Tag: Joshua

Exploring God’s Library 2022-2023 Bible Reading Calendar

Greetings fellow Bible Readers!!

Our EGL2022-2023 #BibleReading journey begins  on October 22, 2022  using the Exploring God’s Library Reading Calendar. You’re welcome to join us whether this be your first time reading the Bible or your 50th. You’ll not be on this journey alone, but if you would like will be in a group reading the Bible for the next 51 weeks. 

Here’s the link to the Exploring God’s Library 2022-2023 Bible Reading Calendar.

https://exploringgodslibrary.files.wordpress.com/2022/10/reading-schedule-2022-to-2023-5783_10.12.22.pdf

Exploring God’s Library One year reading calendar is a bit different from other Bible reading calendars in that it commences in the fall according to an ancient Jewish reading regimen of the Torah which begins anew each year following the fall feast known as the Feast of Tabernacles. It is different though in that it also contains daily readings from the Old Testament historic books and Prophets, the Psalms, Proverbs and readings from the New Testament.

It takes approximately 20 minutes a day to read the select sections. It is not a straight through the Bible read from Genesis to Revelation, rather it systematically reads through the Torah, also known as the Pentateuch, the Historic Books, Prophets, the Wisdom literature, Proverbs, Psalms for devotion, and a section of the New Testament.

We are very excited as it is the first time that we know of where  all the Holy Scriptures are portioned out in tandem with Jewish Torah Parashat so that the entire Bible is read through, with the exception of the Psalms which will be read twice through. The Hebrew Parashat has been used by the Jewish community since the Babylonian captivity which allows everyone to be on the same page in their reading of the Holy Scriptures providing for rich discussion in the community of faith.

The calendar we use is the western calendar, but it also lists appropriate holydays from the Hebrew Calendar as well as the Christian calendar for those who come from the various Christian and Messianic traditions. Each holy day will have Scripture surrounding that special day or week.

The calendar changes slightly every year and notes the holy days as they occur. Our family and neighbors come from many backgrounds, some are Jewish, some are Christian, some are Orthodox,  some celebrate Christmas on different dates

The Exploring God’s Library Reading Calendar enables us to plan and be aware of one another’s religious calendar in the Jewish and Messianic and Christian communities which celebrate certain days with great solemnity such Yom Kippur and Passover and others with great joy like Christmas or Resurrection week, or Feast of Tabernacles for 8 days.

If you have any comments, criticism or praise, or suggestion on the EGL reading please keep it kind, constructive and Biblical.  You may either post it here or send an email to James and Elizabeth Stephens re:EGL 2022-2023 Bible Reading Calendar exploringgodslibrary@gmail.com.

You may also wish to subscribe to our Exploring God’s Library Facebook group which enables you to join us on Tuesday evenings for a one hour coaching session from 6-7 pm Pacific Standard Time (Los Angeles, California) based on that week’s readings. Note: we are presently having difficulties with FB live, but you can access it daily as we do post the daily reading and supplementary materials.

Please Subscribe here to the private EGL FB Group.   https://www.facebook.com/groups/1871385569648323/?ref=share

If you are unable to attend the session because of time differences or if you are not on Facebook, we will also post it on the Exploring God’s Library YouTube  channel. We recommend that everyone subscribe to the channel  so that you are automatically notified.  There you will find a special list of many, many valuable resources for your study of the Scriptures.

Please subscribe here to the EGL YouTube channel. https://youtube.com/channel/UCx236kaMv50VylKKDYvneMA

Please feel free to share it  with your Church, Bible study, Youth Group, school Messianic synagogue, colleagues, neighbors, friends and family who desire to read through the Word this year to gain a richer understanding.

There is no fee. You are however invited to contribute if you desire to help us keep the reading calendar and weekly coaching session free. We have readers from all over the world many who can not afford the expense. It is a free will offering. We are free church members and not a 501(c)3.

https://www.givesendgo.com/egl

Looking forward to being on the journey with you this year.

In Christ’s refuge and strength,

James and Elizabeth Stephens

Continue reading Exploring God’s Library 2022-2023 Bible Reading Calendar
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“Martyn Lloyd-Jones – Variations Between Revivals”- The Memorial Stones

As we read through the Book of Joshua God speaks to us about His mysterious work throughout the ages. In our garden, we whitewashed twelve stones and painted Scripture addresses on them which have been foundational in our walk with God. One of those Scriptures is “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

It is a testament of our faith in Jesus Christ which He miraculously bestows on each believer in His household if they are truly His. This verse we had framed and occupies a honored place before our front door as a reminder of our passage from darkness of idolatry into Jesus Christ’s glorious light. I must confess however, that I don’t remember it as often as I should. For many in the Jewish faith and for many Messianic Jews, and some Christians we place a mezuzah on the outside of our door which contains a very small copy of the Ten Commandments. It is not a lucky charm, nor is it required of us, but serves as a reminder of the faith we hold so dear. To love the LORD our God with all our heart, with all our mind and all our strength, and to love our neighbor as ourself.

And yet, it too can be reduced to a meaningless routine as we mutter prays before a meal. Why remember? We humans are forgetful creatures, easily distracted by the business of life. We all have heard of the tired husband coming home from work, ready to put his feet up and his wife asking, Honey, have you forgot what day it is? Thursday isn’t it? No dear its our wedding anniversary. So why the stones of remembrance? Joshua 4. To remember the great and awesome God we serve and His mighty deeds. It is a prompt for the next generation to ask, What is the meaning of these stones? Joshua 4:5-6. Our LORD Jesus Christ, speaking to the Pharisees who questioned Him saying, why are the people giving praise to Him ( as He entered Jerusalem on a donkey that Palm Sunday long ago). They knew the crowd was praising God and that it meant that Jesus did not renounce the claim that He is God. Jesus replied in Luke 19:40. “I tell you if these should keep silent the stones would immediately cry out!

We are commanded in Deuteronomy 11:19, speaking of teaching your children His words, “you shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise up.” In Deuteronomy 6:9, you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones was at one time a doctor to English royalty, who grew tired of healing those who turned around and went back out to sin some more. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest expository preachers of the early 20th century

Joshua 21 Cities of the Levites

In today’s reading of Joshua 21 listing the Cities of the Levites, I noticed in 21:21 that God gave Shechem to be a city of refuge from the slayer to the Levites. Although we have not yet read about Dinah’s incident in Genesis 34, the connection to Joshua 21 will become more apparent, so remember that this particular city was assigned to the Levites. Hint. Levi was involved in an event which involved circumcision, a ritual which was only to be carried out by priests.

The other verses of note in Joshua are 21:43-45 which speak to the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel.

Again because there are many place names and tribal names which are difficult to pronounce we listen to Alexander Scourby and “repeat after me” so to speak. You’ll begin to become more familiar as we proceed with these names. Don’t skip this practice. Do you like when a person mispronounces your name?

“A Sure Word of Prophecy”

Just finished listening to Chuck Missler’s explanation of “the sure word of prophesy” (2 Peter 1:19) which echoes and magnifies the section on the odds of 8 prophecies coming true in Christ Jesus which I read of in Josh Macdowell’s “More Than a Carpenter”, the book our friend Laurie Matisse gave us back in 1984. All I have to say is Wow! Listening to the late Chuck Missler is like drinking out of a Biblical firehose. It’s a lot, so I took notes, but he speaks fast, so I just intently listened in on the journey he leads us on. He certainly knows the word well and exhibits a formidable mind and defended the Biblical faith with excellence.

Elizabeth and I were astounded how many items he speaks of confirm the very Scriptures we are reading this week, e.g., the daughters of Zelophehad (Hebrew) in Joshua 17:3-6).

Although wikipedia is a site with a dubious reputation at times, here’s a little quick background.


“The Daughters of Zelophehad (Hebrew: בְּנוֹת צְלָפְחָד‎) were five sisters – Mahlah, Noa, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah – mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, (Numbers 27:1-11) who lived at the end of the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt as they prepared to enter the Promised Land and who raised before the Israelite community the case of a woman’s right and obligation to inherit property in the absence of a male heir in the family. Zelophehad (meaning “dark shadow”), a man of the Tribe of Manasseh, had five daughters but no sons, and therefore no male heirs.[1]”

Here’s the link to Chuck Missler’s lecture on the “the more sure word of prophecy.” I think this will be of assistance in understanding the nature of prophesy as it appears throughout our readings this year. You will notice prophecies are listed as they appear in the readings on the right side of the reading calendar. We suggest you print it out for your convenience and keep it by your Bible to remind you of where we are in the journey. Don’t be distracted, but discipline oneself and create a time and place where you read daily. If you already have that discipline established, congratulations! Please let us know if you have printed out the schedule in the comments below. All the videos we speak of are not intended to distract you from your daily reading nor study of the Word. They are merely supplementary resources.

C
https://youtu.be/8maQCszE91c

Joshua 16 & 17

As we read Genesis 9:24-27 today notice Noah’s curse of Canaan where he says, “So he (Noah) awoke from his wine and knew what his younger son (Canaan, the son of Ham) had done to him. Then he said: “Cursed be Canaan, a servant of servants he shall be to his brethren. And he said: Blessed be the LORD the God of Shem and may Canaan be his servant. May God enlarge Japheth and may he dwell in the tents of Shem and may Canaan be his servant.”

And in Joshua 16:10, notice the binding fulfillment of this curse many centuries later. “And they did not drive out the Canaanites who dwelt in Gezer, but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day and have become forced laborers.” In the King James version it is even clearer as it says, “And they drove not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer, but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute.” The term “serve under tribute” is particularly descriptive of Noah’s curse. A tribute is a payment required from people who are under the rule of another. Such was the case for Israel when they were under the rule of Babylon and other empires.

The Book of Joshua was written in diary form covering the years 1415 B.C. to 1389 B.C. Genesis covers 2165 B.C. to 1800 B.C. Note the over 400 year span between the two books, but how perfectly intertwined are the two, Scripture verifying Scripture wherein the Curse of Noah spoken to Canaan are fulfilled in the Book of Joshua over 4 centuries later. And even then the time of Noah preceded it being spoken of in the Book of Genesis. Is that clear to you?

Here is Alexander Scourby’s reading of today’s Scripture reading of Joshua 16.

Also notice in Joshua 17:13 again the forced labor of the Canaanites.

Exploring God’s Library 2021 – Week One

Week‌ ‌1‌ ‌(10.17‌ ‌to‌ ‌10.23.2020)‌ ‌ ‌

 ‌Portion‌ ‌1‌ ‌-‌ ‌“In‌ ‌the‌ ‌Beginning”‌ ‌

 ‌Weekly‌ ‌FB‌ ‌live‌ ‌(Tuesday,‌ ‌6-7pm‌ ‌pst)‌ ‌10.20.2020‌ ‌

 ‌

Devotional‌ ‌

“New‌ ‌Beginning,”‌ ‌‌Valley of Vision ‌p.‌ ‌93.‌ 

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1st‌ ‌Five‌ ‌Books‌ ‌-‌ ‌‌Genesis‌ ‌Chapters‌ ‌1-6:8‌ ‌

Paradise to Prison,‌ ‌Commentary‌ ‌on‌ ‌Genesis‌ ‌by‌ ‌John‌ ‌J.‌ ‌Davis‌ ‌p.‌ ‌15-117

 ‌

Prophets‌ ‌&‌ ‌Writings‌ ‌-‌ ‌‌Joshua‌ ‌Chapters‌ ‌1-10‌ ‌

The Book of Joshua,‌ ‌by‌ ‌Marten‌ ‌H.‌ ‌Woudstra,‌ ‌p.‌ ‌26-42:‌ ‌66-76:‌ ‌106-117‌ 

 ‌

New‌ ‌Testament‌ ‌-‌ ‌‌Matthew‌ ‌Chapters‌ ‌1-7‌ ‌

 Behold the King ‌by‌ ‌Stanley‌ ‌D.‌ ‌Toussaint,‌ ‌Intro,‌ ‌p.‌ ‌17-34;‌ ‌35-119‌ 

 ‌

Psalms‌ ‌-‌ ‌‌Chapter‌ ‌1-7‌ ‌

Treasury of David ‌by‌ ‌Charles‌ ‌H.‌ ‌Spurgeon,‌ ‌Psalms‌ ‌1,‌ ‌p.‌ ‌13-15‌

 ‌

Proverbs‌ ‌-‌ ‌‌Chapter‌ ‌1-2:15‌ ‌

Proverbs ‌ ‌by‌ ‌Charles‌ ‌Bridges,‌ ‌Preface,‌ ‌ixi-xv,‌ ‌Proverbs‌ ‌1:5-7,‌ ‌p.‌ ‌2-4‌

Doctrine‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌Week‌ ‌

Creation ‌-‌ Pastor John MacArthur on the theology of creation and ex nihilo     

Marker‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌Week‌ ‌

Genealogy ‌-‌ ‌Alistair‌ ‌Begg’s‌ ‌Sermon‌ ‌on‌ ‌Matthew‌ ‌1‌ ‌

 

Historical‌ ‌Figure‌ ‌

Alfred‌ ‌Edersheim,‌ Life‌ ‌&‌ ‌Times‌ ‌of‌ ‌Jesus‌ ‌the‌ ‌Messiah‌‌ 

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Resource‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌Week‌ ‌

Is Genesis History? ‌

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Memory‌ ‌Verse‌ ‌-‌ ‌‌Psalm‌ ‌1:1-3‌ ‌

“Blessed‌ ‌is‌ ‌the‌ ‌man‌ ‌Who‌ ‌walks‌ ‌not‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌counsel‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌ungodly,‌ ‌Nor‌ ‌stands‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌path‌ ‌of‌ ‌sinners,‌ ‌Nor‌ ‌sits‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌seat‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌scornful;‌ ‌2‌  ‌But‌ ‌his‌ ‌delight‌ ‌is‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌law‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌Lord,‌ ‌And‌ ‌in‌ ‌His‌ ‌law‌ ‌he‌ ‌meditates‌ ‌day‌ ‌and‌ ‌night.‌ ‌3‌  ‌He‌ ‌shall‌ ‌be‌ ‌like‌ ‌a‌ ‌tree‌ ‌Planted‌ ‌by‌ ‌the‌ ‌rivers‌ ‌of‌ ‌water,‌ ‌That‌ ‌brings‌ ‌forth‌ ‌its‌ ‌fruit‌ ‌in‌ ‌its‌ ‌season,‌ ‌Whose‌ ‌leaf‌ ‌also‌ ‌shall‌ ‌not‌ ‌wither;‌ ‌And‌ ‌whatever‌ ‌he‌ ‌does‌ ‌shall‌ ‌prosper.”‌ ‌

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Announcements‌ ‌ ‌

Recommended‌ ‌-‌  New King James MacArthur Study Bible   ‌

Closing‌ ‌Prayer‌ ‌

 ‌

***Disclaimer‌ ‌-This‌ ‌page‌ ‌contains‌ ‌affiliate‌ ‌links,‌ ‌which‌ ‌means‌ ‌by‌ ‌purchasing‌ ‌one‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌products‌ ‌,‌ ‌we’ll‌ ‌receive‌ ‌a‌ ‌small‌ ‌commission.‌ ‌This‌ ‌helps‌ ‌support‌ ‌the‌ ‌ongoing‌ ‌work‌ ‌of‌ ‌Exploring‌ ‌God’s‌ ‌Library.‌ ‌Thank‌ ‌you‌ ‌for‌ ‌your‌ ‌support!***‌ 

Scripture for 10.8.2018

TORAH  – Bereshit (In the beginning)

Adam and Eve by Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1526 in the Courtauld Gallery, London
Adam and Eve by Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1526 in the Courtauld Gallery, London

  • Genesis 3
    • “The serpent deceives Eve, 1-5. Both she and Adam transgress the divine command, and fall into sin and misery, 6,7. God arraigns them, 8-13. The serpent is cursed, 14. The promised seed, 15. The punishment of mankind, 16-20. Their first clothing, 21. Their expulsion from paradise, 22-24.”*

Prophets

  • Joshua 5
    • “The Canaanites are afraid, 1. Joshua renew circumcision, 2-9. The passover is kept at Gilgal, 10,11. Manna ceases, 12. An Angel appears to Joshua, 13-15.”*
  • Joshua 6
    • “Jericho is shut up, 1. God instructs Joshua how to besiege it, 2-19. [Marker Warfare-W.1-“Joshua was one of the greatest military strategists in antiquity”] The city is compassed, 12-16, It must be accursed, 17-19. The walls fall down, 20,21. Rahab is saved, 22-25. The builder of Jericho is cursed, 26, 27.”*
    •   “Secrets of the Bible: The Fall of Jericho with Dr. Bryant Wood” 

Wisdom Writing 

  • Psalm 3
    • “The security of God’s protection.”*
  • Psalm of the Day 48
    • “The ornaments and privileges of the church.”*
  • Proverbs 1:10-19
    • “To avoid the enticing of sinners.”*

The Gospels & Letters

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  • Matthew 3
    • “John preaches: his office, life, and baptism, 1-6. He reprehends the Pharisees, 7-12, and baptizes Christ in Jordan, 13-17.”*

 

Scripture for 10.7.2018

Torah Reading:

  • Genesis 2
    • “The first Sabbath, 1-3. Further particulars concerning the manner of creation, 4-7. The planting of the Garden of Eden, and its situation, 8-12; man is placed in it; and the tree of knowledge only forbidden, 15-17. The animals are named by Adam, 18. The making woman, and the institution of marriage, 21.”*

Prophets

  • Joshua
    • Chapter 3: “Joshua comes to Jordan, 1. The officers instruct the people for their passage, 2-6. The Lord encourages Joshua, 7,8. Joshua encourages the people, 9-13. The waters of Jordan are divided.”*
    • Chapter 4: “Twelve men are appointed to take twelve stones for a memorial out of Jordan, 1-8. Twelve other stones are set up in the midst of Jordan, 9. The people pass over, 10-13. God magnifies Joshua, 14. The priests commanded to come out of Jordan, 15-19.  The twelve stones are pitched in Gilgal, 20-24.

Gospels & Letters

  • Matthew 2
    • “The wise men from the east enquire after Christ,1,2; at which Herod is alarmed, 3-8. They are directed by a star to Bethlehem, worship him, and offer their presents, 9-12. Joseph flees into Egypt with Jesus and his mother. Herod slays the children, 16-19; himself dies, 20-22. Christ is brought back again into Galilee to Nazareth, 23.”*
    • Here’s an excellent clip from the film the Nativity on the wise men.*

Wisdom Writing

  • Psalm 2
    • “The Kingdom of Christ, 1-9. Kings are exhorted to accept it, 10-12.”*
  • Psalm of the Day 24
    • God’s lordship in the world, 1,2. The citizens of His spiritual kingdom, 3-6. An exhortation to receive Him, 7-10.
  • Proverbs 1:7-9
    • “An exhortation to fear God, and believe His word, 7-9.”*
  • RA Torrey’s Introduction to the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Check out “What was the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge? by Fred Sanders on June 2, 2011.
    •  http://scriptoriumdaily.com/what-was-the-treasury-of-scripture-knowledge/
  • For more information on The Nativity Story and ordering information.  https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nativity_Story