Bible Reading Plan

Hosea is the first of what is considered the minor prophets of the Bible. They are called minor prophets because they are shorter in length than other prophetic books of the Bible. Hosea confronted the people of the tribes of Israel because they ignored the Law of God and worshiped other gods. Hosea encouraged those who were faithful through the promise of the Messiah. He confronted the priests for not remembering the Law of God. He proclaimed judgement on Israel and told of a time when the Lord would show mercy toward His people.

The angel explained the meaning of Daniel’s vision. The vision described the rulers and wars that would take place among the Persians, the Medes, Egypt, and Syria. The days were numbered when the antichrist would take power and speak against God and would boast in his accomplishments. He would claim power over the earth and the heavens. The antichrist would come to ruin, making way for the kingdom of Christ. The Jews would be persecuted, and the sinful would turn away, but the faithful would be strengthened and saved. Daniel was encouraged by the message that he would come to rest, be raised, and receive his inheritance.

Daniel confessed to God that His people sinned against Him and brought calamity on themselves. He asked God to show mercy to His people and to the city of Jerusalem. He pleaded because God proved to be merciful, though the people did not deserve mercy. Gabriel continued interpreting visions to Daniel. Seventy weeks refers to years and days, resulting in a time of 490 years. The vision is explained as the time that is designated for the Messiah to conquer death and sin once for all. Chapter ten introduced a vision that will be completed in the final chapters of Daniel. The Messiah appeared, and the introduction of the things that would occur in the life of the people of God was presented.

Daniel had visions that consisted of beasts, the Ancient of Days or Most High, and people who served the Most High. The vision symbolized the rise of the beasts or rulers, God’s judgement against the beasts, and the rule of the Son of God. Daniel received another vision. The Angel Gabriel was commanded to interpret the vision to Daniel. Based on the interpretation, it is believed the two horns symbolized the kings of Media and Persia. A goat represented the king of Greece. The horn represented Alexander the great. The four horns represented the four kingdoms from the Grecian empire. A little horn represented Antiochus Epiphanes. Daniel was overwhelmed and sick following his experience, but he recovered and served the king.

Belshazzar, king Nebuchadnezzar’s son, ruled as king after his father. He did not honor God. God wrote a message that could only be interpreted by Daniel. The message explained the end of Belshazzar’s reign. The king honored Daniel for interpreting the message. The king died that very night, and Darius the Mede received the kingdom. Other leaders were jealous of Daniel and tricked Darius into sentencing Daniel to be placed in a lions’ den. Darius was troubled but followed through with his decree. Daniel was placed in the lions’ den, but he was not harmed. His accusers and their families were place in the lions’ den and were killed. King Darius ordered all men to honor God. Daniel found favor during the reigns of King Darius and King Cyrus.

King Nebuchadnezzar ordered all people to worship a golden image when they heard music. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Daniel’s companions, refused to worship the image. Nebuchadnezzar had them thrown into a fiery furnace, but they were not harmed. Nebuchadnezzar saw what seemed to be a fourth figure in the furnace that appeared to be like a son of the gods. God delivered them from the fire. Nebuchadnezzar ordered all men to honor their God. The king had a second dream that could only be interpreted by Daniel. The dream was realized, and the king was humbled, and he honored and praised God. Nebuchadnezzar was returned to his place of power.

Young men who were healthy and able to learn were taken to Babylon to serve the king. Daniel and his companions were taken and proved to be wiser and of better understanding than all the king’s men. The king was troubled by dreams. None of his servants were able to reveal or interpret the dreams. Daniel and his companions sought God, and the dreams were revealed to Daniel. He told the king these things were revealed to him by God. The dreams told of the future kingdoms that would rule the world. The king promoted Daniel and his companions, and Daniel remained at the king’s court.

Ezekiel’s vision continued with Ezekiel seeing water that flowed from the temple. The depth and width of the water grew as he was led from the eastern entrance. The water gave life to the plants and to the creatures that lived in it and beside it. Ezekiel was given the boundaries of the holy land and the land to be given to the tribes of Israel and to the priests and Levites. Ezekiel was given descriptions of the gates of the city, including the name of each gate.

The Lord gave instructions for the measured land for the temple, the sanctuary and homes for the priests, the homes of the Levites who served at the temple, and for the homes of the people of Israel. The Lord specified the portion of land and the responsibilities and functioning of the one who would rule. Peace would be kept, and the ruler would contribute and lead in the worship of God through the ordinances and feasts instituted by the Lord. The Lord gave specific instructions for offerings and sacrifices, including when and where they were to be offered.

Ezekiel’s vision continued with the Lord instructing His people to become obedient, then He would dwell in His house with Israel forever. Ezekiel was told to provide the measurements for the temple to the people of the Lord. Ezekiel conveyed the measurements for the altar, as well as instructions for sin offerings and peace offerings to be giving according to the Lord’s command. The Lord commanded His people to keep His sanctuary clean from abomination, to prevent the profaning of His temple, and to keep the feasts. Chapter forty-four concludes with instructions for the Levitical priests as they served the Lord’s people and His temple.