In between Second Corinthians and Galatians we read 0ne chapter of Proverbs and three chapters of Job.
July 19: Proverbs 9, Job 12, Job 13, Job 14 (click on the chapter to begin reading).
Proverbs 9, contrasts the way of wisdom with the way of folly.
Job 12. Job has heard enough and answers his critics.
Job 13. Job continues answering his three friends, and adds a despondent prayer that contains this gem: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.”
Job 14 contains the rest of Job’s prayer.
In between Second Corinthians and Galatians we read two Psalms and three chapters of Job.
July 18: Psalm 56, Psalm 57, Job 9, Job 10, Job 11 (click on the chapter to begin reading).
Psalm 56, of David. The Psalm is from the time when the Philistines captured him in Gath It deals with the period between the visit to the tabernacle at Nob and David’s arrival at Adullam. David was alone, desperate, afraid – and had no one left to to trust but the LORD.
Psalm 57, of David. Charles Spurgeon noted, “There are four of these ‘Destroy not’ psalms, namely, the 57th, 58th, 59th, and 75th. In all of them there is a distinct declaration of the destruction of the wicked and the preservation of the righteous.” It ends with “Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.“
Job 9, Job: There is no mediator, no one is righteous before God, even though I am righteous.
Job 10, Job: I would Plead with God.
Job 11. It was time for Zophar the Naamathite to speak. He urges urges Job to repent.
In between Second Corinthians and Galatians we read three Psalms and three chapters of Job.
July 17: Psalm 53, Psalm 54, Psalm 55, Job 6, Job 7, Job 8 (click on the chapter to begin reading).
Psalm 53, of David. A short Psalm telling about fools that say “No God”
Psalm 54, of David. A snort prayer with conviction that God is David’s helper.
Psalm 55, of David. When treacherous friends and a multitude of enemies attack David still trusts God.
Job 6. Time for Job to reply: “My Complaint is Just.” And
Job 7. “My Suffering is without Comfort.”
Job 8. Bildad, the Shuhite replied: “Job Should Repent.”
Today we read the last chapter of second Corinthians and two chapters of Job.
July 16: 2 Corinthians 13, Job 4, Job 5 (click on the chapter to begin reading)
2 Corinthians 13. Paul said it was his third coming coming to the Corinthians, and he was coming with authority for building them up, not for tearing them down. Finally, the final greetings and the benediction.
Job 4. Eliphaz was first to speak: Job has sinned –
Job 5, and for that Job is chastened by God.
Today we read one chapter of second Corinthians and the first three chapters of Job.
July 15: 2 Corinthians 12, Job 1, Job 2, Job 3 (click on the chapter to begin reading)
2 Corinthians 12, Paul describes his vision of paradise and his thorn in the flesh (“for when I am weak, then I am strong”.) The marks of an Apostle are signs, wonders and miracles, and Paul displays his love for the Church.
Job 1. This is the oldest book in the Bible and predates even the Pentateuch. It is written in old Aramaic. Job and his Family lived in in Uz, righteous before God. Satan attacked Job’s Character and as a result Job lost his property and his children.
Job 2. Satan Attacked Job’s Health, and then was visited by three friends, keeping him company for a week without saying a word.
Job 3. Job deplores his birth before his three friends, and they still keep quiet.
Today we read one chapter of second Corinthians and the last three chapters of Esther.
July 14: 2 Corinthians 11, Esther 8, Esther9, Esther 10 (click on the chapter to begin reading)
2 Corinthians 11. Paul showed concern for the Corinthians faithfulness, warned them against false Apostles, “for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” Paul put forward a reluctant boasting about his sufferings for Christ.
Esther 8. With Haman out of the way, the Jews were still in peril, since the edict of the king could not be changed, so Esther pleaded again to the king and a new edict was proclaimed, the the Jews had every right to defend themselves and strike back, and so Esther saved the Jews.
Esther 9. The Jews triumphed, and the first Purim was celebrated.
Esther 10, epilogue about the greatness of Mordecai.
Today we read one chapter of second Corinthians and four chapters of Esther.
July 13: 2 Corinthians 10, Esther 4, Esther5, Esther 6, Esther7 (click on the chapter to begin reading)
2 Corinthians 10. This is a spiritual war “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” Paul defines his authority and the limits of his authority, it is all in Christ “But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
Esther 4, Mordecai persuaded Esther to risk her life to save the Jews, and Esther’s response was “If I perish, I perish”
Esther 5, Esther prepared for a banquet with only her, the King and Haman in attendance. Meanwhile Haman’s rage against Mordecai was so great that he had built a seventy-five feet high gallows, on which to hang Mordecai.
Esther 6. As it so happened, the king had a case of insomnia. To become drowsy he had the annals read to him, which told that Mordecai had averted a coup. During the banquet the king wanted to honor somebody, so rather than Haman, Mordecai was honored.
Esther 7. And so it was, Haman was hanged on the gallows he had built for Mordecai.
Today we read one chapter of second Corinthians and two chapters of Esther.
July 12: 2 Corinthians 9, Esther 2, Esther3 (click on the chapter to begin reading)
2 Corinthians 9 Paul gives advice in how to administer the gift, one way being the cheerful (hilarious) giver. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift!
Esther 2. The search for a new queen was on and Esther became the new queen. Mordecai, Esther’s cousin, uncovered a conspiracy against the king.
Esther 3. Enter Haman, an Agagite. (There was great animosity between the Agagites and the Jews since the time of king Saul.) He was great in the kingdom, and everybody bowed down to him – except Mordecai. This enraged Haman, so he offered 750 tons of silver to the king’s treasury for being allowed to kill all Jews. Fair enough, deal signed and sealed, (and the king’s seal cannot be undone.)
Today we read one chapter of second Corinthians and the first chapter of Esther.
July 11: 2 Corinthians 8, Esther 1 (click on the chapter to begin reading)
2 Corinthians 8. The Macedonians excelled in giving but first gave their own selves to the Lord. Christ is our pattern in giving himself. The Corinthians took up a collection for the Judean saints. Titus was sent to the Corinthians.
Esther 1. A fantastic book that made it to the Holy Bible, even though the name of God is not mentioned, not even once. Yet, the hand of God is everywhere in it. Read all of it! It starts with a big, decadent feast, and queen Vashti refused to make a spectacle of herself so she was deposed. Now what do you do without a queen?
Today we read one chapter of second Corinthians and finishing up Nehemiah.
July 10: 2 Corinthians 7, Nehemiah 11, Nehemiah 12, Nehemiah 13 (click on the chapter to begin reading)
2 Corinthians 7 is an exhortation to holiness, and the whole church is included. Paul rejoiced in their sorrowing to repentance, and in the comfort they and Titus had together.
Nehemiah 11 lists the people of Jerusalem and the people outside Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 12 lists the priests and Levites, the time had come for Nehemiah to Dedicate the wall, and the temple responsibilities are specified.
Nehemiah 13, the final reforms of Nehemiah, give the temple service its due, observe the Sabbath and don’t marry strange women.
Len Bilén's blog, a blog about faith, politics and the environment. 