EZEKIEL ‑‑ This book was written by Ezekiel, a prophet and priest. He was one of the many Jews carried into Babylonian Captivity from Jerusalem in 597 B.C. Ezekiel brought a grim warning from God to the Jews in Babylonia who were living in comfortable surroundings, but had not turned from their grievous, idolatrous practices. Monday, September 19, Ezekiel 1 …
Bible Reading & Commentary for the Week January 24 – January 29, 2022
Monday, January 24, Psalm 74 19 — The Psalmist compares the Christian to a dove and our enemies to the Leviathan (v. 14). Leviathan was one name for a sea monster. It was probably a reference to a country along the Nile River who at one time had oppressed Israel. Why are we Christians like doves? Our sinful flesh doesn’t …
Bible Reading & Commentary for the Week January 17 – January 22, 2022
Monday, January 17, Psalm 67 1-2 – The Psalmist understood correctly that salvation wasn’t only for the Jews, but for everyone. Read Mark 16:15. 6 – The harvest here is a harvest of souls instead of crops. It reminds us of Jesus’ words, “Look at the fields. They are ripe for harvest.” John 4:34, 35 Tuesday, January 18, Psalm …
Bible Reading & Commentary for the Week January 10 – January 15, 2022
Monday, January 10, Psalm 61 2 – The Rock higher than we are is Jesus. By ourselves, we can’t reach Him. The Lord leads us to that tremendous security through the Holy Spirit. He brings us to that Rock and builds us on that Rock beginning with Baptism. Read Titus 3:5-7. Tuesday, January 11, Psalm 62 9-10 – The …
Bible Reading & Commentary for the Week January 3 – January 8, 2022
Monday, January 3, Psalm 55 22 — When you say, “Please help me,” to a doctor, perhaps most of the time he can help you. When you say to God, “Help me,” the difference is that He always does help. He does sustain us, strengthen us, give peace of mind to us, forgive us our sins, and assure us of …
Bible Reading & Commentary for the Week December 27, 2021 – January 1, 2022
Monday, December 27, Psalm 50 15, 22 – What a fearful thing for the unrepentant to fall into the hands of the living God! That won’t happen if we faithfully use the Gospel and Sacraments and daily heed God’s command: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” (Ps. 50:15) …
Bible Reading & Commentary for the Week December 20 – December 25, 2021
Monday, December 20, Psalm 44 22 — One of God’s answers in tribulation is this verse of Psalm 44 quoted by the Apostle Paul in Rom. 8:36. In the book of Acts, chapter 14, verse 22, Paul and Barnabas put it this way, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” While hardships depress the world, …
Bible Reading & Commentary for the Week December 13 – December 18, 2021
Monday, December 13, Psalm 38 3-4 – This is one of David’s psalms of repentance. Sin is a terrible thing. It can make a person physically and emotionally unhappy and depressed. What is the treatment for sin? It’s admitting our sins, as David did (v. 18). It’s finding balm and healing as David did, in Jesus (v. 22) and especially …
Bible Reading & Commentary for the Week December 6 – December 11, 2021
Monday, December 6, Psalm 32 3-4 – These verses make many believe that David wrote this after Nathan approached him with his sin (II Sam. 12). Notice how David’s conscience reminded him of his sin, as ours does for us. It feels like we are wasting away. 5 – In the world, people can be sorry, but not know forgiveness. …
Bible Reading & Commentary for the Week November 29, – December 4, 2021
Monday, November 29, Psalm 26 5 – A good verse for all of us to keep in mind as we ponder watching TV. 8, 12 – In the Old Testament, the glory of God appeared in the tabernacle and later in the temple in the form of a cloud. Read Ex. 40:35 and I Kings 8:10-11. We get a taste …