Calendar:Aug.16th to Sept. 15th.

DAILY BIBLE READING:…….Aug. 16th, Psalm 116; Aug. 31st, Psalm 121; Sept. 15th, Psalm 146.

GOOD READING:… ."The Minor Prophets," by H. A. I. Pages 292-327.

MONTHLY BIBLE CLASS:…… Colossians, chap. 1:18.

Our Daily Bible Reading

The next four psalms (116-119) close the second main part of the 5th book of Psalms. A glad note of salvation pervades them. First, we are told how Jehovah heard and answered Israel's cry, bringing in salvation and awakening worship, rendered to Him in His house. Next, all the nations are called to praise the Lord for His goodness to Israel, for their return and reception into God's favor shall be as life from among the dead to the world (Rom. 11:15). Ps. 118 enters more into the details of this great transaction, and leads up to Christ, the headstone of the corner, through whom all is realized. The meaning of the psalm is made clear by the Lord's references to it (Matt. 21:42; 23:39), and by Peter's remarks recorded in Acts 4:10-12. Ps. 119 is saved Israel's testimony to the Word of God, coupled with confessions of failure, all showing how in the future, to which these psalms refer, the new covenant work will be accomplished-the law written in their hearts (Heb. 8:9,10; 10:16).

Another section now opens (120-136), in which we find the 15 psalms entitled, "Songs of degrees," to which the closing two (135, 136) seem to stand as an answer, expressing in praise and thanksgiving the blessed conclusion of those "degrees" or steps in Israel's restoration at "the time of the end," when her national salvation will be realized. These "Songs" develop the blessings of grace. Fifteen in number (5 x 3) may well suggest how God in grace exercises His great love and power toward His failing and oft-troubled saints, whose experiences are made to issue in an outburst of praise at the end.

Ps. 120 expresses the distress and loneliness of the soul as evil presses on every side; but the eyes of faith are lifted up to Jehovah (Ps. 121). Then rest and worship in the sanctuary-city follow. Again (123) the trial from the scorn and contempt of evil men is expressed, but with this comfort that those thus tried have the Lord, supreme over all, to wait upon. Then Jehovah's deliverance is owned as from the One who alone did and could effect it (124). And it is not only deliverance from evil, but the Lord is round about His people forever (125). The following three psalms (126-128) tell out the fulness there is in Jehovah for His delivered people, who from Him have joy, fruit, and peace.

A different strain runs through the next series (129-131). Affliction and persecution lead to self-judgment and acknowledgment of sin, but the glory of redemption is shining for the soul so that, though humbled and contrite, the Lord is known and hoped in "now and forever." The three closing songs (132-134) celebrate, first, Jehovah's faithfulness to His Word and promise; then the blessedness of His people as blessed through that faithfulness; finally, the sanctuary-worship of Jehovah's redeemed. Ps. 135 and 136 are evidently supplementary, and give Israel's witness to God.
The next nine psalms (137-145) form another section, and the last which we read this month (146) opens the closing group of this wonderful book of praise and experience.

These psalms (137-145) lead upward from the desolate and solitary condition of the captive people through varying experiences in which men and things around are found. The Lord must be their all, and is proclaimed preeminent, His kingdom everlasting.

Our Good Reading

For this month covers Zephaniah and Haggai.

Zephaniah. He states the time of his ministry-the days of Josiah. He and Nahum were probably close together. The latter engaged our attention with the great external enemies, but Zephaniah deals in detail with Judah and Jerusalem, reproving their great iniquity, declaring the purgation that Jehovah must effect that He may take His place as King and Blesser forever of the saved remnant.

Zephaniah is a prophet of salvation, but shows this can only come through judgment purging out evil, which leads God's people to separate from it. He presents Israel's failure, and Judah's in particular, marked by constant rejection of the divine witness, which made necessary His desolating judgment. The nations, in whose ways Israel had walked, must also bear judgment, for longer patience would compromise the character of Jehovah. They, too, were without excuse, for He had sent warning messages through His prophets repeatedly. These are features of Zephaniah's prophecy with which he weaves the precious ministry of comfort and grace to the meek and faithful remnant.

This prophecy may be divided thus:

Div.1. (ch. 1:1-13.)The announcement of world-wide judgment in which Judah and Jerusalem shall be especially involved because of their evil.

1. (vers. 1-3.) A complete clearance.

2. (vers. 4-6.) Judah and Jerusalem must be smitten because of idolatry.

3. (ver. 7.) Action according to holiness.

4.(vers. 8-13.) Separate features of the judgment.

(1). vers. 8,9. It shall fall upon those following heathen customs.

(2) vers. 10,11.Lamentation and destruction:outside reliance cut off.

(3). vers. 12,13. The divine search which none will escape who merit judgment.

Div. 2. (chs. 1:14-2:IS.)A detailed description of the day of Jehovah.

1. (1:14-18.)The terror of the Lord in its characteristic features.
2. (2:1-3.) An appeal:Jehovah will be a refuge to those who seek and obey Him.

3. (2:4-15.) The far-reaching storm of judgment:every quarter reached.

(1). vers. 4-7. The Philistines-the blow westward.

(2). vers. 8-10. Moab and Ammon-the blow eastward.

(3). ver. 11. The gods of the earth-spiritual powers of evil.

(4). ver. 12. The Ethiopians-the blow southward.

(5). vers. 13-15.The Assyrian-the blow northward.

Div. 3. (ch. 3.) The manifestation of Jehovah for those who wait upon Him:the remnant delivered, purified, glorified with Jehovah in the midst.

1. (vers. 1-7.) Reproof from the just and holy One whose sanctuary has been polluted and law violated.

2. (vers. 8-13.) "Stand still and see the salvation of Jehovah:" evil purged out, rest and security realized.

3. (vers. 14-20.) Regathered around Jehovah, who in exultant joy shall dwell among the restored people.

Haggai. His interest is in the rebuilding of the temple by the remnant returned from Babylon after the 70 years' captivity. The immediate cause of this prophet's activity was that the returned remnant, yielding to the pressure of their enemies, had given up the building of the temple instead of vigorously carrying it forward as permitted by the decree of Cyrus. In obedience to the prophetic word they could count upon God's protection. Instead of thus acting in faith they had ceased to work, turning their attention to self-interest instead of God's claims. For this He had chastened them (ch. 1:6,10,11).

Haggai's messages were given for the re-awakening of the remnant, that they might again take up the work of rebuilding the temple. The desired effect being produced, and a revival taking place after the first message, Jehovah then responded with words of assurance as to His favor, with which He coupled comfort and great promises.

Div. 1. (ch. 1.) A word for heart and conscience, giving the cause of failure and lack of blessing:neglect of Jehovah's claims, and self-indulgence.

1. (vers. 1-11.) Jehovah not first, but self-interest, then barrenness and desolation-give God first place.

2. (vers. 12-15.) Obedience answered by assurance of the Divine presence. (Compare Ezra 5:1-5,14,15.)

Div. 2. (ch. 2:1-9). Contrasts:despondent recollections and promises as to increased glory in the future. (Obedience required first, as in Div. 1. This being rendered, hope is given encouragement, and fulfilment is pledged by Jehovah of hosts.)

1. (vers. 1-5.) Mighty through God who is faithful to His word.

2. (vers. 6-9.) God in His might emptying the earth that He may fill it with glory and peace of which His house shall be the centre.

Div. 3. (ch. 2:10-19). Sanctuary lessons:holy and unholy, the ways of God in relation thereto.

1. (vers. 10-14.) Instruction concerning things which differ.

2. (vers. 15-19.) Chastening:the Holy One must be sanctified in those that draw near to Him.

Div. 4. (ch. 2:20-23.) The world-wide convulsion through which Jehovah's servant (representative of the people) shall be brought to final glory.

Our Monthly Bible Class Col. 1:18.

The verse we now come to sets before us the glory of Christ in an entirely different relation-that of the Church which is His body, so that He has the first place in all things. Four things are stated:

(a). He is the head of the body, the assembly-quite distinct from anything yet considered. It is a special place He now fills in relation to the saints of the present dispensation, who have been baptized by the Holy Spirit into one body (1 Cor. 12:13). His presence in the world has formed this body, which when perfected will be presented in glory as the instrument to administer under Christ the fulness of times according to God's good pleasure. But there is a Head over all this to the Church; the Church is not everything, but Christ is Head over all. The Church has obtained inheritance in Him and He is not only Head over all things to it, but He is Head of it. A Man in the glory, all is under His feet (Eph. 1:20-22; 1 Pet. 3:22). The point is that if there is a company of the redeemed called to this distinctive place in the system of God's glory, Christ must be the head of that company, for to Him belongs preeminence in all things. That company, however, is not simply that, but is viewed as His body to which He bears the relation of head.

(b). "Who is the beginning." This term is used in slightly different ways. In Revelation we find it associated with "the End," and "Alpha and Omega"-to which it would seem to be an explanatory or parallel expression -"beginning, end." The use of the term here suggests a different thought, similar to that in Rev. 3:14-"The beginning of the creation of God," that creation of which it can be said, "All things have become new; and all things are of God" (2 Cor. 5:17,18). Of this new creation He, as Man, is the beginning, and is set in that place as being "Firstborn from among the dead." The grain of wheat having died, in resurrection bears much fruit. The whole company now identified with Him will bear the image of the heavenly One (1 Cor. IS:49), so that they being then conformed to the image of God's Son, He will be seen as the "Firstborn among many brethren" (Rom. 8:29), for He must have preeminence in all things.

(c). The third thing is, "Firstborn from among the dead." He is the first Man brought out from among the dead, consequent upon the whole question of sin being settled to the glory of God; so that in His sight, man in the flesh has been judged, and those now in Christ (the second Man and last Adam) are past all judgment. Thus He stands as "the beginning of the creation of God."

(d). This new creation abides in perfection in God's sight, with Christ as its Head; this is the fourth thing in this verse. To Him pertains "the first place in all things" (New Trans.). –John Bloore.