September 28 – Temporary Pain, Everlasting Mercy

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
Isaiah 54:1-57:14
Ephesians 6:1-24
Psalm 70:1-5
Proverbs 24:8

Isaiah 54:1 — Galatians 4:27 quotes this verse talking about Jerusalem in reference to Sarah. Theologians are still unsure about how the verses fit together.

Isaiah 54:7-8 — Exodus 20:5-6 states that God will punish sin for 3-4 generations but have mercy for a thousand generations. Here we see a small forsaking but great mercies. Little wrath but everlasting kindness. Throughout the Bible we are warned that yes, God’s punishment will hurt but it’s worth it (Proverbs 3:12, Hebrews 12:6, Revelation 3:19, Deuteronomy 8:5, Psalm 94:12, Proverbs 13:24).

Isaiah 54:9 — I’m writing this having just been to the Ark Encounter today. Someone told Ken Ham, “Your boat won’t float!” Ken Ham said, “We don’t need it to float! God has sworn that the world will never flood again!”

Isaiah 55:2 — How’s this for a bad investment? Spending money for counterfeit bread when God is offering food for free (Isaiah 55:1)!

Isaiah 55:6 — When is the time of salvation? 2 Corinthians 6:2! Take advantage of the abundant pardon (Isaiah 55:7).

Isaiah 55:10-11 — The song “This is My Word” is based on these verses.

Isaiah 56:4-5 — From EnterTheBible.org:

Eunuchs were excluded from temple worship by Torah itself (Deuteronomy 23:1-3; Leviticus 21:18-20), not for moral or ethnic reasons but because they were understood to be “blemished,” excluded by the purity laws in the same way that blemished lambs were not acceptable as sacrifices …

But now, says the Lord (through the prophet), all that is changed. Foreigners and eunuchs are welcomed in the same way as anyone else–that is, those who keep the sabbath and hold fast the covenant. Sabbath-keeping had taken on even greater importance during the exile because it was a religious observance and a sign of the covenant that people could do within the family even when there was no temple for sacrifice and festival worship.

https://www.enterthebible.org/resourcelink.aspx?rid=475

Relational commands started yesterday; they were addressed to husbands and wives. Today, Paul’s addressing children (Ephesians 6:1), then those with a parent (Ephesians 6:2-3), followed by fathers (Ephesians 6:4), servants (Ephesians 6:5-8), and finally masters (Ephesians 6:9).

We have a gap between Ephesians 6:1 and 6:2 because while children (those under 18, for lack of a better definition) are commanded to obey, all are commanded to honor.

Ephesians 6:10-11 — From Earl Martin:

Ephesians 6:15 — We read the other day in the Old Testament about the beautiful feet of preachers (Isaiah 52:7); today, we read in the New Testament about the feet ready to preach the Gospel!

Psalm 70:5 — Echoing the great truth of Psalm 40:17!

Proverbs 24:8 — What name do you want (Proverbs 22:1)?

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.