Bible Reading Plan

The word of the Lord came to Ezekiel. The Lord illustrated two women who gave themselves freely to others in lewdness and lustful behavior to explain the ways of Israel and Judah. Judgement and punishment were declared against both for their acts against the Lord. They would be overcome by the people they trusted. Israel was guilty of relying on other nations instead of the Lord. Judah followed the same path as Israel, but the people of Judah also sacrificed to other gods, and they profaned the house of the Lord. They were to be judged as adulteresses, be stoned, cut with the sword, and their houses would be burned. The word of the Lord will be fulfilled, and they will know that He is the Lord.

The word of the Lord came to Ezekiel. He proclaimed punishment upon His people. The Lord used the sword as an analogy to describe the punishment. Their punishment would be known by all people, and they would know that the Lord fulfilled His plan. There would be no other king in Israel until the time of the Messiah. The word of the Lord came again to Ezekiel proclaiming judgement upon His people. He compared His wrath upon His people to the melting of metals. He would refine them, and they would know that He was the Lord God.

Ezekiel wrote a lamentation for all the people of Israel for what they experienced and were to experience. The Lord reminded the people of Israel of His continued faithfulness and their ongoing rebellion against Him. The people of Israel turned from Him and worshiped idols. The Lord promised to bring those who were obedient the land He promised to their people. He promised to give them a great desire to follow Him, and they would obey His commands. The nations would see what was done and know that He was the Lord God.

The word of the Lord came to Ezekiel in the form of a riddle of two eagles and a vine. The explanation of the riddle involved the threat of destruction of the Jews for breaking the covenant with the king of Babylon. The Lord promised the Messiah and prosperity of those who were obedient to the Lord. The Lord told the people of Israel the man who sins shall die. He explained individual responsibility for sin. The Lord told the people of Israel that those who turn from their sin would live. The Lord is just and desires for man to turn from sin and live.

Paul was called as an apostle of Christ Jesus to share the mystery of the gospel given to him through the Spirit. Through the gospel, Gentiles are heirs together with Israel. Paul shared the gospel with humility and through suffering. He prayed for God’s people to possess and express the love of God which is beyond human comprehension. The church is the body, working together in unity to the glory of God. God gave spiritual gifts to believers to be used for the equipping of the saints for the building up of the body (The Church) till it reaches full maturity. Paul called the church to show love toward one another. Their change of heart was to be obvious through their actions, showing kindness and compassion toward one another.

Abraham journeyed to Gerar and told the king that Sarah was his sister. The king took Sarah. God told him in a vision that he was dead as a result. Abimelech did not know she was the wife of Abraham. Abraham confessed to Abimelech but also told him she was his half-sister through his father. Abimelech returned Sarah to Abraham and provided gifts and blessings to them. Sarah bore a son named Isaac as God promised. Abraham was 100 years old. Sarah told Abraham to send Ishmael and his mother away. Abraham sent them away. They became destitute, but God protected Ishmael as He promised. Abraham made a treaty with Abimelech and Abraham claimed \land and a well he dug for his possession at Beersheba.

Jacob was not favored by Laban as he was before. They became jealous of Jacob’s success. God chose to take away from Laban while he blessed Jacob. Jacob gathered his wives, his sons, and the cattle he owned and began his journey back to Canaan, to his father Isaac. Rachel secretly stole her father’s gods. When Laban found that Jacob had left, he pursued him for seven days. God warned Laban in a dream not to say anything to Jacob, good or bad. When he caught up to Jacob, he asked Jacob why he fled. He asked Jacob why he stole his gods. Jacob was not aware that Rachel stole the gods. Laban searched but did not find the gods. Jacob and Laban made a covenant not to harm each other. Laban blessed his family and returned home.

Israel lived among the remaining people and were tested by God. The people of Israel chose to turn from God and serve other gods. God chastised them and they cried out to Him for mercy. God raised up Othniel, Caleb’s younger brother, to lead Israel as their first judge. Israel experienced forty years of peace. Israel turned from God again and served Eglon, the king of Moab for eighteen years. The people cried out to God again and He raised up Ehud who killed Eglon and led them to conquer the Moabites. Israel experienced eighty years of peace. Ehud was succeeded by Shagmar, who was succeeded by Deborah, the only female judge of Israel. Deborah led Barak to defeat the Canaanites and brought peace again to the people of Israel.

Naomi told Ruth to go to the threshing floor where Boaz would lie down for the night. Ruth followed Naomi’s instructions. Boaz woke and saw Ruth at his feet. Boaz told Ruth there was a kinsman who was a closer relative than he. According to the law, the closest relative had the opportunity to redeem a widow (take her as his wife). Boaz told Ruth he would redeem her if the closest kinsman chose not to. The kinsman gave up his right to the land and to take Ruth as his wife. Boaz claimed the right as the next closest kinsman to redeem both. Ruth gave birth to a son named Obed who would be the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Job responded to Eliphaz by justifying his impatience. He felt the weight of his pain and desired relief, even by death. Job knew right from wrong, and he honored God. He described his pain as that of a servant and one without rest. He again justified his desire to die. Job acknowledged sin and desired forgiveness but instead experienced affliction after another. He sought answers, but even more, he desired relief from his pain and grief.