Category Archives: Daily Bible Study

I am using this website ( http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/ ) to attempt to read through the Bible in a year. I am going to try to blog each day on the reading.

Daily Bible Study

September 25, 2023 Bible Study — We Cannot Escape God’s Plans for Us

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Jonah 1-4 and Micah 1-2.

God called Jonah to go to Nineveh and prophesy that it would soon be destroyed.  However, Jonah did not want to preach this message to the people of Nineveh because he wanted them to be destroyed and was afraid that they would listen to his prophecy and repent.  So, in order to avoid inadvertently delivering God’s message to the Ninevites, Jonah decided he would go in the opposite direction.  However, when God brought misfortune upon Jonah, Jonah surrendered and agreed to deliver God’s message.  When the Ninevites repented, Jonah was angry that God chose to withhold the destruction He had Jonah prophesy.  Finally, Jonah gets angry because a vine which had grown up to give him shade died.  God uses the death of this vine to point out to Jonah that he was more concerned with his own comfort than the lives of thousands of people.  Ultimately, the Book of Jonah has two vitally important messages for us:

  1. There is no place to which we can run to escape God’s plans for us
  2. We should value others more than we value our comfort

I was not sure I was going to write about Micah, but after reading it I had some thoughts I wanted to write down.   Micah prophesies that God’s judgement is about to pour out against Israel, the Northern Kingdom, and against Judah, the Southern Kingdom.  The sins of the people of both kingdoms will result in terrible destruction for them.  Micah tells us that the sins of these nations spread out from their capitals.  Samaria and Jerusalem were to blame for the people of Israel and of Judah sinning in ways which led to invasion and desolation.  As we read on into chapter two we realize that Micah’s prophecy against Samaria and Jerusalem is not specific to those geographic locations.  Instead, Micah tells us that the leaders of the people were responsible for their sins.  Micah’s message here is twofold.  First, the rich and powerful will suffer the same desolation from their sins that the common people will experience.  Second, if we allow our leaders to lead us into sin, we will suffer the consequences.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Daily Bible Study

September 24, 2023 Bible Study — Measuring Ourselves Against God’s Plumb Line

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Amos 6-9 and Obadiah.

These two passage do not have much in common.  So, I am going to write first about what I see in the last part of Amos.  Then I will write about Obadiah.

In the first part of this passage Amos condemns the people of Israel for their complacency in the face of threat.  Then he speaks of prophecies which God gave him concerning the destruction of Israel. First, Amos sees a threat of locusts, at least as bad as that which the prophet Joel prophesied about.  Then he sees God implementing justice by fire.  In both cases Amos cries out to God asking that He not unleash such devastation on the Israelites, because they would not survive as a people.  God accedes to Amos’ request and issues a third plan.  In His third plan to bring judgement against His people, the Israelites, God states that He will establish a “plumb line” among them.

I am going to take a moment to describe what a plumb line is because I had trouble understanding this passage before I knew what a plumb line was. So, a plumb line is a string of some sort with a small weight on the end used by builders to determine if a wall, or other upright structure, is straight, or if it leans. The plumb line is held at the top of the wall, or other structure, not touching it. If the string is further from, or closer to, the wall at the bottom than it is at the top, the builder will know that the wall is not “plumb”, that it leans. And He will know where the “lean” begins, how close to the foundation He needs to go to start over in order to build an upright wall.

So, God set a plumb line among those who He has called as His people.  By measuring us by His plumb line,  He knows how far He needs to tear us down in order to rebuild us as straight and upright people.  That plumb line is Jesus Christ.  We can also compare ourselves to God’s plumb line in order to know how badly out of kilter our lives are.

Obadiah prophesies against Edom.  He tells us that Edom was arrogant and believed that their unique geographic position made them secure against attack.  However, that was not what led Obadiah to prophesy against them.  No, Obadiah prophesied that Edom would be destroyed because they stood by and watched while others attacked and brought harm to the Israelites, reveling in the destruction of their fellow man.  They gloated at the destruction of Jerusalem and then took part in looting the ruins.  The people of Edom gloated over the misfortune of the Israelites, sure of their security against such attacks.  God brought judgement upon them for that.  We should not gloat when others suffer misfortune, no matter how deserving we believe them to be.  Further, we should not inflict more suffering on those who experience God’s punishment for their sins.  While this passage does not illuminate this, we should instead seek to relieve their suffering, even though they had brought it on themselves, in order to possibly bring them to God.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Daily Bible Study

September 23, 2023 Bible Study — Woe to Those Who Long for the Day of the Lord

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Amos 1-5.

It was 23 years ago today that my beautiful wife married me. I thank God for her every day.

Happy Anniversary, Darling!

Amos primarily prophesies against Israel, the Northern Kingdom, but before he gets into that he points out that Israel is not alone in its sin.  After warning the surrounding nations that they will face God’s judgement in time, Amos begins his prophecy against Israel.  He tells them that God sent them prophets and those who dedicated themselves to serving God, but they forced those dedicated to God to violate their commitment and made it illegal for prophets to speak God’s word.  Amos tells us that those who store up the wealth they have looted from others do not know how to do right.  It seems to me that he directs this at those who, having acquired wealth through unethical means, seek to lecture others on ethical and moral behavior.  Amos goes on to condemn those who live comfortably while oppressing the poor.  They make sacrifices and offerings which they brag about to show how religious they are, but they refuse to turn to God.  Amos describes how God caused minor economic and ecologic destruction to fall upon the Israelites because of their sin (or, perhaps it would be better to say He allowed), but they did not turn to Him.  Amos warns the people of Israel, and us, to seek God and live, to seek good, not evil.  And he has one final warning for us.  He warns those who long for the day of the Lord that they will not like it when it comes.  I believe Amos directs that at those whose religion is superficial rather than being true worship of God.

 

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Daily Bible Study

September 22, 2023 Bible Study — Let Us Mourn, Fast, and Pray

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Joel 1-3.

Joel prophesies at a time when Israel was experiencing, or had just experienced, a plague of locusts which were completely destroying their crops.  In response, Joel calls on the people of Israel to fast and pray, repenting of their sins and turning to God.  As we face economic hard times we should take Joel’s advice.  If we do so, turning to God and mourning the opportunities we lost to our sinfulness, He will repay us for what we lost.  More importantly, in response to our seeking Him, He will pour out His Spirit upon us.  If we truly turn to Him, He will perform marvelous wonders among us; the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will walk, the dead shall be raised, and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.  The young will prophesy and see visions, the old will dream dreams.  So, let us mourn, fast, and pray while committing ourselves to turn to God.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Daily Bible Study

September 21, 2023 Bible Study — Seek God’s Approval When Selecting Which Leaders to Follow

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Hosea 8-14.

As I read today’s passage I wondered if Hosea’s condemnation for choosing kings and other government officials without seeking God’s approval might not apply to many countries and people today.  Later in this passage Hosea warns that when our sins become numerous and we become hostile to godliness we see those who speak God’s words as fools and those who act according to the direction of God’s Spirit as crazy.  It is time, and past time, for us to break up the stubborn sins we commit and seek the Lord.  All too often, we refuse to do so, planting wickedness in our hearts and thus reaping evil.  Let each of us resolve to to turn to God and work to maintain love and justice in our own lives, while waiting for God to transform us.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Daily Bible Study

September 20, 2023 Bible Study — Let No One Accuse Another

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Hosea 1-7.

Hosea warns that God will punish Israel for the sins of her people, but He will call them back to Him again.  When He is ready, God will pour out His love upon His people and entice them to turn to Him.  He will save His people, but He will not do so with weapons and armies.  He will do so by His own power.  I think the contrast given by Hosea between what we humans see as power with what God will do foreshadows the way in which He brought His salvation through the death of Jesus.  Hosea then returns to prophesying against the sins of Israel which led to her destruction.  It sounds like a description of our society today.  He writes that there is no faithfulness or love, because there is no acknowledgement of God.  When he writes that there is no faithfulness or love, he is not talking just about faithfulness to God, and/or love of God.  No, he means that there is no faithfulness between the people.  Rather than faithfulness and love, there is only cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and adultery.  However, he also tells us not to look at others and accuse them of sin, we need to acknowledge our own sin and turn to God ourselves for forgiveness.  God does not seek a legalistic approach to obeying Him.  He does not want abortion to be outlawed.  He does not seek laws against homosexual behavior, or those who distort gender.  No, He wants us to acknowledge Him, and to show mercy to each other.  I am not saying that those things are OK, but that God desires that we surrender our hearts to Him and invite those who seek to find happiness through self-destructive behavior to know the joy of serving God.  God does not want us to change our laws, rather He wants us to accept His love and to honor Him.

 

 

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Daily Bible Study

September 19, 2023 Bible Study — The Wise Will Instruct Many

Today, I am reading and commenting on Daniel 11-12.

At some point I may spend some time learning about the history of the Seleucid and Ptolemaic dynasties which ruled over the Middle East between Alexander the Great and the Roman Empire, but in the meantime I will look at what I gain from this passage without that.  We learn of a king who will do as he pleases.  We can be warned by the description of this king and his actions.  Some will allow themselves to be corrupted away from serving God by the flattery of the powerful.  Even some who were otherwise wise will be corrupted.  However, those who wisely remain faithful in the face of persecution will provide an example that will inspire many.  They will shine brightly in the darkness and lead others to righteousness.  Some will be impressed by the glory and grandeur of powerful people who oppose God, but those who faithfully serve God will change the world.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Daily Bible Study

September 18, 2023 Bible Study — Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act!

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Daniel 9-10.

When Babylon fell, the passage tells us that Daniel understood Jeremiah’s prophecy concerning the devastation of Jerusalem lasting for seventy years was almost up.  This inspired Daniel to pray for the restoration of Jerusalem.  The first part of Daniel’s prayer acknowledged that the people of Israel deserved God’s judgement against them.  He continued by acknowledging that even now the people of Israel did not deserve to be restored.  Finally, Daniel asked God to restore the people of Israel to Jerusalem for His name’s sake and because of His mercy.  We can learn a lot about petitioning God from Daniel’s prayer, especially about things which we understand Scripture to say that God has promised to do.  First, we need to acknowledge our sinfulness.  Then we must acknowledge that we do not deserve God’s mercy.  Only then should we petition God to act on our behalf.  I took the title of today’s blog from Daniel’s prayer.  Our prayers should easily fit into that format: a plea for God to listen as we confess our sins, a plea that he forgive those sins, and finally a plea that He hear our requests and act on them.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Daily Bible Study

September 17, 2023 Bible Study — Visions of the End Times

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Daniel 7-8.

Today’s passage contains two visions about the future which Daniel experienced before the fall of Babylon.  Both visions are similar.  They both present the world powers as animal like beings.  They both end with a small horn which grows out of one of the other horns and which exhibits great arrogance.  The small horn in both visions sets itself up against God and His holy people.  Finally, both visions end with the small horn being overthrown by the power of God.  These visions may be alternative views about the final days of this earth, but I wonder if we might not take another lesson from them.  In both visions, governments rise to power, only to be overthrown by other human agencies.  Then in both visions, “someone” raises themselves up as a challenge to God and persecutes those who seek to continue to serve Him.  But, not only does this “someone” persecute those who serve God, but terrorizes the whole earth.  Finally, this “someone” is overthrown, but not by any human agency.  They are overthrown by the power of God.  I think we see in this that at times in history, individuals, or governments, will exercise great power over the earth such that many will suffer, but especially those who serve God.  People will desire to overthrow these oppressors, and may even attempt to do so.  However, these oppressors will deal with all such revolts brutally and remain in power.  Then, out of nowhere that the human perspective can understand, a Power will arise and bring them down.  In the interpretation of the first vision we are told that “one like a human being” (the translation says “son of man” rather than human, but the translation notes say that the best translation of the Hebrew would be human being and that they used “son of man” because of its use in the New Testament in reference to this passage) would rise up and be given power over the earth by the Ancient of Days.  The kingdom of the being “like a human being” would be everlasting.  So, when it seems like powers have arisen which cannot be opposed, but which stand in opposition to God, Christ has been given power to bring them down, and He will do so.  These visions tell us that no matter how bad things seem, God is in control and will come to the aid of His people.

 

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Daily Bible Study

September 16, 2023 Bible Study — Don’t Wait to See the Writing on the Wall to Worship God

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Daniel 5-6.

The passage starts with the account about the writing on the wall which preceded the fall of Babylon.  This story is where we get the saying “I can see the writing on the wall.”  Of course, that saying has the problem in that by the time the writing was on the wall in this story it was too late for those to whom it was addressed.  When Daniel interpreted the writing for King Belshazzar, he reminded him that he, King Belshazzar, had known how King Nebuchadnezzar had been forced to acknowledge that he was not all powerful and that God is sovereign.  Yet King Belshazzar had nevertheless chosen to use vessels which had been dedicated to the worship of God to worship other gods.  Belshazzar honored numerous other gods, but did not honor the God who held his life in His hands.  Not only did Belshazzar not honor God, he held God up to ridicule.  Don’t wait until you see the writing on the wall to acknowledge God and His greatness, because then it will be too late.

Later in the passage we have the account of Daniel in the lions’ den.  I want to focus on how he ended up the lions’ den.  Some of his political enemies, after trying and failing to find any dirt on Daniel, convinced the king to issue an edict making it illegal to worship anyone but him, the king, for thirty days.  Daniel knew of this edict but nevertheless continued to pray three times a day.  I want to look at what Daniel did a little more closely.  He went home to his upstairs room to pray.  By doing so he did two things.  He isolated himself so that he would not be distracted from his worship of God while he prayed, but he also made it so that his prayer would not intrude on those who had chosen, for one reason or another, not to worship God.  However, in that upstairs room he opened the windows towards Jerusalem and prayed in front of them.  By doing this no one could claim that he was hiding what he was doing (that is not why he did it, but I am confident that he was aware of this aspect of it).  Daniel made no effort to hide that he was worshiping God, even when doing so could land him in trouble.  On the other hand, he did not force his beliefs on others.  I believe that there are times when we are called to be more confrontational than Daniel was here, but there are also times when we should just quietly worship God, allowing others to ignore us if they choose, but not hiding what we believe.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.