Today’s Bible Reading

September 26

Old Testament I
1 Kings 18
1 Kings 18 describes the showdown between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. At the time, the people of Israel had turned away from God and were worshiping idols, particularly the god Baal.

Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to a test to see whose God was truly the most powerful. They both built altars and placed wood and a sacrifice on them, but did not light the fire. Elijah allowed the prophets of Baal to go first and they spent hours praying and dancing around their altar, but nothing happened.

Then, Elijah prayed to God and immediately fire came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifice, wood, stones, and water that had been poured on the altar. The people of Israel then recognized that the Lord was the true God and they turned back to him.

Elijah then ordered the execution of the prophets of Baal, and rain finally came to end a three-year drought.


Old Testament II
Jeremiah 46, 47
Jeremiah 46 and 47 contain prophecies concerning Egypt and Philistia respectively.

In chapter 46, Jeremiah receives a message from the Lord concerning Egypt. He predicts that Egypt will be defeated in battle by Babylon, and that their cities and people will suffer great devastation. The Lord declares that He will take vengeance on Egypt, and that Babylon will be His instrument of judgment. Even though Egypt had a reputation as a powerful nation, the Lord reminds them that they are not invincible, and that He will bring them down.

In chapter 47, Jeremiah prophesies against the Philistines. He predicts that they too will suffer defeat and devastation at the hands of Babylon. The Lord declares that He will bring an end to the power of the Philistines, and that they will no longer be a threat to Israel. Even though the Philistines were known for their military might and wealth, they too would be brought low.

Both chapters remind the reader of the sovereignty of God and the consequences of disobedience to His will. The message is clear: even the most powerful nations are subject to the judgment of God if they turn away from Him.

New Testament
Hebrews 1
Hebrews 1 is a chapter that focuses on the supremacy of Jesus Christ over all things. The chapter begins by stating that in the past, God spoke to the people through prophets, but in these last days, He has spoken to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. The author of Hebrews then proceeds to describe the Son as the exact representation of God's nature and the one through whom God created the world.

The author goes on to describe the exalted status of the Son, stating that He is seated at the right hand of God, far above all angels. The author emphasizes that the Son is greater than the angels because He has inherited a more excellent name than they have, which is the name of Son.

The author of Hebrews also emphasizes that the Son is the object of worship and adoration, not the angels. The author quotes several Old Testament passages to show that even the angels worship and serve the Son.

In conclusion, Hebrews 1 establishes the superiority of Jesus Christ over all things, including the angels. The chapter shows that Jesus is the exact representation of God's nature, the one through whom God created the world, and the one who has inherited a more excellent name than the angels. The chapter emphasizes that the Son is the object of worship and adoration and calls on the readers to hold fast to their confession of faith in Him.