Archive for September 2024

Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth, and we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-14). He does not tell us that we need to become change agents (salt or light); he tells us we are change agents. In ancient times, salt was primarily used not as an aid to taste but as a preservative. Jesus is saying that we…

In keeping with the Bible reading plan we are using, the last days of each month are designated as “free days.” September 26-30 then are intended to allow you to catch up on reading you may have missed or to study passages more in depth that intrigued you during the first 25 days of the…

 Isaiah 65-66,  Proverbs 31,  Luke 24:45-53,  Hebrews 13:9-25   Isaiah 65-66:   The end of Isaiah is cosmic in scope, but at its heart it has a spiritual principle that is picked up by Paul over and over again in his letter to the Romans, and is centered on the ministry of Jesus. God was found by those who did not…

Isaiah 62-64,  Proverbs 30,  Luke 24:36-44,  Hebrews 13:1-8  Isaiah 62-64:   Beautiful words, but what do they mean?   We start by hearing of God’s care for his people. “For Zion’s sake,” “For Jerusalem’s sake” (62:1); God gives himself for the sake of his people. This atoning, substitutionary, redemptive focus goes throughout these chapters. We are told…

Isaiah 59-61,  Proverbs 29:15-27,  Luke 24:28-35,  Hebrews 12:14-39  Isaiah 59-61: It begins with a great promise: “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;” (Isaiah 59:1) But then goes on to explain that their sin had led to a breach: “The way of peace they…

Isaiah 56-58,  Proverbs 29:1-14,  Luke 24:13-27,  Hebrews 12:1-13   Isaiah 56-58:   There is blessing on offer in Isaiah 56, along with command, “keep justice” (56:1), and promise for “an everlasting name that shall not be cut off” (56:5). But Israel’s leaders are irresponsible—they are “blind” and “without knowledge” (56:10). They are drunkards, “let us fill ourselves…

Isaiah 54-55,  Proverbs 28:15-28,  Luke 24:1-12,  Hebrews 11:32-40   Isaiah 54-55:   In these chapters there is given a multitude of reasons to sing for joy. Throughout all is the conviction that God will restore the fortunes of his people through the promised salvation—ultimately through the Christ. Listen to some of these promises:  For the children of…

Isaiah 51-53, Proverbs 28:1-14, Luke 23:50-56, Hebrews 11:17-31   Isaiah 51-53:   More ground breaking, astonishing prophecies from Isaiah! First, God’s people, in Isaiah 51, are told to be comforted, to look to the “rock” from which they were hewn (51:1). Remember Abraham. Remember Sarah (51:2). Remember how God rescued them from Egypt. If God can do all that, can…

Isaiah 49-50,  Proverbs 27:15-27,  Luke 23:44-49,  Hebrews 11:1-16 Isaiah 49-50: I have often thought when looking at these momentous chapters of Isaiah, “Who is equal to these things?” Well is Isaiah often said to be the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. Chapter 49 deals with the disappointment of God’s people, their fear that he…

Isaiah 46-48,  Proverbs 27:1-14,  Luke 23-38-43,  Hebrews 10:19-39  Isaiah 46-48: Throughout these chapters, the fortunes of those who trust in idols are compared with the blessing of those who trust in God. The idols of Bel and Nebo are carried on beasts of burden—and even the beast cannot reliably carry them (46:1-2). In contrast, God’s…