Reading for February 20th

 Read Isaiah 1.21-31. As a royal city, Jerusalem was a center for the administration of justice over which the king resided. the failure to uphold such justice allowed the most serious crimes to go unpunished. God would therefore have to take action, not only against the criminal wrongdoers, but also against those whose indifference encouraged evil deeds. In verse 29: The oaks were simple rustic shrines, devoted to fertility and the gods and goddesses who believed to guarantee life-giving power. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 19th

 Read Isaiah 1.10-20. Criticism of the Temple rituals and prayers show that without justice and compassion their are meaningless to God, who ignores them. Comments or Questions....

Reading for February 18th

 Read Isaiah 1.1-9. In 1.1-20: The ruin and desolation of Jerusalem and the land of Judah. In verses 1-9: The portrayal of the desolation of the land and the isolated situation of Jerusalem probably refers to the events of 701 BCE in which the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, laid siege to the city (see 36.1-37.38). Such attacks were repeated in later times and hence provide a context for the whole book. The prophet's rebuke shows how the people's own wrong doing brought about their misfortunes. In verse 8: The booth and shelter in vineyard and field were watchmen's huts set up to protect the vines and crops. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 17th

 Read Ephesians 6.21-24. In 6.21-24: Epistolary closing. In verse 21: Tychicus, 4.7; 2 Tim 4.12; Titus 3.12; Acts 20.4-6. In verse 22: Col 4.8. Comments or Questions.

Reading for February 16th

 Read Ephesians 6.10-20. In 6.10-20: A call to arms and prayer for strength to proclaim truth.  In verse 14: Ephesians 4.25. In verse 17: Helmet of salvation, Isa 59.17. The sword of the Spirit,the word of God, the only offensive weapon. In verses 18-20: On the importance of prayer throughout Ephesians, see 1.15-23; 3.14-21. In verse 20: The ambassador is an envoy sent on behalf of another. Chains suggest dishonor. Yet the writer accepts the title and only asks for boldness. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 15th

 Read Ephesians 5.15-6.9. In 5.15-6.9: Strengthening believers. Contrasts 5.15-18 clarify the believers' walk, they are strengthened through worship with others (5.18-20) and mutual submission (5.21-6.9). In 5.20: On continous thanks, see 1 Thess 5.18; Col 3.17. In 5.21-6.9: Household codes governed social relations within an extended family. See Col 3.18-4.1. Ephesians expands on relations between husband and wife. In verse 22-23: Col 3. 18-19. For the writer, the unity of the husband and wife, unlike the unity of Jews and gentiles does not result in equality. In 6.1-4: Col 3.20-21. In Verse 3: Deut 5.16. In verses 5-9: Col 3.22-4.1. Comments or Questions.. 

Reading for February 14th

 Read 5.3-14. In 5.3-14: Believers as children of the light. In verses 3-7: Paul (Gal 5.19-21; 1 Cor 6.9-10) uses the vice list, here expressing the former life of darkness (5.8). In verses 8-14: Live (walk) as children of the light (1 Thess 5.5) to influence the world through the church's character. In verse 14: The hymn's origin is unknown, it recalls Isa 60.1. Comments or Questions..