Daily Notes & Observations is a 365-part series that follows a chronological daily Bible reading schedule and contains a short article based on something found in the text for each day. This material is also available in paperback.

October 2, 2012

"This Child is Appointed for the Fall and Rise of Many" (10/2)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Matthew 1; Luke 2:1-38.

When Joseph and Mary came to Jerusalem to present the child Jesus to the Lord at the temple, they were met by a devout man named Simeon. God had revealed to Simeon that “he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” (Luke 2:26). When Jesus was brought to the temple, Simeon was able to be a witness of God’s promise in Christ. He first praised God, then briefly explained to Mary what Jesus’ role was going to be:

“And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed’” (Luke 2:3).

Mary had already been told, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end” (Luke 1:32-33). Joseph had already been told that Jesus would “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). These passages emphasize the blessings that would come to man through Christ.
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October 1, 2012

"In the Beginning Was the Word" (10/1)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Luke 1; John 1:1-14.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being” (John 1:1-3)

The book of Genesis begins with the phrase, “In the beginning God…” (Genesis 1:1). John makes an unmistakable parallel here as he introduces his audience to Christ. The point is clear, and will be made elsewhere in John’s gospel – Jesus is “equal with” the Father (John 5:17-18) and is “one” with the Father (John 10:30).

These first three verses in John’s gospel lay the foundation for a belief in the deity of Christ:
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September 30, 2012

Uselessly Kindling Fire on the Lord’s Altar (9/30)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Malachi 1-4.

In the final book of the Old Testament, Malachi revealed God’s condemnation of worship that is not done in sincerity and truth.

“‘Oh that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you might not uselessly kindle fire on My altar! I am not pleased with you,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘nor will I accept an offering from you’” (Malachi 1:10).

It might seem strange to some that God would wish that someone would prevent others from offering sacrifices to Him. This shows, without any shadow of a doubt, that God does not accept all worship that is offered to Him. Notice the reasons why God rejected their worship here:
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September 29, 2012

God’s Laws Apply to All (9/29)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Nehemiah 11-13; Psalm 126.

“On that day they read aloud from the book of Moses in the hearing of the people; and there was found written in it that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God, because they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing. So when they heard the law, they excluded all foreigners from Israel” (Nehemiah 13:1-3).

This instruction regarding the Ammonites and Moabites is found in Deuteronomy 23:3-5. When the people learned that “none of their descendants…shall ever enter the assembly of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 23:3), they excluded them from being able to enter the assembly.

Unfortunately, Eliashib the priest apparently believed that he and his relatives were exempt from this command.
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September 28, 2012

Effective Teaching and Hearing (9/28)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Nehemiah 8-10.

The following passage describing Ezra reading the law of God to the people shows how the word of God can be effectively presented by the speaker and received by the audience.

“And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the Lord had given to Israel. Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women and all who could listen with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month. He read from it before the square which was in front of the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and all the people were attentive to the book of the law” (Nehemiah 8:1-3).
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September 27, 2012

"I Am Doing a Great Work and I Cannot Come Down" (9/27)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Nehemiah 6-7.

As the walls of Jerusalem were nearing completion, the enemies of the Israelites made an effort to pull Nehemiah away and disrupt the work.

“Then Sanballat and Geshem sent a message to me [Nehemiah], saying, ‘Come, let us meet together at Cherphirim in the plain of Ono.’ But they were planning to harm me. So I sent messengers to them, saying, ‘I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?’” (Nehemiah 6:2-3).

Though these men invited him, Nehemiah refused to come. Even when they spread false rumors about him and threatened to report him to the king, he refused to abandon the work (Nehemiah 6:5-9). There are two important lessons that we can learn from Nehemiah:
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September 26, 2012

"Neither I Nor My Kinsmen Have Eaten the Governor’s Food Allowance" (9/26)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Nehemiah 1-5.

While Nehemiah was in Jerusalem leading the people in rebuilding the wall, he was appointed as governor over Judah. Many civil rulers in that time (and even today) lived richly as they felt free to take what they wished from the people. Nehemiah, however, was different.

“Moreover, from the day that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, for twelve years, neither I nor my kinsmen have eaten the governor’s food allowance. But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people and took from them bread and wine besides forty shekels of silver; even their servants domineered the people. But I did not do so because of the fear of God” (Nehemiah 5:14-15).

There was a certain allowance of food that was provided to the governor during that time. Though Nehemiah could have taken it, as it would have been expected, he refused to do so. Why? Because he feared God!
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