Friday, September 25, 2015

Malachi, Day 5

A Day to Catch Up  

If you've had a busy week, today you have a chance to play catch up on any of the selections of Malachi you might have missed.
 Click to open the information for any of this week's readings.


Share Your Thoughts

A good way to remember something you've recently read or done is to talk about it or to write it down.  Take a few minutes to think about this week's Bible readings.
  • If you like to journal, reflect on the passage that surprised you the most or the one that was the most emotional to read.
  • Talk to a family member, friend, or neighbor about something you've read this week.
  • Join the discussion of the Godsway 66 Facebook page.

Get Ready for Sunday's Sermon

Rev. Joshua Patty will preach on Malachi this Sunday at Eastgate Christian Church in Independence, MO.  Join us for the sermon or check back here for the recorded sermon.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Malachi, Day 4 Readings

Elijah's Coming   

Today's reading is the conclusion of the prophet Malachi -- and due to the order of books in the Christian Bible, it is also the end of the Old Testament.  It again offers the promise of the coming "Day of the Lord," when the evil and unfaithful will be punished (and likely destroyed) and the faithful will be rewarded.

The final two verses promise that the great prophet Elijah (who was carried into heaven by a chariot of fire, and thus never died) will return to make a final attempt to help the people become truly faithful -- so that God will reward them instead of destroy them on the Day of the Lord.  The promise of Elijah's return has been a key part of Jewish faith for almost 2500 years -- and is still a prominent theme in the Jewish Passover seder.

For Christians, this promise is important too because it shapes how people responded to Jesus during his life.  When people wonder if Jesus is Elijah, it means that they are asking if Jesus is God's chosen messenger, sent to teach and redeem the people from their sinful and unfaithful ways.  (It turns out that Jesus is more than the prophet Elijah, which is what the 27 books of the New Testament explore in detail, staring with the next book of Godsway 66, Matthew.)

Read Malachi 4:1-6  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Malachi 4 today.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Malachi, Day 3 Readings

A Messenger Will Prepare for God's Arrival (and Judgment)  

Today's reading offers God's promise of judgment to the still wayward people of Jerusalem.  God will send a "messenger" who will prepare the people for God's arrival by purifying the teachings and actions of the priests.  When this is done, God will arrive to judge the people, punishing those who have been unfaithful -- particularly those who have cut corners by not fulfilling their tithe every year.  And God will reward those who have kept their faith righteously, despite the bad teaching of the priests and the poor examples of others.

Read Malachi 3:1-18  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Malachi 3 today.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Malachi, Day 2 Readings

The Worship of Foreign Gods Continues  

Today's reading offers God's biting critique for the people who returned to Jerusalem after the exile.  Despite God's favor, they still have turned away from God's promises -- the covenant with God.  Like those before the exile, they seem to have become fascinated by foreign gods.  Perhaps this is because they continue to marry foreigners, who bring their traditions and teachings about other gods with them.

However, the problem quickly escalated.  Even the priests seem unable to properly identify what is good teaching from God and what is bad teaching from false gods.  Instead of helping the people to remain faithful to God, the priests have wrongly taught that certain bad habits and beliefs are okay in God's sight (which they are not).

Read Malachi 2:1-17  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Malachi 2 today.

Monday, September 21, 2015

Malachi, Day 1 Readings

Cutting Corners in the Temple  

Today's reading is the beginning of Malachi, who suggested that God's hope for faith in the reestablished Jerusalem hasn't worked out.  The people have settled the city and rebuilt the Temple, but they are not completely faithful.

The problems are most obvious with the priests in the Temple.  Evidently, they find their service a terrible burden, and they complain about it.  Worse, they are failing to uphold standards for sacrifices, allowing all sorts of imperfect animals to be offered on God's altar.  Instead of giving God the best gifts, they assume that God will be happy with anything.  Malachi reports that God is not happy at all, and God even wishes that the halfway sacrifices in the Temple would be stopped entirely.

Read Malachi 1:1-14  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Malachi 1 today.

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Malachi, Overview

Godsway 66, Book 39 - Malachi  

Malachi is the final book of the Christian Old Testament.  (It is not the last book in the Hebrew Bible because the Jewish tanakh is puts the books in a different order.)  It dates to the period after the Jews had returned from exile in Babylon to the restored Jerusalem and after they had rebuilt the Temple.

Despite all of God's hopes for this faithful remnant in returning to Jerusalem, though, the people have let God down.  They seem unable to focus entirely on God's teaching.  Instead, they still are influenced by the teachings and traditions of foreign religions -- probably because they keep marrying foreigners who were raised to follow those teachings and traditions.

In particular, God is unhappy with the Temple priests, who seem to facilitate the people's unfaithfulness.  They offer imperfect animals -- blind, lame, or sick -- as sacrifices to God.  They allow the people to not fully pay their tithes to the Temple.  And they are incapable of clearly distinguishing God's law -- which much be followed -- from the lesser teachings of other gods.

In the end, God renews the warning of a coming Day of the Lord, when the unfaithful will be punished and destroyed and the faithful will be rewarded.  Before this day of judgment, God will send a messenger -- evidently, the prophet Elijah, who will make one last attempt to properly teach God's laws to the people.  Hopefully the people will turn from their unfaithfulness and become faithful to God before the Day of the Lord.

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Zechariah, Day 6

A Day to Catch Up  

If you've had a busy week, today you have a chance to play catch up on any of the selections of Zechariah you might have missed.
 Click to open the information for any of this week's readings.


Share Your Thoughts

A good way to remember something you've recently read or done is to talk about it or to write it down.  Take a few minutes to think about this week's Bible readings.
  • If you like to journal, reflect on the passage that surprised you the most or the one that was the most emotional to read.
  • Talk to a family member, friend, or neighbor about something you've read this week.
  • Join the discussion of the Godsway 66 Facebook page.

Get Ready for Sunday's Sermon

Rev. Joshua Patty will preach on Zechariah tomorrow at Eastgate Christian Church in Independence, MO.  Join us for the sermon or check back here for the recorded sermon.

Friday, September 18, 2015

Zechariah, Day 5 Readings

The End of Idolatry and God's Final Battle  

Today's first reading is about the final end of the idolatry which has plagued God's people for too long.  God promises that the names of the false gods will be wiped from the earth and forgotten.  And the leaders and prophets who have supported these false gods -- often with false teachings and false prophecies -- will be silenced.  Only the faithful -- perhaps one-third of the total number of Jews in exile -- will be claimed by God and brought into the new Jerusalem.

Read Zechariah 13:1-9  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

The second reading is the conclusion of Zechariah's prophecy.  It promises a final battle in which God will confront all of the unjust and evil powers on earth and defeat them.  There will be terrible plagues for all of the people who are not faithful to the one true God.  Then, those who remained faithful will be fully restored to live and worship freely and in peace.

Read Zechariah 14:1-21  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Zechariah 12-14 today.

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Zechariah, Day 4 Readings

The Power of God and Jerusalem Restored  

Today's first reading is about the power of God to bring about the restored and peaceful Jerusalem.  God will take on the powerful nations and empires and defeat them, so they will pose no threat to God's people.  Then, God will call for the faithful to return to Jerusalem, protecting them on their way.

Read Zechariah 9:1-17  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

The second reading continues this promise to the faithful.  While in the past there have been leaders who have led them astray, now God will stand in their midst and gather them.  The faithful from around the world will be called by God to dwell in the reestablished city of Jerusalem, where they will be a strong people, undisturbed by outsiders.

Read Zechariah 10:1-12  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Zechariah 9-11 today.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Zechariah, Day 3 Readings

The Faith God Desires and The Remnant Gains the City of God 

Today's first reading is about the attempts of some to regain God's favor while in exile.  Evidently, they fasted for the fifth and seventh months each year.  But God questions whether they understood what God really wanted.  Even in their fasting, they seemed to worry only about themselves, when God wanted them to worry about how they treated others, including widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor.  These people who have not shown true faith will be punished -- the implication is that God cannot allow them to wrongly think that their "faith" and fasting have led God to restore Jerusalem.

Read Zechariah 7:1-14  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

The second reading offers the full promise of a restored Jerusalem.  The remnant of the faithful among those in exile will receive God's favor and good fortune.  Despite the fact that it seems impossible, they will become wealthier than the empires that currently control them.  They will reclaim the city of Jerusalem as God's city, where they will live in peace and security.  In fact, people beyond the remnant will become faithful and live in Jerusalem also.

Read Zechariah 8:1-23  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Zechariah 6-8 today.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Zechariah, Day 2 Readings

Punishment of the Wicked   

Today's reading offers a couple of visions that foretell God's coming punishment of the wicked.  Those who have treated others unjustly by stealing or lying will be destroyed or removed to the edges of the earth.  This will allow for the gathering of the faithful in peace.

Read Zechariah 5:1-11  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Zechariah 3-5 today.

Monday, September 14, 2015

Zechariah, Day 1 Readings

God's Favor and God's People Will Return to Jerusalem  

Today's first reading is the opening vision of Zechariah, an angel and four differently-colored horses, which will patrol the ends of the earth for God.  After an opening invitation to repent, the prophet Zechariah is told that God has returned favor to Jerusalem after the Jews were exiled in Babylon for 70 years.  The defeat of the Babylonians by the Persian emperor Darius has begun a new period of history.

Read Zechariah 1:1-17  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

The second reading offers a vision and invitation.  The vision is of a rebuilt Jerusalem filled with people faithful to God (so many that walls cannot hold them in).  After this, there is an invitation to the Jewish exiles throughout the earth (in the poetic language of Zechariah, from the four directions) to await God's defeat of their enemies so they can return to Jerusalem, where they will be joined by members of other nations who will become faithful to the one true God.

Read Zechariah 2:1-13  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Zechariah 1-2 today.

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Zechariah, Overview

Godsway 66, Book 38 - Zechariah  

Zechariah was a prophet during the final days of the exile in Babylon.  In fact, Zechariah's prophecy dates to the years just after the Persian empire, under Darius, defeated the Babylonians.

Above all, Zechariah promises that God will restore Jerusalem.  The holy city will be filled with people faithful to God.  Some will come from those who have remained faithful while in exile.  Others will be drawn from the four corners of the earth (the image of four winds and four directions as covering the entire earth is repeated many times in Zechariah).  Beyond these, there will also be people of other nations who will become fully faithful to God.

This promise is repeated through a series of visions, which involve horses, a man measuring the city of Jerusalem (an echo of the more extensive vision in Ezekiel), a new high priest, a flying scroll of punishment, and four chariots that patrol the earth on God's behalf.  In these visions, God's anger has turned to others who oppress the powerless, and God's favor has returned to the faithful remnant of Jews.

The restoration of Jerusalem will not be easy, though.  Time and again, there are hints of the challenges ahead.  Those in power who oppress God's people need to be dealt with and overcome.  Even more, those who believe they have been faithful, but have not must be dealt with (lest they imagine that God is rewarding them and lest they try to lead the true people of faith astray).  This will culminate in a final battle between God and the powers of earth.  These earthly powers are no match for God, but still they must be controlled fiercely so that the new Jerusalem will be safe from any outside threats in the future.  (Unlike other such visions of a final battle, like in Revelation, all of these people do not need to be destroyed; here, they simply must be subdued.)

Friday, September 11, 2015

Bonus Reading, Psalms

A Coronation Song      

Today's reading is a reminder that ancient Israel was, initially, a very religious state.  Here is a song to be sung at the coronation of the king (perhaps written for the coronation of Solomon himself).  It asks God to grant wisdom, strength, mercy, and justice to the newly elevated king.  For understandable reasons, it is not a common passage of scripture to study in churches, but this praise of a faithful leader points out the same traits that are in any person of faith -- justice, faithfulness, honesty, charity, and compassion.

Read Psalm 72  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Bonus Reading, Psalms

The Source of Personal Salvation      

Today's reading is a prayer that praises God for providing protection and salvation.  It is more personal than some of the psalms, offering examples of how God treats each person -- offering security, guidance, life, and joy.  While many psalms are about God's love for the entire community, this one is much more about God's personal relationship with each person.

Read Psalm 16  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Bonus Reading, Psalms

God's Continued Relationship with Israel      

Today's reading is a beautiful psalm about the depth of relationship between God and the chosen people, Israel.  No matter how often the people fall short of God's hopes and dreams for them (and no matter how often they seem to ignore God entirely), God remains faithful to them.  God's steadfast love endures forever for God's people.  (Not coincidentally, this psalm is a parallel to yesterday's reading, Psalm 139.)

Read Psalm 118  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Bonus Reading, Psalms

Each Person Matters Deeply to God      

Today's reading is a beautiful psalm about the depth of relationship between God and each person to ever live.  In some ways, it marvels at God's presence and guidance for each of us -- discernible across time and space.  No matter what we do, we cannot escape God's attention or God's care.  And why should we want to?  After all, God has known us more deeply than anyone else, even before we were formed in the womb and born.  This is a celebration of life -- the life given by God to each of us.

Read Psalm 139  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Monday, September 7, 2015

Bonus Reading, Isaiah

An Ending and a Promise   

Today's reading is a precursor to the more famous prophecy of Revelation.  Here, following the promise of God justly punishing the chosen people for their repeated unfaithfulness and rebellion, God offers a vision of a restored Jerusalem.  After those who have sinned are punished, God will restore a remnant among "new heavens and a new earth."  In the new Jerusalem, there will be peace and prosperity for all of the faithful.  (This vision will be expanded in the final chapters of Revelation.)

Read Isaiah 65:1-25  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Rest Stop Continues

Our August break for Godsway 66 continues this week. The overview for the next book, Zechariah, will be posted on September 13.

In the meantime, enjoy some bonus readings from previous books.  This week, there are extra readings from the prophet Isaiah and the Psalms.  In particular, these Psalms offer a vision of God's abiding relationship with, and ongoing care for, God's people, on a personal and communal level.



Friday, September 4, 2015

Bonus Reading, Isaiah

Time and Again   

Today's reading is yet another recounting of the many chances that God has given the chosen people to be faithful.  Time and again, God has saved them.  Now, in hard times and against long odds, the people pray for God to save them again.

Read Isaiah 63:7-19  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Bonus Reading, Isaiah

The Promise of New Leadership   

Today's reading looks ahead to the day when there will be faithful rulers for God's people.  Under this king and other government officials, there will be wise and just leadership, which will bring a day of peace and prosperity to God's people.

Read Isaiah 32:1-20  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Bonus Reading, Isaiah

The Promise of Egypt's Punishment... and Redemption?   

Today's reading starts off in a similar fashion to other prophets.  It offers an oracle against Egypt.  For their long history of worshiping other gods and injustices toward others, they will be punished by God.

However, this prophecy has a surprising conclusion -- one that you might miss if your eyes have glazed over during the repetitive nature of the prophets.  There will come a day when the Egyptians will find favor with God, whom they will openly worship (along with Israel).  In fact, there will be an open and free highway from Egypt, through Israel, and into Assyria -- and these three countries will all be faithful to God (even Assyria????).

Read Isaiah 19:1-25  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Bonus Reading, Isaiah

The Role of Violence   

Today's reading is one of the many prophecies in the Bible in which God proposes to use violence as a means of purifying the people.  The threat of death and destruction has a way of focusing attention.

Here, the violence -- in the form of the Assyrian army -- will hopefully chasten the people of Israel, causing them to understand how their unjust and unfaithful behavior provoked God's actions.  However, the tool of this punishment -- the Assyrians -- will then face God's judgment as well, also in the form of violence and destruction.

Read Isaiah 10:1-27  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]