TODAY'S BIBLE READING

MAY 27

OLD TESTAMENT I
Deuteronomy 5
Deuteronomy 5 is a retelling of the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. The chapter begins with Moses addressing the Israelites and reminding them of their covenant with God. He emphasizes the importance of obeying God's commands and following His statutes.

Moses then proceeds to repeat the Ten Commandments, which include honoring God, keeping the Sabbath day holy, honoring parents, not committing murder, adultery, theft, false witness, or coveting.

After the commandments are given, the people respond with fear and trembling, recognizing the gravity of the covenant they have entered into with God. Moses encourages them to keep the commandments faithfully so that they may prosper and live long in the land promised to them by God.

The chapter ends with Moses reminding the people of their need to love and fear God, and to obey His commandments out of gratitude for all that He has done for them.

OLD TESTAMENT II
Ecclesiastes 7
The book of Ecclesiastes is a reflection on the meaning and purpose of life. In chapter 7, the author continues to explore the themes of wisdom, death, and the limitations of human existence.

The chapter begins with the observation that the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth. This seems counterintuitive, but the author explains that death is the end of life's struggles and pains, and it puts us in the presence of God.

The author then moves on to discuss the importance of wisdom. He argues that wisdom can protect us from the pitfalls of life and make us better able to enjoy the good things that come our way. However, he also recognizes that wisdom has its limits and that there are some things that cannot be fully understood or controlled.

The author also reflects on the idea of righteousness and its rewards. He notes that righteousness does not always lead to prosperity or success in this life, but it is still better than wickedness, which leads to destruction.

Finally, the author reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the need to enjoy it while we can. He encourages his readers to make the most of the time they have and to avoid extremes of behavior, such as excessive laughter or anger.

In summary, Ecclesiastes 7 encourages us to embrace the limitations of our existence, seek wisdom, live righteously, and enjoy life while we can.

NEW TESTAMENT
Luke 8:1-21
Luke 8:1-21 contains three main sections.

In the first section (verses 1-3), Luke describes Jesus traveling from town to town, preaching and teaching the good news of the kingdom of God. Accompanying Jesus were the twelve disciples, as well as some women who had been healed by Jesus and had become his followers.

In the second section (verses 4-15), Jesus tells the parable of the sower, which is a story about a farmer who goes out to sow seed in his field. Some of the seed falls on the path and is eaten by birds, some falls on rocky soil and withers away, some falls among thorns and is choked, and some falls on good soil and produces a bountiful harvest. Jesus explains that the seed represents the word of God, and the different types of soil represent different types of people. Some people hear the word but don't understand it (like the seed on the path), some receive it with joy but fall away when troubles arise (like the seed on rocky soil), some are distracted by the cares and pleasures of life and don't bear fruit (like the seed among thorns), but some receive the word with a good and honest heart and produce fruit.

In the third section (verses 16-21), Jesus talks about the importance of hearing and obeying the word of God. He says that no one lights a lamp and then covers it up, but rather they put it on a stand so that everyone can see it. Similarly, the word of God is meant to be heard and shared openly, not hidden away. Jesus also says that his true family are those who hear and obey the word of God, not just those who are related to him by blood.

Overall, this passage emphasizes the importance of hearing and receiving the word of God, and the different responses people have to it. It also highlights the role of women in Jesus' ministry and the concept of spiritual family.