| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| @August 15, 2024 | ESV (2016) | M’Cheyne Plan 2024 |
1 Samuel 5–6
1 Samuel 5:6 (ESV) 6 The hand of the LORD was heavy against the people of Ashdod, and he terrified and afflicted them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territory. … 11 They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines and said, “Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it return to its own place, that it may not kill us and our people.” For there was a deathly panic throughout the whole city. The hand of God was very heavy there.
The ark of the covenant had been captured by the Philistines, but things did not go well while it was in their possession. The ark was placed in the house of Dagon where, on multiple mornings, their god was found to be face downward. The people were also terrified and afflicted with tumors and great panic. The hand of the LORD was “heavy” against the people of Ashdod and the Philistines. The Hebrew word for “heavy” is used elsewhere to describe yokes (ex. 1 Kings 12:14; 2 Chron. 10:14) and burdens (Neh. 5:15). The Philistines moved the ark around their territory for a time but, after seven months, they sought to return it back to Israel “so as to avoid further judgment” (BBC). In the face of judgment and hardship, their instinct was not to repent of their idolatry and surrender to God but to distance themselves as far from Him as possible. It is the posture shared among all who have not been illumined by the Spirit, to perceive the Father’s heavy hand as oppressive and overbearing rather than corrective and restorative.
Romans 5
Romans 5:15–17 (ESV) 15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
The juxtaposed one-to-many relationship between Adam and Jesus in these verses is striking. Through Adam’s one trespass, condemnation came to all, but, justification came to many through the gracious gift of Jesus’ one-time sacrifice. What’s more, this grace is of far greater strength and abundance than sin and transgression. Jesus is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him. How wonderful it is to meditate on these things, of the power and grace of our Lord who is mighty to save.
Jeremiah 43
Jeremiah 43:7 (ESV) 7 And they came into the land of Egypt, for they did not obey the voice of the LORD. And they arrived at Tahpanhes.
In blatant disregard of the Jeremiah’s warning, the disobedient refugees went into the land of Egypt and brought Jeremiah with them. The word of the LORD then came to Jeremiah in Tahpahnes that the king of Babylon would strike the land of Egypt, “giving over to the pestilence those who are doomed to the pestilence, to captivity those who are doomed to captivity, and to the sword those who are doomed to the sword.” (Jer. 43:11). The CSB Notes states that “Nebuchadnezzar did invade Egypt in the twenty-seventh year of his reign (568–567 BC; cp. Ezk 29:17–20), as Jeremiah predicted.” Between this and the previous reading of 1 Sam. 5-6, there is a theme of rebellion and its consequences. We see in these chapters the foolishness espoused and disaster that awaits the disobedient.
Psalm 19
Psalm 19:7 (ESV) 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
The testimony of the LORD is sure and makes wise the simple. By this, we can see that true wisdom is not found by those seeking worldly knowledge but by the simple who yearn to know the LORD through His Word. Let this be an encouragement to all that intellectual capacity is of little account apart from being effectually captured by the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the one who surrenders to His Lordship and joyfully abides in His perfect law whose soul is revived.