Matthew 9:9-34 Dear RTB’ers, Today, Jesus’ calling of Matthew (Levi) and another three healing miracles. Two of these healings were prophesied by Isaiah: Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing …
Author Archives: Fred
January 29 / Matthew 8:23-9:8
Matthew 8:23-9:8 Dear RTB’ers, Yesterday’s STS introduction told us that we would be reading three sets of three miracles each in Matthew’s chapters 8 and 9. Yesterday we saw three healings – leprosy, paralysis, and a fever. Today we see the second of these three sets of miracles – Jesus calming the storm, casting out …
January 28 / Matthew 8:1-22
Matthew 8:1-22 Dear RTB’ers, Back to Matthew for the next couple of weeks. Jesus has finished His “Sermon on the Mount”; immediately we see Him healing all kinds of infirmities – leprosy, paralysis, a fever, and …many who were oppressed by demons, and He cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who …
January 27 / Obadiah
Obadiah 1-21 Dear RTB’ers, Obadiah, our final minor prophet during this stretch of RTB readings. Our STS authors give us a good introduction to Obadiah. I would especially encourage you to read their citation of Numbers 20:14-21. Those verses tell of Edom’s refusal to allow Israel to pass through their territory on their journey from …
January 26 / Habakkuk 3
Habakkuk 3 Dear RTB’ers, We are covering two STS assignments today to make up for one of the four we fell short last year. Without the STS intro and my Study Bible I would have been lost in today’s reading. Habakkuk is using poetic environmental images to describe Israel’s escape from Egypt and entry into …
January 25 / Habakkuk 2:6-20
Habakkuk 2:6-20 Dear RTB’ers, Today we continue the Lord’s second response to Habakkuk’s questions. We began this response yesterday with a one-word message: Wait. Today He pronounces five woes on the Chaldeans (Babylonians). Mostly I see the essence of those woes as chastisement on the Babylonians for plundering, for taking what is not theirs and …
January 24 / Habakkuk 1:1-2:5
Habakkuk 1:1-2:5 Dear RTB’ers, Habakkuk – the fifth of six minor prophets during this stretch of RTB readings. I feel like the STS authors should have done a better job at laying out this book. The text is actually a conversation between Habakkuk and God, with Habakkuk questioning and God answering. You’ll see God speaking …
January 23 / Nahum 2-3
Nahum 2-3 Dear RTB’ers, I noted yesterday that the book of Nahum is all about Nineveh and its judgment and destruction. That’s what today’s reading is all about, that final destruction. It gets confusing as to whether some of the text is referring to the advancing armies or to defenders in Nineveh itself. See especially …
January 22 / Nahum 1
Nahum 1 Dear RTB’ers, Both the STS introduction and my Study Bible’s notes tell us that the book of Nahum is all about Nineveh and its judgment and destruction. We’ve seen Nineveh before, you’ll recall, in the book of Jonah. He was told to go there, went the other direction, repented of that error and …
January 21 / Zephaniah 3:8-20
Zephaniah 3:8-20 Dear RTB’ers, Today’s reading is a bit confusing for me. (Nothing new about that…! ) Early on we see another picture of complete destruction: For My decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them My indignation, all my burning anger; for in the fire of My jealousy all …