Today’s Hebrew Testament chronological reading is in Judges 18 and 19.
The Psalms/ Proverbs reading is in Psalm 133.
The Greek Testament reading is in Galatians 5.
ESSENTIAL STUDIES.
Judges 19, When there is no authority
Additional studies: Judges Index
As far as throwing the virgin daughters to the wolves, that is something abhorrent to God and not commanded by Him. However, its repeat occurring hundreds of years apart shows that it was a cultural norm for Canaanite society. This is the same society, remember, that offered its children as human sacrifices to Molech. They devalued the lives of their offspring. Let this history be a warning to us to guard against that path! If your church pastor tells you abortion is compatible with Christianity or Scripture, run from that false teaching.
Psalm 133, Reverse Parallelism
Additional studies: Psalms Book Five (107-150) Index
The precious oil that runs down on Aaron’s beard, is the holy anointing oil. The holy anointing oil which anoints the priesthood for service, is a natural picture that represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit on the royal priesthood of believers that we encountered yesterday. This anointing is like dew descending on the mountains of Zion, the place of citizenship for the believers. In other words, a precious and pleasant and life-giving thing. The unity of the brethren is like that precious oil. Does unity mean that you must agree with each other on every doctrine? No, I don’t know if we can all agree until the Lord Jesus returns. All of us are at different stages along the path of life, at different levels of knowledge of the Word of God and in relationship with Him, and at different stages of wisdom and maturity. But we can lay aside tithing dill, mint, and cumin for the sake of the weightier matters of Torah – love, faithfulness, and justice. And when we do, we might find the precious oil of the anointing of the Holy Spirit flows more thickly and freely. ♥
Galatians 5, Standing in liberty
Additional studies: Galatians Index
Our liberty in Christ (1A) comes from the true gospel, that righteousness is by faith (2A). The yoke of bondage (1B) comes from the other gospel—attempting to be justified by Law—as it compels becoming a debtor to keep the whole Law (2B).
Why This Matters. Those who are fallen from grace, are not those who, by the Spirit dwelling within them, joyfully walk in the Law of Love God, and Love Your Neighbor—the simple summary of the Ten Commandments. Instead they are those who, by works of the flesh, seek to establish their own righteousness apart from the free gift of grace. Stand fast, therefore, in liberty!
THREE-YEAR BIBLE.
The three-year plan is here.
Today’s reading is in Revelation 4.
Suggested study: Revelation 4, Bible for Beginners.
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