Today’s Bible Reading

September 11

Old Testament I
1 Kings 3
1 Kings 3 is a chapter in the Old Testament that tells the story of Solomon, the son of King David, who became king of Israel after his father's death. In this chapter, we see Solomon seeking wisdom from God and demonstrating his wise judgment in a legal dispute between two women who claimed to be the mother of the same child.

The chapter begins with Solomon forming a marriage alliance with Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, by marrying his daughter. Solomon then goes to Gibeon, a high place of worship, to offer sacrifices to the Lord. It is there that the Lord appears to him in a dream and offers to give him whatever he asks for.

Solomon responds by asking for wisdom to govern God's people, which pleased the Lord. God grants him wisdom and understanding beyond measure, as well as riches and honor, because he did not ask for selfish things like long life, wealth, or the death of his enemies.

The chapter then recounts the famous story of two prostitutes who came before Solomon with a baby. Both women claimed to be the child's mother, but one of them had accidentally smothered her own baby in her sleep and had taken the other woman's child as her own. When Solomon suggested dividing the baby in half, the real mother revealed herself by sacrificing her claim to the child to save its life. Solomon awarded the child to the true mother and gained a reputation for his wise judgment throughout Israel.

Overall, 1 Kings 3 highlights the importance of seeking wisdom from God and using it to make just decisions, as well as the value of sacrificial love and selflessness in relationships.

Old Testament II
Jeremiah 11
Jeremiah 11 is a chapter in the book of Jeremiah in the Old Testament of the Bible. It contains a message from God to the people of Judah, warning them of the consequences of their disobedience.

The chapter begins with God reminding the people of Judah of the covenant he made with their ancestors when he brought them out of Egypt. He calls on them to obey his commands and to follow his ways. However, the people have turned away from God and have been worshipping other gods.

God declares that he will bring disaster upon the people of Judah because of their disobedience. He will send a fire that will consume the houses of the people and the trees of the forest. He also warns the people that their idols will not be able to save them from the destruction that is to come.

The chapter then shifts to a plot against Jeremiah, who has been preaching against the people's disobedience. The people of Judah plot to kill Jeremiah because of his message, but God warns him of their plans and protects him.

In the final section of the chapter, God addresses the people directly, telling them that their prayers and sacrifices will not be heard because of their disobedience. He urges them to repent and turn back to him before it is too late.

Overall, Jeremiah 11 serves as a warning to the people of Judah to turn away from their disobedience and return to God before it is too late. It also highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of turning away from him.

New Testament
Ephesians 4:17
Ephesians 4:17 reads:

"So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking."

In this passage, the Apostle Paul is urging the Ephesian believers to live differently than the non-believers around them. He is reminding them that they have been called to a new way of life in Christ and that they should no longer follow the patterns of their old way of life.

Paul emphasizes the importance of renewing the mind and transforming one's way of thinking. He is urging the Ephesians to live with purpose and intentionality, rather than being driven by the aimlessness and hopelessness that characterizes the non-believing world.

In essence, Paul is calling the Ephesians to be set apart, to live differently than those who do not know Christ, and to pursue a life of holiness and righteousness.