Today’s Hebrew Testament chronological reading is in Deuteronomy 29 and 30.
The Psalms/ Proverbs reading is in Psalm 112.
The Greek Testament reading is in Mark 6.
ESSENTIAL STUDIES.
Deuteronomy 29, When the curse comes home to roost
Additional studies: Deuteronomy Index
Notice that in the central axis, the Scripture equates serving God, with obedience to God’s commandments. YHVH God obeys His own Word. These blessings and these curses will come upon and overtake the one who does, and does not. Having famous or godly parents will not change it. Belonging to the right denomination will not change it. Believing the correct doctrine will not change it. Interceding against the enemy will not change it. What will change it, is obedience to the commandments of God.
Doesn’t Yeshua say the same thing?
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice Law-lessness!’ Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” Mat 7:21-27
Psalm 112, Chiastic Structure
Additional studies: Psalms Book Five (107-150) Index
This psalm describes the man with the fixed heart, whose heart is fixed, firmly established, in his relationship and confidence in YHVH. The central axis is that he trusts in YHVH – this is why his heart is fixed; this is why he is not afraid of evil tidings. He knows what is true about his God, therefore lies and evil circumstances do not shake him. His trust in God is the heart of the psalm. It is wrapped in his wise and righteous deeds, delighting greatly in His commandments. In the Hebrew, fear of God and regard for His word, delight in His commandments, cannot be divorced from the corresponding action of obedience to them.
Mark 6, Hardness of Heart
Additional studies: Mark Index
A hard heart contributes to seeing and hearing, but not perceiving or understanding. Before we go on to fixing the problem of a hard heart, let’s just note who it was who was taking offense at Him and whose hearts were hardened so that they could not perceive or understand. It was the Sabbath go to synagogue folks. It was His own twelve disciples. None of us are above offense or hardness, so we need to take heed of ourselves and watch out!
THREE-YEAR BIBLE.
The three-year plan is here.
Today’s reading is in Galatians 3.
Suggested study: Galatians 3, Bible for Beginners.
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