I Corinthians 11

“In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it” (18). The Corinthians were struggling to truly become the people of God in their own place and time. Paul wanted men and women to behave with respect toward one another and strive toward interdependence (1-12). He also wanted everyone to leave behind the big differences between rich and poor that were spilling over into the meal that was supposed to symbolize unity: the Lord’s Supper (17-34).

“This cup is the new covenant in my blood” (25). Jesus calls us to behave in ways that reflect the “new covenant” of his kingdom, rather than the world around us.

Psalm 87

“The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the other dwellings of Jacob” (2). The psalmist rejoiced over God’s passionate love for “Zion” and His equally passionate desire to extend that caring, redemptive love to the peoples of Babylon, Philistia, and Tyre – Israel’s enemies (4). God’s covenant with Israel was a glimpse of His love for the whole the world. Prophetically, the psalmist glimpsed God’s plan through the Promised One to make foreigners into citizens: “This one was born in Zion” (6).

“Glorious things are said of you, city of God” (3). Through Jesus, no matter our background, we become full members now of the glorious city to come where the Lord reigns forever (Hebrews 12:22, 13:14).

Nehemiah 12-13

“In those days I saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath ...” (13:15). Nehemiah the governor saw that the teaching of the Law had to go deeper with the returned exiles; they needed real life transformation. He shut the gates of the city so that no work could be done on the Sabbath, and he enforced the ban on marriages with foreigners. “Foreigners” were not simply non-Jews (Ruth and Rahab, David’s ancestors, were foreigners), but women who rejected the faith and language of God’s people (13:23-27).

“On that day the Book of Moses was read aloud ...” (13:1). Knowing the Word isn’t enough. God’s Spirit wants to speak through the Word, penetrating our hearts and causing transformation.

Nehemiah 10-11

“We will not neglect the house of our God” (10:39). A functioning Temple, center of Israelite worship, required the collective effort of the entire community. The returned exiles, under Ezra and Nehemiah, were physically rebuilding the Temple, yet the activity of daily sacrifices, worship, and holy celebrations needed regular contributions from the crops and resources of the people, as the Law required. Then, the priests and Levites were enabled to do their work: continuing the heartbeat of sacrifice and worship to God (10:39).

“We also assume responsibility ...” (10:35). Being God’s people requires each one to share responsibility. Through eagerly offering our own unique contributions and roles (I Cor 12), together we become “a holy temple in the Lord” (Eph 2:21).

Nehemiah 8-9

“For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you warned them through your prophets ...” (9:30). As the returned exiles in Jerusalem listened to God’s Word being read out loud and explained, they wept (8:9). They heard about God’s “covenant of love”, how He led their ancestors miraculously to a “spacious and fertile land”, yet they still rebelled against His “great goodness” (9:35). Now, their land was ruled by others (9:36), but God was still with them, still patiently drawing them back to Himself through His Word.

“You are a gracious and forgiving God, slow to anger and abounding in love” (9:17). God’s patient love still reaches out, calling us back from destruction and into the kingdom of his Son.

I Corinthians 10

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind ...” (13). The Old Testament stories are examples and warnings to us (11), Paul said, demonstrating what happens when we refuse the Lord’s grace and choose to serve idols instead.

The Israelites weren’t pagans; they had “passed through the sea” and eaten spiritual food and drink (1-5), yet idolatry still led them astray. Despite knowing better, modern idols like individualism, wealth, sexuality, and pleasure can still pull our hearts away from Christ.

I Corinthians 9

“Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible” (19). For Paul, the joy of seeing more people come to know and serve Jesus was worth anything, including crossing cultural boundaries (20-23). He had the right to financial support as an apostle, but didn’t take it (15-18), and he had the right to be married, but remained single (5). Rather than striving for the world’s best, he wanted to pour his energies into being obedient to Christ (24-27).

“I do not run like someone running aimlessly” (26). Our assignments are different, but we all share one goal: to give everything for the glory of Jesus the King.

I Corinthians 8

“Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak” (9). Paul continued to address the real challenges of being the united Body of Christ when believers approach “issues of conscience” from very different directions. Some, recently saved out of idol- worship, still felt wary about eating food sacrificed to idols (7-10). For those never involved with idols, it was just meat (4-6). Paul urged them to be guided by care for others, not their own personal freedom (11-13).

“But knowledge puffs up while love builds up” (1). The world tells us to put ourselves first, but the way of Jesus calls us to sacrifice our preferences for someone else’s good.

Psalm 86

“Teach me your way, Lord ... give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name” (11). The psalmist knew that his main struggle was not because God was lacking in power or love, but due to his own ‘divided heart’. God is “forgiving and good ... abounding in love” (5), yet we are still tempted by ungodly sources of help or satisfaction. God is “slow to anger” (15), yet we are hesitant to trust His mercy. “Give me a sign of your goodness” the psalmist asked, to reassure and strengthen his uncertain heart (17).

“For great is your love toward me” (13). God’s love poured out on the cross teaches our hearts that we can fully and forever trust Him.

Psalm 85

“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” (6). The psalmist knew God’s character through the testimony of Israel’s history. Even after the Israelites rebelled, God “restored” their fortunes and “forgave” their sins, because of His mercy (1-3). On the basis of God’s unfailing love (7), the psalmist asked, “Restore us again” (4). We can still count on the fact that God’s salvation is near (9), and He is quick to save those who seek him.

“He promises peace to his people ... but let them not turn to folly” (8). In his mercy, God reaches out to us, again and again, so that we can turn to him and experience peace.

Nehemiah 5-7

“Although we are of the same flesh and blood ... yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery” (5:5). The returned Jews faced a terrible problem, worse than enemy attacks: wealthy leaders were not helping the poor, as the Law required. During famine, families were selling their land and even their children to pay debts (5:1-5). Nehemiah grieved, knowing God had given the land so that people could live God-honoring lives, rejecting greed and selfishness. He required everything to be returned to the debtors (5:11).

“Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God ...?” (5:9). God saves us so that we can “walk in the light” (I John 1:7), honoring His name by how we treat others.

Nehemiah 3-4

“The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall” (4:10). Nehemiah’s plan to gather people to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall soon met huge problems: the laborers were weary, and their enemies taunted them. Israel’s first Temple had been built with massive organization; Solomon conscripted thousands and an army defended them. Now, farmers-turned-builders worked on sections of the wall while holding weapons (4:18). Nevertheless, “the Lord, who is great and awesome”, was their Rock and true defense (4:14).

“Our God will fight for us!” (4:20). In less-than-ideal circumstances, when our weaknesses are magnified, we experience God’s mighty power on our behalf.

Nehemiah 1-2

“If it pleases the king ... let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it” (2:5). Like Ezra and Esther, Nehemiah was a Jewish exile who had risen to prominence in Persia. He grieved to hear that Jerusalem’s walls were still in ruins (1:3), and God had placed him in a position to do something. With the king’s approval, he left his position, safety, and good life to go help God’s people rebuild.

“Lord, the God of heaven ... who keeps his covenant of love” (1:4). The God who keeps his covenant of love calls us to offer ourselves, whatever he has given us, to be part of his reconciling, restoring work.

I Corinthians 7

“But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that” (7). Paul explained to the Corinthians, who thought that a certain kind of life was automatically more holy (1), that both marriage and singleness could honor God. Everyone, even slaves (21-24), could live as people dedicated to Jesus. Pushing against cultural norms, Paul urged slaves to seek freedom if possible (21), but he also reminded them that in the Lord, they were already free (22).

Rather than thinking that holiness or radical devotion to the Lord is for a few unique people in special circumstances, Jesus calls us all to live as His disciples “in whatever situation” we find ourselves (17).

I Corinthians 6

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial” (6:12). The Corinthians believers were apparently doing what was “normal” in their society: taking each other to court over trivial lawsuits. Paul challenged them not to live by their rights but to consider what was beneficial as “members of Christ” (15) and “temples of the Holy Spirit” (19). Rather than adopting society’s patterns for sexuality, business, friendship, or other relationships, we live as God’s people, redeemed by the high price of His only Son (20).

“But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit” (17). United with Jesus, we live not by our rights, but by His example of holiness and self- giving love.

Psalm 84

“How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord” (1). The psalmist longed to spiritually ‘come home’ to the Lord, to experience more than Temple visits and sacrifices. “Even the sparrow” finds refuge close to God’s altar – how much more, people made in his image (3). The good news is that God desires to dwell with us. When we are oriented in his direction (our “hearts are set on pilgrimage”, 5), everything changes; even dry valleys produce life-giving springs (6).

“Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you” (12). We are blessed because through Jesus, God has made a way for us to come home to him.

Ezra 7-10

“God has not forsaken us in our bondage ... He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God” (9:9). From Babylon, Ezra the priest arrived in Jerusalem along with many other exiles, as well as riches and blessings from the Persian king (ch 6-8). Ezra, “a teacher well-versed in the Law” (7:6), was horrified to find that the Jews were marrying foreigners who didn’t follow the Lord (ch 9). God had miraculously rescued them from bondage, but they risked losing their inheritance.

“He has granted us new life ...” (9:9). God’s rescue has purpose. He has given us new life in Christ so that we can live faithfully as his people in the world (Ephesians 2).

Ezra 4-6

“And the prophets of God were with them, supporting them” (5:1-2). The prophets Haggai and Zechariah supported the returned Jews who were rebuilding the temple. However, their enemies wrote an official letter of accusation to King Artaxerxes (4:12), describing Jerusalem as a “rebellious city” and stopping their work (4:23). Encouraged by the prophets who spoke God’s word to them, the Jews kept hope, until Cyrus’ edict was found and the work resumed: “Do not interfere with the work on this temple ...” (6:7).

“So the elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the preaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah” (6:14). When attacks come our way, God’s Word gives us the strength we need to stand firm.

Ezra 1-3

“No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping ...” (3:13). After 70 years of exile in Babylon, God was now doing a new thing for the Jews. Back in their own land, carrying sacred treasure (1:9- 11), they were laying the foundation of the new temple in Jerusalem (3:10). But some older people wept, remembering the glory and promise of the first temple (3:12). They still felt the grief of loss, while rejoicing in the beginning of God’s restoration.

“His love toward Israel endures forever” (3:11). God’s love has not finished working. Although now we experience grief and joy, one day our redemption will be complete, when He makes “all things new” (Revelation 21:5)

I Corinthians 5

“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate ...” (1). Apparently, some Corinthians were confusing God’s abundant grace with a casual approach to sin. Paul affirmed that Christ was the “Passover Lamb”; he was sacrificed so that we could leave behind the old ways and embrace a new life of “sincerity and truth” (8). Believers were not called to judge those outside the church, but to have clear expectations for insiders (9-13).

“A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough” (6). Good or bad, our behavior affects one another as members of the same Body. We are called not to tear down but to build each other up.