Day 266 - Wednesday after the 17th Sunday after Pentecost

Read | Day 266 | Wednesday | September 23 
Malachi 2: 10-17 
Malachi 3: 1-5, 6-15, 16-18 
Malachi 4: 1-6 
Joel 1: 1, 2-20 
Joel 2: 1-11, 12-17, 18-27, 28-32 
Joel 3: 1-16, 17-21

Background | Joel - Center for Biblical Studies | The book of Joel concerns the southern kingdom of Judah. Beyond that, we know nothing of Joel as a person—including nothing of when he lived or when the book was written. Some scholars have dated the book to the ninth century BC and others to the postexilic period (fifth of fourth centuries BC). The language of the book is very similar to what we see in other prophetic books, namely Amos, Micah, Zephaniah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. This does not help us date Joel, however, since it is unclear which books are dependent on others.

The main theme in Joel is the “Day of the Lord,” which refers to God’s coming judgment. This judgment is described as a locust invasion in chapters 1 and 2. Interpreters are divided as to whether these locusts are to be understood literally or symbolic of some foreign power, namely Babylon, Persian, Greece, or Rome. The nation in question would depend on the date of the book. More ... click here

Date: 445 BC / Malachi probably around 433 to 430 BC 

Reading | Malachi - be faithful to the Lord, judgement is coming; repent; God is merciful; judgement is coming; Joel - mourning over a plague; Locust invade like an army; call to repentance; restoration in God; promise of the spirit of God to all in those days; everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; judgement against the nations; blessings for God's people; The Lord dwells in Zion!

Source | Tyndale | The One Year Chronological Bible NIV | ISBN 978-1-4143-5993-9 

If you have done the reading, congratulations, you have read the whole Hebrew Bible/Old Testament!!

Next |  Day 267 | Thursday | September 24 |
Mark 1: 1 
Luke 1: 1-4 
John 1: 1-18
Matthew 1: 1-17 
Luke 3: 23b-38 
Luke 1: 5-25, 26-38 
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Read and pray the Daily Office this morning - click here
Listen and pray the Daily Office this morning - click here 
Participate and pray the Daily Office at 900 am ET this morning online - click here

For our Country

Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech you that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion us into one united people. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in you to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source | Mission St Clare | Click here