Month: February 2019

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02/08/2019 DAB Transcript

Exodus 28:1-43, Matthew 25:31-26:13, Psalms 31:9-18, Proverbs 8:12-13

Today is the 8th day of February. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian and it, of course, is great to be here with you every day including today as we round the corner on another work week. So, we’ve been reading from the Amplified Bible this week and we’ll continue to do that until this week is over. And we’re reading our way through the book of Exodus right now, and the formation of a culture, and the shift of an identity from that of a slave to that of a chosen people. So, God has been telling Moses about the tabernacle, the place that would be in the center of the culture, the center of the camp, the Place where God would dwell with His people and how He would like that to be set up and the proper care for it as they moved around. So, we’ll pick up where we left off yesterday. Today, Exodus chapter 28.

Commentary:

Okay. So, for the last several days as we’ve been moving through the gospel of Matthew Jesus has been holding a discourse on the end times and we conclude that conversation in today’s reading. And it was a lengthy conversation with a lot to chew on. But as Jesus concludes this final discussion He describes the final judgment and he talks about sitting on His glorious throne and then all the nations are brought into His presence and then separated, right? Some to His right and some to His left. The sheep on the right, the goats on the left. And can we pause here and understand that Jesus is holding a conversation about the end times and the final judgment. So, it would not be a bad idea to pay attention to what He’s saying. And what He’s saying is, “He will sit on a throne and the nations of the world will come before Him and He will separate them into two camps, the sheep and the goats.” So, what’s the difference between the sheep and the goats? It’s the way that they cared for other people, right? So, to the sheep Jesus would be like, “come, your blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom that has been made for you from the beginning of the world because I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me drink, right, stranger and you invited me in your home, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you cared for me, I was in prison and you visited me.” And in the story the sheep respond like, “when did we ever do that”? And the response is, “you did it when you did it for the least of these”. The goats on the other hand were sent away. Same kind of conversation happens only they did not care for others in the way that Jesus is describing. So, from Jesus teaching on the end times and His teaching on God’s kingdom, we learn that our ability to see and participate is directly connected to whether we’re paying attention or not and maintaining the posture of a servant. And if there’s one thing that Jesus gave us an example of its being a servant. And if there’s one thing that Jesus was outspoken about it is that we are to follow that example and be a servant. And that can only happen out of a relationship with Jesus. I mean, our actions will align themselves with the most important relationships in our lives. So, we have to be awake and aware and vigilant, which we were talking about yesterday because God’s kingdom matters to us more than any other distraction and we’ll steward what we’ve been given because we understand that everything we have is wholly dependent on God’s grace and we’ll work on behalf of the Master by seeing the world through His eyes and caring for those who need a touch from Jesus because when we touch someone we can be giving them the touch of Jesus. We are, after all, the body of Christ in this world, His hands and feet. So, when we do these things on behalf of the least of these we’re doing it to Jesus.

Prayer:

Jesus, we acknowledge that we’re often not paying attention, especially to those who might need a touch from You, those who are the least of these. And when we think of the least of these we think of the poorest of the poor and that matters greatly because You speak about caring for the less fortunate throughout the Scriptures, but a person can gain the whole world and lose their soul, so some of the poorest of the poor among us are perhaps even those who have plenty of worldly goods, but they do not know You. And what You are suggesting here is really a change of posture, that we simply become more aware as we move through this world, that we simply become less self-focused on what we’re dealing with and equally focused on what others are dealing with because we’re all dealing with things. So, show us how to shift our hearts and begin to look outward with love at everyone around us. So, practically, rather than being angry at somebody who’s not paying attention to their driving or something like that, give us the eyes and ears to understand that they may be going through something that we can’t even imagine having to endure. Give us a heart to bless those who curse us, whether with their mouths or with their erratic driving. Help us Jesus to change the way that we look outwardly because we spend so much of our lives looking at ourselves and what we’re experiencing as if we’re the only people here when You’ve actually given us permission and empowered us with Your Spirit to do in this world the things that You did and continue to do. Show us how we fit into that story. Show us how our attitudes and postures need to change. Show us how to find Your face in the least of these. We ask this in Your precious name. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com is the website, its home base, of course, where you find out what’s going on around here.

I have mentioned a couple times this week that…man…little over a week from now and we will be off on our annual pilgrimage to the to the Promise Land where we will experience the land of the Bible and contextualize the Bible by its geography. And, yeah, those of us who are going a person, it will be epic, no doubt, but this is a community experience. And, so, whether you’re going physically our or not, you still get to go, you still get to go virtually. This is a good time to follow Daily Audio Bible on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram if you just want to see kind of the posts that are coming sometimes even hourly. We try to post as often as we can. Sometimes there’s, you know, not as much connectivity and we have to wait until we’re in some zone where we have cell, but we’re continually kind of making this a virtual experience. And I will obviously be discussing and describing the things that we are seeing and doing as we take this journey. So, this is kind of a time when the Bible begins to come alive inside the community as we’re journeying forward toward springtime. So, my request of this community, is that we pray, that we ask God for strength and stamina and traveling mercies and health and jet lag, and all of these things that kind of go along with basically going to the other side of the world. So, if we can begin to pray into that, it gives us as we leave an enormous amount of comfort to know that we are not alone and that our brothers and sisters all over the world are praying. So, thank you, thank you for your prayers over the upcoming trip to Israel.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, you can do that it dailyaudiobible.com. There is a link and it’s on the homepage if you just scroll down a little bit. If you’re using the Daily Audio Bible app, you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner or, if you prefer, the mailing address is PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174.

And, of course, as always, if you have a prayer request or comment, 877-942-4253 is the number to dial.

And that’s it for today. I’m Brian I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

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The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Friday February 8, 2019 (NIV)

Exodus 28

Garments of the Priests

28 “Now bring your brother Aaron near, and his sons with him from among the sons of Israel, so that he may serve as priest to Me—Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons. 2 You are to make sacred garments [official clothing reserved for holy services] for Aaron your brother, for honor and for beauty (ornamentation). 3 Tell all the skilled and talented people whom I have endowed with a spirit of wisdom, that they are to make Aaron’s garments to sanctify him and set him apart to serve as a priest for Me. 4 These are the garments which they shall make: a breastpiece and an ephod [for the breastpiece] and a robe and a tunic of checkered work, a turban, and a sash. They shall make sacred garments for Aaron your brother and his sons, so that he may serve as a priest to Me. 5 They are to use the gold and the blue and the purple and the scarlet fabric and fine twisted linen [from the people],

6 and they shall make the ephod of gold and blue, purple, and scarlet fabric and fine twisted linen, skillfully woven and [beautifully] worked. 7 It is to have two shoulder pieces joined to its two [back and front] ends, so that it may be joined together. 8 And the skillfully woven sash, which is on the ephod shall be made of the same material: of gold, of blue, purple, and scarlet fabric and fine twisted linen. 9 You shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the [twelve] sons of Israel, 10 six of their names on one stone and the remaining six names on the other stone, arranged in the order of their births. 11 With the work of a jeweler, like the engravings of a signet, you shall engrave the two stones according to the names of the sons of Israel. You shall have them set in [a]filigree [settings] of gold. 12 You shall put the two stones on the [two] shoulder pieces of the ephod [of the high priest], as memorial stones for Israel; and Aaron shall bear their names on his two shoulders as a memorial before the Lord. 13 You shall make filigree [settings] of gold, 14 and you are to make two chains of pure gold like twisted cords, and fasten the corded chains to the settings.

15 “You are to make a breastpiece of judgment, the work of a skilled and talented craftsman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it: of gold, of blue, purple, and scarlet fabric and of fine twisted linen. 16 The breastpiece shall be square and folded double; a span [about nine inches] in length and a span in width. 17 You shall mount on it four rows of stones: the first row shall be a row of ruby, topaz, and emerald; 18 the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; 19 the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 20 and the fourth row a beryl and an onyx and a jasper; they shall be set in gold filigree. 21 The [engraved] stones shall be twelve, according to the names of [the twelve tribes of] the sons of Israel; they shall be like the engravings of a signet, each with its name for the twelve tribes. 22 You shall make for the breastpiece chains of pure gold twisted like cords. 23 You shall make on the breastpiece two rings of gold, and shall put the two rings on the two ends of the breastpiece. 24 You shall put the two twisted cords of gold in the two rings which are on the ends of the breastpiece. 25 The other two ends of the two cords you shall fasten in the two filigree settings in front, putting them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod. 26 You shall make two gold rings and put them at the two ends of the breastpiece, on its inside edge next to the ephod. 27 You are to make two gold rings and attach them to the lower part of the two shoulder pieces of the ephod in front, close to the place where it is joined, above the skillfully woven sash of the ephod. 28 They shall bind the breastpiece by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a blue cord, so that it will be above the skillfully woven sash of the ephod, so that the breastpiece will not come loose from the ephod. 29 So Aaron shall carry the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob) in the breastpiece of judgment over his heart when he enters the Holy Place, to bring them in continual remembrance before the Lord. 30 In the breastpiece of judgment you shall put the [b]Urim (Lights) and the Thummim (Perfections) [to be used for determining God’s will in a matter]. They shall be over Aaron’s heart whenever he goes before the Lord, and Aaron shall always carry the judgment (verdict, judicial decisions) of the sons of Israel over his heart before the Lord.

31 “And you shall make the [c]robe of the ephod all of blue. 32 There shall be an opening at its top in the center [for the head], with a binding of woven work around the opening, like the opening in a coat of armor, so that it will not tear or fray. 33 You shall make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet fabric all around its hem, with gold bells between them; 34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, all around the [bottom] hem of the robe. 35 Aaron shall wear the robe when he ministers, and its sound shall be heard when he goes [alone] into the Holy Place before the Lord, and when he comes out, so that he will not die there.

36 “You shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engravings of a signet, ‘Holy to the Lord.’(A) 37 You shall fasten it on the front of the turban with a blue cord. 38 It shall be on Aaron’s forehead, and Aaron shall take away the guilt from the holy things which the sons of Israel dedicate, with regard to all their holy gifts. It shall always be on his forehead, so that they may be accepted before the Lord.(B)

39 “You shall weave the tunic of checkered work of fine linen, and make a turban of fine linen. You shall make a sash, the work of an embroiderer.

40 “For Aaron’s sons you shall make tunics and sashes and [ornamental] caps, for glory and honor and beauty. 41 You shall put the various articles of clothing on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them and ordain and sanctify them, so that they may serve Me as priests. 42 You shall make for them [white] linen undergarments to cover their bare flesh, reaching from the waist to the thighs. 43 The various articles of clothing shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they enter the Tent of Meeting, or when they approach the altar [of incense] to minister in the Holy Place, so that they do not incur guilt and die. It shall be a statute forever to Aaron and to his descendants after him.

Footnotes:

  1. Exodus 28:11 I.e. ornamental openwork of delicate or intricate design.
  2. Exodus 28:30 I.e. unspecified articles used like lots when the high priest asked God’s counsel for Israel.
  3. Exodus 28:31 I.e. the robe worn underneath the ephod.

Cross references:

  1. Exodus 28:36 : Ex 39:30
  2. Exodus 28:38 : Luke 24:44; Heb 8:1, 2
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

Matthew 25:31-26:13

The Judgment

31 “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory and majesty and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.(A) 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him [for judgment]; and He will separate them from one another, as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats;(B) 33 and He will put the sheep on His right [the place of honor], and the goats on His left [the place of rejection].

34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father [you favored of God, appointed to eternal salvation], inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me [with help and ministering care]; I was in prison, and you came to Me [ignoring personal danger].’(C) 37 Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 And when did we see You as a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 The King will answer and say to them, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it for Me.’(D)

41 “Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Leave Me, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels (demons); 42 for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; 43 I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me [with help and ministering care].’ 44 Then they also [in their turn] will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or as a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will reply to them, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, to the extent that you did not do it for one of the least of these [my followers], you did not do it for Me.’(E) 46 Then these [unbelieving people] will go away into eternal (unending) punishment, but those who are righteous and in right standing with God [will go, by His remarkable grace] into eternal (unending) life.”(F)

The Plot to Kill Jesus

26 When Jesus had finished this [a]discourse, He said to His disciples, 2 “You know that the Passover is coming in two days, and the Son of Man is to be betrayed and handed over for crucifixion.”(G)

3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the courtyard of the [elegant home of the Jewish] high priest, whose name was [b]Caiaphas, 4 and plotted together to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill Him. 5 But they said, “It must not be during the festival (Passover), otherwise there might be a riot among the people.”

The Anointing in Bethany

6 Now when Jesus was [back] in Bethany, at the home of [c]Simon the leper,(H) 7 a [d]woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very expensive [e]perfume and she poured it on Jesus’ head as He reclined at the table. 8 But when the [f]disciples saw it they were indignant and angry, saying, “Why all this waste [of money]? 9 For this perfume might have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware [of the malice] of this [remark], said to them, “Why are you bothering the woman? She has done a good thing to Me. 11 For you always have the poor with you; but you will not always have Me.(I) 12 When she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. 13 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, wherever this gospel [of salvation] is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her [for her act of love and devotion].”

Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 26:1 I.e. a formal, extended teaching about important matters.
  2. Matthew 26:3 Caiaphas served as high priest a.d. 18 to 36. His father-in-law, Annas, served as high priest a.d. 6-15. Annas was removed from the position by Rome, but continued to be extremely influential and was regarded by the Jews as de facto high priest even though others (his sons and son-in-law) officially held the office. In about 1990, in an ancient burial cave outside Jerusalem, Israeli archeologists found twelve limestone ossuaries (bone boxes). One of them was uniquely elaborate and decorated with a rare and intricate pattern of rosettes. According to its inscription, this ossuary contained the bones of Caiaphas.
  3. Matthew 26:6 Most likely a man previously healed by Jesus. Otherwise he would not be able to have a home among others in the city.
  4. Matthew 26:7 John the Apostle identifies this woman as Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus (Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8). Jesus was anointed in a similar way by an unnamed woman when He was in Galilee dining at the home of Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7:36-40).
  5. Matthew 26:7 This was a thick, scented oil (nard) obtained from the root of a flowering plant grown in the Himalayas of Tibet.
  6. Matthew 26:8 Judas Iscariot, the betrayer, spoke first denouncing this act of devotion (John 12:4, 5).

Cross references:

  1. Matthew 25:31 : Rev 20:4-6
  2. Matthew 25:32 : Ezek 34:17
  3. Matthew 25:36 : Is 58:7
  4. Matthew 25:40 : Prov 19:17
  5. Matthew 25:45 : Prov 14:31; 17:5
  6. Matthew 25:46 : Dan 12:2
  7. Matthew 26:2 : Mark 14:1, 2; Luke 22:1, 2
  8. Matthew 26:6 : Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8
  9. Matthew 26:11 : Deut 15:11; Mark 14:7
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

Psalm 31:9-18

9 
Be gracious and compassionate to me, O Lord, for I am in trouble;
My eye is clouded and weakened by grief, my soul and my body also.
10 
For my life is spent with sorrow
And my years with sighing;
My strength has failed because of my iniquity,
And even my body has wasted away.
11 
Because of all my enemies I have become a reproach and disgrace,
Especially to my neighbors,
And an object of dread to my acquaintances;
Those who see me on the street run from me.
12 
I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind;
I am like a broken vessel.
13 
For I have heard the slander and whispering of many,
Terror is on every side;
While they schemed together against me,
They plotted to take away my life.(A)

14 
But as for me, I trust [confidently] in You and Your greatness, O Lord;
I said, “You are my God.”
15 
My times are in Your hands;
Rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from those who pursue and persecute me.
16 
Make Your face shine upon Your servant;
Save me in Your lovingkindness.
17 
Let me not be put to shame, O Lord, for I call on You;
Let the wicked (godless) be put to shame, let them be silent in Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead).
18 
Let the lying lips be mute,
Which speak insolently and arrogantly against the [consistently] righteous
With pride and contempt.

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 31:13 : Jer 20:10
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 8:12-13

12 
“I, [godly] wisdom, reside with prudence [good judgment, moral courage and astute common sense],
And I find knowledge and discretion.(A)
13 
“The [reverent] fear and worshipful awe of the Lord includes the hatred of evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way,
And the perverted mouth, I hate.

Cross references:

  1. Proverbs 8:12 : James 1:5
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

Posted on

02/07/2019 DAB Transcript

Exodus 26:1-27:21, Matthew 25:1-30, Psalms 31:1-8, Proverbs 8:1-11

Today is the 7th day of the month of February. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian and every day we come together like this and every day it’s a pleasure to be in your presence and have this time to take the next step forward in our adventure through the Scriptures. And our current adventure leads us back into the book of Exodus where an entire culture is being built up from scratch. We’re reading from the Amplified Bible this week. Exodus chapter 26 and 27.

Commentary:

Okay. So, in the gospel of Matthew for the last couple days we’ve been talking about the end times because that’s what Jesus is talking about. And, so, we’ve been kind of moving our way through that. We touched on apocalyptic worldview and the fact that Jesus tells us that when these things do begin to happen the way that we are supposed to look at them is to understand that this is birthing pains and it will give birth to all things being made new again. And we were also counsel not to basically live in panic mode. Actually, we’re supposed to live opposite of panic mode. We’re supposed to be aware and vigilant and perceptive and see what’s going on. And as for dating the end of the world, as we’re like trying to figure that out, is it is a going to be 2019, is going to be 2029, will be 2129? As for that, Jesus basically puts an end to it by saying, “nobody knows, nobody but the Father.” So, that’s some of the territory that we’ve navigated through and Jesus is continuing that conversation in today’s reading by using a couple of stories, parables, that are designed to illustrate what he’s talking about and also what the kingdom of God is like. And these parables they basically seal the deal in showing us that our posture for the kingdom of heaven should be no different than the posture toward the end of days. So, in the first story Jesus told the parable of the 10 bridesmaids who went to a wedding feast and the bridegroom hadn’t arrived yet, so the women had to wait. And as they waited the differences between them were revealed. Half of them were ready. Half of them had been vigilant. Half of them had been aware and they brought extra oil for their lamps while the other half didn’t. And when the oil ran out the unprepared bridesmaids had to go in search of more but while they were gone the bridegroom arrived. So, those who were prepared, who had been vigilant, who understood what was going on were allowed into the celebration and those who were not missed out on it. And then in the second story Jesus told of a master who was planning to go away for a while and he provided resources to three of his servants with an understanding that they would steward those resources while he was gone. And, so, he went and then he came back and when he returned he asked for an accounting and two of the servants had doubled what they’d been given, right? So, they were vigilant and they were aware and astute and wise and they received very encouraging words from the master, “well done my good and faithful servant”, because those servants had taken a risk and they put the resources to good and profitable use. And, so, he invited them. “You’ve been faithful in handling small things and now I’m gonna give you…I’m gonna let you handle larger things. Come in and let’s celebrate.” Oh…but there was the third…the third of the three. And that servant was fearful. And, so, he took what he’d been given, and he hid it in the ground. So, he didn’t lose anything, but he didn’t gain anything, and he didn’t risk anything. Like, even if he had risked and lost that would be an attempt but he buried in the ground and the master didn’t respond as favorably to him. He says, “to those who use well what they’re given then even more will be given and they’ll have an abundance but for those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.” So, as we’re kind of rounding the bend on this discourse about the end times, from the lips of the master we’re reminded that we really don’t have another choice but to stay prepared and aware. And we don’t really have another choice but to be vigilant because everything that we have has been given to us to steward on behalf of the master. And it doesn’t matter how much or how little we have, we’re to use whatever we have. And this isn’t just about dollars, right, or Euro’s or whatever the currency is in your country. This isn’t about money. This is about everything. We’ve got to get our minds around this. As we move forward into the message of Jesus, we are going to come face-to-face with the stark reality that this is all or nothing. So, it doesn’t matter what we have, and it doesn’t matter if we don’t feel prepared or that we don’t have enough. We’re to use what we have whether it’s our time or our talent or our money in the service of the master. He will provide more if we steward what we are given well, which is summed up pretty nicely in our reading from Proverbs today. “Take my instruction rather than seeking silver and take knowledge rather than choicest gold for wisdom is better than rubies, and all desirable things cannot compare with her.” And we talked about wisdom on a number of occasions already this year and it won’t be the last time because we’re not going to get anywhere if we don’t make it the goal to achieve wisdom over anything else and understand that if we are wise there’s not much we cannot achieve. And one of the things we must achieve through wisdom is this preparedness, this vigilance, this awareness of what is going on that Jesus is speaking about in the gospel of Matthew today.

Prayer:

Father, we acknowledge that we have a role to play in this, that we must seek wisdom, and actually that it must be something that we seek and try to attain more than any other thing that we’re trying to achieve or obtain. So, we realize we have to do our part by opening our eyes and seeking out wisdom; however, we also understand that we won’t know how to implement wisdom into our lives without Your Holy Spirit. And, so, we’ll do our part because You have commanded that we do our part, You’ve told us that getting wisdom is going to alter the trajectory of our lives in a good way. And, so, we heed that and we seek it and we invite Your Holy Spirit to lead us to it. Come Holy Spirit we pray. In Jesus’ name we ask. Amen.

Announcements:

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If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, you can do that at dailyaudiobible.com as well. There’s a link that lives on the homepage. If you’re using the Daily Audio Bible app, you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner or, if you prefer, the mailing address is PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174.

And, as always, if you have a prayer request or comment, 877-942-4253 is the number to dial.

And that’s it for today. I’m Brian I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

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The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Thursday February 7, 2019 (NIV)

Exodus 26-27

Curtains of Linen

26 “Moreover, you shall make the tabernacle (sacred tent of worship) with ten [interior] curtains of fine twisted linen, and blue, purple, and scarlet fabric; you shall make them with [embroidered] cherubim, the handwork of a skillful craftsman. 2 The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; all of the curtains shall measure the same. 3 The five curtains shall be joined to one another, and the other five curtains shall be joined to one another. 4 You shall make loops of blue on the outer edge of the last curtain in the first set, and likewise in the second set. 5 You shall make fifty loops on the one curtain, and fifty loops on the edge of the last curtain that is in the second set. The loops on one curtain correspond to the loops on the other. 6 You shall make fifty gold hooks, and fasten the curtains together with the hooks; and the tabernacle shall be one unit.

Curtains of Goats’ Hair

7 “Then you shall make [exterior] curtains of goats’ hair as a tent over the tabernacle. You shall make eleven curtains in all. 8 Each curtain shall be thirty cubits long and four cubits wide. The eleven curtains shall all measure the same. 9 You shall join five curtains by themselves and the other six curtains by themselves, and you shall double over the sixth curtain at the front of the tent [to make a closed door]. 10 Make fifty loops on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set, and fifty loops on the edge of the outermost curtain in the second set.

11 “You shall make fifty bronze hooks and put the hooks into the loops and join the tent together so that it may be one unit. 12 The overlapping part that is left over from the tent curtains, the half curtain that is left over, shall lap over the back of the tabernacle. 13 The cubit on one side and the cubit on the other, of what is left over in the length of the curtains of the tent shall lap over the sides of the tabernacle on one side and the other side, to cover it. 14 You shall make a third covering for the tent of rams’ [a]skins dyed red, and a fourth covering above that of [b]porpoise skins.

Boards and Sockets

15 “Then you shall make the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing upright [as a trellis-like frame]. 16 The length of each board shall be ten cubits and the width of each board shall be one and a half cubits. 17 Make two dovetails in each board for fitting [them] together; you shall do the same for all the tabernacle boards. 18 You shall make the boards for the tabernacle [in the following quantities]: twenty boards for the south side. 19 You shall make forty silver sockets under the twenty boards, two sockets under each board for its two dovetails, and two sockets under another board for its two dovetails; 20 for the north side of the tabernacle there shall be twenty boards, 21 and their forty silver sockets, two sockets under each board. 22 For the back or west side of the tabernacle you shall make six boards. 23 Make two boards for the corners of the tabernacle at the rear [on both sides]. 24 They shall be joined together underneath, and joined together on top with one ring. So shall it be for both of them; they shall form the two [rear] corners. 25 There shall be eight boards and sixteen silver sockets; two sockets under each board.

26 “Then you shall make [fifteen] bars of acacia wood: five for the boards of one side of the tabernacle, 27 and five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the rear end of the tabernacle, for the back wall toward the west. 28 And the middle bar in the center of the boards shall pass through [horizontally] from end to end. 29 You shall overlay the boards with gold and make their rings of gold to hold the bars. You shall overlay the bars with gold. 30 You shall erect the tabernacle according to its plan [the direction corresponding to its meaning and purpose] which has been shown to you on the mountain.

The Veil and Screen

31 “You shall make a veil [to divide the two rooms] of blue, purple, and scarlet fabric and fine twisted linen, skillfully worked with cherubim on it. 32 You shall hang it on four pillars (support poles) of acacia wood overlaid with gold, with gold hooks, on four silver sockets. 33 You shall hang the veil from the hooks [that connect the curtains together], and you shall bring the ark of the Testimony there within the veil. The veil shall separate for you the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. 34 You shall put the [c]mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony in the Holy of Holies. 35 You shall set the table [for the bread] outside the veil [in the Holy Place] on the north side, and the lampstand opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle.

36 “You shall make a screen [to provide a covering] for the doorway of the tent of blue, purple, and scarlet fabric and finely woven [embroidered] linen, the work of an embroiderer.(A) 37 You shall make five pillars (support poles) of acacia wood to support the hanging curtain and overlay them with gold. Their hooks shall be of gold, and you shall cast five [base] sockets of bronze for them.

The Bronze Altar

27 “And you shall make the altar [for burnt offerings] of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide; the altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits. 2 Make horns (horn-shaped projections) for it on its four corners; the horns shall be of one piece with it, and you shall overlay it with bronze. 3 You shall make pots to remove its ashes, and shovels, basins [to catch the blood of the sacrificed animal], meat-forks, and firepans [to store live coals]. You shall make all its utensils of bronze. 4 Also make a grate for it, a network of bronze; and on the grid you are to make four bronze rings at its four corners. 5 And you shall put it under the ledge of the altar, so that the grid will extend halfway up the altar. 6 You shall make [carrying] poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, overlaid with bronze. 7 The poles shall be inserted through the rings on the two sides of the altar so that it may be carried.(B) 8 You are to make the altar hollow with planks; as you were shown on the mountain [of Sinai], so shall it be made.

Court of the Tabernacle

9 “You shall make the court of the tabernacle. The south side of the court is to have curtains of fine twisted linen, a hundred cubits long for one side; 10 it shall have twenty pillars and twenty bronze sockets; but the hooks of the pillars and their fasteners shall be silver; 11 likewise for the north side there shall be curtains, a hundred cubits long, and its twenty pillars and twenty bronze sockets; but the hooks of the pillars and their fasteners shall be silver. 12 For the width of the court on the west side there shall be curtains of fifty cubits, with ten pillars (support poles) and ten sockets. 13 The width of the court [to the front], on the east side shall be fifty cubits. 14 The curtains for one side [of the gate] shall be fifteen cubits with three pillars and three sockets. 15 On the other side [of the gate] the curtains shall be fifteen cubits with three pillars and three sockets. 16 For the gate of the court there shall be a screen [to provide a covering] of twenty cubits, of blue, purple, and scarlet fabric and finely woven [embroidered] linen, the work of an embroiderer, with four pillars and four [base] sockets. 17 All the pillars (support poles) around the court shall be joined together with silver rods; their hooks shall be of silver and their sockets of bronze. 18 The length of the court shall be a hundred cubits, and the width fifty [cubits] throughout, and the height five cubits of fine twisted linen, and their sockets of bronze. 19 All the tabernacle’s utensils and instruments used in all its service, and all its stakes, and all the stakes for the court, shall be of bronze.

20 “You shall command the Israelites to provide you with clear oil of beaten olives for the light, to make a lamp burn continually [every night]. 21 In the Tent of Meeting [of God with His people], outside the veil which is in front of the [ark of the] Testimony [and sets it apart], Aaron [the high priest] and his sons shall keep the lamp burning from evening to morning before the Lord. It shall be a perpetual statute [to be observed] throughout their generations on behalf of the Israelites.

Footnotes:

  1. Exodus 26:14 Similar to morocco leather.
  2. Exodus 26:14 Hebrew uncertain.
  3. Exodus 26:34 See note 25:17.

Cross references:

  1. Exodus 26:36 : John 10:9
  2. Exodus 27:7 : Num 4:14, 15
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

Matthew 25:1-30

Parable of Ten Virgins

25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went to [a]meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish [thoughtless, silly, and careless], and five were wise [far-sighted, practical, and sensible]. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil along with their lamps. 5 Now while the bridegroom was delayed, they all began to nod off, and they fell asleep. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! The bridegroom [is coming]! Go out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order [trimmed the wicks and added oil and lit them]. 8 But the foolish virgins said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise replied, ‘No, otherwise there will not be enough for us and for you, too; go instead to the dealers and buy oil for yourselves.’ 10 But while they were going away to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut and locked. 11 Later the others also came, and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open [the door] for us.’ 12 But He replied, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I do not know you [we have no relationship].’ 13 Therefore, be on the alert [be prepared and ready], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come].

Parable of the Talents

14 “For it is just like a man who was about to take a journey, and he called his servants together and entrusted them with his possessions.(A) 15 To one he gave five [b]talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and then he went on his journey. 16 The one who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he [made a profit and] gained five more. 17 Likewise the one who had two [made a profit and] gained two more. 18 But the one who had received the one went and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19 “Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 And the one who had received the five talents came and brought him five more, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted to me five talents. See, I have [made a profit and] gained five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.’

22 “Also the one who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have [made a profit and] gained two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.’

24 “The one who had received one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a harsh and demanding man, reaping [the harvest] where you did not sow and gathering where you did not scatter seed. 25 So I was afraid [to lose the talent], and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is your own.’

26 “But his master answered him, ‘You wicked, lazy servant, you knew that I reap [the harvest] where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter seed. 27 Then you ought to have put my money with the bankers, and at my return I would have received my money back with interest. 28 So take the talent away from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’

29 “For to everyone who has [and values his blessings and gifts from God, and has used them wisely], more will be given, and [he will be richly supplied so that] he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have [because he has ignored or disregarded his blessings and gifts from God], even what he does have will be taken away.(B) 30 And throw out the worthless servant into the outer darkness; in that place [of grief and torment] there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger].

Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 25:1 In a procession, the bridegroom and his friends brought the bride from her father’s house to his house where the wedding feast was prepared.
  2. Matthew 25:15 A talent was a measurement of weight, usually 58-80 pounds. One talent of silver was worth more than 15 years’ wages. One talent of gold was worth even more.

Cross references:

  1. Matthew 25:14 : Luke 19:12-27
  2. Matthew 25:29 : Matt 13:12; Luke 19:26
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

Psalm 31:1-8

A Psalm of Complaint and of Praise.

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

31 In You, O Lord, I have placed my trust and taken refuge;
Let me never be [a]ashamed;
In Your righteousness rescue me.
2 
Incline Your ear to me, deliver me quickly;
Be my rock of refuge,
And a strong fortress to save me.
3 
Yes, You are my rock and my fortress;
For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.
4 
You will draw me out of the net that they have secretly laid for me,
For You are my strength and my stronghold.
5 
[b]Into Your hand I commit my spirit;
You have redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth and faithfulness.(A)

6 
I hate those who pay regard to vain (empty, worthless) idols;
But I trust in the Lord [and rely on Him with unwavering confidence].
7 
I will rejoice and be glad in Your steadfast love,
Because You have seen my affliction;
You have taken note of my life’s distresses,
8 
And You have not given me into the hand of the enemy;
You have set my feet in a broad place.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 31:1 I.e. have my expectations in Your goodness be disappointed.
  2. Psalm 31:5 The ancient rabbis made this statement a bedtime prayer.

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 31:5 : Luke 23:46; Acts 7:59
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 8:1-11

The Commendation of Wisdom

8 Does not wisdom call,
And understanding lift up her voice?
2 
On the top of the heights beside the way,
Where the paths meet, wisdom takes her stand;
3 
Beside the gates, at the entrance to the city,
At the entrance of the doors, she cries out:
4 
“To you, O men, I call,
And my voice is directed to the sons of men.
5 
“O you naive or inexperienced [who are easily misled], understand prudence and seek astute common sense;
And, O you [closed-minded, self-confident] fools, understand wisdom [seek the insight and self-discipline that leads to godly living].(A)
6 
“Listen, for I will speak excellent and noble things;
And the opening of my lips will reveal right things.
7 
“For my mouth will utter truth,
And wickedness is repulsive and loathsome to my lips.
8 
“All the words of my mouth are in righteousness (upright, in right standing with God);
There is nothing contrary to truth or perverted (crooked) in them.
9 
“They are all straightforward to him who understands [with an open and willing mind],
And right to those who find knowledge and live by it.
10 
“Take my instruction rather than [seeking] silver,
And take knowledge rather than choicest gold,
11 
“For wisdom is better than rubies;
And all desirable things cannot compare with her.(B)

Cross references:

  1. Proverbs 8:5 : Is 32:6
  2. Proverbs 8:11 : Job 28:15; Ps 19:10; 119:127
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

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02/06/2019 DAB Transcript

Exodus 23:14-25:40, Matthew 24:29-51, Psalms 30:1-12, Proverbs 7:24-27

Today is the 6th day of February. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian. It is great to be here with you today as we take our next step forward into this month and through the Bible. And we’ve been reading from the Amplified Bible this week, which is what we’ll continue to do. We’re in the book of Exodus in our Old Testament reading. Today we’ll read chapter 23 verse 14 through 25 verse 40. And we’re reading some of the first laws to be given.

Commentary:

Okay. So, in the book of Matthew today Jesus is continuing a conversation that He started yesterday as He’s walking with His disciples by the Temple complex and they’re kind of marveling about the construction of the whole thing and Jesus says, “the whole thing’s coming down” basically and then He begins this conversation about the end times. So, He’s like, “the sun will be darkened and the moon isn’t gonna have any light and the stars are gonna fall from the sky and the powers of the heavens are gonna be shaken and then at last the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens and there’ll be deep mourning among the peoples of the earth.” This is Jesus actually quoting Isaiah chapter 13 and Joel chapter 2 as He’s discussing the time of the end. And as we talked about yesterday when we began this conversation, Jesus is…He’s revealing that the thing that we deeply long for, right, the rebirth of everything, when all things are made new. So, what we long for is preceded by things that we’d probably rather skip, right? We want the baby without the labor pains but it’s only the labor pains that bring the new birth. So, for millennia we’ve been trying to, you know, observe the signs of the times and make the predictions on where we are, and an apocalyptic worldview kind of leaves a sense of unease just kind of permeating everything, but Jesus actually pulled us away from that fear and hysteria and asked us to look from a different perspective. Jesus said, “nobody knows the day or the hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven, not even the Son Himself. Only the Father knows. So, see you gotta keep watch because you don’t know the day when your Lord is coming.” That could change our lives if we would embrace that because it involves every moment of our lives starting like right now. So, Jesus said, “yeah, I mean it’s gonna get rocky out there and there’s going to be some tumultuous situations to go through but we’re not supposed to be pulled toward fear or panic, instead we’re supposed to live with awareness and hope, awareness of what’s going on so that were not blindsided and surprised and hope for what is actually happening. Even though at first it’s gonna look hard and bad, it’s actually birth pains, new life comes out the other side of this story.” And we aren’t gonna figure out…we’re not gonna figure out something in Jesus Himself from His own lips is claiming not to know. What we’re supposed to do is be ready, be prepared, is the whole story that Jesus told, the last of our reading today where a master has put a servant in charge of caring for the other servants and then goes away, and he expects that servant to care for his other servants until he gets back. And if he does then the master will put them in charge of all his possessions but if he doesn’t and he says in his heart, and this is where it gets a really, really familiar, “it’s taking a long time, he’s not going to return for a long while.” If the servant in the story takes that perspective, then he will stop being vigilant about how he cares for the other servants and may even begin to be abusive toward them and may begin to be seduced into what…in Jesus vernacular, “drink with drunkards”, right? So, be seduced into a worldly lifestyle that’s full of partying and no vigilance, well then, the servant wasn’t paying attention, wasn’t aware, and the master will show up unexpected. So, basically the posture Jesus is suggesting that we espouse and live into is to approach…is to approach the future as if it’s already underway. And if we’ll heed this then we will be ready, not just like for whenever the end times may be truly upon the human race we’ll be ready to participate and collaborate with God in the redemption of the world wherever we are on the continuum. And watch as I tell you this, these themes of vigilance, of awareness of endurance, and stamina, preparedness, they’re gonna run through the rest of the whole Bible. The Bible will continually shake us awake because we’re not supposed to go through life asleep, we’re supposed to be participating.

Prayer:

Father, we thank You for this, another day to kind of contemplate these things, these matters of vigilance and preparedness in the context of the end times, which is what You were speaking of today Jesus. And, so, we thank You for this opportunity and we invite Your Holy Spirit to begin to speak to us about what it looks like to be ready and prepared, what it looks like to live as if the coming of the kingdom is underway, is happening, is now, and is moving forward, and we are a part of the story. Come Holy Spirit we pray in the mighty name of Jesus we ask. Amen.

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And if you have a prayer request or comment, and I have a prayer request, I mentioned it yesterday, that we as a community begin to pray into and over our pilgrimage to the land of the Bible that’s coming up in just under two weeks. We’ll be heading out and certainly I the team will be heading out from here but people from all over the United States and even the world will be flying in and meeting up in Tel Aviv and off we will go. So, prayers of the community over that as we go into it, as we’re there, and as we reintegrate back into our lives wherever our homes might be. This is something that needs prayer, needs a lot of prayer, needs God’s people who are in this together, which is us, this community around this global campfire in this together. So, thank you for your prayers. But if you have stuff going on in your own life there are a number of numbers that you can call depending on where you are in the world. If you’re in the Americas, 877-942-4253 is the number to dial. If you are in the UK or Europe 44-20-3608-8078 is the number or if you are in Australia or the lands down under 61-3-8820-5459 is the number to dial.

And that’s it for today. I’m Brian I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

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The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Wednesday February 6, 2019 (NIV)

Exodus 23:14-25:40

Three National Feasts

14 “Three times a year you shall celebrate a feast [dedicated] to Me. 15 You shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt. No one shall appear before Me empty-handed [but you shall bring sacrificial offerings]. 16 Also [you shall observe] the Feast of Harvest (Weeks, Pentecost, or First Fruits), acknowledging the first fruits of your labor, of what you sow in the field. And [third] the Feast of Ingathering (Booths or Tabernacles) at the end of the year when you gather in [the fruit of] your labors from the field. 17 Three times a year all your males shall appear before the [a]Lord God.

18 “You shall not offer the blood of My sacrifice with [b]leavened bread; and the fat of My feast is not to be left overnight until morning.

19 “You shall bring the choice first fruits of your ground into the house of the Lord your God.

“You shall not [c]boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.

Conquest of the Land

20 “Behold, I am going to send an [d]Angel before you to keep and guard you on the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. 21 Be on your guard before Him, listen to and obey His voice; do not be rebellious toward Him or provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgression, since My Name (authority) is in Him.(A) 22 But if you will indeed listen to and truly obey His voice and do everything that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. 23 When My Angel goes before you and brings you to [the land of] the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Canaanite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, I will reject them and completely destroy them. 24 You shall not bow down to worship their gods, nor serve them, nor do [anything] in accordance with their practices. You shall completely overthrow them and break down their [sacred] pillars and images [of pagan worship]. 25 You shall serve [only] the Lord your God, and He shall bless your bread and water. I will also remove sickness from among you. 26 No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; [e]I will fulfill the number of your days. 27 I will send My terror ahead of you, and I will throw into confusion all the people among whom you come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you [in flight]. 28 I will send hornets ahead of you which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite before you. 29 I will not drive them out before you in a single year, so that the land does not become desolate [due to lack of attention] and the [wild] animals of the field do not become too numerous for you. 30 I will drive them out before you little by little, until you have increased and are strong enough to take possession of the land. 31 I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines (the Mediterranean), and from the wilderness to the River Euphrates; for I will hand over the residents of the land to you, and you shall drive them out before you. 32 You shall not make a covenant with them or with their gods. 33 They shall not live in your land, because they will make you sin against Me; for if you serve their gods, it is certain to be a trap for you [resulting in judgment].”

People Affirm Their Covenant with God

24 Then God said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu (Aaron’s older sons), and seventy of Israel’s elders, and you shall worship at a [safe] distance. 2 Moses alone shall approach the Lord, but the others shall not come near, nor shall the people come up with him.”

3 Then Moses came and told the people everything that the Lord had said and all the ordinances. And all the people answered with one voice, “Everything the Lord has said we will do.” 4 Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. Then he got up early in the morning, and built an altar [for worship] at the foot of the mountain with twelve pillars (memorial stones) representing the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as peace offerings to the Lord. 6 Moses took half of the blood and put it in large basins, and [the other] half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. 7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it aloud to the people; and they said, “Everything that the Lord has said we will do, and we will be obedient.” 8 So Moses took the blood [which had been placed in the large basins] and sprinkled it on the people, and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”(B)

9 Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up [the mountainside], 10 and they saw [a manifestation of] the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, just as clear as the sky itself.(C) 11 Yet He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the Israelites; and they saw [the manifestation of the presence of] God, and ate and drank.(D)

12 Now the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and stay there, and I will give you the stone tablets with the law and the commandments which I have written for their instruction.”(E) 13 So Moses [f]arose with Joshua his attendant, and he went up to the mountain of God. 14 And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we come back to you. Remember that Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a legal matter, let him go to them.” 15 Then Moses went up to the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16 The glory and brilliance of the Lord rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day God called to Moses from the midst of the cloud. 17 In the sight of the Israelites the appearance of the glory and brilliance of the Lord was like consuming fire on the top of the mountain. 18 Moses entered the midst of the cloud and went up the mountain; and he was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

Offerings for the Sanctuary

25 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Tell the children of Israel to take an offering for Me. From every man whose heart moves him [to give willingly] you shall take My offering. 3 This is the offering you are to receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze, 4 blue, purple, and scarlet fabric, fine twisted linen, goats’ hair, 5 rams’ [g]skins dyed red, [h]porpoise skins, [i]acacia wood, 6 [olive] oil for lighting, [j]balsam for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, 7 [k]onyx stones and setting stones for the [priest’s] ephod and for the breastpiece. 8 Have them build a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them.(F) 9 You shall construct it in accordance with everything that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture.

Ark of the Covenant

10 “They shall make an ark of acacia wood two and a half [l]cubits long, one and a half cubits wide, and one and a half cubits high. 11 You shall overlay the ark with pure gold, overlay it inside and out, and you shall make a gold border (frame) around its top. 12 You shall cast four gold rings for it and attach them to the four feet, two rings on either side. 13 You shall make [carrying] poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold, 14 and put the poles through the rings on the sides of the ark, by which to carry it. 15 The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be removed from it [so that the ark itself need not be touched]. 16 You shall put into the ark the Testimony (Ten Commandments) which I will give you.

17 “You shall make a [m]mercy seat (cover) of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and one and a half cubits wide. 18 You shall make two cherubim (winged angelic figures) of [solid] hammered gold at the two ends of the mercy seat. 19 Make one cherub at each end, making the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat at its two ends. 20 The cherubim shall have their wings spread upward, covering the mercy seat with their wings and facing each other. The faces of the cherubim are to be looking downward toward the mercy seat. 21 You shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony which I will give you. 22 There I will meet with you; from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, I will speak [intimately] with you regarding every commandment that I will give you for the Israelites.

The Table of Bread

23 “You shall make a table of acacia wood, two cubits long, one cubit wide, and one and a half cubits high. 24 You shall overlay it with pure gold and make a border of gold around the top of it. 25 You shall make a rim of a hand width around it; you shall make a gold border for the rim around it. 26 You shall make four gold rings for it and fasten them at the four corners that are on the table’s four legs. 27 The rings shall be close against the rim as holders for the poles to carry the table. 28 You shall make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold, so that the table may be carried with them. 29 You shall make its plates [for the showbread] and its cups [for incense] and its pitchers and bowls for sacrificial drink offerings; you shall make them of pure gold. 30 You shall set the bread of the [n]Presence (showbread) on the table before Me at all times.(G)

The Golden Lampstand

31 “You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The [o]lampstand and its base and its shaft shall be made of hammered work; its cups, its [p]calyxes and its flowers shall be all of one piece with it. 32 Six branches shall come out of its sides; three branches of the lampstand out of the one side and three branches of the lampstand out of its other side [the shaft being the seventh branch]. 33 Three cups shall be made like almond blossoms, each with a calyx and a flower on one branch, and three cups made like almond blossoms on the other branch with a calyx and a flower—so for the six branches coming out of the lampstand; 34 and in the [center shaft of the] lampstand [you shall make] four cups shaped like almond blossoms, with their calyxes and their flowers. 35 A calyx shall be under the first pair of branches coming out of it, and a calyx under the second pair of branches coming out of it, and a calyx under the third pair of branches coming out of it, for the six branches coming out of the lampstand. 36 Their calyxes and their branches shall be of one piece with it; all of it shall be one piece of hammered work of pure gold. 37 Then you shall make the lamps [of the lampstand] [q]seven in number [with one lamp at the top of the shaft]. The priests shall set up its seven lamps so that they will light the space in front of it. 38 Its snuffers and their trays shall be of pure gold. 39 It shall be made from a talent (50-80 lbs.) of pure gold, including all these utensils. 40 See that you make them [exactly] after their pattern which was shown to you on the mountain.(H)

Footnotes:

  1. Exodus 23:17 “Lord” with only an initial capital is Heb Adonai (Master); “God” (all caps) represents YHWH (Yahweh) and is usually rendered “Lord” (all caps).
  2. Exodus 23:18 Because leaven is a kind of fungus, it became a symbol of corruption and sin. But in some contexts it had positive connotations (e.g. Lev 23:17; Matt 13:33).
  3. Exodus 23:19 This may have been a pagan practice, perhaps a fertility rite.
  4. Exodus 23:20 “Angel” has been capitalized here to reflect the likelihood that it is God appearing in a visible form (see note Gen 16:7).
  5. Exodus 23:26 I.e. grant you long life.
  6. Exodus 24:13 The Hebrew verb “to stand” or “arise” is an instruction to prepare to fulfill a command, somewhat similar to the military command “attention.”
  7. Exodus 25:5 The finished product would be similar to morocco leather.
  8. Exodus 25:5 The meaning of the Hebrew word is not certain; some scholars have suggested that the material is instead a fine leather of unspecified origin.
  9. Exodus 25:5 The acacia tree grows wild in the Sinai region. The organic compounds in its wood, which is harder than oak, repel insects and grazing animals.
  10. Exodus 25:6 Various pleasantly scented plant products.
  11. Exodus 25:7 There is usually uncertainty about the identification of precious stones mentioned in the Bible.
  12. Exodus 25:10 Ancient measurements like the cubit were intended to be practical in that they usually were equivalent to something that was handy and readily available. The cubit was the distance from the elbow to the outstretched fingers, and the hand width (v 25)—as its name implies—was the width of the four fingers.
  13. Exodus 25:17 This was a special cover serving as the place of atonement for sin, where the high priest would sprinkle the blood of a sacrifice to reconcile the Israelites to God.
  14. Exodus 25:30 Lit Face.
  15. Exodus 25:31 In Hebrew, menorah.
  16. Exodus 25:31 Leaf-like outer part of the flower.
  17. Exodus 25:37 The first objective evidence of the sevenfold lamp was found during an excavation of Tel Beit Mirsim, south of Jerusalem, where seven-armed lamps dated about 1200 b.c. were found. The seventh season at the Dothan excavation uncovered three sevenfold lamps from the period 1400-1200 b.c.

Cross references:

  1. Exodus 23:21 : Ex 32:34; 33:14; Is 63:9
  2. Exodus 24:8 : 1 Cor 11:25; Heb 8:6; 10:28, 29
  3. Exodus 24:10 : Ex 33:20-23; Deut 4:12; Ezek 28:14
  4. Exodus 24:11 : Ex 19:21
  5. Exodus 24:12 : 2 Cor 3:2, 3
  6. Exodus 25:8 : Heb 8:1, 2; 10:1
  7. Exodus 25:30 : John 6:58
  8. Exodus 25:40 : Heb 8:5, 6
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

Matthew 24:29-51

The Glorious Return

29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not provide its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.(A) 30 And at that time the sign of the Son of Man [coming in His glory] will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth [and especially Israel] will mourn [regretting their rebellion and rejection of the Messiah], and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory [in brilliance and splendor].(B) 31 And He will send His angels with a loud trumpet and they will gather together His elect (God’s chosen ones) from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.(C)

Parable of the Fig Tree

32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its young shoots become tender and it puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near;(D) 33 so you, too, when you see all [a]these things [taking place], know for certain that He is near, right [b]at the door. 34 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this generation [the people living when these signs and events begin] will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth [as now known] will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

36 “But of that [exact] day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son [in His humanity], but the Father alone. 37 For the coming of the Son of Man (the Messiah) will be just like the days of Noah. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the [very] day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not know or understand until the flood came and swept them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be [unexpected judgment].(E) 40 At that time two men will be in the field; one will be [c]taken [for judgment] and one will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken [for judgment] and one will be left.

Be Ready for His Coming

42 “So be alert [give strict attention, be cautious and active in faith], for you do not know which day [whether near or far] your Lord is coming. 43 But understand this: If the head of the house had known what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.(F) 44 Therefore, you [who follow Me] must also be ready; because the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him.

45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant whom his master has put in charge of his household to give the others [in the house] their food and supplies at the proper time?(G) 46 Blessed is that [faithful] servant when his master returns and finds him doing so. 47 I assure you and most solemnly say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But if that servant is evil and says in his heart, ‘My master is taking his time [he will not return for a long while],’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards; 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour of which he is not aware, 51 and will cut him in two and put him with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger].

Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 24:33 I.e. false christs, wars, famines, earthquakes.
  2. Matthew 24:33 I.e. the return of the Christ is imminent.
  3. Matthew 24:40 This is not the removal of the church described in 1 Thess 4:13-18 and Rev 3:10. The one taken is taken for judgment just as the wicked were taken by the flood in Noah’s day. The one left is left to enter the kingdom that Christ will establish.

Cross references:

  1. Matthew 24:29 : Is 13:10; 34:4; Joel 2:10, 11; Zeph 1:15
  2. Matthew 24:30 : Dan 7:13; Rev 1:7
  3. Matthew 24:31 : Is 27:13; Zech 9:14
  4. Matthew 24:32 : Mark 13:28, 29; Luke 21:29-31
  5. Matthew 24:39 : Gen 6:5-8; 7:6-24
  6. Matthew 24:43 : Luke 12:39, 40
  7. Matthew 24:45 : Luke 12:42-46
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

Psalm 30

Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Death.

A Psalm; a Song at the Dedication of the House (Temple). A Psalm of David.

30 I will extol and praise You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up,
And have not let my enemies rejoice over me.
2 
O Lord my God,
I cried to You for help, and You have healed me.
3 
O Lord, You have brought my life up from Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead);
You have kept me alive, so that I would not go down to the pit (grave).
4 
Sing to the Lord, O you His godly ones,
And give thanks at the mention of His holy name.
5 
For His anger is but for a moment,
[a]His favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may endure for a night,
But a shout of joy comes in the morning.(A)

6 
As for me, in my prosperity I said,
“I shall never be moved.”
7 
By Your favor and grace, O Lord, you have made my mountain stand strong;
You hid Your face, and I was horrified.
8 
I called to You, O Lord,
And to the Lord I made supplication (specific request).
9 
“What profit is there in my blood (death), if I go down to the pit (grave)?
Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your faithfulness [to man]?

10 
“Hear, O Lord, be gracious and show favor to me;
O Lord, be my helper.”
11 
You have turned my mourning into dancing for me;
You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 
That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 30:5 Or in His favor is life.

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 30:5 : 2 Cor 4:17
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 7:24-27

24 
Now therefore, my sons, listen to me,
And pay attention to the words of my mouth.
25 
Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways,
Do not stray into her [evil, immoral] paths.
26 
For she has cast down many [mortally] wounded;
Indeed, all who were killed by her were strong.(A)
27 
Her house is the way to [a]Sheol,
Descending to the chambers of death.(B)

Footnotes:

  1. Proverbs 7:27 Hades, the nether world, the place of the dead.

Cross references:

  1. Proverbs 7:26 : Neh 13:26
  2. Proverbs 7:27 : 1 Cor 6:9
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

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02/05/2018 DAB Transcript

Exodus 21:22-23:13, Matthew 24:1-28, Psalms 29:1-11, Proverbs 7:6-23

Today is the 5th day of February. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian and it is wonderful to be here with you today as we take our next step forward through the Scriptures this year. And we’ve worked our way all the way through the book of Genesis and are well into the book of Exodus. And that’s where we find ourselves for this next step. We’re reading from the Amplified Bible this week. Exodus chapter 21 verse 22 through 23 verse 13.

Commentary:

Okay. So, in the Old Testament we’re moving into the territory where the law is being given and although there will be many dramatic stories and fascinating people that we’re gonna meet over the next span of several weeks, we will also be spending quite a bit of time with the giving of the law. And the Mosaic law, which is what is being given here is gonna grow up to become the law that judges Jesus. And we’ve mentioned that. But here we are at the very beginning of it and just the giving of it. So, this is a holy thing that is happening here. God has gone and rescued His enslaved people who He had covenanted and promised to bring into a land that He would give to them. He went and got them and then He led them into the wilderness and the wilderness is definitely not the fastest route to the Promised Land, like geographically, but God led them into the wilderness because some very, very, very, very important lessons needed to happen. One of those lessons was the fact that these people needed to learn to be utterly and completely dependent upon God because He was setting them apart as holy to be His own possession. And, so, they needed to learn that their only hope for any kind of future and hope, for any kind of provision, for any kind of defense or offense would come from God. And this in part was because the people had only ever known slavery. Everyone that was out in the wilderness at that point had only ever known the identity of a slave because the people had been in the land of Egypt for 430 years, right? So, only the people alive were obviously out in the wilderness and those people had only ever been slaves. So, if God is saying to you, “I choose you to be My special possession. I am setting you aside”, that’s a different identity than, “you are enslaved, you are a slave, you will do what you are told.” And it was gonna take the harshness of the wilderness to get that point across, which is a fair opportunity for us to understand that the same is true in our lives, right? When God comes for us to rescue us from what has enslaved us we may not be on the fast track to the promised land because we will not know what to do when we’re there. It may swallow us completely as would’ve happened to the children of Israel as God will articulate as we go along. Sometimes the path will lead us out of slavery and into the wilderness and we may thrash around and say the same things that the children of Israel did. “Don’t you remember when we were slaves we got to eat cucumbers, we got to have fires around our huts and eat meet. Let’s go back.” Sometimes we’re in the wilderness and we can’t go back, we can’t go anywhere. So, we can only surrender and when we do our identity shifts. So, remember what’s going on here as we go through the law because as we go through the law we’re going to be reading a law book. A law book isn’t the same as like a narrative story, which is far more interesting to listen to, right, because we want to know what happens next, what happens next, what happens next. Whereas with a law book, we’re reading statutes and behaviors and we may look at some of them and go like, “I don't…like I don’t know how to contextualize this into my world.” And we’ve already talked about that, but as we go through the law, look at what the laws are trying to shape. For example, all that we read today was about how people are supposed to behave toward one another and what is supposed to happen when they don’t. We have such laws today. No matter where we live. Like no matter where you are on this planet hearing my voice, there are laws that govern how we are supposed to behave toward one another as a society. This is what is being laid out for a people who have only ever known slavery and the lack of any voice whatsoever in their world, like, completely without rights. And what is being established here is rights and protections and expectations and there will be times where we look at those and say, “but those aren’t like…those are…are those really rights?” Yes, when we’re zooming back to a time where human dignity isn’t really even on the radar, yes, dramatic steps forward are being taken here.

And then the last thing that I want to mention today is from the New Testament because Jesus is…He’s in Jerusalem, the weight of the world is upon his shoulders, like, we’re moving into the passion narrative and Jesus crucifixion and this will be the first-time we experience this this year but, you know, His disciples are looking at the temple complex, marveling at it and Jesus says, “you know, every stone is gonna…like the whole thing will be dismantled”, oh my gosh, which is so symbolic. Obviously, this physically happened in A.D. 70. The Romans absolutely leveled Jerusalem and destroyed the temple. It did happen, but reading this spiritually, looking at it through spiritual eyes what Jesus is saying unbelievably dramatic because what He’s talking about is the dismantling of an entire system and the icon, the temple, the icon that represented that system. And it wouldn’t be the first time it had happened. Now, we’re moving between Testaments here, right, so, like we’re jumping thousands of years and that can get a little disconcerting, but in the Old Testament, we haven’t even got to the Promise Land, so, we certainly haven’t even gotten to the first Temple being built, but that Temple got destroyed too, and these are the repercussions of people walking away from God basically saying, “I don’t want to be set apart as holy do you anymore. I don’t want to be your special possession anymore. I want to serve Baal, like, I want to serve a different God than you. I want to be that God’s special possession”. But this launched Jesus into a discussion on the end times. And, so, as we read the words of Jesus today and He’s talking about some pretty dark situations that are out in front of the human race. And when we come to discussions about the future or the end times we are brushing up against what is called an apocalyptic worldview and that view basically says that the world as we know it is moving towards some type of conclusion, perhaps even catastrophic but on the other side of that something new will be reborn. But the apocalyptic language, even though it’s highly symbolic usually, that kind of brings about unease and even hysteria and fear about what comes next. Like, “how is this gonna happen” and “where are we on the continuum of this” and, you know, like, “how do I prepare”? And Jesus speaks into that, give actual…a practical posture of heart so that we know how we’re supposed to be feeling about this kind of stuff. What Jesus is saying is, “when you see this stuff beginning to happen you should understand that these are the birth pains, like, this is what has to happen to give birth to what comes next. So, don’t be freaked out about it.” And then Jesus says, “the one who endures and bears up under suffering to the end will be saved.” Now, I’m just pointing this out now because this won’t be the last time we talk about an apocalyptic worldview as we go through the New Testament. And we’ll have more to say about what Jesus has to say about the end times as we go forward too, but I’m just pointing this out because we can read today’s reading and go like, “okay, the law, hmmm, yeah, I don’t know, that’s I don’t know what to make of that” and then we’ve got Jesus talking about the end of the world and we’re like, “okay, how do I apply this to my life today”? But Jesus is giving us the counsel to understand that, yes, the world is headed somewhere, it’s headed to a rebirth and anybody who’s ever been a part of childbirth, whether you have actually given birth or whether you are the father of a child and experienced birth, you understand. Like, once the birth is over and the baby’s here, like there is incredible joy and everything is changed, right? There’s new life but getting to that point is quite a bit of work and includes pain and all that goes along with it. So, Jesus is giving us an example that we can understand.

Prayer:

Father, thank You, thank You for bringing us here, thank You for giving us so much context today. Usually when we find ourselves in a season of wilderness, the first thing that we think is, “how can I get out of here and God why did You let me get here in the first place, get me out of here” when the first thing we might need to be thinking about is “God, what have You brought me here to free me from? How am I not utterly depending on You”? because that will be the fastest way out of the wilderness. And from the New Testament, from Your own lips Jesus, You gave us a posture and the beginnings of an understanding for where this story is headed. And, so, the quicker that we can understand that all stories lead to utter dependence on You the better and quicker we’ll be able to relax and through this life looking at the world through Your eyes. So, come Holy Spirit into all of this we ask and we ask these things in the name of Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com is the website, its home base, its where you find out what’s going on around here. So, be sure to stay tuned and stay connected.

Whew…I’m looking at the calendar and it’s just under two weeks before we will be departing for the land of the Bible for our 2019 pilgrimage to the Promise Land. And this is always a community experience. Yes, several buses from all over the world of people will be along for the ride from the community here as we take this journey. But as were there and as we’re kind of traveling through the land of the Bible this becomes a community experience because we’ll talking about it every day, the things that we saw, what we were feeling, connecting the different places that we will visit to the different stories that happen in the Bible. This is a time where, actually, I have noticed over the years that through going to the land of the Bible our community sort of settles in for the year and that once we’re back from Israel, like the community that exists at that point is the community that will go all the way through the year together. So, yes, a bunch of us will we physically there and we’ll be posting pictures to our social media channels several times a day. We’ll be broadcasting live from the Sea of Galilee and we’ll get you information about when that will take place as we get forward…as we get a little closer. And, so, whether you’re going actually, physically, or whether you’re going virtually, we’re all going to the land of the Bible and we’re all gonna immerse ourselves in that land because we’re immersing ourselves in the Bible. And, so kind of understanding the lay of the land is an important part of having context. So, we will certainly talk about that as we get closer, but I’m mentioning it now because where a community and it’s a long way and a lot of people are traveling from very, very far distances. And, so, I’m asking us as a community to begin to raise a canopy of prayer over this pilgrimage, over all of the travel, over all that we will experience and all that we will see, over jet lag, which is a big issue, over safety and travel, there’s a lot of miles to be covered. We literally go as far south as you can go, as far north as you can go, as far east as you can go, and as far west as you can go in the land and it’s breathtaking, but there’s a lot of logistics and significant amount of moving parts to move everyone around the like we are, and we love it but wouldn’t dare try to do it without a canopy of prayer being raised by this community over it. So, let’s begin to pray into that because its coming up and that’s gonna be exciting. It always is. Whether it’s virtual or in person, it’s always exciting because so many of the stories the Bible begin to come alive when you can look at social media posts and see what’s going on and go, “ oh my gosh, I know that story, like I know exactly what is happening here.” So, get ready for that.

If you’re not following Daily Audio Bible on any social media channels, this is probably a good time if you want those kinds of things to show up in your feed. So, facebook.com/dailyaudiobible, that’s our Facebook page or @dailyaudiobible that’s Twitter. You know what, you can just go to dailyaudiobible.com and click the Community section and then you’ll find all of the different links, Instagram, all of the different channels that we’re on. So, check that out.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, thank you. We wouldn’t be here if we weren’t showing up and doing this together. And, so, if what’s happening, if the community brings life into your life, then thank you for your partnership. There’s a link on the homepage dailyaudiobible.com. If you’re using the Daily Audio Bible app, you can press the Give button on the upper right-hand corner…in the upper right-hand corner…on the upper…I don’t know…either way…upper right-hand corner or, if you prefer, the mailing address is PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174.

And, as always, if you have a prayer request or comment, 877-942-4253 is the number to dial.

And that’s it for today. I’m Brian I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

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The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Tuesday February 5, 2019 (NIV)

Exodus 21:22-23:13

22 “If men fight with each other and injure a pregnant woman so that she gives birth prematurely [and the baby lives], yet there is no further injury, the one who hurt her must be punished with a fine [paid] to the woman’s husband, as much as the judges decide. 23 But if there is any further injury, then you shall require [as a penalty] life for life, 24 [a]eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

26 “If a man hits the eye of his male servant or female servant and it is destroyed, he must let the servant go free because of [the loss of] the eye. 27 And if he knocks out the tooth of his male servant or female servant, he must let the servant go free because of [the loss of] the tooth.

28 “If an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox must be stoned and its meat shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be cleared [of responsibility]. 29 But if the ox has tried to gore on a previous occasion, and its owner has been warned, but has not kept it confined and it kills a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned and its owner shall be put to death as well. 30 If a ransom is demanded of him [in return for his life], then he shall give whatever is demanded for the redemption of his life. 31 If the ox has gored another’s son or daughter, he shall be dealt with according to this same rule. 32 If the ox gores a male or a female servant, the owner shall give to the servant’s master thirty shekels of silver [the purchase price for a slave], and the ox shall be stoned.

33 “If a man leaves a pit open, or digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it, 34 the owner of the pit shall make restitution; he shall give money to the animal’s owner, but the dead [animal] shall be his.

35 “If one man’s ox injures another’s so that it dies, then they shall sell the live ox and divide the proceeds equally; they shall also divide the dead ox [between them]. 36 Or if it is known that the ox was previously in the habit of goring, and its owner has not kept it confined, he must make restitution of ox for ox, and the dead [animal] shall be his.

Property Rights

22 “If a man steals an ox or sheep and kills or sells it, he shall make restitution of five oxen for an ox or four sheep for a sheep.

2 “If a thief is caught breaking in [after dark] and is struck [by the owner] so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him. 3 But if the sun has risen, there will be bloodguilt for him. The thief [if he lives] must make [full] restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold [as a slave to make restitution] for his theft. 4 If the animal that he stole is found alive in his possession, whether it is ox or donkey or sheep, he shall pay double [for it].

5 “If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed bare or lets his livestock loose so that it grazes in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard.

6 “If fire breaks out and spreads to thorn bushes so that the stacked grain or standing grain or the field is consumed, he who started the fire shall make full restitution.

7 “If a man gives his neighbor money or [other] goods to keep [for him while he is away] and it is stolen from the neighbor’s house, then, if the thief is caught, he shall pay double [for it]. 8 If the thief is not caught, the owner of the house shall appear before the judges [who act in God’s name], to determine whether or not he had stolen his neighbor’s goods. 9 For every offense involving property, whether it concerns ox, donkey, sheep, clothing, or any piece of lost property, which another identifies as his, the case of both parties shall come before the judges [who act in God’s name]. Whomever the judges pronounce guilty shall pay double to his neighbor.

10 “If a man gives his neighbor a donkey or an ox or a sheep or any [other] animal to keep [for him], and it dies or is injured or taken away while no one is looking, 11 then an oath before the Lord shall be made by the two of them that he has not taken his neighbor’s property; and the owner of it shall accept his word and not require him to make restitution. 12 But if it is actually stolen from him [when in his care], he shall make restitution to its owner. 13 If it is torn to pieces [by some predator or by accident], let him bring the mangled carcass as evidence; he shall not make restitution for what was torn to pieces.

14 “And if a man borrows an animal from his neighbor, and it gets injured or dies while its owner is not with it, the borrower shall make full restitution. 15 But if the owner is with it [when the damage is done], the borrower shall not make restitution. If it was hired, the damage is included in [the price of] its fee.

Various Laws

16 “If a man seduces a virgin who is not betrothed, and lies with her, he must pay a dowry (marriage price) for her to be his wife. 17 If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must [still] pay money equivalent to the dowry of virgins.

18 “You shall not allow a woman who practices sorcery to live.

19 “Whoever lies with an animal must be put to death.(A)

20 “He who sacrifices to any god, other than to the Lord alone, shall be put under a ban (designated) for destruction (execution).

21 “You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. 22 You shall not harm or oppress any widow or fatherless child. 23 If you harm or oppress them in any way, and they cry at all to Me [for help], I will most certainly hear their cry; 24 and My wrath shall be kindled and burn; I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.

25 “If you lend money to any one of My people with you who is poor, you shall not act as a creditor (professional moneylender) to him; you shall not charge him interest. 26 If you ever take your [poor] neighbor’s robe in pledge, you must return it to him before sunset, 27 for that is his only covering; it is his clothing for his body. In what shall he sleep? And when he cries to Me [for help], I will hear him, for I am compassionate and gracious.

28 “You shall not curse God, nor curse the ruler of your people [since he administers God’s law].(B)

29 “You shall not delay the offering from your harvest and your vintage. You shall give (consecrate, dedicate) to Me the firstborn of your sons.(C) 30 You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep. It shall be with its mother for seven days; on the eighth day you shall give it [as an offering] to Me.

31 “You shall be [b]holy men to Me; therefore you shall not eat meat [from any animal] that has been torn to pieces [by predators] in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.

Various Laws

23 “You shall not give a false report; you shall not join hands with the wicked to be a malicious witness [promoting wrong and violence]. 2 You shall not follow a crowd to do [something] evil, nor shall you testify at a trial or in a dispute so as to side with a crowd in order to pervert justice; 3 nor shall you favor or be partial to a poor man in his dispute [simply because he is poor].

4 “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey wandering off, you must bring it back to him. 5 If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying helpless under its load, you shall not leave the man to deal with it [alone]; you must help him release the animal [from its burden].

6 “You shall not pervert (bend) the justice due to your poor in his dispute. 7 Keep far away from a false charge or action, and do not condemn to death the innocent or the righteous, for I will not justify and acquit the guilty.

8 “You shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the testimony and the cause of the righteous.

9 “You shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the soul [the feelings, thoughts, and concerns] of a stranger, for you were strangers in Egypt.

The Sabbath and Land

10 “You shall sow your land six years and harvest its yield, 11 but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie uncultivated, so that the poor among your people may eat [what the land grows naturally]; whatever they leave the animals of the field may eat. You shall do the same with your vineyard and olive grove.

12 “Six days [each week] you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall stop [working] so that your ox and your donkey may settle down and rest, and the son of your female servant, as well as your stranger, may be refreshed. 13 Now concerning everything which I have said to you, be on your guard; do not mention the name of other gods [either in a blessing or in a curse]; do not let such speech be heard [coming] from your mouth.

Footnotes:

  1. Exodus 21:24 The concept of reciprocal punishment for a wrongful injury is applied mainly to special cases not already covered by more complex laws.
  2. Exodus 22:31 The commandments given to Israel by the Lord were designed in part to separate them from the world and identify them as His chosen people.

Cross references:

  1. Exodus 22:19 : Lev 18:23
  2. Exodus 22:28 : Acts 23:5
  3. Exodus 22:29 : Ex 34:19, 20
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

Matthew 24:1-28

Signs of Christ’s Return

24 Jesus left the temple area and was going on His way when His disciples came up to Him to call His attention to the [magnificent and massive] [a]buildings of the temple.(A) 2 And He said to them, “Do you see all these things? I assure you and most solemnly say to you, not one stone here will be left on another, which will not be torn down.”

3 While Jesus was seated on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, and said, “Tell us, when will this [destruction of the temple] take place, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end (completion, consummation) of the age?”

4 Jesus answered, “Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error]. 5 For many will come in My name [misusing it, and appropriating the strength of the name which belongs to Me], saying, ‘I am the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed),’ and they will mislead many. 6 You will continually hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end [of the age]. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs [of the intolerable anguish and the time of unprecedented trouble].

9 “Then they will hand you over to [endure] tribulation, and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10 At that time many will be offended and repelled [by their association with Me] and will fall away [from the One whom they should trust] and will betray one another [handing over believers to their persecutors] and will hate one another. 11 Many false prophets will appear and mislead many. 12 Because lawlessness is increased, the love of most people will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures and bears up [under suffering] to the end will be saved. 14 This good news of the kingdom [the gospel] will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end [of the age] will come.

Perilous Times

15 “So when you see the [b]abomination of desolation [the appalling sacrilege that astonishes and makes desolate], spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the Holy Place (let the [c]reader understand),(B) 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains [for refuge]. 17 Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things that are in his house [because there will not be enough time]. 18 Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his coat. 19 And woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 Pray that your flight [from persecution and suffering] will not be in winter, or on a Sabbath [when Jewish laws prohibit travel]. 21 For [d]at that time there will be a great tribulation (pressure, distress, oppression), such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will [again].(C) 22 And if those days [of tribulation] had not been cut short, no human life would be saved; but for the sake of the elect (God’s chosen ones) those days will be shortened. 23 Then if anyone says to you [during the great tribulation], ‘Look! Here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and they will provide great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect (God’s chosen ones). 25 Listen carefully, I have told you in advance. 26 So if they say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out there, or, ‘Look! He is in the inner rooms [of a house],’ do not believe it. 27 For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming [in glory] of the Son of Man [everyone will see Him clearly]. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the [e]vultures will flock together.(D)

Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 24:1 The massive size and polished surfaces of the fitted stones that formed the temple structure created a magnificent sight (cf Luke 21:5). The refurbishing of the temple was begun by Herod the Great in 20 b.c. and was completed in a.d. 64 by Herod Agrippa II. The rabbis had a saying: “Whoever has not seen the temple of Herod has never seen a beautiful building” (as quoted from the Talmud). They also said that Herod built it of yellow, white, and perhaps blue marble; and that he intended to cover it with gold, but the rabbis advised him not to because it was beautiful just as it was, looking like the waves of the sea.
  2. Matthew 24:15 I.e. the Antichrist (2 Thess 2:4), “the prince who is to come” who will make a covenant with Israel, then break it in the middle of the tribulation (the seven-year period of Dan 9:27).
  3. Matthew 24:15 I.e. the reader of the book of Daniel (cf 24:15). Jesus is indicating that the final fulfillment of this prophecy is yet to come.
  4. Matthew 24:21 The most obvious sign during the tribulation, prior to the second coming of Jesus, is when the abomination that causes desolation (the Antichrist) sets his image in the temple.
  5. Matthew 24:28 The Greek for “vultures” can also be translated “eagles,” but the reference is most likely to the vulture, which the Greek word includes with eagles as a class. The meaning of this much discussed verse is either that the corpse represents the returning Christ, whose appearance will attract the attention of the entire world, that is, the vultures; or that the corrupt world is the corpse, about to be judged by the returning Christ (Rev 19:18).

Cross references:

  1. Matthew 24:1 : Mark 13; Luke 21:5-36
  2. Matthew 24:15 : Dan 9:27; 11:31; 12:11
  3. Matthew 24:21 : Dan 12:1; Joel 2:2
  4. Matthew 24:28 : Job 39:30
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

Psalm 29

The Voice of the Lord in the Storm.

A Psalm of David.

29 [a]Ascribe to the Lord, O [b]sons of the mighty,
Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name;
Worship the Lord in the beauty and majesty of His holiness [as the creator and source of holiness].

3 
The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;
The God of glory thunders;
The Lord is over many waters.
4 
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
5 
The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
Yes, the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6 
He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
And Sirion (Mount Hermon) like a young, wild ox.
7 
The voice of the Lord rakes flames of fire (lightning).
8 
The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
The Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 
The voice of the Lord [c]makes the doe labor and give birth
And strips the forests bare;
And in His temple all are saying, “Glory!”

10 
The Lord sat as King at the flood;
Yes, the Lord sits as King forever.
11 
The Lord will give [unyielding and impenetrable] strength to His people;
The Lord will bless His people with peace.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 29:1 This psalm has been called “The Song of the Thunderstorm,” a glorious psalm of praise sung during an earthshaking tempest which reminds the psalmist of the time of Noah and the deluge (see v 10).
  2. Psalm 29:1 The ancient rabbis interpreted this as referring to the patriarchs. Today many scholars regard this as a reference to God’s angels.
  3. Psalm 29:9 Or makes the oaks shake.
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 7:6-23

6 
For at the window of my house
I looked out through my lattice.
7 
And among the naive [the inexperienced and gullible],
I saw among the youths
A young man lacking [good] sense,
8 
Passing through the street near her corner;
And he took the path to her house
9 
In the twilight, in the evening;
In the black and dark night.
10 
And there a woman met him,
Dressed as a prostitute and sly and cunning of heart.
11 
She was boisterous and rebellious;
[a]She would not stay at home.
12 
At times she was in the streets, at times in the market places,
Lurking and setting her ambush at every corner.
13 
So she caught him and kissed him
And with a brazen and impudent face she said to him:
14 
“I have peace offerings with me;
Today I have paid my vows.
15 
“So I came out to meet you [that you might share with me the feast of my offering],
Diligently I sought your face and I have found you.
16 
“I have spread my couch with coverings and cushions of tapestry,
With colored fine linen of Egypt.
17 
“I have perfumed my bed
With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 
“Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning;
Let us console and delight ourselves with love.
19 
“For my husband is not at home.
He has gone on a long journey;
20 
He has taken a bag of money with him,
And he will come home on the appointed day.”
21 
With her many persuasions she caused him to yield;
With her flattering lips she seduced him.
22 
Suddenly he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter [not knowing the outcome],
Or as one in stocks going to the correction [to be given] to a fool,
23 
Until an arrow pierced his liver [with a mortal wound];
Like a bird fluttering straight into the net,
He did not know that it would cost him his life.

Footnotes:

  1. Proverbs 7:11 Lit Her feet do not.
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

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02/04/2019 DAB Transcript

Exodus 19:16-21:21, Matthew 23:13-39, Psalms 28:1-9, Proverbs 7:1-5

Today is February 4th. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian. It is a pleasure and an honor to be here with you today as we sail forward into our work week and continue the rhythm of the Scripture in our lives each and every day. And, of course, we pick up where we left off every day and in the Old Testament we’re with the children of Israel out in the wilderness and, you know, it’s kind of a tumultuous journey for them but now God has summoned them to Mount Sinai and He plans to have a conversation and we’ll pick up with that story. We’re reading from the Amplified Bible this week. Exodus chapter 19 verse 16 through 21 verse 21.

Commentary:

Okay. So, in an Exodus today God instructed the children of Israel to consecrate themselves because He was gonna come and meet with them. And, so, they camped around Mount Sinai and God came and thunder and lightning and clouds and shook the mountain and people were terrified and it’s here that they ask kind of pivotal and turning point question. They ask Moses to speak on behalf of God, because they’re too terrified to hear from God for themselves. And, so, Moses reassures them that God coming in the way that He’s coming with such authority and such power and such an awe-inspiring visual was to give them a sense of awe and wonder and fear, the fear of the Lord. Quoting Moses, “God has come in this way to test you so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning.” And this this is a pivotal moment, God was about to begin giving customs and rituals and rules and regulations showing them what a people set apart were supposed to look like. And we have to remember, this is a people that had only known one thing, right, slavery. This is all they had known. They don’t have any natural understanding of like how to govern themselves or what a society should be shaped like, other than how they had lived in Egypt. And, you know, with the plaques we see that, you know, God wasn’t affirming the culture that the children of Israel were enslaved in. And, so, this is this is new territory for them, how they’re to behave toward one another and we see some of that being laid out today. And it’s so interesting because, you know, like one of the things God talked about in our reading today was how to treat servants or slaves and that we start back reading and open up a can of worms and try back read what happen 3500 years ago into today’s more modern culture where we would denounce slavery of any kind or the treatment of a wife. That was touched on today. And we can look at this and go, “this is so archaic, like this so…we don’t live…we wouldn’t live like this now. So, why is this like being memorialized as these are the new rules and customs for this people of God. Like, why?” But what we have to begin to understand is that this the point where things begin to turn in human history that lead us until today. This culture that God is beginning to implement and tell these people how to behave, for the first time gave someone who was a servant rights, someone who was a wife, rights. This, even though we are many, many, many, many steps forward these thousands of years into the future, these are dramatic steps forward in the culture of the time. Like, for the first time to codify rights in a fairly barbaric time in the world where, you know, different clans would invade other clans to steal people…I mean all of this kind of stuff. Like, for example what we watched in the life of Joseph. So, we are taking dramatic steps forward at this point and it’ll take some time for all these instructions to unfold in the Scriptures but as we read, what we’re witnessing is a complete reshaping of worldview and identity for the Hebrew people and we began that with the 10 Commandments.

Then in Matthew’s gospel, Jesus is in Jerusalem and this isn’t just another Festival visit, this is the visit, THE visit. Jesus won’t be leaving Jerusalem before He dies. And what’s happening in Matthew is like about 1500 years after Moses. And, so, Jesus gave a glimpse of what had become of this law that we’re just at the very beginning of reading in the Old Testament and how God through Jesus thought about it. Quoting Jesus, “what sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves and you don’t let others enter either.” That is a pretty serious indictment of the religious system by Jesus, who is One with the Father. So, what Jesus is saying is a pretty big deal, which gives us a moment to pause and just to consider the territory that we are about to head into because as we move into the giving of the law we’re gonna have to understand the difference between like, the exact words and sentences that make up the law, like the order of the words and the spirit of the law, right, the reason, the circumstances that created the need for the law in the first place and all the underlying concepts that informed the way that the laws are written. In Jesus time the Mosaic law had lost its spirit and had become a device for control and devotion by force, by rote. And as devout as the religious leaders may have been, they kind of…they lost the plot…the underlying reasons for why things would shape us the way that they do and how they would inform how a holy people, a set apart people would behave. Here’s the irony. We’re about to move into our first account of Jesus death and it would be the Mosaic law that would judge and condemn Jesus to death, a law that He had given to Moses so long ago at Mount Sinai where we are in the Old Testament. So, as we go forward between the Testaments we’re going to have this unique view of both the law and what became of it. Oddly we’re gonna often find ourselves looking a lot more like the religious leaders of Jesus time. We’re so busy trying to understand the letter of the law, like, “how do…even in the Christian faith, okay, what are the rules, how do I do this exactly right” that we forget the spirit, the plot of the story. So, let’s remember, the rules were not given as a cage. In Exodus God had just delivered His people from slavery. So, as He’s handing out His intentions and what the cultures supposed to look like, His intention wasn’t to move them from slavery in Egypt to just another form of slavery. And that is not God’s intention with us. God’s objective then and now is to set people apart as holy and to set those holy people free. And this is what God continues to do in our lives.

Prayer:

Father, come Holy Spirit. We’re moving into some territory where the stories are beginning to shift. We’ve settled in and followed the journey until we got here but now…now we’re kinda moving to some pivotal stuff and we need Your Holy Spirit to come, guide, lead us. Help us to not only understand the Scriptures but understand what You are saying to us through the Scriptures because for each of us there will be commonalities and there will be uniqueness because we are all unique and have our own stories. So, come Holy Spirit as we move into this new month and into this new season in the Scriptures. We ask in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com is the website, its home base, its where you find out what’s going on around here. So, be sure to stay connected in any way that you can, in any way that you want to. Just always be aware, you’re not alone. Like, that’s really the point of going through the Scriptures in community as we are. It lets us know, like, every day I show up here this is fresh, this is something that’s happening, this wasn’t recorded a decade ago, this is happening now. There are a community of brothers and sisters that may be separated from us geographically but they’re there, and we are brothers and sisters and we are the body of Christ and we are here to reveal the kingdom of God together and we’re not alone in this. And, so, that’s such an important part of this rhythm as we go through this year in the Bible. So, dailyaudiobible.com is home base.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, you can do that at dailyaudiobible.com. There’s is a link on the homepage. If you’re using the Daily Audio Bible app, you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner or, if you prefer, the mailing address is PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174.

And, as always, if you have a prayer request or comment, 877-942-4253 is the number to dial.

And that’s it for today. I’m Brian I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

Hey, it’s Kayla in Nashville. I wanted to call in and…it’s the 29th of January. Just got done listening…like three in the morning…but I just got done listening and to the prayers and Stanley from Maryland, I think, or Massachusetts, one of those East Coast states…but it was Maryland…I think. I want to say thank you Stanley…first to just having the courage to follow that pull, that leading of you know, calling in, of God wanting, the Holy Spirit wanting you to call in and, yeah, I appreciate it, I appreciate it very much. Just hit the nail on the head for me. I mean, again, I have trouble finding words quite often. So, I appreciate that very much. Don’t hold back. That’s all I can say to you. Don’t hold back. In the future, just, you know, anyways, thank you, God bless. Love all you all. Bye-bye.

Hi, my name is Nelly and I’m calling from California. I just recently joined the Audio Bible community. I actually found the app on a podcast that had different apps. And, so, I really started to listen to it and I just really started to be really encouraged by a lot of prayer requests and encouragement which were being sent from different people. It’s just amazing to see the love of God from everyone calling in around the world. And, so, I’m calling because I just wanted to ask for prayer. I’m a single mom and I have three kids. I work a 40-hour a week job and on top of that I am involved in a lot of different ministries. So, I just called to ask prayers for strength and wisdom and guidance on this season of my life with my children. I feel like I’m on a roll and I get excited about the word of God and I’m just excited about what God’s doing and then I start to see that I get weak and I get, you know, tired and then that joy to starts to dim. And, so, I’m like, “God I really want to stay on fire for You”. And I’m just calling to see if you guys could just pray for strength, for God to give me strength and wisdom and guidance this year as I continue my journey and my walk with Him, to become closer to Him. So, I just want to say thanks everyone and it’s just great to be part of a community where people love God and, you know, they really care about each other. God bless everyone.

Good morning Daily Audio Bible family, this is Treasured Possession coming to you from cold Minnetonka Minnesota where we could possibly get up to 29 below in the next couple days. And I’m thinking about what it takes to be a woman of excellence and what it takes to maintain my attitude and confidence in God. And I’m thinking when Job said, “yet so you slay me I will wait for and trust Him” and when Jesus said “you’ve gotta pick up your cross and follow after me”. The one thing that I have to really work on is picking up my own cross and quit trying to pick up everbody else’s cross. And I think that comes from living in a family of alcoholism and being married to alcoholics. So, I’m just asking for prayer, I’m asking for strength in my inner man, that God would continue to do His work in me and continue it until the day of Jesus Christ. And all these things Lord, I just…I praise and thank You because You promised them to me and I know You’re gonna do it. And that’s what gives me confidence Lord, is because I’m in You and You don’t let me down, You don’t discourage me, You don’t drop the ball. You’re speaking of words of encouragement into my soul no matter what’s going on around me. So, I pray these things father God for all the people that need encouragement today and I just praise You Lord for Your son Jesus Christ. And thank you Brian Hardin for your dedication to bringing the word to me and basically saving my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hi DAB family, it’s Jane in New York. I’m just really overwhelmed inside today and I’m just calling in for prayer because life is just hard, too hard. I don’t have family. I don’t have someone to help me with all the hard feelings of my son. And now yesterday we got a letter from our friends in Switzerland and all about the accomplishments of their kids and stuff and Joshua just let loose about, you know, why did I leave there and why did I come here to New York and, you know, he had family there. And I can only explain that it was in obedience because I felt I needed to be back here. So, right now I don’t have any work. I’m back to calling in every day. And life is just hard. I don’t have any interest in anything and then I hear people tell me about their Holy Spirit, you know, when they felt filled with the Holy Spirit and I’ve never had one of those and I think, when does that happen? Is that what’s gonna give me my super strength that I can make it through all this? I just, anyway, I thought I would call for prayer because I’m sitting here in my kitchen and just, you know, sobbing and, yeah, I just need prayer because I don’t know how to take care of all this hard stuff and I don’t have any family to just, you know, count on except for my Christian brothers and sisters. So, I’m reaching out. Thanks guys. My time is up. Bless.

Hi DAB family my name is Sachon and I’m from Ohio. I have played soccer professional in Europe for three years now and I can feel the Lord’s calling on my life to continue to play and to share the gospel with the players there, most of whom are atheists or agnostics who all worship themselves by hundreds of thousands of people each week. As such they often will only listen to other players who are at the same level and there are easily less than 300 strong gospel focused top-level players on the entire continent of Europe not one of whom is American. There are many more Christian players but they’re either not at the top level of the or are not outspoken about their faith. I feel the Lord has called me to be both. The only problem is that for the past eight months my agent and I have not received one actual offer for many clubs in Europe despite entering negotiations on more than one occasion and time is running out in more ways than one. I’ve also suffered multiple untimely injuries of the course of my personal training these last few months which have really slowed by preparations to the point that even though I want nothing more than to get that call, if I got it today I don’t know that I’d be ready even though I’ve been training for eight months, which is obviously very frustrating. There are so many factors outside of my control that has to line up, the only thing I can do besides continue to train is to pray and to ask for prayer. Please know that this is not a fleeting passion. And at 24 years old I have dedicated my entire from the age of 4 to the pursuit of tis dream. And the way the politics work in European soccer, if I don’t get over there soon given my age and my nationality I may never get back over. So, please pray that the right team in the right place with the right coach makes the right offer at the right time and that I am fully healthy and prepared spiritually, mentally, physically, technically and tactically to make Jesus famous wherever I am planted. And, if in a few months you see or hear about soccer player putting the cross up with his arms after he scores then I guess your prayers were answered. Thank you again thank you in advance God bless.

Hi this is Monique from Virginia. I haven’t called for so long but I’m still listening to every day podcast that Brian is reading. To me, with a heavy heart I’m requesting prayer for my son who got three years from jail last year in February. This year, February the 12th it will be a year that he has been home with me, but he hasn’t been attending church regularly and not focusing in God’s __ . Please pray for him that he could follow God in his life. I also want to request you to pray for my daughter who is getting ready to marry a nonbeliever guy. It is very sad that I have raised my kids taking him to church from their childhood but now they are making wrong choices in their lives. I would appreciate your prayers. Thank you.

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The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Monday February 4, 2019 (NIV)

Exodus 19:16-21:21

16 So it happened on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and flashes of lightning, and a thick cloud was on the mountain, and a very loud blast was sounded on a ram’s horn, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood and presented themselves at the foot of the mountain.

The Lord Visits Sinai

18 Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord descended upon it in fire; its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. 19 And it happened, as the blast of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him with [a voice of] thunder.(A) 20 The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; and the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and he went up. 21 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go down, warn the people, so that they do not break through [the barriers around the mountain] to the Lord to see [Me], and many of them perish [as a result]. 22 Also have the priests who approach the Lord consecrate (sanctify, set apart) themselves [for My sacred purpose], or else the Lord will break forth [in judgment] against them [and destroy them].” 23 Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, because You warned us, saying, ‘Set barriers around the mountain and consecrate it.’” 24 Then the Lord said to him, “Go down and come up again, you and Aaron with you; but do not let the priests and the people break through [the barriers] to come up to the Lord, or He will break forth [in judgment] against them [and destroy them].” 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them [again about God’s warning].

The Ten Commandments

20 Then God spoke all these words:

2 “I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.

4 “You shall not make for yourself any idol, or any likeness (form, manifestation) of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth [as an object to worship]. 5 You shall not worship them nor serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous (impassioned) God [[a]demanding what is rightfully and uniquely mine], visiting (avenging) the iniquity (sin, guilt) of the fathers on the children [that is, calling the children to account for the sins of their fathers], to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,(B) 6 but showing graciousness and steadfast lovingkindness to thousands [of generations] of those who love Me and keep My commandments.

7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain [that is, irreverently, in false affirmations or in ways that impugn the character of God]; for the Lord will not hold guiltless nor leave unpunished the one who [b]takes His name in vain [disregarding its reverence and its power].

8 “Remember the Sabbath (seventh) day to keep it holy (set apart, dedicated to God). 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath [a day of rest dedicated] to the Lord your God; on that day you shall not do any work, you or your son, or your daughter, or your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock or the temporary resident (foreigner) who stays within your [city] gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and everything that is in them, and He rested (ceased) on the seventh day. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy [that is, set it apart for His purposes].

12 “Honor (respect, obey, care for) your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged in the land the Lord your God gives you.

13 “You shall not commit murder (unjustified, deliberate homicide).(C)

14 “You shall not commit [c]adultery.(D)

15 “You shall not steal [secretly, openly, fraudulently, or through carelessness].(E)

16 “You shall not testify falsely [that is, lie, withhold, or manipulate the truth] against your neighbor (any person).(F)

17 “You shall not covet [that is, selfishly desire and attempt to acquire] your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”(G)

18 Now all the people witnessed the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the smoking mountain; and as they looked, the people were afraid, and they trembled [and moved backward] and stood at a [safe] distance. 19 Then they said to Moses, “You speak to us and we will listen, but do not let God speak to us or we will die.” 20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him [that is, a profound reverence for Him] will remain with you, so that you do not sin.” 21 So the people stood at a [safe] distance, but Moses approached the thick cloud where God was.

22 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven. 23 You shall not make other gods [to worship] besides Me; gods of silver or gods of gold, you shall not make [these lifeless idols] for yourselves. 24 You shall make an altar of earth for Me, and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I cause My Name to be recorded and remembered [through revelation of My divine nature] I will come to you and bless you. 25 If you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you use a chisel on it, you will [d]profane it. 26 Nor shall you go up to My altar on steps, so that your nakedness will not be [e]exposed on it.’

Ordinances for the People

21 “Now these are the ordinances (laws) which you shall set before the Israelites:

2 “If you purchase a Hebrew servant [because of his debt or poverty], he shall serve six years, and in the seventh [year] he shall leave as a free man, paying nothing.(H) 3 If he came [to you] alone, he shall leave alone; if he came married, then his wife shall leave with him. 4 If his master gives him a wife, and she gives birth to sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall belong to her master, and he shall leave [your service] alone. 5 But if the servant plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not leave as a free man,’ 6 then his master shall bring him to God [that is, to the judges who act in God’s name], then he shall bring him to the door or doorpost. And his master shall pierce his ear with an awl (strong needle); and he shall serve him for life.

7 “If a man sells his daughter to be a female servant, she shall not go free [after six years] as male servants do. 8 If she does not please her master who has chosen her for himself [as a wife], he shall let her be redeemed [by her family]. He does not have the authority to sell her to a foreign people, because he has been unfair to her. 9 If her master chooses her [as a wife] for his son, he shall act toward her as if she were legally his daughter. 10 If her master marries another wife, he may not reduce her food, her clothing, or her privilege as a wife. 11 If he does not do these three things for her, then shall she leave free, without payment of money.

Personal Injuries

12 “Whoever strikes a man so that he dies must be put to death. 13 However, [f]if he did not lie in wait [for him], but God allowed him to fall into his hand, then I will establish for you a [g]place to which he may escape [for protection until duly tried].(I) 14 But if a man acts intentionally against another and kills him by [design through] treachery, you are to take him from My altar [to which he may have fled for protection], so that he may be put to death.

15 “Whoever strikes his father or his mother must be put to death.

16 “Whoever kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or is found with him in his possession, must be put to death.

17 “Whoever [h]curses his father or his mother or treats them contemptuously must be put to death.

18 “If men quarrel and one strikes another with a stone or with his fist, and he does not die but is confined to bed, 19 if he gets up and walks around leaning on his cane, then the one who struck him shall be left [physically] unpunished; he must only pay for his loss of time [at work], and the costs [of treatment and recuperation] until he is thoroughly healed.

20 “If a man strikes his male or his female servant with a staff and the servant dies at his hand, he must be punished. 21 If, however, the servant survives for a day or two, the offender shall not be punished, for the [injured] servant is his own property.

Footnotes:

  1. Exodus 20:5 God does not tolerate the transfer of the honor and worship that is due Him to any other being or object.
  2. Exodus 20:7 Using the name of God in a casual, frivolous way establishes a mindset that diminishes and dishonors the omnipotent God. Using the name of God to abuse, manipulate, or deceive invites judgment.
  3. Exodus 20:14 Jesus amplified this commandment in Matt 5:27, 28. Not only is adultery forbidden, but also any act of sexual impurity or unchastity, and any form of pornography or other obscenity.
  4. Exodus 20:25 I.e. make it common and unholy.
  5. Exodus 20:26 How the “nakedness” (private parts) would be exposed is not clear. Even the rabbis were puzzled because the regulation in 28:42 about linen undergarments would appear to solve any problem (according to the Talmud).
  6. Exodus 21:13 I.e. if the act causing the death of another was unintentional.
  7. Exodus 21:13 I.e. after the children of Israel possessed the promised land, six cities of refuge were established.
  8. Exodus 21:17 The one who dishonors his parents in this way also dishonors God by violating God’s created order of honor.

Cross references:

  1. Exodus 19:19 : Deut 4:12
  2. Exodus 20:5 : Is 42:8; 48:11
  3. Exodus 20:13 : Gen 9:6; Ex 21:12, 14, 18
  4. Exodus 20:14 : Prov 6:25, 26; Matt 5:27, 28; Rom 1:24; Eph 5:3
  5. Exodus 20:15 : Prov 11:1; 16:8; 21:6; 22:16; Jer 17:11; Mal 3:8
  6. Exodus 20:16 : Ex 23:1; Prov 19:9; 24:28
  7. Exodus 20:17 : Luke 12:15; Col 3:5
  8. Exodus 21:2 : Lev 25:39
  9. Exodus 21:13 : Num 35:22-28
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Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

Matthew 23:13-39

Eight Woes

13 “But woe (judgment is coming) to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven in front of people; for you do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow those who are [in the process of] entering to do so.(A) 14 [a][Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you swallow up widows’ houses, and to cover it up you make long prayers; therefore you will receive the greater condemnation.]

15 “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel over sea and land to make a single proselyte (convert to Judaism), and when he becomes a convert, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.

16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears [an oath] by the sanctuary of the temple, that is nothing (non-binding); but whoever swears [an oath] by the gold of the temple is obligated [as a debtor to fulfill his vow and keep his promise].’ 17 You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the sanctuary of the temple that sanctified the gold?(B) 18 And [you scribes and Pharisees say], ‘Whoever swears [an oath] by the altar, that is nothing (non-binding), but whoever swears [an oath] by the offering on it, he is obligated [as a debtor to fulfill his vow and keep his promise].’ 19 You [spiritually] blind men, which is more important, the offering, or the altar that sanctifies the offering? 20 Therefore, whoever swears [an oath] by the altar, swears both by it and by everything [offered] on it. 21 And whoever swears [an oath] by the sanctuary of the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells within it.(C) 22 And whoever swears [an oath] by heaven, swears both by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it.

23 “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you give a tenth (tithe) of your mint and dill and cumin [focusing on minor matters], and have neglected the weightier [more important moral and spiritual] provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the [primary] things you ought to have done without neglecting the others. 24 You [spiritually] blind guides, who strain out a gnat [consuming yourselves with miniscule matters] and swallow a camel [ignoring and violating God’s precepts]!(D)

25 “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and robbery and self-indulgence (unrestrained greed). 26 You [spiritually] blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the plate [examine and change your inner self to conform to God’s precepts], so that the outside [your public life and deeds] may be clean also.

27 “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which look beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. 28 So you, also, outwardly seem to be just and upright to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.(E)

29 “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build tombs for the prophets and decorate and adorn the monuments of the righteous, 30 and you say, ‘If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have joined them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the [allotted] measure of the guilt of your fathers’ sins. 33 You [b]serpents, you spawn of vipers, how can you escape the penalty of hell?

34 “Therefore, take notice, I am sending you prophets and wise men [interpreters, teachers] and scribes [men educated in the Mosaic Law and the writings of the prophets]; some of them you will kill and even crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues, and pursue and persecute from city to city, 35 so that on you will come the guilt of all the blood of the righteous shed on earth, from the blood of righteous [c]Abel to the blood of Zechariah [the priest], the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.(F) 36 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, [the judgment for] all these things [these vile and murderous deeds] will come on this generation.(G)

Lament over Jerusalem

37 “[d]O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who murders the prophets and stones [to death] those [messengers] who are sent to her [by God]! How often I wanted to gather your children together [around Me], as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.(H) 38 Listen carefully: your house is being left to you desolate [completely abandoned by God and destitute of His protection]!(I) 39 For I say to you, you will not see Me again [ministering to you publicly] until you say, ‘Blessed [to be celebrated with praise] is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”(J)

Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 23:14 Early mss do not contain v 14.
  2. Matthew 23:33 The serpent is the creature used by Satan to introduce evil into the Garden of Eden (Gen 3:1ff). Here Jesus continues the imagery of Satan as the serpent working through the religious leaders to continue the propagation of evil through deception, false teaching, and man-made laws and traditions which are given priority over God’s law.
  3. Matthew 23:35 I.e. the first and last martyrs recorded in the Hebrew text.
  4. Matthew 23:37 The nation of Israel personified.

Cross references:

  1. Matthew 23:13 : Luke 11:52
  2. Matthew 23:17 : Ex 30:29
  3. Matthew 23:21 : 1 Kin 8:13; Ps 26:8
  4. Matthew 23:24 : Lev 11:24; 27:30; Mic 6:8
  5. Matthew 23:28 : Ps 5:9
  6. Matthew 23:35 : Gen 4:8; 2 Chr 24:21; Luke 11:51
  7. Matthew 23:36 : 2 Chr 36:15, 16
  8. Matthew 23:37 : Luke 13:34, 35
  9. Matthew 23:38 : 1 Kin 9:6, 7; Jer 22:5
  10. Matthew 23:39 : Ps 118:26
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Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

Psalm 28

A Prayer for Help, and Praise for Its Answer.

A Psalm of David.

28 To you I call, O Lord,
My rock, do not be deaf to me,
For if You are silent to me,
I will become like those who go down to the pit (grave).
2 
Hear the voice of my supplication (specific requests, humble entreaties) as I cry to You for help,
As I lift up my hands and heart toward Your innermost sanctuary (Holy of Holies).
3 
Do not drag me away with the wicked
And with those who do evil,
Who speak peace with their neighbors,
While malice and mischief are in their hearts.
4 
Repay them according to their work and according to the evil of their practices;
Repay them according to the deeds of their hands;
Repay them what they deserve.(A)
5 
Because they have no regard for the works of the Lord
Nor the deeds of His hands,
He will tear them down and not rebuild them.

6 
Blessed be the Lord,
Because He has heard the voice of my supplication.
7 
The Lord is my strength and my [impenetrable] shield;
My heart trusts [with unwavering confidence] in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I shall thank Him and praise Him.
8 
The Lord is their [unyielding] strength,
And He is the fortress of salvation to His anointed.
9 
Save Your people and bless Your inheritance;
Be their shepherd also, and carry them forever.

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 28:4 : 2 Tim 4:14; Rev 18:6
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Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 7:1-5

The Wiles of the Prostitute

7 My son, keep my words
And treasure my commandments within you [so they are readily available to guide you].
2 
Keep my commandments and live,
And keep my teaching and law as the apple of your eye.
3 
Bind them [securely] on your fingers;
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 
Say to [skillful and godly] wisdom, “You are my sister,”
And regard understanding and intelligent insight as your intimate friends;
5 
That they may keep you from the immoral woman,
From the foreigner [who does not observe God’s laws and] who flatters with her [smooth] words.

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