Study - Reading

The chronological Bible reading schedule and daily comments are taken directly from:
Skip Andrew's Chronological Reading Schedule.
The daily links are to each day's reading (King James Version) at BibleGateway.com.

Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

Reading
Comments
Chapters 29 and 30 deal with feasts and vows. Chapters 31 and 32 are
records of more of the closing events of the wanderings, including the
request of Reuben and Gad to have their inheritance on the eastern side of
Jordan.

Here are some final instructions from God regarding the conquering,
division, and laws of the land of promise for the twelve tribes.

Chapter one dates this book as the last month of the life of Moses. The
chapters for today's reading are his first speech during this final month to the
new (second) generation of free Israelites. Most of it is a historical review of
the 40 years in the wilderness. The year is about 1451 BC.

In these three chapters, Moses begins the second speech of his final month,
reviewing the laws that God had given while they (and their fathers) had been
at Mount Sinai 40 years before.

In these chapters, Moses reminds this second generation that God was
committed to two things: 1) to punish their sins and 2) to reward their
obedience. God loved them, but He would not tolerate their rebellion.

Here are clear statements of the blessings they would receive if they obeyed
and the curses they would suffer if they did not obey. Chapter 13 warns
them not to follow anyone who would lead them away from Jehovah.

Chapter 14 deals with clean and unclean meats. The main subject of chapter
15 is the releasing of servants and debts every seven years. Chapter 16
commands them to observe the yearly feasts.

In these three chapters, Moses gives a variety of laws. He also makes one of
the key prophecies of the whole Bible in 18:15-18, quoted by Peter in Acts 3
and Stephen in Acts 7. It is a prophecy of the Christ.

Again, a wide variety of laws is to be found in today's reading.

Moses now closes his second speech of this final month, with four more
chapters of laws.

In this short sermon, Moses concentrates on the “blessings” and “cursings.”
Tragically, the cursings of chapter 28 were fulfilled in the captivity many
years later, thus ending God's part of the covenant to provide Israel with a
land “forever.” This chapter is one that the premillennialists today overlook
when they falsely preach that God has never completely fulfilled the land
promise to the Jews.
We are now beginning the last speech of Moses. He gives a great summary
of their responsibilities in 30:15-20. You should mark this reference.

Chapter 32 is the song of Moses. Chapter 33 is the motivation for the
second generation of the free Israelites to be faithful to the word as he
addresses the various tribes one by one. The life of Moses is closed with a
short chapter about his death and burial. The year was about 1451 BC.

Although we may not be able to precisely date these Psalms at this time, their
general themes fit the topics we have just read in Deuteronomy.

The new leader, Joshua, takes over for Moses. He had been well trained, he
had proved himself, and he had the approval and encouragement of God.

Now the Israelites begin the long awaited conquering of the land that God
had promised to the seed of Abraham in Genesis 15.

“Sin in the camp” has long been recognized as the theme here. We, too, must
learn the lesson of sin in the camp as it applies to the church, the home, and
the nation!

The Israelites continue to conquer the land, although they were deceived by
the Gibeonites in chapter 9. Chapter 10 has the story of the day the sun stood still. Notice in 11:23 that the whole land was taken. This whole process
took only about 7 years.
Chapter 12 summarizes the conquests up to this point. In chapter 13, the
division of the land begins, while the author notes that not all of the enemies
had been subdued. In chapter 14, we have Caleb's long-awaited desire
fulfilled: to conquer Hebron (see Numbers 13,14).

These chapters give the divisions for Judah and the sons of Joseph (Ephraim
and Manasseh).

In chapters 18 and 19, more divisions are listed for the other tribes. In
chapters 20 and 21, we are told of the cities of refuge and the cities for the
priests. You should mark carefully Joshua 21:43-45, which states clearly
that the land promise was fulfilled. This fulfillment is denied by those who
claim that Christ is going to give the land to the Jews and reign on earth for
1000 years.

In chapter 22, the tribes who had their inheritance on the eastern side of
Jordan were sent back to their land. In the last two chapters, we have
Joshua's farewell. Note: 1) He again reminds them of the fulfilled promise of
God (23:14); 2) he calls upon them to choose whom they would serve
(24:15); 3) they promise to serve Jehovah (24:16-18). Joshua died in about
1419 BC.

Mar 23

 After the death of Joshua, there was no specific human leader chosen; they
were supposed to serve Jehovah according to the law of Moses. For a time,
they did remain faithful. But the first chapter of Judges has some serious
notes about the heathens who were not driven out. Thus, a pattern of sin,
judgment, and repentance begins. This led to the rising of the “judges” -
faithful people used by God to deliver Israel out of many oppressions. In
chapter 3, we have the first three judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar.

This book - a real breath of fresh air during the time of the judges - fits in at
about this time. The reason we place it here is that Boaz, a major character
in Ruth, was a grandson of Nahshon, who belonged to the first generation
out of Egypt.

These two chapters describe the work of the next two judges (Deborah and
Barak).
These chapters are the story of Gideon, the sixth judge.

Here is the story of Abimelech, and several more judges: Tola (10:1,2); Jair
(10:3-5); Jephthah (11:1-12:7); Ibzan (12:8-10); Elon (12:11,12); and Abdon (12:13-15).

These four chapters have the record of the life of Samson, the thirteenth
judge.

These two chapters are the story of a man of Ephraim (Micah) who is an
early example of what idolatry would later do to the whole nation. A key
verse is 17:6—”...every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”

One of the most disgusting and tragic stories in all of the Bible is before us
today. Again, the key verse, 21:25, is just like the statement in yesterday's
reading. Also note Hosea 9:9, written centuries later as a reminder to
Hosea's generation that they were just as evil as these people in the book of
Judges. It is very possible that the events of chapters 17-21 fit in earlier in
the book since no judges are mentioned.

Now we are introduced to the last two judges (Eli and Samuel). Thus, the
book of I Samuel overlaps with Judges. The date is somewhere between
1200 and 1150 BC.