Luke 15 is deceptively simple. Just three parables; the lost sheep, the lost coin, and finally the lost son, the most famous story of redemption of them all.
In 1 Kings 10 the Queen of Sheba visited Solomon and praised him “The half had not been told”; of Solomon’s great wisdom and wealth.
1 Kings 11. Solomon’s heart turned from the LORD, ( blame the foreign women and their idolatry). It records Solomon’s adversaries, Jeroboam’s rebellion, and Solomon’s death.
1 Peter 5. Elders, shepherd the flock, not for filthy lucre, but being examples of service and submission to God, in due time receiving a crown. Resist the devil, look to God “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” The letter ends with farewell greetings.
Joel 2 tells of the Day of the Lord. God gave a stern call to repentance. After that warning God gave this promise: “28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. 30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come. 32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.“
1 Peter 4:12-19. The apostle reminded the believers to not be surprised when they suffer, remember it will be much worse for those who do not believe.
Joel 1. The Word of the LORD told Joel of the great locust attack, the drought and the land laid waste. Lament for the land, for the day of the LORD is near.
Psalm 119 is a meditation on the excellence of the Word of God. It it anonymous, but is most probably a collection made by David and put in its final form during the time of Ezra. The Psalm is in the form of a true acrostic with eight verses for every letter of the Hebrew alphabet, totaling 176 verses. The acrostic form makes it possible to memorize, and so the students learning the Law did, even during Jesus’ time.
1 Peter 4:1-11. The apostle urged the believers to serve God as the end of all things is near. He told them to practice hospitality to the glory of Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 20, more proverbs of Solomon. Don’t be lead astray by alcohol! Who can find a faithful man? Dishonest weights are an abomination to the Lord. Do not love sleep, or you will become poor. These are timeless proverbs, some quoted even today.
Psalm 117. The shortest Psalm of them all with only two verses, but they are full of praise.
Psalm 118. This is probably the best example of Hebrew poetry with verses repeated with only small variations. It is quoted in the New Testament in many places, even by Jesus directly.
1 Peter 3. The apostle speaks of submission, and it is mutual, both for husbands and wives, joint heirs with Christ. We are called to be a blessing, even during suffering for doing right, “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” Remember Christ’s suffering and our redemption through his death and resurrection. Remember also Noah, 8 in all were saved to new life.
Hosea 13. The LORD shoed His anger and there was to be be judgment on Israel.
Hosea 14. God promised that when Israel repented it would be restored.
1 Peter 2:11-25. For the Lord’s sake submit to all government (even the Romans) and to your masters (employers).
Hosea 10. Because of Israel’s sin it will be taken into captivity.
Hosea 11. Yet, God will show His love for Israel.
Hosea 12. God gave His charge against Ephraim.
1 Peter 2:1-10. Keep on growing in the word as you draw near to Jesus Christ, the chosen stone, You are His true chosen people, “ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people“, having received mercy.
Hosea 7. God continues to bemoan the iniquity of Ephraim and Judah.
Hosea 8. Because of Israel’s apostasy this prophesy was fulfilled: “For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind:“
Hosea 9. The prophesy said Israel will be judged because of its sin.
1 Peter 1:13-25. The apostle Paul was telling the believers they must be holy, having been regenerated (translated born again) and redeemed by Jesus Christ, the risen Savior, foreordained before the foundation of the world.
Hosea 3. God told Hosea to reconcile with his wife, and so Israel will return to God.
Hosea 4. God gave His charge against Israel because of Israel’s Idolatry.
Hosea 5. God proclaimed judgment on Israel, Ephraim and Judah.
Hosea6. God called Ephraim and Judah to repentance, for He required mercy; not sacrifice.
1 Peter 1:1-12. The apostle Paul was greeting his fellow elect pilgrims of the dispersion and reminded them of their heavenly inheritance, as they were living before God their Father.
Hosea 1. God told Hosea to marry a harlot. She gave birth to three children, given negative sounding names. In spite of this God promises the restoration of Israel.
Hosea 2 tells of God’s unfaithful people, how they are punished and restored, and finally to be shown unmerited mercy.
Psalm 115 through Psalm 118 are part of the Hallel (praise) Psalms and are sung after the Passover meal. Psalm 115 gives praise that the Lord is our help and shield. Not so the heathens, their idols are worthless.
Psalm 116. The Lord heard my prayers, I will pay my vow of gratitude with the sacrifice of praise.
Len Bilén's blog, a blog about faith, politics and the environment. 