December 28th readings

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Zechariah 12:1-13:9 ~ Revelation 19:1-21
Psalm 147:1-20 ~ Proverbs 31:1-7

Hi everyone - this will be a short post.  I have to jump on a plane this morning, but wanted to jot down a few things.  I should be back to my regularly scheduled programming & post's tomorrow...  I have missed blogging these past few days!  It keeps me accountable to really diving into our One Year Bible readings... 

Old Testament - Today in Zechariah chapter 12 we begin the second oracle in the book of Zechariah.  It is interesting to note that the Hebrew term for oracle/the word of the Lord is only used 3 times in the Old Testament - here in 12:1, Zechariah 9:1 and Malachi 1:1.  This indicates that Zechariah chapters 9 through 14 were likely written at about the same time as the book of Malachi - the last book of the Old Testament - which we'll be reading in a couple of days!  :)  This 2nd oracle in Zechariah consists of the final siege of Jerusalem and Jesus' return as Messiah to defeat Israel's enemies and establish his kingdom.

Chapter 12 verse 10 is a powerful Messianic verse in today's readings - ""Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on all the people of Jerusalem. They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died." The first sentence indicates a pouring out of the Holy Spirit.  The second sentence it appears that Jesus is speaking in the first person - here in the Old Testament!  The use of the word pierced here is similar to Psalm 22:16 - "they have pierced my hands and my feet"  and John 19:34-37 - "Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”"

Chapter 13 verse 7 is another powerful verse about Jesus - ""Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, the man who is my partner, says the LORD Almighty. Strike down the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn against the lambs." This last sentence is quoted by Jesus just before his arrest in Matthew 26:31 and Mark 14:27.  It is applied to the scattering of the apostles, but can also be considered for the dispersion of the Jews in A.D. 70 after the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem.

New Testament - Revelation chapter 19 utilizes the Hebrew for Hallelujah! four times in the first six verses - but it is interesting to note that Hallelujah is not used anywhere else in the New Testament.  Though, certainly we are reading Hallelujah frequently now in the Psalms!  (such as today's readings).  The Hallelujah's in this chapter, along with verse 16 in today's readings - "On his robe and thigh was written this title: King of kings and Lord of lords." - reminded me of and had me singing Handel's Messiah this morning!  :)

Psalms - Today in Psalm 147 I liked verse 15 a lot - "how swiftly his word flies!"  Indeed, it is true!  I pray God's Word, the Bible, is flying swiftly in your life!

What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings? Please post up in the Comments section below!

Grace,
Mike

Comments

[Louise Mishler]

HI: I have been reading my One Year Bible for 16 years and find something new in it daily. It will change your life one minute at a time. Pray that the spirit will give you the courage to do it. Just do it! Louise

[BJ Hewitt]

Revelation 19... Hallelujah = Praise the Lord. Hallelujah occures as you said 4 times in the first six verses. But did you know that the word Hallelujah only occures in this 19 chapter of Revelation in the entire New Testament. But as you already know you will also find Hallelujah several times as a brief doxology in several Psalms.

I liked Psalm 147:4-5 "(4)He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them, (5)Great is our Lord, and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite."
Praise God for His omnipotience and His greatness in creation.