The Bible Reading Challenge Presented by VCY

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Jeremiah 4:19-6:15
  Colossians 1:18-2:7
  Psalm 77:1-20
  Proverbs 24:23-25

Jeremiah 4:22 — Take note of the phrasing “wise to do evil … to do good they have no knowledge.” This is in contrast to Paul in Romans 16:19 who wishes the Romans to be “wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.”

Jeremiah 4:23 — Where else have we read this? Genesis 1:2. God created the earth, and there will be a time when God will destroy the earth (Jeremiah 4:27).

Jeremiah 5:15 — Is it fair for God to use a wicked nation to judge His chosen people? It is just because God does it since He is just (Zephaniah 3:5). Paul speaks against those who make a “fair shew” (Galatians 6:12). Reminds us that “fair speeches deceive” (Romans 16:18), and Solomon says to believe not him who speaks “fair” (Proverbs 26:25).

Jeremiah 5:19 — The LORD says, “… as ye have forsaken me, and served strange gods in your land, so shall ye serve strangers in a land that is not yours.”

How did it become their land? The LORD gave it to them (Genesis 12:7, Genesis 13:5, Genesis 13:7, Genesis 15:7, Genesis 15:18, Genesis 17:8, Genesis 24:7, Genesis 28:13, Genesis 35:12, Genesis 48:4, Exodus 6:4, Exodus 6:8, Exodus 12:25, Exodus 13:5, Exodus 13:11, Exodus 20:12, Exodus 32:13, Leviticus 14:34, Leviticus 20:24, Leviticus 23:10, Leviticus 25:2, Leviticus 25:38,  Numbers 13:2, Numbers 14:8, Numbers 15:2, Numbers 20:12, Numbers 20:24, Numbers 27:12, Numbers 32:7, Numbers 32:9, Numbers 33:53, Numbers 34:13, Numbers 36:2, Deuteronomy 1:8, Deuteronomy 1:20, Deuteronomy 1:25, Deuteronomy 1:35, Deuteronomy 1:36, Deuteronomy 2:31, Deuteronomy 3:18, Deuteronomy 3:20, Deuteronomy 4:1, Deuteronomy 4:21, Deuteronomy 4:38, Deuteronomy 5:16, Deuteronomy 5:31, Deuteronomy 6:10, Deuteronomy 6:23, Deuteronomy 7:13, Deuteronomy 8:10, Deuteronomy 9:6, Deuteronomy 9:23, Deuteronomy 10:11, etc.) – well over 100 times God said He gave the land to them.

In the Book of Genesis, God swore to give them the land. In the rest of the Torah, God reiterates His covenant of the land. In Joshua, the gift is possessed. In the Historical books, we see the warning that they may be thrown out of the land.

The land would not be taken from them, but they would be taken from the land.

Jeremiah 5:25 — A great verse to memorize: “Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.”

Colossians 1:20 — I am reconciled to my God through the blood of the cross!

Colossians 2:3 — Seek wisdom from the treasures of wisdom!

Colossians 2:7 — Sanctification in four words: “walk ye in him!”

Psalm 77:3 — Compare to Jonah 2:7.

Proverbs 24:24 — A wicked judge is cursed and abhorred. Pray for your judicial authorities, including your federal judges.

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:
  Jeremiah 2:31-4:18
  Colossians 1:1-17
  Psalm 76:1-12
  Proverbs 24:21-22

Jeremiah 2:35 — This echoes Luke 5:32. God is begging sinners to acknowledge they are sinners.

Jeremiah 3:1 — This is in sharp contrast to Islam which states that if a man divorces his wife a third time, she cannot go back to her ex-husband unless she marries someone in between! To get around this, there arose “Nikah Halala,” a temporary marriage/consummation/divorce to permit the woman to remarry the first husband. However, the Prophet Muhammad cursed those who practiced Nikah Halala.

Jeremiah 3:3 — God can withhold physical blessing from those who are in spiritual rebellion.

Jeremiah 3:10 — Notice the word “feignedly” (KJV) which means “simulated, pretended, or insincere.” Do we have whole-hearted repentance or just simulated repentance? Have we admitted that we have not obeyed His voice (Jeremiah 3:13)?

Jeremiah 3:16 — Ellicott highlights the contrast between this verse and 2 Maccabees 2:4-5 because the symbol of the presence of the LORD will be replaced with the Presence of the LORD Himself!

Jeremiah 4:3 — ”Break up my fallow ground!”

Colossians 1:4-5 — In contrast to the Corinthians who had to be taught about faith, love, and hope (1 Corinthians 13:13), the Colossians are commended for their faith in Jesus, love for the saints, and hope in heaven!

Colossians 1:9 — I’m usually quick to let people know I’m praying for them – and I try to pray right away for them – but how often do we cease to pray as opposed to ceasing not to pray?

Colossians 1:10 — May we walk worthy of the LORD!

Colossians 1:17 — From Chuck Missler:

There is thus an active force imposed on the universe, which actively holds the very atoms of the material world together moment by moment, day by day, century by century.

https://www.khouse.org/articles/1997/60/

Psalm 76:7 — From Charles Spurgeon:

Thou, even thou, art to be feared.

Not Sennacherib, nor Nisroch his god, but Jehovah alone, who with a silent rebuke had withered all the monarch’s host.

“Fear him, ye saints, and then ye shall have nothing else to fear.”

The fear of man is a snare, but the fear of God is a great virtue, and has great power for good over the human mind. God is to be feared profoundly, continually, and alone. Let all worship be to him only. And who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry? Who indeed? The angels fell when their rebellion provoked his justice; Adam lost his place in Paradise in the same manner; Pharaoh and other proud monarchs passed away at his frown; neither is there in earth or hell any who can abide the terror of his wrath. How blest are they who are sheltered in the atonement of Jesus, and hence have no cause to fear the righteous anger of the Judge of all the earth.

http://www.romans45.org/spurgeon/treasury/ps076.htm

Proverbs 24:21 — And speaking of the fear of the Lord … yes, it is good to fear the LORD!

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:
  Jeremiah 1:1-2:30
  Philippians 4:1-23
  Psalm 75:1-10
  Proverbs 24:17-20

Jeremiah 1:2-3 — Welcome to Jeremiah, the words of the “Weeping Prophet!” Jeremiah’s prophecy started in 627 BC under Josiah the Reformer who was about the same age as Jeremiah. This is in the middle of the three-stage revival:

• AGE 15: Josiah sought God (633 BC)
• AGE 19: Josiah purged idols (629 BC)
• AGE 26: Josiah repairs temple and finds lost book (623 BC)

Jeremiah 1:6 — Who else had an excuse for why they could not speak? Moses (Exodus 4:10)!

Jeremiah 2:3 — This was visualized in the engraved plate that the high priest wore (Exodus 39:30). How ironic! The people were separated unto the LORD (holy), and yet they left the LORD (Jeremiah 2:5).

Jeremiah 2:8 — The ignorant lawyers (students of God’s Law, not man’s law), the transgressing pastors, and the unprofitable prophets of Baal pursued sinful activities. Sadly, even today we consistently hear of pastors who admit to marital infidelity or financial scandal. Their sinfulness brings ill repute against the LORD.

Jeremiah 2:11 — Hath a nation changed their gods? Egypt was a polytheist nation except for a brief period under Akhenaten, but then under famous King Tut, they returned quickly back to polytheism. There has long been recognized a connection between cult (religion) and culture (nation). As Christianity overtook paganism in the Roman empire, the Roman empire itself crumbled. The Protestant Reformation led to civil war in the pre-modern-German “Holy Roman Empire.” The English executed a king (Charles I) as they transitioned to Puritanism.

Jeremiah 2:19 — The scariest thing to happen to a believer is when God lets their own wickedness correct them! God does not need to add additional punishment, He can let them experience the natural result of their own choices.

Philippians 4:1 — Notice the contrast between Jeremiah 2:29 (where Jeremiah expresses God’s disgust for His people) and this passage where Paul calls his audience “dearly beloved” brethren.

Philippians 4:4 — Rejoice in the LORD always!

Philippians 4:8 — From Earl Martin:

Philippians 4:9 — Earl Martin has done a great job putting this verse to music as well.

Philippians 4:13 — I love the Babylon Bee’s satire on the misuse of this verse:

• Context Of Philippians 4:13 Officially Abandoned
• Context: Paul Wrote Philippians 4:13 After Narrowly Winning Church Softball Game
• Devastated Stephen Curry Discovers Context Of Philippians 4:13

Philippians 4:17 — This is the same Greek word (λόγον) as used in Jesus’ parables – Matthew 12:36 (giving account of our idle words), Matthew 18:23 (taking account of debts), Matthew 25:19 (the Master reckoning with the talents), and Luke 16:2 (unjust steward’s account of thy stewardship). Then in Romans 14:12 we are told that we will give an account (λόγον) to God. How can we add fruit to our other-worldly account? Giving to God.

Philippians 4:22 — Jesus has followers everywhere even in Caesar’s household!

Psalm 75:6-7 — It’s amazing to see throughout history surprising election results:

And don’t forget Nate Silver – the king of modern poll-analysis, on his election morning final prediction:

Proverbs 24:17-20 — Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls, nor be envious of his success. Whether he is “rising” or “falling” (that’s irrelevant), keep your eye on the LORD and not on evil men!

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:
  Isaiah 66:1-24
  Philippians 3:4-21
  Psalm 74:1-23
  Proverbs 24:15-16

Isaiah 66:1 — This verse was one of the last words of Stephen (Acts 7:49) and was the transition from narrating the history of Israel to condemning his accusers. Isaiah has been the voice of the LORD rejecting the religious practices of His people:

• Sacrifices – Isaiah 1:11
• Fasting – Isaiah 58:5
• Building Projects – Isaiah 66:1-2

Isaiah 66:22-24 — Wow! Isaiah concludes with a stark contrast. The redeemed of the LORD will dwell in the new heavens and the new earth, and the worm shall not die and the fire will not be quenched for the men that transgress against the LORD (Mark 9:44, 46, 48). From GotQuestions.org:

Mark 9:48 does not mean that there are literal worms in hell or that there are worms that live forever; rather, Jesus is teaching the fact of unending suffering in hell—the “worm” never stops causing torment. Notice that the worm is personal. Both Isaiah 66:24 and Mark 9:48 use the word their to identify the worm’s owner. The sources of torment are attached each to its own host.

Some Bible scholars believe the “worm” refers to a man’s conscience. Those in hell, being completely cut off from God, exist with a nagging, guilty conscience that, like a persistent worm, gnaws away at its victim with a remorse that can never be mitigated. No matter what the word worm refers to, the most important thing to be gained from these words of Christ is that we should do everything in our power to escape the horrors of hell, and there is only one thing to that end—receiving Jesus as the Lord of our lives (John 3:16).

https://www.gotquestions.org/worm-will-not-die.html

Philippians 3:8 — Paul recognizes the truth of Isaiah: God doesn’t care what religious credentials we have. No matter if we’ve been circumcised the eight day, a Pharisee, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, Paul declares that it all is dung, echoing Malachi 2:3. Now there is a trend among the cool theologians of today to say that Paul really said a more vulgar version of the word dung, but Gary Manning Jr. debunks that myth quite clearly:

Paul was not alone in using σκύβαλα as a metaphor for something worthless in the moral or religious realm. Philo and Sirach both used σκύβαλα to describe undesirable qualities that should be abandoned. Paul’s interesting, and somewhat different, use of the word is to say that his desirable religious credentials (circumcision, pedigree, Pharisaism, zeal, obedience to the Law) were σκύβαλα – worthless waste – in comparison to knowing Jesus (Phil 3:4-8).

https://www.biola.edu/blogs/good-book-blog/2015/did-the-apostle-paul-use-profanity

Philippians 3:9 — Paul said his righteousness of the Law was dung. It was worthless because it was powerless. Now, the righteousness of Christ was powerful (Philippians 3:10); it is priceless (not worthless) because it is so powerful. It is so powerful that it can defeat death (Philippians 3:11)!

Philippians 3:12 — Jesus caught Paul, now Paul is trying to catch Jesus. Notice that Paul hasn’t apprehended (entire sanctification) Him yet and won’t until glorification (Philippians 3:11).

Philippians 3:14 — May this be our goal in life as well. May we not seek the prize of an Olympic gold medal, or a Super Bowl ring, or a Fantasy Football championship, with the same intensity as the high calling of God in Christ Jesus! What a day that will be (Philippians 3:21)!

Psalm 74:18 — What does God say about His name? There are 90 references in the Old Testament to “My Name“. What does God think about people who misuse His Name?

Proverbs 24:16 — Endurance is the mark of a just man. Don’t stop! Don’t Quit! Sounds a lot like Philippians 3:14!

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:
  Isaiah 62:6-65:25
  Philippians 2:19-3:3
  Psalm 73:1-28
  Proverbs 24:13-14

Isaiah 63:1-4 — From Jimmy DeYoung:

Isaiah asked two questions, the first in verse 1, “Who is he that cometh from Edom, from Bozrah?” This is the geographical location of Petra in southern Jordan. To this question the Lord responds with, “I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save”.

In verse 2 the second question, “Why is his apparel stained with ‘red’ like him that treadeth in the winefat?” The Lord responds to this question, verse 3, “I have trodden the winepress alone”. The Lord said, their blood will be sprinkled upon His garments, “for the day of his vengeance is come verse 4. It is in verse 4 that the Lord finishes the thought of Isaiah 61:2.

This prophetic account is what will happen after the Lord goes to the Jezreel Valley at the time of the “Battle of Armageddon.” After all the enemies are destroyed by Jesus Christ, He makes the trip to Petra, traveling the 176 miles predicted by John in Revelation 14:19-20.

The blood rises as high as the “horse bridles” for that trip. The blood comes from the bodies of the hundreds of millions of men who die on the “battle field”. This will be a terrible time in history.

By the way, it is 176 miles from Megiddo in the Jezreel Valley to the entrance of Petra, the place “prepared by God” to protect the Jewish people in the last three and a half years in the Tribulation Period, Revelation 12:6.

This is the end time scenario of this terrible time of the end and the death of those who follow Satan instead of Jesus. It is a time when some of our loved ones may well be there because they have never trusted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

http://devotional.prophecytoday.com/search/label/Isaiah

Here’s some pictures from my recent time in Petra with Jimmy DeYoung:

Isaiah 62:7-9 — The lovingkindness of the Lord (Isaiah 62:7) is demonstrated by His work as Savior (Isaiah 62:8) and by redeeming His people (Isaiah 62:9). How did He redeem us (Isaiah 53:5-6)? The Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 is the LORD, the Redeemer of Isaiah 62:9.

Isaiah 64:1 — ”Rend the Heavens” is a song based on this verse.

Isaiah 64:4 — Quoted in 1 Corinthians 2:4, but what’s so amazing is that this promise is for sinners (Isaiah 64:5-7)! We’ll see what this promise is all about when we get to Isaiah 65:17-18 (Revelation 21:1-2).

Isaiah 65:5 — God doesn’t care for those who are “holier than thou.”

Philippians 2:20 — Paul was proud of Timothy. Servant in the gospel (Philippians 2:22). Naturally caring (Philippians 2:20).

Philippians 3:1 — ”Rejoice in the LORD!” from Patch the Pirate:

Psalm 73:2 — Asaph’s “Psalm of Slipping Steps.” He needed to return to the sanctuary in order to see the ultimate end of the wicked (Psalm 73:17).

Psalm 73:26-28 – From Earl Martin:

Proverbs 24:14 — Knowledge is to the soul what honey is to the taste!

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:
  Isaiah 60:1-62:5
  Philippians 1:27-2:18
  Psalm 72:1-20
  Proverbs 24:11-12

Isaiah 60:2-3 — This passage forms the tenth movement of Handel’s Messiah. Verse three foreshadows the Great Commission – universal, no longer tribal.

Isaiah 60:19 — Revelation 21:23 and 22:5 echo this verse, but notice the addition in Revelation 21:23 – the lamp of the city is the Lamb!

Isaiah 61:1-2 — Jesus’ first synagogue message in Nazareth after His baptism (Luke 4:16) was from Isaiah. Interestingly, this was not His request, but it was given to Him (Luke 4:17). He quoted from this verse and presumably from Isaiah 60:3. Notice that Jesus stopped in the middle of verse 2. This was not the day of vengeance but the day of mercy. Yet, the synagogue crowd tried to stone him (Luke 4:29).

Isaiah 62:4 — The woman called “Forsaken” shall now be called “Hephzibah”, i.e. the LORD delighteth in me! What a gracious and forgiving God we serve!

Philippians 1:29 — Suffering is a gift of God.

Philippians 2:7 — This is referred to as the Kenosis passage, as Jesus debased himself unto the death of the cross.

Philippians 2:10-11 — Yes, every knee shall bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Philippians 2:14 — Murmurings? Paul had to warn the Corinthians about that (1 Corinthians 10:10), and remember that the Israelites had done the same thing to Moses (Exodus 15:24).

Psalm 72:1 — Who is this King that has dominion unto the ends of the earth (Psalm 72:8)? The answer is in vs. 18 – this is the LORD God’s reign on earth.

Proverbs 24:11-12 — Paul echoed this thought in 1 Corinthians 9:16. “Thousands are dying, every day now, with no hope or light. How can we standby without telling of Christ’s great sacrifice!“

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:
  Isaiah 57:15-59:21
  Philippians 1:1-26
  Psalm 71:1-24
  Proverbs 24:9-10

Isaiah 57:15 — This is a great memory verse to add to your list. The plan for revival is what Isaiah saw in Isaiah 6, i.e. understanding Who God is and who we are.

Isaiah 58:5-7 — Does God prefer sackcloth and ashes or action? God wants us to loose the bands of wickedness, set free the oppressed, feed the hungry, clothe the needy. Is Isaiah teaching social justice? No, he’s teaching personal justice. We find that the more important religion is to a person, the more likely that person is to give. Is Isaiah talking about giving money to the panhandler? If you’re thinking about giving a couple bucks so that you feel better, then I think that’s what God is talking about in vs. 5. It’s “tokenism!” In vs. 7, God talks about a radical idea; “bring the poor that are cast out to thy house!” Wisconsin State Rep. Dale Kooyenga has been a passionate advocate for SafeFamilies, an interesting church-based alternative to foster care.

Isaiah 58:13 — Romans 14:6 answers the question of what day is the Sabbath for believers. Just like Jesus expanded adultery from the act to the thought in Matthew 5:28, Paul expanded the Sabbath to every day. Do we idolize our own pleasure, or do we delight ourselves in the LORD (Isaiah 58:14)? With the average working American spending just 2 minutes a day on religious activity, it’s hard to say we are fulfilling this call at all.

Isaiah 59:2 — Why aren’t my prayers answered? Because God does not hear us when we sin.

Isaiah 59:7 — It’s been estimated that over one billion babies have been killed by abortion worldwide.

Philippians 1:9 — What was Paul’s thoughts towards the Philippians? Was he jumping into correcting their heresy like he did with the Galatians, or was he dealing with serious sin like he had to with the Corinthians? No, his prayer for the Philippians is that their “love may abound yet more and more.” Les Ollila shared how studying 1 Corinthians 13 changed his view of his life. If we do not have love, we have no reward.

Philippians 1:21 — For me to live is Christ, to die is gain!

Psalm 71:1 — In whom is your trust? This psalm is the senior citizen prayer (Psalm 71:9, Psalm 71:18).

Proverbs 24:10 — 

Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never-in nothing, great or small, large or petty – never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.

Winston Churchill

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:
  Isaiah 54:1-57:14
  Ephesians 6:1-24
  Psalm 70:1-5
  Proverbs 24:8

Isaiah 54:1 — Galatians 4:27 quotes this verse talking about Jerusalem in reference to Sarah. Theologians are still unsure about how the verses fit together.

Isaiah 54:7-8 — Exodus 20:5-6 states that God will punish sin for 3-4 generations but have mercy for a thousand generations. Here we see a small forsaking but great mercies. Little wrath but everlasting kindness. Throughout the Bible we are warned that yes, God’s punishment will hurt but it’s worth it (Proverbs 3:12, Hebrews 12:6, Revelation 3:19, Deuteronomy 8:5, Psalm 94:12, Proverbs 13:24).

Isaiah 54:9 — I’m writing this having just been to the Ark Encounter today. Someone told Ken Ham, “Your boat won’t float!” Ken Ham said, “We don’t need it to float! God has sworn that the world will never flood again!”

Isaiah 55:2 — How’s this for a bad investment? Spending money for counterfeit bread when God is offering food for free (Isaiah 55:1)!

Isaiah 55:6 — When is the time of salvation? 2 Corinthians 6:2! Take advantage of the abundant pardon (Isaiah 55:7).

Isaiah 55:10-11 — The song “This is My Word” is based on these verses.

Isaiah 56:4-5 — From EnterTheBible.org:

Eunuchs were excluded from temple worship by Torah itself (Deuteronomy 23:1-3; Leviticus 21:18-20), not for moral or ethnic reasons but because they were understood to be “blemished,” excluded by the purity laws in the same way that blemished lambs were not acceptable as sacrifices …

But now, says the Lord (through the prophet), all that is changed. Foreigners and eunuchs are welcomed in the same way as anyone else–that is, those who keep the sabbath and hold fast the covenant. Sabbath-keeping had taken on even greater importance during the exile because it was a religious observance and a sign of the covenant that people could do within the family even when there was no temple for sacrifice and festival worship.

https://www.enterthebible.org/resourcelink.aspx?rid=475

Relational commands started yesterday; they were addressed to husbands and wives. Today, Paul’s addressing children (Ephesians 6:1), then those with a parent (Ephesians 6:2-3), followed by fathers (Ephesians 6:4), servants (Ephesians 6:5-8), and finally masters (Ephesians 6:9).

We have a gap between Ephesians 6:1 and 6:2 because while children (those under 18, for lack of a better definition) are commanded to obey, all are commanded to honor.

Ephesians 6:10-11 — From Earl Martin:

Ephesians 6:15 — We read the other day in the Old Testament about the beautiful feet of preachers (Isaiah 52:7); today, we read in the New Testament about the feet ready to preach the Gospel!

Psalm 70:5 — Echoing the great truth of Psalm 40:17!

Proverbs 24:8 — What name do you want (Proverbs 22:1)?

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:
  Isaiah 51:1-53:12
  Ephesians 5:1-33
  Psalm 69:19-36
  Proverbs 24:7

Isaiah 51:6 — Someone recently posted on Facebook that they can’t believe that the Bible teaches that the Day of the LORD is “an event that involves the whole earth literally burning-up.” They believe all of Bible prophecy was fulfilled in AD 70, and presumably we’re just lingering on until something happens, but nobody knows what. They point to the Old Testament prophecies as the key to interpreting the New Testament prophecies, but both Old & New Testaments point to an incredible event that has not happened yet.

Isaiah 51:11 — This is an incredible promise set to music:

Isaiah 51:13 — From Abraham Lincoln, March 30, 1863:

We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!

Isaiah 52:7 — The prophecy of the preacher’s beautiful feet! Quoted by Paul in Romans 10:12-15.

Isaiah 52:13 — Who is this servant of the LORD? He shall be “very high” … “very high” is a rare expression, used in a negative contrast in Deuteronomy 28:43 describing a divinely placed setting in Ezekiel 40:2, and most important to our discussion, describing the righteousness of God in Psalm 71:19.

Isaiah 52:14 — What servant is exalted (Isaiah 52:13), marred (Isaiah 52:14), without beauty (Isaiah 53:2), and despised and rejected (Isaiah 53:3)? This doesn’t seem to make sense … yet.

Isaiah 53:3 — ”Man of Sorrows” is only found in this verse, but it was the subject of a hymn by Philip Bliss.

Isaiah 53:4 — The exalted servant (Isaiah 52:13) will be mutilated (Isaiah 52:14-53:3) for us (Isaiah 53:4-11). This is the doctrine of the vicarious atonement. The innocent slain for the guilty. Summarized in one verse: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Corinthians 5:21).”

Isaiah 53:5 — Yes, he was wounded for our transgressions!

Isaiah 53:6 — From Earl Martin:

We’re told that the Suffering Servant will die (Isaiah 53:9), that He is the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15), and that He will be bruised (Isaiah 53:10) as a sin offering. How is it that He will also prolong His days? Keep in mind what happened to the sin offerings in Leviticus – they were unblemished (Isaiah 52:13) but slaughtered (Isaiah 53:8-9). Not just beaten. Slain.

But does this verse mean that the Suffering Servant who dies as a human sacrifice will be resurrected? Can this amazing description of Jesus really be written aforetime? Would God have preserved a scroll written two hundred years before the birth of Jesus only to be discovered just 70 years ago? Isn’t it amazing that we can browse this very scroll in high definition on our phones right now?

Ephesians 5:2 — Jumping over to the New Testament, we see the “why” to the mystery of the Suffering Servant. Because of love, He was the offering.

Ephesians 5:3 — Because of His love, our values are not set by opinion polls but by the Lord Jesus Christ. We’re not participating in the long list of sins (Ephesians 5:3-12).

Ephesians 5:16 — Need help? Check with our friend Rick Grubbs!

Ephesians 5:19 — Why do I include so many Scripture-based songs in the emails? Because we are commanded to speak to ourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs! God did not abrogate the hymnbook of Israel (Psalms).

Ephesians 5:22 — Submission, a controversial topic today, is matched with self-sacrifice (Ephesians 5:25). Not “throwing socks in the general direction of the laundry basket” but vicarious self-sacrifice. Both seem extreme. This is a radical standard for marital relationships that Paul is advocating; it’s far from today’s push to ban “’til death do us part” with a new standard of “give it a good try and you’re okay.” Yes, biblical Christianity is vastly different from modern society.

Ephesians 5:31 — Having recently “leaved and cleaved,” I am working continually on the next part: “… love his wife even as himself …” (Ephesians 5:33). As someone once said, the Christian life isn’t difficult. It’s impossible!

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:
  Isaiah 48:12-50:11
  Ephesians 4:17-32
  Psalm 69:1-18
  Proverbs 24:5-6

Isaiah 48:17 — So many people are afraid of what God will lead them into. God wants you to profit! Yes, the word literally means “profit.” Now, God doesn’t believe in “get rich quick schemes” – His path for your profit may not be your path (see Job) but trust His Word!

Isaiah 49:16 — Can God forget you? Your name is graven on His hands!

Isaiah 50:7 — Hope … another word destroyed by popular culture! From Webster’s 1828 Dictionary: “Hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired … Confidence in a future event; the highest degree of well-founded expectation of good; as a hope founded on God’s gracious promises; a scriptural sense.” We do not need to wish for God’s help; God is our hope – He will help!

Ephesians 4:17 — How are you walking? Those who know not God walk self-confidently, separated from God (Ephesians 4:18), sightless (Ephesians 4:18), submitted to sensuality (Ephesians 4:19), and seeking sin (Ephesians 4:19).

Ephesians 4:23 — What are we to replace our former conversation with (Ephesians 4:22)?

• Sanctification (Ephesians 4:23)
• Sanctity (Ephesians 4:24)
• Sincerity (Ephesians 4:25)
• Smoothness (Ephesians 4:26)
• Steadfastness (Ephesians 4:27)
• Sharing (Ephesians 4:28)
• Supportive Speech (Ephesians 4:29)
• Sealing of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30)
• Separation from sin (Ephesians 4:31)
• Softheartedness (Ephesians 4:32)

Psalm 69:5 — “It ought to render confession easy when we are assured that all is known already.” (Spurgeon)

Psalm 69:9 — Jesus identified with this verse in John 2:17, but obviously not Psalm 69:5. But Psalm 69:8 could apply to Jesus as well.

Proverbs 24:6 — One of the oldest proverbs on the value of diversification (“multitude of”). Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, even in the wisdom market!

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.