End of 5th Cycle of Old Testament reading

29Aug2023

Today I have come to the end of my Fifth Round of reading the Old Testement.

I started reading the Old Testament for the fifth time on 25Dec22. It took me about 8 months to finish this reading cycle.

Looking back, I embarked on my first round of Old Testament reading in May 2020, just two months into the beginning of the pandemic — it was actually my second round because I first read through the Bible during my university undergraduate years in the early 1980s.

The following list summarises the start and end dates of my Old Testament readings to date:

1. 1st OT Cycle: 14May20 – 12Jun21 (13 months)
2. 2nd OT Cycle: 13Jun21 – 13Dec21 (6 months)
3. 3rd OT Cycle: 13Dec21 – 21May22 (5¼ months)
4. 4th OT Cycle: 13Jun22 – 22Dec22 (6¼ months)
5. 5th OT Cycle: 25Dec22 – 29Aug23 (8 months)

I will be taking a short break from reading Old Testament, for the remaining months of this year, and will embark on my Sixth Cycle of OT reading when the new year 2024 begins.

For my next round of OT reading, I plan to continue with my present reading pace of about 64 verses a day instead of my previous 128 verses a day. This means I will take the whole of next year to complete my Sixth cycle of OT instead of taking six months as I have done in the past.

Full details of my Bible Reading Cycles can be found at the link below —

• My Bible Reading Cycles

The Branch — the Ruler from of Old

OT  5th Cycle.   NT  10th Cycle.

Mon 21Aug23
Zechariah 4:1 – 8:23 (81 verses) JND
Ephesians 1:1 – 6:24 (155 verses) NET

Wed 23Aug23
Philippians 1:1 – 4:23 (104 verses) NET

Thu 24Aug23
Zechariah 9:1 – 14:21 (90 verses) JND

Sat 26Aug23
Colossians 1:1 – 4:18 (95 verses) WEB

Tue 29Aug23
Malachi 1:1 – 4:6 (55 verses) ASV
1 Thessalonians 1:1 – 5:28 (89 verses) WNT

JND — J.N.Darby's Translation
NET — New English Translation
WEB — World English Bible
WNT — Weymouth New Testament

Over the last week, I have finished reading the last two books of the Old Testament bringing me to the conclusion of my 5th Cycle of OT readings.

In my New Testament readings, I continued with reading the Epistles to the Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and the First Epistle to the Thessalonians.

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Passage of the Day

And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall he come forth unto me [who is] to be Ruler in Israel: whose goings forth are from of old, from the days of eternity.
Micah 5:2  JN Darby's Translation

12 . . . Thus speaketh Jehovah of hosts, saying, Behold a man whose name is [the] Branch; and he shall grow up from his own place, and he shall build the temple of Jehovah:
13 even he shall build the temple of Jehovah; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne; and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
Zechariah 6:12 – 13  JN Darby's Translation

Today we are reminded by the prophets Micah and Zechariah that our Lord Iesus the Anointed is the Ruler from of Old, the Branch who will build the Temple of God and who will be both Ruler and Priest upon His Throne.

As for me, I will look unto Yehovah

OT  5th Cycle.   NT  10th Cycle.

Wed 16Aug23
Micah 1:1 - 7:20 (105 verses) GNB
2 Corinthians 9:1 - 11:33 (66 verses) NKJV

Thu 17Aug23
Nahum 1:1 - 3:19 (47 verses) ASV
Habakkuk 1:1 - 3:19 (56 verses) ASV

Sun 20Aug23
Zephaniah 1:1 - 3:20 (53 verses) NIV
Haggai 1:1 - 2:23 (38 verses) NIV
Zechariah 1:1 - 3:10 (44 verses) WEB
2 Corinthians 12:1 - 13:14 (35 verses) NIV
Galatians 1:1 - 6:18 (148 verses) NIV

GNB — Good News Bible
NKJV — New King James Version
ASV — American Standard Version
NIV — New International Version
WEB — World English Bible

Since last Wednesday, I have finished reading the prophets Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Haggai, along with three chapters of Zechariah in the Old Testament.

In my New Testament readings, I covered the last four chapters of Second Corinthians followed by all six chapters of Galatians.

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Passage of the Day

5 Believe ye not in a companion, put not confidence in a familiar friend: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. 6 For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law: a man's enemies are the men of his own household. 7 But as for me, I will look unto Jehovah; I will wait for the °God of my salvation: my °God will hear me.
Micah 7:5 – 7  JN Darby's Translation

21 “Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.
Matthew 10:21 - 22  World English Bible

34 “Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 A man’s foes will be those of his own household. 37 He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me.
Matthew 10:34 - 37  World English Bible

The Prophet Micah of Moresheth-Gath prophesied that a perplexing time will come in future when people become so wicked that one cannot even trust his own family and friends. In fact, a man's enemies will come from his own household (Micah 7:6)

This words are echoed in the teachings of our Lord Iesus in Matthew chapter 10, when the Lord warned his disciples about the difficult times that will have to pass before his Second Coming.

In fact, our Lord told the disciples that it was his very ministry among the children of Israel at that time that would trigger such disturbing conflicts, setting children against parents to the extent that a man's foes will be those of his won household (Matthew 10:36).

In saying these words, our Lord revealed to his disciples that the fulfilment of the prophecy in Micah chapter 7 was already happening.

It is in this context — that of the fulfilment of Micah's prophecy — that our Lord told his disciples these solemn words in Matthew 10:37 :

He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me;
and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me.

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, we are living in difficult times. We are surrounded by wickedness. Many around us will hate us because of the Name of Iesus, even those of our own family. What shall we do? How shall we live through such times?

The prophet Micah has the answer, "But as for me, I will look unto Yehovah, I will wait for the God of my Salvation. My God will hear me" (Micah 7:7 JND).

Our Lord likewise told his disciples, " . . . he who endures to the end will be saved." (Matthew 10:22 WEB)

Let us continually look to Our Father in Heaven, the God of Salvation. He will hear us. Let us endure to the end. We will be saved.

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The following are links to several related blog posts on the Lord's teaching about loving our Lord more than our family, that I have written between the years 2010 and 2019 —

• The Course of Discipleship (Feb2010)
• The Course of Discipleship: a Summary (Feb2010)
• Trying Times (Sep2019)

In an acceptable time I heard you

OT  5th Cycle.   NT  10th Cycle.

Sun 13Aug23
Amos 2:1 – 9:15 (131 verses) NIV
1 Corinthians 14:1 – 16:24 (122 verses) NIV

Mon 14Aug23
Obadiah 1:1 – 21 (21 verses) WEB
2 Corinthians 1:1 – 5:21 (98 verses) WEB

Tue 15Aug23
Jonah 1:1 – 4:10 (47 verses) GNB
2 Corinthians 6:1 – 8:24 (58 verses) NKJV

NIV — New International Version
WEB — World English Bible
GNB — Good News Bible
NKJV — New King James Version

Since last Sunday, I have finished reading the Old Testament Books of Amos, Obadiah, and Jonah.

In the New Testament, I finished First Corinthians and went on to read the first eight chapters of Second Corinthians.

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Passage of the Day

1 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says:

“In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:1  New King James Version

8 Thus says the Lord:
“In an acceptable time I have heard You,
And in the day of salvation I have helped You;
I will preserve You and give You
As a covenant to the people,
To restore the earth,
To cause them to inherit the desolate heritages;
Isaiah 49:8  New King James Version

Today we are reminded from the writings of the Apostle to the believers in Corinth, quoting from the Prophet Isaiah, that our God has heard us and has helped us in an acceptable time.

When is this acceptable time?

The Apostle tells us, "Now is the accepted time, Now is the day of salvation". In saying this, he pleads with the Corithian brethren not to receive the grace of God in vain.

Brothers and Sisters in Iesus the Anointed One, has any of us received the Grace of God in vain? Let us ask our Father in Heaven to search our hearts that we may live our lives in His Grace.

Rend your heart, not your garments

OT  5th Cycle.   NT  10th Cycle.

Sun 06Aug23
1 Corinthians 8:1 – 10:33 (73 verses) NIV

Tue 08Aug23
Joel 1:1 – 3:21 (73 verses) YLT
Amos 1:1 – 15 (15 verses) NIV
1 Corinthians 11:1 – 13:13 (78 verses) NRSV

NIV — New International Version
YLT — Young's Literal Translation
NRSV — New Revised Standard Version

I finished reading the first ten chapters of First Corinthians on Sunday, skipped my Bible Readings yesterday, and went on reading until the end of chapter 13 today.

In the Old Testament, I finished reading Joel this morning, followed by the first chapter of Amos.

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Passage of the Day

12 And also now -- an affirmation of Jehovah, Turn ye back unto Me with all your heart, And with fasting, and with weeping, And with lamentation.
13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, And turn back unto Jehovah your God, For gracious and merciful [is] He, Slow to anger, and abundant in kindness, And He hath repented concerning the evil.
Joel 2:12 – 13  Young's Literal Translation

Sow in righteousness, Reap according to mercy

OT  5th Cycle.   NT  10th Cycle.

Thu 03Aug23
Daniel 8:1 – 12:13 (133 verses) LXXupd
Romans 12:1 – 16:27 (118 verses) NET

Fri 04Aug23
Hosea 1:1 – 4:19 (58 verses) LXX2012
Hosea 5:1 – 7:16 (42 verses) LXXupd
1 Corinthians 1:1 – 3:23 (69 verses) NIV

Sat 05Aug23
Hosea 8:1 – 14:9 (97 verses) JND
1 Corinthians 4:1 – 7:40 (94 verses) WEB

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LXXupd — Septuagint Brenton Updated
LXX2012 — Septuagint British English 2012
NET — New English Translation
NIV — New International Version
JND — J.N.Darby's Translation
WEB — World English Bible British Edition

My last three days' OT readings covered the last five chapters of Daniel followed by all fourteen chapters of Hosea.

In the NT, I finished the Epistle of Paul to the Romans followed by seven chapters of First Corinthians.

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Passage of the Day

12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap according to mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek Jehovah, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
13 Ye have ploughed wickedness, reaped iniquity, eaten the fruit of lies; for thou didst confide in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.
Hosea 10:12 – 13  J.N.Darby's Translation

1 O Israel, return unto Jehovah thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.
2 Take with you words, and turn to Jehovah; say unto him, Forgive all iniquity, and receive [us] graciously; so will we render the calves of our lips.
Hosea 14:1 – 2  J.N.Darby's Translation

2 Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God; for the people have fallen through your iniquities.
3 Take with you words, and turn to the Lord your God: speak to him, that you may not receive the reward of unrighteousness, but that you may receive good things: and we will render in return the fruit of our lips.
Osee 14:2 – 3  Septuagint British English 2012

The prophet Hosea ben Beeri prophesied to the children of Israel, particularly to the tribes of Ephraim and Judah in Hosea chapter 10, telling them to break up their fallow ground, to sow in righteusness instead of ploughing in wickedness; and to reap according to mercy instead of reaping iniquity.

In verse 12, Hosea tells them, "it is time to seek Yehovah"

Towards the end of the book in chapter 14, the prophet Hosea calls the children of Israel to return to the Lord (Adonai) their God, taking words with them, to render to God the fruit of their lips (ref Osee 14:3 LXX)

This call to offer the fruit of our lips to God is again given by the Apostle in Hebrews chapter 13, quoted below:

Through him (Iesus) then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name. Hebrews 13:15  American Standard Version

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Iesus Anointed, let us likewise remind ourselves to break up fallow ground in our lives, to sow seeds of righteousness, that we may reap according to the mercy of God our Father in Heaven.

It is time to seek God, to return to Him with our words, offering a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of our lips through Iesus our Lord.