NL-Day292 Ezekiel 16; Isaiah 1; Matthew 27:35-66
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
Release Date: 10/19/2024
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_outlineEZEKIEL 16:
This book should make modern day ‘prophets’ reconsider what they do in the Lord’s name. In this book we have heard again and again that the Lord will punish those who prophesy falsely. And in the part about the wood of a vine being useless in yesterday’s reading, there is only one useful thing a grape vine does, and this is bear grapes. And God was saying that since Israel did not bear the proper fruit, He would judge them, and do this without delay. The complaints become even more graphic in today’s reading.
ISAIAH 1:
For a number of years now, Isaiah has marked the end of my year. We will be reading Isaiah in our poetry portions until day number three hundred and 65. Since I start my readings anew every January 1st, I always enjoy the preparation Isaiah gives for Christmas, and also the correspondences with Revelation in the New Testament, which we also will read at the end of our reading calendar.
Isaiah was written between 739 and 681 BC. I am of the opinion that the break in material at chapter 40 does not signal a different author. Isaiah simply was older and the Lord gave him different messages at the end of his life. Isaiah was a man of royal blood and of high standing.
In the New Testament, Isaiah is the most frequently quoted OT book. Isaiah has 66 chapters and the Bible has 66 books. Further, Isaiah dIvides just where the testaments break, with 40 corresponding to Matthew in the NT. The first part of Isaiah deals with God’s judgment on Judah and on other nations. The senselessness of idolatry is preached against all the way through Isaiah. In Isaiah we can also see two comings for Christ, with Isaiah giving the wonderful 53rd chapter about the suffering Servant (Christ), and his coming in power is spoken about in chapter 34.
MATTHEW 27b:
Today we hear the second half of the crucifixion events.
NLT Translation note:
Mat. 27:56 Among them were Mary [from the village of Magdala//Magdalene], Mary (the mother of James and Joseph ([who were Jesus’ half-brothers//0]), and the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee.
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.