Author: Andrew Timberlake

Luke 2:21-40

21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29   “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
    according to your word;
30   for my eyes have seen your salvation
31     that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32   a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Mary and Joseph lived in obedience. They named their son Jesus as pronounced by the angel. Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua which means “Yahweh is salvation” (cf. Matt 1:21). Mary and Joseph had Jesus circumcised on the eighth day (Lev 12:3). They presented their firstborn to God according to the law (Ex 13:2, 12). Finally they presented an offering for Mary’s purification after childbirth (Lev 12:1-8). The offering they presented, a pair of doves instead of a lamb, indicates that they were not wealthy. It is wonderful to see that even under the law God’s requirements were not so onerous that the poor were excluded from His blessing.

Simeon was a devout man who had been longing for the arrival of the Messiah and for the redemption of Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had privately revealed to him that the Messiah would come during his lifetime. He was led by the Spirit to be at the temple when Mary and Joseph came with Jesus. When he saw Jesus, he took Him in his arms and blessed Him. Simeon was ready to die in peace having seen the Lord’s salvation in the baby he held. He proclaimed that Jesus would provide salvation to both the Gentiles and the Jews. Luke places quite a bit of emphasis on the fact that salvation is available to Gentiles, probably because he was writing to provide certainty to the faith of a Gentile (Luke 1:4). Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph pointing out that Jesus would be the cause of the rise (in belief to salvation) and the fall (in rejection to judgement) of many and He would be a sign from God that many would speak against. He added that Mary was going to suffer as she witnessed many negative responses against her son and then His death.

There was also a prophetess named Anna who had dedicated much of her life in the temple having only been married for seven years and then a widow for most of her life. She too was brought by the Holy Spirit at the time Mary, Joseph and Jesus were there. She praised God and then told others who were waiting for Israel’s redemption about the birth of the Messiah.

Having fulfilled everything that was required by the law they returned to Nazareth in Galilee. Galatians 4:4 tells us that Jesus was born under the law and we see that in this passage. He then grew in both physical strength and spiritual wisdom and all could see that God’s favour was on Him. Jesus’ development was in his physical attributes as a man. His veiled deity did not develop because as God He is perfect and unchanging.

We often think of the rise and fall of people, companies, and even nations. They usually rise on the wings of great decisions and then fall as a result of complacency and carelessness. Here, Simeon speaks of a rise or fall on one deciding factor—Jesus. Your destiny is determined not on many good decisions rising to a peak and hoping not to make bad ones that will cause you to fall. What you decide about Jesus will result in your rise or fall. Do you stand in opposition to Him, or do you believe in Him for salvation?

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Ruth and Boaz: Ruth 3-4

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Luke 2:1-20

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14   “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Ceasar Augustus reigned from 27 B.C.–A.D. 14 and when Mary was almost due, he decreed that all the [Roman] world should be registered. Each man needed to go to his own town. This was not necessarily the town of birth but the town of their family heritage. Joseph was of the lineage of David so he took Mary with him to Bethlehem. Mary is still referred to as Joseph’s betrothed and is legally pledged to him in marriage. She is pregnant and still a virgin. While they were there (not necessarily as they arrived) Mary went into labour. She gave birth to Jesus, her firstborn but had to wrap Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

Close by there were shepherds in the fields watching over their flocks during the night. An unnamed angel of the Lord appeared to them and they were enveloped in the glory of the Lord. They were very afraid but the angel told them not to fear because he had a message of good news and great joy that was for all people. The angel had a personal message for them that a baby, the Saviour, who is Christ the Lord was born that day in [Bethlehem] the City of David. They would find this baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. Then a great host of angels appeared praising God.

When the angels left, the shepherds hurried off together to see this wondrous thing the angels had told them about. When they got there, they found things exactly as they had been told. Having seen Jesus, they told many about what they had been told and how they had found the child. Everyone who heard wondered at the events that had unfolded. Mary treasured up these things and meditated on them. The shepherds returned to their stations praising and glorifying God because of what they had heard and seen.

Everyone who was involved in or heard of what had happened responded properly with thoughtfulness and praise. They considered the things God was doing and how they pointed to the Messiah. There is nothing as powerful as a personal testimony. The shepherds told people what they had heard and seen. When we share the gospel our message is more likely to be received if we share our personal experience along with what we have heard.

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Ruth and Naomi: Ruth 1-2

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Luke 1:57-80

57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. 64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.

67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

68   “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
    for he has visited and redeemed his people
69   and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
    in the house of his servant David,
70   as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
71   that we should be saved from our enemies
    and from the hand of all who hate us;
72   to show the mercy promised to our fathers
    and to remember his holy covenant,
73   the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74     that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
  might serve him without fear,
75     in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
76   And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
    for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77   to give knowledge of salvation to his people
    in the forgiveness of their sins,
78   because of the tender mercy of our God,
    whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
79   to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Elizabeth gave birth to a son and all her neighbours and relatives rejoiced at his birth because God had shown her great mercy in giving her a child in her old age (cf. 1:14). When he was eight days old they circumcised John as prescribed by God (Gen 17:1-14) and all the neighbours expected his name to be Zechariah after his father. But Elizabeth said his name was to be John as instructed by Gabriel (1:13). Nine months after being visited by the angel Gabriel, Zechariah still couldn’t speak so when they asked him what he wanted his son to be named they had to bring him a tablet to write it down. He wrote, “His name is John.” Immediately his mouth and tongue were restored and his first words were praise to God. Zechariah’s instant healing caused a stir as people responded in awe and discussed amongst themselves what was happening. Who was this child and what would he become because clearly, God was with him.

Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and just like the others filled with the Holy Spirit in the gospel of Luke, his first response is to speak praise and prophecy. Zechariah’s poem/song is known as the Benedictus which is Latin for Blessed be. He praises God as the One who has come to redeem His people Israel in their time of need. He points back to the promises God made to their ancestors from Abraham and the prophets of the Old Testament who confirmed them. He also confirmed the prophecy that John would fulfill as the one who prepared the way as the prophet of the Most High. He would preach a message of repentance in anticipation of the arrival of the Messiah who would bring complete forgiveness for their sins. He would prepare the way for Jesus who would bring light to those in the darkness and lead us to the way of peace with God.

John grew both physically and spiritually and lived in the wilderness in preparation for his public ministry in Israel.

Zechariah’s unbelief brought on him the consequence of muteness for nine months. When given the opportunity to obey in naming his son contrary to cultural tradition, he obeyed and was immediately released. Jesus came to bring complete forgiveness from our sins. No matter what wrong choices you’ve made in the past, Jesus makes it possible for you to choice obedience today.

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Samson Delilah: Judges 16

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Luke 1:39-56

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

46 And Mary said,

  “My soul magnifies the Lord,
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48   for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
    For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49   for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.
50   And his mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
51   He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52   he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
    and exalted those of humble estate;
53   he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and the rich he has sent away empty.
54   He has helped his servant Israel,
    in remembrance of his mercy,
55   as he spoke to our fathers,
    to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Mary took a trip to an unnamed city in Judah to visit Elizabeth. As Mary greeted Elizabeth, John, still in the womb, leaped for joy at the sound of Mary’s voice. At that moment Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke. Elizabeth immediately knew that Mary was pregnant and blessed among women because the child she carried was blessed. She knew that Mary was pregnant with the Messiah. Mary was blessed because she believed that God would do what He had said. Blessing comes from believing what God has said—especially what He has said about Jesus.

Mary responds in a poem/song that is modelled after Hannah’s praise to God for her own supernatural pregnancy (1 Sam 2:1-10). It is often referred to as the Magnificat which is Latin for magnifies.

Mary begins with praise and worship towards God her saviour. She then acknowledges that He has bestowed undeserved blessings on her, a humble creature. Unlike Elizabeth who would be called blessed by her friends and family, Mary is called blessed by every generation. No other woman shares the incredible privilege she was given. She submitted to God’s plan and now He has done great things in her and for her. God bestows His mercy on those who fear Him, those who recognise His holiness. But to those who have resisted His authority and act in pride and arrogance, He will deal with strength and ultimate judgement. He has humbled the proud and exalted the humble (James 4:6). He will not give to those who trust in their riches as a substitute for God but will give good things to those who trust in Him. God has remembered His promise to Israel through Abraham to send a deliverer in the Messiah.

Is your life characterised by living in humble submission to God’s plan or is it more characterised by pride and dependence on things like money, job or status? What do you need to do to live more like Mary? Do you need to depend on God more or do you need to focus more on praising Him for what He is doing in your life? Perhaps both?

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Samson and the Donkey: Judges 14-15

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Luke 1:26-38

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, Gabriel was sent from God (angel means messenger) to a relatively unimportant city in Galilee named Nazareth. Mary was a virgin but legally pledged to be married to Joseph (this was a little like an engagement but with the legal weight of marriage). Gabriel greeted her as highly favoured because she was the recipient of special grace and honour from God. Mary was troubled and wasn’t sure what kind of message she was going to receive. Gabriel assured her she need not be afraid because she had found favour with God. She was going to conceive and bear a son and God had chosen His name to be Jesus.

Gabriel made five predictions about her son:

  1. He will be great.
  2. He is deity, the Son of the Most High.
  3. He will sit on David’s throne as David’s descendant.
  4. He will reign over the house of Jacob—this is a reference specifically to the nation of Israel. In the Millenium, Jesus will finally reign over Israel as her king.
  5. He will be the final king who will reign forever. Jesus’ millennial reign will continue into eternity.

In her response, Mary confirms her virginity. She asked how it was possible that she would have a baby because she was still a virgin. Gabriel replied that miraculously the Holy Spirit would come upon her and both implant the baby and protect Him from her sin nature so that He would be called holy—the Son of God. Then Gabriel pointed out that her relative Elizabeth had conceived in her old age despite being called barren. How were these two pregnancies possible? Because nothing is impossible with God. Mary’s response is a beautiful example of humble submission. She acknowledged that she was a servant of the Lord and willingly submitted to God’s plan.

It’s interesting to see the level of detail we have of Mary’s interactions and experiences which strongly suggests that Luke interviewed Mary personally.

What God asked Mary to do was a glorious thing but one fraught with challenges, scandal and personal pain. God had asked her to do a hard thing but she willingly submitted. Are you living your life in the attitude of, “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word”?

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Samson Promised: Judges 13

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Proverbs 13:9-25

9   The light of the righteous rejoices,
    but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
10   By insolence comes nothing but strife,
    but with those who take advice is wisdom.
11   Wealth gained hastily will dwindle,
    but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
12   Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
13   Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself,
    but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.
14   The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
    that one may turn away from the snares of death.
15   Good sense wins favor,
    but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.
16   Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
    but a fool flaunts his folly.
17   A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
    but a faithful envoy brings healing.
18   Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction,
    but whoever heeds reproof is honored.
19   A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
    but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
20   Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
    but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
21   Disaster pursues sinners,
    but the righteous are rewarded with good.
22   A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
    but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.
23   The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,
    but it is swept away through injustice.
24   Whoever spares the rod hates his son,
    but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
25   The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
    but the belly of the wicked suffers want.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings that are easily applied to everyday situations. Consider carefully which of the sayings you’ve read today are particularly applicable to you today and in the coming week. What do you need to change or do more of to make use of God’s wisdom in your life?

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Psalm 9

To the choirmaster: according to Muth-labben. A Psalm of David.

1   I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart;
    I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
2   I will be glad and exult in you;
    I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
3   When my enemies turn back,
    they stumble and perish before your presence.
4   For you have maintained my just cause;
    you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment.
5   You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish;
    you have blotted out their name forever and ever.
6   The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins;
    their cities you rooted out;
    the very memory of them has perished.
7   But the LORD sits enthroned forever;
    he has established his throne for justice,
8   and he judges the world with righteousness;
    he judges the peoples with uprightness.
9   The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed,
    a stronghold in times of trouble.
10   And those who know your name put their trust in you,
    for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.
11   Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion!
    Tell among the peoples his deeds!
12   For he who avenges blood is mindful of them;
    he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
13   Be gracious to me, O LORD!
    See my affliction from those who hate me,
    O you who lift me up from the gates of death,
14   that I may recount all your praises,
    that in the gates of the daughter of Zion
    I may rejoice in your salvation.
15   The nations have sunk in the pit that they made;
    in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught.
16   The LORD has made himself known; he has executed judgment;
    the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Higgaion. Selah
17   The wicked shall return to Sheol,
    all the nations that forget God.
18   For the needy shall not always be forgotten,
    and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever.
19   Arise, O LORD! Let not man prevail;
    let the nations be judged before you!
20   Put them in fear, O LORD!
    Let the nations know that they are but men! Selah

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

The Psalms are great for helping us relate to God and worship Him. It’s wonderful to spend time in the word and grow in your knowledge of God at a head level. Use today to do your quiet time a little differently and try to grow in your knowledge of God at a heart level. We must always strive to move from knowing of God to knowing God.

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Luke 1:5-25

5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

God’s plan of salvation began to unfold at a time when Israel was not an independent nation but one oppressed under Roman rule. His revelation came first to a priest named Zechariah who worked in one of the priestly orders that were involved in the weekly service of the temple. His wife, Elizabeth was a descendent of Aaron. Aaron and his sons had been assigned the priesthood in Israel.
Luke describes Zechariah and Elizabeth as righteous before God. They were not perfect or sinless, but they were consistent in their obedience to God’s commandments. In those times, it was expected that those who were obedient would have children but they didn’t, and they were too old to still expect children.

Through the casting of lots, God chose Zechariah to perform the special task of burning incense in the temple. The angel Gabriel appeared at the altar and brought a message. The message was an answer to their prayer, Elizabeth would have a son. But this son was going to be special. God chose his name, John, and had a special job for him. He needed to abstain from all alcohol and would be filled by the Holy Spirit even while still in his mother’s womb. He would be great in God’s sight and he would help many Israelites return to God in repentance. John would come in the spirit and power of Elijah. He was a forerunner as expected by Malachi 4:5 and would preach the message of Malachi 4:6 even though he was not the ultimate fulfilment of that prophecy which will yet be fulfilled just before Christ returns after the Tribulation.
John’s ministry was to prepare the nation for Jesus, the promised Messiah.

Zechariah didn’t immediately believe Gabriel and wanted confirmation. Because he didn’t believe, he wouldn’t be able to speak until John was born. When he finally came out of the temple, the people were sure that he had seen a vision because he was unable to speak. (Is this the origin of the idea of experiencing something so awesome it renders you speechless?)

After Zechariah went home we see the initial fulfilment of Gabriels message as Elizabeth conceived. She expressed that God had taken away her reproach because He had reversed her barrenness.

Zechariah and Elizabeth had wanted children and even prayed for them and yet God had not answered their prayer. But they remained faithful and continued to do things God’s way. It was in Zechariah’s service that God finally met with him and answered their prayer—even when they must have thought it was too late. We can’t guarantee that God will answer our specific prayer but we can be assured that God will bless us and use us if we remain faithful, even when our prayers have not been answered as we wish.

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Gideon’s Army: Judges 6-7

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Luke 1:1-4

1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

The gospel of Luke and the book of Acts are both widely agreed to have been written by Luke, the doctor and co-labourer of Paul the apostle (Col 4:14). While He did not see Jesus personally, he was able to interview eyewitnesses (Luke 1:2)

Luke wrote to Theophilus who was most likely a Roman official because he is addressed as “most excellent”. We don’t know much more about who Theophilus was. He was a believer and Luke wrote his letters to provide him with a greater certainty about what he had already been taught (and believed).

God expects us to trust Him. That doesn’t mean we trust in something of little to no substance. God has given us His word but that word can be verified. We can look at the eyewitness testimonies that Luke gathered along with the other eyewitness testimonies of the gospels and New Testament. We can also look at other historical information and archeological findings which are all able to confirm what we believe. Let us come to God like the father who brought his son to Jesus and said, “I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). No matter where you are in your Christian walk, I trust that this study in the gospel of Luke will increase your certainty in what you have been taught.

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Deborah the Female Judge: Deborah the Female Judge

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Joshua 24:1-33

1 Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel. And they presented themselves before God. 2 And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods. 3 Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan, and made his offspring many. I gave him Isaac. 4 And to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. And I gave Esau the hill country of Seir to possess, but Jacob and his children went down to Egypt. 5 And I sent Moses and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt with what I did in the midst of it, and afterward I brought you out.

6 “‘Then I brought your fathers out of Egypt, and you came to the sea. And the Egyptians pursued your fathers with chariots and horsemen to the Red Sea. 7 And when they cried to the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians and made the sea come upon them and cover them; and your eyes saw what I did in Egypt. And you lived in the wilderness a long time. 8 Then I brought you to the land of the Amorites, who lived on the other side of the Jordan. They fought with you, and I gave them into your hand, and you took possession of their land, and I destroyed them before you. 9 Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and fought against Israel. And he sent and invited Balaam the son of Beor to curse you, 10 but I would not listen to Balaam. Indeed, he blessed you. So I delivered you out of his hand. 11 And you went over the Jordan and came to Jericho, and the leaders of Jericho fought against you, and also the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And I gave them into your hand. 12 And I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out before you, the two kings of the Amorites; it was not by your sword or by your bow. 13 I gave you a land on which you had not labored and cities that you had not built, and you dwell in them. You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant.’

14 “Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

16 Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods, 17 for it is the LORD our God who brought us and our fathers up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight and preserved us in all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed. 18 And the LORD drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God.”

19 But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. 20 If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good.” 21 And the people said to Joshua, “No, but we will serve the LORD.” 22 Then Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the LORD, to serve him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.” 23 He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD, the God of Israel.” 24 And the people said to Joshua, “The LORD our God we will serve, and his voice we will obey.” 25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and put in place statutes and rules for them at Shechem. 26 And Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God. And he took a large stone and set it up there under the terebinth that was by the sanctuary of the LORD. 27 And Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the LORD that he spoke to us. Therefore it shall be a witness against you, lest you deal falsely with your God.” 28 So Joshua sent the people away, every man to his inheritance.

29 After these things Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being 110 years old. 30 And they buried him in his own inheritance at Timnath-serah, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, north of the mountain of Gaash.

31 Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the work that the LORD did for Israel.

32 As for the bones of Joseph, which the people of Israel brought up from Egypt, they buried them at Shechem, in the piece of land that Jacob bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of money. It became an inheritance of the descendants of Joseph.

33 And Eleazar the son of Aaron died, and they buried him at Gibeah, the town of Phinehas his son, which had been given him in the hill country of Ephraim.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Joshua summoned the elders and leaders of Israel and they came to Shechem and presented themselves before God. There Joshua delivered God’s message. God reminded them that He was the one who called Abraham and led him to Canaan. He gave Abraham many offspring through Isaac and then Jacob. He led Jacob to Egypt [where they were enslaved] and then He sent Moses and Aaron and used the plagues to bring them out of Egypt. He brought their ancestors out of Egypt and parted the Red Sea to allow them through and closed it over the Egyptians who were pursuing them. Israel lived in the wilderness a long time and then God brought them to the land of the Amorites and when they fought with Israel, God gave them into their hand and gave their land to Israel as a possession. When Balak hired Balaam to curse them, God would not listen and instead caused Balaam to bless Israel and delivered them out of Balak’s hand. Then God led them over the Jordan river and He fought for them against all the leaders of the Canaanite clans. He gave them the land they had not cultivated and cities they had not built to live in. They now ate the fruit and olives they did not plant.
This reminder was to help Israel see that any greatness Israel had achieved was not by their own making but by God’s mercy and grace.

In light of this great reminder of God’s goodness, Joshua called on Israel to serve God wholeheartedly. He challenged them to make a choice. Would they choose to serve the gods of their ancestors (before they knew the true God) or the gods of the Amorites in whose land they now lived? Joshua was clear—he and his family were going to serve the LORD (Yahweh). Israel’s response was positive and acknowledged all that God had done for them. They would serve the Lord.
Joshua didn’t seem convinced. Perhaps he picked up some insincerity or recognised an emotional response to the situation rather than a carefully calculated decision. He reminded them that God was not to be worshipped or served lightly. To ignore God and serve idols would be a willful sin that had no provision for forgiveness under the law (Num 15:30). Joshua still had to tell them to put away the foreign gods that were among them. Despite all that God had done to show Israel who He was and how good He was, they were still not wholly committed to Him.

Through Jesus, God has again shown incredible goodness and grace in giving us the gift of salvation, completely free of any effort from us. But Jesus still calls us to follow Him at great personal sacrifice (Luke 9:23,57-62).
Are you wholeheartedly following Jesus? Or do you need to heed Joshua’s challenge again today, to decide who you will serve?

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

The First Judge: Judges 3

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake