| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| September 5, 2024 | ESV (2016) | M’Cheyne Plan 2024 |
1 Samuel 29–30
1 Samuel 30:23–25 (ESV) 23 But David said, “You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came against us. 24 Who would listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike.” 25 And he made it a statute and a rule for Israel from that day forward to this day.
After the defeat of the Amalekites who had raided Ziklag, the wicked and worthless fellows among the men who had gone with David did not want those who stayed behind to share the spoil that was recovered. However, David made a statute (ordinance, decree, regulation) that those who stayed by the baggage would share with those who went out to battle. David shows himself to be of virtuous character by insisting on equitable distribution of the spoil among his men. Ultimately, it was the Lord who had brought the victory and all were to take part in celebrating what He had done for them. It is important to see this as the body of Christ that, regardless of one’s role or position, we all share and rejoice in the Lord’s triumph over our enemies.
1 Corinthians 10
1 Corinthians 10:28–29 (ESV) 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— 29 I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience?
Paul exhorted the church to refrain from eating meat if informed that it was offered as a sacrifice. This was not to be done for the conscience of the one eating but for the conscience of the one whose conscience may be weak. Paul’s example of eating meat demonstrates how everything we do should be for the welfare and building of faith for others, even to the sacrifice of personal freedoms. The willingness to lay aside self-benefit for the sake of another is the mark of one who seeks not his own good but the good of his neighbor.
Ezekiel 8
Ezekiel 8:6, 13, 15 (ESV) 6 And he said to me, “Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel are committing here, to drive me far from my sanctuary? But you will see still greater abominations.” … 13 He said also to me, “You will see still greater abominations that they commit.” … 15 Then he said to me, “Have you seen this, O son of man? You will see still greater abominations than these.”
Ezekiel was brought in visions of God to Jerusalem and was shown the idolatrous practices being conducted by the people in the temple. Following each scene of idolatry, the Lord told Ezekiel that he will “see still greater abominations”. The progression of severity illuminates the radical nature of man’s corruption and wickedness. The LORD is just and righteous to respond in jealousy to a people who have entirely abandoned Him. And yet He shows Himself patient and merciful, willing at great cost to restore and redeem our relationship with Himself through the sacrifice of His Son. With what depth of sin we come before our Lord and with what love and grace our deserving wrath He has wiped away.
Psalms 46–47
Psalm 47:5–7 (ESV) 5 God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. 6 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! 7 For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!
The psalmist exalts the LORD who has gone up with a shout and the sound of a trumpet. He repeats calling on the people to sing praises to the God and King of all the earth. May our hearts be as one in this celebration of our LORD, ceaselessly singing praises to our God and King. May we raise our voices and sing a joyful song to our Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer who is worthy of all praise and honor and glory.