May 30 through July 3 Readings

Here is a month of readings. Over the course of the next several weeks we will be reading a goodly portion of wisdom literature from the Old Testament -- Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon as well the prophet Isaiah. We will also be working our way through several of Paul's letters.

The wisdom literature is self-explanatory, more or less. Its goal is to observe life, learn from it, and frame what has been learned into a saying instructive for future generations. For example, Prov. 22:3 reads: "The clever see danger and hide; but the simple go on, and suffer for it." Most wisdom literature has a parental tone to it. If we listen carefully, we can hear it as sound advice from a father or mother.

When reading the prophets it is good to know if the prophet is writing before, during, or after the Babylonian exile, 587 BCE. Prophecies before the exile contain words of warning. Israel should change her ways to avoid exile, which will come as punishment for faithlessness. Prophecies during the exile contain words of comfort. Israel, though chastened, is still God's chosen and will not be abandoned. Prophecies after the exile contain words of hope and promise. Israel has atoned for her sins and will be restored to her land.

Isa 1-39 is pre-exilic. Isa 40-55 is exilic. Isa 56-66 is post-exilic.

When reading Paul it is helpful to use a study Bible. You will want to know something about the situation that has prompted Paul's letter. What happened that warranted correspondence from the apostle?

Keep up your reading and study. Peace.

May 30: Prov 22-24; 2Cor 8
May 31: Prov 25-26; 2Cor 9
Jun 1: Prov 27-29; 2Cor 10
Jun 2: Prov 30-31; 2Cor 11:1-15
Jun 3: Ecc 1-3; 2Cor 11:16-33
Jun 4: Ecc 4-6; 2Cor 12
Jun 5: Ecc 7-9; 2Cor 13
Jun 6: Ecc 10-12; Gal 1
Jun 7: Song 1-3; Gal 2
Jun 8: Song 4-5; Gal 3
Jun 9: Song 6-8; Gal 4
Jun 10: Is 1-2; Gal 5
Jun 11: Is 3-4; Gal 6
Jun 12: Is 5-6; Eph 1
Jun 13: Is 7-8; Eph 2
Jun 14: Is 9-10; Eph 3
Jun 15: Is 11-13; Eph 4
Jun 16: Is 14-16; Eph 5:1-16
Jun 17: Is 17-19; Eph 5:17-33
Jun 18: Is 20-22; Eph 6
Jun 19: Is 23-25; Phil 1
Jun 20: Is 26-27; Phil 2
Jun 21: Is 28-29; Phil 3
Jun 22: Is 30-31; Phil 4
Jun 23: Is 32-33; Col 1
Jun 24: Is 34-36; Col 2
Jun 25: Is 37-38; Col 3
Jun 26: Is 39-40; Col 4
Jun 27: Is 41-42; 1Thess 1
Jun 28: Is 43-44; 1Thess 2
Jun 29: Is 45-46; 1Thess 3
Jun 30: Is 47-49; 1Thess 4
Jul 1: Is 50-52; 1Thess 5
Jul 2: Is 53-55; 2Thess 1
Jul 3: Is 56-58; 2Thess 2