Daily Bible Reading Podcast

2CHRONICLES 30:Hezekiah led a wonderful spiritual revival which included the reopening and cleansing of the temple and the resumption of sacrifices. And he wasted no time in doing those things. ECCLESIASTES 6:Solomon gave wonderful conclusions about happiness in yesterday’s reading. And he also observed that we leave the world as naked and empty-handed as when we came into the world. MATTHEW 19:Yesterday’s portion of Matthew 18 included the important parable about the king and the forgiven servant who did not forgive the debt of his fellow servant. NLT Translation note:Mat. 19:15 And [before he left//0] he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them [0//before he left].   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

2CHRONICLES 29:Ahaz’s rule was one of the darkest chapters in Judah’s history. The people didn’t even bury him in the royal cemetery. He closed the temple and put up places to worship Baal all over the country. Even when under severe punishment from the Lord, he never turned to the Lord for help. ECCLESIASTES 5:In yesterday’s chapter, I really like the passages that talk of having the companionship of 2 (or perhaps 3) people. And when it is 2, I always think that the relationship of a man and wife is in view. MATTHEW 18b:Yesterday we heard the passage that deals with following Jesus with child-like faith. And we heard instructions for restoring broken relationships, and what to do if reconciliation is not achieved.   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

2CHRONICLES 28:Yesterday we heard of the reign of Uzziah (who suffered a terrible punishment for his pride) and the reign of his son, Jotham. Both were basically good kings. ECCLESIASTES 4:Yesterday we heard the famous chapter of Ecclesiastes which starts with Ecc. 3:1 (like NLT) For everything (turn, turn, turn) there is a season, (turn, turn, turn) a time for every activity under heaven. (Except of course, the NLT does not contain 'turn, turn, turn'.) GNT is very perceptive in bringing out some implicit information that would have been understood by Solomon’s audience, but which modern readers could easily miss in NLT’s translation, namely that God sets the seasons: Ecc. 3:1 GNT Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses.2 He sets the time for birth and the time for death,the time for planting and the time for pulling up, MATTHEW 18a:Yesterday in Matthew 17 we heard the events that happened on  the mount of transfiguration, the shorter story of the healing of the demon possessed b

2CHRONICLES 26-27:King Joash didn’t end so well, did he?! He ordered the murder of Jehoiadah’s son Zechariah. Time and time again Judah’s kings needed to learn not to be proud, and that certainly happened to Joash’s son Amaziah, who was assassinated like his father. Jesus mentioned a Zechariah in Matthew 23 who was “murdered between the temple and the altar.” I previously was mistaken in saying  in the intro to 2Chronicles 26 that Joash murdered the son of Jehoida. The Zechariah that Joash murdered was the son of Jehoida, but the one Jesus mentioned is Zechariah “the son of Berekiah, the grandson of Iddo,” who was the prophet who wrote the book of Zechariah. (Zech. 1:1) So evidently two men named Zechariah were killed in the temple about 300 years apart. Incidentally, the name Zechariah means ‘Yahweh has remembered’. ECCLESIASTES 3:Chapter 2 ended with a significant conclusion or two: Ecc. 2:24 NLT  So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I real

2CHRONICLES 6:Yesterday we heard of the various things that Huram-abi made under Solomon’s direction for the temple, and of the dedication of the temple. In today’s (not reverent) language, we might say that the Lord ‘showed up’ for that dedication, just like He did for the dedication of the tabernacle. PROVERBS 27b:Our hightlighted verse for today: Pro. 27:21 NLT Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,but a person is tested by being praised.] MATTHEW 10a:Many stories were brought together by Matthew in chapter 9, including the calling of Matthew— who is most likely the writer of this book. Note that opposition is ramping up against Jesus from the religious teachers and the Pharisees. Like at the end of John 4, Jesus spoke of the need for God to send workers into the spiritual harvest.     Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol S

2CHRONICLES 4-5:Yesterday we heard of the preparations for building the temple, and then the dimensions and the beginning of the construction starting in the 4th year of Solomon’s reign. PROVERBS 27a:Today’s first verse is very like the advice of James in the New Testament: Pro. 27:1 NLT Don’t brag about tomorrow,since you don’t know what the day will bring. MATTHEW 9:Yesterday we heard of several powerful healings and the miracle of calming the storm. One of the one-becomes-two instances is in the Gadarene demon possessed man, called Legion in the other Gospels. If Matthew was present, as I posited before, it would be before the story of his joining the disciples in this chapter. NLT Translation notes:Mat. 9:22 Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “[0//Daughter, ]be encouraged! Your [belief in Me//faith] has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment.29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because [you have believed in Me//of your faith], it will happen.”   Unless otherwise indicat

2CHRONICLES 2-3:In yesterday’s reading we returned to the books of Chronicles, and picked up the story following King David, with the beginning of Solomon’s reign. Solomon gave 1,000 burnt offerings to the Lord, then the Lord appeared to him. Solomon requested wisdom to rule Israel, and the Lord was pleased with his request. PROVERBS 26b:Today’s highlighted verse: Pro. 26:23 NLT Smooth words may hide a wicked heart,just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot. MATTHEW 8:We completed reading the Sermon on the Mount yesterday with the parable of building a house on sand or on a rock. Building a house on sand is easier. But let’s be those who persevere and lay a good foundation. NLT Translation note:Mat. 8:26 Jesus  responded, “Why are you afraid? [Why is your belief in me so small?//You have so little faith!]” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 19

2CHRONICLES 1:Yesterday we heard Hosea’s final and heart-felt warning. At the end of his book, Hosea penned a rather short apology on behalf of the people, requesting  forgiveness. God responded lovingly, pleading for the people of Israel to stay away from idols. And now we return to the story we interrupted in the books of Chronicles. PROVERBS 26a:A highlighted verse for today is verse 12, which I like in both the NLT and the GNT. Pro. 26:12 NLT There is more hope for foolsthan for people who think they are wise. MATTHEW 7b:Yesterday’s reading included one of the most often quoted but most poorly understood verses of the Bible. Check yourself before telling someone, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged.” If you are saying that in order to deflect criticism against yourself,  you are doing what a hypocrite does. And ironically, not being a hypocrite is the main point of the passage. Nor is the meaning that we Christians must not judge other people at all. We must not judge hypocritically, but the Bible s

HOSEA 13-14:Yesterday’s reading had this significant prophecy, prefaced by the words that God would not come to totally destroy: Hos. 11:10 NLT For someday the people will follow me.I, the LORD, will roar like a lion.And when I roar,my people will return trembling from the west.11 Like a flock of birds, they will come from Egypt.Trembling like doves, they will return from Assyria.And I will bring them home again,”says the LORD. Hosea begins chapter 13 speaking against the tribe of Ephraim, but in the prophetic writings, that one tribe often stands for the whole northern kingdom. So the heading in the NLT says, “The LORD’s Anger against Israel.” PROVERBS 25b:Interesting and varied proverbs today include this: Pro. 25:20 NLT Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound. MATTHEW 7a:Yesterday’s reading in the second half of chapter 6 dealt with the subject of complete trust in God for all that we need, seeking first the kingdom o

HOSEA 11-12:In yesterday’s reading, as the Lord was pleading with Israel and using agricultural metaphors, He said, Hos. 10:12-13 NLT … ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’ 13 “But you have cultivated wickedness and harvested a thriving crop of sins. You have eaten the fruit of lies— trusting in your military might, believing that great armies could make your nation safe. PROVERBS 25a:Today’s highlighted proverb: Pro. 25:11 NLT Timely advice is lovely,like golden apples in a silver basket. MATTHEW 6b:Yesterday’s three-times emphasis was “Don’t be like the hypocrites.” And we heard the Lord’s prayer. The first line of the Lord’s prayer, ‘hallowed be Thy _name_’ can be taken as a metonymy for the person of the Father, not just his name. So I translate this famous verse like this: “Our Father in heaven, [may all people honor You as the Holy God

HOSEA 3-5:Beautifully interwoven word plays or metaphors were constructed using the names of Hosea’s three children. And verses of yesterday’s reading, are quoted in Romans 9 and 1Peter 2. The last verse ended: Hos. 2:23 NLT “I will show loveto those I called ‘Not loved.’And to those I called ‘Not my people,’I will say, ‘Now you are my people.’And they will reply, ‘You are our God!’” PROVERBS 23b:As you may have noticed yesterday, this chapter is much more thematic than chapters 10 through 22. The second half of chapter 23 is the words of a father to his son. This verse is so true and wise! Pro. 23:23 NLT Get truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment. MATTHEW 5a:Today we start the chapters called the Sermon on the Mount, and these are the crowning jewels of Jesus’ teaching. Note the times when Jesus says, “You have heard it said/taught… but I say to you.” These statements are one reason why the people reacted that “Jesus taught with authority.” Note also how often Jesus tells us

HOSEA 1-2:We have already heard that God considers the sin of idolatry to be parallel and just as offensive as a wife being unfaithful to her husband. Hosea is told by God to actually live out this situation. He is told to marry Gomer, a prostitute. Through Hosea, God shows just how ready He is to restore and be reconciled with His wayward people. Hosea prophesied to the Northern kingdom during the same time that Amos, Isaiah, and Micah were prophesying in the Southern kingdom. This was during the reign of Jeroboam the 2nd. Hosea was not a professional prophet trained in a school for prophets, but an ordinary man. I imagine his ministry must have been very lonely. PROVERBS 23a:The Book of Proverbs doesn’t always support that being rich is better. Consider v.4 in the NLT: Pro. 23:4 Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich.Be wise enough to know when to quit. MATTHEW 4:Yesterday we heard of the ministry of John the Baptist, and Matthew is the only Gospel that records Jesus’ reply to John, “This (baptizing me)

1CHRONICLES 29:Yesterday we heard of the military commanders and officials under David, and the leaders of 13 tribes. Then we heard David’s instructions to Solomon. And it is always amazing to me the detail with which David planned for the temple, and also his generosity. PROVERBS 22b:Halfway through this chapter we begin a section where more of the proverbs are arranged in short paragraphs. That section begins at verse 17, just three verses after we begin today’s reading. Verse 20 introduces 30 sayings that follow  MATTHEW 3:Yesterday we heard of the coming of the learned men from the east. While they brought three symbolic gifts, it didn’t say that there were just three men who came.  And prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus being taken to Egypt, then at the family’s return, their move to Nazareth.   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers

1CHRONICLES 27-28:Yesterday we heard of the assignments of Levites as musicians, judges, and temple gate keepers. PROVERBS 22a:Our highlighted verse for today: 14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap;those who make the LORD angry will fall into it. (NLT) MATTHEW 2:For today’s intro to Matthew 2, I have a correction from what I said in this episode 251 before 2022. For this information, I am relying on Leon Morris’ commentary. How come the genealogies of Matthew and Luke are different? I have often heard it said that Matthew gives the genealogy of Joseph (the legal father) and Luke gives that of Mary, the actual genealogy. But that idea is unlikely. For one reason, genealogies were never reckoned through the mother, although as Morris says, “we must reckon with the fact that we have no information about what would happen when there was no human father.” But another problem with Luke giving Mary’s genealogy is that he speaks of Jesus’ father as “Joseph the son of Heli” (Luke 3:23), which doesn’t so

1CHRONICLES 25-26:There was a rather important shift in Israel’s religious life that happened with David and his plans for temple worship rather than the older pattern of worship at the Tabernacle: It was that the priests and Levites were re-organized into groups appropriate to the new state of affairs, introducing divisions on top of the old system which was based on family lines. This reordering was still in effect at the beginning of the New Testament, where we read that Zechariah was a member of the priestly division of Abijah. So we have precedent for not always ‘doing it’ the way it was done in the past. PROVERBS 21b:Today’s highlighted verse: Pro. 21:30 GNT Human wisdom, brilliance, insight—they are of no help if the Lord is against you. MATTHEW 1:In my earlier podcast for this day 250, I stated that “Matthew’s Gospel was perhaps written as early as 50 AD, and some material was based on Mark’s Gospel.” In so saying, I simply followed what I had repeatedly heard. However the view that Mark was written f

1CHRONICLES 23-24:Yesterday we heard a rather odd story about how “Satan rose up against Israel and caused David to take a census.” But in 2Samuel 24:1 we read that “Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, ‘Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.’” So who was it— Satan or the Lord? And if the problem was caused by someone else, why was David and all Israel punished?!   I think, in a place like this, we have to go back to what we learned in Job. God brought up a topic to Satan, Satan responds predictably, and God gives him permission to tempt and sets the boundaries. In other words, both God and Satan are involved. God does not tempt people to do evil, and God is in ultimate control. Satan is like a dog on a leash. And about that punishment: God arranges events in such a way that man (in this case David) is still in control and responsible for his choices. Why was the census considered a sin? This seems to be founded on the idea that Israel— according to

1CHRONICLES 21-22:Yesterday we heard the part where the writer of Chronicles skated over where David had his affair with Bathsheba. But we heard of the military victories and especially the misunderstanding that became the reason for the war with the Ammonites. PROVERBS 20b:Our highlighted verse for today: Pro. 20:24 NLT The Lord directs our steps,so why try to understand everything along the way? Another proverb with deep significance is: 27 The Lord’s light penetrates the human spirit,exposing every hidden motive. TITUS 2:A major theme of this book is literally ‘healthy faith’ and ‘healthy teaching.’ This is a figure of speech that boils down to believing in true teachings. (NLT translates that well as ‘wholesome teaching’.) NLT Translation notes:1 As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects [true/wholesome] teaching.2 Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must [fully believe our true teachings//have sound faith] and be filled with lo

1CHRONICLES 19-20:Yesterday we heard about one of David’s greatest hours, and I think David would rank this as better than the killing of Goliath. It was the time when he wanted to build a house for God, and instead God promised to build his house— making for him an everlasting dynasty. Then we heard of his leading in even more amazing military victories. PROVERBS 20a:Today’s highlighted verse: Pro. 20:3 GNT Any fool can start arguments; the honorable thing is to stay out of them. TITUS 1:Commentators say that Paul wrote his letter to Titus in about the year 66, and that evidence from chapter 3:12 reveals that Paul may have written this in Nicopolis in Epirus, where he spent the winter. The letter has much  in common with 1 Timothy which was written around the same time. Paul had given Titus a difficult pastoral assignment, and this letter includes advice that has been so helpful to many pastors.  And personally and to my own shame, I always remember this epistle as the location of my worst argument with one

LAMENTATIONS 4-5: In yesterday's reading, the sun pierced the dark clouds with this glorious section: Lam. 3:22 NLT The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” 25 The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. Those are only the most frequently quoted verses. There are many other precious verses in Lamentations chapter 3. PROVERBS 13a: Here is a favorite proverb from today’s reading: Pro. 13:7 NLT Some who are poor pretend to be rich; others who are rich pretend to be poor. Re-reading EPHESIANS 2:We have an important spiritual reality expressed in verse 6: Because we are joined as one with Christ, we are already seated with Him, reigning together with Him, in heaven. We don't wait to die to find out if we will get into heaven! We’re already there! In my speaking about this in Indonesia I often say, “We’re not sit

LAMENTATIONS 3:A warning for the modern times is here in chapter 2: Lam. 2:14 NLT Your prophets have saidso many foolish things, false to the core.They did not save you from exileby pointing out your sins.Instead, they painted false pictures,filling you with false hope. The last so poignant line from yesterday’s reading was, 22 … “The enemy has killed all the childrenwhom I carried and raised.” Today Jeremiah again speaks in the first person. PROVERBS 12b:A favorite verse to introduce today’s proverbs: Pro. 12:23 NLT The wise don't make a show of their knowledge, but fools broadcast their foolishness. EPHESIANS 2:The first chapter has 4 instances of ‘joined with Christ’, and this chapter has seven. In his first chapter, Paul wrote in a formal style and showed his enthusiasm for his topic by his use of long sentences in Greek. Verse 3-14 are one long sentence, with a cascade of phrases modifying other phrases. And verses 15-23 are another long sentence. Long sentences like that seem clearer to me in Greek tha