TODAY'S BIBLE READING

OLD TESTAMENT I
Numbers 21
Numbers 21 is a chapter in the book of Numbers in the Old Testament of the Bible. This chapter contains several events that occurred during the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Here is a brief Bible exposition of Numbers 21:

In verses 1-3, we read that the Canaanite king of Arad attacked the Israelites and took some of them captive. The Israelites then prayed to God for help, and God delivered the Canaanites into their hands.

In verses 4-9, we read about the incident with the bronze serpent. The Israelites grew impatient with their journey and spoke against God and Moses. As a result, God sent poisonous snakes among them, and many of them died. The Israelites then repented and asked Moses to intercede for them. God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. Anyone who was bitten by a snake could look at the bronze serpent and be healed.

In verses 10-20, we read about the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. They traveled from Mount Hor to the Red Sea, then around the land of Edom. Along the way, they complained about the lack of food and water, and God provided for them with manna from heaven and water from a rock.

In verses 21-35, we read about the Israelites' battles with Sihon and Og, two kings of the Amorites. The Israelites requested safe passage through their lands, but the kings refused and attacked the Israelites. God gave the Israelites victory over the Amorites, and they took possession of their land.

In summary, Numbers 21 shows us that the Israelites faced many challenges during their journey through the wilderness, but God was with them and provided for their needs. It also teaches us about the importance of repentance and faith in God, as demonstrated in the incident with the bronze serpent. Finally, it highlights God's faithfulness to keep his promises to the Israelites and give them possession of the Promised Land.

OLD TESTAMENT II
Proverbs 18
Proverbs 18 emphasizes the importance of seeking wisdom and guarding one's speech. It highlights the destructive power of words and the value of listening and understanding. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of humility, seeking counsel, and having a positive outlook. Overall, Proverbs 18 teaches that wise words and actions lead to life and blessings, while foolishness and carelessness lead to destruction and harm.

NEW TESTAMENT
James 4
James 4 exhorts believers to resist worldliness, submit to God, and cultivate humility. The chapter begins with James addressing conflicts and quarrels among the believers, which stem from their desires for worldly pleasures and their failure to seek God's will. James reminds them that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

James then urges the believers to resist the devil and draw near to God through repentance and submission. He emphasizes the need to cleanse their hearts and purify their motives, recognizing that friendship with the world is enmity with God.

James also warns against judgmental attitudes and presumptuous planning, urging the believers to trust in God's sovereignty and submit to His will. He exhorts them to live in humility and dependence on God, recognizing that their lives are but a vapor.

Finally, James admonishes the believers to not boast about their plans and accomplishments, but rather to acknowledge their dependence on God for their very existence. He concludes the chapter by reminding them that failing to do good when they know the right thing to do is sin.