What Is Written Is the Way to Know Who God Is and What He Expects

Today’s Reading: Genesis 24; Matthew 23; Nehemiah 13; Acts 23

Genesis 24:65–67
* This chapter is filled with fulfillment, commitment, and purpose. All the details accentuate the role of God at every turn. Rebekah is surely the chosen bride for Isaac, and the promise is preserved.

Matthew 23:37–39
* I guess it’s easy to miss how often and in how many ways Jesus claims to be divine. Here he identifies himself as the Messiah. Since Palm Sunday has already passed, he must be referring to his return in judgment—a theme of chapters 23–25.

Nehemiah 13:1–3
* Nehemiah’s reforms—cleansing the Temple, reestablishing the Sabbath, reinstituting proper offerings, separating from foreign influence, etc—all begin with reading the Scriptures. That’s the only way to know the standard.

Acts 23:11–12
* Notice how Jesus’ encouragement is juxtaposed with the futile conspiracy to kill Paul. God doesn’t always stop evil plans—sometimes he allows them to fulfill some other good purpose—but when human plans for evil (or good) are at cross purposes with God’s plan, God wins.

We Have Fallen Short of God’s Standard the Farthest with Respect to the Greatest Commandment

Today’s Reading: Genesis 23; Matthew 22; Nehemiah 12; Acts 22

Genesis 23:19–20
* It is important that Abraham actually purchases the land, leaving no room for dispute in the future. Eventually, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Rebekah, and Leah are all buried in the cave.

Matthew 22:36–40
* Jesus lays out the Law in two commands. We recite these verses and shrug, but how far we have fallen short of God’s standard is never more clear and painful than it is in respect to our love for God and our love our neighbor.

Nehemiah 12:27
* It is a fearful thing to be left indefensible—without a wall; and Jerusalem had been left unprotected, vulnerable to any old attack. But to have a sure defense is reason for wild celebration.

Acts 22:19–21
* As Paul recounts his conversion, his confession of guilt and unworthiness is met with a command and a call—a high calling. Paul’s sin was not an obstacle to his service because it was forgiven (see v. 16).

Isaac Is Replaced by a Ram, But the Lord Will Provide a Greater Sacrifice

Today’s Reading: Genesis 22; Matthew 21; Nehemiah 11; Acts 21

Genesis 22:11–14
* God asked Abraham to commit to something that he (God) would do himself—that is, sacrifice his Son. And Abraham prophetically proclaims, “The LORD will provide.”

Matthew 21:15–16
* The religious leader object to Jesus’ receiving the hosannas from the children. Jesus not only allows the children to continue, but he also refers to their shouts as worship.

Nehemiah 11:1–2
* Some of the returned exiles are chosen (by lot) to relocate to Jerusalem (as the city needs to be repopulated); and some volunteer to serve by moving to Jerusalem. Not all are called the same way.

Acts 21:23–24
* Though Paul has become God’s messenger to the Gentiles, he is willing to be culturally sensitive to those who misunderstand his mission. He can support voluntary participation in some OT customs (as long as they are not required of Gentiles).

The One Most Worthy of Our Service Came to Serve Us

Today’s Reading: Genesis 21; Matthew 20; Nehemiah 10; Acts 20

Genesis 21:1–4
* These few verses are filled with God’s purposes; everything happens as he said, promised, spoke, and commanded.

Matthew 20:25–28
* Let it sink in that the Lord, the one most worthy of service, came not to be served, but to serve. Who then has claim to being above servanthood?

Nehemiah 10:28–29
* Instead of living in a passive assumption of being God’s people, the returned exiles make a deliberate commitment to live their end of the covenant with God.

Acts 20:24–28
* Paul implies that having withheld any of God’s message (i.e. the full redemptive plan as laid out in the Scriptures) from any people would have made him guilty of their blood. And he charges the pastors to hold the same standard.

Having Possessions Is Not the Problem, Clinging to Them Is

Today’s Reading: Genesis 20; Matthew 19; Nehemiah 9; Acts 19

Genesis 20:11–12
* Abraham made at least 2 mistakes. First, he didn’t trust the Lord would protect him. Second, he assumed there was no fear of God in Gerar.

Matthew 19:21–22
* The problem was not in having possessions, the problem was in choosing to cling to them instead of Jesus.

Nehemiah 9:3
* Two strong impulses overwhelm the community, a hunger for the Word of God and a contrition for having fallen so far short of God’s standard.

Acts 19:2–5
* These Ephesians have never heard of the Holy Spirit, but they are ready to hear. Good thing Paul doesn’t just pat them on the back for being nice disciples of John the Baptist.

Read the Word First, Then Apply It

Today’s Reading: Genesis 19; Matthew 18; Nehemiah 8; Acts 18

Genesis 19:12–14
* Here we see how Lot’s immediate relatives are given the privilege of a special warning. But we also see that they were still responsible for their own faith. Note: if they were godly, would they have been so skeptical of the Lord’s judgment against the city?

Matthew 18:8–9
* Have you ever heard (or used) excuses for sin? Here Jesus effectively shoots down any excuse, showing that we should value our obedience and purity before God more than even our hands, feet, and eyes.

Nehemiah 8:6–8
* What a beautiful picture of a community studying the Scriptures! Notice especially how the emphasis is on reading the text itself and understanding it. What God has said must be understood first of all, before it can be faithfully applied.

Acts 18:9–11
* The call of God can give boldness and purpose in the darkest places—like Corinth.

Walls Without Watchmen Will Fall

Today’s Reading: Genesis 18; Matthew 17; Nehemiah 7; Acts 17

Genesis 18:20–21
* The Lord decides to reveal to Abraham some of his plan for Sodom and Gomorrah. This should not be interpreted as ignorance on God’s part, but as a way of communicating to Abraham the thoroughness of God’s investigation. It becomes the basis for Abraham’s intercession. God reveals pieces so his people respond.

Matthew 17:19–20
* Here is the mustard seed metaphor again. Living faith is not a question of its amount—more or less—but a question of its object—God’s goodness, wisdom, and power.

Nehemiah 7:3–4
* Even though so much emphasis has been on the walls, Nehemiah knows that the city is made up of people. Walls without watchmen will fall. (And remember Nehemiah has already established that God fulfills his purposes through his people.)

Acts 17:24–28
* The conclusion of God’s thoroughgoing sovereignty over all of his creation is not that it doesn’t matter what we do, but rather that we should seek him because he is near.

A Sign of Faith Is Only a Reminder to the Faithful

Today’s Reading: Genesis 17; Matthew 16; Nehemiah 6; Acts 16

Genesis 17:10–13
* Notice how circumcision is mainly a sign for the individual who has been circumcised. And it can only serve as a reminder of faith to someone who has faith.

Matthew 16:21–23
* It is a lie of Satan that Jesus’ sacrifice was unnecessary in order to redeem mankind (even though it would fulfill the prophesies about the Messiah).

Nehemiah 6:10–13
* In response to the false prophecy intended to scare him, Nehemiah calls such fear sin!

Acts 16:14
* It is not Lydia’s wisdom or humility, nor is it the skill or finesse of the preacher, but it is the Lord who opened her heart to receive the message.

Worshiping God and Making Man-Made Rules Into Doctrine Is Hypocrisy

Today’s Reading: Genesis 16; Matthew 15; Nehemiah 5; Acts 15

Genesis 16:8–10
* Hagar given both a divine command and a divine promise. It’s worth noting that she receives the revelation first, and not Abraham.

Matthew 15:7–9
* Jesus names two hypocrisies: first, speaking in worship, but without love for God; second, teaching (and following) man-made rules as official doctrine instead of God’s commands. The first is invisible, but the second is not.

Nehemiah 5:7–8
* The poor of the community had escaped slavery, only to be enslaved by the well-to-do of their own people!

Acts 15:28–29
* As Peter says in verse 11, salvation comes by grace alone. These “requirements” are not for salvation, but for fellowship with the Jewish brothers.

Sometimes Opposition Means Be Careful, Sometimes It Means Be Bold

Today’s Reading: Genesis 15; Matthew 14; Nehemiah 4; Acts 14

Genesis 15:5–6
* Abram had no children, and his wife was barren. God told him he would have more descendants than there are stars. Abram believed God when he had no other reason than God’s word.

Matthew 14:28–33
* Peter gets out of the boat and walks on water as long as he trusts that Christ will keep him up. The disciples worship Jesus because he is the Son of God—meaning two things: that title implies divinity, and Jesus agreed with them (i.e. he didn’t stop them from worshiping him).

Nehemiah 4:7–9
* The Jews working on the wall do two things. They pray for God’s protection, and they take action to be that protection. They trust in God’s power and care, and they put themselves in position to be God’s answer to their prayers.

Acts 14:1–3
* Sometimes opposition means that the apostles will leave (that is, run for their lives); sometimes it means that they stay and preach with more boldness. How do they know the difference? It’s not a formula. Only the Holy Spirit knows.