February 19, 2024 Monday
Psalms 64 and Esther 1 plus Luke 14
Queen Vashti no doubt was gossiping with the women about the king and as a result treated the King with disrespect. She assumed the King would not do anything to her for her rebellion against him because of believing he was addicted to her beauty and she could control him. Vashti represents the apostate Lacodecian church in presumption before God to bring forth teachings that take away from the fear of God. Her bitter words and rebellion suddenly came back against her as described in Psalms 64. This was also the case with Haman against the people of God and Moredicai. This again is about pride that leads to the sin of presumption.
Ps 64:1-10 (KJV)
1To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.2Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:3Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:4That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.5They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?6They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.7But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.8So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.9And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.10The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.
Esth 1:12-22 (KJV)
12But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.13Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment:14And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king’s face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;)15What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?16And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.17For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.18Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king’s princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.19If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.20And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.21And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:22For he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.
Luke 14:8-11 (KJV)
8When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;9And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.10But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.11For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
February 20, 2024 Tuesday
Amos 7 and 2 Corinthians 2
The common theme between these two chapters is about those who are not willing to receive the truth of God’s reproof and judgment and those who are. In Amos 7 the prophet finds it too hard to accept the severity of God’s judgment but does not rebel but pleads for mercy and on the other hand Amos is unsparing in declaring God’s judgment on the king of Israel but the King is not willing to humble himself and receive God’s mercy.
In 2 Corinthians 2 the Corinthians at first ignored the severity of God’s required judgment on the man in their gatherings that committed incest but later after Paul reproved them did and the young man was then shown mercy and restored. Paul himself expresses an unwillingness to be strong to reprove but this was after he was unsparing to reprove and then because there was as a result repentance mercy is then and love then is shown on this man who repented as a result.
2Cor 2:14-17 (KJV)
2Cor 2:1-11 (KJV)
1But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.2For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?3And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.4For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.5But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.6Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.7So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.8Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.9For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;11Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
14Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.15For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:16To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?17For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
Amos 7:4-13 (KJV)
4Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and, behold, the Lord GOD called to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and did eat up a part.5Then said I, O Lord GOD, cease, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small.6The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD.7Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand.8And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:9And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.10Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.11For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of their own land.12Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:13But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it is the king’s chapel, and it is the king’s court.
February 21, 2024 Wednesday
1 Kings 8 and Hebrews 6
The common theme in these chapters is entering into the most holy presence of God to bring forth His glory and everlasting fruit in all the earth.
Heb 6:9-12 (KJV)
9But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.10For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.11And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:12That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Heb 6:18-20 (KJV)
18That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:19Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;20Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
1Kgs 8:10-14 (KJV)
10And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD,11So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.12Then spake Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.13I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever.14And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel: (and all the congregation of Israel stood;)
1Kgs 8:60-66 (KJV)
60That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.61Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.62And the king, and all Israel with him, offered sacrifice before the LORD.63And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered unto the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD.64The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings: because the brasen altar that was before the LORD was too little to receive the burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings.65And at that time Solomon held a feast, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt, before the LORD our God, seven days and seven days, even fourteen days.66On the eighth day he sent the people away: and they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people.
February 22, 2024 Thursday
Jeremiah 3 and Psalms 78
In both of these passages God is seeking to bring Israel to repentance out of their backslidden state. God corners Israel to such severe judgment that it brings them to finally see who their true source of fullment and life is. God, the Father through Jesus Christ.
Jer 3:12-17 (KJV)
12Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.13Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.14Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:15And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.16And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more.17At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.
Jer 3:18-19 (KJV)
18In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.19But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.
Ps 78:34-39 (KJV)
34When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.35And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.36Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.37For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.38But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.39For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.
Ps 78:41-43 (KJV)
41Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.42They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.43How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan:
Ps 78:64-66 (KJV)
64Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.65Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.66And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.
February 23. 2024 Friday
Isaiah 1 and Deuteronomy 9
Both of these chapters reveal the fallen state of rebellion revealed in wicked practices and deeds and the certainty of severe judgment if there is not repentance. In Deuteronomy 9 the nation of Israel was spared severe judgment because Moses stood in the gap and because the nation repented whereas in Isaiah 1 they went into severe judgment to thoroughly purge them from their hell contagious corrupt rebellious state of being and to turn them to a life of righteous obedience out of love for Yahweh.
Isa 1:16-20 (KJV)
16Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;17Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.18Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.19If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:20But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
Isa 1:24-26 (KJV)
24Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:25And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:26And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.
Deut 9:2-8 (KJV)
2A people great and tall, the children of the Anakims, whom thou knowest, and of whom thou hast heard say, Who can stand before the children of Anak!3Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee.4Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee.5Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.6Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people.7Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD.8Also in Horeb ye provoked the LORD to wrath, so that the LORD was angry with you to have destroyed you.