Calendar:April 16th to May 15th.
DAILY BIBLE READING:……..Apr. 16th, Malachi 2; April 30th, Matthew 12; May 15th, Matthew 27.
MEMORY WORK:-…………….1 John 2:12-3:3.
GOOD READING:-"The Son of God," by J. G. Bellett, (paper, 25 cents. at our publishers.)
MONTHLY QUESTION:-What length of time elapsed between Malachi and the appearing of John the Baptist, and what was the general history of the period? ("Four Hundred Silent Years," by Mr. Ironside, is an instructive book on this period.)
Our Daily Bible Reading
This month we pass out of the Old Testament into the New, and almost finish the Gospel by Matthew.
Malachi reveals the moral decline of the people after their return from Babylon. The prophet arraigns them for their unrighteousness, heartless formality and departure from God by both priests and people. His word and service were neglected and despised. Yet there was a faithful remnant. The coming of John, of Christ, and of the day of Jehovah are foretold. In opening Matthew, we are at once introduced to the One in whom centers all the promises, and the glory of the kingdom-Son of David and Son of Abraham, Jehovah-Saviour, Immanuel (God with us), His personal glory, His lowliness and grace, His mighty power. The holy and righteous principles of His kingdom are made known in His teaching- all pass before our view as we peruse this Gospel, impressing us with His kingly character in which Matthew especially presents Him to Israel, and the nation's definite rejection of Him.
Broadly speaking this occupies the first twelve chapters, at the end of which we find Him outside, calling to Himself those who have ears to hear, in separation from the unbelieving mass. From this point through chapter 25, the character of the whole period following His rejection is developed, until His victorious appearing. His sacrificial work is then set before us-the basis for the fulfilment of every promise and the manifestation of His glory.
Our Memory Portion
This is full of precious instruction for our growth in the truth, with warnings about hindrances to this.
Ver. 12 gives the basis of all; next the three grades to be discerned in the family (vers. 13,14). The apostle then warns against the world, clearly defining its character (vers. 15-17). Warning against false teachers follows, with the blessed assurance! that the believer is fully equipped through the anointing of the Holy Spirit (vers. 18-21). He then defines the nature of what is the opposite of the truth, warns about abiding in that which they have received from the beginning, and affirms their entire independence of mere human wisdom, because of the Spirit's ministry (vers. 22-27). Finally, our relationship with the Father and the Son is that in which we are to walk.