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NL-Day020 Genesis 34-35; Job 20; Mark 12:24-44

Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields

Release Date: 01/19/2025

103: Reader: Take Note Buckling the Belt of Truth 1 show art 103: Reader: Take Note Buckling the Belt of Truth 1

Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields

A few years ago I published a YouVersion reading plan entitled Buckling the belt of truth. In this podcast I’m reissuing the first episode of that reading plan. Here I am at 72. I'm beginning to not be so surprised at my own age. Being so very elderly, perhaps it is time to share some grandfatherly advice. Maybe I have some of you fooled. Some of you may think that an elder missionary like me has it all together and that I don't ever sin. You might think that I have conquered all weaknesses and no longer have episodes of sinful thoughts. You would be wrong. And I suspect that I don’t...

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NL-Day103 Deuteronomy 21-22; Psalm 60; Acts 14 show art NL-Day103 Deuteronomy 21-22; Psalm 60; Acts 14

Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields

DEUTERONOMY 21-22:Yesterday we heard an explanation of why cities of refuge were needed. And we heard interesting rules concerning war. In the war and conquest of Canaan that we will read about in Joshua, I urge us to remember that God spoke repeatedly about the wickedness of the Canaanite nations that Israel would conquer (beginning with what He said to Jacob way back in Genesis 15:16). Included in the detestable customs of the nations mentioned, is that they sacrificed human babies, burning them alive, plus all of the other sins Moses told the people not to imitate. PSALM 60:This poem is...

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NL-Day102 Deuteronomy 19-20; Psalm 59; Acts 13:26-52 show art NL-Day102 Deuteronomy 19-20; Psalm 59; Acts 13:26-52

Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields

DEUTERONOMY 19-20:In yesterday’s reading we heard that the duties of the king included having a copy of the Law made, or perhaps making it himself (the Hebrew is unclear on that point). This is something we never hear of happening. (I don’t think what was given to King Josiah at his inauguration qualifies.) Then Deuteronomy 18 is very import in its prohibition against all kinds of witchcraft and fortune telling. Then there is one of the most important prophecies regarding Jesus: God was going to send a prophet like Moses and the people must listen to him. Another important point about this...

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NL-Day101 Deuteronomy 17-18; Psalm 58; Acts 13:1-33 show art NL-Day101 Deuteronomy 17-18; Psalm 58; Acts 13:1-33

Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields

DEUTERONOMY 17-18:In yesterday's reading we heard about the release of debts and slaves in the Jubilee Year (also called the year of restoration), and a reminder about 100% participation for the males in three festivals. PSALM 58:This poem celebrates that God will indeed give justice to His people, even though many times it seems to us that there is no justice on earth. ACTS 13a:In yesterday’s reading, we heard how Herod decided to go after the top apostles, killing James. But Peter escaped. As a result, 16 soldiers died. Then Herod met his richly deserved end. NLT Translation notes:Deut....

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NL-Day100 Deuteronomy 15-16; Psalm 57; Acts 12 show art NL-Day100 Deuteronomy 15-16; Psalm 57; Acts 12

Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields

DEUTERONOMY 15-16:Yesterday's reading included Moses' warning about being led astray by anyone, including false prophets or even close family members. No one who proposed idolatry was to be allowed to live. Then we heard a repetition of the laws about which animals were to be treated as clean/edible and those unclean/detestable. Psalm 57:This Psalm is beautiful and often quoted. It again is from David's experiences. ACTS 12:In Acts 11 we heard how Peter needed to defend what he did in sharing the Gospel with Gentiles. The result was that the church leaders joyfully accepted that God was giving...

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NL-Day099 Deuteronomy 13-14; Psalm 56; Acts 11 show art NL-Day099 Deuteronomy 13-14; Psalm 56; Acts 11

Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields

DEUTERONOMY 13-14:In yesterday's reading Moses continued to stress the need for faithfulness to God and all his commands. It is clear that Moses loves the people and is marshaling every argument possible to convince them to keep on obeying God. PSALM 56:This is another psalm from the experiences of David. This is a good psalm for us to pray when we feel that our lives are out of control and that people are against us. ACTS 11:In yesterday's reading, Peter didn't even get to finish his speech before the Holy Spirit took control of the Gentile listeners. The new believers were baptized by the...

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NL-Day098 Deuteronomy 11-12; Psalm 55; Acts 10:21-48 show art NL-Day098 Deuteronomy 11-12; Psalm 55; Acts 10:21-48

Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields

DEUTERONOMY 11-12:In yesterday's reading, Moses continued to hammer on the people not to think that they have been favored by God because they are such good people. Moses gave his first hand account of being in God's presence for 40 days and 40 nights on two occasions, one right after the other. He also again models in his prayer for Israel the way to effectively pray for people— which is to base our prayers on God's character and his promises. PSALM 55:This poem was written out of the discouragement caused by betrayal. It includes the figure of speech called apostrophe. That is where the...

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NL-Day097 Deuteronomy 9-10; Psalm 54; Acts 10:1-29 show art NL-Day097 Deuteronomy 9-10; Psalm 54; Acts 10:1-29

Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields

DEUTERONOMY 9-10:In yesterday’s reading, Moses continued his stern lecture. I note particularly that Moses did all he could to stress that the Israelites must not get proud or think they’re great people based on their own merits. The reading also included the famous words, “people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.” PSALM 54:This poem is a short cry for help, when David was under severe stress and being attacked. ACTS 10a:We are prepared for today's reading by the two notable miracles performed by Peter in Acts chapter 9....

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NL-Day096 Deuteronomy 7-8; Psalm 53; Acts 9:17-43 show art NL-Day096 Deuteronomy 7-8; Psalm 53; Acts 9:17-43

Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields

DEUTERONOMY 7-8:Yesterday in Deuteronomy we heard Moses repeating the 10 Commandments and pleading with the people that they remain faithful in obeying all the commands and regulations the Lord gave. The reading ended with an important statement to remember when considering the difference between the old and new covenants: NLT: 6:25 “For we will be counted as righteous when we obey all the commands the LORD our God has given us.’” PSALM 53:This is another Psalm that is quoted in the New Testament, and therefore, often quoted in general. This is a tell-it-like-it-is psalm, not a sweet and...

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NL-Day095 Deuteronomy 5-6; Psalm 52; Acts 9:1-21 show art NL-Day095 Deuteronomy 5-6; Psalm 52; Acts 9:1-21

Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields

DEUTERONOMY 5-6:Yesterday we heard Moses expound on the most important  command to never worship any idol or any god other than the Lord. He based this on the Israelite's experience of hearing God's voice and not seeing his form. Moses was realistic and knew that Israel would eventually leave God, and that God would judge them. He gave them this amazing promise: “from there (where you have been exiled by your enemies) you will search again for the LORD your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him.” PSALM 52:This is another psalm from David's...

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More Episodes

GENESIS 34-35:
Yesterday we heard about Jacob wrestling all night with a mysterious heavenly figure, and about Jacob's reunion with Esau.

JOB 20:
This chapter is Zophar’s second response to Job. In chapter 19, Job responded to Bildad's second speech. Job expressed amazing belief that he would see his defender (often translated ‘redeemer’). He says,

25 But I know there is someone in heaven
who will come at last to my defense.
26 Even after my skin is eaten by disease,
while still in this body I will see God.
27 I will see him with my own eyes,
and he will not be a stranger.

MARK 12b:
Yesterday in the first half of Mark 12, Jesus told a pointed parable against the Jewish religious leaders, then he went on to refute the Sadducees. We re-read several verses today.

NLT Translation notes:
Gen. 34:17 But if you don’t agree to be circumcised, we will take [Dinah/her] and be on our way.”
30 Afterward Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have ruined me! You’ve made me stink among all the people of this land—among all the Canaanites and Perizzites. We are so few [, and now//that] they will join forces and crush us. I will be ruined, and my entire household will be wiped out!”
15 And Jacob named the place Bethel (which means “house of God”), because God had spoken to him [again/0] there.
====
Mrk. 12:26 “But now, as to whether the dead will be raised— haven’t you ever read about this in the writings of Moses, in the story of the burning bush? Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said to Moses, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 27 So he is the God of the living, not the dead. You have made a serious error.”
[In my reading in the 019, I modified the translation like this, “I am the God Abraham worships… (present tense).” While this is justified in stating Jesus’ meaning at that point in the discourse, it is going too far in translating the Hebrew and Greek of the Old Testament passage. Jesus’ point is that the continuing relationship of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is implicit in God’s statement. So, I admit my mistake, and say that to make that explicit in the translation is going a bit too far.]
37 Since David himself called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah [just/0] be his son?” The large crowd listened to him with great delight.

 

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.