angela hormberg

Category: Bible

  • 2025 Rtb: Job 38-39

    2025

    Read Through the Bible

    Day 6: Job 38-39

    “Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me” (Job 38:1-3).

    With that, God begins to question Job. As Matthew Henry noted, “…but when God took the throne, Job had nothing to say in his own defence, but was silent before Him” (168). Chapter 38 includes God’s line of questioning is intended to highlight how little Job knew about:

    1. “He knew nothing of the founding of the earth”
    2. “He knew nothing of the limiting of the sea”
    3. “He knew nothing of the morning light”
    4. “He knew nothing of the dark recesses of the sea and the earth”
    5. “He knew nothing of the springs in the clouds, nor the secret counsels by which they are directed”
    6. “He could do nothing towards the production of rain or frost or lightning, nothing towards the directing of the stars or their influences, nothing towards the making of his own soul”
    7. And, lastly, he could not provide for the lions or the ravens” (Henry 168).

    In Job 39, “God proceeds here to show Job what little reason he had to charge [God] with unkindness who was so compassionate to the inferior creatures and took such a tender care of them, or to boast of himself, and his own good deeds before God, which were nothing to the divine mercies” (Henry 168). Jesus makes a similar point in Matthew 10:29-30 “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”

    These words are a comfort and a warning at the same time. We trust in God’s faithfulness, when we consider all that He tends to. He sees all and knows all.

    Lord, help me to find comfort in Your attending to all things. Help me to be like Job: silent in Your presence, contemplating all Your works. Help me to remember You. Help me to be humble.

    Henry, Matthew. “Volume 3: Job to Song of Solomon.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • 2025 Rtb: Job 1-2

    2025

    Read Through the Bible

    Day 5: Job 1-2

    “Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly” (Job 1:20-22)

    “But [Job] said unto [his wife], Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips” (Job 2:10).

    Both of these scriptures stood out to me as models for how to respond in suffering.

    Matthew Henry notes, “[Job] was sincere in his religion; he was perfect; not sinless, as he himself owns (Job 9:20)If I say I am perfect, I shall be proved perverse. But, having a respect to all God’s commandments, aiming at perfection, he was really as good as he seemed to be, and did not dissemble in his profession of piety; his heart was sound and his eye single. Sincerity is gospel perfection. I [Matthew Henry] know no religion without it” (3).

    Here Job’s sincerity is tested, and he is proved faithful.

    This is challenging. How will I react in the face of adversity? Will my heart prove true.

    Oh, Lord, please make my heart true and sincere. Draw me close to you. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

    Henry, Matthew. “Volume 3: Job to Song of Solomon.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • 2025 Rtb: Genesis 8-9

    2025

    Read Through the Bible

    Day 4: Genesis 8-9

    “And God remembered Noah” (Genesis 8).

    What an interesting way to begin the chapter. Does God forget man?

    According to Matthew Henry, “This is an express after the manner of men; for not any of his creatures, much less any of his people are forgotten of God” (Henry 52). Henry cites Luke 12:6 “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of this is forgotten before God?” and Isaiah 49:15 “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she sould not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.”

    So, if God does not forget man, what do we do with Genesis 8:1? Matthew Henry writes, “Noah himself, though one that had found grace in the eyes of the Lord, yet seemed to be forgotten in the ark, and perhaps began to think himself so; for we do not find that God told him how long he should be confined and when he should be released. Very good men have sometimes been ready to conclude themselves forgotten of God, especially when their afflictions have been unusually grievous and long. Perhaps Noah, though a great believer, yet when he found the flood continuing so long after it might reasonably be presumed to have done its work, was tempted to fear lest he that shut him i would keep him in, and began to expostulate, How long wilt thou forget me? But at length God returned in mercy to him, and this is expressed by remembering him. Note, Those that remember God shall certainly be remembered by him, how desolate and disconsolate soever their condition may be. He will appoint them a set time and remember them” (52). Henry cites Job 14:13 “O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep ,e secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!”

    Henry, Matthew. “Volume 1: Genesis.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • 2025 Rtb: Genesis 5-7

    2025

    Read Through the Bible

    Day 3: Genesis 5-7

    Genesis 5 covers the family line from Adam to Noah. Genesis 6 and 7 provide the account of the flood.

    “And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him” (Genesis 7:5).

    Here we have a model of obedience given to us in the Old Testament: Noah. Noah received what God told him and did according to God’s instructions. We are told “Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations and Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6:9). Contrast this with the men of Noah’s time, who was wicked and “every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5).

    Later, Christ came as the ultimate model of obedience, even unto death. Christ knew God’s word intimately and was able to counter Satan’s misuse of it, when being tempted, and understand and employ God’s word correctly. Christ was a man of prayer, often going off alone to pray. In his final hours with his disciples at the Mount of Olives, he instructed them, “Pray that ye not enter into temptation” (Luke 22:40).

    Heeding Christ’s command is essential in life. In order to avoid being like those, who died in the flood during the days of Noah and whose every thought was evil continually, we must seek to be in prayer and occupied with things of God, so we avoid temptation.

    Lord, help me to bring into captivity every thought and pray continually, so that my mind is fixed on You and things above. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

    Henry, Matthew. “Volume 1: Genesis.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • 2025 Rtb: Genesis 3-4

    2025

    Read Through the Bible

    Day 2: Genesis 3-4

    Genesis 3 opens with the serpent. The author of Genesis immediately alerts the reader in verse 1 that the serpent is not trustworthy, when he calls him ‘subtile’, which means cunning or crafty, and, from the interaction between the serpent and Eve, we observe the serpent’s craftiness. The serpent doesn’t outright direct Eve to eat of the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:17), but he draws her eyes and her attention to the tree and its fruit. Matthew Henry gives good advice in this area, “Those that would not eat the forbidden fruit must not come near the forbidden tree. Avoid it, pass not by it, (Prov 4.15)” (Henry 18).

    Yesterday, I focused on the command God gave Adam regarding the trees in the Garden:

    “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:17).

    However, when the serpent asked Eve, “Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” (Genesis 3:1b), Eve incorrectly recollects the command and responds:

    “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hat said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die” (Genesis 3:2-3).

    Eve, unfortunately, added “neither shall ye touch it”. Matthew Henry notes, “Neither shall you not touch it, seems to have been added with good intention, not (as some think) tacitly to reflect upon the command as too strict…but to make a fence about it: ‘We must not eat, therefore we will not touch. It is forbidden in the highest degree, and the authority of the prohibition is sacred to us’ ” (Henry 18). However, Eve meant it, the serpent did not relent and seized his opportunity to draw her to doubt and temptation: “Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” (Gen 3:4-5).

    This is a good place to stop and ponder how we are drawn to temptation. Like Eve, we know the path of obedience, but we are led astray by:

    • Our reason
      • “the tree was good for food” (3:6)
    • Our eyes, our senses
      • “it was pleasant to the eyes (3:6)
    • Our selfish desires
      • “a tree to be desired to make one wise” (3:6)

    “It is a dangerous thing to treat with a temptation, which ought at first to be rejected with disdain and abhorrence” (Henry 18).

    Lord, help me to set my gaze upon you and not be beguiled by my own reason, senses and desires. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

    Henry, Matthew. “Volume 1: Genesis.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • 2025 Rtb: Genesis 1-2

    2025

    Read Through the Bible

    Genesis 1-2

    Here begins the 2025 Read Through the Bible journey. Genesis 1 and 2 lay a foundation for all that is to come in the remaining 65 books of the Bible and the rest of human history.

    “In the beginning God created” (Genesis 1:1)

    Chapter 1 is a record of the first six days of creation. Chapter 2 opens with Day 7 being declared sacred and holy and a day of rest and provides a more detailed record of the first days of Adam and Eve.

    Between these first two chapters, the first that stood out most to me was 2:17

    “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:17).

    Later, this verse will be important, because Eve incorrectly refers to it, when she is speaking to the serpent. God was speaking to Adam, when he issued this command. Did Adam confuse the command when retelling it to Eve? Did Eve inaccurately understand the command, when Adam was retelling it to her? Did she intentionally choose to misrepresent the command to the serpent? This side of eternity we will never know. But it is good to be reminded of the true command.

    It is important to attend to what we are reading, so that we may correctly represent God’s words to unbelievers, who may not have a Bible and be able to recall it to ourselves, when we are in need. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Paul instructs Timothy that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works”. Accuracy is important in hiding God’s word in our hearts and instructing others in the ways of righteousness.

    Recently, I have been convicted of my lack in the area of scripture memorization. It is my desire to intentionally increase the number of scripture verses I have stored up. This verse is a reminder to attend and memorize these verses with accuracy.

    Lord, help me to know your Word and store it in my heart that you may use it to teach, correct and reprove me, as needed.

    Henry, Matthew. “Genesis.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Bible Reading Plan

    How to create a Bible reading plan

    Today, while looking for a Bible Reading Plan for the New Year, I found a great website: Bible Reading Plan Generator.

    Here is a quick look:

    There are several things I like about this generator:

    • Ease of use
    • Start any day of the year
    • Choice of time frame for your reading plan
      • it doesn’t have to be 365 days; it could be more or less
    • Choice of format
      • Calendar
      • List
      • Weeks
      • Book
      • Circle
    • Choice of which Bible Books to include
    • Choice of days of the week for reading – it doesn’t have to include every day
    • Choice of more options
      • checkbox
      • colors
      • daily Psalm
      • daily Proverb
      • and more…..

    So, no matter when you begin, you can tailor the Bible reading plan to your needs and tastes.

    Works Cited

    Dyer, John. “Bible Reading Plan Generator”. Accessed 1 Jan 2025. https://biblereadingplangenerator.com/

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • “Genesis” – Commonplace

    These commonplace quotes are taken from Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Helps, King James Version.

    • 1:1 “In the beginning God created” (1)
    • 2:4 “These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created” (3)
    • 2:10 “And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads” (3)
    • 2:15 “And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and keep it”
    • 2:17 “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (3)
    • 2:18 “And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make an help meet for him. (3)
    • 2:23-24 “And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (4)
    • 3:1 “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God made” (4)
    • 3:7 “And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked” (4)
    • 3:16 “Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee” (5)
    • 3:19 “…till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return” (5)
    • 3:24 “So he drove out the man” (5)
    • 3:24 “…and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life” (5)

    Works Cited

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2024 Angela Hormberg

  • “Genesis” – Favorite Footnotes

    Following are some of my favorite footnotes from my Zondervan NIV Study Bible:

    • Genesis 1:1-2:3
      • “In the ancient Near East, most of the peoples had myths relating how the world came to be.  Prevalent in those myths were accounts of how one of the gods triumphed over a fierce and powerful beast that represented disorder, then fashioned the ordered world that people knew, and finally was proclaimed by the other gods to be the divine “king” over the world he had created – a position ever subject to the forces of disorder.
      • Over against all those pagan myths, the author of Genesis taught a radically new doctrine of creation: The one and only true God did not have to overcome a mighty cosmic champion of chaos but simply by a series of his royal creation decrees called into being the ordered world, the visible kingdom that those decrees continue to uphold and govern.  The author teaches this doctrine of creation in the form of a narrative that recounts the story of God’s creative acts.  The author narrates those acts from the perspective of one who was an eyewitness to events in God’s royal council chamber, where he issues his creative decrees.  For a similar narrative perspective see Job 1:6-12, 2:1-6.”

    Zondervan NIV Study Bible. Edited by Kenneth L. Barker, et.al. Zondervan, 2002.

    © 2024 Angela Hormberg

  • “Genesis” – Notes

    The following notes are taken from my Zondervan NIV Study Bible from “Introduction:Genesis”.

    “Author and Date of Writing” section

    • Moses was the author (2)
    • “4th year of Solomon’s reign was the same as the 480 year after the Exodus” relates to 1 Kings. Thus “Exodus 1446 BC (2)
    • “40 years of desert wanderings 1446 – 1406” (2)

    “Theological Theme and Message” section

    • Relationships (2)
      • “God and creation”
      • “God and humankind”
      • “Relationships between humankind”
    • Monotheistic God
      • vs. polytheistic “many gods” (2)
      • vs. atheist “no god” (2)
      • vs. pantheistic “everything is Divine” (2)
    • 10 Main sections each beginning with the word “account”
      • 1:1-11:26 primeval account

    “Literary Features” Section

    • “The narrative frequently concentrates on the life of a later son in preference to a first born.” (3)
    • prose punctuated by poetry
    • “vertical and horizontal parallelism between the two sets of three days” (3)
    • “ebb and flow of sin and judgment” (3)
      • “(the serpent and woman and man sin successively; then God questions them in reverse order; then he judges them” (3)
    • “powerful monotony of ‘then he died’” @ the end of paragraphs in ch 5 (3)
    • “the climactic hinge effect of the phrase ‘But God remembered Noah’ (8:1) at the midpoint of the flood story” (3)
    • “the hourglass structure of the account of the tower of Babel in 11:1-9” (3)
    • “the alternation between brief accounts about 1st born sons and lengthy accounts about younger sons” (3)
    • “subjects in first three chapters of Genesis repeated in last three chapters of Revelation” (3)

    Works Cited

    Zondervan NIV Study Bible. Edited by Kenneth L. Barker, et.al. Zondervan, 2002.

    © 2024 Angela Hormberg