Daily Bible Reading

God’s Guiding Word: Prayer Introduction Esther 6:14—7:10: Esther invites the king and Haman to a second banquet and tells the king about the plot to destroy her people. When she reveals that Haman instigated this plot, the king orders that Haman be executed on the very gallows Haman had built for Mordecai. Today’s Key Verse: […]

God’s Guiding Word: Prayer Introduction Esther 6:1–13: The king reads the official records of the empire and learns of how Mordecai thwarted a plot to kill him (see Esther 2:21–23). The king orders Haman to have Mordecai honored, much to Haman’s embarrassment. Today’s Key Verse: Esther 6:11b [Haman announced]: “See how the king rewards a […]

God’s Guiding Word: Prayer Introduction Esther 5:1–14: In today’s reading, Esther begins her plan to save the Jews by inviting the king and Haman to a banquet. The chapter concludes with Haman plotting to kill Mordecai. Today’s Key Verse: Esther 5:2 When the king saw Queen Esther standing outside, she won his favor, and he […]

God’s Guiding Word: Prayer Introduction Esther 4:1–17: Mordecai informs Esther of the king’s proclamation, and he entreats her to speak to the king. Esther indicates that to do so puts her life at risk. Today’s Key Verse: Esther 4:14b [Mordecai said to Esther]: “Maybe it was for a time like this that you were made […]

God’s Guiding Word: Prayer Introduction Esther 3:1–15: The king promotes Haman to the position of prime minister and orders all officials to show Haman respect by kneeling and bowing to him. Mordecai refuses, infuriating Haman. When Haman learns that Mordecai is a Jew, he makes plans to have all the Jews throughout the Persian empire […]

God’s Guiding Word: Prayer Introduction Esther 2:1–23: The events in the book of Esther take place among the Jewish diaspora community in the Persian empire during the reign of Xerxes (486–465 B.C.). The story centers around a Jewish woman who becomes queen of Persia and who rescues her people from genocide. The opening chapter describes […]

God’s Guiding Word: Prayer Introduction Nehemiah 10:28–39: Today’s reading outlines the terms of the agreement from yesterday’s reading (9:38). The people take an oath to live according to God’s Law and promise to keep all of God’s laws and requirements. The reading concludes with the people promising not to neglect the house of their God. […]

God’s Guiding Word: Prayer Introduction Nehemiah 9:26–38: Today’s reading continues the people’s prayer of confession. It includes a summary of the people’s disobedience and their subsequent suffering, God’s mercy in sending them leaders and prophets, and concludes with the people agreeing to keep God’s Law. Scripture Reading 26 “But your people rebelled and disobeyed you;    they turned […]

God’s Guiding Word: Prayer Introduction Nehemiah 9:1–25: In today’s reading, the people have heard Ezra read the Law (see Nehemiah 8:1–12 from yesterday’s reading), and they respond with worship, prayer, and confession. The prayer in this passage is a summary of God’s faithfulness, including creation, the promise to Abraham, the exodus from Egypt, the 40 […]

God’s Guiding Word: Prayer Introduction Nehemiah 8:1–18: The books of Ezra and Nehemiah were originally one book. The book of Nehemiah was written to continue the history of the Israelites after their return to Jerusalem from Babylonia, the beginning of which is recorded in the book of Ezra (see Ezra 8:1–36). Nehemiah, a Jew, was […]