Today’s Hebrew Testament chronological reading is in Amos 5 and 6.
The Psalms/ Proverbs reading is in Psalm 46.
No Greek Testament reading today.
ESSENTIAL STUDIES.
Amos 4 through 6, Chiastic structure
Additional studies: Amos Index
The issue was the golden calves of Bethel and Dan, who were called, the God who brought Israel up from Egypt (1 Kin 12:28-29). In association with these idols, they celebrated feast days, and were zealous in worship– but it was not the feast days or the worship that YHVH had established. Perhaps because they made gods in their own image, according as it seemed right to them, and not according to the word of YHVH, they also lived their daily life according as it seemed right to them, but not according to YHVH’s righteousness defined in Torah. For repeatedly throughout Amos we see the admonition to forsake oppression as often as the admonition to forsake idols. The parallels to our own modern day are convicting and humbling.
Psalm 46, Exceedingly available help
Additional studies: Psalms Book Two: 42-72 Index
‘Exceedingly available help,’ and not ‘very present help’: ‘Very present’ locks the help into the immediate moment. Yes, His help is immediate, but the Hebrew says more than that; it’s not only immediate, but also available, accessible, and abundant. It’s about the quality and extent of the help, and not just the timing.
‘Overwhelming trouble,’ and not just ‘trouble:’ ‘Trouble’ in the Hebrew it is in its plural form, but the English translators don’t render it “troubles.” They understood it as an intensive plural—a single concept, but emphatic or magnified. Since the intensive plural in Hebrew indicates trouble on a greatly magnified scale, the translation restores that meaning.
So the Hebrew construction brings out a valuable insight: just as the trouble is magnified, so is His help exceedingly available. It’s help that not only matches the scope of the trouble, but outstrips it. Thus, “Therefore we shall not fear …” ♥
THREE-YEAR BIBLE.
The three-year plan is here.
Today’s reading is in Esther 3.
Suggested study: Esther 3, Bible for Beginners.
AUGUST 2026 BIBLE READING PLAN | 2026 FULL YEAR READING PLAN
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