Daily Bible Reading Podcast

GENESIS 41: In yesterday's reading, Joseph interpreted two dreams. He said something significant: Interpreting dreams is God's business. JOB 25: Yesterday Job said, Why doesn't God set a time for judging, a day of justice for those who serve him? (Job 24:1) And speaking of the helpless and downtrodden he said, "In the cities the wounded and dying cry out, but God ignores their prayers. (v12) Starting in v18 GNT follows a number of other translations in saying that Zophar chimed in, disagreeing that the wicked are indeed punished, contradicting what Job was saying. NLT doesn't do that. When you find a place like that and want more information, it is always a good idea to see if the NET (New English Translation) has a footnote. If you are using the YouVersion Bible reader, and do not see the footnote marks in NET and GNT, click the Menu button, then click Settings, and activate Show Notes. In chapter 25, Bildad only has time to speak a few lines when Job interrupts him. MARK 15b: In the first half of this chapter, Jesus was tried by Pilate, and condemned when Pilate caved in to pressure orchestrated by the religious leaders. The soldiers beat and mocked Jesus, he was nailed to the cross, and then everyone mocked him.   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

GENESIS 40: In Genesis yesterday, some listeners to these podcasts were probably shocked. We heard the less than auspicious beginnings of Judah's line— particularly involving Tamar, who was more righteous than Judah. Then we heard of Joseph working for Potiphar and then being thrown in jail. Even in jail, he rose to the top. JOB 24: Job continues his response to Eliphaz. MARK 15a: At the end of chapter 14, Jesus was arrested, was tried before the council, and Peter denied knowing Jesus. NLT Translation notes: 2 Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus replied, "[Yes, as you said.//You have said it.}" [Jesus says "You say" in Greek. I am told that this would normally be interpreted as an affirmative response. For English, I don't like the NLT here, because "You have said it" might mean an enthusiastic affirmative. On the other hand, if we say something like "Those are your words," it implies that Jesus is disagreeing. Probably the best way to translate an affirmative is to add a 'Yes' to make clear the meaning.] 3 [The//Then the] leading priests kept accusing him of many crimes, 32 Let this Messiah, this King of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe [in/0] him!" Even the men who were crucified with Jesus ridiculed him.   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

GENESIS 38-39: In yesterday's reading, we heard of Joseph's dreams, his brothers' jealousy, and Joseph being sold into slavery in Egypt. JOB 23: Yesterday Eliphaz said: GNT 4 It is not because you stand in awe of God that he reprimands you and brings you to trial. 5 No, it's because you have sinned so much; it's because of all the evil you do. And he also said, 21 Now, Job, make peace with God and stop treating him like an enemy; if you do, then he will bless you. 22 Accept the teaching he gives; keep his words in your heart. 23 Yes, you must humbly return to God and put an end to all the evil that is done in your house. 24 Throw away your gold; dump your finest gold in the dry stream bed. 25 Let Almighty God be your gold, and let him be silver, piled high for you. 28 You will succeed in all you do, and light will shine on your path. Beware that some teachers of prosperity in our age say things just like that, and quote such verses without understanding the message of this book. MARK 14b: Yesterday we heard the story of the Last Supper, the prophecy that Peter would deny Jesus three times, and the prayers at Gethsemane.   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

GENESIS 37: The focus of Genesis 36 was on the descendants of Esau, and the ethnic groups they spawned. JOB 22: In chapter 21, Job gave a very convincing argument that God does not always punish wicked people— refuting what Zophar said. Today Eliphaz begins the third set of exchanges between Job and his 'friends'. Eliphaz' promises at the end of his speech sound rather hollow to me. MARK 14a: Yesterday we read the prophecy chapter of Mark, chapter 13. The theme of that chapter is "Be ready" and Jesus says, "Keep watching for Me."   NLT Translation notes: Gen. 36: 2 This is the account of Jacob and his family. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he often tended his father's flocks. He worked [with/for] his half brothers, the sons of his father's wives Bilhah and Zilpah. But Joseph reported to his father some of the bad things his brothers were doing. 6 "Listen to [my/this] dream," he said. 7 "We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!" ==== Job 22:28 [Then you/You] will succeed in whatever you choose to do, and light will shine on the road ahead of you. 29 [Then if/If] people are in trouble and you say, 'Help them,' God will save them. ==== Mrk. 14:21For [I,] the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays [me/him]. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!"   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

GENESIS 36: Jacob's daughter Dinah was raped, and the perpetrator Shechem was killed and all the males in his town. God then told Jacob to return to Bethel. At the end of yesterday's reading, Rachel and Grampa Isaak died. JOB 21: In Zophar's angry speech yesterday in chapter 20, he did not directly say that Job was wicked, but he clearly implied it. MARK 13: Chapter 12— which gives an overview of the interactions with the enemies and critics of Jesus, basically marks the end of Jesus' public ministry as related by Mark.   NLT Translation notes: Mrk. 13:8 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines. But [these things are only like//this is only] the first of the birth pains [of a pregnant woman— meaning, more is to come//with more to come]. 14 "The day is coming when you will see [the one who sets up a//the] sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing where hef should not be." ([The one reading out loud to others should explain this!//Reader, pay attention!]) "Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. 26 Then everyone will see [me coming as the Son of Man coming//the Son of Man coming] on the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And [I/he] will send out [my/his] angels to gather [my/his] chosen ones from all over the world— from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven. (Verses 29, 32, 34, and 35 are changed similarly to 26-27.) [As explained before, in many languages of the world (including English) a man never speaks of himself as 'he'. I man will use 'I' or 'me' to talk about himself. Since Jesus is talking with his disciples, he was not concealing his identity here with the term 'Son of Man'.] 31 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never [loose their force//disappear]. 36 Don't let [me/him] find you sleeping when [I arrive//he arrives] without warning. 37 I say to you what I say and to everyone: [Keep watching for me!//Watch for him!]"   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

GENESIS 34-35: Yesterday we heard about Jacob wrestling all night with a mysterious heavenly figure, and about Jacob's reunion with Esau. JOB 20: This chapter is Zophar's second response to Job. In chapter 19, Job responded to Bildad's second speech. Job expressed amazing belief that he would see his defender (often translated 'redeemer'). He says, 25 But I know there is someone in heaven who will come at last to my defense. 26 Even after my skin is eaten by disease, while still in this body I will see God. 27 I will see him with my own eyes, and he will not be a stranger. MARK 12b: Yesterday in the first half of Mark 12, Jesus told a pointed parable against the Jewish religious leaders, then he went on to refute the Sadducees. We re-read several verses today. NLT Translation notes: Gen. 34:17 But if you don't agree to be circumcised, we will take [Dinah/her] and be on our way." 30 Afterward Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have ruined me! You've made me stink among all the people of this land—among all the Canaanites and Perizzites. We are so few [, and now//that] they will join forces and crush us. I will be ruined, and my entire household will be wiped out!" 15 And Jacob named the place Bethel (which means "house of God"), because God had spoken to him [again/0] there. ==== Mrk. 12:26 "But now, as to whether the dead will be raised— haven't you ever read about this in the writings of Moses, in the story of the burning bush? Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said to Moses, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' 27 So he is the God of the living, not the dead. You have made a serious error." [In my reading in the 019, I modified the translation like this, "I am the God Abraham worships… (present tense)." While this is justified in stating Jesus' meaning at that point in the discourse, it is going too far in translating the Hebrew and Greek of the Old Testament passage. Jesus' point is that the continuing relationship of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is implicit in God's statement. So, I admit my mistake, and say that to make that explicit in the translation is going a bit too far.] 37 Since David himself called the Messiah 'my Lord,' how can the Messiah [just/0] be his son?" The large crowd listened to him with great delight.   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

GENESIS 32-33: Yesterday we heard how Jacob and his big family got away from Laban and started the journey home. When Laban caught up with him, he and Jacob got into a quarrel and ended up making a covenant. JOB 19: In chapter 18, Bildad once again gave a speech about what happens to wicked people, and by implication, he said, "You're just getting what you deserve." Job's response in today's chapter includes amazing revelations. Verses 23-27 can be compared with the second half of 1Corinthians 15. MARK 12a: In Mark 11, Jesus was welcomed in triumph in Jerusalem, he cursed a fig tree and taught about prayer, and cleansed the temple of merchant activity. Then he answered and confuted the chief priests who challenged his authority to "do these things,"— in particular, taking their businesses out of the temple.   NLT Translation notes: Job 19:15 My servants and maids [even/0] consider me a stranger. I am like a foreigner to them. 16 When I call my servant, he doesn't [even/0] come; I have to plead with him! ==== Mrk. 12:1 Then Jesus began teaching them with stories [like this one]: "A man planted a vineyard. … 13 Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of [king/0] Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. 16 When they handed [one/it] to him, he asked, "Whose picture and title are stamped [here//on it]?" 26b Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said to Moses, 'I am the God [Abraham worships//of Abraham], the God [Isaac worships], and the God [Jacob worships].' 27 PET God spoke of our three forefathers as men who still live and worship Him. … [In Lumina.Bible.org Constable quotes Lane: "If the death of the patriarchs is the last word of their history, there has been a breach of the promises of God guaranteed by the [Abrahamic] covenant, and of which the formula 'the God of Abraham, of Isaac and of Jacob' is the symbol. It is in fidelity to his covenant that God will resurrect the dead." Using a present tense verb makes it obvious to the English-speaking listener that the three patriarchs are still living. However, the problem becomes that if the Hebrew had been that specific, everyone would have understood that the patriarchs were still living. So my fix here, I now admit, goes too far.]   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

GENESIS 31: Yesterday we heard of the rivalry between Rachel and Leah, and about more sons for Jacob— whose names all have meanings appropriate to what Rachel or Leah were feeling at the time. JOB 18: Yesterday Job again complained that he was surrounded by mockers, and despairingly again said 15 Where is there any hope for me? Who sees any? 16 Hope will not go with me when I go down to the world of the dead. MARK 11: Jesus has by now prepared his disciples for his death by prophesying about it, and by teaching them about what it will be like to 'lead' in His kingdom. And he healed Bartimaeus, who called Jesus by his Messianic title: the Son of David. NLT Translation notes: 22 Then Jesus said to the disciples, "[Believe fully//Have faith] in God. 32 But [we don't//do we] dare say it was merely human[, do we/0]?" For they were afraid of what the people would do, because everyone [in that crowd//0] believed that John was a prophet.   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

GENESIS 30: In yesterday's reading , Jacob left home, and God appeared to him and promised to bless him as he blessed Isaac. Jacob worked for Laban, married both Leah and Rachel, and he had four sons through Leah. JOB 17: Yesterday was the first chapter of Job's response to Eliphaz. He complained that his three comforters were not very comforting. 1-2 GNT I have heard words like that before; the comfort you give is only torment. 3 Are you going to keep on talking forever? Do you always have to have the last word? And he said, 6 But nothing I say helps, and being silent does not calm my pain. And 9 In anger God tears me limb from limb; he glares at me with hate. This last statement shows how easy it is for us humans to misunderstand God's will or intentions concerning us. God did not hate Job! MARK 10b: Yesterday in the first half of chapter 10, Jesus gave God's true perspective on divorce, blessed some children, and said that is impossible for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God (in their own strength). By the way, there is a wrong teaching that is still often heard. People have heard that the 'eye of the needle' was a little door next to the big gate in Jerusalem, and that a camel could get through this gate but all the burden would have to be taken off. This is wrong. No such gate was made in New Testament days in Jerusalem. Such gates were made in castles in Europe in the middle ages. No, the meaning of the saying is just what he said: It is just as impossible for the rich to enter heaven as it is for a camel to go through the eye of a real sewing needle. The next statement of Jesus however shows the way the rich may enter heaven. Jesus gave a wonderful promise for missionaries at the end of the chapter. I bear witness to every part of that. 2,000 Orya people call me 'Aya Bak'— which means 'older brother'. The Lord has blessed me way more than 100 times. Constable's notes for v.49: The two descriptions of Jesus in these verses reveal the faith of Bartimaeus. The crowds simply described Jesus as "the Nazarene." Bartimaeus had obviously heard about Jesus and had concluded that He was the Messiah. "Son of David" is a messianic title (cf. 11:9-10; 12:35-37; 2 Sam. 7:8-16; Isa. 11:1, 10; Jer. 23:5-6; Ezek. 34:23-24). Even though Bartimaeus lacked physical sight he saw more clearly who Jesus was then the multitudes who could see. His cry for mercy from Jesus expressed the attitude of trust, humility, and dependence that Jesus had been teaching His disciples to maintain.  NLT Translation notes: 33 "Listen," he said, "we're going up to Jerusalem, where [I,/0] the Son of Manh will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence [me/him] to die and hand [me/him] over to the Romans.i 34 They will mock [me], spit on [me], flog [me] with a whip, and kill [me], but after three days [I/he] will rise again." [One very seldom talks of oneself using a third person pronoun in most of the world's languages.] 45 For even [I, as/0] the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give [my/his] life as a ransom for many." 52 And Jesus said to him, "Go, [you are healed now because you fully believed in me//for your faith has healed you]." Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.  

GENESIS 28-29: After what Jacob did to Esau, with Esau holding a big grudge, it is time for Jacob to get out of town. JOB 16: Eliphaz said that Job was showing no reverence for God, that his own words condemned him. His rhetorical questions all imply that Job is being proud and guilty of sin. Eliphaz maintained that no mortal can be pure. MARK 10a: In yesterday's reading Jesus predicted his death, spoke about who is greatest in God's kingdom, and talked about the seriousness of sin. NLT Translation notes: Gen 29:8 "We can't water the animals until all the flocks have arrived," they replied. "Then [we/the] shepherds move the stone from the mouth of the well, and we water all the sheep and goats." 9 Jacob was still talking with them when Rachel arrived with her father's flock, for she was a shepherd[ess].   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

GENESIS 27: In yesterday's reading we read the history of Isaac and Rebecca's family before the narrative focuses on their dissimilar twin sons— and especially Jacob. JOB 15: God has revealed so much more to us in our day than what Job could know in his day. One thing was shown yesterday. Job asked, 14:14 If a man dies, can he come back to life? … MARK 9b: After coming down the mountain with three of his disciples, Jesus met his other disciples who were having two difficulties simultaneously with people arguing with them and with failing to heal a man's son— who was possessed by an evil spirit or a demon. Repeating a little of what I said in an earlier podcast: In Greek, 'demon' is daimonia, and the other term, 'evil spirit', is more literally 'unclean spirit'. As someone who has worked in another culture and seen what has happened over my lifetime in the USA, I hope it will be helpful to some readers if I share about this topic. Some of you— particularly those of the older generation in the USA, will say, "What people called demons in Jesus' day were just what we call mental illness." While, paradoxically, it is the younger generation in the USA who more readily believe that demons actually exist. I think the younger generation have it right this time. Demons do exist. Here's what I have observed: Where demons are not believed in, they are happy to stay in the background— where they are very adept at promoting falsehood and sin. Where demons are feared, worshipped, where people listen to satanic music and take part in occult rituals, demons come out more openly— to increase people's fear of them and to manipulate people. As believers in Jesus, remember that Jesus has complete power over Satan and all demons. We who belong to Jesus should not fear them. Nor should we seek communication with such beings. Remember two things from yesterday's story: The father wisely cried out, "Help my unbelief!" So the first thing to remember is to fully believe in Christ Jesus. The second is the answer Jesus gave to the disciples question: Prayer is of vital importance in this area of spiritual warfare. NLT Translation notes: Mrk. 9:22 The [demon/spirit] often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can." 25 When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil f spirit. "Listen, you [demon/spirit] [who/that] makes this boy unable to hear and speak," he said. "I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!" 26 Then the [evil/0] spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, "He's dead." 29 Jesus replied, "[That/This] kind can be cast out only by prayer. " heading at 38: [Doing thing for Jesus' cause//Using the Name of Jesus]38 John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn't in our group." 31 for he wanted to spend more time with his disciples and teach them. He said to them, "[I, the//The] Son of Man, [am/is] going to be betrayed into the hands of [my/his] enemies. [I/He] will be killed, but three days later [I/he] will rise from the dead." 32 [However/0] they didn't understand what he was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask him what he meant. 39 "Don't stop  him!" Jesus said. "No one who performs a miracle [on my behalf/in my name/using my name] will soon be able to speak evil of me. [One thing I do not like about the NLT is the translation of 'in my name' as 'using my name' in places having to do with prayer like John 16. In v38 here, it works well. For believers in this age, when we pray 'in Jesus' name', the meaning is not simply that we end our prayers with an automatic 'in Jesus name'. The meaning of praying in Jesus' name is that we pray things for the cause of Jesus, on behalf of Jesus, or for Jesus' glory. This is why I end so many prayers on these podcasts with the idea of Jesus' glory!]   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Do you know an elderly person who can no longer read the Bible? Or, do you know someone who would enjoy listening to audio Scripture but who is not able to use the Internet? An easy way to help such people is by sharing MP3 recordings via inexpensive MP3 players. Many good podcast apps (like AntennaPod for Android) have settings for how many episodes can be downloaded. Set the number at 400 and you should get a year's worth, with a few extras that can be deleted. The challenge then is to find out where your device saves the downloads. Hint: For Android devices, look in the Android/data folder. I remind you that the use of the New Living Translation for these podcasts is due to the generosity of Tyndale House Foundation. The full attribution text for the NLT is found at the end of the episode notes. GENESIS 25-26: Yesterday in Genesis 24 we read the charming story of how Rebecca became Isaac's wife. JOB 14: In chapter 13, Job challenged Zophar and his other two friends with these words, 6 GNT Listen while I state my case. 7 Why are you lying? Do you think your lies will benefit God? 8 Are you trying to defend him? Are you going to argue his case in court? 9 If God looks at you closely, will he find anything good? Do you think you can fool God the way you fool others? … 14 I am ready to risk my life. 15 I've lost all hope, so what if God kills me? I am going to state my case to him. 16 It may even be that my boldness will save me, since no wicked person would dare to face God. Job said in 13:15 that he would present his case to God, and that is exactly what he does, starting in verse 19 (in the GNT) or 20 (in the NLT). And Job continues to speak to God through all of chapter 14. MARK 9: Yesterday at the end of Mark 8, Jesus gave this requirement for all his followers: PET "Everyone who wants to follow Me must leave his own self interests, and follow Me continually with this resolve, 'No matter if I die— even if that be by crucifixion, I will keep following the Lord!'" [The PET stands for the Plain English Translation. That is an English translation of our Plain Indonesian Translation (TSI).] The rest of the chapter has other important verses including this one: If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.   NLT Translation notes:Mrk. 9:1 Jesus went on to say, "I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see [God coming and setting up his Kingdom on earth to reign in great power!//the Kingdom of God arrive in great power!]" [In most languages (and I really think we need to include English) kingdoms don't 'come' or 'arrive'. Similarly, cabbages don't read books. Such things are collocational clashes. The kingdom of North America doesn't move to South America! The Lord's prayer is a famous example. Instead of 'May your kingdom come' it is better in most of the world's languages to say, "May You come and reign here as king."] 9 As they went back down the mountain, he told them not to tell anyone what they had seen until [He,/0] the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 12 Jesus responded, "[That's right.//0] Elijah is [0/indeed] coming to come first to get everything ready. Yet why do the Scriptures say that [I,/0] the Son of Man, must suffer greatly and be treated with utter contempt? 25 When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil f spirit. "Listen, you [demon/spirit] [who/that] makes this boy unable to hear and speak," he said. "I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!" 26 Then the [evil/0] spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, "He's dead." 29 Jesus replied, "[That/This] kind can be cast out only by prayer. "   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

GENESIS 24: In Genesis 22, Isaac asked, "I see that you have the coals and the wood, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice?" 8 Abraham answered, "God himself will provide one." It is amazing to me that Moses adds the proverb, "even today people say, "On the Lord's mountain he provides." In our time, we easily see how this points to the provision of the Lamb of God on the mountain called Calvary. JOB 13: As we saw in chapter 12, Job by now is pretty ticked off, starting off with, "Yes, you are the voice of the people. When you die, wisdom will die with you. Note the irony Job points out: 4 Even my friends laugh at me now; they laugh, although I am righteous and blameless; but there was a time when God answered my prayers. 5 You have no troubles, and yet you make fun of me; you hit someone who is about to fall. 6 But thieves and godless people live in peace, though their only god is their own strength. MARK 8b: In yesterday's reading, Jesus fed the 4,000, and then the Pharisees demand a miraculous sign 'showing God's approval'— literally a sign 'from heaven'. The reading yesterday ended with the disciples not understanding what Jesus meant by 15 "Take care," Jesus warned them, "and be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod." NLT Translation notes: Mrk. 8:23 Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, [applying his own spit to//spitting on]  the man's eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked, "Can you see anything now?" [The Greek does actually say that Jesus 'spit' in the man's eyes, but to spit in someone's face is so objectionable that more than one translation softens this a bit!] 27 Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked them, "[What do people say as to the position/role I am assuming?"//Who do people say I am?"][Normally in our language if Jesus said, "Who do people say I am," the answer would be "Jesus". Jesus was not asking about his name, so we need a different question opener than "Who".] 28 "Well," they replied, "some say [you are taking the position of] John the Baptist, some say [you are replacing] Elijah, and others say you are [filling the role of] one of the other prophets." 29 Then he asked them, "[But in your opinion, whose position am I taking?"//But who do you say I am?"]… 31 Then Jesus began to tell them that [he— as] the Son of Man, must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He [said, "I will be] killed, but three days later [I will/he would] rise from the dead. [The changes in this paragraph are made to show that Jesus is not talking about some third person named the Son of Man, but about himself. Even in English, a man seldom talks about himself using the pronoun 'he'.]   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

GENESIS 22-23: In yesterday's reading in Genesis, Abraham deceived Abimelech, Isaak was born, and Sarah demanded that Hagar and her son be sent away— which grieved Abraham. (But remember that story, because Paul uses it as a spiritual metaphor in Galatians 4.) Finally Abimelech visited Abraham, and the two made several formally ratified promises. JOB 12: Yesterday, Zophar said to Job, Job 11:1-2 GNT Will no one answer all this nonsense? Does talking so much put you in the right? 3 Job, do you think we can't answer you? That your mocking words will leave us speechless? 4 You claim that what you say is true; you claim you are pure in the sight of God. 5 How I wish God would answer you! 6 He would tell you there are many sides to wisdom; there are things too deep for human knowledge. God is punishing you less than you deserve. Having accused Job of sin in that way, Zophar then goes on to give this lovely advice: 13 Put your heart right, Job. Reach out to God. 14 Put away evil and wrong from your home. 15 Then face the world again, firm and courageous. 16 Then all your troubles will fade from your memory, MARK 8a: In Mark 7 yesterday, Jesus gave this very significant teaching: 15 GNT There is nothing that goes into you from the outside which can make you ritually unclean. Rather, it is what comes out of you that makes you unclean." And we heard the way that Jesus gave a difficult test to the Gentile woman. Don't just assume that Jesus was unfeeling to that woman. There is treasure there to dig for in that enigmatic test! NLT Translation note: 8:9 There were about 4,000 [people//men] in the crowd that day, and Jesus sent them home after they had eaten. [The 2007 edition has 'people' instead of 'men'. The newest edition has 'men'. Since Mat. 15:38 clearly says 'men', it is the better to use that word here also. However Mark doesn't actually specify the gender, because he says, "Those who had eaten … ."]   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

GENESIS 20-21: In chapter 19 of Genesis we heard what happened to Lot and his daughters after being saved from Sodom. The sons of Lot's daughters became the ancestors of the Moabite and Ammonite races who were always at war with God's people. JOB 11: In chapter 10, Job accused God, Job 10:13 GNT But now I know that all that time [since birth] you were secretly planning to harm me. 14 You were watching to see if I would sin, so that you could refuse to forgive me. 15 As soon as I sin, I'm in trouble with you, but when I do right, I get no credit. I am miserable and covered with shame. MARK 7: In yesterday's reading in Mark 6 Jesus fed 5,000+ and walked on water. In today's reading, I would like to challenge each of my listeners to dig deeper to find a spiritual gem behind Jesus' seemingly harsh and impolite first answer to the Syro-Phoenician woman. I encourage you to ask what right anyone (and especially any Gentile) would have to come to Jesus and ask for a miracle. With that question in mind, I encourage you to read all of Ephesians chapter 2. —————— NLT Translation notes: Gen. 20:17 But God heard the boy crying, and [an//the] angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, "Hagar, what's wrong? Do not be afraid! God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. 26 "This is the first I've heard of it," Abimelech answered. "I have no idea who is responsible. You [0/have] never complained about this before."   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

GENESIS 19: In yesterday's reading, Abram and Sarai received new names and God confirmed and expanded his covenant with Abram (now Abraham). Circumcision was added as a sign of following the covenant. Angels visited Abraham and Sarah and Abraham bargained with God about saving the few righteous people in Sodom— among whom I am sure Abraham was thinking of Lot. JOB 10: Job continues his response to Bildad. At the end of chapter 9 Job showed mankind's need of a mediator: 32 "God is not a mortal like me, so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial. 33 If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together. 34 The mediator could make God stop beating me, and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment. 35 Then I could speak to him without fear, but I cannot do that in my own strength. Mankind has now received that mediator in the person of Jesus. MARK 6b: In the first part of chapter 6, Jesus sent out the twelve disciples after giving them authority to cast out evil spirits. He also sent them to teach, and to heal. Then we learned about the death of John the Baptist. —————— Do you know an elderly person who can no longer read the Bible? Do you know an elderly person who can no longer read the Bible? Or, do you know someone who would enjoy listening to audio Scripture but who is not able to use the Internet? An easy way to help such people is by sharing MP3 recordings via inexpensive MP3 players. Many good podcast apps (like AntennaPod for Android) have settings for how many episodes can be downloaded. Set the number at 400 and you should get a year's worth, with a few extras that can be deleted. The challenge then is to find out where your device saves the downloads. Hint: For Android devices, look in the Android/data folder. NLT Translation notes: Mrk. 6:44 A total of 5,000 men [plus some their uncounted families members//and their families] were fed from those loaves! 48 He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o'clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He [acted as if he//0] intended to go past them,   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

GENESIS 17-18: In chapter 15 we heard of God's covenant with Abram and Abram's _fully believing_ God's promises. Then in chapter 16 we read of Abram and Sarai trying to help God fulfill his promises. Chapter 15 verse 6 is a famous verse that is quoted three times in the NT: 6 Abram put his trust in the Lord, and because of this the Lord was pleased with him and accepted him. (GNT) [The NT translates this verse a bit differently because it is quoted from the Septuagint (the LXX, the ancient translation of the Old Testament into Koine Greek, made in the third and second centuries BC). ] JOB 9: In chapter 8, Bildad defended God as always acting with justice and insisted that this meant that there had to be some sin on Job's part or his children's. MARK 6a: In the second half of Mark5, Jesus did two amazing miracles— the second one causing a dead girl to live again. In our translations in Indonesia, it was found to help understanding to give Herodias a more feminine sounding name. In Indonesian Herod is Herodes, and Herodias was too close in sound and the two names became confused. Even though English does not have that problem, I think it helps a little to give Herodias a name that people will recognize as a girl-name, Herodiana. —————— NlT Translation notes: 17 For Herod had sent soldiers to arrest and imprison John as a favor to [Herodiana/Herodias]. She had been his brother Philip's wife, but Herod had married her. 18 John had been telling Herod, "It is against God's law for you to marry your brother's wife." 19 So [Herodiana/Herodias] bore a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But without Herod's approval she was powerless, [In our translations in Indonesia, it was found to help understanding to give Herodias a more feminine sounding name. In Indonesian Herod is Herodes, and Herodias was too close in sound and becomes  confusing. Even though English does not have that problem, I think it will help some to give her name that people will recognize as a girl-name.] 21 [Herodianas's] chance finally came on Herod's birthday. He gave a party for his high government officials, army officers, and the leading citizens of Galilee. 22 Then [Herodiana's/his] daughter, also named Herodia came in and performed a dance that greatly pleased Herod and his guests. "Ask me for anything you like," the king said to the girl, "and I will give it to you." [As NLT's footnote shows, there is a textual problem in this verse. I have changed this to be like NIV, CEV, ESV and many others.]   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

GENESIS 15-16: Yesterday we heard the stories of Abram and Lot separating company, and of Abram rescuing Lot in time of war. Then we heard of the mysterious priest Melchizedek (who we will read about in the NT in Hebrews). JOB 8: In the preceding two chapters, Job said some very despairing and angry words, telling God basically to go take a walk and leave him alone. Job again wished for his own death. He said to God, 19 Won't you look away long enough  for me to swallow my spit? 20 Are you harmed by my sin, you jailer? Why use me for your target practice? Am I so great a burden to you? 21 Can't you ever forgive my sin? Can't you pardon the wrong I do? MARK 5b: In the first part of Mark 5, Jesus cast a host of demons out of a man named Mob. —————— NLT Translation notes: Gen. 15:6 And  Abram [fully/0] believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his [believing like that//faith]. [This is the first time this year that you will hear me lecture on this, so I might as well make this footnote a bit long. Note how in English there is 'believed' and then 'faith'. This makes it appear that 'faith' is  something different from 'belief'. This is not true. In Greek they share the identical root, faith being the noun form of believe. Here in Hebrew, a literal translation is as ESV: "And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness." The 'it' refers back to 'believed'. Another example comes up in today's NT reading.] ==== Mrk. 5:36 But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid. Just [keep believing in me//have faith]." [In Greek, Jesus does not use the noun form 'faith' here, but an imperative verb, "just believe." When English speakers say "Just have faith," it has become way too vague. It can mean anything and most of my audience in America can think of movies where Hollywood makes fun of the statement. In English the saying has become hollow. It is just like saying, "Keep up your hope." Hope in what?! Again, in Greek, 'faith' and 'believe' are the same word.] 34 And he said to her, "[0/Daughter,] your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over." [The Greek does say, 'Daughter'. Like where Jesus calls Mary, his mother, 'Woman', this is very hard to translate. In the case of Jesus calling his mother 'Woman', in English that would be impolite, and he was not being so impolite in Greek or Aramaic. In the case of the woman healed in Mark 5, calling her 'Daughter' can imply that she was younger than Jesus— which is probably wrong. Or it can imply a that they were already friends. In English, I think it is probably best to leave out the word and maybe add the word 'kindly': he said to her kindly.]   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

GENESIS 13-14: In yesterday's reading we heard about God scattering people by confusing their languages. It's important to remember that the city they were building is called Babylon. Then we traced the ancestry of Abram, who descended from Seth's line. Then we read about the call of Abram and what happened when they were staying in Egypt because of a famine. Abram doesn't sound like a model husband. JOB 7: Today we hear the second chapter of Job's response to Eliphaz. In chapter 6 Job said, 10 GNT If I knew he [God] would [kill me], I would leap for joy, no matter how great my pain. I know that God is holy; I have never opposed what he commands. And he also complained: 14 In trouble like this I need loyal friends— whether I've forsaken God or not. 15 But you, my friends, you deceive me like streams that go dry when no rain comes. And his three friends are only warming up to what they will say. In desperation Job says, 24 All right, teach me; tell me my faults. I will be quiet and listen to you. 25 Honest words are convincing, but you are talking nonsense. MARK 5a: We completed the one and only 'parable chapter' of Mark yesterday. Following the parable of the mustard seed, the disciples and Jesus took off to the other side of the lake. Jesus slept soundly in the boat while a storm was raging on the lake, and then he calmed the storm. —————— NLT Translation notes:Mrk 5:8 For Jesus had [already/0] said to the spirit, "Come out of the man, you evil spirit." 9 Then Jesus demanded, "What is your name?" And he replied, "My name is [Batalion/Legion], because there are many of us inside this man." [A Roman legion could be as many as 6,826 men.] 15 A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the [batalion/legion] of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. 20 So the man [went/started] off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

If you are reading along while listening to the recordings, you will notice that I often exchange the word 'believe' (or 'fully believe') for 'faith'. This is because the English word 'faith' is used with all kinds of fuzzy meanings these days and can easily be misunderstood. 1) In Greek, 'faith' and 'believe' are the noun and verb forms of the same root word. 2) When one uses an abstract noun like 'faith' in English, the object of the faith is lost— in this case the Person who is being believed. Note that 'faith' does not have a vague meaning like 'endurance' or 'ability to live without fear'— which might be assumed in today's passage. Such fuzzy meanings almost always end up placing 'faith' in ourselves, which is a big mistake. The 'faith' that Jesus is talking about at the end of this chapter is placing our trust 100% in Him! GENESIS 11-12: Yesterday in Genesis 9-10, we heard the story of Noah's drunkenness and his curse on Canaan because of it (which wasn't very fair since it was his father Ham who actually caused the offense to Noah, and because Ham also had other sons). Then we heard about Noah's descendants. JOB 6: In chapter 5 Eliphaz continued to imply that Job has sinned: Job 5:6 NLT Evil does not grow in the soil, nor does trouble grow out of the ground. 7 No indeed! We bring trouble on ourselves, as surely as sparks fly up from a fire. Eliphaz' main point in that chapter was that Job would be forgiven and blessed if he repented: 17 Happy is the person whom God corrects! Do not resent it when he rebukes you. 18 God bandages the wounds he makes; his hand hurts you, and his hand heals. There is truth in what Eliphaz says, and a similar statement to verse 17 is found in James 1. MARK 4b:Chapter 4 is the parable chapter of Mark. The Parable about the Different Kinds of Soil is in all three synoptic Gospels— which are Matthew, Mark, and Luke. That parable holds deep meaning that one never really grows out of. Each time you hear it, new facets come to light, and every believer should meditate on what kind of soil they are most like at the present time.   NLT Translation notes: Gen. 11:4 Then they said, "Come, let's build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches [into/0] the sky. ==== Mrk. 4:26 Jesus also said, "The Kingdom of God [can be illustrated as being like when//is like] a farmer [0/who] scatters seed on the ground. [It bothers me grammatically to say that a 'kingdom' is like a 'farmer'. The king might be like a farmer, both being people. Jesus' illustration shows that the whole package is what is like the Kingdom of God, including farmer, seed, time for growing, and harvest.] 30 Jesus said, "How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? 31 [God's Kingdom can be compared to//It is like] a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, 40 Then he [said to/asked] them, "[What a bunch of cowards you are! It is clear that you don't believe fully in me!"//Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"] [I have treated these rhetorical questions as statements. In English it seems a bit silly to ask "Why are you afraid?" Jesus' question is a rebuke (and we can debate how strong a rebuke was intended). The second RQ is also a rebuke.] [Note that I will often change 'faith' to 'fully believe'. This might be a good illustration of why the English word 'faith' is often misunderstood. 1) People often have forgotten that the root meaning of 'faith' is 'believe'— having the same Greek root word. 2) When one uses an abstract noun like 'faith' we loose the object— in this case the Person who is being believed. Note that 'faith' does not have the a vague root meaning like 'endurance' or 'ability to live without fear', which might be assumed by some readers. Such words almost always end up placing 'faith' in ourselves. This is very wrong. What faith means here is placing trust 100% in Jesus.] 41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. "[Wow, what kind of man is this Jesus?!//Who is this man?]"3 they [said to//asked] each other. "Even the wind and waves obey him!" [The disciples had not forgotten Jesus' name! This translation is as suggested by Deibler.] Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.