Dave Miller's 2025 Bible Reading Challenge

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Exodus 5-8 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     When you do the right thing and serve God, everything will work out fine, right? If you believe that you haven't read today's reading. Moses finally gave in and went to Egypt in obedience to God, confronting Pharaoh - that's when Murphy's Law took over. Anything that could go wrong did go wrong. Pharaoh did not accept Moses' terms and heaped a greater burden on Israel. Now they had to make their full quota of bricks, but gather their own straw. They turned on Moses pretty ...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :     Exodus 1-4 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     We enter the book of Exodus, perhaps the most dramatic book of the Bible. As the Cross is the focus of our salvation experience, the Red Sea was Israel's. Over and over again, God would remind Israel of his love and faithfulness demonstrated to Moses and the people as he led them out of Egypt, through the Sea on dry ground, and eventually to the Promised Land. In these first four chapters, we meet Moses, born under oppression as a Jewish slave. He is hidden by his mother...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Genesis 46-50 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     This reading wraps up Genesis as Jacob is moved to Egypt to be reunited with his son Joseph and there is great rejoicing. He blesses his sons, though some of those blessings are questionable as blessings - they read more like curses! Finally, Jacob dies and is taken back to his homeland for burial.  That's when the sneaky brothers show themselves again, telling Joseph a story about how their father had left instructions to forgive them. He once again expresses his faith...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Genesis 42-45 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     We encounter one of the truly entertaining stories in the Bible today - Joseph's interaction with the brothers who betrayed him. They'd assumed he was long dead and gone and had no idea that the powerful ruler they were encountering was the little brother they'd hated and sold into slavery. Joseph knew, though, and he tricked them. Was he justified in the tricks he played on them? He could have just revealed himself at the start and been reunited, but he chose to hide his id...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Genesis 37-41 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The story of Joseph, which begins in these chapters and carries on through the end of the book of Genesis, is fascinating and powerful. He is given great promises by God, then is sold by his brothers, imprisoned because of lies, and forgotten by one he helped. Then, when God was ready for him, he was elevated to the position God had promised to give him. There are several lessons we learn from Joseph's life: God's promises are trustworthy even if they are delayed or if circu...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Genesis 31-36 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Jacob finally decided to return home and face the music. Decades had passed, and he wanted to see his family again. He separated from Laban (and some of his scheming past came out) and headed back. Surprisingly, Esau welcomed him back, and all was forgiven. The most significant aspect of these readings is the two encounters Jacob has with God at Bethel (House of God), one in chapter 32 and the second in chapter 35. In the first, Jacob wrestles with God, and finally, he encou...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Genesis 26-30 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Jacob's story is one of redemption and transformation. You and I wouldn't have much liked him. He was a momma's boy and a schemer. They named him Jacob, a word that carried that meaning, and he fulfilled his name. He manipulated his brother out of his birthright and stole the blessing of his father. When he fled north to Abraham's ancestral home, he was schemed against by Laban and married his two wives, beginning his family. We also see here the beginning of the change of a...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :     Genesis 22-25 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The most significant story in today's reading and one of the greatest in the entire Bible is Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son, Isaac, out of obedience to God. God provides a ram to die in place of his son - a symbol we can hardly miss. The death of Sarah and Abraham's choice of a wife (Rebekah) for Isaac follows, along with some genealogical information. Daily Devotional:   Early in the Morning I believe the Bible is true from cover to cover, but there ...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Genesis 17-21 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Our reading today has several familiar stories. Chapter 17 reveals the practice of circumcision that would become such a key element in both the law and the New Testament church's struggles. In chapter 18, God sends 3 angels to tell Abraham that he will have a son. Sarah laughs at the idea of a 90-year-old woman having a baby, and this becomes the basis for their son's name, Isaac. Then, the angels have a more serious message. They reveal God's plan to destroy Sodom and Gomo...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Genesis 12-16 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Genesis 12-15 reveals what is often called the Abrahamic covenant. In Genesis 12:1-3, God gives to Abram three blessings. First, he gives Abram a land that he would show him. Second, he promised that he would become a great nation - an amazing promise to a childless man. Finally, he promised that he would bless Abraham and, through Abraham, he would bless the world. Land. Seed. Blessing. In Chapter 15, the covenant is confirmed and expanded. God gave to Abraham and his desce...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :     Job 38-42 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     We come today to the happy ending of the painful story of Job. It is easy to get the wrong idea. Yes, God restores Job and gives him a "double portion" of what was taken from him. But this book is not about how to get back the stuff that hard times have taken. It isn't about material things or even overcoming trials. It is about a man coming to a right understanding of God and of his place in God's world. Job began with a love for God but a lousy understanding of him. By ...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Job 32-37 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Our reading today covers the lengthy sermon of the mysterious character known as Elihu. He may be a relative   of Abraham, based on the brief biography given of him in 32:2. Buz was a son of Abraham's brother Nahor, and Elihu is described as a Buzite. He is a younger man, which is why he sits by observing the conversation between Job and the three friends, waiting until they finish to speak his mind. When he speaks, though, he does not hold back. He confronts the three...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Job 25-31 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Another long reading. If you can only read a portion, focus on chapters 29-31, Job's final speech, which summarizes his case. Background:     Here, at the end of the third cycle, the reader might notice that Zophar does not speak. At the end of chapter 26, where we would expect a response, there is nothing. That may be the most eloquent and awful speech of all. Job's friends had given up. "Job is too far gone - he is not worth the trouble anymore." It is not that Zophar did not speak - silence ...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Job 19-24 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The second cycle ends, and the third begins. Job's speeches reveal increasing anger - he says shocking things about God here. We are in the heart and soul of the book of Job, the part most people skip over. It is stunning the things that Job says, not just to his friends, but to God.  What is astounding is that God ministers to Job in the end. He does not zap Job with lightning bolts! God's grace is truly amazing. Job levels some harsh accusations against God in these excha...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Job 15-18 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     What was the core problem with the theology of Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar? They, like almost everyone who proclaims false doctrine, had a nugget of truth in their message. Tragedy and hardship are a product of sin. Adam and Eve's rebellion brought a curse. Disease, disaster, and death all find their roots in the sin of mankind. But they posited a one-to-one correspondence. If I do good things, only good things will happen to me. If bad things happen, it is because I did bad thi...