The Tabernacle: Construction & Consecration

Wednesday 2021.06.30

This morning I finished reading about the construction and the dedication of the Tabernacle of the LORD in Exodus chapters 34 - 40. I have reached the end of the book of Exodus. Tomorrow, I will begin reading Leviticus using the New King James Version.

In the NT, I continued reading another three chapters of the Gospel of Matthew, covering the Sermon on the Mount, while in the LXX Apocrypha, I finished reading the last chapter of 2 Maccabees. Tomorrow, I will read the single chapter Prayer of Manasses.

Today's Passages:
Exodus 34:1 - 40:38 TEV --> Leviticus NKJV
Matthew 5:1 - 7:29 KJV
2 Maccabees 15:1 - 39 LXX --> Prayer of Manasses LXX

Sanctification, Anointing Oil, Incense

Tuesday 2021.06.29

In my OT reading from Exodus 29 - 33 today, I read about how the Sanctuary, with all its furnishings and utensils, and the priests themselves were to be sanctified with sprinkling of blood, and with a specially prepared anointing oil and sacred incense.

For my NT reading, I begin my 3rd Cycle with chapters 1 through 4 of the Gospel according to Matthew.

In the LXX Apocrypha, I finished the second last chapter of 2 Maccabees. Tomorrow I will read the last chapter, after which I will read the single-chapter Prayer of Manasses.

Today's Passages:
Exodus 29:1 - 33:23 TEV
Matthew 1:1 - 4:25 KJV
2 Maccabees 14:1 - 46 LXX

Checkpoint: end of NT 2nd Cycle

Monday 2021.06.28

Today I reached the end of the 2nd Cycle of my New Testament readings.

I started this cycle on 09Feb21, beginning with the Acts of the Apostles, gradually moving towards the book of Revelation. I had decided to leave the reading of the books of the Gospels to the end of the cycle.

Eventually, I finished reading Revelation on 06Jun21.

After that, I proceeded with reading the four Gospels beginning with Matthew. This took me about three weeks, and today I reached the last chapter of the Gospel of John.

Whilst my 1st NT Cycle took me nine months (14May20 - 08Feb21), this 2nd Cycle is faster and took me only about five months to complete (09Feb21 - 28Jun21).

Tomorrow, I will embark on my 3rd Cycle of NT reading, this time starting from Matthew and moving towards Revelations, from the first book of the NT to the last.

I hope to finish this cycle by the end of the year.

The plan of the Tabernacle

Monday 2021.06.28

In my OT readings today, I read from Exodus about the design of the Tabernacle: detailed specifications of the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Shewbread, the golden Lampstand, the curtains and covers and partitions for the Most Holy Place, the Holy Place, and the outer court.

In the NT, I finished reading the last two chapters of the Gospel of John. This brings me to the end of the 2nd Cycle of my NT readings, a cycle that I began about five months ago. Tomorrow I will embark on my 3rd Cycle of NT readings by starting all over again with the Gospel of Matthew.

My LXX Apocrypha reading continued with 2 Maccabees chapter 13

Passages:
Exodus 25:1 - 28:43 TEV
John 20:1 - 21:25 NIV --> Matthew KJV
2 Maccabees 13:1 - 26 LXX

Trial and Crucifixion of Iesous

Sunday 2021.06.27

Today I read about the trial and crucifixion of the Lord as recorded in John chapter seventeen through nineteen. In the OT, I continued reading another six chapters of Exodus, mostly about Moses receiving the Ten Commandments and the Law from Yehovah at Mt Sinai and writing them down in a scroll.

The LXX Apocrypha reading today is from 2 Maccabees chapter twelve.

Passages:
Exodus 19:1 - 24:18 TEV
John 17:1 - 19:42 NIV
2 Maccabees 12:1 - 45 LXX

Readings on Sabbath Day

Saturday 2021.06.26

Shabbat Shalom.

This Sabbath morning's readings cover chapters fifteen through eighteen of Exodus and chapters eleven through sixteen of the Gospel of John.

In the Septuagint Apocrypha, I read chapter eleven of 2 Maccabees.

Passages:
Exodus 15:1 - 18:27 TEV
John 11:1 - 16:33 NIV
2 Maccabees 11:1 - 38 LXX

Readings on a quiet Friday morning

Friday 2021.06.25

On this Preparation Day, the Sixth Day of the Week, I continued my readings with another four chapters of Exodus and two chapters of the Gospel according to John.

I also read 2 Maccabees chapter 10

Passages:
Exodus 11:1 - 14:31 TEV
John 9:1 - 10:42 NIV
2 Maccabees 10:1 - 38 LXX

A little step forward

Thursday 2021.06.24

Today, the Fifth Day of the Biblical Week, I move forward a few steps with reading five chapters of Exodus and four chapters of the Gospel of John.

In the Septuagint Apocrypha, I read chapter nine of 2 Maccabees.

Passages:
Exodus 6:1 - 10:29 TEV
John 5:1 - 8:59 NIV
2 Maccabees 9:1 - 29 LXX

One book left to complete NT Cycle 2

Wednesday 2021.06.23

Today I embark on the books of Exodus and John.

Exodus is the second book in my current 2nd Cycle of OT readings whilst the Gospel of John is the last book of my 2nd Cycle of NT readings. I look forward to finish reading all twenty-one chapters of John's Gospel in about a week or two, after which I will begin a new arrangement in my 3rd Cycle of NT.

As usual, I read another chapter of 2 Maccabees in the LXX Apocrypha.

Summary:
Exodus 1:1 - 5:23 TEV
John 1:1 - 4:54 NIV
2 Maccabees 8:1 - 36 LXX

Completed Genesis and Luke

Tuesday 2021.06.22

On this Third Day of the Biblical Week, I finished reading the last five chapters of Genesis and the last four chapters of the Gospel according to Luke.

Tomorrow I will begin reading the book of Exodus in Today's English Version in this 2nd Cycle of my OT readings. For my NT readings, I am approaching the end of my 2nd Cycle, with only the Gospel of John left to be read. I will begin reading John tomorrow using the New International Version.

In the Septuagint Apocrypha, I continued with chapter seven of 2 Maccabees.

Summary:
Genesis 46:1 - 50:26 NIV --> Exodus TEV
Luke 21:1 - 24:53 NKJV --> John NIV
2 Maccabees 7:1 - 42 LXX

Approaching end of Genesis and Luke

Monday 2021.06.21

Today I finished reading up to Genesis chapter forty-five and Luke chapter twenty. This leaves me with only five chapters of Genesis and four chapters of the Gospel of Luke before I reach the end of both books.

From the Septuagint Apocrypha, I read 2 Maccabees chapter six.

Summary:
Genesis 41:1 - 45:28 NIV
Luke 17:1 - 20:45 NKJV
2 Maccabees 6:1 - 31 LXX

Longer readings on this Sunday

Sunday 2021.06.20

On this First Day of the Biblical Week, I read five chapters of Genesis and seven chapters of Luke, along with my usual one chapter from the LXX Apocrypha, 2 Maccabees chapter 5

Summary:
Genesis 36:1 - 40:23 NIV
Luke 9:1 - 16:31 NKJV
2 Maccabees 5:1 - 27 LXX

Genesis and Luke on Sabbath Day

Saturday 2021.06.19

Shabbat Shalom

On this Sabbath Day, I continued reading another four chapters from each of the books of Genesis and Luke

I also read 2 Maccabees chapter four from the Septuagint Apocrypha.

Summary:
Genesis 32:1 - 35:29 NIV
Luke 5:1 - 8:56 NKJV
2 Maccabees 4:1 - 50 LXX

Quiet readings on Friday morning

Friday 2021.06.18

It was a cool and cloudy morning of this Sixth Day of the Week, a day of Preparation for the Sabbath Day of Rest which will commence at sunset this evening.

I read chapters twenty-nine through thirty-one of Genesis along with the first four chapters of the Gospel according to Luke.

In the Apocrypha, I read chapter three of 2 Maccabees.

Summary:
Genesis 29:1 - 31:55 NIV
Luke 1:1 - 4:44 NKJV
2 Maccabees 3:1 - 40 LXX

End of Mark's Gospel

Thursday 2021.06.17

Finished reading the last four chapters of the Gospel according to Mark. Tomorrow I will embark on the Gospel of Luke using the New King James Version.

In the OT, I read chapters twenty-five through twenty-eight of Genesis, while in the Apocrypha I read another chapter from 2 Maccabees.

Summary:
Genesis 25:1 - 28:22 NIV
Mark 13:1 - 16:20 TEV --> Luke NKJV
2 Maccabees 2:1 - 32 LXX

A short reading of Mark

Wednesday 2021.06.16

Read three chapters of the Gospel according to Mark, along with another five chapters of Genesis. For my Apocryphal reading, I started on the first chapter of 2 Maccabees

Summary:
Genesis 20:1 - 24:67 NIV
Mark 10:1 - 12:44 TEV
2 Maccabees 1:1 - 36 LXX

A good start to Mark's Gospel

Tuesday 2021.06.15

Today I embark on the Gospel of Mark, with only the remaining two Gospels to read before I complete my 2nd Cycle of NT readings. It is a good start as I make a big stride forward with nine chapters in this first portion of Mark.

Meanwhile in the OT, I covered chapters fifteen to nineteen of Genesis.

In my Apocryphal reading, I finished the last remaining two chapters of 1 Maccabees, bringing me to the end of a long and rather confusing history book. Tomorrow I will begin reading 2 Maccabees.

Summary:
Genesis 15:1 - 19:38 NIV
Mark 1:1 - 9:50 TEV
1 Maccabees 15:1 - 16:24 LXX

Finished reading Matthew

Monday 2021.06.14

Today, the Second Day of the Biblical Week, I proceeded with reading another four chapters of Genesis in this 2nd OT Cycle which started yesterday.

In my NT reading, I read the remaining ten chapters of the Gospel according to Matthew, leaving me with three more Gospels before I complete my 2nd NT Cycle. Tomorrow I will begin reading the Gospel according to Mark.

I also read chapter 14 of 1 Maccabees. There are two more chapters to go before I finish this long and somewhat tortuous book, after which I will embark on 2 Maccabees.

Summary:
Genesis 11:1 - 14:24 NIV
Matthew 19:1 - 28:20 KJV
1 Maccabees 14:1 - 49 LXX

Starting 2nd Cycle of OT

Sunday 2021.06.13
Malay: Hari Ahad, Hebrew: Rishon (the First Day)

Today is the first day of the Second Cyle of OT Readings where I begin reading from Genesis chapter one all over again.

I have read ten chapters from Genesis. I also read another ten chapters from the Gospel according to Matthew as I approach the remaining four books of the NT in my NT 2nd Cycle which I began four months ago in early February this year.

For my Apocryphal reading, I continued with chapter thirteen of 1 Maccabees.

Summary
Genesis 1:1 - 10:32 NIV
Matthew 9:1 - 18:35 KJV
1 Maccabees 13:1 - 53 LXX Brenton

Torah, Nevi'im, Khetuvim

Starting tomorrow, I will begin the Second Cycle of my daily readings of the Old Testament. Instead of following the usual order of books arranged in our English Bibles, I will adopt the divisions and order of books as arranged in Hebrew scriptures, namely, the Law (Torah), the Prophets (Nevi'im) and the Writings (Khetuvim). This order is mentioned by our Lord after His resurrection when He appeared to His disciples on the road to Emmaus, telling them,

Luke 24:44 KJV
These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

By following this traditional order, I will begin my readings with the book Genesis and end with 2 Chronicles.

The Hebrew division of OT books into Torah, Nevi'im, and Khetuvim are listed in the table below:

Torah	The Law	Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy
Nevi'im	Former Prophets	Joshua Judges Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings
	Latter Prophets	Isaiah Jeremiah Ezekiel +12 Minor Prophets written in one scroll: Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi
Khetuvim	The Writings	Psalms Proverbs Job +5 Megillot (Scrolls): Song of Songs Ruth Lamentations Ecclesiastes Esther +the books of : Daniel Ezra Nehemiah 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles

Checkpoint: End of OT Cycle 1

Today I completed my First Cycle of Old Testament readings.

I started this cycle of OT readings last year on 14May20, embarking on Genesis chapter 1, and while reading the NT and the Apocrypha concurrently, I reached the end of the book of Malachi this morning. It has been a thirteen-month journey of daily readings.

This is now Checkpoint time. Before I begin my Second Cycle of OT readings tomorrow, there are a few changes I'd like to make to my daily Bible readings.

Firstly, I will stop reading from my html Bibles which I downloaded from the web last year, mostly from versions such as the World English Bible, Bible in Basic English, J.N.Darby's Translation, American Standard Bible and the King James Version. Instead, I will be going back to reading from my printed Bibles which have been left collecting dust on my bookshelves over the past year. In particular, I'm looking forward to read from my old worn out copies of RSV, KJV, NKJV, NIV, and TEV.

Secondly, I will not be reading the OT in the order that is typically arranged in our English Bibles. Instead, I will follow the older order or divisions found in Hebrew Scriptures, that is, "the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings", as mentioned by our Lord after His Resurrection when He appeared to His disciples at Emmaus,

Luke 24:44 KJV
These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

In Hebrew scripture, this division of books is called, "Torah, Nevi'im, and Khetuvim". Torah means the Law, Nevi means Prophets and Khetuvim simply means books or writings. From these three Hebrew words, the acronym "TaNaKh" is coined which is used by Jewish people to refer to their scriptures today.

The order of OT books according to the divisions of the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings is listed here.

Thirdly, instead of reading two books concurrently from the OT as I have done throughout this recent First Cycle, I will slow down a little and read each book consecutively. This will enable me to cover more ground in my ongoing cycle of NT and Apocryphal readings which are read side-by-side with the OT everyday.

Looking forward to begin Cycle 2 of OT readings tomorrow, 13Jun2021, as I blow off the dust from my old printed Bibles from my bookshelf.

Finishing the last book of the OT

Saturday 2021.06.12
Malay: hari Sabtu, Hebrew: Shabbat (the Seventh Day)

Shabbat Shalom.

On this Sabbath Day of Rest, I finished reading the remaining five chapters of Zechariah followed by the entire four-chapter book of Malachi. I have arrived at the end of the Old Testament in this first cycle of OT readings which I started in May last year, a journey of fourteen months.

During these thirteen months, I have also read the New Testament and the Apocrypha concurrently. Having finished one cycle of the NT along the way, I am now on the final approach towards completing my NT readings, currently at Matthew chapter 8, with only the Gospels waiting to be read.

In my Apocryphal reading today, I read another chapter from 1 Maccabees.

Summary:
Zechariah 10:1 - 14:21 American Standard Version
Malachi 1:1 - 4:6 ASV
Matthew 8:1 - 34 King James Version
1 Maccabees 12:1 - 53 LXX Brenton

A sunny Sixth Day

Friday 2021.06.11
Malay: hari Jumaat, Hebrew: Shishi (the Sixth Day)

Today, the Sixth Day of the biblical week, is a sunny Friday morning as we prepare for the arrival of Sabbath at sundown this evening. I proceeded with another six chapters of the book of Zechariah, bringing me to chapter 9 and leaving me with only five more chapters before the end of the book.

In the NT, I read the entire Sermon on the Mount from Matthew chapters five through seven, while in the LXX Apocrypha, I read yet another long chapter from the convoluted stories of 1 Maccabees

Summary:
Zechariah 4:1 - 9:17 American Standard Version
Matthew 5:1 - 7:29 King James Version
1 Maccabees 11:1 - 74 Septuagint Brenton

A very long chapter

Thursday 2021.06.10
Malay: hari Khamis, Hebrew: Chamishi (the Fifth Day)

Today I read the longest chapter so far in this cycle of OT readings: 89 verses in chapter ten of 1 Maccabees. I have also finished reading the two chapters in the short book of Haggai, leaving me only with Zechariah (which I have begun reading today) and Malachi as the remaining books of the OT.

With only eleven chapters of Zechariah and four chapters of Malachi left to be read, I will stop my concurrent reading of two books a day in the OT. From tomorrow onwards, I will be reading only Zechariah, after which I will proceed with Malachi, the final book of the OT. That will conclude the first cycle of OT reading which began in May last year.

Summary:
Haggai 1:1 - 2:23 J.N.Darby's Translation --> (ended)
Zechariah 1:1 - 3:10 American Standard Version
Matthew 4:1 - 25 King James Version
1 Maccabees 10:1 - 89 Septuagint Brenton

Finished Habakkuk and Zephaniah

Wednesday 2021.06.09
Malay: hari Rabu, Hebrew: Revi'i (the Fourth Day)

Today I finished reading the books of Habakkuk and Zephaniah, both being short books of three chapters each. Tomorrow, I will begin reading Haggai and Zechariah as I continue my journey through the minor prophets in the OT.

There are only twenty chapters of the OT left for me to finish reading in this current (and first) cycle of my OT readings, i.e. two chapters of Haggai, fourteen chapters of Zechariah, and finally four chapters of Malachi. After that, I will go back to Genesis and begin my second cycle of OT readings.

In the NT, I read chapter three of the Gospel according to Matthew, while in the Septuagint Apocrypha, I moved on to 1 Maccabees chapter nine.

Summary:
Habakkuk 3:1 - 19 Bible in Basic English
Zephaniah 3:1 - 20 World English Bible
Matthew 3:1 - 17 King James Version
1 Maccabees 9:1 - 73 LXX Brenton

One chapter from each book

Tuesday 2021.06.08
Malay: hari Selasa, Hebrew: Shlishi (the Third Day)

Another day of short readings, moving forward by one chapter from each of the four books: Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Matthew, and a short chapter form 1 Maccabees.

Summary:
Habakkuk 2:1 - 20 Bible in Basic English
Zephaniah 2:1 - 15 World English Bible
Matthew 2:1 - 23 King James Version
1 Maccabees 8:1 - 32 LXX Brenton

Short readings on a Monday

Monday 2021.06.07
Malay: hari Isnin, Hebrew: Sheni (Second Day)

On this second day of the biblical week, I read only one chapter from each of the books of Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Matthew and 1 Maccabees

Today is a day of short readings

Summary:
Habakkuk 1:1 - 17 Bible in Basic English
Zephaniah 1:1 - 18 World English Bible
Matthew 1:1 - 25 King James Version
1 Maccabees 7:1 - 50 LXX Brenton

Moving forward

Sunday 2021.06.06
Malay: Hari Ahad, Hebrew: Rishon (First Day of the Week)

After taking a rest from my reading on Sabbath Day yesterday, today on this First Day of the biblical week, I take a bigger stride forward by reading entire books of the prophets Micah (seven chapters) and Nahum (three chapters) besides finishng the last five chapters of the book of Revelation in the NT.

From the Apocrypha, I read another long chapter of sixty-three verses from 1 Maccabees 6

Tomorrow I will be embarking on three new books, viz. Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and the Gospel according to Matthew.

Summary:
Micah 1:1 - 7:20 American Standard Version
Nahum 1:1 - 3:19 King James Version
Revelation 18:1 - 22:21 Weymouth New Testament
1 Maccabees 6:1 - 63 LXX Brenton

No readings today

Saturday 2021.06.05
Malay: Hari Sabtu, Hebrew: Shabbat (Seventh Day of the Week)

On this Sabbath day of rest, I took a day off from my daily readings to rest and recuperate from the side effects of vaccination which I received four days ago.

Completed Ezekiel and Jonah

Friday 2021.06.04
Malay: Hari Jumaat, Hebrew: Shishi (Sixth Day)

On this Sixth Day of the biblical week, a day of Preparation for Sabbath that will begin at sundown this evening, I finished the last four chapters of Ezekiel together with the entire book of Jonah.

In the NT I read Revelation chapter seventeen while in the Apocrypha I read another long chapter of sixty-eight verses from 1 Maccabees.

Tomorrow I will begin Micah and Nahum for my Sabbath Day readings.

Summary:
Ezekiel 45:1 - 48:35 ASV
Jonah 1:1 - 4:11 KJV
Revelation 17:1 - 18 ASV
1 Maccabees 5:1 - 68 LXX

Another six chapers of Ezekiel

Thursday 2021.06.03
Malay: Hari Khamis, Hebrew: Chamishi (Fifth Day)

On this Fifth day of the week, after the mild side-effects of my vaccination has subsided, I press on with another six chapters of Ezekiel, bringing me to the 44th chapter. I also read the single-chapter book of the prophet Obadiah, along with chapter sixteen of Revelation.

In the Apocrypha, I read another long chapter from 1 Maccabees in the LXX.

Tomorrow, I will begin reading the book of Jonah.

Summary:
Ezekiel 39:1 - 44:31 American Standard Version
Obadiah 1:1 - 21 King James Version
Revelation 16:1 - 21 ASV
1 Maccabees 4:1 - 61 LXX Brenton

A double portion

Wednesday 2021.06.02
Malay: Hari Rabu, Hebrew: Revi'i (Fourth Day)

Having taken a rest from Bible readings yesterday because of may vaccination, I decided to read a double portion today: six chapters each from Ezekiel and Amos, two chapters from Revelation, and another long chapter of sixty verses from 1 Maccabees.

I have reached the end of the book of Amos. Tomorrow, I will start to read Obadiah.

Summary: Ezekiel 33:1 - 38:23 American Standard Version
Amos 4:1 - 9:15 King James Version
Revelation 14:1 - 15:8 American Standard Version
1 Maccabees 3:1 - 60 LXX Brenton

No readings today

Tuesday 2021.06.01
Malay: hari Selasa, Hebrew: Shlishi (Third Day)

Today I went for my second dose of Covid-19 vaccination and came back home to rest for most of the day. I couldn't do any Bible reading for today.