Jesus had barely escaped being stoned to death for blasphemy in Jerusalem by the Jews. He was well aware of the events that must occur before Passover and His death, and He adjusted His ways.  He later referenced this when He said that the daylight was only for twelve hours each day, and He must “work” while it was light, before the darkness came.

Anyway, while there, a message comes to Him from Martha and Mary. “Lord, he whom You love is ill.” There was no demand for Him to come, although it was probably in their hearts.  Just a statement of need.

(Why aren’t our prayers so simple?  Why do we usually try to plan out all the ways God could answer our desperate needs?)

Jesus immediately tells his disciples that Lazarus’ illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, and so the Son may also be glorified through it. They rest at ease.  Jesus loved this family, but He deliberately stayed two more days where he was.  The disciples didn’t question Him.

Finally, another message arrives saying, “Lazarus is dead.” 

Without sharing that news with His men, Jesus announces, “Let us go to Judea again.”  This confounded them.  If He didn’t go when His friend was sick, why was He going now?  It was dangerous there.  He was a “wanted man.” 

“Rabbi!’ they cried. “The jews were just now seeking to stone you, and you are going there again?”

“Our friend, Lazarus, has ‘fallen asleep,’  but I go to ‘awaken him.’“

“Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover!” they cry.

“Lazarus is dead,” Jesus said plainly. “And for YOUR sake, I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe.  Let us go to him.”

Thomas, that melancholy disciple, looked around at his fellows and said with a sigh, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”

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By the time Jesus arrived in Bethany (only 2 miles from Jerusalem), Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days. When Martha heard that Jesus was near, she went out to meet him.  “Lord! If You had been here, my brother would not have died!” Then she steadied herself. “But even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will give you.”

Jesus: “Your brother will rise again.”

Martha: “I know that he will rise again… in the resurrection on the Last Day.”

Jesus: “I AM the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, THOUGH HE DIES, yet shall he live. And everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.  Do you believe this?”

Martha: “Yes, Lord; I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

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After proclaiming that truth, Martha went to Mary and told her privately (for there were many well-wishers around), that “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”

Mary rose quickly and went to Him.  When she saw Him, she fell at His feet. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”  (Surely the sisters had been saying that to each other for days.)

Jesus spoke to Mary much differently than to Martha.  He responded not in an intellectual way, as with Martha, but purely emotionally, like Mary herself.  He was greatly “moved” in His spirit, and wept with her.  “Where have you laid him?” He asked.  “Lord, come and see.”  

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Jesus was totally overwhelmed again when He arrived at the tomb with Mary.  Martha had gone there earlier. 

Jesus: “Take away the stone.”  (The tomb was a cave with a large stone rolled over the opening.) 

Martha: “Lord, by this time there will be a death odor, for he has been dead FOUR days.”

Jesus: “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”

Martha stared at Him a moment, and then commanded that they take away the stone covering the tomb’s entrance.

Jesus looked to heaven and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard me. I know that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that You sent Me.”

Then, He shouted ……. “Lazarus, come out!”

Breathless silence, then…..

The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. (a living mummy)

“Unbind him, and let him go,” Jesus said.

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Many of the Jews who had come to comfort Mary and Martha SAW what Jesus did, and believed in Him.  However, (HOW CAN THIS BE TRUE???) some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

The chief priests and Pharisees gathered the Council and said, “WHAT are we TO DO?  This man performs many signs. If we let Him go on like this … everyone will believe in Him…. and then the Romans will come and take away both our place, and our nation!”

Caiaphas, the high priest that year, coolly responded, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that …. it is better for you that ONE MAN should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.”

(He didn’t realize that, as high priest, he was prophesying for God, that Jesus would die, not only for the nation of Israel, but to gather into ONE the children of God who are scattered abroad.)

And so, from that day on, they made plans to put Jesus to death.

Jesus, fully aware of His approaching trial and death, went with His men, about 12 miles north of Jerusalem, to a town near the wilderness, until it was time for His triumphal entry into the Holy City as the Messiah.

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Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, people were looking for and talking about Jesus. “What do you think? Will He not come to the festival at all?”

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Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 290

Oct17

Day 290 – Reading – Matthew 14, Mark 6, and Luke 9

Read and believe in Jesus!

In yesterday’s account in Matthew 10, Jesus called, prepared, and then sent out his twelve “apostles” to the cities of “the lost sheep of Israel” to preach the kingdom. (Later, Jesus will send out 72 others with similar instructions.)

Today, we see the Twelve doing that and then returning.

Mark 6:12-13: “So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.”

And Mark 6:30-31: “The apostles returned to Jesus and told Him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.'”

 

Matthew 14:1-12, Mark 6:14-20 and Luke 14:7-9 all tell the horrible story of how King Herod killed John the Baptist, and then was uneasy, perplexed and not a little afraid afterwards. When he heard that Jesus was going around healing people, his guilty conscience made him fear that this was John the Baptist come back to life!  Herod tried unsuccessfully to “see” Jesus (but didn’t until Jesus was on trial).

Herod Antipas, son of the mega-evil Herod the Great, was ruler (Tetrarch) of Galilee.  Another son of that wicked king was Herod Philip, who ruled the far northern parts of Galilee.  Herodias was the daughter of another son of the evil Herod the Great. When she married Philip, she was marrying her uncle. Then, our Herod Antipas convinced her to leave Philip and marry him, another of her uncles. 

This compounding of incest and having a brother’s wife was gross sin in John the Baptist’s eyes.  He openly and severely rebuked Herod.  Prompted by Herodias, Herod arrested and imprisoned (and later killed) John.

It happened one day when Herod, Herodias, and her daughter were celebrating Herod’s birthday with a grand, and debauched party.  The young and beautiful Salome seductively danced before her step-father. He was entranced, aroused, and probably drunk.  He promised her anything she wanted.         

Herodias told her to ask the king for “John the Baptist’s head … on a platter.”

Yikes!!

Of course, to “save face” in front of all his guests, Herod gave the order.  He was “exceedingly sorry,” because he had enjoyed verbally sparring with John now and then. AND, he knew John was a holy man and was actually afraid of him for God’s word of condemnation he spoke

But a king’s vow cannot be rescinded.  Soon the prison guard carried in John’s bloody head on a silver platter.  

Salome turned her head away, Herodias, smiled wickedly, and Herod probably wretched.  Surely regret and guilt began to eat away his heart. When he heard of the miracles of Jesus, his nightmares seemed to be coming true! “It’s John whom I beheaded, raised from the dead!“

John’s disciples buried his body, and then went to Jesus with the horrible news.

…..

It was about then that the twelve disciples returned from their missionary trip. Their need of rest, and Jesus’ own sorrow for John’s death, led Him to take them across Galilee in a boat to a deserted place. There, he quietly grieved, and taught His men. 

  • At one point, Jesus asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?”
  • “John the Baptist!” someone said, no doubt hearing the rumors about King Herod.
  • “Or Elijah.”
  • “Or one of the prophets of old that has risen.”
  • “But who do YOU say I am?” asked Jesus.
  • Peter spoke up. “The Christ of God.“
  • Jesus nodded, but answered Peter sternly, “Don’t spread this around just yet, Peter. Tell no one.  Because…. FIRST I must suffer many things…. be rejected by the religious leaders….. be killed, and on the third day rise.”

…..

They didn’t get much quietness, for when the crowds noticed that Jesus was gone from them, and heard He’d gone across the lake, the rushed as one (gathering more as they went) the 2-3 miles around the shore to Bethsaida. 

When Jesus saw the great crowd coming, He had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. He welcomed them, taught them, and healed them.  The day wore on, and soon everybody was hungry.

What to do? 

NOTE:  In tomorrow’s reading of John 6, we will study Jesus’ feeding of the 5,000, and His strong teaching that follows.  For now, we’ll skip it in the synoptic Gospels.

…..

After the collection of the small baskets of leftovers, the people began talking among themselves and looking at Jesus, 

Knowing their hearts, he immediately told the disciples to get into the boat and go to the other side while He dismissed the crowd.  He gently but firmly dismissed them, then slipped away by Himself.  He climbed up into the hills, and began to pray to His Father long into the night.

About three in the morning, way after the boat should have landed on the other side, Jesus saw that they were struggling in a wild and windy sea.  The waves were pushing against the men and the disciples were exhausted from rowing.

Jesus came to them walking on the water. WALKING ON THE WATER!  On TOP of the water!

When the disciples saw Him, their exhausted minds immediately turned to terror. 

“It’s a GHOST!” they screamed.

“Take heart. It’s I. Don’t be afraid,” called Jesus.

“If it’s You, Lord, command me to come to You on the water,” shouted Peter, climbing onto the boat’s rail.

“Come.”

Peter got out of the boat and… walked on the water towards Jesus.  But, when he realized what he was doing, he looked down at the water, and around at the wind… and he began to sink. 

“Lord! Save me!”

Jesus immediately reached out His had and took hold of Peter, saying, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

When they climbed into the boat, the wind ceased.  And the tired but amazed men worshiped him. “Truly You are the Son of God.”

And immediately they were on the other side. As soon as they moored the boat, the people immediately recognized Jesus and began to bring their sick to Him.  And as many as He touched were made well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 283

Oct10

THE NEW TESTAMENT!

Day 283 – Reading – Matthew 5-7

Read and believe in Jesus!

Matthew 5- 7, (Luke 6:20-49) – Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.

  1. You’ve probably read this section of the Bible many times, and perhaps you’ve memorized some of it, like the “Beatitudes” and other well-known verses. 
  2. Let’s look at them again, keeping in mind the things that Jesus has been experiencing (accusations, death threats, evil name-calling, and misunderstanding).
  3. He has officially “called” His 12 disciples, and He now wants to show how HIS Kingdom is different from the World’s (broad) and the Pharisees’ (imprisoning) ways.

“Blessed.” (Happy, fortunate, joyful) That glorious peace and feeling of well-being experienced by those who belong to Him.  

  1. Notice how this list is progressive, beginning with the required heart attitude: ‘poor in spirit.’  When a person comes to Jesus, he must realize his own neediness and inability to help (save) himself.  Only when he sees himself as a hopeless sinner can change begin. (“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,’ and “There is none righteous, no, not one.”)
  2. “Mourning” over our sin is “repentance.”  “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret.”
  3. Being “meek” does not mean “weak,” though they rhyme and are easily mistaken for going hand in hand.  It actually means “self-controlled strength.”  Jesus was meek. Moses was meek.  Do you consider either of these as weaklings?  Jesus said these believers who willing put others before themselves, will “inherit the earth,” and “delight themselves in an abundance of peace.”
  4. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are the opposite of the self-satisfied Pharisees who boast about keeping the minutiae of the Law. True believers see their need for the righteousness of God and realize they are unable to get it on their own. But, if they humbly ask for it, they will be satisfied.
  5. Realizing that our righteousness comes from God alone, through Jesus’ work on the cross and our belief, we can be merciful to others, especially for those still seeking.  It’s reciprocal.  If we are merciful and forgiving like our Savior, we will receive mercy and forgiveness in return.
  6. Is it even possible to have a pure heart?  Is it really possible to see God?  “Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in His Holy Place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation. SUCH is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek the face of God.”  
  7. Peacemakers, not Pacemakers!! These are those who have received God’s righteousness and whose hearts are merciful and pure. They are not self-seeking or self-centered. “Seek peace and pursue it.” And “as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with one another.” 
  8. Have you been persecuted for righteousness’ sake?  Persecuted because you claim Jesus as your Savior and Lord. Reviled and have all kinds of evil uttered against you falsely because of Jesus.  “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. (But let none of you suffer as an evil doer or a meddler.) Yet, if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God.”    Why are we blessed to experience this?  BECAUSE, the Kingdom of Heaven is yours!  Your home!  Your reward is great in heaven, so REJOICE  and be GLAD!

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When we have been born from above, and have received the righteousness of God, and our hearts now reflect His own… 

  • THEN we are salt in the earth – prompting people to thirst for Jesus.
  • THEN we are lights to the world and to our families – showing the way to Jesus, and glorifying the Father in heaven. 

Jesus cautions that our righteousness must EXCEED that of the scribes and Pharisees.  It must come from God by grace, and not by working and striving on your own to keep the law.

Then Jesus corrects the people’s view of some of the Commandments (remembering that OUR righteousness must exceed that of the nit-picking Pharisees).

  1. Don’t Murder. (of course!)  But Jesus says anger against our brother or calling him a bad name in public makes us just as guilty as killing him.
  2. Don’t commit Adultery. (of course!)  But Jesus says that those lustful second and third looks, and the pornographic imaginations of our hearts, make us just as guilty of adultery.
  3. What God has joined together (in marriage), let no one separate. (agreed!)  Jesus says that anyone divorcing his wife (or she her husband), except for sexual immorality, makes her (or him) commit adultery. (The same with anyone who marries the divorced party.)
  4. Don’t bear false witness. (true!) But Jesus says Do not even resort to taking an oath in the first place. Let the truth of your WORD of “yes” and “no” be sufficient. 
  5. Exact from others “an eye for an eye” and “a tooth for a tooth.” God gave this law as a RESTRICTION.  A person or judge could only require equal to the offence.  BOTH eyes could not be required for one, neither could a mouthful of teeth be taken for a single one lost. But, Jesus goes WAY beyond that, saying, even in innocence, be willing to give more or even your all.  It’s a witness to the unsaved. And God will take care of it later.
  6. Love your neighbor. (yes!)  But hate your enemy?  Jesus says no.  Love them too! And even pray for them.  Why?  Because then you will be like your Father, who loves all and sends blessings on all, whether they are just or unjust.  Jesus says to be “perfect” in this. Perfect as your Father.

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Giving to the needy. 

Don’t be boastful about it, just to get the praise of others. Give in secret, and your Heavenly Father will reward you in secret.  This is the way to “lay up treasure in Heaven.”  That kind of treasure is safe.  It can’t be stolen or devalued.  If your “treasure” is in heaven, so will your heart be.  AND REMEMBER – you can’t serve God and money.

Praying like Jesus.

Don’t pray to be seen and thought of as “righteous.”  Pray in secret where only God hears you.  God is who you WANT to hear your prayers, right?   He will reward you. Besides, He knows what you need before you ask Him.  

Here’s a blueprint of prayer. Don’t pray the words. Use it as a pattern of how to pray.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come, Your will be done (not mine) as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For YOURS is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.*** Amen”

*** Some manuscripts omit that last line.  It would have been a very inflammatory statement for people living at that time under the rule of the Romans – that the kingdom, power, and glory ALL belonged to God.  That claim was punishable by death. To the Romans, the kingdom, power, and glory all belonged to Caesar.

Worry and Anxiety 

Jesus told the people NOT to be anxious about their lives, food & drink, clothes, or housing. All those things are secondary to your LIFE, and God knows you need them. HE will provide.  And besides, what has anxiety ever gotten you besides ulcers and stress?  Go outside and look at the BIRDS and the FLOWERS.  Beautiful, aren’t they?  Guess who gave them their lovely colors and plumage?  And God also “feeds” them.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these ‘things’ will be added to you.  DON’T worry about tomorrow.”

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Then to sum up the whole sermon, Jesus said,

“So, whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them,

for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

 

“Yes, the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life.

And those who find it are few.”

 

“Some will say on the last day, ‘Lord, Lord, let us in!’

But only the ones who do the will of my Father will be able to go in.

Those others will cry out that they prophesied in my name,

cast out demons in my name,

and did many mighty works in my name.

But I will say, “I never knew you;

depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”

WHOA!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Days 271 & 272

Sep29

Day 271 – Reading – Nehemiah  8 – 10

Day 272 – Reading Nehemiah 11 – 13, and Psalm 126

Today’s reading tells of the people weeping, experiencing “the joy of the LORD,” celebrating and rejoicing, and a deep and long confession of their sin and the sins of their ancestors, ending in a solemn commitment in writing to obey God.  All this … because they heard God’s Word read and explained.

(****Oh, LORD, may my reading and study of Your word elicit weeping, confession of sin, then joy & celebration with a commitment to love and obey You…from my heart.)

Day 271 – Nehemiah 8.

It was the first of the seventh month, usually when the Feast of Tabernacles was celebrated.  The people gathered as one to hear the Law of Moses read.  A wooden platform was built to elevate Ezra and 14 other priests who would help to read and explain the law. This was set up in the large area facing the Water Gate, south of the Temple Mount. 

Ezra opened the scroll, and all the people stood.  He blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people said, “Amen, amen.” 

While the people stood in their places, they read from the book of The Law of God, clearly, and gave the sense (meaning) so the people understood.  They read from early morning until midday, about six hours or more…. all standing.  And all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law.

Nehemiah and Ezra said to the people. “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”  They told the people to go their way, eat and drink sweet wine, and send food to those who had nothing ready. It was a holy day to the LORD.  So there was great rejoicing.

The next day, all the heads of fathers’ houses, with the priests and Levites, came together to Ezra to study the words of the Law. They found it written that the people should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, and that they should publish it in the surrounding area. “Go out to the hills and bring branches and make booths.” 

So they obeyed and set up booths everywhere, living in them for the week. And day by day, they read from the Book of the Law of God.  They celebrated for seven days, and on the eighth day, there was a solemn assembly, according to the rule.

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Nehemiah 9.

And so, in the spirit of the solemn Day of Atonement, the people of Israel assembled with fasting and in sackcloth, and earth thrown on their heads (a sign of deep contrition). 

They STOOD and CONFESSED their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers. 

They stood and read the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of a day. For another quarter of the day, they made confession and worshiped the LORD their God.

On the stairs, the high priest Jeshua and other priests cried with a loud voice to the LORD their God.

Then Jeshua and the others told the people to stand up and bless the LORD their God.

“From everlasting to everlasting, Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. YOU are the LORD, YOU alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them, and You preserve all of them, and the host of heaven worships You. You are the LORD, the God who chose Abraham….  And You have kept Your promise, for You are righteous.

And throughout the day, they recited the history of how God dealt with His chosen people, Israel.

  • “You are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love … and you did not forsake them….. even when they made a golden calf…
  • “You in your great mercy did not forsake them in the wilderness…”
  • “You gave your good Spirit to instruct them, and did not withhold your manna…. and gave them water… sustaining them for forty years.
  • “You gave them kingdoms and peoples and allotted to them every corner.”
  • “You multiplied their children as the stars of heaven…”
  • “So they ate and were filled and became fat and delighted themselves in Your great goodness.”

They confessed the sin and rebellion of their fathers.

  • “But they were disobedient and rebelled and cast your law behind them….
  • “You gave them to their enemies who made them suffer…
  • “But when they cried out to You, You heard from heaven and sent saviors….
  • “Yet they turned again away from You and did evil… so You sent their enemies again.
  • “Many times You delivered them according to Your mercies.
  • “Many years You bore with them and warned them, yet they would not listen.
  • “Nevertheless, in Your great mercies, You did not make an end of them or forsake them, for YOU are a gracious and merciful God.

Now, they confess their own sins, and acknowledge that where they are, is because of their sin. 

  • “Now, therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, You have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly.
  • “Our kings, princes, priests and fathers have not kept your law or paid attention to Your commandments and warnings, they did not serve You or turn from their wicked ways…..
  • And now, behold, WE ARE SLAVES THIS DAY, in this land You gave our fathers to enjoy.  WE ARE SLAVES, and the land’s rich yield goes to the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins.  They rule over our bodies and over our livestock as they please, and we are in distress.

And so they wrote and signed a “firm covenant” to obey God and not repeat the sins of their fathers. 

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Nehemiah 10.

The people who signed the Covenant are listed in detail at the top of this chapter. Nehemiah, the Governor, is first. Then, all the leaders and nobles, priests, Levites, temple workers, and of the laity, those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the land to the Law of God, with their wives and children. They enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law that was given by Moses, and to do all the commandments of the LORD.   They also pledged to give the yearly Temple tax to support the religious workers, and the regular required offerings. 

“We obligate ourselves to bring the first fruits of our ground and of all fruit trees, year by year, to the house of the LORD.  Also, the firstborn of our sons, our cattle, herds, and flocks.”

“We will not neglect the house of our God.”

(These are bold and righteous commitments.  Can they keep them? (If they were like me and the people today, probably not, sadly.)

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Day 272 – Nehemiah 11

The leaders of the people lived INSIDE Jerusalem, while the rest of the people lived outside the walls in their towns and villages.   So the people cast lots to bring ONE OUT OF TEN to live inside the city walls.  Nehemiah did this to hurry up the reestablishment of homes and businesses in Jerusalem.  Names of people and places are listed in this chapter.

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Nehemiah 12.

Before the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple, there were 24 courses of priests, each course serving in the temple for a period of two weeks per year. (King David set up the schedule.)

Sadly, only FOUR of the 24 courses returned from Babylon.  These were now divided into 24 courses. 

  • (Only 22 are mentioned here, perhaps because these priestly families died out with no sons to follow at the time Zerubbabel originally named them.)

Next, the finished wall around Jerusalem was dedicated.   All the Levites were called in to celebrate the dedications with GLADNESS, THANKSGIVINGS, and SINGING.

The Priests and Levites first purified themselves, and then they purified the people and the gates and the wall.

Then Nehemiah brought the leaders of Judah up onto the wall and appointed two “great choirs” to give thanks.  One half went all the way south along the wall, and the other went to the north to meet them, all surrounding the House of the LORD.

They sang, offered sacrifices, and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy. “And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away!   For long ago in the days of David and Asaph, there were directors of the singers, and there were songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.” 

(Thank you, David.  And thanks to all our own music directors and leaders who lead congregations in praise in churches around the world!)

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Psalm 126.

“When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,

We were like those who dream.

Then our mouth was filled with laughter,

and our tongue with shouts of joy;

Then they said among the nations,

“The LORD has done great things for them”

The LORD has done great things for us;

We are glad.

Restore our fortunes, O LORD,

like streams in the Negev!

Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!

He who goes out weeping,

bearing the seed for sowing,

shall come home wit shouts of joy,

bringing his sheaves with him.

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Nehemiah 13.

Now in the 32nd year of King Artaxerxes, Nehemiah returned to Persia as he said he would.  He’d organized and led the people to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and they’d done it with God’s help and protection. The wall had been dedicated.  

But while he was back in Persia, bad things were happening again.  He (obviously) got news of it and asked permission from the king to return.

Problem #1. While they were reading from the Law of Moses each day in the annual cycle, they came on the portion (Deut. 23:3-6) that said “No Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the Assembly of God because of that event with Balaam cursing them as they approached the Promised Land.”

As soon as they heard that law, the people separated out those of foreign descent from the temple workers, but…..  before the reading and the doing of this law, something awful had happened.  One of the priests – Eliashib, whom Nehemiah had caught siding with the enemy earlier (Neh. 2:10) – had smuggled Tobiah into one of the storage rooms of the temple, and he was LIVING THERE!   THE NERVE!

(You remember Tobiah, right?  He and Sanballat were two of the main hindrances to Nehemiah’s wall work.)

SO…………  when Nehemiah got back, he was VERY ANGRY!  He threw out Tobiah and all his household furniture from the chamber. Then he gave orders for the chamber to be cleansed, and for the vessels of the House of God to be brought back in.

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Problem #2. And while he was at it, Nehemiah found that the portions of support had not been given to the Levites, so they had gone home to work in their fields. 

Nehemiah confronted the officials, gathered the Levites back to their stations, and got after the people until they brought their tithes of grain, wine, and oil into the storehouses. He then appointed a reliable priest, a scribe, a Levite, and his assistant to fairly distribute to the Levites. 

Then Nehemiah prayed, “Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God and for His service.”

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Problem #3. Then our eagle-eyed Nehemiah spotted people working on the Sabbath. They were treading grapes in the winepresses, and bringing in heaps of grain and fruit and fish which they loaded and brought into Jerusalem to sell on the Sabbath!!!   

Nehemiah confronted the leaders about this broken law. “What is this evil thing that you are doing, profaning the Sabbath day?  Did not your fathers act in this way, and did not our God bring all this disaster on us and on this city??? You are bringing MORE wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath.”

Nehemiah began closing all the gates in the walls of Jerusalem as it started to get dark before the Sabbath.  He gave orders for them not to be opened until AFTER the Sabbath.  And he stationed his guards to make sure it happened. 

Problem #4. Sooo… the merchants simply unloaded all their stuff outside the wall and held a “market” there.  But Nehemiah got after them as well.  “If you do this again, I will lay hands on you!”

He then told the Levites that THEY should purify themselves and come guard the gates, to keep the Sabbath day HOLY.

And Nehemiah prayed, “Remember this also in my favor, O my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your steadfast love.”

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Problem #5. And….. AGAIN…… Nehemiah saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod (Philistia), Ammon, and Moab.  And half their children couldn’t even speak Hebrew.

Nehemiah confronted them.  And cursed them.   And beat some of them.  And pulled out their hair!

(I’d say he was pretty angry and zealous for the LORD!!)

And Nehemiah made them swear an oath NOT to give their daughters or take daughters to foreigners.

“Did not Solomon, king of Israel, sin on account of such women???  Among the nations, there was no king like him, and he was beloved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel……. nevertheless, FOREIGN WOMEN made even him to sin!  Shall YOU now act treacherously against our God?

Nehemiah noticed that one of the sons of the high priest had married one of Sanballat’s daughters!!!  Nehemiah CHASED HIM AWAY!

And Nehemiah prayed, “Remember them, O my God, because they have desecrated the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites.

Problems #6+. Then Nehemiah cleansed them from everything foreign … and he established the duties of the priests and Levites, each in his work … and he provided for the wood offering at appointed times, and for first fruits.

Wow.

And he prayed, “Remember me, O my God, for good.”

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(What a man and what a leader Nehemiah was!  He was strong and hard on sin.  He did not get distracted from his work. He honored his word.  He was honest and giving.  It seems he knew MORE of the law than even the priests and Levites knew.  He led the people in righteousness. And he prayed … again and again.

O LORD, for men in leadership like this today!  And I ask that some of Nehemiah’s “straight path” ways would be evident in me too.)

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 270

Sep27

Day 270 – Reading –  Nehemiah  6 – 7

Nehemiah 6. 

THIRD OPPOSITION:  When those three conspirators – Sanballat, Tobiah, the Ammonite, and Geshem, the Arab – saw that the wall was built (but still had no gates), they invited Nehemiah to lunch.  HA!  Our boy knew they meant to harm him and declined. “I’m working and can’t stop.”

FOUR TIMES they sent him this invite and four times he declined. (Seems they should have gotten the message.)

Next, Sanballat sent an open letter via his servant accusing Nehemiah and the Jews of rebellion, saying they planned to make him King, in opposition to the one in Persia.  Then Artaxerxes will come and make war. 

Nehemiah’s response was stinging. “Seriously?? You are inventing things to frighten us, thinking we will drop the work and not finish!  Go you way, I’m not frightened!” 

Nehemiah didn’t stew about this threat, he prayed. “But now, O God, strengthen my hands.”

FOURTH OPPOSITION: Next they hired a false prophet, to try and lure Nehemiah into the Temple and escape a murder threat. “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the Temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you by night.”

Nehemiah held up his hand to halt the fellow. “Should such a man as I run away?  And what man such as I (not a priest) could go into the temple and live? i will NOT go in.”  With that, Nehemiah understood that this was not a prophet of God, but a man from Tobiah and Sanballat. 

And again Nehemiah prayed, “Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to theses things that they did, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid.” (Ezekiel 13:17-18)

And so, despite all the opposition, the wall was finished.  It took 52 days under Nehemiah’s stead leadership and resistance to opposition … and prayer.   “And when all our enemies heard of it, all nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.”

However, Tobiah continued to send letters to try to make Nehemiah afraid.  (What a jerk!)

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Nehemiah 7.

When Nehemiah had finally finished the doors, and the gatekeepers, singers, and Levites had been appointed, he gave his brother Hanani, and Hananiah, the governor of the castle,** charge over Jerusalem, for the governor was “a more faithful and God-fearing man than many.” 

**The “castle” was the “Tower of Hananel” set on the NW corner of the wall.  It was used as protection for the Temple. (See the map of gates in yesterday’s post.) When Herod rebuilt the temple area, he made this “fortress,” the Antonia, where the Roman guard was housed in Jesus’ time.

Nehemiah’s instructions to Hananiah and his brother were to “Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot. And while they are still standing guard, let them shut and bar the doors.”   Nehemiah called for this to prevent looting and sabotage by their enemies, for “Jerusalem was wide and large, but the people within it were few. None of the houses had been rebuilt.”  (Such a smart leader!)

Then God put it in Nehemiah’s heart to enroll the nobles, officials, and people by genealogy.  He found the original book of the people who had returned in the first wave under Zerubbabel.  In that book, it was written,

“These were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried into exile. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his town. They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua…. etc.”

Nehemiah updated this record.

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 269

Sep26

Day 269 – Reading – Nehemiah  1 – 5

Next in the 3rd book of the exile history is Nehemiah.

It begins in the 20th year of King Artaxerxes’ reign in the Persian capital of Susa. Nehemiah, born into Jewish exile, was neither a prophet, priest, nor descendant in the royal line. He was a working man in a high and trusted position of “cup-bearer” to the king.

It was his duty to personally serve the King’s wine, even to first swallow some if there was a concern about poison.  It was a lucrative position.  Nehemiah had gained personal wealth as mentioned in Neh. 8:5, 10, 14, & 17.

Nehemiah was also a man of prayer. This book records TWELVE of his prayers. Several of them are very short, “arrow” prayers, showing that Nehemiah knew God, had a close relationship with Him, and could send brief, urgent requests as the need arose, confident that the LORD  would hear and answer.

The book of Nehemiah was written by Ezra.

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Nehemiah 1.

One day, Nehemiah’s brother, Hanani, visited him, having just arrived from Judah. Nehemiah quizzed him about what was happening, and the brother spoke of bad news. The remnant there was in “great trouble and shame.” The walls and gates of Jerusalem, which King Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed and burned nearly 200 years before, were still in a state of rubble.  The Holy City, the Temple, and the people were defenseless. 

This broke Nehemiah’s heart, and he began fasting and praying to the God of Heaven. (1:5-11) 

  1. He acknowledged that the people of Israel had sinned greatly in God’s sight. 
  2. He confessed that this is the reason they were scattered among the nations. 
  3. He reminded God of his promise to gather them back to the land … which He had.
  4. Then Nehemiah asked that God would give him good success when he put a request before the king that day.

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Nehemiah 2.

The scene is now in the dinner hall of the palace. Nehemiah is waiting upon the king. He pours a wine glass and gives it to Artaxerxes.

The king looks up into Nehemiah’s face, expecting to see a calm, assured smile. (It was against the law to have a sad or mad face in the presence of royalty.)

“Why is your face sad?“ he asked. “You’re not sick, are you?“ (e.g. Did you drink poison???)  Then the king looks closer, sits back, and says to his butler knowingly, “This is nothing but sadness of the heart.”

Nehemiah gulps and says, “Let the king live forever! But why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire.”

Putting his fingertips together and raising an eyebrow, Artaxerxes asks, “What are you requesting?”

Here is one of Nehemiah’s “arrow” prayers.  All that’s said is, “So I prayed to the God of heaven.”  Then he states his request. 

“If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight … that you send me to Judah, to the city of my father’s graves, that I may rebuild it.

The king glances at the queen, who is sitting beside him, then asks, “How long will you be gone, and when will you return?”   (It would be 12 years before his return. see Neh. 5:14)

Boldly, Nehemiah asked the king for letters, 1.) to the governors of the “province Beyond the River” that would let him pass through, 2.) to the keepers of the forest to get timber for the gates and the house he would live in.  The king granted him all … “because the good hand of my God was upon me.”

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Nehemiah arrived and was there three days before anyone knew it.  He wanted to see the situation with his own eyes, so at night he tried to ride around the city. He looked at the rubble, especially the destroyed gates, making plans as he went, until he reached a point that was impassable, and returned. (The Valley Gate, Dung Gate, Fountain Gate, and the King’s Pool.)

Then he approached the city officials and the people, and told them how God had been with him, and how the king had okayed the project. “Let us rise up and build!”

FIRST OPPOSITION:  When the neighboring governors (Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab) heard it, they jeered and protested. “What?? Are you rebelling against the king?”  they cried.

“The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you, YOU, have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem!” responded Nehemiah.

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Nehemiah 3.

Read this chapter as you follow the map. It lists the Gates and portions of the wall that each group worked on, starting at the top.

Beginning with the High Priest and other priests at the Sheep Gate, the Tower of the Hundred, and the Tower of Hananel, these worked nearest to the Temple of God.   

Another group of priests worked on the Fish Gate and the Gate of Yeshanah.

Others worked all the way down the western side to the Dung Gate, the King’s Garden, and the Pool. 

More workers repaired on the ascent, or Eastern side at the Water Gate, Horse Gate,  Muster Gate, and the Corner Tower and Gate of the Guard. They closed the gap at the Sheep Gate again.  

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Nehemiah 4.

SECOND OPPOSITION:  Sanballat came again, angry and jeering. He said in the presence of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing?  Will they restore it for themselves?  Will they sacrifice?  Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish?”

Tobiah, beside him, said, “Yes, they are building.  But if a fox goes upon it, he will break down their stone wall.”

Nehemiah doesn’t fight with shouts and fist-waving.  He prays to God,  “Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from Your sight, for they have provoked You to anger in the presence of the builders.”

When Sanballat and Tobiah, along with the Arabs and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls was going well, and the breaches were getting closed, they were VERY ANGRY.  They all plotted together to come, and fight, and cause confusion.

But what did Nehemiah do?  And we prayed to our God and set a guard day and night.”

But a quiet unease began to spread among the workers.

  • “Our strength is failing.
  • There is too much rubble. 
  • By ourselves, we won’t be able to rebuild the wall. 
  • Our families are telling us to come home.
  • Our enemies said they would come in and kill us.”

So, Nehemiah, in the lowest parts of the wall, stationed the people by clans with swords, spears, and bows. 

And he encouraged them with, “Do not be afraid of them, Remember the LORD, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

And from that day on, half of his servants worked on the construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail.  And the laborers worked with one hand on a tool and one hand on a weapon.  And he told everyone, if they heard the sound of a trumpet, they were to rally to the spot and help.

All of Nehemiah’s own brothers, servants, and guards did not take off their clothes, but stayed inside the wall all night, with a weapon in hand.

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Nehemiah 5.

Another problem arose about the lack of food and supplies, and families going hungry.  Just like in Jerusalem in the days before the fall, the wealthier people were mistreating the poor.  Sons and daughters were being sold as laborers/slaves to pay for food. Vineyards, fields, and houses were being taken for taxes.

“WHAT IS THIS??” An angry Nehemiah wanted to know. He was very angry, and as governor, he brought charges against the nobles and officials. “You ought to walk in the fear of our God.   My brothers and I are lending them grain and money. Let us abandon this exacting of interest.  Return this very day, their fields, vineyards, olive orchards, and houses.  AND return the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you took!

Meekly, the elders and officials said, “We will restore and require nothing further. We will do as you say.”  And the people DID as they said.  (WOW!)

Nehemiah adds that in all the 12 years he and his brothers were there, they did NOT TAKE THE GOVERNOR’S ALLOWANCE.   Also, he bought no land and fed many at his own expense.  He and his servants were there to work… to the glory of his God.

And he prayed, “Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people”