Bible Reading Plan
This plan will allow you to read through the Bible in about a year, but also provide flexibility to take longer if you want to. The reading selections will help you understand how the stories of the Bible fit together and provide notes/commentary.
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OT Reading: Genesis 1 & 2
Big Picture: Adam & Eve were to keep the Garden; being fruitful and multiplying to spread the Garden across the world.
Consider This: The world was perfect, yet Adam & Eve were to work. We were designed to work.
NT Reading: John 1 & 2
Big Picture: Just as Genesis 1 & 2 points to the beginning, John starts by declaring Jesus as God who was at the beginning.
Consider This: Within the first two chapters John demonstrates who this Jesus is – God.
OT Reading: Genesis 3 & 4
Big Picture: With the curse comes blessing in the offspring (Christ) who will crush the head of the Serpent.
Consider This: The effects of sin are immediately apparent within one chapter with the murder of Abel by his brother.
NT Reading: John 3
Big Picture: The effects of sin on the human condition requires a spiritual rebirth so we may be reconciled to God; a rebirth which can only come through the work of Christ on the cross.
Consider This: Jesus refers back to Numbers 21:4-9 in John 3:14 to demonstrate the work He must do on the cross.
OT Reading: Genesis 5
Big Picture: God told Adam on the day he ate of the tree he would die. As a result of the Fall mankind died; a point the author makes clear by continuing stating “and he died.”
Consider This: Notice how Lamech takes two wives instead of one; a deviation from God’s design.
NT Reading: John 4 & 5
Big Picture: Jesus refers to Himself as the “I AM” (4:26), a title God gives to Himself in the Old Testament. John then provides several examples of Jesus’ works to support that claim (4:46 – 5:47).
Consider This: Jesus doesn’t lose sight of the big picture by prioritizing His ministry over food. Also, people will accept a person’s testimony about themselves to seek out glory from one another, but do not accept Christ who was testified by other.
OT Reading: Genesis 6 – 9:17
Big Picture: The effect of sin escalates very quickly so God destroys all of mankind except Noah and his family, giving him the same command after the Flood as Gen 1-2; “be fruitful and multiply” (9:7).
Consider This: The sin nature of mankind should not be underestimated. Here we also see the establishment of government (9:5-6).
NT Reading: John 6:1 – 7:52
Big Picture: Jesus did not comes to satisfy the temporal, physical needs of the people, but their spiritual condition. Their engagement with Jesus reveals they do not yet understand who He is, despite the works.
Consider This: Jesus feeds the people in the wilderness, just as generations before God gave manna to the Israelites in the Wilderness. After this event, Jesus crosses the water, as do the disciples and the people. It is the imagery of a new exodus.
OT Reading: Genesis 9:18 – 11:32
Big Picture: Although Noah was righteous, sin would not be destroyed by a Flood as evidenced by Ham’s actions and the Tower of Babel where the people did not obey God by “increasing greatly on the earth” (9:7).
Consider This: Ham is named Canaan, whose descendants are the Canaanites. God forces mankind to disperse across the earth by changing their languages; an action which also temporarily restrains sin.
OT Reading: Genesis 12 & 13
Big Picture: God calls Abraham out of a land of idol worshipers to create a people for Himself, promising to make him a great nation, giving him land and offspring; thru which the entire world would be blessed.
Consider This: Although Abraham should have trusted in God’s protection, He uses the incident in Egypt to increase Abraham’s wealth.
NT Reading: John 7:53 – 8:30
Big Picture: The struggle between the offspring of the woman (those who believe the promise of Gen 3:15) & the offspring of the serpent (those of this world) continues. Jesus explains to the people that belief in Him is the only way for salvation from sin.
Consider This: Because of the darkness of sin the Pharisees are unable to distinguish between heavenly & earthly matters, even though they are the religious leaders.
OT Reading: Genesis 14, 15, 16
Big Picture: God reaffirms the promise to Abraham, but instead of exercising faith, he takes matters into his own hands, even after a vision from God with a strong affirmation of the promise; the cutting in half of animals a depiction of what would happen to the promise maker (God) if it is broken.
Consider This: Abraham’s faith grows over time & he is not the giant of faith depicted in Hebrews 11 overnight.
OT Reading II: Psalm 2
NT Reading: John 8:31 – 10:21
Big Picture: Referring back to God’s own description of Himself as the “I AM,” Jesus declares Himself to be God.
Consider: Notice the metaphor of blindness for those who don’t believe in contrast with the actual, physically blind man who sees both physically & spiritually. The Pharisees are inconsistent & the people see it; this is the source of division among the people.
OT Reading II: Psalm 3
OT Reading: Genesis 17, 18, 19
Big Picture: The LORD establishes the sign of the covenant (circumcision) with Abraham & reassures him of the promise – changing their names.
Consider:
- The wickedness of Sodom is so great as demonstrated by the men who continue to pursue their sinful desires even after being struck blind.
- The city clearly influenced Lot & his daughters based on Lot’s willingness to give his daughters to the men & the later incest by the daughters.
NT Reading: John 10:22 – 12:12
Big Picture: The signs Jesus performs are a testimony to who He is (the Son of God) and the raising of a man from the dead. Many believe for this reason, but the Pharisees continue to reject Him, even conspiring to kill Lazarus to prevent belief in Christ.
Consider: Martha acknowledges rightly who Jesus is – the Messiah. Caiaphas testifies to the necessity of Jesus’ work on the cross, unknowingly acknowledging a spiritual reality even he doesn’t comprehend.
OT Reading: Genesis 20
Big Picture: Abraham acquires wealth, land to live on and protection through Abimelech; a sign of the promise being fulfilled.
Consider: God uses the prayer of Abraham as the means of healing Abimelech even though God promised this in the vision to Abimelech.
NT Reading: John 12:20 – 12:50
Big Picture: Gentiles (Greeks) are seeking Jesus & are invited to be part of God’s people, which was God’s plan all along even though Israel failed to recognize it.
OT Reading: Genesis 21, 22, 23
Big Picture: God tests Abraham by instructing him to sacrifice the son of the promise they had waited so long for, but this was not the son who would die for the people to crush the head of the serpent.
Consider:
- Abraham’s faith grows; he gets up early to obey God.
- Isaac asks “where is the lamb,” a question which is not ultimately answered until Christ comes.
NT Reading: John 13 & 14
Big Picture: The purpose of Jesus’ works was to demonstrate He is from God and is God. (14:11; cr 21:24). God would continue to dwell with the disciples & all believers with the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Consider: The disciples were often seen in competition with one another, but Jesus commands them to love one another, not compete. The Holy Spirit would help them in this endeavor.
OT Reading: Psalm 4 & 5
OT Reading: Gen 24 – 25:18
Big Picture:The importance of this event is emphasized by the repetition of the same information. Isaac taking a wife from Canaan would be a threat to the promise as would the other offspring of Abraham, which is why he sends them away.
Consider:Ishmael returns to bury Abraham & God’s fulfillment of the promise to Hagar is already underway – 12 princes of Ishmael. God’s promise to Abraham will take much longer, but be more rewarding.
OT Reading: Psalm 6
NT Reading: John 15,16,17
Big Picture: Being a disciple of Jesus is associated with obedience to Jesus (abiding in Him) and the Holy Spirit will guide these true followers in keeping His Word.
Consider: Knowing this will be difficult because the world will hate them, Jesus prays for the twelve disciples, but also all future disciples (Christians); Jesus continues to intercede for us (cr. Heb 2:18; 7:25).
OT Reading: Gen 25:19 – 26:35
Big Picture: God reaffirms the promise to Abraham with Isaac, but requires faith and obedience as the requirement for blessing.
Consider: Just as with Abraham, Isaac’s faith must grow, he makes the same mistake with Abimelech as his father, but God uses this to prosper him.
OT Reading: Psalm 7
NT Reading: John 18 & 19
Big Picture: The death of the Christ (Jesus) happens exactly as the OT said and Caiaphas rightly, but unknowingly declares the need for one man to die for the people; the God-Man, Jesus Christ for the sins of the world.
Consider: John emphasizes his witnesses of Jesus’ side being pierced; a fulfillment of the Scriptures but also affirmation of His death, since some might not have believed He actually died & was resurrected.
OT Reading: Psalm 8
OT Reading: Genesis 26:34 – 28:22
Big Picture: Rebekah takes matters into her own hand to ensure the blessing God promised is given to Jacob, but in doing causing conflict which forces Jacob to flee. God reaffirms the same promise He gave to Abraham & Isaac.
Consider: Unnecessary pain & frustration could have been avoided by allowing God to work out His plan instead of forcing something as Rebekah did. She was thinking primarily in earthly terms.
OT Reading: Psalm 9
NT Reading: John 20 & 21
Big Picture: John is testifying as an eyewitness to validate all Jesus did, so that whoever reads it might believe in the name of Christ.
Consider: Just as the signs of Jesus were done to demonstrate who He is, the Apostles would be given power to perform signs to prove their eyewitness testimony was true.
OT Reading: Psalm 10
OT Reading:Genesis 29, 30, 31
Big Picture: Unlike his brother Esau, Jacob marries women who worship the true God, but Laban’s deception in both the marriage of his daughters & keeping Jacob from prosperity is a threat to the covenant. Yet God watches over Jacob to provide.
Consider: The deceiver (Jacob with Esau) is deceived by Laban. The favoritism created by Isaac & Rebekah extends to the next generation between Jacob & his wives, yet God uses this to greatly multiple the offspring; a sign of the covenant coming to fruition.
OT Reading: Genesis 32, 33
Big Picture: Esau represents a potential threat to the covenant, but God provides for Jacob, answering his prayer and changing his name to Israel. The name Israel means “God’s conquering warrior in the earth;” a name which reminds us of the promise of one who crushes the serpent’s head.
Consider: Although Jacob received the birthright, Esau is clearly a wealthy man and refuses the gifts from Jacob for this reason. The statement of “the older shall serve the younger” is not based on the world’s expectation, since God has something much different in His plan.
NT Reading: Colossians 1 & 2
Big Picture: Christ came to become the means by which we could be saved from the penalty of sin and in doing so crushes the head of serpent (Gen 3:15); a reference we see in Col 2:15 in “disarming the rulers & authorities…”
Consider: Through Abraham all the nations are blessed, as Paul indicates in 1:26-28, the gospel is for all people, not just one nation.
OT Reading: Genesis 34, 35, 36
Big Picture: The defiling of Dinah leads to the dishonorable murder of the Shechemites, thus making the very small tribe of Jacob’s family at risk of being overtaken by surrounding nations; Jacob says he has been made “a stench” to the nations. This represents a threat & may be part of the reason the name change to Israel.
Consider: Although Jacob received the birthright blessing, Esau is very wealthy and prosperous (34), with many descendants (36). Rachael dies during childbirth & seems to attribute the stealing of idols (cf. 31:32) to the death; calling the child Ben-oni (son of my sorrow).
NT Reading: Colossians 3, 4
Big Picture: Since we have been redeemed by Christ we should seek to live now as we will then (in heaven); where sin will be no more & we will enjoy fellowship with God & all believers.
Consider: Paul gives many examples of how we are to live today as we will in heaven. Notice how much Paul values his friends & fellow believers who provide comfort to him in the most challenging of circumstances. Being part of a local church is important for this reason.
NT Reading: James 1, 2
Big Picture: We are saved by faith alone, not by the good deeds we do, but faith is manifest or made known by obedience to God. Just as Abraham did not merely say he believed in God’s promise, but also acted in way which demonstrated the belief.
Consider: James is not giving a full list of all the ways in which we are to act, but a sampling of the actions which result from a life transformed by the gospel. Examining ourselves continually is a necessary part of the Christian life to ensure we are indeed part of the faith.
OT Reading: Genesis 37, 38, 39
Big Picture: There is significant contrast between Judah & Joseph; one marries a Canaanite woman & is quick to have relations with a prostitute, while the other resists immoral behavior. It demonstrates what will happen to Israel’s (Jacob’s) descendants will become if they remain in Canaan; they will become like all the other nations.
Consider: The people who purchase Joseph are descendants of Ishmael (Ishmaelites). Perez (the son of Judah & Tamar) is in the lineage of Jesus; thus Christ comes from the line of Judah.
NT Reading: James 3, 4, 5
Big Picture: Our life is short, so we should be seeking that which is external, not temporal. Many people have come before us and many will come after us, yet God’s will reigns over every generation.
Consider:We often think so little of prayer, yet notice how much was accomplished as a result of prayer (5:17-18). Humbleness is so difficult, yet is necessary to do all God is requiring of us in these passages.
OT Reading: Genesis 40, 41; Psalm 14
Big Picture: While an unfortunate circumstance, the incident with Potiphar’s wife leads to an audience before Pharaoh, thus allowing for the preservation of Egypt and ultimately Israel.
Consider: Joseph does not appear to become bitter by his imprisonment, but continues to work diligently, becoming in charge of all the prison matters.
OT Reading: Genesis 42 – 45:15
Big Picture: Joseph understood the big picture; all he endured was for the purpose of preserving God’s people (45:5).
Consider: The forgiveness offered by Joseph to his brothers was a necessary element in him being used by God to save Israel. If he had sought revenge instead of grace, the outcome might have been different.
OT Reading: Genesis 45:15 – 47:31; Psalms 15, 16
Big Picture: In bringing Israel to Egypt, God preserved His chosen, covenant people, even providing a place (through Pharaoh & Joesph) in which they live apart from the influence of Egyptians due to their occupation.
Consider: The people of Israel’s family who entered Egypt were few in number. Egypt acquired much wealth as a result of Joseph making them a great nation, from which Israel would plunder when they left 400 years later.
OT Reading: Genesis 48, 49, 50
Big Picture: Jacob and Joseph both recognized Israel’s dwelling in Egypt was temporary; God would fulfill the promise for them to be a nation in the land of Canaan. Both ask to be buried in the land Israel would eventually inhabit and Joseph reaffirms forgiveness to his brothers, knowing it was for God’s good purpose
Consider: The former actions of Reuben, Simeon and Levi result in the blessing from Jacob passing over them as and instead the birthright falls to Judah, through whom Christ would eventually be born. The imagery given is one of a conqueror; “your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies” (49:8).
OT Reading: Exodus 1, 2
Big Picture: The Israelites very quickly increased from a small group of 70 people who initially entered Egypt into the size of a nation; so large the Egyptians feared the Hebrews who lived within their border
Consider: God had never forgotten His covenant, instead He was preserving them in Egypt; their growth indicates God’s blessing and the progression towards Israel becoming a nation. Although never forgotten, it is through the prayer of the people that God begins to work towards the exodus of His people from Egypt, but it was all according to His perfect timing.
NT Reading: Matthew 1
Big Picture: The lineage of Jesus demonstrates God’s faithfulness to preserve His people and to fulfill the promise of Genesis 3:15; but it does not happen immediately, only in God’s perfect timing.
Consider: The genealogy represents a storyline in the Bible which includes a sordid past with sinful behavior (Judah & Tamar, David & Bathsheba), but yet these threats to the covenant do not prevent God’s plan, but demonstrate His faithfulness. The birth of Jesus has the appearance of sinful behavior (marital infidelity) to all except Mary and Joseph, who know God’s plan.
OT Reading: Exodus 3, 4
Big Picture: God is using Moses to fulfill the promise He made to Abraham in Genesis 15:13-14, that his descendants would be brought out of the land of their oppressors with great possessions.
Consider: Israel had prayed for deliverance and when they heard the words from Moses, their response was to worship God, praising Him for hearing their prayers..
NT Reading: Matthew 2
Big Picture: God called Israel out of Egypt at the exodus which represents a pictorial prophesy for Jesus in this passage; the same is true of the lament for the children.
Consider: Pharaoh’s murder of the Israel’s sons and Herod’s murder of the children in Bethlehem represents threats to the covenant God made with His people, but yet it is God who delivers them each time.
OT Reading: Exodus 5, 6, 7
Big Picture: The covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is still intact; we are reminded of this by the listing of Jacob’s descendants. These are indeed God’s people.
Consider: Pharaoh’s heart is not hardened by God actively working in the mind of Pharaoh, but rather the constant repetition of God sending Moses before him to request Israel be set free. The ability for Moses and Aaron to outperform the magicians of Egypt and in the demonstration of their (God’s) power over the gods of Egypt, led Pharaoh to be hardened against God.
NT Reading: Matthew 3 – 4:22
Big Picture: The ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus is “repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand;” a message of urgency since the end of the age has dawned with Christ.
Consider: Jesus uses the Word of God (OT) to rebuke Satan in his attempts to tempt Jesus, even though any of His words would have been the Word of God. We should trust the power of God’s Word, just as Christ did.
OT Reading: Exodus 8, 9, 10
Big Picture: The combination of all the plagues completely decimated the land of Egypt, taking away their source of food, trade and their sense of protection from the gods. As God promised Abraham, they were punished for afflicting Israel (Gen 15:14).
Consider: Pharaoh only sought for God’s forgiveness when it was not going well in Egypt, not because of a genuine desire to be obedient. His “faith” was only based on achieving relieve from the suffering.
OT Reading: Exodus 11, 12, 13:16
Big Picture: God is fulfilling the covenant to His people and in doing so establishes memorial activities intended to continually remind them of God’s promise and provision.
Consider: The Passover points to an even more memorable event; the redeeming of God’s people through the death and resurrection of Christ who crushes the head of the serpent.
NT Reading: Matthew 4:23-6:34
Big Picture: Matthew provides a summary of what Jesus does in his ministry (4:23) and then proceeds to show us how He taught (Sermon on the Mount) and healed (Matt 8).
Consider: People often say “God doesn’t expect perfection” yet this is exactly what He demands (Matt 5:48). The reality is that we are incapable of perfection. The good news of the gospel is that acceptance of Christ’s work on the cross on behalf of us, gives us the righteous of Christ in our standing before God.
OT Reading: Exodus 13:17 – 15:27
Big Picture: Egypt is completely decimated, with the final phase being the destruction of their army. Not only does it help Israel in their immediate need, but as the song states, the surrounding enemies will be fearful of Israel because of such a great nation falling by the hand of their God (15:14-16).
Consider: God provides for Israel’s every need despite their complaining, but makes this contingent upon their obedience to His commands.
NT Reading: Matthew 7, 8, 9
Big Picture: The teachings of Jesus are done with authority; an authority He holds as evidenced by the ability to heal and cast out demons (even the demons declare who Jesus is).
Consider: Matthew 9:35 serves as a bookend to what is summarized as His ministry – teaching, proclaiming the gospel and healing (see the similarities with 4:23). Notice Jesus speaks to hypocrisy being the issue (7:1-6), not pointing out sin. Holding one another accountable is necessary, which is why we remove the log to help remove the speck (v5).
NT Reading: Matthew 10, 11, 12
Big Picture: Jesus enlists the help of His disciples to expand the ministry beyond the current capacity; giving them the authority to act on His behalf in the same manner Jesus himself was acting (10:5-15).
Consider: John the Baptist expresses some uncertainty regarding who Jesus is, perhaps not understanding he was the one who came in the spirit of Elijah to pave the way for the Messiah. Jesus clarifies this for John, not directly, but by pointing him to the Scripture to interpret the evidence for himself. Jesus explains how His yoke is easy (11:25) which is then immediately followed with an example for how the Pharisees were levying very heavy burdens on the people, such as not even allowing them to rest or help one another on a day designed for that purpose.
OT Reading: Exodus 16, 17, 18
Big Picture: God is making Himself known to this new generation of Israel by making them dependent upon Him through providing for their every need and re-establishing laws and ordinances such as the Sabbath. They are starting to be taught what it means to be God’s people.
Consider: God is faithful to His promises, Amalek is a name not well known because they no long exist. Jethro provides sound advice in delegating responsibilities to other men in Israel to remove the burden from Moses.
NT Reading: Matthew 13, 14; Psalm 18
Big Picture: After speaking to the people plainly, Jesus begins speaking to them in parables so that those who “have ears to hear and eyes to see” might understand His teachings. This is a continuous theme in the gospel.
Consider: The feeding of the 5,000 is immediately followed by Jesus crossing the water. The people were fed in the “wilderness” followed by a water crossing (imagery from Exodus).
OT Reading: Exodus 19, 20; Psalm 19
Big Picture: God is creating a people for Himself by giving them the law by which they are to love God and love neighbor.
Consider: God spoke to the people directly from the mountain (20:18-19) which caused trembling and fear. This type of reverent fear of God should be a part of our Christian walk.
NT Reading: Matthew 15, 16; Psalm 20
Big Picture: Jesus expands His ministry to include not only the nation of Israel, but the Gentiles as well. His interaction with the Canaanite woman is followed by “sitting down there” (15:29), healing and then the feeding of people in the wilderness is very similar to the Sermon on the Mount, healing, feeding of the 5,000, but to Gentiles instead of Jews.
Consider: The engagement with the Canaanite woman is intended to encourage her probing, not disrespect her. The description of her as a “Canaanite woman” by Matthew was likely intended to draw the mostly Jewish audience of this book, back to the former days of Israel and the promised land. Israel was supposed to be a light to the nations.
OT Reading: Exodus 21 – 23:9
Big Picture: God establishes specific laws related to how they are to live out the Ten Commandments particularly in the area of loving one’s neighbor.
Consider: Note the emphasis on how they were to treat the sojourner or stranger (likely a Gentile). It was to be honorable and respectfully for they knew what sojourning was like (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) and were to be an example for how God’s people lived.
NT Reading: Matthew 17, 18
Big Picture: Peter had just declared Jesus as the Son of God in 16:16 and now he sees Jesus transfigured in all His glory, yet almost immediately afterwards they begin asking who is greatest in the kingdom.
Consider: Jesus first mentions the church within the context of a process for discipline based on unrepentant sin. The goal of unrepentant sin is repentance and restoration; as indicated in the verses following.
OT Reading: Exodus 23:10-24:18; Psalms 21
Big Picture: Just as the LORD’s covenant with Abraham was conditional upon obedience, so it was with Israel in obeying the commands given to them; affirmation the people give to Moses before God.
Consider: The Sabbath rest was specifically designed for the people to rest and to “be refreshed” from their labor (24:12).
NT Reading: Matthew 19 – 21:22
Big Picture: The ideas of “the first last and the last first” is the theme in both the rich man and the following parable. Both those who labor for Christ their entire life and those who accept Christ at the end of life will inherit the blessings of eternal life.
Consider: It is the blind men who first recognize Jesus as “the son of David” (the Messiah), followed then by a larger group who do so in the triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
OT Reading: Exodus 25, 26, 27
Big Picture: The tabernacle was to be the place where God dwelt among His people at the center of their camp.
Consider: The gold and precious metals for the Tabernacle were from the plundering of Egypt.
NT Reading: Matthew 21:23-23:39
Big Picture: The Pharisees make several attempts to discredit Jesus by questioning His authority, yet each time they fail ultimately bringing judgment upon themselves for their rejection of the Messiah.
Consider: The response of Jesus to all this is mourning over Israel. This is the appropriate response to those who reject Christ.
NT Reading: Matthew 24 – 26:5
Big Picture: The final days of the world will come with the culmination being judgment on the entire world. It will come unexpectedly as Jesus states and as the two parables indicate.
Consider: Jesus promotes a sense of urgency by His words indicating we should not wait to confess our sins and turn towards Christ, for today is the day of salvation, before the opportunity passes us by.
OT Reading: Exodus 30, 31; Psalms 22
Big Picture: God is creating a people for Himself by separating them from the other nations, a sign of which is the Sabbath day which is intended to be a day of rest for the people.
Consider: God provides a unique gift of craftsmanship to several men who are specifically called to create the Tabernacle furnishings. It is God who gives gifts to all men and women to be used for His glory.
NT Reading: Matthew 26:6-28:20
Big Picture: Jesus commissions the disciples to continue His ministry by spreading the gospel, making more disciples by baptizing and teaching them all Christ commanded.
Consider: Although Jesus appears to many people after His resurrection, (five hundred according to 1 Cor 15:6), still some doubted.
OT Reading: Exodus 32, 33, 34
Big Picture: Because of Israel’s sin in worshipping the golden calf God sends them Canaan (33:1), but says He will not go with them, but Israel mourns, knowing they will not prosper without God. Moses must intercede on their behalf outside of the camp in a tent, for God could not dwell in the midst of an unholy people.
Consider: Their worship of the golden calf was likely not the worship of a different god, but attempting to make an image for God, who had just commanded against this. They were adopting the practice of Egypt which is also where the gold originated; for they had plundered Egypt.
OT Reading: Exodus 35, 36, 37
Big Picture: After instructing Israel on how to make the Tabernacle, they begin work on it, bringing forth so much for the construction that Moses had to turn people away.
Consider: This was not a forceful command from God to give or help build the Tabernacle, it was the people who were stirred in their heart and willingly came forward. They were worshipping God in this service, stirred on by all His provisions they had witnessed – deliverance of Egypt, protection, food, water, forgiveness.
OT Reading: Exodus 38, 39, 40
Big Picture: God moves from dwelling in the mountain and meeting Moses outside the camp, to dwelling in the midst of the people in the Tabernacle.
Consider: Throughout history, God has always dwelt with His people.
OT Reading: Psalms 23-26
Consider: David recognizes his dependency on God for everything.
OT Reading: Psalms 27, 28, 29, 30
Consider: David gives God all the glory.
OT Reading: Psalms 31, 32, 33, 34
Consider: David speaks of God’s steadfast love which encompasses those who are His children.
Big Picture: Paul’s perspective on life is based in knowing God has secured his salvation and will see it to completion, along with using him as an instrument for ministry to those at Philippi.
Consider: Paul understands the temporary nature of this life and is fully content (actually prefers) to depart from it, but recognizes God’s work with him is not complete.
Big Picture: Perseverance and endurance should mark the life of a believer.
Consider: Paul had everything the Israelites valued most, but yet considered it worthless without Christ. Do we value Christ above all else?
Big Picture: This set of Psalms moves from individual lament (42) to prayer or invocation to God (43) followed by lament (44) and finally celebration (45).
Big Picture: God is glorified and praises for His many attributes and fulfillments of His promises.
Big Picture: Many of the Psalms are in response to an even which occurred in Israel, either as a nation or an individual. Psalm 51 is the result of David’s sin with Bathsheba. His recognition of sin is in direct contrast with the previous king, Saul, who did not repent, but justified his sin.
Big Picture: The Israelites are given specific instructions on how to conduct worship through the sacrifices.
Big Picture: The people of Israel coming out of Egypt were very numerous; likely in the millions with women and children being counted; thus the fulfillment of them becoming a nation with offspring greater than the stars is partially complete.
Consider: The Levites were excluded from the census and are given the task of guarding the Tabernacle. The placement of the Levites in the center of the camp, surrounding the Tabernacle (the dwelling place of God), is not so much protection from an enemy, but to protect the people from entering. The central location was intended to make God the center of their life.
Big Picture: God had claimed the firstborn for Himself back at the exodus and it was the Levites who would be set apart for service to redeem the 22,000 firstborn in Israel.
Consider: The LORD makes it clear that He takes worship seriously and disobedience seriously, in taking the life of Aaron’s two sons for offering “strange fire” which is clearly an indication of wrongly administering the sacrifices.
Big Picture: The Law was intended to be a specific set of ordinances which practically directed love of neighbor.
Consider: There were certain laws which had health benefits for the people to protect them from illness or diseases, but it was also a means of setting Israel apart from the surrounding nations.
Big Picture: Just as the people gave generously in the building of the Tabernacle, so also did they give generously in the dedication; each chief bringing the same gift.
Consider: The Nazirite vow was a setting apart of that individual to God for a specific purpose. Samson was specifically instructed by God to be a Nazirite, but Samuel and John the Baptist had also likely take this vow too.
Big Picture: The LORD appoints additional leaders in Israel to help Moses, giving them the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. God has always dwelt among His people, but in the OT, this was through the Tabernacle/Temple, so an indwelling within an individual was unique.
Consider: The statement from Moses that it would be good for all God’s people to have the Spirit (11:29), is a foreshadowing of what will come in the new covenant.
Big Picture: The people of Israel do not trust the LORD’s provision in giving them the land He was promised since Abraham; God’s anger is rightly kindled against them.
Consider: God would not allow them to enjoy His blessing, just as our own disobedience is not blessed by God. Therefore they would not enjoy the blessing of a promised land.
Big Picture: After telling Israel they would not enter the Promised Land until all those of the current generation had died (due to their sin of unbelief in the previous chapter), the LORD still gives them a command for when they do enter the land; giving hope the promise will still be fulfilled.
Consider: Moses often intercedes on behalf of Israel before the LORD to prevent Him from consuming them for their sin; an intercession Christ would eventually perform through payment of His sinless life, therefore becoming an eternal intercession for those who believe.
Big Picture: Edom was the nation of descendants from Esau and their failure to allow Israel passage indicates the contempt they had for the direct descendants from Esau’s brother Jacob.
Consider: Moses was God’s messenger and the leader of Israel, thus the disregard for God’s command at the Waters of Meribah required a strict rebuke, which as Moses being prohibited from seeing the Promised Land.
Big Picture: The imagery of the bronze serpent being lifted up on a pole for the people to look upon for salvation, would continue to be a metaphor pointing to Christ who would be the ultimate salvation for those who look upon Him.
Consider: God uses a donkey for His glory, how much more should be consider that He will use us to fulfill His good purposes.
Big Picture: The Midianites were descended from one of Abraham’s wives after Sarah died and the Moabites were the descendants of Lot; each of whom became a negative influence on the holiness of Israel.
Consider: God was serious about setting apart His people for holiness and is equally concerned about this today.
Big Picture: As God’s appointed leader of Israel all these years, Moses knew the importance of identifying a successor, since he would not be entering the Promised Land.
Consider: God enacted a statute to preserve the lineage and care for the daughters of those who had no son as an heir. This was another way in which Israel was set apart as different from the surrounding nations.
Big Picture: The vengeance on Midian referenced in Numbers 25:16-18 comes about in the destruction of the Midianites by Israel according to God’s command.
Consider: Notice God preserved all of Israel who went into battle; none was loss (31:49).
Big Picture: The taking of this land is several hundreds of years in the making, a partial fulfillment of the promise God made to Abraham and each of the patriarchs.
Consider: Reuben and Gad were given permission to take land outside of the targeted area, but only because they still considered Israel their people whom they would take up arms with to take the land God was giving them.
Big Picture: Moses receives and delivers final instructions from God regarding the division of land, prior to Israel entering the Promised Land.
Consider: The cities of refuge serve a very practical purpose of ensuring justice is properly executed instead of being driven by emotions in the heat of the incident.
Big Picture: These psalms of lament express God’s sovereignty in all circumstances, each one emphasizing that God will ultimately prevail.
Consider: These were written by David as laments surrounding either a personal event (57, 59) or an event involving all of Israel (58).
Big Picture: True knowledge of who Jesus is, must be revealed to us from wisdom which only comes from God (2:6-8).
Consider: Divisions in the church harm the body of Christ, yet the truth is not abandoned merely for the sake of avoiding divisions.
Big Picture: Paul clarifies that unlike other movements in history, the Church is built upon the foundation of Christ and His work on the cross, not in following a particular leader in the church.
Consider: Paul’s intention is for us to consider the eternal value of our work on earth, but that is not limited only to ministry. Even our normal, every day work can be done for the glory of God.
Big Picture: The church was designed by Christ to create accountability within the body of believers, which includes confronting sin of believers. Paul expects unbelievers to act contrary to God’s Word, but he expects believers to act as those redeemed by Christ
Consider: Paul is concerned with the purity of the church and particularly those who blatantly violate God’s Word.
Big Picture: The principles of marriage are based on the design by God which was imbedded at the start of creation.
Consider: A well informed conscience can be used as a instrument for guiding us towards righteousness, so we should be cautious about searing it.
Big Picture: Even in the smallest of matters, eating and drinking, we are to do for the glory of God..
Consider: Paul is very focused and intentionally about his ministry, even to the point of “becoming all things to all men” for the sake of the gospel.
Big Picture: Just as the Passover become a memorial of an event in the past, so is the Lord’s Table a memorial of Christ’s death; a perpetual reminder to us, until His return.
Consider: God takes the sacrament of the Lord’s Table very serious and we should be cautious not to partake it in a manner which it is not intended.
Big Picture: Just as the worship and sacrificial system in the Old Testament was designed to be done in an orderly way, so also is our corporate worship in the church to be done orderly, without chaos.
Consider: The symbolic nature of the sacrificial system pointed toward Christ who would have the sins of His people laid upon Him to consecrate the people.
Big Picture: Paul provides reassurance of salvation, explaining that all his work is completely in vain if Christ has not died on the cross, been raised to life and given hope for our own eventual resurrection.
Consider: The sons of Aaron in Lev 9 did not adhere to God’s Law regarding the sacrificial system and were killed as a result. God takes worship seriously.
Big Picture: The purpose of the dietary laws was to set apart Israel as a holy people for God, who were unlike the surrounding nations.
Consider: The sons of Aaron in Lev 10 did not adhere to God’s Law regarding the sacrificial system and were killed as a result. God takes worship seriously.
Big Picture: There were often practical elements to the Law which had a health advantage, but the overarching purpose was to set apart Israel and point them to God.
Consider: David attributes deliverance, sustainment and strength to overcome Israel’s enemies with God and in His sovereignty over all things.
Big Picture: Israel has become “as numerous as the stars of heaven,” a reference to the promise given to Abraham, but even still the people did not trust God to give them victory over their enemies.
Consider: Even after witnessing firsthand all of God’s mercies and grace, Israel did not believe in God’s sovereignty to give them victory. We also can experience moments of doubt and even think that if we had witnessed these things or the works of Christ firsthand we would have no doubts.
Big Picture: The promise to Abraham of taking possession of land comes after all the other descendants (Lot, Esau, Ishmael) have become well established in their own lands.
Consider: Moses pleads with God to reverse the decision that he would not be allowed to enter the Promised Land, yet he is still not allowed to enter. Although forgiveness is available, there are still consequences to sin.
Big Picture: Fulfillment of the promise to Abraham and Israel was dependent on God, but keeping the promise was contingent on obedience to God’s statutes.
Consider: God always keeps a remnant of faithful people throughout history.
Big Picture: The Ten Commandments are repeated again in the Law, emphasizing the importance and then summarizing them into the two greatest commandments of loving God and loving neighbor.
Consider: Christ’s emphasis on loving neighbor and loving God was not a new commandment; it existed from the beginning.
Big Picture: God is reminding Israel of the big picture. They were chosen to be God’s people when it was just Abraham and Sarah.
Consider: The promise is both unconditional (God will give them victory over their enemies) and conditional (Israel must obey to maintain God’s blessings).
Big Picture: God reminds Israel that it was not because of their righteousness or holiness that God chose them as His people. Even after He delivered them from Egypt, Israel rebelled against God in several incidents.
Consider: God’s demands on His people to live in obedience to His laws and statutes, is based on His righteous requirement that we be holy as He is holy .
Big Picture: God promises to give Israel rest from all their enemies (Deut 12:10); a temporary rest for Israel, which points to an eternal rest for all of God’s people.
Consider: The laws and statutes of God were to be so engrained into the minds of His people that it is described as always being in front of them.
Big Picture: It has always been a command from God to “purge the evildoers” from among His people. This command continued into the New Testament.
Consider: The purpose of the dietary laws was to set apart Israel from the other nations.
Big Picture: The Passover not only reminded Israel of their exodus from Egypt, but the source of their deliverance (God); pointing forward to Christ.
Consider: The laws in Leviticus were designed to continuously point to the holiness of God.
Big Picture: Moses speaks Christ (a prophet like him) who will be born from among the people and speak the words of God. The reference back to God speaking to the people at Mt. Horeb indicates he will not just be a prophet, but God.
Consider: Although Christians do not follow the Sabbath laws, the model for a day of rest (or Sabbath) was designed at creation with the seventh day.
Big Picture: God established a justice system based on love for God and love for neighbor; allowing for a fair trial not individual retaliation.
Consider: The law of retaliation (“eye for an eye…”) was only for the purpose of ensuring the punishment fit the crime. When Jesus speaks of this in Matt 5:38, He condemns personal retaliation being used outside the court system, not the law itself.
Big Picture: It is Christ who hung on a tree (cross) bearing the wrath of God for the sins of those who believe in Him; cursed by God for our sin.
Consider: Even with property, there was a system within the law to ensure proper and fair dealings among the people of Israel. Just as God said “there will no poor among you,” this law (in part) addresses that.
Big Picture: The contrast between blessings for obedience and punishment for disobedience is a continuous theme throughout the history of Israel in the OT; each of the prophets call Israel back to Leviticus 26.
Consider: Deuteronomy 28 provides a longer narrative related to the blessings and punishment, thus emphasizing the importance.
Big Picture: Each law was oriented towards loving one’s neighbor in specific ways, even in caring for the land to allow use by multiple generations.
Consider: The requirement to build a parapet (fence) around the roof of the home was intended reduce the risk of an injury from falling over the edge, since many people used the roof as a living space.
Big Picture: The Law incorporated elements which reminded Israel of where they came from, in order to continuously point them to God and His salvation.
Consider: The Apostle Paul references Deut 25:4 to make a point about being supported for their gospel labor (1 Cor 9:9; 1 Tim 5:18).
Big Picture: The Levites are declaring a curse upon acts of disobedience against the Law which has just been given, with the people affirming it publicly.
Consider: God instructs them to make a physical structure (altar) with the words of the Law as a reminder to all who see it.
Big Picture: The blessings for obedience and cursing for disobedience is an expanded version of Leviticus 26. Whenever Israel is called by to obedience by judges or prophets, it is always a reference back to this passage.
Consider: God provided for every need of the Israelites during their wandering, to the point of not allowing their clothes to become worn out.
Big Picture: God knows the heart of mankind and their inability to completely follow the Law because they will need a new heart; a point the prophets will make later when Israel strays.
Consider: God’s grace is evident even in His provision for when they do stray; the song of Moses (31:21).
Big Picture: Despite all that Moses did, the incident at Meribah-kadesh was a public display of direct disobedience, therefore God did not allow him to enter the land; a display of the nature of God’s holiness.
Consider: God equipped Joshua to lead the people, just as he did for Moses.
Big Picture: Rahab’s faith in the God of Israel not only preserved the life of the spies, but her own; her name being listed in Hebrews 11 with others of great faith.
Consider: Instead of complaining about the strength of the nations in Canaan, this next generation of Israel is ready to go into the Promised Land; depending upon God for their victory.
