BibleStudyTogether DailyReadings
A 2-Year Chronological & Thematic Journey through God's Word
with Daily Comments from Dr. Del Tackett.
September 18
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 627 (9/18) – Jeremiah 32:16-44; Acts 13:13-43
In the midst of the judgment and destruction, God presents the hope that would come in the form of a new covenant. Some trip over the statement that God will “repay the guilt of fathers to their children after them”. However, read the rest of the passage and it is clear that the children are guilty as well. His judgment is often delayed, but it is never unjust. Note the Lord distaste for Judah killing its children: “I did not command them, nor did it enter into my mind, that they should do this abomination”. Sin often becomes so normal that we fail to see it as sin any longer. Paul and Barnabas preach Jesus in the context of their history. It is good to not lose the historical perspective.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
September 17
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 626 (9/17) – Ezekiel 31:1-18; Jeremiah 32:1-15; Acts 13:1-12
We have three texts today that present the constant counter of the world. God blesses a nation; it becomes proud and acts unrighteously; God brings it down. Today it is the message to Pharaoh through what happened to Assyria. Jeremiah is imprisoned because the Word of God he delivers doesn't sit well with Zedekiah. In Paphos, Paul and Barnabas were opposed by a magician who was a “son of the devil”, an “enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy”. When you look around you and see unrighteousness and foolishness, do not lose hope. The Lord brought down Assyria and Egypt, He brought down Zedekiah, and He blinded the magician. Trust in the Lord.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
September 16
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 625 (9/16) – Jeremiah 34:1-22, 21:1-14
We are coming down to the final end of Judah and Jerusalem. (Why do you think Zedekiah was allowed to live out his life after being taken to Babylon?) Although we have read of the many sins in the land, for which this judgment is coming upon them, today we read of a couple more that are singled out: reneging on releasing slaves and failing to bring justice to those who are robbed. We have, in our times, a vast number of people held as slaves in the human trafficking market. God sees this. We have, in many cases, in our country, made the thief the victim and vilified the property owner. This is turning good for evil and evil for good. Do you think God sees this as well?
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
September 15
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 624 (9/15) – Ezekiel 26:1-21, 30:20-26
People should tremble when we read of God’s judgment upon Tyre. Though Tyre was mighty and prosperous, God brought her to an end. Some have called this a failed prophecy because the sea never covered Tyre. But read God’s declaration: “Behold, I am against you, O Tyre, and will bring up many nations against you, as the sea brings up its waves.” Because Tyre was a coastal power that profited from other coastal cities and nations, He uses the metaphor of the “sea” of enemies covering it. Here is a good overview of Tyre and prophecy: [link].
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
September 14
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 623 (9/14) – Ezekiel 28:1-26; Psalms 13:1-6; Acts 12:6-25
As you read the Lord’s description of Tyre, especially that it made its “heart like the heart of a god”, ponder what the Lord must think of our nation. The entire account seems eerily similar. Yet the Psalmist ends with “but I have trusted it Your steadfast love”. May we do the same. I am so fascinated by the event of the angel miraculously extracting Peter from prison (notice the city gate opened of its own accord). Many were praying for Peter but they couldn’t believe that it was him knocking on the door! Makes me laugh at how we pray for things but almost don’t believe God could do them.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
September 13
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 622 (9/13) – Ezekiel 27:1-36; 29; Acts 11:19-12:5
What struck me today was the exceeding detail in which God knows what is going on within the nation of Tyre. Remember the many times we read of people saying that the Lord does not see or care about what they are doing? He does. He sees and hears and knows. For their sins, the nation of Tyre was judged and brought to a “dreadful end”. After Stephen’s death at the hands of the Jewish leaders, we now see the persecution from the state through Herod. If the resurrection were not true, nor the indwelling of the Spirit, these men would not be willing to die. Peter is thrown in prison for his faith. May we stand as well.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
September 12
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 621 (9/12) – Ezekiel 25:12-17; 29:1-16; Acts 11:1-18
Notice again how God is concerned with all things politic. He brings judgment against Edom and Philistia, Egypt and Pharaoh for their actions. Don’t be fooled into thinking God does not care about the operations of nations, internally and externally. God judged Pharaoh for even his thoughts and attitudes which are laid bare before Him. Also, again, think of how radical Christianity was to the Jewish worldview of that time.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
September 11
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 620 (9/11) – Ezekiel 24:15-25:11; Acts 10:34-48
It is difficult to read of God ending Ezekiel’s wife’s life and bringing him sorrow so that His people would “know that He was the Lord”, the last phrase of nearly every paragraph. So, too, we are not immune from the sorrow, nor the consequences that come to the corporate body in which we dwell. God demonstrates the New Covenant by pouring out his Spirit upon the Gentiles. Can you imagine what a radical thing that was for the Jews to grasp?
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
September 10
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 619 (9/10) – Ezekiel 23:22-24:14; Acts 10:9-33
It is a hard thing to pause and think about how God sees a nation. Today we read some of His perspective regarding the things that were going on. In reading the common accusation of Jerusalem in Ezekiel: “the bloody city” I was reminded of Revelation 18:24. I also thought of the millions of babies slaughtered in our land. The finality of God’s words at the end are stark: “I will do it. I will not go back; I will not spare; I will not relent…” The book of Acts is filled with the transition from the Old Covenant to the New. The amazing event with Cornelius is one of those.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
September 9
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 618 (9/9) – Ezekiel 22:17-23:21
There is more sadness today. God sought a people who were not righteous in Egypt, but still He made them His. He lavished love upon them and poured out blessings upon them, but they continued in their unrighteousness and unfaithfulness to Him. When He judged Israel, Judah should have learned from that, but instead she became even more unfaithful than Israel, until God finally brought judgment down upon her as well. How very sad, yet so typical of fallen man. Thanks be to God for His work through Christ on our behalf.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
September 8
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 617 (9/8) – Ezekiel 21:18-22:16; 2 Kings 24:20-25:2; Jeremiah 52:3-5
How difficult is it to read, “and He cast them out of His presence.” How utterly desperate a situation when the Lord brings His judgment upon a people who have repeatedly despised Him. Notice also how God, who could have brought the judgment by supernatural means, chooses, as He does most often, to use the agency of man or other created things, like locusts or frogs or famine. God is omnipotent, for sure, but He most commonly makes use of the creation to carry out His purposes and plans. Including you and me.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
September 7
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 616 (9/7) – Ezekiel 20:27-21:17; Acts 10:1-8
I was struck by the statement the Lord makes concerning the reason for His judgment: “not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt deeds”, but for “my name’s sake”. This surely takes us not only to the nature and character of God, but also to the covenant He made with Abraham. It is a fearful thing to read of the sword of God being unsheathed.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
September 6
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 615 (9/6) – Ezekiel 19:1-20:26; Acts 9:20-43
I am fascinated by the way God uses imagery. He, of course, is the Literary Master. We can learn much by how He does so. The final two verses are worth your meditation and discussion: “I gave them statutes that were not good and rules by which they could not have life, and I defiled them through their very gifts in their offering up all their firstborn, that I might devastate them. I did it that they might know that I am the Lord.” How utterly consistent with God’s Word through Paul in Romans and Galatians concerning the Law. Notice how quickly the Jews turned upon Saul. One moment he was their key prosecutor of the Way; the next he was the hated apologist for Christ.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
September 5
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 614 (9/5) – Ezekiel 18:1-32; Acts 9:1-19
We have read much of God’s corporate dealing with people: as a nation, as a city, etc. Today we read of God’s dealing with individuals. Although the examples of sinful or righteous acts are relevant to the then current Old Covenant, the underlying nature of God is clear. He is truly just and the definition of just lies with Him and not with us. We have some very twisted views of justice today that are generated by man and not by God. Repentance is a strong theme in this passage. That God “has no pleasure in the death of the wicked” is worth a great deal of thought, meditation and discussion. The conversion experience of Saul is nothing but breathtaking and such a great demonstration of the amazing grace of God. I have always been struck by the fact that God knows street names! Of course He does!
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
September 4
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 613 (9/4) – Ezekiel 17:1-24; Acts 8:26-40
If one were to read 17:1-10 and stop and try to discern the riddle, it would most likely not match the Lord’s interpretation (vs 11-21). It would be good to discuss 22-24, not only to ask if this refers to the Messianic Kingdom, but ponder the Sovereignty of God that is expressed here. This discussion should extend to verse 19 and how God calls the covenant that was made between Nebuchadnezzar and Zedekiah, “my oath” and “my covenant”. We are given another amazing example of God’s Sovereignty and Orchestration in the event with Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch. Apparently Philip was miraculously transported there and then to Azotus. Can you imagine being Philip?
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
September 3
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 612 (9/3) – Ezekiel 16:35-63; Acts 8:4-25
The metaphor continues and so, too, how it hits home to us. Notice that remedy comes from God alone. What an amazing transition we find at the hands of the apostles as the gospel comes to Samaria for the first time. There will always be people like Simon who want to somehow make Christianity about themselves and to prosper from it.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
September 2
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 611 (9/2) – Ezekiel 16:1-34
In this complex mixing of metaphor and historical narrative concerning the infidelity of Israel, it is hard not to see our own nation as we read it through. Taken from obscurity and raised against all odds to prominence and blessed with the abundant hand of God, yet now filled with evil and abominations, sacrificing our children, exporting all of this to the world… May God grant us repentance for surely it seems we are due His wrath. May God bring us to our senses and soon.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
September 1
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 610 (9/1) – Ezekiel 14:12-15:8
Several things struck me today. First, that God speaks in general terms regarding His judgment: “...when a land sins against me…”. God deals with nations, although there are those today who declare that He has no concern for nations. Second, that God uses three men: Noah, Daniel, and Job, as His examples of righteous men, yet I have had numerous conversations with Christians who do not see the events of Noah as true historical narrative, but rather mythical, allegorical, or poetic. Third, the literary genius of God in how He speaks of the wood of the vine.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 31
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 609 (8/31) – Ezekiel 13:1-14:11; 2 Timothy 4:6-22
Twice today we hear the Lord condemn those who “prophecy from their own hearts”. How utterly relevant this is in our own times. We must beware of this false movement to make the heart of man seem to speak divine things to which we must all bow down. Paul is coming to the end of his life and he has “fought the good fight”. May we do the same. Notice that it will be a fight, for the world is ever against the truth of God.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 30
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 608 (8/30) – Ezekiel 12:1-28; 2 Timothy 3:1-4:5
Notice “in their sight” is repeated seven times in 12:3-7. Even though the people have been so rebellious, God continues, graciously, to show them what is true versus what is false. However, as our passage begins, the “rebellious house” has eyes to see, but they see not, ears to hear, but they hear not. I was deeply struck by Paul’s statement (3:2) that people will become “lovers of self” for this is, indeed, the summation of the pathology of our times. This, too, is striking for us today: “...all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” Let us remain steadfast.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 29
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
The sad state of Israel is injected with hope. But notice, it is God who will give them a new heart. Paul says something similar in the passage we are using in our Tuesday prayer for repentance, that God is the one who grants repentance. Paul gives us a repeated admonition to keep ourselves from “quarreling about words”, “irreverent babble”, false claims about the resurrection, “foolish, ignorant controversies”. Instead we are to “pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace”. Great guidance for those who live in times where the spoken word is far from this.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 28
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 606 (8/28) – Ezekiel 10:1-22; 2 Timothy 2:1-13
The glory of the holy and almighty God, if it were to be seen by physical eyes, would be overwhelming. We read again of this interface between the glory of God and the physical world, described in ways similar to what we saw in Ezekiel chapter one. How sad that we read of the presence of the Lord departing from the temple because of unrepentance. Paul refers to the modus operandi of God: He expects HIs creatures to multiply: “who will be able to teach others also.” This is how God has ordained the multiplication of life and the multiplication of the good news, filling the earth. May we be diligent in this process.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 27
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 605 (8/27) – Ezekiel 8:1-9:11; 2 Timothy 1:1-18
I had an interview today in which we talked about the danger of malevolent compassion, which has taken control of our culture and causes us to affirm that which is evil as well as to orchestrate policy and programs to prevent people from any suffering or consequences. It turns the economy of God on its head. Jeremiah suffered for the sake of Truth. Paul suffered for the sake of the gospel. The Lord disciplines those whom He loves, so that we will be trained by adversity. I was struck by the Lord showing Ezekiel deeper and deeper abominations hidden in the culture around him. I have been reading about the human trafficking industry and the depth of depravity there. I don’t want to read these things, but it is part of the lot of being a child of God. Don’t hide from the Truth, but, as the Scripture says, “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.”
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 26
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 604 (8/26) – Ezekiel 7:1-27
I was struck by several things today. One, that the Lord was telling them that the end was no longer just coming, but it was now. Two, that everything they had put their trust in, like silver and gold, was to become nothing. None of that would save them. And three, that all of this judgment would be a testimony He was the Lord. There's a sadness here. One that comes not only from seeing a people who had been so blessed by God fall so far away from Him and therefore receive their just punishment, but unfortunately the sadness that comes from seeing our own culture here. Join me Tuesday, noon eastern to pray for repentance in our own land (go to www.DelTackett.com/prayer for more info).
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 25
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 603 (8/25) – Jeremiah 28:1-17, 51:59-64
Today we have another event in which people were given a prophecy of peace and prosperity versus one of coming disaster. We would all rather have peace and prosperity and so we have a tendency to hear the words we want to hear and ignore the words we do not want to hear. God’s Word is not always pleasing or pleasant.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 24
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 602 (8/24) – Ezekiel 4:1-17; Jeremiah 27:1-22; 2 Corinthians 12=3:1-14
There is great difficulty in our passages today. Imagine being in a nation that has been greatly blessed by God. But now there is a prophet who says that your nation is going to fall because of its many sins. In contrast, there are many others who say that it will not fall but will prevail and continue on just as it has for many years in the past. Who do you listen to? We cannot discern the Word of the Lord based upon what we want. We cannot interpret the Word of the Lord based upon our desires. Ezekiel went through personal hardship to try to get the people to listen. They did not and Jerusalem was burned to the ground. Paul was trying to convince the Corinthians that he was a true apostle. If you speak truth, and though you speak it in love, as we are commanded to do, you may be rebuffed, if not worse. Trust in the Lord.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 23
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 601 (8/23) – Ezekiel 2:1-3:27; 2 Corinthians 12:11-21
God gives Ezekiel his call. I was struck by the imagery of Ezekiel being given the Word of God to eat, to fill his stomach, and it was sweet as honey. May we, likewise, “devour” the Word and it become our source of life. Ezekiel, himself, becomes engulfed in his earlier vision, which might help us understand it: the Spirit of God will empower all kinds of people and they will move all over the world as God, in His glory, directs them. So, too, now with Ezekiel. It will be a hard message and he will be treated poorly because of it, but the Lord promises to be with him, “though briars and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions”. Paul was also mistreated by those who were supposed to be the people of God, but they were not. Take faithful comfort in all of this, dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 22
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 600 (8/22) – Ezekiel 1:1-28; 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
We read of two visions today: Ezekiel’s and Paul’s. Ezekiel’s vision seems strange, but don’t get caught up in anything but the main thing: God’s glory is the focus of the vision and causes Ezekiel to fall on his face. Paul’s vision (the first heaven is the sky, the second is the home of the sun, moon and stars, the third is the dwelling place of God) is “paradise” where Paul heard “things that cannot be told, which man may not utter”. We, therefore, don’t know what he heard, but it appears this vision gave Paul the courage and confidence to face the many trials in his life and yet to yearn to be with the Lord. We have that same confidence and longing. The omnipotent, omniscient, steadfast love of God is ever poured out upon those who are His. Though we fall on our faces before Him, we know we are His children and “fear not” but long to be home with the Lord.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 21
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 599 (8/21) – Jeremiah 38:1-28; 2 Corinthians 11:16-33
As we read of the peril that God’s people encounter from the King (in Jeremiah’s case) or the Governor (in Paul’s case) or as Paul also puts it: from Jews, Gentiles and false brothers, being imprisoned, lashed, beaten, stoned, starved, cold and exposed; it would be good for us to reaffirm in our own hearts and minds that Jesus said the world would hate us. Jeremiah and Paul and the countless other faithful brothers and sisters that have gone before us put their trust in the Lord, even in the most difficult of times. May we be ready to do so ourselves.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 20
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 598 (8/20) – 2 Chronicles 36:10-14; Jeremiah 52:1-2, 37:1-21; 2 Corinthians 11:1-15
The enemy does not want the truth of God to be spoken nor carried out. This was true in Jeremiah’s day, when he was hated and imprisoned for speaking the word of the Lord; it was true in the days of Paul, who was also imprisoned and beaten; it is true in our own day. Just as there were false prophets in Judah and in Corinth, there are false prophets today. The cosmic battle remains: truth vs lie. However, the saints of the Lord know Him and they know His word. Let us not be deceived by the flood of lies in our times.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 19
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 597 (8/19) – Jeremiah 51:36-58; 2 Kings 24: 10-19
Mighty Babylon meets its match in God’s mighty judgment. No nation can mock God and not meet its day of judgment. The verse that comes to mind: “God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, that will he also reap.” This, as we have read over and over again, is true for nations. What is head-shaking here is that in the midst of this horrible judgment, Zedekiah, now made king, does not get it. He does “evil in the sight of the Lord”. Even God’s judgment on a people, as I believe we are seeing in our day, does not change an evil heart. Only Christ can do that.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 18
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 596 (8/18) – Jeremiah 51:1-35
I doubt there is a greater chapter in all of Scripture that summarizes the sovereignty of God and His judgments. The key passage might be “...the Lord has both planned and done what He spoke…”. God as Creator is beautifully stated in 15-16, but I was struck by the succeeding description of those who make idols and how it so closely defines what we see today: “...his images are false…worthless, a work of delusion…”. Ah, the Cosmic Battle: truth vs lie. It rages all around us in our times as well.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 17
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 595 (8/17) – Ezekiel 5:1-17, 6:1-14; 2 Corinthians 10:1-18
Paul makes it clear for us, as he does elsewhere, that our battle is not against the flesh, nor are our weapons in this battle earthly weapons. We are battling against lies that are set up against the truth of God. This is now the spiritual reality of what we see in the flesh under the Old Covenant. The video overview of Ezekiel is good and I recommend you view parts I and II. As we read Ezekiel, keep in mind that these were a series of short messages, often conveyed with visual aids, that were delivered over a period of years to the exiles in Babylon. It is the message of hope that draws us, however, and we see that fulfillment in Christ.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 16
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 594 (8/16) – Jeremiah 50:11-46; Acts 7:44-8:3
What a testimony to God’s sovereignty over the nations. He raised up Assyria to punish Israel and then destroyed Assyria for its sin. He raised up Babylon to punish Judah and then destroyed Babylon for its sin, saying it would “never again have people, nor be inhabited for all generations”. It was a mighty nation, but it fell to the Persians in 539 B. C. Alexander the Great tried to rebuild it into the “jewel of his empire”, but ended up dying there. Its full end came at the hand of the Parthians in the 2nd century B.C. Saddam Hussein attempted to rebuild it, but he failed as well. Stephen testified to this unending rebellion against God and His Word, and ultimately against Jesus, and he was stoned because of that testimony. Do not be surprised if the world hates you and God’s Truth.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 15
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 593 (8/15) – Psalms 105:26-45; Jeremiah 49:34-50:10; Acts 7:17-43
As I read our “historical” texts today, I wondered if we have failed in passing down our own “history” to our children as a testimony to the Lord’s work in our own lives. Recounting the “hand of the Lord”as He has acted in the past , as we see in Psalm 105 and Stephen’s testimony, provides assurance that He will act today and in the future.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 14
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 592 (8/14) – Psalms 105:1-25; Jeremiah 29:24-32; Acts 7:1-16
All three of our texts today speak of the plans and purposes of God. Psalm 105 is a wonderful history of God’s hand upon Israel from Abraham forward. So, too, Stephen’s testimony before the high priest. The event in Jeremiah is a rebuke to a false prophet who speaks against the plans and purposes and word of God. He therefore was judged and was not allowed to “see the good that I will do to my people”. Oh, how very important it is for us to remember the mighty works of God, for it keeps us from falling prey to false teachers and prophets, of which there are a legion today in every form and fashion.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 13
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 591 (8/13) – Jeremiah 23:3-24:10, 29:1-23; Acts 6:1-15
A Hebrew word is at play here: “massa” can be interpreted as “oracle” or “burden”. So, people are asking Jeremiah for an “oracle” and he tells them they are a “burden”. It appears they want further words from the Lord, possibly because they don’t like the words He has spoken to them, and the Lord condemns them for that. A good reminder not to seek for more Words than what He has already given to us. We are again reminded of the importance of discernment regarding those who declare ‘thus saith the Lord” when they are actually speaking lies. God uses Nebuchadnezzar as His instrument of punishment upon them. Notice the instructions for how the people of God were to live in a pagan land. It would be good to discuss this. Does this pertain to us today?
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 12
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 590 (8/12) – Jeremiah 22:24-23:32; 2 Kings 24:8-9
The Lord takes the prophets to task who lied to the people. What struck me was that He specifically calls them out for telling those who despise the word of the Lord and those who “follow their heart” that it will be okay with them. Sounds eerily like our own times.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 11
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 589 (8/11) – Jeremiah 20:1-18; 2 Kings 24:1-7; 2 Chronicles 36:6-9
As the Lord had prophesied, we now read of Babylon destroying Jerusalem and Judah. It would be easy to find fault with Jeremiah as he brings his misery to the Lord, yet there is great faithfulness found in him in one of my favorite passages (20:9). Though he says he will no longer speak the word of the Lord, it becomes like a fire in his bones and he cannot keep it shut in. May the Lord grant this kind of faithfulness to His people in our times and may we speak it with the grace and wisdom that the Scriptures calls us to: “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders…let your speech always be with grace…” Colossians 4:5-6
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 10
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 588 (8/10) – Jeremiah 18:1-19:15; Acts 5:17-42
There is so much today! God makes it clear that nations will be spared if they repent and destroyed if they do not (18:5-11). The judgment on Judah as described is horrible and tough to read. Is it not astounding that they refused to repent? Yet, here we are today. The counsel of Gamaliel is quite remarkable, is it not? Yet, we see the same rejection of the word of the Lord in Jeremiah’s day, in the apostle’s day, and in ours.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 9
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 587 (8/9) – Jeremiah 16:14-17:27; Acts 5:1-16
Several things today you may want to discuss: (17:4) “...in my anger a fire is kindled that shall burn forever”; (17:9) “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick…I the Lord search the heart and test the mind…”; (17:7,8) “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord…[he] does not fear… is not anxious”. The event with Ananias and Sapphira is difficult. Peter states that they were lying not to man, but to God. It certainly established the position and authority of the apostles, did it not?
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 8
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 586 (8/8) – Jeremiah 15:1-16:13; Acts 4:32-37
If anything should send a chill into our hearts and minds regarding the ultimate quest of our times to “follow our hearts” it is the declaration of the cause for which the Lord is bringing judgment on the people of Judah: “...every one of you follows his stubborn, evil will, refusing to listen to me.” It certainly gave me chills as I read it because we are increasingly becoming obsessed with “me”. Pray God will grant us repentance. Notice that the central theme of the apostles testimony was the Resurrection. It would be good to ask ourselves if this is lacking in our own testimony.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 7
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 585 (8/7) – Jeremiah 13:15-14:22; Acts 4:23-31
“I will scatter you like chaff…because you have forgotten me and trusted in lies.” What a chilling pronouncement from the Lord and worth pondering as we look at our own culture today. Including the sobering reminder that the sin in our land does not escape His notice: “I have seen your abominations…” In Acts we have another place where the responsibility of man is meshed with the Sovereignty of God: Herod, Pilate, the Gentiles and people of Israel gathered together in Jerusalem against Jesus “to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.” Take time today to meditate upon the Sovereign Majesty of God, His Holiness and Justice, His Omniscience and Omnipotence… and worship Him.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 6
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 584 (8/6) – Jeremiah 12:1-13:14; Acts 4:1-22
I was struck deeply by the Lord’s accusation against Judah and their impending destruction: “This evil people, who refuse to hear my words, who stubbornly follow their own heart…” Oh, how foolish we are, for this is the holy grail of our own culture, to follow our own hearts. We foolishly think this will lead us to happiness and contentment, but it will only lead us to death and destruction. The event in Acts is one of my favorite passages. The Resurrection and Pentecost had radically changed Peter and John and though they found themselves arrested and no doubt thinking that crucifixion was soon to be their lot, they stood in the center of the powerhouse of Jerusalem and said, “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard”. Oh, may the people of God be filled with such faith today, for it will be tested more and more.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 5
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 583 (8/5) – Daniel 3:1-30
We come to a very familiar event today of God sparing His faithful servants from the “fiery furnace”. But we sometimes fail to fully ponder the dire circumstances they faced, for they are not unlike the terrifying circumstances that many believers have faced in the past… and they are not unlike the ones we are increasingly facing today in Western Culture. In the early days of Christianity, it wasn’t that the believers worshiped Jesus that brought the wrath of man upon them; it was that they didn’t bow down to the Roman gods as well. They were put to death in horrible fashion. Today, we have erected human gods, whose declarations of the heart are to be affirmed as divine proclamations. If we bow down to them, as Nebuchadnezzar stated, then it will be “well and good”. But if we do not bow down, then the punishments will be fierce. We have been given in Daniel a wonderful example of true faith: God, though He is more than able, may or may not deliver us in some earthly trial, but either way, we will not bow down to the gods of man. We will worship God and God alone. He will deliver us, in His good time.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 4
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 582 (8/4) – Jeremiah 11:1-23, 35:1-19
It should be increasingly apparent to us reading through Jeremiah that the Lord was patient and warned them over and over and over again. But they refused to listen and some even sought to put Jeremiah to death. The world does, indeed, hate the light because it shines on the deeds of darkness. However, the Rechabites present to us a delightful contrast. May our families be Rechabites in our land today, remaining faithful to the Lord though the culture as all of its ways press us to join them.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 3
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 581 (8/3) – Jeremiah 9:17-10:25; Acts 3:12-26
I recommend you consider memorizing Jer 9:23-24. How often does the Lord declare to us that He is opposed to the proud and self-centered, yet we are so obsessed with ourselves. We boast in self wisdom, might and riches. We should, instead, pursue what the Lord delights in: understanding and knowing Him, practicing steadfast love, true justice and righteousness (as opposed to false justice and false righteousness). The Lord sometimes shocks His hearers and lumps the “circumcised merely in the flesh” with the Gentiles. Outward religiousness means nothing to the Lord. You have to smile at the literary genius of the Lord: “Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field.” So, too, are our idols, from entertainers to the worship of our own hearts. Yet: “There is none like you, O Lord.” Notice Peter places the blame on the people: “You delivered over, denied, asked for a murderer, killed the Author of life.” But grace was extended to them and it was the Resurrection that changed everything.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 2
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 580 (8/2) – Jeremiah 8:1-9:16; Acts 2:43-3:11
A victorious invader would often dig up the bones of the conquered and scatter them as an insult. This explains the first few verses. We read again of the reasons God is bringing such horrible judgment: they had “turned away” from God and it was “perpetual”, they were full of “deceit”, every one went on his own “course”, they “rejected the Word of the Lord”, they were “greedy for unjust gain”, dealt “falsely”, “committed abominations” and yet were not ashamed, they “did not know how to blush”. Isn’t that an interesting observation by the Lord? I was struck by this relevant charge: they have “stubbornly followed their own hearts”. Sounds like our culture’s obsession with “follow my heart”. I was also struck by “falsehood had grown strong in the land”. How very relevant.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
August 1
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 579 (8/1) – Jeremiah 36:27-32; Psalms 16:1-11, 132:1-18; Acts 2:14-42
What a refreshment! In the midst of Jehoiakim burning the word of God and the horrible, yet righteous judgments that come from God, we have the hopeful words of the Psalms to those who are the Lord’s: He delights in His saints; we have a beautiful inheritance; we shall not be shaken; our heart is glad; our whole being rejoices, etc.. In here also is the promise of the Resurrection of Christ, to which Peter refers in his first sermon, and the promises that are therefore ours. Notice the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man (Acts 2:23) presented to us, bound up together. A mystery, yes, but not a contradiction.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ PREVIOUS DAILY COMMENTS.
Monthly List of BibleStudyTogether Readings
Access Previous Months' Readings
