Bible Readings 1/25 to 1/31
Path 1: New Testament and Psalms
In Psalms 58-60, David appeals to God’s righteous judgment amid injustice, national turmoil, and military threat. He trusts that the Lord judges corrupt rulers, disciplines His people for their good, and restores strength after defeat. These psalms anchor hope in God’s covenant faithfulness rather than human power or strategy.
Path 2: Old Testament Pentateuch/History
In Numbers 21-23, Israel advances toward the land as God brings victory, healing, and unbreakable blessing. The bronze serpent reveals mercy for repentant sinners, while Balaam’s repeated oracles show that no curse can overturn God’s purpose. The Lord sovereignly protects His people despite weakness and external threat.
The Bronze Serpent as a Type: In John 3:14–15, Jesus says: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” John’s Gospel uses “lifted up” with double meaning: exaltation and crucifixion. The cross is simultaneously humiliation and victory, just as the serpent, an image of judgment, becomes the instrument of healing.
Path 3: Old Testament Wisdom/Prophecy
In Isaiah 10-12, the Lord humbles arrogant empires and preserves a faithful remnant. Assyria is revealed as a temporary instrument, not a true ruler. The section gives hope as a righteous Davidic king brings justice, and peace, securing God’s people under His enduring reign.
Hope Shaped by the Righteous King: Isaiah 11-12 directs confidence away from nations by themselves and toward God’s promised ruler. The vision of the remnant, renewed creation, and joyful praise forms a people marked by worship, stability, and hope. God’s righteous reign reshapes public life, courage, and expectation for the future.