Do not work for food that perishes

Sunday 2021.10.31

Today, for my Old Testament reading, I read chapters 26 to 31 of the Book of Job.

In the New Testament, I read chapters 5 and 6 of the Gospel according to John.

In John chapter 6 verses 27 to 29, our Lord Iesus told the crowds of people who came to him for more food after he had fed 5,000 of them with five loaves and two fish on the previous day, not to work for food that perishes but instead for food that brings about eternal life. When the people asked him what kind of work this is, Iesus replied, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent".

John 6:27 - 29 NRSV New Revised Standard Version

27Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.’ 28Then they said to him, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’ 29Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’

Further on in verses 47 to 51, our Lord told the Jews who were murmuring against him, that he is the living bread that came down from heaven, and that whoever believes in him has eternal life.

John 6:47 - 51 NRSV

47Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48I am the bread of life. 49Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’

Over the last eleven years, I have written my observations about the words of our Lord Iesus in John chapter 6 in my devotional blog, links below:

• The Heavenly Man (2010)
• The Heavenly Man (2012)
• Words of Life (2017)
• Iesus, ascending to where he was before (2019)

Today I read a total of one hundred and sixty-one verses from the Old Testament and a hundred and eighteen verses from the New Testament.

Tomorrow, I will go on to read Job chapter 32 and John chapter 7.

Today's Passages:
Job 26:1 - 31:40 NIV (161 verses)
John 5:1 - 6:71 NRSV (118 verses)

I shall come forth as gold

Saturday 2021.10.30

Shabbat Shalom.

On this Sabbath Day, I read Job chapters 15 to 25 from the Old Testament and John chapters 3 and 4 from the New Testament.

In Job's answers to his friends' accusations, Job likened the painful trials that he was going through to gold being tested by fire.

Job 23:10b NKJV New King James Version

. . . When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold

A similar analogy is used by the Apostle Peter in chapter 1 of his First Epistle, telling the believers that the grievious trials they faced would prove the genuineness of their faith which was more precious than gold and which was tested by fire.

1 Peter 1:6 - 7 NKJV

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

Today I have read a total of two hundred and sixty-four verses from the Old Testament and ninety verses from the New Testament.

Tomorrow I will continue to read Job chapter 26 and John chapter 5

Today's Passages:
Job 15:1 - 25:6 NKJV (264 verses)
John 3:1 - 4:54 RBV (90 verses)

The Word of God

Friday 2021.10.29

Today is the Sixth Day of the Biblical Week. It is Preparation Day. Let us make preparations to rest for the Seventh Day Sabbath which will begin after sunset this evening.

This afternoon for my Old Testament reading, I read chapters 10 to 14 of the Book of Job.

In the New Testament, I began reading the Gospel according to John, covering the first two chapters.

The Gospel of John begins with a detailed description of the origin, advent, and purpose of the Word of God. The first eighteen verses of chapter one tells us at least eight things about the Word of God.

(1) The Word was with God in the beginning.

John 1:1 - 2 ASV American Standard Version

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.

(2) All things were created through the Word.

John 1:3 ASV

3 All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made.

(3) Life and Light was in the Word

John 1:4 - 5 ASV

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not.

(4) The Word came into the world but the world did not recognise him. His own people rejected him.

John 1:9 - 11 ASV

9 There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not.

(5) Whoever received him by believing on his name was given the right to become children of God.

John 1:12 - 13 ASV

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

(6) The Word came into this world physically, "in the flesh".

John 1:14 ASV

14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth.

(7) John the Baptist bore witness of the Word and the Grace and Truth of God that came by the Word.

John 1:15 - 17 ASV

15 John beareth witness of him, and crieth, saying, This was he of whom I said, He that cometh after me is become before me: for he was before me.
16 For of his fulness we all received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

(8) The Word was in the bosom of God the Father, was the Only Begotten Son of God, and had declared God to us.

John 1:18 ASV

18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Today I read a total of one hundred and seventeen verses from the Old Testament and seventy-six verses from the New Testament.

Tomorrow I will continue my reading with Job chapter 15 and John chapter 3.

Today's Passages:
Job 10:1 - 14:22 KJV (117 verses)
John 1:1 - 2:25 ASV (76 verses)

They rested on the Sabbath

Thursday 2021.10.28

In my Old Testament reading today, I read chapters 6 to 9 of the Book of Job using the Good News Bible, while in the New Testament I finished reading the last three chapters of the Gospel of Luke from the King James Version.

Luke chapter 23 verses 54 to 56 tells us that, after the crucifixion and burial of our Lord Iesus the Anointed One, it was approaching sunset of Preparation Day (the Sixth Day) and the Sabbath was drawing near. Having looked at how the body of our Lord was laid in the tomb prepared by Joseph of Arimathea, the women who followed Iesus returned home, prepared spices and ointments and rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

Luke 23:54 - 56 KJV

54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.
55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.
56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, tomorrow will be Preparation Day, the Sixth Day of the Week. Like the women who followed Iesus in Luke chapter 23, let us prepare to rest on the sabbath according to the Fourth Commandment after sunset tomorrow.

Today I have read a total of one hundred and eight verses from the Old Testament and a hundred and seventy verses from the New Testament.

I have finished reading the Gospel of Luke. Tomorrow I will begin reading the Gospel of John for my New Testament reading. Meanwhile, I will continue with Job chapter 10 for my Old Testament reading.

Today's Passages:
Job 6:1 - 9:35 GNB (108 verses)
Luke 22:1 - 24:43 KJV (170 verses)

Naked I came, Naked shall I return

Wednesday 2021.10.27

Today in my Old Testament reading I read began reading the Book of Job, covering the first five chapters.

For my New Testament reading, I read chapters 20 and 21 of the Gospel according to Luke.

Job chapter 1 tells us that Job was a wealthy man. He had 7 sons and 3 daughters. He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 she-asses, and very many servants.

All these were taken away from Job in one day.

Verses 20 to 22 tells of Job's well known response to his great loss:

Job 1:20 - 22 RSV Revised Standard Version
Then Job arose, and rent his robe, and shaved his head, and fell upon the ground, and worshipped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return; the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

Job was a patient man. In the Epistle General of James, a reference is made about the steadfastness of Job in chapter 5 verse 11, how his steadfastness brought forth the purpose of God in his life:

James 5:11 RSV Behold, we call those happy who were steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Today I have read a total of one hundred and nine verses from the Old Testament and eighty-five verses from the New Testament.

Tomorrow I will be reading Job chapter 6 and Luke chapter 22

Today's Passages:
Job 1:1 - 5:27 RSV (109 verses)
Luke 20:1 - 21:38 GNB (85 verses)

Sayings of Agur ben Jakeh

Tuesday 2021.10.26

This afternoon I read through Proverbs 28 to 31 for my Old Testament reading using the New International Version. In the New Testament, I read chapters 18 and 19 of the Gospel of Luke using the Bible in Basic English.

Proverbs chapter 30 is written by Agur ben Jakeh. It contains a set of utterances meant to be read in the hearing of Uthiel. Among the most notable words of wisdom in this chapter are classifications of things in life that come in sets of four, namely

1. Four things that never say enough v.15 - 16
2. Four things too amazing to understand v.18 - 19
3. Four things that make the earth tremble v.21 - 23
4. Four things small but exremely wise v.24 - 28, and
5. Four things that are stately in stride v.29 - 31

Proverbs 30:15 - 16 NIV

‘There are three things that are never satisfied,
four that never say, “Enough!”:
---- the grave
---- and the barren womb;
---- land, which is never satisfied with water,
---- and fire, which never says, “Enough!”

Proverbs 30:18 - 19 NIV

There are three things that are too amazing for me,
four that I do not understand:
---- the way of an eagle in the sky,
---- the way of a snake on a rock,
---- the way of a ship on the high seas,
---- and the way of a man with a young woman.

Proverbs 30:21 - 23 NIV

Under three things the earth trembles,
under four it cannot bear up:
---- a servant who becomes king,
---- a godless fool who gets plenty to eat,
---- a contemptible woman who gets married,
---- and a servant who displaces her mistress.

Proverbs 30:24 - 28 NIV

Four things on earth are small,
---- yet they are extremely wise:
ants are creatures of little strength,
---- yet they store up their food in the summer;
hyraxes are creatures of little power,
---- yet they make their home in the crags;
locusts have no king,
---- yet they advance together in ranks;
a lizard can be caught with the hand,
---- yet it is found in kings’ palaces.

Proverbs 30:29 - 31 NIV

There are three things that are stately in their stride,
four that move with stately bearing:
---- a lion, mighty among beasts, who retreats before nothing;
---- a strutting cock,
---- a he-goat,
---- and a king secure against revolt.

Today I have read a total of one hundred and nineteen verses from the Old Testament and ninety-one verses from the New Testament.

In the Old Testament, I have finished reading the Book of Proverbs (the second book under the Khetuvim division of Hebrew Scripture). Tomorrow I will proceed with the Book of Job using the New King James Version.

Meanwhile in the New Testament, I will continue reading chapter 20 of the Gospel of Luke using the Good News Bible.

Today's Passages:
Proverbs 28:1 - 31:31 NIV(119 verses)
Luke 18:1 - 19:41 BBE (91 verses)

Coals of fire on his head

Monday 2021.10.25

This afternoon, my Old Testament reading brought me through Proverbs 25 to 27 in the Brenton Septuagint. For my New Testament reading, I read chapters 16 and 17 of the Gospel of Luke in Young's Literal Translation.

Proverbs 25 verses 21 and 22 are well known verses quoted by in the New Testament by the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:18 - 20

Romans 12:18 - 20 KJV

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. (Deut 32:35)
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. (Prov 25:21,22)

Proverbs 25:21 LXX Brenton

21 If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink;
22 for so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee with good.

A question many have asked about this verse is, "What does heaping coals of fire upon one's head mean?". In order to get a better understanding of this expression, I went through other chapters of the Book of Proverbs to see if similar expressions are used in other contexts.

Whilst I couldn't find any other passages in Proverbs that talk about heaping coals of fire, I found expressions talking about having God's blessings on one's head (Proverbs 10:6, 22; 11:26) and another about wearing a crown of grace on the head (Proverbs 1:8).

Proverbs 11:26 LXX Brenton

26 May he that hoards corn leave it to the nation: but blessing be on the head of him that gives it.

Proverbs 10:6, 22 LXX

6 The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the just: but untimely grief shall cover the mouth of the ungodly.
22 The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the righteous; it enriches him, and grief of heart shall not be added to it.

Proverbs 1:8 LXX

8 Hear, my son, the instruction of thy father, and reject not the rules of thy mother.
9 For thou shalt receive for thine head a crown of graces, and a chain of gold round thy neck.

From the above observations, one may say that heaping coals of fire on the head is the opposite of receiving the blessing of the LORD, or having a crown of honour (crown of graces) on the head. One can either wear the blessing of God on one's head, or else wear the shame of fiery coals.

As such, heaping coals of fire on the enemy's head can imply making the person feel ashamed, giving him a crown of shame, if you like, as opposed to wearing a crown of honour and blessings from the God Almighty. In other words, when we feed our enemy when he is hungry, and give him a drink when he is thirsty, we are making him feel ashamed of himself.

Brothers and Sisters in Iesus the Anointed One, let us not avenge ourselves of any wrong that our enemies do to us. Let us instead do good to them, that they may realise and feel ashamed of their wrongdoings.

Today, I have read a total of eighty-thre verses from the Old Testament and sixty-eight verses from the New Testament. Tomorrow I will be reading Proverbs 28 and Luke chapter 18.

Today's Passages:
Proverbs 25:1 - 27:27 LXX(83 verses)
Luke 16:1 - 17:37 YLT (68 verses)

A poem about wine

Sunday 2021.10.24

On this First Day of the Biblical Week, I read Proverbs 22 to 24 from the Old Testament using the New King James Version.

In the New Testament, I read chapters 14 and 15 of the Gospel of Luke using the Weymouth New Testament.

Proverbs 23 contains a poetic passage about the perils of being addicted to wine. It concludes with the statement, "When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?", a poignant reminder of the endless whirlpool into which a drunkard descends.

Proverbs 23:29 - 35 NKJV
Who has woe?
---- Who has sorrow?
Who has contentions?
---- Who has complaints?
Who has wounds without cause?
---- Who has redness of eyes?

Those who linger long at the wine,
---- Those who go in search of mixed wine.

Do not look on the wine when it is red,
---- When it sparkles in the cup,
---- When it swirls around smoothly;

At the last it bites like a serpent,
---- And stings like a viper.
Your eyes will see strange things,
---- And your heart will utter perverse things.

Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
---- Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying:
“They have struck me, but I was not hurt;
---- They have beaten me, but I did not feel it.

When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?”

Today I have read a total of ninety-eight verses from the Old Testament and sixty-seven verses from the New Testament.

Tomorrow I shall read Proverbs chapter 25 using the Septuagint (Brenton) and Luke chapter 16 using Young's Literal Translation.

Today's Passages:
Proverbs 22:1 - 24:34 NKJV (98 verses)
Luke 14:1 - 15:32 WNT (67 verses)

Give alms: keep your lamps burning

Saturday 2021.10.23

Shabbat Shalom. Today is the Seventh Day of the Biblical Week. Let us keep the Fourth Commandment by resting from all our work until sunset this evening.

My Old Testament reading this morning covers Proverbs 19 to 21 using the Good News Bible. In the New Testament, I read Luke chapters 12 and 13 using J.N.Darby's Translation.

Luke chapter 12 carries an account of our Lord Iesus the Anointed One teaching the people to build up an everlasting treasure in heaven by giving alms. Immediately after saying this, our Lord goes on to remind his followers to keep their lamps burning and watch for the Lord's return.

Luke 12:29 - 37 JND J N Darby's Translation
29 And *ye*, seek not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink, and be not in anxiety;
30 for all these things do the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that ye have need of these things;
31 but seek his kingdom, and all these things shall be added to you.
32 Fear not, little flock, for it has been the good pleasure of your Father to give you the kingdom.
33 Sell what ye possess and give alms; make to yourselves purses which do not grow old, a treasure which does not fail in the heavens, where thief does not draw near nor moth destroy.
34 For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
35 Let your loins be girded about, and lamps burning;
36 and *ye* like men who wait their own lord whenever he may leave the wedding, that when he comes and knocks, they may open to him immediately.
37 Blessed are those bondmen whom the lord on coming shall find watching; verily I say unto you, that he will gird himself and make them recline at table, and coming up will serve them.

The above passage brought up one question in my thoughts,
"Is building up treasure in heaven (giving alms) part and parcel of watching and waiting for the return of our Lord Iesus? Do we keep our lamps burning by continually giving to the poor and needy?"

These are questions I ponder over on this day of Shabbat.

Today, I have read a total of ninety verses from the Old Testament and another ninety-four verses from the New Testament. Tomorrow, I will be reading Proverbs 22 using the New King James Version along with Luke chapter 14 using the Weymouth New Testament.

Today's Passages:
Proverbs 19:1 - 21:31 GNB (90 verses)
Luke 12:1 - 13:35 JND (94 verses)

I praise You Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth

Friday 2021.10.22

Today is the Sixth Day of the Biblical Week. It is Preparation Day. Let us finish all our tasks for the week and prepare to rest for the Seventh Day Sabbath which will begin at sunset this evening.

This afternoon I read Proverbs 16 to 18 from the KJV for my Old Testament reading, while my New Testament reading covered chapters 10 and 11 of the Gospel of Luke from the RBV.

Luke chapter 10 verse 21 records the account of our Lord Iesus the Anointed One praising God for revealing His Kingdom to simple, uneducated people, whom he referred to as "babes", and hiding it from those who think of themselves as "learned and intelligent".

Luke 10:21 RBV

"At that time Iesus exulted in the Holy Spirit and said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have concealed this from the learned and intelligent and have revealed it to babes. Yes, Father, for thus it was pleasing in Your presence. . . ."

Note that verse 21 above begins by saying that our Lord Iesus "exulted in the Holy Spirit" when he uttered his praise to God, the Lord of heaven and earth. This reminds me of two earlier instances in the Gospel of Luke where our Lord was described as being filled with the Holy Spirit.

The first is in Luke 3:22 where the Holy Spirit descended upon our Lord in the form of a dove just after he was baptised by John the Baptist. The second instance is in the following chapter, in Luke 4:1, where our Lord was filled with the Holy Spirit when he returned from his baptism at the Jordan River, and was guided by the Spirit as he proceeded to the desert for 40 days of fasting.

Luke 3:21 - 22 RBV Revised Berkeley Version

When all the people were being baptised, Iesus too was baptized and, while he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit came down on him, in bodily shape like a dove, and a voice came from heaven, "You are My beloved Son; in you I am well pleased!"

Luke 4:1 RBV

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Iesus returned from the Jordan River and for 40 days was guided in the desert by the Spirit, . . .

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, are you filled and guided by the Holy Spirit? Let us be always filled with the Holy Spirit. Like our Lord Iesus, let us exult in the Holy Spirit and give praise to God our Father in Heaven. And like our Lord, let us be guided by the Spirit of God in all we do.

Today I have read a total of eighty-five verses from the Old Testament and ninety-six verses from the New Testament. Tomorrow I will proceed with reading Proverbs 19 using the Good News Bible and Luke chapter 12 using J.N.Darby's Translation.

Today's Passages:
Proverbs 16:1 - 18:24 KJV (85 verses)
Luke 10:1 - 11:54 RBV (96 verses)

Guard your lips, Guard your life

Thursday 2021.10.21

For my Old Testament reading this afternoon, I read through Proverbs 13 to 15 using the NIV.

In the New Testament, I read chapters 8 and 9 of the Gospel of Luke from the KJV.

Proverbs 13 verse 3 carries a reminder for us to guard our speech, to be careful with what we say, for rash words can bring us into ruin.

Proverbs 13:3 NIV

He who guards his lips guards his life
---- but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.

I am also reminded of the teaching of the Apostle James in chapter 3 of his Epistle General about the tongue being "a world of evil" among the parts of our body, setting our life on fire.

James 3:3 - 6 NIV

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

Brothers and Sisters, let us guard our speech. Let us restrain our lips. Let us bridle our tongues.

Today I have read a total of ninety-three verses from the Old Testament and a hundred and eighteen verses from the New Testament. Tomorrow I will go on to read Proverbs 16 from the King James Ver and Luke chapter 10 from the Revised Berkeley Ver.

Today's Passages:
Proverbs 13:1 - 15:33 NIV (93 verses)
Luke 8:1 - 9:62 KJV (118 verses)

Two gems from Proverbs 10

Wednesday 2021.10.20

This afternoon I read Proverbs 10 to 12 for my Old Testament reading. In the New Testament, I read chapters 6 and 7 of the Gospel of Luke

Proverbs chapter 10 contains two gems of advice which have been precious to me since my university days more than forty years ago. They are found in verses 19 and 26

Proverbs 10:19 NKJV

In the multitude of words, sin is not lacking
---- but he who restrains his lips is wise.

Proverbs 10:26 NKJV

As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes
---- so is the sluggard to those who send him.

Taken together, these two gems of advice teaches us to talk less and work more, to refrain from careless chatter and to devote ourselves to diligent work.

Today I have read a total of ninety-one verses from the Old Testament and another ninety-nine verses from the New Testament. Tomorrow I will continue with reading Proverbs 13 using the New International Version and Luke chapter 8 using the King James Version.

Today's Passages:
Proverbs 10:1 - 12:28 NKJV (91 verses)
Luke 6:1 - 7:50 ASV (99 verses)

Born before the oceans, Born before the mountains

Tuesday 2021.10.19

For my OT reading this afternoon, I read through Proverbs chapters 7 to 9 from the Good News Bible. In the NT I read the Gospel of Luke chapters 4 and 5.

Proverbs chapter 8 contains a long passage where the Wisdom of God is personified, describing herself in the first person. I was surprised by verses 22 and 23 in particular which says Wisdom was created by Yehovah in the very beginning before the world began.

This made me wonder whether the Wisdom of God described here is identical to the Word of God described in John 1:1 - 2, "In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God, and the Word was God. From the very beginning the Word was with God" (GNB).

Proverbs 8:12 - 31 GNB
12 I am Wisdom, and I have insight;
---- I have knowledge and sound judgement.
13 To honour the LORD is to hate evil;
---- I hate pride and arrogance, evil ways and false words.
14 I make plans and carry them out.
---- I have understanding, and I am strong.
15 I help kings to govern
---- and rulers to make good laws.
16 Every ruler on earth governs with my help,
---- officials and nobles alike.
17 I love those who love me;
---- whoever looks for me can find me.
18 I have riches and honour to give,
---- prosperity and success.
19 What you get from me is better than the finest gold,
---- better than the purest silver.
20 I walk the way of righteousness;
---- I follow the paths of justice,
21 giving wealth to those who love me,
---- filling their houses with treasures.
22 “The LORD created me first of all,
---- the first of his works, long ago.
23 I was made in the very beginning,
---- at the first, before the world began.
24 I was born before the oceans,
---- when there were no springs of water.
25 I was born before the mountains,
---- before the hills were set in place,
26 before God made the earth and its fields
---- or even the first handful of soil.
27 I was there when he set the sky in place,
---- when he stretched the horizon across the ocean,
28---- when he placed the clouds in the sky,
when he opened the springs of the ocean
29---- and ordered the waters of the sea to rise no further than he said.
I was there when he laid the earth's foundations.
30---- I was beside him like an architect,
I was his daily source of joy,
---- always happy in his presence —
31 happy with the world
---- and pleased with the human race.

Today I read a total of ninety-one verses from the OT and another eighty-three verses from the NT. Tomorrow I will continue with reading Proverbs chapter 10 using the New King James Version and Luke chapter 6 using the American Standard Version.

Today's Passages:
Proverbs 7:1 - 9:18 GNB (91 verses)
Luke 4:1 - 5:39 WEB (83 verses)

Mary kept these things in her heart

Monday 2021.10.18

Today I read through Proverbs 4 to 6 for my OT reading. In the NT, I read Luke chapters 2 and 3.

Luke chapter 2 tells us of the events surrounding the birth of our Lord Iesus in Bethlehem of Judea and of his visits to Jerusalem in his childhood years. In particular, the chapter mentions two instances when Mary kept in her heart certain things that she heard: first from the shepherds who came to see the new born baby Iesus in the manger in Bethlehem, and second from Iesus himself when he was twelve years old when he stayed back to debate with learned men at the temple of Jerusalem.

Luke 2:15 - 19 KJV
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Luke 2:46 - 51 KJV
And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

I wrote three devotional blogposts on "What Mary kept in her heart" eleven years ago in January 2010, links below:

• What Mary Kept in Her Heart Part One
• What Mary Kept in Her Heart Part Two
• What Mary Kept in Her Heart Part Three

Today I have read a total of eighty-five verses from the OT and ninety verses from the NT. Tomorrow I will read Proverbs chapter 7 from the Good News Bible and Luke chapter 4 from the World English Bible.

Today's Passages:
Proverbs 4:1 - 6:35 RBV (85 verses)
Luke 2:1 - 3:38 BBE (90 verses)

When wisdom entereth into thine heart

Sunday 2021.10.17

On this First Day of the Biblical Week, I read Proverbs chapters 1 to 3 in the OT and Luke chapter 1 in the NT

Proverbs chapter 2 begins with the writer urging the reader to "incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding", telling the reader to cry out for knowledge and wisdom.

In verses 11 and 12, we read that when wisdom enters our hearts, discretion and understanding will protect us and deliver us from evil people around us.

Proverbs 2:10 - 12 KJV

10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart,
- - and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
11 Discretion shall preserve thee,
- - understanding shall keep thee:
12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man,
- - from the man that speaketh froward things;

Today I read a total of ninety verses from the OT and eighty verses from the NT.

Today's Passages:
Proverbs 1:1 - 3:35 KJV (90 verses)
Luke 1:1 - 80 WNT (80 verses)

They gave out of abundance, she out of destitution

Saturday 2021.10.16

Shabbat Shalom. Today is the Seventh Day of the Biblical Week. Let us keep the Fourth Commandment by rest from all our work in remembrance of the Sabbath.

In my OT reading today, I finished reading the last fourteen psalms, from Psalm 137 to Psalm 150 in the Book of Psalms. Tomorrow I will go on to read the Book of Proverbs using the King James Version

In my NT reading, I finished the last six chapters of the Gospel of Mark and I will continue with the Gospel of Luke tomorrow using the Weymouth New Testament.

The last four verses of Mark chapter 12 tells of a widow who came to the treasury of the temple, and while many rich people were giving much money to the treasury, this poor widow put in only two small coins. Upon seeing this, the Lord Iesou called his disciples and told them, most probably to their surprise, that this widow had cast in more money than all the others.

Mark 12:41 - 44 JND

41 And Jesus, having sat down opposite the treasury, saw how the crowd was casting money into the treasury; and many rich cast in much.
42 And a poor widow came and cast in two mites, which is a farthing.
43 And having called his disciples to him he said to them, Verily I say unto you, This poor widow has cast in more than all who have cast into the treasury:
44 for all have cast in of that which they had in abundance, but she of her destitution has cast in all that she had, the whole of her living.

In today's readings, I have read a total of 166 verses from the OT and 253 verses from the NT.

Today's Passages:
Psalm 137:1 - 150:6 NIV (166 verses)
Mark 11:1 - 16:20 JND (253 verses)

Suffer little children to come unto me

Friday 2021.10.15

Today is the Sixth Day of the Biblical Week. It is Preparation Day. Let us finish all our tasks for the week, tie up all loose ends, and prepare to rest for the Seventh Day Shabbat beginning at sunset this evening.

This afternoon in my OT reading, I read Psalms 131 to 136, while my NT reading covered Mark chapters 9 and 10.

Mark chapter 10 contains an account of our Lord Iesou becoming much displeased with his disciples for rebuking some parents who brought their children to be touched by the Lord, telling his disciples that whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child will not enter into it. This passage contains the well known words of our Lord, "Suffer little children to come unto me . . . ".

About forty-five years ago, some time in 1977, I heard these words being sung in a song during Sunday Service in Wesley Methodist Church Kuala Lumpur. I would like to learn to sing that song again.

Mark 10:13 - 16 KJV

13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

In April last year, I wrote a poem using these words of our Lord, "Suffer little children", in my poetry blog, link below:

• Suffer Little Children

Tomorrow I will continue my OT reading with Psalm 137 using the New International Version. For my NT reading, I will proceed with chapter 11 in the Gospel of Mark using J.N.Darby's Translation.

Today's Passages:
Psalm 131:1 - 136:26 NKJV -- Ps 137 NIV
Mark 9:1 - 10:52 KJV -- Mk 11 JND

Ye leave the commandment of God

Thursday 2021.10.14

In the OT this afternoon, I read through Psalms 120 to 130 from the Good News Bible. In the NT, I read the Gospel of Mark chapters 7 and 8 from the American Standard Version.

Mark chapter 7 verses 1 to 8 records the account of the Pharisees and scribes questioning our Lord about the failure of his disciples to adhere to their strict tradition of washing hands before meals, one of many other such traditions of bathing, and washing cups, pots and bronze vessels. In their view, failure to observe any of these "tradition of the elders" results in being defiled.

In verses 6 to 8, our Lord Iesous quoted Isaiah 29:13 (Esaias 29:13) from the Septuagint and rebuked them for leaving the commandment of God and instead adhering to the tradition of men.

Mark 7:1 - 8 ASV

1 And there are gathered together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, who had come from Jerusalem,
2 and had seen that some of his disciples ate their bread with defiled, that is, unwashen, hands.
3 (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands diligently, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders;
4 and when they come from the market-place, except they bathe themselves, they eat not; and many other things there are, which they have received to hold, washings of cups, and pots, and brasen vessels.)
5 And the Pharisees and the scribes ask him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with defiled hands?
6 And he said unto them, Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoreth me with their lips, But their heart is far from me.
7 But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.
8 Ye leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men.

Esaias 29:13 LXX Brenton

And the Lord has said, This people draw nigh to me with their mouth, and they honour me with their lips, but their heart is far from me: but in vain do they worship me, teaching the commandments and doctrines of men.

Tomorrow, I will be reading the OT from Psalm 131 using the New King James Version, while in the NT I will continue with Mark chapter 9 using the King James Version.

Today's Passages:
Psalm 120:1 - 130:8 GNB -- Ps 131 NKJV
Mark 7:1 - 8:38 ASV -- Mk 9 KJV

A Lamp to my feet, A Light for my path

Wednesday 2021.10.13

My OT reading for today is from Psalm 119, a long psalm with 176 verses. For my NT reading, I read chapters 5 and 6 from the Gospel of Mark.

Psalm 119 verse 105 is a well known verse from the Psalms, reminding us to look to the Word of God to light up our path as we walk along in life.

Psalm 119:105 NIV

Your word is a lamp to my feet
- and a light for my path.

Today's Passages:
Psalm 119:1 - 176 NIV -- Ps 120 GNB
Mark 5:1 - 6:56 GNB -- Mk 7 ASV

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same

Tuesday 2021.10.12

Today my OT reading brings me through Psalms 111 to 118 in the King James Version. My NT reading covers the Gospel of Mark chapters 3 and 4 in the World English Bible.

The first three verses of Psalm 113 in the King James Version are used in the lyrics of a well known song of praise, "From the Rising of the Sun".

Psalm 113:1 - 3 KJV

1 Praise ye the LORD.
Praise, O ye servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD.
2 Blessed be the name of the LORD
from this time forth and for evermore.
3 From the rising of the sun
unto the going down of the same
the LORD's name is to be praised.

Tomorrow I will proceed with reading Psalm 119, a long psalm in the OT, using the New International Version. For my NT reading, I will continue with the Gospel according to Mark, chapter 5 from the Good News Bible.

Today's Passages:
Psalm 111:1 - 118:29 KJV -- Ps 119 NIV
Mark 3:1 - 4:41 WEB -- Mk 5 GNB

Rising up a great while before day

Monday 2021.10.11

In my OT reading this afternoon, I begin reading Book V (Psalm 107 - 150) of the Psalms, covering Psalm 107 to 110 in the Revised Berkeley Version.

My NT reading today covers Mark chapters 1 and 2.

I am reminded from Mark 1 verse 35 that our Lord Iesou the Anointed One has set us an example of rising early in the morning, "a great while before day", to pray in a quiet place. I learned to do this during my secondary school days, and sometimes during my university years, by getting up at about five o'clock in the morning to pray and to read the Scriptures. Perhaps I should return to this habit again.

Mark 1:35 KJV

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out,
and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

Today's Passages:
Psalm 107:1 - 110:7 RBV -- Ps 111 KJV
Mark 1:1 - 2:28 KJV -- Mk 3 WEB

Enter His gates with thanksgiving

Sunday 2021.10.10

This afternoon I read through all seventeen psalms in Book IV (Psalm 90 - 106) for my OT reading.

In the NT, I finished reading the last two chapters of the Gospel of Matthew.

Psalm 100 reminds me of a short song of praise that we used to sing often during Christian Fellowship meetings in school and in university, "I will enter His gates with thanksgiving".

Psalm 100:4 - 5 NIV

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
- and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him
- and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures for ever;
- his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Tomorrow, I will begin reading Book V (Psalm 107 - 150), the last of five books of the Psalms, starting with Psalm 107 using the Revised Berkeley Version. For my NT reading, I will move on to the Gospel according to Mark chapter 1 in the King James Version.

Today's Passages:
Psalm 90:1 - 106:48 NIV -- Ps 107 RBV
Matthew 26:1 - 28:20 JND -- Mk KJV

A day in Thy courts is better than a thousand

Saturday 2021.10.09

Shabbat Shalom. Today is the Seventh Day of the Biblical Week. Let us rest from all our work according to the Fourth Commandment.

This morning for my OT reading, I finished reading Psalms 78 to 89, which are the last twelve Psalms in Book II (Psalm 73 - 89). In my NT reading, I read chapters 24 and 25 of the Gospel according to Matthew.

Psalm 84 contains a passage which I had memorised before back in 1978, about forty-three years ago. It tells us that spending time in prayer before God, "in thy courts" is far better than spending our time elsewhere.

Psalm 84:8 - 12 KJV

8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

Tomorrow I will begin reading Book III (Psalm 90 - 106), starting with Psalm 90 using the New International Version. For my NT reading, I will go on to read Matthew chapter 26 from J.N.Darby's Translation.

Today's Passages:
Psalm 78:1 - 89:52 NKJV -- Ps 90 NIV
Matthew 24:1 - 25:46 BBE -- Matt 26 JND

The Day is Thine, the Night also

Friday 2021.10.08

Today is Preparation Day. Let us finish all our tasks and prepare to rest on the Seventh Day Shabbat which will begin at sunset this evening.

Today, from the OT, I read Psalms 73 to 77. In the NT, I read Matthew chapters 22 and 23.

Psalm 74 verses 16 and 17 tells us that Day and Night belong to God Almighty, who has prepared "the light and the sun", and who has also made summer and winter.

Psalm 74:16 - 17 KJV

16 The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun.
17 Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter.

Tomorrow I will continue with Psalm 78 in the OT using the New King James Version. In my NT reading, I will be reading Matthew chapter 24 using the Bible in Basic English.

Today's Passages:
Psalm 73:1 - 77:20 KJV -- Ps 78 NKJV
Matthew 22:1 - 23:39 WNT -- Matt 24 BBE

Do not reject me when I am old

Thursday 2021.10.07

Today I read the Gospel of Matthew chapters 20 and 21 using J.N.Darby's Translation.

For my OT reading, I read Psalm 64 through 73 in the Good News Bible.

In Psalm 71, the Psalmists prays that Adonai Yehovah (translated as Sovereign LORD in GNB) will not reject him now that he is an old man.

Psalm 71:5 - 9 GNB

5 Sovereign LORD, I put my hope in you;
I have trusted in you since I was young. 6 I have relied on you all my life;
you have protected me since the day I was born.
I will always praise you.
7 My life has been an example to many,
because you have been my strong defender.
8 All day long I praise you
and proclaim your glory.
9 Do not reject me now that I am old;
do not abandon me now that I am feeble.

Having finished reading Psalm 72 today, I have reached the end of Book II of the Psalms (42 - 72). Tomorrow I will proceed to read Book III (Psalm 73 - 89). For my NT reading, I will continue with Matthew chapter 22 in the Weymouth New Testament.

Today's Passages:
Psalm 64:1 - 72:20 GNB -- Psalm 73 KJV
Matthew 20:1 - 21:46 JND -- Matt 22 WNT

Thy Lovingkindness is better than life

Wednesday 2021.10.06

This morning, for my OT reading, I read Psalm 56 to 63. From the NT, I reading Matthew chapters 18 and 19.

Psalm 63 verses 3 and 4 reminds me of a song we used to sing at Christian fellowship meetings in school and in unversity.

Psalm 63:3 - 4 KJV

3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

Tomorrow I will continue my OT reading with Psalm 64 using the Good News Bible, and my NT reading with Matthew chapter 20 using J.N.Darby's Translation.

Today's Passages:
Psalm 56:1 - 63:11 NIV
Matthew 18:1 - 19:30 KJV

To suffer, be killed, be raised

Tuesday 2021.10.05

This afternoon, the Third Day of the Biblical Week, I read Psalms 50 to 55 from the OT

For my NT reading, I read Matthew chapters 16 and 17 using the American Standard Version.

Both chapters 16 and 17 of the Gospel of Matthew contain accounts of our Lord telling his disciples that he would go to Jerusalem, to suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, then to be killed and eventually to be raised by God from the dead.

Matthew 16:20 - 21 ASV

20 Then charged he the disciples that they should tell no man that he was the Christ.
21 From that time began Jesus to show unto his disciples, that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up

Matthew 17:22 - 23 ASV

22 And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be delivered up into the hands of men;
23 and they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised up. And they were exceeding sorry.

The disciples were told again by our Lord of his impending suffering, death and resurrection in Matthew chapter 20, while they were on the way to Jerusalem.

Matthew 20:18 - 19 JND

18 Behold we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man will be delivered up to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death;
19 and they will deliver him up to the nations to mock and to scourge and to crucify, and the third day he shall rise again.

Tomorrow I will continue with reading Psalm 56 from the OT using the New International Version, and Matthew 18 from the NT using the King James Version.

Today's Passages:
Psalm 50:1 - 55:23 NKJV
Matthew 16:1 - 17:27 ASV

God, your God, has chosen you

Monday 2021.10.04

This morning, the Second Day of the Biblical Week, I read the Gospel of Matthew chapters 14 and 15 using the World English Bible

For my OT reading today, I read Psalm 42 through 49 from the Good News Bible (Today's English Version).

Psalm 45 contains a well know passage that prophesies about the everlasting kingdom that the Messiah, the king who is Chosen and Anointed by God, will rule over with justice.

Whilst most English translations, including that of the Septuagint, render Psalm 42:6 as, "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever . . .", the Good News Bible translates this verse as "The kingdom that God has given you will last for ever and ever . . ."

Psalm 45:6 - 7 GNB

6 The kingdom that God has given you will last for ever and ever.
You rule over your people with justice;
7 you love what is right and hate what is evil.
That is why God, your God, has chosen you
and has poured out more happiness on you
than on any other king.

This prophecy about the everlasting kingdom that God has given to His Chosen King is explained briefly in the New Testament in Hebrews 1:8 - 9.

Hebrews 1:8 - 9 GNB

8 About the Son, however, God said:
“Your kingdom, O God, will last for ever and ever!
You rule over your people with justice.
9 You love what is right and hate what is wrong.
That is why God, your God, has chosen you
and has given you the joy of an honour far greater
than he gave to your companions.”

Tomorrow I will continue my OT reading with Psalm 50 using the New King James Version. For my NT reading, I will read Matthew chapter 16 from the American Standard Version.

Today's Passages:
Psalm 42:1 - 49:20 GNB -- Ps 50 NKJV
Matthew 14:1 - 15:39 WEB -- Matt 16 ASV

In his Name will the Gentiles put their hope

Sunday 2021.10.03

This morning in my OT reading, I read through Psalms 31 to 41, a series of eleven Psalms, bringing me to the end of Book I of the Psalms (1 - 41). Tomorrow I will begin reading Book II (Psalms 42 - 72) using the Good News Bible (Today's English Version).

For my NT reading today, I read the Gospel of Matthew chapters 12 and 13 using the Bible in Basic English. Tomorrow I will continue with Matthew 14 using the World English Bible.

In Matthew chapter 12, we read the account of the Pharisees meeting together to discuss how to destroy our Lord Iesous after our Lord healed a man of his withered hand in their synagogue on a Sabbath Day. Being aware of the Pharisees' council, our Lord withdrew from that place. Great crowds followed him, and he healed them all, charging them not to make him known.

Our Lord's quiet retreat from his enemies and his secret healing of all who followed him is described by Matthew in verses 18 to 21 as the fulfilment of the prophecy of Isaiah 42:1 - 3 and Isaiah 11:10.

Matthew 12:18 - 21 Bible in Basic English

18 See my servant, the man of my selection, my loved one in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my Spirit on him, and he will make my decision clear to the Gentiles.
19 His coming will not be with fighting or loud cries; and his voice will not be lifted up in the streets.
20 The crushed stem will not be broken by him; and the feebly burning light will he not put out, till he has made righteousness overcome all.
21 And in his name will the Gentiles put their hope.

Isaiah 42:1 - 3 KJV

Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

Isaiah 11:10 KJV

And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

It is noteworthy that our Lord's fulfilment of the prophecy of Isaiah in "not with fighting nor loud cries" and in "crushed stem not be broken by him" results in the Gentiles putting their hope in Him.

Yes, the earthly ministry of the Lord Iesous is a ministry for the whole world. God has put His Spirit on the Lord Iesous to show his judgment to the Gentiles. In His Name will the Gentiles put their hope.

Today's Passages:
Psalm 31:1 - 41:13 KJV -- Psalm 42 GNB
Matthew 12:1 - 13:58 BBE -- Matt 14 WEB

The return of the prophet Elijah

Saturday 2021.10.02

Shabbat Shalom. Today is the Seventh Day of the Biblical Week. Let us rest from all our work until sunset this evening.

Today for my OT reading, I read through Psalms 15 to 30 using the New International Version. Tomorrow I will continue with Psalm 31 using the New King James Version.

From the NT, I read chapters 10 and 11 of the Gospel according to Matthew using Young's Literal Translation.

Matthew chapter 11 records the account of our Lord Iesous asking the multitudes about who John the Baptist was. With pointed questions, our Lord asked, "What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet." (Matthew 11:7 - 9 YLT)

Then he told the multitudes in verse 10 that John the Baptist was the Messenger sent by God to prepare the way for the Messiah. It was a fulfilment of the prophecy written in Malachi 3:1.

Matthew 11:10 YLT

for this is he of whom it hath been written,
Lo, I do send My messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.

Malachi 3:1a NET

I am about to send my messenger, who will clear the way before me. . . .

Further on in Matthew 11 verses 11 to 14, our Lord continued to explain that John the Baptist was the return of Elijah, a fulfilment of the prophecy in Malachi 4:5 - 6. This fulfilment was also told to the priest Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, by the angel who appeared at the right side of the altar of incense when it was Zechariah's turn to burn incense in the Temple, in Luke 1:17.

Matthew 11:11 - 14 YLT

11 Verily I say to you, there hath not risen, among those born of women, a greater than John the Baptist, but he who is least in the reign of the heavens is greater than he.
12 `And, from the days of John the Baptist till now, the reign of the heavens doth suffer violence, and violent men do take it by force, 13 for all the prophets and the law till John did prophesy,
14 and if ye are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who was about to come;

Luke 1:17 TEV

He will go ahead of the Lord, strong and mighty like the prophet Elijah. He will bring fathers and children together again; he will turn disobedient people back to the way of thinking of the righteous; he will get the Lord's people ready for him.

Malachi 4:5 - 6 KJV

5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

Eleven years ago, in March 2010, I wrote two blog posts about the messenger preparing the way for the Kingdom of Heaven mentioned in Malachi chapter 3 and 4. Then about four years later, I wrote another post on the preaching of the Kingdom of Heaven by our Lord Iesous, links below:

• A Prophecy of Two Messengers (2010)
• Fulfillment of the Prophecy of Two Messengers (2010)
• The Kingdom of God is at hand (2014)

Today's Passages:
Psalm 15:1 - 30:12 NIV -- Psalm 31 KJV
Matthew 10:1 - 11:30 YLT -- Matt 12 BBE

How Excellent is Your Name

Friday 2021.10.01

We have arrived at the Sixth Day of the biblical week again. Today is Preparation Day. It's time to finish all our tasks for the week, to tie up loose ends, and to prepare ourselves to rest on the Seventh Day Sabbath which will begin at sunset this evening.

This morning for my OT reading I read through Psalms 7 to 14 using the NIV. In the NT, I read chapters 8 and 9 of the Gospel according to Matthew using the Weymouth New Testament.

Psalm 8 contains a call to Yehovah, the Name of our God, which is not clearly translated in most English Translations. For Example, in the NKJV, verses 1 and 9 are rendered as follows

Psalm 8:1 NKJV

O LORD, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth,
Who have set Your glory above the heavens!

Psalm 8:9 NKJV

O LORD, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth!

In Hebrew, the plea, "O LORD" contains the tetragrammaton, the Name of God "YHWH", or "YeHoVaH" (יהוה), and the expression "O LORD our Lord" is originally "YeHoVaH our Lord", or "YeHoVaH Adoneinu" (יהוה אֲדֹנֵינוּ). As such, a more meaningful and inspiring reading can be obtained from Psalm 8 when ascribing excellence to His Name, if we render verses 1 and 9 as follows:

Psalm 8:1

O YEHOVAH, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth,
Who have set Your glory above the heavens!

Psalm 8:9

O YEHOVAH, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth!

Tomorrow I will proceed with Psalm 15 in the OT using the New International Version, while in the NT I will continue reading chapter 10 of the Gospel of Matthew using Young's Literal Translation.

Today's Passages:
Psalm 7:1 - 14:7 NKJV -- Psalm 15 NIV
Matthew 8:1 - 9:38 WNT -- Matt 10 YLT