Today’s Bible Reading

August 2

Old Testament I
1 Samuel 6, 7
1 Samuel 6

In this chapter, the Philistines return the Ark of the Covenant to the Israelites. They had taken the Ark as spoils of war in a previous battle, but they were soon plagued by various calamities, which they attributed to the presence of the Ark in their midst. After consulting with their priests, the Philistines decide to return the Ark to the Israelites, along with a guilt offering of five golden tumors and five golden rats.

The Ark is returned on a cart pulled by two cows, which had never been yoked before. The cows make their way directly to Beth-shemesh, an Israelite town, and the people there rejoice at the sight of the Ark. However, some of them look inside the Ark and are struck dead by God. The people of Beth-shemesh then send messengers to the people of Kiriath-jearim, asking them to come and take the Ark away.

1 Samuel 7

In this chapter, the Ark is taken to Kiriath-jearim, where it remains for 20 years. During this time, Samuel becomes the leader of Israel, and he urges the people to turn away from their idolatry and worship the Lord only. The Israelites follow his advice and put away their foreign gods and serve the Lord.

The Philistines attack Israel, but God intervenes and causes a great thunderstorm that confuses and routs the Philistines. Samuel then sets up a stone as a memorial to God's victory and calls it Ebenezer, saying "Thus far the Lord has helped us."

The Israelites then enjoy a period of peace and security under Samuel's leadership, and he judges them faithfully throughout his life.

Old Testament II
Isaiah 48
Isaiah 48 is a chapter in the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament of the Bible. The chapter begins with God addressing the people of Israel and reminding them of their history and how He has been faithful to them despite their disobedience.

God then declares that He is about to do a new thing and announces the coming of Cyrus, a Persian king who would conquer Babylon and release the Israelites from captivity. God emphasizes that He is the only true God and that He alone can predict and control the future.

God calls on the Israelites to listen to Him and obey His commands, promising them blessings if they do so. He warns them of the consequences of disobedience and idol worship, which will lead to their destruction.

The chapter concludes with God reaffirming His love for His people and His desire to see them return to Him. He promises to refine them through trials and tribulations, but ultimately to restore them and bless them.

Overall, Isaiah 48 is a call to the people of Israel to trust in God, obey His commands, and turn away from idolatry. It reminds them of God's faithfulness, His sovereignty over the future, and His desire for them to be restored to a right relationship with Him.

New Testament
2 Corinthians 9
2 Corinthians 9 is a chapter in which the Apostle Paul encourages the Corinthian church to be generous in their giving. He reminds them that their generosity will result in blessings not only for those who receive their gifts, but also for themselves. Paul urges the Corinthians to give cheerfully and generously, not out of compulsion or obligation, but as a reflection of their love for God and their desire to do good.

Paul also reminds the Corinthians that God loves a cheerful giver and promises that if they sow generously, they will reap generously. He emphasizes that their giving should be voluntary, and not coerced, and that it should come from a grateful heart that recognizes the abundance of God's blessings.

Finally, Paul expresses his gratitude for the Corinthians' past generosity and urges them to continue giving, not only to meet the needs of others, but also as a demonstration of their commitment to the gospel and their love for God. He assures them that their generosity will result in thanksgiving and praise to God from those who receive their gifts.