| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| @July 31, 2024 | ESV (2016) | M’Cheyne Plan 2024 |
Judges 14
Judges 14:4 (ESV) 4 His father and mother did not know that it was from the LORD, for he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. At that time the Philistines ruled over Israel.
Upon seeing one of the daughters of the Philistines, Samson told his father and mother and requested that she be made his wife. His parents sought to dissuade him, but Samson insisted. The next detail given is intriguing because it says that this was actually from the LORD who was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. As a Israelite from the tribe of Dan, marriage to a Philistine woman would have been a violation of his calling as a Nazirite. Realizing this but then reading that it “was from the LORD” creates tension unless properly understood. The CSB Notes provides some helpful insight:
In [Samson’s desire for the Philistine woman] he represented Israel, where each citizen “did whatever seemed right to him” (17:6; 21:25), literally, “did what was right in his eyes.” Yet the Lord would use even Samson’s sinful desires to accomplish his purposes. The text literally says his father and mother did not know that she was from the LORD. This Philistine woman would be the means God would use to stir up Samson to begin a conflict with the Philistines, who were ruling Israel at this time.
We see here how God is able to work even acts of disobedience for His glorious purposes. The LORD permitted these events to play out because they were part of a much larger plan. This is not a means of advocating rebellion or licentiousness, but instead points to the supreme dominion and majesty of our God who is LORD over all things.
Acts 18
Acts 18:5–6 (ESV) 5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. 6 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
Paul testified to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus, but they opposed and reviled him. Paul rebuked them, declared himself innocent of their blood and that he would go to the Gentiles. We a similar episode in Acts 13:46 in which Paul and Barnabas turn to the Gentiles because the Jews thrusted the word aside and judged themselves unworthy of eternal life. Paul’s ministry was primarily Gentile audiences and even called himself “an apostle to the Gentiles” in Rom. 11:3. In Acts 9:15, God declared that Paul was to be His “chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.” Paul’s unique designation to reach the Gentiles with the gospel illuminates the relationship between calling and fruitfulness of evangelism. In our walk with the Lord and sharing His gospel, we will find that our approach will yield a better response from some people than from others. It is when the body of Christ is working together with all her parts and giftings that we can stretch out the message of salvation in Christ to every tribe, tongue and nation.
Jeremiah 27
Jeremiah 27:8 (ESV) 8 “ ‘ “But if any nation or kingdom will not serve this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, I will punish that nation with the sword, with famine, and with pestilence, declares the LORD, until I have consumed it by his hand.
Multiple times in this chapter, the LORD declares that the nations were to serve Babylon (Jer. 27:8; Jer. 27:12; Jer. 27:13; Jer. 27:17). In fact, the LORD rebuked the false prophets who said that they were not to serve the king of Babylon (Jer. 27:14). As the CSB Notes state, “[Babylon’s] dominance lasted for three generations, including the kings Nebuchadnezzar, Evil-merodach (52:31; 2Kg 25:27), and Belshazzar (Dn 5:2). God appoints power and determines its duration as well; the exile would not be over quickly as some false prophets had promised.” God’s appointment of power to Babylon dovetails somewhat with the reflection on Judges 14, demonstrating His dominion and divine purpose. As difficult as the exile would be, it was for a specific reason. This is helpful to understand as we apply this to our own context, realizing that the struggles we face both individually and collectively are part of a much larger plan of sanctification and God-glorification.
Mark 13
Mark 13:17–19 (ESV) 17 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 18 Pray that it may not happen in winter. 19 For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be.
Speaking about the end times, Jesus told them to pray that it not come in winter because it would be especially difficult for pregnant women and those nursing infants. This is remarkable because it exhibits how Jesus truly did not know when His return would (and will) be. Only the Father knows and thus we are told to “Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.” (Mark. 13:33)