Category: Daily Bible Reading Blog

A blog following the daily readings from the Revised Common Lectionary.

Numbers 10:11-36

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            These verses from the book of Numbers might, at first glance, seem irrelevant to contemporary worshipers of God.  Numbers matter-of-factly informs us of how the ancient Israelites set out in the desert by stages according to their respective tribes and how they proceeded when stopping their sojourns.  Yet, if we take the time to engage in pilgrimage with the Israelites, we observe the heart of worship and life for God’s people.
 
            The tabernacle, that is, the ark of the covenant with its accompanying tent and holy articles, was the primary symbol for Israel of God’s presence.  As such, the tabernacle was at the actual center of Israelite life, both physically and spiritually.  The tabernacle would leave first and be set up by the tribe of Levites before the other tribes came and encamped around it.
 
            Observing this constant ancient ritual in the desert begs several questions for us today:  Is God at the center of our life and worship?  Or, do we expect him to come and bless our already camped out thoughts, ideas, and practices?  If God is truly at the center of all we do, what is the evidence that this is so?  Are we patient to wait for God’s leading to present itself?  Or, do we act and then seek God to give his stamp of approval over it?  The wise believer will allow God to set the agenda and pace of our life journey, and not the other way around.
            Sovereign God, you always lead in a way that is good, just, and right.  Help me to slow down long enough to enter into the rest and connection with your will that I so desperately need through Jesus my Lord.  Amen.

2 Samuel 2:1-11

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            Power is never a neutral thing.  Power is either used to further a personal or special interest group agenda by using its considerable weight, or power is employed for the benefit of others in order to ensure the common good of all.  Ancient kings held nearly absolute power, and many were corrupted by its addictive allure to hold onto it at any cost.  So, when David became the king of Judah he immediately demonstrated why he was going to be a king that applied power differently than most earthly kings.
 
            The previous king, Saul, had been seduced by power and sought to hold that power by any means possible.  This meant David was a rival and had to go.  A large chunk of chapters in the book of 1 Samuel are given to a cat and mouse act of Saul chasing David, never quite getting ahold of him.  Now Saul is dead, killed in battle.  Any run-of-the-mill new king would act quickly and decisively to consolidate power and snuff out any potential faction to the throne.  But, instead, David’s initial response after Saul’s death was to inquire of the Lord and determine specifically what he should do according to God’s will.
 
            We should not pass over this detail too quickly because this was an unprecedented disposition for a king to adopt.  King David did not simply make presumptions about what to do.  Not only did David allow the men loyal to the deceased King Saul to live, he blessed them and actively sought to do them good.  This is precisely why David was a man after God’s own heart:  he acted in a manner that reflected the character of God.  God shows steadfast love and faithfulness to people; David showed the same grace and commitment toward others.  God woos people to himself through kindness instead of throwing his weight around and shoving people into the kingdom; David acted deftly and wisely toward others who did not readily acknowledge him as king through blessing instead of misusing his power.
 
            If we want to be people of influence; if we desire to see the kingdom of God expand; if we seek to have the church grow; then, we must exercise our given power in ways consistent with how King David used his power.  Prayer, discernment, and listening to the Spirit of God are the means of the right use of the resurrection power provided for us.
            Mighty God, you have demonstrated your power in many ways in creating life and giving new life.  I look to you in all things so that my words and actions will reflect your grace and kindness toward everyone I encounter, whether they are for me or against me.  Through the strong name of Jesus I pray.  Amen.

1 Chronicles 10:1-14

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            The books of Samuel and Chronicles contain, for the most part, the same content and material concerning the kings of Israel and Judah. Yet, whereas 1 & 2 Samuel gives a more straightforward narrative, 1 & 2 Chronicles often provides the narrative with explanatory comments.  So, we have such a story in today’s Old Testament lesson.  The last chapter of 1 Samuel gives an account of King Saul’s death, along with his sons.  However, in 1 Chronicles 10, we get the narration of their deaths along with a clear concise note on why King Saul perished in battle:
 
“So, Saul died for his breach of faith.  He broke faith with the LORD in that he did not keep the command of the LORD, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance.  He did not seek guidance from the LORD.  Therefore the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse” (ESV).
 
            The original compiler of Chronicles did so for the Jewish exiles who were returning to Palestine.  He did not want to simply recount the important stories of the kings of Israel; he wanted the exiles to know exactly why they went into exile to begin with, and how in the future they could keep it from happening again.  So, Saul served as Exhibit A of the kind of person that erodes the true worship of God and lives against the grain of faithfulness to the Lord.
 
            The true measure of a person of God is not in titles, positions, or membership.  The real test of a God-follower is being faithful to the revealed will of God contained in Holy Scripture.  Thus, to read it, know it, and live it is one of our highest callings as God’s people.
            Eternal God, you remain the same throughout the ages of time.  Help me to be faithful to your standard of righteousness and live faithfully into the ways of Jesus, my Lord.  Amen.

Psalm 119:113-128

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            Some people try to avoid sin.  Others sin with impunity.  Most try to steer clear of the biggie sins while indulging in so-called minor ones.  Sin is messy business.  But no matter the form or the attempt at dealing with or without sin, the bottom line is that we all sin because we like it.  We might not like the consequences of sin, but it tastes good while doing it.
 
            That is why we need a complete re-orienting of our hearts to hate every way that is contrary to God.  The psalmist proclaimed: “I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way.”  If we sin because we like it, the way to avoid sin is to learn to hate it – to loathe it so badly that it is like a nasty stench in our nostrils.  Hating sin comes from the acquired taste of loving God’s commandments.  When we come around to cherish and desire God’s Word above everything else, then sin gradually becomes so odious to us that we want nothing to do with it.
 
            The reason the psalmist could proclaim such an extended love song to the commands of God is that he tasted how good they were.  And it caused him to forsake every false path to human enjoyment.  The reason I constantly encourage myself and others to read Scripture every single day with a solid plan is that it really does have the power to change our taste buds.  Sustained, consistent, daily eating of the psalms will teach us to want God and his ways while forsaking the dark path of insolence and oppression.
            God Almighty, I pray that you will deal with me according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes.  I am your servant; give me understanding so that I might know and live by your commands and forsake the evil of the world.  Amen.