Daily Reading Passages

Click below to see the passages online. Although, I recommend that if you can you read these in your own Bible. That way you can underline, comment, and become familiar with your own Bible.

Exodus 26:1 - 27:21

Matthew 25:1-30

Psalms 31:1-8

Proverbs 8:1-11

Coaching Comments

The Old testament reading for today, Exodus 26:1 - 27:21, continues where we left off yesterday, with God's directions for the building of the Tabernacle, the portable temple that the people would carry with them for the duration of their journey. This special tent would be the center of their community, for it would be the place where they would come in contact with God.

Yesterday God gave instructions for building the Ark of the Covenant, and the other sacred furniture. Today we get the instructions for the tent itself, the alter for sacrifices, the courtyard that surrounds the tent, and the special oil for the lamps. God gives incredibly detailed instructions, focusing on the craft and artistry involved. Why all this detailed focus?

Remember the context. Four hundred years of slavery have left the Hebrews without a cultural focus, and without the visible reminders of who they were in God's eyes. And so this beautifully crafted dwelling would be a visible reminder of their God, of His value to them, and of the kind of community He was calling them to be.

The New testament reading today, Matthew 25:1-30, we get two parables of Jesus: the Ten Virgins, and the Talents. Each one of these is worthy of in-depth study and reflection. I'll give just a few comments to point you in a useful direction.

First, remember the context. (Haven't I said that before today? Context is the second most important thing to understanding scripture. The first one is being open to the Holy Spirit.) Jesus has been teaching on the end times, when He will return, and what He expects His followers to be up to in the meantime. So, the first parable talks about the importance of living in a state of readiness, and that readiness is not something you can get from other people. It's a first-person experience. The second story comes as a contrast. Where the first parable talks about living with readiness for Jesus' return, the second parable talks about how we live in the meantime. Jesus has an expectation that His follower will take all He has given them, and use it to the fullest extent to further His purposes. On top of that, He says that those who are aggressive in pursuing this will be given more to work with, while those who are afraid and restrained may find themselves losing the little they had to begin with.

Today's Psalm Reading is the first part of the 31st Psalm. Psalms 31:1-8 God is our refuge and strength. David is claiming this promise, and asking God to stand by His character.

Today's Proverb reading is Proverbs 8:1-11. This passage presents a stark contrast to the previous Chapter. In chapter seven we saw a female character presenting the opportunity for adultery. She also spiritually represents all of those ways that we can be distracted from what really matters in life. In this chapter we see a different female character. This time the woman calling out is wisdom herself. In these 8 verses Wisdom calls out explaining what she has to offer. These are good things. They are exceedingly valuable. They matter for a life well lived.

2007 Cohort Comments