Bible: A Daily Reading Journal

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

2 Samuel

The second book of Samuel focuses on the life of David after the death of king Saul. It chronicled his early success, from his rule in Hebron for seven and a half years in the midst of a divided kingdom, to his being finally accepted by the other tribes which supported the house of Saul and ascending the throne to unite the people as one again.

David was far from perfect, despite his efforts in establishing Jerusalem as a fortified capital city, bringing the ark of the covenant back to its resting place, desiring to build God a house and going to the extent of preparing the necessary materials, as well as stabilizing the nation and expanding its borders. The time of peace and prosperity is often most perilous—as with the king when he let his guard down momentarily.

David's affair with Bathsheba subsequently led to the murder of her husband Uriah to cover up the wrong. However, David's personal failure soon overflowed into his family, beginning with the violation of Tamar by Amnon, leading to revenge killing by her brother Absalom and a planned insurrection to usurp the throne that ended in his untimely death. But the trouble did not stop there; the incident created a rift between Judah and the other tribes, and provided an opportunity for Sheba, a rogue, to fuel discontent and instigate the people to oppose David's rule. Ultimately, David regained his throne, but only to reign as a bruised king among a broken people.

The prologue of Samuel offers a comparison of Saul and David in which their reigns caused untold hurt to others, the former against the Gibeonites and the latter, the Israelites. Contrast is made also of David's former valor and the lack of it in his latter days against the Philistines. Despite the setbacks, David hoped in God's favor and covenant faithfulness that in time to come, He will provide a just and perfect King who will reign through his family lineage, just as He had promised.

OUTLINE OF 2 SAMUEL

Monday, July 26, 2021

1 Samuel

The book of Samuel is actually one scroll in the Hebrew Old Testament, but it is divided into two parts in the English Bible. This first installment carries the accounts of three characters—Samuel, Saul and David—and traces the transition of Israel, in a time of social and spiritual instability, from a tribal nation into a unified kingdom.

It begins with the story of Hannah whose prayer for a son was answered by God through the birth of Samuel. In gratitude, Hannah dedicated the child to God, and her song of praise sets the tone for the rest of the book in which God worked out His purpose despite human pride and perversions, with the promise of a Messiah king who will rescue and reign over His people.

Samuel is a key figure in the book as the last judge, prophet and leader who also played a pivotal role in the rise of Saul, the first king of Israel. Samuel served the people well in recovering the ark of the covenant, returning the nation to the worship of God, and reclaiming lost territories from Israel's mortal enemy, the Philistines. Unfortunately, his sons did not measure up and so the people demanded for a king.

Saul looked promising from the start as he led the people to a few victories. His character flaws soon become apparent when he disregarded Samuel's instruction, disobeyed God, denied his mistakes and downplayed his actions with poor excuses. As a result, God rejected Saul and recommissioned Samuel to anoint young David, whose impressive debut in defeating Goliath and gaining the favor of the people, instilled a spirit of jealousy in Saul which led to his relentless pursuit and persecution of the innocent young warrior, forcing him into exile.

Saul's decline and doom is sealed after the death of Samuel. He met his demise soon after consulting a medium in a desperate bid to decipher the outcome of his last battle.

OUTLINE OF 1 SAMUEL

1. Samuel: The Last Judge (1:1-7:17)
a. First Transition: Eli to Samuel (1:1-3:21)
Hannah—Barrenness, Birth, Blessings
Eli—Father, Falter, Failure
b. Change of Leadership (4:1-7:17)
Samuel—Judge, Prophet, Leader
2. Saul: The First King (8:1-15:9)
a. Second Transition: Samuel to Saul (8:1-12:25)
Israel Rejects God | Samuel Warns Israel
Saul Rescued Gibeah from the Ammonites
Saul Anointed as King
b. Reign of King Saul (13:1-15:9)
Early Victories against the Philistines
Foolish Actions and Decisions
Incomplete Obedience
3. David: The Man of God's Choice (15:10-31:13)
a. Third Transition: Saul to David (15:10-18:9)
God Rejects Saul | God Chooses David
David and Goliath | David and Jonathan
David Praised Over Saul
b. Saul's Attempt to Rid David (18:10-20:42)
First Spear | Philistines' Foreskins
Second Spear | Michal's Escape Scheme
Samuel's Home | Jonathan's Help
c. David's Refuge and Rise (21:1-28:2)
Priest of Nob | King of Gath
Friends and Foes | Priests and Philistines
David Spared Saul | Death of Samuel
David Spared Saul Again | Saul Relented
d. Saul's Decline and Doom (28:3-31:13)
Witch of Endor | David among the Philistines
David Defeated the Amalekites
Death of Saul

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Judges

Under the leadership of Joshua, the people of Israel conquered the enemies, cast lots for the land, and committed themselves to serve God. Sadly, after his death and the passing away of his generation, the nation plunged into chaos, committed idolatry and intermarriage, and was severely chastised by God for their unfaithfulness.

God remained true to His covenant. When the people erred in their ways, He allowed them to be overcome and subjugated by the remaining Canaanite tribes. When the people repented and cried out to God, He raised up champions—judges—to rescue and restore them back to Him. It's a vicious cycle from sin to salvation, repeated seven times over a period of 350 years, as the people vacillated between obedience and apostasy.

The character and morality of a people are usually a reflection of their leaders, and this is clearly seen in the depreciating quality of the judges as the book progresses. The first three—Othniel, Ehud and Deborah—are at best good and somewhat admirable, but from this point on it's all the way downhill. Gideon started out well from cowardice to courage, only to exact revenge on those who did not offer help after his victory and created an idol that later ensnared the people. Jephthah fought well but fumbled badly and ended up sacrificing his own daughter over a reckless vow. Samson misused his God-given strength for his own selfish purpose and ultimately paid the price with his sight and in the end, his life.

Judges morbidly describes the darkest period in the history of God's chosen people, when they forgot and forsook His ways over their own selfish and self-serving ways. Consequently, it was every man for himself as the book concluded with this indicting statement:

21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

OUTLINE OF JUDGES

1. The Cause (1:1-2:23)

a. Failures of the Tribes (1:1-36)

Judah | Benjamin | Joseph | Zebulun

Asher | Naphtali | Dan

b. Judgment of God (2:1-23)

Angelic Proclamation

Passing of Godly Generation

Beginning of National Decline

2. The Consequences (3:1-16:31)

a. First Cycle (3:1-11)

Othniel—Mesopotamians

b. Second Cycle (3:12-31)

Ehud—Moabites | Shamgar—Philistines

c. Third Cycle (4:1-5:31)

Deborah and Barak—Canaanites

d. Fourth Cycle (6:1-8:32)

Gideon—Midianites

e. Fifth Cycle (8:33-10:5)

Abimelech | Tola and Jair

f. Sixth Cycle (10:6-12:15)

Jephthah—Ammonites

Ibzan | Elon | Abdon

g. Seventh Cycle (13:1-16:31)

Samson—Philistines

3. The Chaos (17:1-21:25)

a. Religious Chaos (17:1-18:31)

Apostasy—Personal | Tribal

b. Moral Chaos (19:1-30)

Depravity—Personal | Tribal

c. Social Chaos (20:1-21:25)

Anarchy—National Crisis

Decimation | Indiscretions | Abductions

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Joshua

Joshua is an action-filled account of military campaigns and strategies in the conquest of Canaan. After the death of Moses the newly appointed successor Joshua, probably now in his seventies, took up the heavy responsibility of bringing the people into the Promised Land, being one of two sole survivors of the former generation.

Having secured possession on the east side of Jordan with two victories over the armies of Sihon and Og, and distributed their lands to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half-tribe of Manasseh, Israel is poised to take on the Canaanite armies. Through three major military campaigns involving central, southern and northern Canaan under the capable and courageous leadership of Joshua, the young and inexperienced nation engaged and defeated more than thirty armies, many of whom are better equipped and superior in military might. These victories underscored an important lesson for Israel and believers alike, that faith in God and obedience to His Word are what really matter when it comes to winning any battle—physical or spiritual.

The conquest of Canaan, however, was more than fighting for possession of the land between nations; it was a 'holy war' in which God, through His people, executed divine judgment on the sins and wickedness of the inhabitants, and in the process prepared His people to occupy the land only after it had been cleansed of the filth of idolatry and immorality.

Ultimately, we will have to make up our mind which sides we want to take—God or the world, the devil and self. Joshua left no room for doubt or dispute:

24:15 Choose this day whom you will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

OUTLINE OF JOSHUA

1. Preparation (1:1-5:15)

a. Joshua the New Leader (1:1-18)

Commissioned by God | Accepted by the People

b. Military Preparation (2:1-5:1)

Jericho City—The Two Spies and Rahab

Jordan River—Miraculous Crossing | Memorial

c. Spiritual Preparation (5:2-15)

Circumcision Performed | Passover Observed

Manna Ceased | Corn Consumed

Commander of the Lord's Armies Appeared

2. Subjugation (6:1-13:7)

a. Central Campaign (6:1-8:35)

Fall of Jericho | Ai—Defeat and Victory

b. Southern Campaign (9:1-10:43)

Gibeonites-Alliance | Amorites Annihilated

c. Northern Campaign (11:1-15)

d. Summary of Conquests

Under Moses | Under Joshua

3. Occupation (13:8-24:33)

a. East of Jordan (13:8-33)

Levi | Reuben | Gad | Half-Manasseh

b. West of Jordan (14:1-19:51)

Judah | Joseph—Ephraim and Half-Manasseh

Benjamin | Simeon | Zebulun |Issachar | Asher

Naphtali | Dan | Joshua

c. Cities for the Levities (20:1-21:45)

Cities of Refuge

Cities for Kohathites | Gershonites | Merarites

d. Covenant Renewal (22:1-24:33)

Altar of Witness | Challenge to the People

Death of Joshua and Eleazar

Friday, July 9, 2021

Former Prophets

The 'Former Prophets', also known as the Nevi'im Rishonim, traces the history of Israel in its transition from a loose tribal confederation under theocracy—governance under God—to a united nation under monarchy, in which men exercised rule as God's representatives.

Joshua, like his predecessor Moses, played the role of a leader and mediator between God and the people, though on a much lesser scale. Judges recorded the tumultuous and dark periods of Israel's history after the passing of Joshua and his generation in which apostasy and idolatry became rampant. God raised up deliverers such as Deborah, Gideon and Samson to free His people from their oppressors and directed them back to true worship and order.

Within the narratives of this section of the Nevi'im are the first appearances of individual prophets, such as Samuel who was also the last judge and a seer, Elijah and his successor Elisha. These 'pre-classical' prophets were very much like their later counterparts, in that they played a pivotal role in advising and admonishing the kings that ruled during the periods of their prophetic ministries.

These books, from a historical perspective, bear witness to what God promised He would do in Deuteronomy—blessings for obedience and curses for unfaithfulness—to His people. Two voices can be heard in the Nevi'im Rishonim: that of the heroic exploits of Israel's kings and judges and the covenantal acts of God in relation to the leaders and people on the basis of their fidelity to God.

Exodus 19:5
Now therefore, if you will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people.

Monday, July 5, 2021

The Prophets

This is the second major division of the Tanakh, also known as the Nevi'im in Hebrew. It is made up of two sub-groups, namely the 'Former Prophets' and 'Latter Prophets'.

The former prophets is a collection of narrative books that covers the period from the conquest of Canaan up until the Babylonian captivity. The latter prophets comprise writings of various prophets before, during and after the exile, and are divided into the major and minor prophets. Thus:

Former Prophets Latter Prophets

Joshua Isaiah

Judges Jeremiah

Samuel Ezekiel

Kings The 'Twelve'

The book of 'Twelve' is essentially the minor prophets, namely, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. These are treated as one single book, or scroll, by the Jews.

From both historical and prophetical perspectives, the initial triumphs and incessant troubles Israel found herself embroiled in as a result of her idolatry and injustice, is a testimony to the sure Word of God based on His covenant with the unstable and unfaithful nation. But God's purpose was not overturned nor defeated despite Israel's failure.

The Holy One of Israel is the Creator of the cosmos, not just the Protector of a small nation—and any nation or people which fears Him and fulfills His demands on justice and faithfulness will, without exception, be blessed by Him.

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy is a call to obedience and covenant renewal to a new generation of Israelites. Moses, at the age of 120, had passed the mantle of leadership over to Joshua and with little time left before his death, he gathered the people and gave a final discourse of the Law. Hence, the book is also known as 'the second giving (repetition) of the Law'.

There are three parts to Moses' message: he first reminded the people what God had done for them in the past (1-4); next, he emphasized what God expected of them as His chosen people (5-26); and lastly, he assured the people what God would do for them in the future (27-34). So while Leviticus is mainly written to the priests, Deuteronomy is addressed directly to the people as a whole.

Structured in the form of a treatise, Moses challenged the new generation to make the right choice to obtain God's blessing and life, and not repeat the mistakes of the old generation that resulted in God's cursing and death. God has and will remain faithful to His part of the covenant, but it is up to the people to fulfill their part of the deal; and Moses spared no effort in his discourse to repeatedly plead with them to 'hear', 'do', 'keep' and 'observe' God's Law out of love for Him.

30:19-20
I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live: that you may love the LORD your God, and that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him: for He is your life.

Jesus Christ often quoted from this book, including the verses He used against Satan during His temptation. And no wonder —while Genesis to Numbers portray God's ways, Deuteronomy reveals His love.

OUTLINE OF DEUTERONOMY

1. Past: What God Has Done (1:1-4:43)

a. Journeys (1:1-2:23)

Horeb | Kadesh-Barnea | Moab

b. Conquests (2:24-3:20)

Sihon | Og | Leadership Transition

c. Warnings (4:1-43)

2. Present: What God Expects (4:44-26:19)

a. Prologue to God's Law (4:44-49)

b. Exposition on the Decalogue (5:1-11:32)

Reiteration of the Law | Response of the People

Reminders: Teach the Law | Trust God

Turn away from Idolatry | Love God

c. Exposition on Sundry Laws (12:1-26:19)

Ceremonial Laws

Sanctuary | Idolatry | Food | Tithes | Debts

Slaves | Firstborn | Feasts

Civil Laws

Judges | Kings | Priests and Prophets

City of Refuge Witnesses | Warfare

Social Laws

Justice | Family | Community

Harmony | Obligations

3. Future: What God Will Do (27:1-34:12)

a. Ratification of the Covenant (27:1-28:68)

Altar | Admonition | Proclamation

Blessings and Curses

b. Entering into the Covenant (29:1-30:20)

Parties involved

Warnings of Dispersion and Restoration

Reiteration to Obey

c. Transition of Leadership (31:1-34:12)

Moses Blessed the Tribes | Viewed the Land

Death of Moses | Joshua succeeded Moses

Eulogy

Monday, June 21, 2021

Numbers

It took God only one night to bring Israel out of Egypt, but forty years to get Egypt out of Israel. Numbers recorded the tragic consequences of the unbelief and stiff-necked rebellion of an old generation (1-12) as they faded into oblivion during the thirty-eight years of wandering in the desert (13-20), only to be replaced by a new generation (21-36) that was eager to trust God and ready to depend on Him to lead them into the promised land.

In this painful account, we see how God disciplined His erring people, yet remained faithful to His covenant promises despite their stubborn and self-willed ways. In the same way, God deals with our old man, the Adamic nature, by putting it to death because flesh and blood can never inherit His kingdom (1 Corinthians 15:50). The old nature with its sin and rebellion must die in order that the new nature can live to its fullest in total obedience to the will of God.

Murmurings, complaints, ingratitude, lust, insolence, defiance, rebellion—these are the trademarks of the old generation and that of our old nature. Burning, epidemic, leprosy, pestilence, judgment and death—these are the consequences that befell the old generation and all who refuse to let God deal with their old self with its sinful nature.

The failures of the first generation were a grim reminder and also a stern warning to the next generation not to follow the footsteps of their parents, but to implicitly trust God before they could enter to possess the land. There are no shortcuts to obtaining God's blessings—obedience does come with a price, but the price of disobedience is even higher.

1 Corinthians 10:11
Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, especially for those living in the last days.

OUTLINE OF NUMBERS

1. The Old Generation (1:1-12:16)

a. The First Census (1:1-4:49)

Numbering the People

Arrangement of Tribes around the Tabernacle

Numbering the Priests

Assignment of Levites to duties of the Tabernacle

b. Sanctification of the People (5:1-10:10)

Separation | Nazarite Vow | Worship

Divine Guidance

c. Fumbles and Failures (10:11-12:16)

People Complained | Moses Complained

God's Provision for Moses and the People

Moses's Authority Challenged | Miriam Punished

2. The Transition (13:1-20:29)

a. The Kadesh-Barnea Incidence (13:1-14:45)

12 Spies | Evil Report | Disobedience

Defiance | Judgment | Defeat

b. The Korah-Israel Incidences (15:1-19:22)

Offerings Reviewed | Korah Rebelled

Israel Rebelled | Priesthood Reaffirmed

c. Incidences en-route to Moab (20:1-29)

Miriam's Death | Moses and Aaron Disciplined

Edom Denied Passage | Aaron's Death

3. The New Generation (21:1-36:13)

a. Victories and Failures (21:1-25:18)

Canaanites | Serpents | Ammonites | Bashan

Moabites | Balak and Balaam

b. The Second Census (26:1-27:23)

Land Allotment | Joshua Appointed

c. Regulations of Offerings and Vows (28:1-30:16)

Daily | Weekly | Monthly | Yearly

d. Conquest and Division (31:1-36:13)

Midianites Destroyed | Land East of Jordan

Journeys Recounted | Land West of Jordan

Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Leviticus

At the end of the Exodus narratives, we saw how God's glory filled the Tabernacle at its completion and dedication, and how Moses was unable to enter as a result of God's holy presence. Leviticus shows how sinners can approach a holy God through the ministration of the priesthood and sacrifices, detailing the way to obtain forgiveness through purification, and how to walk in continual fellowship with Him. With all the necessary provisions in place, Moses was thus able to enter into the Tent of Assembly and commune with God (Numbers 1:1).

Five types of ritual sacrifices are mentioned in the beginning to facilitate fellowship with God via the burnt, meal and peace offerings, and to restore the fellowship by means of the sin and trespass offerings when offence arises. Only when the people and the priests are sanctified can they keep the yearly feasts of the LORD—seven in total: the Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles. These feasts foreshadowed God's divine plan in the history of mankind, of which the first four Spring feasts were fulfilled in the crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Leviticus is really about the sanctification of God's redeemed people in a living relationship with Him. Both ritual and moral purity are emphasized, the former being a reminder to Israel that God's holiness affects every area of life, while the latter deals with the practical outworking of a sanctified people in terms of social responsibilities, such as charity, integrity and justice. The imageries and instructions contained in this book paint a sharp contrast between the impurity of man that leads to death and the purity of God that leads to life.

As a chosen people, we are called to a life of holiness and purity:

20:7-8 Sanctify yourselves therefore and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God…who sanctifies you.

OUTLINE OF LEVITICUS

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Exodus

The Exodus story picks up where the Genesis account left off—following the death of Joseph and the rise of a new Pharaoh who oppressed the Hebrew people which, after four hundred years, had multiplied into a nation that rivaled or outnumbered the Egyptians.

The first half of the book covers the birth of Moses, his calling and commission by God to be His spokesman to Pharaoh and deliverer of His people, the signs and wonders he performed through the ten plagues that decimated Egypt, and the crossing of the Red Sea that wiped out its entire army. The remaining half deals with the legislative aspects of a nation in transition as God laid down His requirements for His redeemed people through the ten commandments, the blueprint for worship via the building of the tabernacle, the institution of the priesthood and the sacrificial system.

Exodus is foundational to an understanding of the redemptive history of the nation of Israel as God's covenant people, and the Mosaic law with its intricate ceremonies and customs formed an important framework to a right relationship between a holy God and a chosen people. Prominent events like the Passover, the crossing of the Red Sea, the ratification of the covenant at Mount Sinai, God's provision of Manna and life-giving water in the desert, the legislation of worship, civil rights and duties, etc. are rich in spiritual meanings and found fulfillments in the Person of Jesus Christ.

Make no mistake about it: Exodus teaches that obedience to God is the hallmark of a redeemed people:

19:5-6
Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure to Me above all people… a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

OUTLINE OF EXODUS
1. From Slavery to Salvation (1:1-15:21)
a. The Need for Deliverance (1:1-22)
Israel Multiplies | Israel Moans
b. The Shaping of the Deliverer (2:1-4:31)
Birth of Moses | Rise and Fall of Moses
Call and Commission of Moses
c. The Acts of Deliverance (5:1-15:21)
Confrontations with Pharaoh | Ten Plagues
The Passover | The Exodus | The Pursuit
The Red Sea Crossing
2. From Salvation to Sinai (15:22-18:27)
a. Physical Provisions (15:22-17:7)
Bitter-Sweet | Manna | Water from Rock
b. Physical Protection (17:8-16)
War with Amalek | Jehovah-Nissi
c. Physical Delegation (18:1-27)
Jethro's Visit | Jethro's Council
3. From Sinai to Sanctification (19:1-40:38)
a. Establishing the Covenant (19:1-31:18)
Preparing the People to receive the Law
The Ten Commandments
Laws on Social Conducts and Regulations
Instructions for the Tabernacle
Institution of the Priesthood
Implementation of the Covenant
b. Responding to the Covenant (32:1-40:38)
The Golden Calf Incident
Moses' Intercession
The People Repented | Covenant is Renewed
Gifts Presented
The Tabernacle and Priestly Attires
Built | Inspected | Dedicated
Filled with God's Glory