NL-Day070 Numbers 4; Psalm 28; Luke 19:1-27
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
Release Date: 03/09/2025
NL-Day243 1 Chronicles 11-12; Proverbs 18:1-12; 1 Thessalonians 2
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
1CHRONICLES 11-12:In yesterday’s reading, we heard of the people who returned after the exile. Then, starting with the genealogy of King Saul, we jumped to the story of how he died. This prepares us for the stories about King David. PROVERBS 18a: Our highlighted verse today: Pro. 18:10 NLT The LORD is [like] a strong fortress;the godly run to him and are safe. In this verse Solomon used ‘the Lord’s name’ as a metonymy (a type of figure of speech). In other words, ‘the LORD’s name’ represents all of the LORD, in the same way that Americans often use ‘the White House’ as...
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NL-Day242 1 Chronicles 9-10; Proverbs 17:14-28; 1 Thessalonians 1
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
1CHRONICLES 9-10:This is the last name chapter at the beginning of this book, bringing us up to the time of the returning exiles. And king Saul’s genealogy is given, because we pick up Israel’s narrative with Saul in the next chapter. PROVERBS 17b:This special verse reminds me of an old song we used to sing every Sunday evening with fellow missionaries. Pro. 17:22 NLT A cheerful heart is good medicine,but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. 1st THESSALONIANS 1:The book of Revelation has the reputation of being about the second coming of Christ, but our doctrines about the second...
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NL-Day241 1 Chronicles 8; Proverbs 17:1-14; Ephesians 6
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
1CHRONICLES 8:Hang on! We’re almost through with the names chapters! PROVERBS 17a:I must say that it is hard to choose just one verse to highlight in today’s reading: Pro. 17:9 NLT Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,but dwelling on it separates close friends. Re-reading EPHESIANS 6:I like the way our translation of the spiritual armor portion of this chapter helps the reader understand how the various parts of the armor are actually applied or ‘picked up’ and ‘worn’. So in the podcast for today I read verses 10-17 in an English translation of our plain Indonesian translation....
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NL-Day240 1 Chronicles 7; Proverbs 16:18-33; Ephesians 6
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
1CHRONICLES 7:Yesterday we heard about Levite and priestly genealogies and their allotment of towns. The pace quickens as today we hear of six tribes. PROVERBS 16b:Today’s highlighted verse is this: Pro. 16:18 NLT Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. EPHESIANS 6:This is another chapter break that interrupts the flow. Yesterday we started a new topic with the words “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” We have heard about the husband-wife relationship under this, and now we hear of two more relationship pairs. NLT Translation notes:1Chr. 7:21 Zabad,...
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NL-Day239 1 Chronicles 6; Proverbs 16:1-17; Ephesians 5
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
1CHRONICLES 6:Yesterday we heard details about the leaders of three tribes, Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh. PROVERBS 16a:Today’s collection of proverbs contains a famous one: Pro. 16:3 NLT Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed. Re-reading EPHESIANS 5:Although today’s chapter does not contain an instance of the theme words “joined with Christ”, this chapter contains the highest example and explanation of that oneness. NLT Translation notes:Eph. 5:28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves...
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NL-Day238 1 Chronicles 5; Proverbs 15:16-33; Ephesians 5
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
1CHRONICLES 5:In yesterday’s reading, we heard of important ancestors of the tribes of Judah and Simeon. In Ezra’s time, I can imagine that it was important to figure out who was who and what their relationship was, as this would determine the redistribution of land to the exiles who were returning. PROVERBS 15b:I wish I was more like this proverb: 23 Everyone enjoys a fitting reply;it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! (NLT) EPHESIANS 5:There is no topic change at the first of this chapter. Paul is still giving instructions about our new life in union with Christ....
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NL-Day237 1 Chronicles 4; Proverbs 15:1-17; Ephesians 4
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
1CHRONICLES 4:In yesterday’s reading we started with David’s sons, then for the descendants of King Solomon, only the kings were listed. So we jumped up to the period of the exile to Babylon. PROVERBS 15a:Here is a favorite verse from today’s group of proverbs: Pro. 15 NLT 17 A bowl of vegetables with someone you loveis better than steak with someone you hate. Re-reading EPHESIANS 4:This chapter has only one instance of the words I translate as ‘joined as one with Christ’, but the chapter is all about that oneness. Let me share this translation note about the verse mentioning...
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NL-Day236 1 Chronicles 3; Proverbs 14:17-35; Ephesians 4
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
1CHRONICLES 3:So far we have traced Jakob/Israel’s descendants into the time of David, and today’s reading picks up with David himself. PROVERBS 14b:Here is a quote from today’s group of proverbs: Pro. 3:20 NLT The poor are despised even by their neighbors,while the rich have many “friends.” EPHESIANS 4:Paul’s letters are usually divided into two parts, with the ethereal and theological part first, followed by the practical part. Yesterday we concluded the ethereal and theological part with Paul’s incredible prayer for his readers and for us at the end of chapter 3. And now we...
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NL-Day235 1 Chronicles 2; Proverbs 14:1-18; Ephesians 3
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
1CHRONICLES 2:Yesterday we traced from Adam to Noah, and the genealogy to Abraham. Then we heard of Abraham’s two other families, those descending from Keturah and the sons and rulers descended from Esau. So now we take up Jacob’s descendants, but in this book he is frequently called by his other name, Israel. (GNT has used ‘Jacob’ instead in this chapter, as it is more understandable for modern readers.) PROVERBS 14a:This chapter has one of my all-time favorite proverbs: 4 NLT Without oxen a stable stays clean,but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.//GNT Without any oxen...
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NL-Day_234 1Chronicles 1; Proverbs 13.12-25; Ephesians 3
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
1 CHRONICLES 1:Jewish and Christian traditions hold that Jeremiah was the author of 1&2 Kings, which were originally one book. And that Ezra, the priest, wrote 1&2 Chronicles, which are also one book in the Hebrew. It may be that Ezra wrote these books after his return to Jerusalem. The Greek Septuagint names this book Paraleipomena, which means ‘things left over’. This book does supplement things not found in other books. Compared to the books of Samuel and Kings, Chronicles focuses more on the spiritual misdeeds of the kings and the importance of worshiping the Lord properly...
info_outlineNUMBERS 4:
Yesterday we learned that the Levite clans were given separate tasks in the care of the sacred tent. The 22,000 Levites became substitutes for Israel's 22,273 first-born sons.
PSALM 28:
David cries out to the Lord with all his heart. I love the imagery of the Lord as David’s ‘rock’, ‘shield’, and ‘shepherd’. (v1, 7, 9) Bible translators who translate into ethnic languages often need to make the difficult choice of whether to retain a figure of speech more literally, or just to give its meaning. For instance, at the first of v1 and 7, the GNT chose to give the meaning without using metaphors, but the NLT translated David’s metaphors more literally.
Luke 19a:
Yesterday in Luke 18, we heard of Jesus’ encounter with the rich young man, Jesus again predicted his death, and blind Bartimaeus (as named in Mark) was healed at Jericho.
NLT Translation notes:
[This psalm starts out speaking directly to the Lord. But starting in verse 5, many English readers will think the psalmist suddenly starts talking _about_ the Lord. This is probably not the case! I interpret the Hebrew here as using the third person as an honorific while still speaking to the Lord. Similarly in English, it is possible to use the third person “Mr. President ... he...” when speaking formally to our president. (I suspect this is seldom done these days.) In my dialect of English, I much prefer making it clear that the psalmist is still speaking to the Lord, not just about the Lord. All the changes below are simply changing ‘he/his’ to ‘you/your’, and ‘the LORD’ to ‘you, LORD’.]
5 They care nothing for what [You, LORD, have] done
or for what [your] hands have made.
So [You] will tear them down,
and they will never be rebuilt!
6 Praise [You] LORD!
For [You have] heard my cry for mercy.
7 [You,] LORD [are] my strength and shield.
I trust [in You] with all my heart.
[You help] me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
8 [You, LORD, give your] people strength.
[You are] a safe fortress for [your] anointed king.
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.