| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| September 14, 2024 | ESV (2016) | M’Cheyne Plan 2024 |
2 Samuel 10
2 Samuel 10:4 (ESV) 4 So Hanun took David’s servants and shaved off half the beard of each and cut off their garments in the middle, at their hips, and sent them away.
In response to David seeking to deal loyally with Hanun because his father dealt loyally with his David, Hanun’s princes told Hanun that David was really seeking to spy out the land and overthrow it. Hanun responded by shaving off half the beards of each of David’s men, cutting their garments in the middle and sending them away. This not only a means of “giving the men a ridiculous appearance but also making them appear to be in violation of the law of Moses (Lv 19:27) or in mourning (Is 15:2; Jr 41:5). He also cut their clothes in half at the hips, exposing their private parts.” (CSB Notes)
2 Corinthians 3
2 Corinthians 3:12–16 (ESV) 12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.
CSB Notes 3:13 Paul concluded that the main purpose of Moses’s veil was to prevent the Israelites from observing the fading of the old-covenant glory. The law was designed by God with a built-in obsolescence (Gl 3:24–25; Heb 8:13).
CSB Notes 3:14 Another purpose of a veil is to keep the veiled person from seeing outside. Paul implies that the first-century Jews who had not believed the gospel were unable to recognize the fading, temporary nature of the old covenant, even when their Scriptures were read.
The veil being removed is a sovereign work of God. He alone removes the veil over our hearts that leads to our love, devotion and abiding in Him. How praiseworthy is our Lord that He would transform out hearts in such a way that we would desire to turn toward Him.
Ezekiel 17
Much imagery and allegorical allusion is given in this chapter. The BBC provides helpful insight as to what is represented:
The LORD Himself gives the interpretation of the allegory [of the parable of the two eagles]. The first eagle was Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon (v. 12). He carried off Jehoiachin, king of Judah (the topmost twig), from Jerusalem (Lebanon) into Babylon (land of traffic), and Babylon (city of merchants). He also took Zedekiah, the king’s offspring, and set him up as his vassal king in Judah (v. 13). For a while, Zedekiah, a low spreading vine, flourished in the homeland, but then he turned to the king of Egypt (another great eagle) for deliverance from Babylon. When Zedekiah broke the covenant with Nebuchadnezzar (2 Chron. 36:13), it was the same as if he broke it with God (v. 19). As a result, Zedekiah would be carried into Babylon and die there; Pharaoh-Hophra would not be able to help him (vv. 16–21).
Psalms 60–61
Psalm 61:5 (ESV) 5 For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. … 8 So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day.
David speaks of “my vows” which “Typically describes promises people make to God in times of distress (1 Sam 1:10–11).” (FSB). David “shows confidence that God has heard his vows (v. 5)…then petitions God to prolong the king’s life and his line (vv. 6–7), and expresses his intent to praise God’s name and perform his vows (v. 8). (FSB).
The joyful manner in which David sought to perform his vows is particularly striking. It was not begrudging but instead David’s heart was set on the LORD while he worked toward their fulfillment. May we do likewise as followers of Christ Jesus, ever singing praises to our Lord in all that we set forth to do.