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February 1, Sunday
Reading B32 — 1 Chron. 27 — Government Divisions Audio: 1 Chron. 27 (ESV)
An audio recording of the following comments is available below:
The Number 12 — It takes a lot of people to run a government, which is demonstrated in today’s reading. It is interesting that each main section is organized in groups of 12. The first one (vv. 2-15) lays out 12 divisions of temporary soldiers, who served for only one month of each year in addition to Israel’s regular army. Each division was led by one of David’s mighty men listed earlier in chapter 11. The second section (vv. 16-24) lists 12 leaders of the tribes of Israel. Their role in the government is not indicated, but they probably had some responsibilities as advisors, and they served to hold the widespread tribes together. Even the leadership involved in managing David’s wealth and property was presented in 12 governing responsibilities. The number 12 is significant in many places in Scripture, beginning with Jacob’s 12 sons that made up the 12 tribes of Israel. There were 12 loaves of bread to be placed daily on the table of pure gold in the tabernacle and temple (Lev. 24:5). Jesus chose 12 to be His disciples. The number 12 also shows up in several prophecies in the Book of Revelation. Why 12? It is somewhat like the number 7 in the Bible. These numbers are interesting, symbolic, significant, and important, but we should be careful with our speculation as to why they are important.
February 2, Monday
Reading B33 — 1 Chron. 28 — David’s Charge to Solomon Audio: 1 Chron. 28 (ESV)
An audio recording of the following comments is available below:
Be Strong and Do It! — Earlier, David had charged his son, Solomon, to build the temple (ch. 22), but in this chapter, he made that charge public, calling together Israel’s “officials … officers … commanders … [and] palace officials” to witness this repeated charge (28:1). Making the charge publicly served to add pressure on Solomon to make sure he accomplished what David had commanded. It is somewhat like the commitment you made this year to read the Bible daily. Promising a group that will keep you accountable will provide a much greater incentive than just promising yourself you will do it. These Israelite leaders would keep Solomon accountable and help him accomplish it. Then, David added pressure from the Lord, saying that “he has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. … [saying,] It is Solomon your son who shall build my house and my courts” (vv. 5-6). After applying all this pressure, David gave this pointed charge to Solomon: “be strong and do it” (v. 10). He basically repeated it as he wrapped up this chapter: “Be strong and courageous and do it.” Many believers are watching us, too, hoping that we will also be accountable and successful.
February 3, Tuesday
Reading B34 — 1 Chron. 29 — David’s Farewell Audio: 1 Chron. 29 (ESV)
An audio recording of the following comments is available below:
Attitudes in Giving — Twice in this final chapter of 1 Chronicles, David referred to the temple as a “palace” (vv. 1, 19) because it was to be the place where God’s symbolic presence was to dwell over the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant. The main emphasis of the chapter, however, is on giving, providing the cost for building the temple. Although we need to be cautious about this because of pride, David set an example for giving, providing from the royal treasury and giving generously from his own personal funds (vv. 2-3). He then used his example to challenge Israel’s leaders, saying, “Who then will offer willingly …?” (v. 5). They responded by giving enthusiastically, and “… the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely … the king also rejoiced greatly” (v. 9). When we give to God and to His church, do we do it faithfully, generously, willingly, and joyfully? David made the important point that what we give to the Lord is not really ours; it came from God. He said, “all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house … comes from your hand and is all your own” (v. 16). That should help us to be more willing to open our hand in giving.
February 4, Wednesday
Reading B35 — Psa. 127, 111 — Work, Worship, & Wisdom Audio: Ps. 127, Ps. 111
An audio recording of the following comments is available below:
Work vs. Worship — These two psalms show a contrast between a life focused on work and one relying on God. Work without depending on God is futile. Three times, Solomon said that it is “in vain” for us to work hard, stay awake, and work long, while depending on ourselves alone (127:1-2). He called that “anxious toil.” Psalm 111 takes a different direction: “Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart” (v. 1). That is a life of worship. This psalm shows three reasons for us to praise and thank God. The first is for His works: “Great are the works of the LORD” (v. 2). Creation declares His greatness. While much of the world today seeks natural ways to explain what God created, we praise Him for what we know He has done. Second, we need to praise and thank God for His Word: “all his precepts are trustworthy; they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness” (vv. 7-8). As the end of that statement suggests, we should also practice what He commanded. The third reason to praise and thank God is for His wisdom: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding” (v. 10). The fear of the LORD is part of worship—acknowledging His awesomeness. Worship produces wisdom.
February 5, Thursday
Reading B36 — Psalm 112 — Godly People Audio: Psalm 112 (ESV)
An audio recording of the following comments is available below:
Reflecting God — This psalm is a companion to yesterday’s Psalm 111. They are both identically formed acrostics, each line starting with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet, and both beginning with the separate introductory statement, “Praise the LORD!” They are different, however, in that the bulk of the content in Psalm 111 is about God’s goodness and Psalm 112 is about the righteous acts of those who follow God. Whereas Psalm 111:3 says that God’s “righteousness endures forever,” twice in Psalm 112, it states that also for the godly person, “… his righteousness endures forever” (vv. 3 and 9). Godly people reflect God’s goodness. It is interesting that both of these statements appear in a financial context. With the first one, it is, “Wealth and riches are in his house…” (v. 3), and with the second, “He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor” (v. 9). He receives from God and he gives to others. Again, he is reflecting God’s goodness. The godly person’s characteristics listed here are that He “fears the LORD … delights in his commandments … is gracious, merciful, and righteous … deals generously … distributed freely … given to the poor.” How many of those qualities describe your normal attitudes and actions? How much are we reflecting God’s goodness? Test yourself!
February 6, Friday
Reading B37 — Psalm 113 — Praise the LORD! Audio: Psalm 113 (ESV)
An audio recording of the following comments is available below:
Worthy of Praise — The Hebrew word hallelu-yah (“Praise the LORD!”) begins and ends this psalm. He is to be praised first for His character, “the name of the LORD” (vv. 1-2), which is stated in each of the first three verses. That name, Yahweh, represents who God is, His character. When David organized the group of Levites who would lead worship in the temple, his motivation was this: “For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised…” (1 Chron. 16:25; cf. Psa. 48:1, 96:4, and 145:3). We should praise God because He is worthy of our praise. Second, God is to be praised because of His superiority. He is “high above all nations, and … above the heavens … [and] is seated on high” (Ps. 113:4-6). That speaks not only of elevation but also of majesty. He is greater than all the people He created and their governing systems. Third, God is to be praised because of His compassion. “He raises the poor … and lifts the needy … to make them sit with princes” (vv. 7-8). That reminded me of how David reached out to Mephibosheth and let him eat daily at his table together with his sons (2 Sam. 9:11). Another example of God’s compassion was for Samuel’s mother, Hannah. The above words from verses 7-8 came from the Song of Hannah in 1 Sam. 2:8. She was also a “barren woman” to whom God gave a child, “making her the joyous mother of children” (Ps. 113:9). God is great in character, majestic in superiority, and supportive in compassion, which is worthy of praise.
February 7, Saturday
Reading B38 — Psalm 114 — God’s Trembling Presence Audio: Psalm 114 (ESV)
An audio recording of the following comments is available below:
Power with Purpose — This psalm looks back to how God’s power brought Israel from Egypt into the Promised Land. The first stanza emphasizes God’s choice of Israel to be His people: “Judah became his sanctuary, Israel his dominion” (v. 2). The next stanza personifies the waters of the Red Sea and the Jordan River as they parted to let Israel pass through to the other side. When God’s presence came to Mt. Sinai for giving the Law, “the whole mountain trembled greatly” (Ex. 10:18). This is likely what today’s psalm referred to when it says, “The mountains skipped like rams” (v. 4) and the earth was told, “Tremble … at the presence of the Lord” (v. 7). The last miraculous event mentioned here refers to God “who turns the rock into a pool of water” (v. 8). Twice in the desert, God supplied water to drink in the wandering of the Jews. Why did He display His miraculous power in this way? It was to care for His people, the people he had chosen even before they went to Egypt. It was power with a loving purpose. He parted the sea and the river to make a way for His people. He shook a mountain to emphasize the importance of the Law He was giving to His people. God’s power is still at work today, also to provide for those who follow Him in obedience. It is not always obvious, but it is purposeful. He loves us and arranges circumstances to meet our needs. When you pray before eating today, remember other things you have been given by His powerful and loving provision, and thank Him for that, too!
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