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Day 111 of Reading the Bible Cover to Cover in 365 days commentary, insights and thoughts. If you would like to follow along with the book offered exclusively on Amazon, please refer to https://www.amazon.com/Reading-Bible-Cover-365Days/dp/B0B6XSNMY6/ref=mp_s_a_1_90
This is a podcast sharing thoughts and insights for the accompanying the daily reading schedule for the book, Reading the Bible Cover to Cover in 365 Days.
Welcome to Day 111 of Reading the Bible Cover to Cover in 365 Days!
Let us pray:
O Lord, thank You for the wisdom in Your Word. Help us receive more wisdom today. May our hearts be open to the message You desire us to learn. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Let’s see what’s happening in Matthew chapter 22!
The Pharisees grow angrier with Jesus. They look for ways to turn something He says into a reason to accuse Him of wrongdoing and imprison Him. So, they send people to ask Him questions. One asks about paying tribute to Caesar and if they should pay him taxes? Of course, Jesus shows them, and us, to respect authority and pay what is due to the government.
Then the Sadducees ask Him a question about the resurrection even though they don’t actually believe there is a resurrection – again to entrap Him. Jesus answers them with wisdom beyond their ability to refute and probably comprehend.
Lastly, they ask Jesus about the greatest commandment to which Jesus gives them the Great Commandment and Golden Rule. And He tells them these two commandments sum up the Law. Love God and love others. This is the new covenant He talked about two thousand years ago and still is good today.
Let’s see what Paul is writing in II Timothy chapter 4!
This is the last chapter Paul writes to Timothy. He encourages him to hold fast to the Truth. In verse 2 he writes, “Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.] And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching.” This is great advice for us today too. Not everything we do is convenient. We tend to gravitate to what is, but convenience isn’t necessary to do God’s work. We should be ready at any time to share God’s Word.
Paul knows his time is coming to an end and he asks for a few comforts be brought to him like his cloak. I’m sure it was cold, damp, and uncomfortable in prison. His writing indicates he is looking forward to the end. He also asks for some books and parchments – more comforts and likely used to help teach others. He taught until the end of his life. I’m sure it would have been easier to just sit in the corner and feel badly for himself. But he prayed, wrote, and encouraged the church even when it was inconvenient. We too, have a place in God’s kingdom to share His Word and serve His people. Let us take inventory today of what we can do to further God’s mission.
Let’s see what’s happening with the Israelites in chapter 11!
We see another leader is born. A leader who had been previously kicked out by his people – his brothers. His name was Jephthah. So, Jephthah fled to another place. He gathered men and they went on raids together. When the Ammonites declared war on the Israelites, the elders got together and picked Jephthah as the one to lead them in war against the Ammonites. Jephthah had been banished by these people but made a deal with them that if he drove out the Ammonites, he would be the new leader. They agreed. The Lord was with Jephthah, and he did drive them out. First, he tried to reason with the Ammonites. He asked them why they wanted to wage war against the Israelites. They told him it was because they had stolen land three hundred years ago which us not true. Jephthah recounted how this was untrue and the Spirit of the Lord went into Jephthah so that he drove them far away from them.
The story turns sad as Jephthah made a vow to the Lord. He vowed if the Lord went with him that he would sacrifice the first person who came to him in his house when he returned. The first person who greeted him was his daughter – his only daughter. She was willing to be sacrificed because the Lord had showed Himself magnificent to Jephthah as he won the battle before him.
In chapter 12 another controversy arose from the men of Ephraim. They confronted Jephthah about not including them in the war against the Ammonites. Wondering if pride may have entered into this controversy. Jephthah told them it was because they wouldn’t help him when he’d asked, so he took on the battle by himself. Jephthah gathered his men and fought the Ephraimites and killed 42,000 men. He judged Israel six years before he died.
Another judge named Ibzan rose and judged for 7 years. Then Elon for 10 years. Next Abdon for 8 years. So, there were 31 years of peace.
Psalm 111 is a psalm of praise. The psalmist talks about the great works of the Lord, His glory, His honor, and His righteousness. Verse 10 is underlined in my Bible and says, “The reverent fear and worship of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom and skill [the preceding and the first essential, the prerequisite and the alphabet]; a good understanding, wisdom, and meaning have all those who do [the will of the Lord]. Their praise of Him endures forever.” Yes, let us revere God and worship Him.
Let us pray:
O Lord, thank You for imparting wisdom into our hearts today. Father, we praise You for You are greatly to be praised! We worship You. You are Creator of all things and Creator of each one of us. Help us draw closer to You and honor You with our hearts and souls. May Your praise be ever on our lips. In Jesus’ name, amen.