Category: Daily Encouragement

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20
  Luke 11:37-12:7
  Psalm 78:1-31
  Proverbs 12:19-20

Deuteronomy 29:2 — Thousands of years after Jesus came to earth, we think it would be much easier to believe if Jesus were here with us. If instead of watching a performance during Passion Week, if we could see Jesus with our own eyes, we would believe. The Israelites saw all that God did: plagues in Egypt, parting of the Red Sea, manna from Heaven, and yet they murmured, complained, wished to go back to Egypt (Numbers 14:4), and even wished they died there (Exodus 16:3). Do you really think we would have responded differently?

Deuteronomy 29:6 — Ephesians 5:18 contrasts being drunk with wine to being filled with the Spirit. The Israelites drank neither wine nor strong drink but were provided with water from the Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4). By the way, today’s psalm talks about this as well!

Deuteronomy 29:15 — While the Mosaic Covenant extended to the unborn descendants of the children of Israel, we too are part of a covenant with God (Hebrews 8:6).

Deuteronomy 30:3 — Daniel realized that God would accomplish His promise (Daniel 9:2). Even though they had been exiled, the exile would not last forever (Jeremiah 25:11). Interestingly, since July 5th, 1950, the children of Israel have officially begun regathering into Israel. Verse 5 begins the “Land Covenant” according to Jimmy DeYoung.

Deuteronomy 30:6 — The Abrahamic Covenant included in the Mosaic Covenant required circumcision of the flesh (Genesis 17:10). Moses prophesies what Paul writes about in Romans 2:29. Unfortunately, up to 67% of modern Israel’s Jewish population identifies as secular. Romans 11:26 has yet to be fulfilled.

Deuteronomy 30:11 — Following God isn’t complex; but even though it’s simple, that doesn’t mean it’s easy!

Deuteronomy 30:20 — This is the tenth time in Deuteronomy we are urged to love the LORD our God. Choose life and love God (vs. 19)!

Luke 11:42 — Why did Jesus have such harsh words for the Pharisees? They knew the Law of Moses, but they didn’t follow the greatest commandment – to love the LORD their God!

Luke 11:46 — The lawyer felt left out, so he thought he should speak up (Luke 11:45). But the experts in Mosaic Law were decried because even though they loved the Law and built monuments to prophets, their fathers had killed the prophets.

Luke 12:5 — I’m thankful for those who defend our religious liberties, but we need to make sure we are using them! Today is not the day to bewail the loss of freedom and the fact we may suffer consequences for speaking God’s Word. Today is the day to speak the Word of God!

Psalm 78:6 — Deuteronomy 29:15 included the Israelite descendants in the covenant, and those who follow the Lord will not hide these truths (Psalm 78:4). They will make them known to their children (Psalm 78:5), so future generations will know them (Psalm 78:6) in order that they too may trust and obey the Lord (Psalm 78:7)!

Psalm 78:31 — God’s wrath is real.

Proverbs 12:19 — One of the themes of Proverbs seems to be the use of the tongue. Use yours carefully today!

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TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Deuteronomy 28:1-68
  Luke 11:14-36
  Psalm 77:1-20
  Proverbs 12:18

Deuteronomy 28:15 — If the incentives from verses 1-14 aren’t enough to motivate you, then pay attention!

Deuteronomy 28:36 — Fulfilled in Daniel 5:4.

Deuteronomy 28:52 — Fulfilled in Jeremiah 39:8.

Deuteronomy 28:53-55 — Prophesied in Jeremiah 19:9; Lamentations 2:20, 4:10; Ezekiel 5:10; and fulfilled in 2 Kings 6:28-29.

This is a poignant chapter for the King to copy when he makes his copy of the Law (Deuteronomy 17:18). No wonder Josiah tore his robes and recognized the anger of the Lord (2 Kings 22:11-13). No wonder the people wept in Nehemiah 8:9 when they read it!

Luke 11:31 — The Queen of Sheba traveled 1,400 miles to see Solomon, yet the people were there with Jesus and did not believe.

Luke 11:32 — Jonah was a pretty poor excuse for a prophet, yet it didn’t take great preaching to get Ninevah to repent.

Psalm 77:10-11 — We see more synonymous parallelism. Oftentimes, the key thought is in the center of the psalm. In these verses we see “remember” three times.

Proverbs 12:18 — This is the 5th of 19 times the tongue is mentioned in Proverbs.

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TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Deuteronomy 26:1-27:26
  Luke 10:38-11:13
  Psalm 76:1-12
  Proverbs 12:15-17

Deuteronomy 26:15 — Obedience brings blessing.

Deuteronomy 27:4 — Joshua 8:30-35 has the fulfillment of this command in regard to the Mount Ebal altar. When we get to Joshua 8, we’ll discuss if it’s been found!

Deuteronomy 27:15-25 — Why are these commands singled out? Verse 15 refers to the idols “in a secret place.” Verse 16 refers to a secret mockery of parents. Verse 17 is an action done in secret. Many of these actions were done in secret. The notorious sins did not need extra condemnation, but the “sins of the heart” that allegedly wouldn’t get caught needed some extra attention. Achan thought he wouldn’t get caught either (Joshua 7:21).

Luke 10:40 — Three times as many evangelicals identify with Martha instead of Mary. We’ll see why in the next chapter, but here’s the quote from Christian Today:

Tellingly, busy Martha was the Bible character evangelicals were most likely to say they identified with (43 percent).

“She was selected almost three times more than her contemplative sister Mary, indicating that busy lifestyles are a widespread feature of contemporary discipleship,” the Alliance said.

Luke 11:1 — The church is in need of being taught how to pray. The Washington Post reports that in Wisconsin only 5 minutes a day is spent on “religious activities” (prayer), as opposed to 34 minutes on housework, 37 minutes on personal grooming, 2 hours and 42 minutes spent watching television, and 5 hours and 16 minutes on leisure.

Finishing up our excerpt from Christian Today:

Although 87 percent agreed that every Christian needs to spend time alone with God on a daily basis, and that without that their faith will suffer, 42 per cent said that they find it difficult to find time on a regular disciplined basis to pray and read the Bible …

Luke 11:9 — What do we need to do in our prayer life? Ask – Seek – Knock. Repeatedly (vs. 8).

Psalm 76:7 — The anger of the Lord isn’t a common topic. Job, the oldest book in the Bible, talks about His anger (Job 4:9). God was angry with the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 32:10, Numbers 11:2, Numbers 32:13). The kings failed to lead their people to avoid His anger (2 Kings 13:3 and 17:18). The Psalmists recorded His anger (Psalm 78:59, 89:38). The prophets warned of His anger (Isaiah 13:5 and 9, Isaiah 51:20; Jeremiah 32:29; Lamentations 2:2; Ezekiel 7:8; Daniel 8:19; Habakkuk 3:12). Jesus was angry at those who defiled His Father’s house (Matthew 21:12-13). Paul warned about God’s anger (Romans 2:5).

Proverbs 12:15 — Rehoboam should have listened to his father’s advice (1 Kings 12:8).

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TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Deuteronomy 23:1-25:19
  Luke 10:13-37
  Psalm 75:1-10
  Proverbs 12:12-14

Deuteronomy 23:1 — While other cultures used eunuchs in their civil or religious structure, God explains that doing so was not His plan for Israel. Circumcision, not castration, was His mark of holiness. Paul suggests that those who belabor circumcision under the New Covenant might as well go all the way to castration (Galatians 5:12).

Deuteronomy 23:6 — Interestingly, Ammonites and Moabites were prohibited from having their peace sought. Ezra 9:12 prohibits seeking the peace of the inhabitants of the land given to Israel, while Jeremiah 29:7 authorizes the people to seek the peace of Babylon.

Deuteronomy 23:15 — This contradicts the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. In 1854, Joshua Glover, an escaped slave, was captured in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Supreme Court held the Fugitive Slave Act unconstitutional, which was overturned in Ableman v. Booth.

Deuteronomy 24:1 — Again, another “what if” or “secondary will” passage. Jesus reiterated that this was not God’s “primary will” (Matthew 19:8).

Deuteronomy 24:22 — Moses reminds the children of Israel that they were bondmen (slaves). Thus, they are held to account.

Deuteronomy 25:9 — Who in the Bible gave their shoe as sign that they would not redeem someone? Naomi’s near kinsman (Ruth 4:8).

Luke 10:14 — It seems that there are different punishments for sin depending on 1) the offense, and 2) the knowledge.

Luke 10:25 — The ageless question: How can I have eternal life? The Rich Young Ruler will ask this question in eight chapters. The Lawyer asked the question today. Both were disappointed in the response they received.

Luke 10:33-35 — What’s the moral of this story? That we should be kind to people that are prejudiced against us? While that is admirable, we can see ourselves in the man that fell among thieves, was stripped of raiment, wounded, and left half dead (vs. 30). Sin has taken away our clothing, our health, and our possessions. The religious leader won’t help us (vs. 31). The religious follower can’t help (vs. 32). But the Man that we despised (Isaiah 53:3) had compassion on us (vs. 33), took us, helpless as we were, tended to us, gave a down payment of His resources to provide for us (the Holy Spirit – Ephesians 1:13-14), and has unlimited resources to provide for our needs! This is love that brings salvation!

Psalm 75:7 — Today is an election day in my hometown, and this is a great verse for successful and unsuccessful political candidates. Government is ordained by God (Romans 13) and is communicated from God.

Proverbs 12:13 — God will deliver the just and will ensnare the wicked with their own deeds!

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TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Deuteronomy 21:1-22:30
  Luke 9:51-10:12
  Psalm 74:1-23
  Proverbs 12:11

Deuteronomy 21:10-14 — This seems like a troublesome passage. And if capturing wives wasn’t unusual enough, the next verse talks about polygamy! What’s going on?

We have seen the “primary will” expounded in several passages at the beginning of the legal code (The Ten Commandments being the simplest expression of the highlights). Now we’re at the tail end of the Torah, dealing not with the primary desires of God but with the “what if’s”.

FOOTNOTE: There are only 79,847 words in the Torah , and 20,000+ are in Genesis. So, if we say that roughly 50,000 words are in the Jewish legal code, that’s still only a fraction of the 4 million or so words in the US tax code. Not every situation will be dealt with, but there are principles for every case.

1. What if someone’s found dead, and we can’t find the killer? (Deuteronomy 21:1-9)
2. What if I really insist on marrying a beautiful captive I found? (Deuteronomy 21:10-14)
3. What if I have two wives, and I don’t want the birthright going to the hated wife’s kid? (Deuteronomy 21:15-17)
4. What if I have a really rebellious kid, and he won’t listen? (Deuteronomy 21:18-23)

Just a reminder, this chapter (and all 4 situations dealt with) is not about the “primary will” of God – but rather dealing with the aftereffects of sin. In Matthew 19:8, Jesus said divorce was permitted only because of the “hardness of your heart.” For example, while the primary will of God is that we abstain from fornication (1 Thessalonians 4:3), what does a God-following society do with an instance of fornication? Under the Dispensation of Law, Exodus 22:16 and Deuteronomy 22:28-29 apply – the man has financial consequences regardless, and he should offer to assume marital responsibility (the “secondary will” – demonstrating God’s disdain for “deadbeat dads”). However, the marital responsibility is not inviolate – if the father of the girl does not acquiesce, the marriage cannot proceed (Exodus 22:17).

We see throughout the Bible that marrying “strange wives” (non-followers of Jehovah) was not the “primary will” of God (Numbers 31:16, Deuteronomy 7:3, Joshua 23:12-13, Judges 14:3, 1 Kings 11:3-10, Ezra 10:2-11, Nehemiah 13:27).

However, a young legal scholar in the Israeli army could identify a loophole in the legal code. While he was strongly discouraged from marrying a “strange wife,” if he found a really beautiful maiden, he could look at the actions of nations around him and conclude that “martial rape is an ancient practice.” The young soldier would argue that this was not adultery (because the husband was dead) so he would escape punishment under Leviticus 20:10, and the woman was not betrothed (because her father was dead), escaping punishment under Deuteronomy 22:23. Now you know why Jesus was so hard on lawyers in Luke 11:46! So, the young legal scholar/warrior thinks he has a plan! The first one to forcibly take the attractive woman gets to keep her – until Moses addresses this issue.

Moses is prohibiting martial rape and putting a statutory alternative to those otherwise engaged in the practice. Even today our present legal code has alternatives designed to affect behavior. While battery (physically attacking someone) is wrong, the consequences are less than homicide – otherwise, if I’m going to physically attack you and my ethical deterrent is already lacking, I would not have a legal deterrent to finishing you off.

While the Israelites were discouraged from foreign wives, because of their “hardness of heart,” it was expected that they would find a “loophole” and try to exploit it. The ceremonially unclean captive would be required to shave her head and pare her nails (Deuteronomy 21:12; also required in Leviticus 14:9 and Numbers 6:9 & 18), thus she would be reclassified from a ceremonially unclean leper to a clean Israelite. But even then, the lawyer/warrior was forced to wait an entire month to consummate the relationship.

So, the lawyer/warrior says, “I can still come out ahead! Leviticus 25:44 says that heathen bondservants do not have the rights of Israelite bondservants (Leviticus 25:39). So I have the right to divorce her under Deuteronomy 24:1 and then sell her to someone else – which I can’t do with a Hebrew servant (Exodus 21:8). This is a relationship free from financial obligation that I could incur with an Israelite (Exodus 22:16, Deuteronomy 22:28-29).” As might be said today: “Heads – I enjoy the relationship, Tails – I profit financially.”

Nope … Moses says you can’t sell her. She is now freed. Deuteronomy 21:14 gives the captive woman the same rights as an Israelite servant woman. The immediate enjoyment of martial rape was forbidden, the financial gain if the relationship failed was also taken away.

This is a dramatically different practice than martial rape.

From Quora:

All of the commentaries I have access to note that the legal provisions in Deut 21.10-14 are ‘exceptional’, ‘remarkable’, ‘compassionate’, or even ‘humanistic'(!):

From Pearl Elman:

Legislating behaviour is no guarantee that it will be followed, but it does demonstrate the intention of the legislators. The [author of Deuteronomy] clearly was against rape of captive women by soldiers at war. In light of recent events in Bosnia, it must be appreciated how ethically and morally forward this thinking was.

Luke 9:56 — Some Christians seem to enjoy calling down fire from heaven upon the heathen. But Jesus said, “The Son of Man is not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.”

Luke 9:62 — From Earl Martin:

Luke 10:4 — Interesting tie to the passage we read earlier in the Torah about the duty to provide for one’s religious ministers.

Psalm 74:7 — A foreshadowing of AD 70 and the siege of Jerusalem?

Proverbs 12:11 — A parallel of 1 Thessalonians 4:11?

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Deuteronomy 18:1-20:20
  Luke 9:28-50
  Psalm 73:1-28
  Proverbs 12:10

Today is National Atheist’s Day – also known as April Fools’ Day (Psalm 14:1)!

Deuteronomy 18:4 — Throughout the Bible God says that it’s okay and (depending on the passage) even required to pay your ministers! While some groups (the Plymouth Brethren come to mind) cite Paul’s example in 1 Corinthians 9:18 as to their use of unpaid volunteers to minister, it is interesting to note the emphasis and “dollar value” that God gives to those in ministry. God holds these men to a high standard (Luke 12:48) and publicly shames those who don’t meet that standard (1 Samuel 2:12, 8:3). As we saw earlier, God killed two of the sons of Aaron for not following directions (Leviticus 10:2).

Deuteronomy 18:9-12 — Note that these are not “abominations to you” in the case of unclean meat, but these are “abominations unto the LORD.” Yet today we have abortion, Ouija boards, horoscopes, fortune tellers, Wicca, astrologers, vampires, and the occult rampant in our society – not to mention the increasing obsession of popular culture with these activities.

Deuteronomy 18:15 — This is an incredible Messianic prophecy about the Prophet who would come. Was this prophet Mohammed as Islam claims? No – it was Jesus! Let Us Reason shows 32 similarities between Jesus and Moses. Even though Jesus fulfilled this prophecy, He was vehemently accused of false prophecy before the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:61) by those who were also attempting to disqualify Him under Deuteronomy 18:22.

Deuteronomy 20:8 — We see this in Judges 7:2-3 where the fearful are told to go home.

Deuteronomy 20:17 — Atheists today like to claim that they are more moral than God.

Luke 9:50 — This seems to contradict Matthew 12:30. Like the disciples, we too often find it difficult to understand all the sayings of Jesus (Luke 9:45). But here, as usual, context is king. In Matthew, He was talking to the Pharisees who tried to accuse Him of being empowered by Beelzebub (Matthew 12:24), while in Luke He is talking to the disciples who are jealous of others siding with Jesus but were not part of their group. In today’s English, we use many contradictory proverbs – all dependent on context.

Psalm 73:1 — I heard a great message on Psalm 73 entitled “Asaph’s Slipping Steps.” The cure for despair over the rise of the wicked is to enter the sanctuary of God (vs. 17). Like Job (Job 42:1-6) and Habakkuk (Habakkuk 3:2), when Asaph entered the sanctuary, he was grieved (vs. 21), he realized his foolishness and ignorance (vs. 22), and he recognized that he had no one but God (vs. 25). Draw near to God (vs. 28)!

Proverbs 12:10 — The Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals was started by William Wilberforce. Wilberforce believed that a “Christian” nation should act in a Christian manner; he led the effort to ban the slave trade. He was instrumental as well in the “reformation of manners” which included punishing animal cruelty.

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TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Deuteronomy 16:1-17:20
  Luke 9:7-27
  Psalm 72:1-20
  Proverbs 12:8-9

Deuteronomy 16:16 — What is this place that the Lord has chosen? 2 Chronicles 6:6 says the Lord revealed it to David – Jerusalem! That is the city of the Great King (Psalm 48:1)!

Deuteronomy 17:14 — What are the duties of a king?

• vs. 14 – God is prophesying (1 Samuel 8:20)
• vs. 15 – God requires that the king be an Israelite, not a stranger
• vs. 16 – prohibited from multiplying horses
• vs. 17 – prohibited from multiplying wives, silver, and gold
• vs. 18 – required to copy out the Torah
• vs. 19 – required to read the Torah and obey it
• vs. 20 – required to be humble

Luke 9:9 — Herod was curious about Jesus, but in a positive way (as opposed to his father’s “curiosity” about the newborn king in Matthew 2). Perhaps Joanna and Chuza (Luke 8:1-3) were able to help lobby the king to take a friendly approach similar to Frederick the Wise and Martin Luther.

Luke 9:21 — Why didn’t Jesus want them to tell who He was? Because it was not the right time yet – He still had prophecies to fulfill. Prior to fulfillment, He could rightly be crucified as a false prophet.

Luke 9:23 — Complete self-surrender. One who takes up a cross is not going anywhere else but to the hill where he will be crucified. Are you crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20)?

Psalm 72:20 — This is the end of the “Second Book” of the five that make up the Book of Psalms. From the Pulpit Commentary:

Verse 20. – The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended. This is a note appended, either by the collector of the first two Books of the Psalms, or by the collector of the Third Book, who thus marked the difference between the previous collection and his own, the former containing sixty psalms ascribed to David in their titles, and the latter one only Psalm 86.

http://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/72.htm

Proverbs 12:8 — From John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible:

Not according to his birth and pedigree; not according to his riches and wealth; not according to the places of honour and trust he may be in; but according to his wisdom, which he discovers in his words and actions, in his life and conversation.

https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/proverbs-12-8.html

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Deuteronomy 13:1-15:23
  Luke 8:40-9:6
  Psalm 71:1-24
  Proverbs 12:5-7

Deuteronomy 13:1 — What happens when the Antichrist comes with signs and wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9)? Don’t hearken! Just because Pharoah’s magicians could duplicate some of the miracles, that was not a good reason to listen to them. Interestingly, the phrase “dreamer of dreams” occurs only in this chapter, and even then, it’s not positive!

Deuteronomy 13:10 — Apostasy is to be punished with stoning. In John 10:31 the Jews sought to stone Jesus for blasphemy (John 10:33).

Deuteronomy 14:21 — The dietary laws were not universal; they were just for the Jews. The strangers and aliens were not subject to the dietary laws. Circumcision on the other hand was a prerequisite for certain activities of strangers (Exodus 12:48, Ezekiel 44:9). To help you keep track of the changing dietary laws (based on the message God was communicating to the people at the time), here’s a helpful chart from your author. Obviously, meats pre-Fall would require death. For the Jews, abstention from certain meats were a symbolism of the holiness God called them to. The phrase “others may, but I cannot” comes to mind for those whom God has called to a higher standard.

Deuteronomy 15:3 — With the responsibilities of being an Israelite comes the privileges of being an Israelite. A stranger was entitled to judicial fairness but not all the benefits of Israelite citizenship (see vs. 12 also).

Deuteronomy 15:23 — We’ve seen the admonition now 12 times to not eat the blood. That’s why Jesus’ command to drink His blood (John 6:53-60) really bothered the Jews. They knew that the Torah prohibited it, and their forefathers were judged for eating the blood (1 Samuel 14:33 and Ezekiel 33:25).

Luke 8:41 — Let’s look at who reached out to Jesus in this chapter:

• Demon-possessed Mary Magdalene (vs. 2)
• Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod’s Chief of Staff (vs. 3)
• Mary and Jesus’ half-siblings (vs. 19)
• The faithless disciples (vs. 24)
• The demonic legions of Gadara (vv. 27-30)
• The unfriendly Gadarenes (vs. 37)
• The now-clothed former Maniac of Gadara (vs. 38)
• Jairus, ruler of the synagogue (vs. 41)
• The anonymous unclean woman with an issue of blood (vs. 43)

While Jesus was sought out by the political elites (Joanna and Jairus), He also healed those who were suffering from the curse of sin (Mary Magdalene, the Maniac of Gadara, the woman with the issue of blood, and us)!

Psalm 71:1 — Earl Martin has set this verse to music:

Proverbs 12:5 — What are your thoughts like?

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Deuteronomy 11:1-12:32
  Luke 8:22-39
  Psalm 70:1-5
  Proverbs 12:4

Deuteronomy 11:1 — How do we show love for God? By trusting Him. How do we keep His statutes? By obeying Him. We just need to trust and obey.

Deuteronomy 11:7 — Why should we trust God? Because we’ve seen what He’s done.

Deuteronomy 11:17 — God warned that He would shut up the heavens. Did He ever do this after this warning? Yes!

• Ruth 1:1 in Bethlehem (because of Judges 21:25)
• 2 Samuel 21:1 in the United Kingdom (why did it take David three years to ask God?)
• 1 Kings 17:1 in Israel (because of 1 Kings 16:33)
• 2 Kings 4:38 in Gilgal (on the whole, Gilgal hasn’t been a site of good things)
• 2 Kings 6:25 in Samaria (not specified, general sinfulness)
• 2 Kings 8:1 in Israel (God called it)
• 2 Kings 25:3 in Jerusalem (because of 2 Kings 24:19-20)
• Nehemiah 5:3 in Jerusalem (because of Nehemiah 1:7)
• Acts 11:28 (prophesied)

How do you stop a famine? Hearken! (vs. 13)

Deuteronomy 12:5 — In what city did the LORD put His name? By the way, this is the first usage of this phrase.

Deuteronomy 12:8 — This is the first usage of “right in his own eyes.”

Luke 8:24 — This is exercising the power assigned to God in Psalm 65:7, 89:9, 107:29, and attributed to God in Jonah 1:15.

Psalm 70:5 — God uses the phrase “poor and needy” 17 times. If this psalm seemed familiar, it looks very similar to Psalm 40:13-17 (like Psalm 53 and Psalm 14 being similar to each other). Matthew Henry thinks that’s why it is called a “Psalm of Remembrance.” Sometimes in a hymnal it lists the verse and the chorus, and other times just the chorus. It could be that this “chorus” was used in worship by the Israelites as well. Spurgeon says, “As we have the words of this Psalm twice in the letter, let them be doubly with us in spirit.”

Proverbs 12:4 — Good advice for the young man looking for a wife, and a great commendation to the woman who exemplifies virtue!

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TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22
  Luke 8:4-21
  Psalm 69:19-36
  Proverbs 12:2-3

Deuteronomy 9:4 — Let’s count: “Speak not … for my righteousness” (vs. 4) … “Not for thy righteousness” (vs. 5) … “not … for thy righteousness” (vs. 6) … “ye have been rebellious” (vs. 7) … “the LORD was angry with you” (vs. 8) … “ye had sinned against the LORD” (vs. 16) … “all your sins which ye sinned” (vs. 18) … “the LORD was wroth against you” (vs. 19) … “ye provoked the LORD to wrath” (vs. 22) … “ye rebelled against the commandment of the LORD” (vs. 23) … “Ye have been rebellious against the LORD from the day that I knew you” (vs. 24) … “the LORD had said he would destroy you” (vs. 25) … “he hated them” (vs. 28) … 13 times in 24 verses! Not your typical commencement address for graduates of Sinai U!

Deuteronomy 10:12 — Now we get to the summary:

• Fear God
• Love God
• Serve God
• Obey God

Deuteronomy 10:19 — What are the commands for the Israelites to do for strangers? Have consistent laws (Exodus 12:49; Leviticus 24:22; Numbers 9:14, 15:15-16; Deuteronomy 1:16), not oppress them (Exodus 22:21; Leviticus 19:33-34, 24:22), but love them (Deuteronomy 10:18-19) and do justice (Deuteronomy 24:17-18, 27:19).

Luke 8:5 — Have you been sowing lately?

Psalm 69:24 — Another imprecatory psalm. The Psalmist is not seeking personal revenge but begging God to intervene and avenge.

Proverbs 12:3 — An interesting parallel to the house of sand verses the house of rock.

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