BibleStudyTogether DailyReadings
A 2-Year Chronological & Thematic Journey through God's Word
with Daily Comments from Dr. Del Tackett.
March 31
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 456 (3/31) – 2 Kings 7:3-8:15
Today we have a remarkable series of events that gives us insight into the reality of the power of God and that His prophetic knowledge was granted to Elisha. We also see the heart of Elisha as he weeps, knowing the calamity that will come through Hazael. It is interesting to note Hazael’s statement to Elisha that Hazael was “but a dog”. We have a text fragment on a basalt statue of King Shalmaneser III that refers to Hazael as “son of nobody”. Hazael reigned for 40 years in Syria and was a bitter enemy to Israel.
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March 30
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 455 (3/30) – 2 Kings 6:1-7:2; John 13:31-38; Mark 14:27-31
Today’s reading would be worth simply saying “What struck you?” for there is so much here. Do you believe that God can make an axehead float? He did. Do you believe that God protects us, as the servant of Elisha saw when the Lord opened his eyes? Do you believe God can “blind” our enemies? Can you imagine the horror of being under siege? Elisha saw beyond the present and so did Jesus. The command of the Lord is to “love one another” as deeply as He had loved His disciples. This is not a general command, but one directed to the body of Christ. Do we love one another as Jesus commanded us to do? What does that look like?
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March 29
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 454 (3/29) – 2 Kings 5:1-27; Psalms 41:1-13; John 13:18-30
The event of Naaman is a special one for me as I have taught it often. It is the message of the Gospel, buried here in the OT. Worthy of a discussion today and to ponder: who was caught up in their own little story and who was caught up in the Larger Story of God? Who was the unnamed heroine? As you read the Psalm, notice it is quoted by Jesus. Also note how Judas was caught up in his own little story as well.
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March 28
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 453 (3/28) – 2 Kings 4:8-44; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
There are three miracles here performed through Elisha: the miraculous birth, the raising of the boy from the dead, and the cleansing of the poisoned food. I was struck by how we see this in our own lives. We have a new birth in Christ, we live a life where we are continually cleansed from the poison of this world, and we look forward to our being raised from the dead. Paul offers to us an insight into the early church and their observance of the Lord’s Supper. It is clear this was an observance simply of the bread and the cup, for “if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home”.
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March 27
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 452 (3/27) – 2 Chronicles 20:31-21:7; 2 Kings 4:1-7, 8:16-22; Luke 22:14-30
I remember the first time someone told me that God doesn’t get involved with politics. We have already seen and we will see much more of how much God cares about kings who act and rule righteously or wickedly. Even though Jehoram had a father (Jehoshaphat) and a grandfather (Asa) who walked rightly before the Lord, he walked in evil. Notice grace in the midst of this as Elisha deals with the widow miraculously. Even as Jesus is giving the disciples a continual picture of His grace, they argue about who is greatest among them.
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March 26
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 451 (3/26) – 1 Kings 22:41-50; 2 Kings 3:4-27; Matthew 26:20-30
Jehoshaphat didn’t seem to learn from his alliance with Ahab and he does so again with Ahab’s son, Jehoram. This time, Jehoshaphat begins the campaign without consulting God and it appeared almost humorous to me that the armies,therefore, ended up marching around in circles and were without any water. Elisha is finally called upon and there is a great water miracle, fulfilled in a short, matter-of-fact verse. The sacrifice Mesha makes of his own son is disturbing. Archeologists have recovered an inscribed stele by Mesha, confirming again the history delivered to us in the Scriptures.
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March 25
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 450 (3/25) – 2 Kings 2:19-3:3; Psalms 119:161-168
The event concerning the boys and the bears is a difficult passage for some. I couldn’t help, as I read the Psalm, “I love your law”, thinking of the “Law of Christ”, which I believe to be: “Love God, love your neighbor, love one another”. Do we love the Law? Do we “hate and abhor falsehood”? There is “great peace” for those who do. May this be our quest today. Let’s plan to purposefully seek Him “seven times” today.
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March 24
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 449 (3/24) – 2 Kings 1-2:18
The end of Ahaziah is not a good one compared to the spectacular end of Elijah. Remember that the Lord told Elijah to anoint his successor, Elisha, after Elijah got the “poor me’s” on the mountain. Here we read of that succession and the mantle being passed. One has to wonder if the sons of the prophets thought the Lord might have cast Elijah’s body down because of that. It is worth pondering what the sight of the chariots of fire might have been like.
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March 23
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 448 (3/23) – Psalms 83:1-18, 27:1-14; Mark 14:17-26
Our reading today gives us a picture of a reality that never seems to go away. I was teaching yesterday about the Roman Emperor Diocletian who waged an incessant war against Christianity. He ordered every Bible to be burned and on a heap of Bible ashes he erected a monument inscribed with “Christianity is now extinct!” But as the psalmist states today, the Lord brings them all to nothing. Satan raised up one of the Twelve in hopes of destroying Jesus. But that too came to naught. Be encouraged by the closing words of the psalm today, for we are in the midst of a growing assault against us: “Wait for the Lord ; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord​."
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March 22
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 447 (3/22) – 2 Chronicles 20:1-30; John 13:1-7
How blessed to read these Old and New passages together. Notice that the song that was sung as the Israelites marched out to see the hand of God deliver them from an overwhelming hoard was about the “steadfast love” of the Lord. Amazing! Not his might, which is surely to be praised; not his power, which is beyond measure; but his steadfast love. That is what Jesus demonstrated to his disciples in washing their feet even though he was facing indescribable cruelty. What will bring calm in the raging storm? The steadfast love of the Lord, for it endures forever. If you are in Christ, this is yours.
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March 21
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 446 (3/21) – 1 Kings 22:36-40, 51-53; 2 Chronicles 19:1-11; Mark 14:12-16; Matthew 26:17-19; Luke 22:7-13
Notice in both our Old and New passages today, the sovereign omniscience of the Lord. The dogs liked up Ahab’s blood, just as God had said. The place for the Passover had already been Providentially determined and Jesus knew it. Jehu was given divine understanding of both the good and bad actions of Jehoshaphat and announced the consequences. As I read Jehoshaphat’s commands to the judges, I was struck by how much a culture is blessed when its judges judge with righteousness and without injustice or partiality or bribery. How much is a culture cursed when they are judged with unrighteousness.
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March 20
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 445 (3/20) – 1 Kings 22:29-35; 2 Chronicles 18:9-34; Mark 14:10-11; Matthew 26:14-16; Luke 22:3-6
It is most likely that Micaiah, in verse 14, spoke in a way that mimicked all of the false prophets. Maybe he even held his fingers up on his head like the horns that Zedekiah had made and even danced around like he did. For it made Ahab angry. I have referred to this event often, for it is a picture of what happens when men gain power and want to do what they want to do and the Truth of God is an obstacle to them, just as we also read of the chief priests who saw Jesus as an obstacle to be gotten rid of. Notice the sovereignty of God: “a certain man drew a bow at random and struck the king…” There is nothing truly random in this world. If you defy the living God, there will be consequences.
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March 19
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 444 (3/19) – 1 Kings 22:1-28; 2 Chronicles 18:1-8; 3 John 1:1-15
As you read this event concerning Ahab and Jehoshaphat, the false prophets and the true prophet, Micaiah, think about the battle that rages today between truth and lies. Micaiah was faithful to speak the truth, but he ended up thrown in prison and treated poorly because of it. John writes that he has no greater joy than to hear that believers were walking in the truth. It would be worth a discussion today to ponder if we are willing to walk in the truth even if it costs us our comfort, freedom or even our lives.
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March 18
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 443 (3/18) – Psalms 119:33-64
This Psalm is perfect to read in the midst of the events before us in Kings. True prophets standing before wicked kings and abominable things; false prophets who make their ways seem right and good and beautiful; cultures chasing after foolishness and wickedness, yet those who truly follow the Lord remain firm and steadfast. Think of yourself being one of those who remain steadfast as you read this Psalm and then discuss the things in our culture that bark at us to follow them and how we can remain true to Him.
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March 17
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 442 (3/17) – 1 Kings 20:35-21:29
Today’s reading is such a testimony against the notion that the king can take and do whatever he wants. This event was part of the evidence in Rutherford’s famous book during America’s founding: Lex Rex. It stands for “the Law is King” rather than the historical precedent and rule that “the King is Law”. We have reverted back to the precedent for the prevailing view is that the state can take and do what it wants. We are approaching the point of no return in our national debt in which that may, in itself, be the judgment against this folly. Ahab’s humility is short-lived and the judgment against both Ahab and Jezebel will be stark.
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March 16
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 441 (3/16) – 1 Kings 20:1-34; Matthew 26:1-5; Luke 22:1-2
Tutelary theology believes that there are gods who rule in certain geographical regions. We see this today in Ben-hadad. There was no concept of the true God, who is not only the creator of all things, but rules and reigns over all things. I was struck by how God defeated Ben-hadad before Ahab, though Ahab was a terribly wicked king. Can you find the reason why in our reading today? In Matthew and Mark, we are also struck by the deep-seated desire to do away with Jesus. Nothing changes
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March 15
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 440 (3/15) – 1 Kings 18:41-19:21; Matthew 25:31-46; Mark 14:1-2
There is so much for us today. It would be good to simply have a discussion on “what strikes you in our reading?” Elijah is caught up in his own little story after such a major triumph for the Lord and is directed to anoint his successor. The sheep and the goats provide a very difficult passage. When I read it I think of the Royal Law, love your neighbor. The goats certainly did not do that.
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March 14
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 439 (3/14) – 1 Kings 18:16-40; Matthew 25:1-30
Today we have one of the prominent events in the Old Testament: Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Imagine what it would have been like to be there and see God consume the sacrifice with fire from heaven! Of course, this prompted the people to say “The Lord, he is God!” But professing is not doing. In conjunction with this, we read today of the parable of Jesus regarding the talents. One professed a fear of the master, but was not fruitful. Being fruitful is a key theme in the Scripture. We deal prominently with it in The Engagement Project and in identifying the “modus operandi” of God. He has made us to be fruitful and that fruit brings Him glory. Are we a fruitful agent of the Lord?
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March 13
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 438 (3/13) – 1 Kings 17:8-18:5; Luke 21:34-38
As you go through the reading today, it might be profitable to take note of all the times that God works with man through faith: God says He will do something, but man is asked to do act, showing his belief in God. This is not “works earns a payoff”. It is God’s economy of using faith in His relationship with us. This is a good reading to discuss this. See how many you can find and then discuss each of them.
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March 12
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 437 (3/12) – 1 Kings 15:23-24, 17:1-7; 2 Chronicles 16:11-14, 17:1-19; Matthew 24:36-51
We are introduced today to Jehoshaphat and Elijah. Elijah will especially be prominent in our future reading. Jesus speaks of judgment. Do not fall for the notion that the Old Testament is about an angry, judgmental God and the New Testament about one that is merely loving. The love of God is well attested to and presented throughout the Old Testament and Jesus does not shy away from speaking of judgment to come. This verse struck me today “Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing (being wise and faithful) when he comes.” None of us know the day or hour when our numbered time is up. Praise God for His mercy in Christ. It is this love that compels us to good fruitful work.
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March 11
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 436 (3/11) – 1 Kings 16:1-34
We arrive at the 7th king of Israel, Ahab. Asa still reigns in Judah. Reading this should give us a chill to think about how we worship ourselves and earthly things in our culture today. Of the 39 kings who reigned in Israel and Judah, only four are considered “good” and five a mixture of both “good and bad”. The rest were all as we read today: they did evil in the sight of the Lord and in many cases “more” than those before. The tragic consequences of their sin was a surety, for God will not be mocked, as we read in Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” This verse should rightly play in our minds as we read through the rest of Kings and Chronicles and as we think about the rebellion in our culture today.
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March 10
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 435 (3/10) – 2 Chronicles 15:1-16:10; 1 Kings 15:16-22
In our wording of today, we would say that Asa “didn’t finish well”. Instead of trusting the Lord, he took things into his own hands and came up with a way around his problems through Ben-hadad, king of Syria. This will cause problems and wars with Syria for years to come. All of this is a lesson for us. We need to continually lay before the Lord the obstacles that are before us, asking Him for His wisdom and direction, instead of taking things into our own hands and charging off without seeking His will.
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March 9
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 434 (3/9) – 2 Chronicles 14:9-15; 1 Kings 15:9-15, 15-34; Luke 21:25-33; Mark 13:32-37
We now begin the reign of kings in Israel and Judah where a few are good and most are evil. Asa is one of the exceptions, whose heart was “wholly true to the Lord all his days”. Wouldn’t that be a great epithet for our tombstones? None of us know the day nor the hour in which He will come and take us home. May we walk in these times of trial “wholly true to the Lord”.
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March 8
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 433 (3/8) – 2 Chronicles 13:1-14:8; 1 Kings 15:6-8; Matthew 24:26-35; Mark 13:24-31
Our text today shows us that people can be devoted to God, but only with a half heart. Yesterday we read that Abijah walked in all the sins of his father, but today we read how he spoke boldly for the Lord. It may have been simply done in the face of greater odds in battle, but God honored it. Still, Abijah's heart was not fully for the Lord. We can see this today. There are leaders whose hearts are not right, but they sometimes, or many times, act right. Pray God will honor this. I heard from a man who was struck deeply by the final words of our text today: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” He was a Ukrainian physicist who came to Christ because of the bold words of Jesus. He recognized that Jesus must either be a madman or God in the flesh.
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March 7
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 432 (3/7) – 2 Chronicles 12:1-16; 1 Kings 14:25-15:5; Matthew 24:1-25
I was struck today by the statement: “And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.” What a sad state of affairs. Only one generation removed from David and it has descended into rebellion against the Lord and the horrible consequences thereof. Josephus writes about the utter horror associated with the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. as Jesus prophesied in our passage today. The wrath of God is fierce. Give thanks today for your salvation and that Jesus took the wrath that was due to us upon Himself.
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March 6
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 431 (3/6) – 1 Kings 14:1-24; Luke 21:5-24
What sad accounts we have of both Israel and Judah becoming wicked before the Lord. The kings who led them are held accountable. As we are proceeding towards an election ourselves, it is incumbent upon us to choose wisely. The ending description of Judah today should remind us that we are not so far from their abominations. Jesus accurately foretold of the destruction of Jerusalem in the Luke passage. God will not be mocked. Although we want to carve Him into a cuddly bear or Santa Claus, He is not. The reality is that He is holy and His judgments are just and true and fearsome. Pray for repentance in our own land.
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March 5
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 430 (3/5) – 1 Kings 13:1-34; Mark 13:1-23
I was struck today by the foolishness of man. Jeroboam was given a startling sign from the Lord, yet even that did not turn him away from his sin and the Scriptures then tell us that the house of Jeroboam would be destroyed from the face of the earth. A prophet, who faithfully prophesied to Jeroboam, disobeyed the Lord and ended up dead by the teeth and claws of a lion. Jesus tells of the utter destruction of Jerusalem because of its rejection of the Lord and murdering the faithful. In light of our own foolishness today,I am reminded of the words of Thomas Jefferson engraved within his memorial that the justice of the Lord cannot sleep forever.
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March 4
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 429 (3/4) – 2 Chronicles 11:1-23; 1 Kings 12:21-33
Whether it is right to compare what happened in Israel to our times or not, it is hard not to do so. There was a sifting that occurred. It is difficult to read of Jeroboam setting up golden calves and goat idols and new feasts for the people to sacrifice to them, especially knowing how God had so blessed them for so long. And it is hard to imagine what it was like for true believers in Israel in the midst of this. They had to make a choice who they would worship and serve. It is no different today. We are increasingly going to have to make that choice. It will be the great sifting of our culture.
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March 3
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 428 (3/3) – 2 Chronicles 9:29-10:19; 1 Kings 12:1-20
There are many sad passages in the Scripture, and this is one in which we must simply shake our heads. We do so looking back at this event and wonder at the foolishness of Rehoboam, who could have simply listened to wise counsel, lightened the heavy load that Solomon had placed upon them, and ruled over a united Israel already at peace. But he gave in to selfishness and pride, and the kingdom, in one quick snap of the fingers, was now divided. And It remained divided until Christ appeared and began the process of uniting all things unto Himself. It is more difficult for us to see the same thing in our own time, but as it was, so it is now. There is a dividing underway as wisdom is tossed and foolishness is embraced. Join in prayer for repentance, Tuesdays, noon eastern.
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March 2
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 427 (3/2) – Proverbs 24:1-34; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
When evil becomes common in the land, it is hard to discern that it is evil. Yet truth does not change, nor does the character of God. In this way, evil always remains evil no matter how much a culture embraces it, no matter how common it becomes. Our reading today presents what the Scriptures say over and over again about remaining apart from the evil of the world and not becoming envious of the wicked. It is easy to do so in a culture that is saturated by things that have been made to look pretty but they are so very wrong. I was struck again by the simple sentence towards the end of Paul’s letter: “Do not quench the Spirit.” It was followed by another simple one: “Abstain from every form of evil.” Jesus calls the Spirit “the Spirit of Truth”. One of the ways we quench Him is to reject His whispering to us words of Truth in the midst of sweet beckoning of evil.
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March 1
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 426 (3/1) – Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Having now read through Ecclesiastes, the words of Paul are most refreshing, are they not? The Scripture tells us that the law was a curse because it could not bring us to God. Only the work of Christ can do that. Solomon has reminded us that the fallen world is cursed as well. We are but “hevel” (vanity/meaningless), a wisp of smoke, a vapor, that in the context of eternity, is here but for a moment. Yet for those who are in Christ, the hope laid up for us in Him is a fountain of joy; it gives our “hevel” meaning; it gives our life purpose. We are not like the lost, who are truly “lost” in this world “under the sun”. We are a people of joy and hope and true love. That should be attractively winsome to the outsider
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