January 16, 2014

JANUARY 16

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

Genesis 32:13-34:31

Genesis 32:13-32

Vs. 13-21 Jacob sends Esau that day's equivalent to the "12 Days of Christmas." It's interesting to see how Jacob, a veteran herdsman, grouped these droves, even in terms of female to male ratios. I wonder why there were no male camels mentioned.

V. 20 There is certainly a cultural dance taking place here, but more importantly, Jacob is trying to appease Esau. I'm more impressed by what is missing. Any wife will tell you that "nothing says you're sorry, like saying you're sorry." The gifts were an interesting token, but the words never came. People secure in Christ should have boldness using that word.

Vs. 22-32 For us as disciples, the only lesson I can see here is that the Lord tests our tenacity. Faith is more often seen in persistence and endurance, than in genius and success. Apparently there was a folk legend of something like this. If you held the "spirit" until the light of dawn, it would grant your wish. I guess the Irish weren't too far off. Anyway, if so, God was using it and making a point with Jacob. This man would be the pre-incarnate Son of God. For Jesus I'm sure this was more like playing, trying to wrestle a sock away from a Jack Russell Terrier; but He wanted to see how persistent Jacob would be in pursuing God's blessing.

V. 28 This is the birth of the name Israel. What a name and how true it has been. And Israel has been striving with men and God ever since. Jacob's striving with God was in "taking" the blessing rather than waiting on God and receiving it in obedience. (Think about this when you read about the kingdom suffering violence below.) The prevailing is seen in his perseverance. He outlasted man, and even in his disobedience there was a faith in the promise that stayed alive. Isn't it interesting that the name came out of strife and contention, and it will be this way until Christ returns? Israel has been and will be a focus of fighting in the world, and it has been and will be the focus of spiritual aggression against God. But as the name suggests, with God's help, they will prevail.

God gave Jacob a constant reminder of this day and the blessing pronounced on him. What an interesting "reminder" to give to a scoundrel. This limp would be a permanent, lifelong disability. With every limp, Jacob would be reminded of his wrestling and contending with God and man and the words of blessing from the angel. This promise of blessing on Jacob would not end his woes. Oddly, the hip disorder was going to slow him down to make him less "tricky," and it would be a reminder to depend on God. Whether Jacob actually becomes more "spiritual" is doubtful.

You've got to laugh at God's timing. On the day when Esau is coming with 400 men, running the hundred in 13 seconds would be a handy skill; but Jacob is now disabled, though blessed, by God.

Genesis 33

Vs. 1-17 I'm sad every year when I read this. Here comes Esau, like a big, friendly, drooling St. Bernard, running up to Jacob, hugging him, and crying on him. Then there is Jacob, blessed, yet with ulcers and a bad conscience. And Jacob has a totally unfriendly, suspicious and "stiff-arming" manner.

It was actually the Lord who soothed Esau. His blessing Esau had allowed Esau to forgive. Also, it doesn't seem that Esau had a complicated and conniving nature, so he might not have been disposed to holding on to grudges.

Jacob never says he's sorry or that what he did was wrong. (Keep this in mind when you read the next few dysfunctional family adventures. The kids were like Dad, except for one notable exception.) Jacob's entire demeanor and desire is to be "accepted" and then left alone. This was all about him. The gifts were only manipulative. Since Jacob thought he had to forcefully get God’s blessing, he turned into this kind of a man. Esau looks good and honest. No ulcer there. But Jacob has masterminded his own little tragic life - rich, blessed, and miserable. And it will get worse.

Forcing the gifts on Esau was important to show socially that there was some sort of "good" relationship between the two parties. This is why Abraham refused the stuff from the king of Sodom. He didn't want to be shown as "bonded" to, or in agreement with, him. This is why both Pharaoh and Abimelech gave lavish gifts to Abe after Abe tricked them, to show that things had been smoothed. By taking these gifts, Esau was being forced by Jacob to show that all was well between them. Esau's greeting and actions show that all was already forgiven long before he saw the gifts. This looks like manipulation to me, and if so, Esau must have just smiled and thought, "Same old Jacob, poor guy."

Vs. 18-20 Now it is true that Jacob, like Abraham and Isaac before him, needed a large area where he could graze his herds. I'm surprised that Jacob settled near Shechem because his father Isaac was still alive, probably 75 miles south in Beersheba. Who knows what was going through his mind and why he didn't see his father. Did he still have a guilty conscience? I think Jacob was blessed by God, but cursed by his own deceitful nature. Jacob buying the land near Shechem meant that he needed it for grazing and that he would stay there. It would also allow him to trade with the people in Shechem. This is probably the acreage referred to in John 4.

Genesis 34

There must be a passage of time here. Just guessing, when Jacob returned, his oldest son Reuben would only have been about 13. If you look at the numbers mentioned previously, you can figure this out. Dinah might have been about 8 and Joseph would have been 6 when they entered the land. There must be about 10 years that have gone by, especially considering what Simeon and Levi were capable of.

Vs. 1-7 I've heard preachers "wax elephants" regarding Dinah meeting with the women of the land as being something wrong. I can't see it. Prince Shechem was obviously wrong, and he seems somewhat repentant and wants to do the right thing. We don't know enough to understand what Jacob keeping his peace meant. Jacob would have been there with all of his wives, so I'm sure Diane was comforted and they talked about the situation.

V. 7 The sons were not just very angry. They felt that war had been declared.

Vs. 8-12 Two wrongs don't make a right, but it does seem like Hamor and Shechem were sincere.

Vs. 13-17 If not for the word deceitfully in v. 13, we wouldn't know that anything was wrong here. I think they knew that father, son and the entire city would agree with their proposal. I don't agree with some who say the sons were surprised that Shechem agreed to this. I think this was premeditation and careful planning. These were the sons of Jacob, the trickster. They had grown up with the conflict and trickery between their mothers and the conflict and trickery between Jacob and Laban. They knew how to use conflict and trickery. As often happens, the sins of the fathers are magnified in the children.

Vs. 18-24 These people had no idea what was going to happen.

Vs. 25-31 Jacob took no real leadership to bring the situation to a conclusion. In that leadership vacuum, Simeon and Levi, "chips off the old block," took over; but as it often is when sin is out of control, they went way beyond Dad. After Simeon and Levi killed all the men (Jacob mentions later that in their murderous rage they also crippled the animals), the other brothers were lined up and ready with their shopping carts at the city gate. They entered the city and did "supermarket sweep," looting the dead bodies, houses and markets. The neighbors would learn that this was "No Ordinary Family."

V. 30 Notice in Jacob's words, there is no regard for God. Jacob is worried about himself. Notice how often he says me, my, and I.

V. 31 Their words to Jacob, after he rebukes them, lacks an "I'm sorry." This was just like Jacob, who was no better with apologies. Jacob's woes aren't through. Now this dysfunctional family has two unrepentant murderers.

Matthew 11:7-30

Jesus is very pointed in this section. John the Baptist ended an era, so to speak. In v. 13 Jesus says, all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. As disciples, we are living "at the end of the age" and have a very important role and place in God's continuing work.

Vs. 7-11 Although the people went to see John for various reasons, John the Baptist was the final prophet of the Old Testament period. He fulfilled both Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3. Then Jesus goes on to say that John the Baptist was the greatest of all men ever born before the new covenant. If you think that over, that is a pretty huge declaration. There were great men who lived before John, but John had the greatest task and honor of all men before him. He was the messenger sent to introduce Israel to the Messiah, the seed of Abraham and the son of the woman who would deliver mankind.

And then in a very brief way, Jesus says that all who are born of the Spirit by faith in Jesus are greater than John. Spiritual birth trumps physical birth. It is an amazing privilege to be born of the Son to follow Him in the harvest.

Vs. 12-15 I think this expresses the conflict between worshiping God by the law and rituals, and worshiping God in Spirit and in truth. Jesus introduced the latter. John concluded the former. Elijah was the prophet used by God to try to turn the northern kingdom of Israel back to God before their punishment. John the Baptist was used to attempt the same in his generation. Jesus said that the blood of all the prophets shed from the foundation of the earth would be required of that particular generation of Jews that would kill both John and Him. That punishment was finalized in 70 A.D. when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple.

Vs. 16-17 That generation was treating the messages of both men in a trivial, childish way, insisting that both John and Jesus should conform to what the people expected and wanted. It was really a matter of life and death. The people should have been alert and ready to respond.

Vs. 18-19 John was criticized because he was very strict. Jesus was criticized because he ate rich food, drank wine and associated with tax collectors and sinners. Apparently these were "reasons" John and Jesus were not taken seriously. John didn't join in the excesses of the culture and Jesus didn't join in shunning people. He mixed freely with them. Note on v. 18 - Luke 7:33 adds to John the Baptist’s description and says, eating no bread and drinking no wine. Jesus was the opposite of John.

Yet as much as people could reject John and Jesus for not dancing to their tune, they knew inwardly that both of these men were acting from God. In particular, the works Jesus was doing from the Father couldn't be denied.

Vs. 20-24 This is pretty straightforward. We've just read about Sodom. Can you imagine that?

Vs. 25-26 God intentionally blinds those who are "wise and understanding" in their own eyes. This happens even among His own children.

V. 27 On the one hand, this will make you a good Calvinist; but on the other, if you read John 6, Jesus says the same things but seems to imply that there is a response of faith. If a person welcomes the Word of the Son, the Father reveals the Son and the Son in turn reveals the Father. If that acceptance and welcoming faith is not present, no amount of hovering around Jesus brings a person closer. The Father doesn't grant access to the Son.

Vs. 28-30 The rest is the promise of rest in the battle. Notice the order: Come to me, then take my yoke, then learn from me and then I will give you rest. I heard this preached by Tony Evans once and it was amazing. If you don't have the devotion and relationship, learning is just effort and feeds only the mind. You have to come to Him and want Him and be submitted to Him in devotion, taking His yoke. If this isn't first, learning just makes you hard and proud. And then, you have to learn from Him. You have to submit to His Word and His way. As Evans said, "Don't go asking Him to do things your way or bless your way. He'll tell you that your way doesn't work and it hasn't been working. No, you've got to do things His way. You learn from Him." And then, and only then, do you get the rest. And this rest comes in a chaotic world. The world doesn't change, we do.

As we've seen in Genesis and in the Psalms, the real rest of God works even when there is no safety or security. That rest is in Jesus Himself because we belong to Him, following Him in the harvest, looking forward to His return.

Psalm 14

Vs. 1-4 Paul uses the words of this psalm in Romans 3 to show that all men, both Jews and Greeks, are under the power of sin. Only God can break that power, but for all men, including disciples, that power is still there. The answer is that now in Christ, for us, there is forgiveness, and the power of sin is broken by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The true cure comes when our bodies are "redeemed," in being resurrected.

Vs. 5-7 But in spite of all the hardship, David was confident that God would deliver and the people would once again rejoice.

Proverbs 3:19-20

Isn't it interesting to have this proverb, following the psalm that says, the fool says in his heart, 'there is no God.’ If I found a pencil lying on a desk and tried to convince people the pencil "just got there, that it just "happened" after 80 zillion years of evolution and earthly events," they would say I was a fool. Rational people would tell me the pencil needed an engineer to design it because it's really two halves glued together around that fabricated graphite core. Then it gets 12 coats of paint, etc. And then, someone had to put it on the desk.

No, the pencil is evidence of a designer, an engineer and a manufacturer. But those same people would say the world just happened. It is our sin that makes us fools. It is that desire to rebel against God regardless of the cost that is sin. Sin is the most powerful and deadly force on this planet. Why don't we have a world "Sin" day and put little black ribbons on all our products to remind us that we're fighting against sin? It is hard to fight against something you don't believe in.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this linkhttp://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comments or feedback todgkachikis@gmail.com.

If you would like documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download these to use on your computer or to print.

January 15, 2014

JANUARY 15

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

Genesis 31:17-32:12

This is an interesting story, but the drama was all unnecessary. Jacob had been told by God to return to Canaan and he knew of the promise to Abe, but being afraid and "helping God along" was just something Jacob did. Jacob could have prayed about this and could have sought God to "move" Laban's heart.

Genesis 31:17-55

Vs. 17-21 Road trip! Jacob "cleverly" waited until the right moment and grabbed everything and left. In this, both Rachel and Jacob were like Bonnie and Clyde. The word for stole in v. 19 and tricked in v. 20 is the same.

V. 19 The household gods had two purposes. First, they reminded you of a deity, like the old St. Christopher statues everyone used to have in their cars. This, of course, means they had idols. Jacob's kids will have them later.

Second, these statues were investments or heirlooms that were inherited. Rather than putting your extra savings in certificates or bonds, you made a statue of gold and put it up on the shelf for a rainy day. This is the real reason Laban was upset. Rachel's action was motivated by what she and Leah said yesterday, that their father had taken everything from them. It might also be her bitterness because of the famous "wedding night swap" Laban had pulled on her. In either case, this theft was "payback." Rachel's little trick to hide the thing in the saddlebag was a nice touch and she showed she was just like the "old man." If Laban had found out, he would have been proud…not.

Vs. 22-25 God saved the day by speaking to Laban, who, while not a spiritual man, was given the fear of God. Again, under more reasonable circumstances, God could have spoken to Laban back in Haran. It didn't have to be this way. God was allowing Jacob to be Jacob and Laban to be Laban, but made sure there was no injury.

Vs. 26-29 Although Laban wasn't a good guy, God could have made this work out to have been a celebration. Both men were responsible for their own ulcers. It is interesting that Laban relates the dream.

Vs. 30-35 Rachel outfoxed her dad.

Vs. 36-42 The indignation of the "false" claim launches Jacob into this very interesting summary of his 20 years of affliction.

Vs. 43-54 After Jacob's tirade in 36-42, Laban answers in v. 43 with, "whatever." Notice that there are no apologies of any kind given by either side. As disciples, there is certainly a place to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves," but the level of dishonesty and fear in this family has nothing to do with closely following Christ.

V. 44 Apparently one reason that Laban suggested this covenant was because of not finding the "gods." It might have been that after the death of Laban, if Jacob would have returned to Haran with that "heirloom," he could have claimed a part of the homestead.

V. 50 This is a very interesting condition, given that multiple wives was allowed in that culture. Laban didn't see that as an option, although this situation was kind of strange already. At least it was "family."

V. 52 This condition seems to be the one that would forbid Jacob from coming back to stake a claim in Laban's household.

V. 53 This gives the idea that although the promise of redemption was waning in importance in the family, there was still a remembrance of the line of faith, believing in the one true God.

Vs. 54-55 A happy ending of sorts.

Genesis 32:1-12

Jacob's next ulcer has to do with Esau.

Vs. 1-2 So, why do you think God did this? Apparently these were like the angels who visited Abraham. He must have known they were angels. It doesn't say this was a dream and it appears they met and talked with him. This would have been a great encouragement. This might be what finally gave Jacob the courage to do something right.

Vs. 3-5 Jacob could have snuck into the land, but chose to make contact with Esau.

Vs. 6-12 God drove Jacob to his knees. With Esau on his way with 400 men, Jacob got religion. This is God putting the fear of God in Jacob. Notice how Jacob appeals to God's promise and to all the encouragement He had given him. This was a very notable, good thing. After all of these years, Jacob finally claimed and clung to the promise.

If you had had the history with Esau that Jacob did, what message would you have sent to Esau? I love the surprise that is coming.

As disciples, it is easy to "cry out" when disaster threatens us. Even without an actual crisis, God encourages us to understand that our need is always desperate. We should always be crying out, always be knocking, asking and seeking. There is nothing that keeps the reality of this world and the sense of desperation in focus like working to reach lost people in the harvest. Our mission keeps our "eye sound" and it keeps us at our Savior's feet. You learn to take very little for granted, which also gives you more joy in appreciating the smallest of the blessings the Lord grants us.

Matthew 10:26-11:6

As Jesus is sending out the Twelve, He is bracing them for the rejection of men and living securely in the Father's care.

Matthew 10:26-33

Vs. 26-27 This would be addressing the fear of lies, injustice and false accusation. God knows, and for a disciple that reality is the only one that counts. Interestingly, later, Jesus uses this same illustration to warn them about being hypocrites.

Vs. 28-31 Here, Jesus is addressing their fear of death. Some translations say "Father's will" in v. 29. It is implied in the context and it is an amazing thought. Jacob would have benefited from that. But then, we know it and do we benefit from it? You wonder if Jesus smiled when He said they were of more value than many sparrows.

Vs. 32-33 Since God was sovereign and there was no cause to fear, there was also no cause to deny Jesus. The acknowledging and denying before the Father should be understood as Jesus interceding for that disciple in that hour of trial. If we acknowledge Him, He will give us what we need in the hour of need. If we deny Him to save ourselves from harm, we've helped ourselves and we don't need His help. And neither will we see His provision and glory as we would have had we acknowledged Him.

Vs. 34-36 This is a severe correction of their perspective, and ours too. The faithful expression of the truth will bring opposition.

Vs. 37-39 The cost of discipleship is everything. Jesus must be our first love. This is the flipside of what Jesus says in Luke 14:26 about a disciple having to hate his father and mother. The issue is who has the first and true love. The cross in v. 38 means the willingness to die, to give everything. In the Roman world, if you saw someone walking with a cross on their shoulder, they were walking to their death. That Jesus is talking about the willingness to give one's life in v. 38 is underscored by v. 39.

Vs. 40-42 This is true today and it will be very important in the Tribulation when the earth will be judged for how it treats God's people. Notice that there is no emphasis put on the skill of the disciple. They were just to say that the kingdom of God was coming and that people needed to turn to God. The receiving of that message was wholly on the hearers. Those who received the disciples would be rewarded.

This was Jesus' pep talk to the Twelve as He sent them out. What does the Lord want you to learn from this? What gives you confidence or courage? The very fact that Jesus is saying this means He knows He is going to send us into some tough, sometimes dangerous, situations. The hard part for us is realizing He might choose to use us and graduate us to heaven in the same instance we are speaking for Him, like He did with Stephen in Acts. Stephen died, but what we don't see is that a minute later he was getting "high fives" in heaven and was totally fulfilled and OK and finally on vacation from this mess.

Matthew 11: 1-6

V. 1 This should really end chapter 10. Notice that after Jesus oriented the Twelve and sent them out, He also went on teaching. This doesn't mean Jesus was alone. The group of disciples might have been 100 or more.

Vs. 2-6 It may be that John spent more time in jail than he did in ministry. His disciples told him everything, and it appears that John was suffering in the waiting. Not only this, it could be that John was being fed misinformation. In those dark days in the dungeon, I'm sure some temptation to doubt was present, to be embarrassed or offended at what he "heard" Jesus had done. When you read Psalm 13 and David's sorrow below, you'll probably have an idea of how John must have felt.

Jesus' answer was sufficient for John. These were things foretold that the Messiah would do. Verse 6 is clearly a warning to John to hold on in faith.

As disciples we can get down regarding our church or the lack of fruit we are seeing. Nothing cheers the heart like babies, that is, seeing new believers. Get out and find a place where life is happening. If you can't drive or fly there, get online and find out where it's happening and what the stories are. God is working and lives are being saved and changed, so look beyond your church or dungeon, and keep focused on our mission as disciples following Jesus in the harvest. Personally, draw close to Him. Keep on making every effort He'll let you make, and don't give up.

Knowing Jesus means following Him in His harvest making disciples. But this all has to remain very simple. It all rests on our love for Jesus, the joy of our salvation and sharing what we've received, so that others can receive it too.

Psalm 13:1-6

And having said that, isn't this a great psalm? Now, imagine that the thing you are totally longing for is to see Jesus' name lifted up and people saved and made disciples, and you want Him to do it through you. If you can desire all this, with the kind of longing expressed in this psalm, God will answer; and the forces working against you, spiritual and human, will be defeated.

Vs. 1-3 This psalm reflects a very dark night of the soul for David. Having received God's promise, it seems like God has turned His back on him. David couldn't understand the hardship he was facing, running for his life, living in total uncertainty, dwelling in caves.

Notice the three things David is hurting about, prefaced by the question how long. David was struggling not only with adversity, but with waiting.

Vs. 3-4 David needed an answer, some response from God that would re-ignite his hope. His fear is shown in v. 4. This reminds me of Paul's confidence in Philippians 1:20, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

Vs. 5-6 We have the benefit of seeing all the things God was doing during the time David was suffering. In particular God was teaching David the truth of these two verses.

Proverbs 3:16-18

This is a great expression of what it means to seek and hold on to wisdom. So practically, as disciples, where do we seek this wisdom?

He (God) is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made (that is, Jesus is) our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:30, RSV - Parenthetical notes are mine.)

Disciples seek and abide in Christ, following Him in the harvest.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this linkhttp://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comments or feedback todgkachikis@gmail.com.

If you would like documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download these to use on your computer or to print.

January 14, 2014

JANUARY 14

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

Genesis 30:1-31:16

Genesis 30

Vs. 1-13 If this had been a comedy, Jacob would have been the comic hero, having women thrown at him. Actually this had to have been poison to the family and all of the relationships. Years later, after Rachel's death, Reuben will lose his firstborn right, by bedding Bilhah. Bilhah was Rachel's maid and the mother to Dan and Naphtali. She was also his father's wife. That act was one of ego and resentment, making a statement in the family regarding what he thought of these baby wars and whose branch was superior. Even then, years later, the unloved wife was still being fought for.

Vs. 14-21 The point of this story has to do with God taking a part in these wars on behalf of Leah. The mandrakes were supposed to have some power for pregnancy and were looked at as an aphrodisiac. Who knows how old Reuben was at this time. He could have been 9 or 10. This event was probably impressed on his mind. Anyway, Leah apparently hadn't been with Jacob for a while and the Lord blessed her with two more sons and a daughter. She should have been the wife of honor. And God did it. Incidentally, Leah will be the only one of these women who is buried in the family burial plot with Abraham and Sarah, and Isaac and Rebekah.

V. 18 This verse is a shocker. Not only were the emotions of Leah and Rachel damaged in having to share the same husband, but because of the "baby wars," they also damaged themselves by giving their maids to Jacob. Look at what Leah says as she names Issachar. God was making up for her loss and what she had endured. This is very sad.

Vs. 22-24 Rachel will only have two children, Joseph now, and Benjamin at her death. Joseph will be a much honored child and God will make him a blessing to Israel. Benjamin will be the line of Israel's first king.

You might wonder, as I do, how long all of this has taken and where we are in Jacob's life. If you look at chapter 31, vs. 38 and 41, you'll see the entire time breakdown. I'm thinking that Joseph's birth came at the 14-year point. Jacob would have fulfilled the years for his wives. The next verses will be a summary of those final six years.

Vs. 25-43 Since Jacob knew Laban well, he had to come up with some way to have his herds immediately identifiable. Had Laban been a good guy, he would have just given Jacob what he needed and sent him on his way. This entire episode reeks of dysfunction and conniving.

V. 34 I don't know much about sheep and goats, but apparently the speckled ones were rarer than the solid colored ones. Notice that Laban really expected he had the better end of the deal.

Vs. 35-36 Then crafty old Uncle Laban removed the striped, speckled, and spotted, three days away.

V. 37 God was helping Jacob. That would have been enough. If Jacob had sat down with his family and told them to watch how God would bless them, he would have taught the children faith and brought a spiritual element into the family. Instead, Jacob helped Jacob, too. The sticks had nothing to do with genetics. This was all God's work and it would have happened without Jacob's conniving. Jacob was teaching his family that while it might be true that God was there, God helps those who help themselves. And Jacob got a few ulcers for all of his trouble. Plus, his kids were learning not to trust the Lord.

Genesis 31

Vs. 1-2 Now these accusations from Laban's sons might have come anyway, but since Jacob was doing "stick tricks," these guys associated Jacob's growth with Jacob, not with God. In a way, Jacob stole the glory from God by being so involved in the process. I'm convinced God would have given him all of this without his effort, and everyone would have seen it was God. Jacob would have looked innocent.

V. 3 It was at this point of animosity and threat that God tells Jacob to return.

Vs. 4-16 This is Jacob's pep talk to his family to get the support of Leah and Rachel to leave.

V. 7 This is something we didn't see in the last chapter. Apparently Laban saw that things were going too well for Jacob. Laban knew that God was blessing Jacob (30:27), but in this war with Jacob, Laban thought his own skill at trickery could win the day.

Vs. 11-12 In all of this God revealed to Jacob that it was really His working to give Jacob the victory.

V. 13 This was the Lord's call to Jacob to return.

Vs. 14-16 If you have no other mission in life to unite you, nothing unites you better than a common enemy. Laban's treatment of Jacob united the girls against Dad. Notice that the words of Rachel and Leah are only bitter. Life in the present was all they could see. There is nothing regarding the promise. The plan of redemption is forgotten here.

Unfortunately, this reminds me of a lot of churches. They are concerned about the sin in the world and the democrats and abortion. They are united against a common enemy. But the love of Christ and the compassion for the lost are not what softens their hearts to follow Christ into the harvest, making disciples who make disciples. They sound OK and their services look Christian, but they, like Jacob's family, are lost on earth.

Matthew 10:1-25

This isn't really the calling of the Twelve. Matthew is simply telling us who they were as Jesus' sends them out to preach. Luke is more chronological. The selection of the Twelve was really just before the Sermon on the Mount.

Vs. 2-4 Jesus sent them out in twos. Notice the groupings. Jesus sent the brothers out together. In John 1:45, Philip called Nathan (Bartholomew) to come see Jesus, so they were good friends. Then you have two rag-tags, Thomas and Matthew. Next comes the father-son team. These guys are interesting because it appears that James was the brother of Matthew, whose father was also Alpheaus. Thaddeaus is called "Judas, the son of James," in Luke 6:16. It appears that Thaddeaus was the son of one of the two James who followed Jesus and the most likely candidate for father would be James, the son of Alpheaus. It looks like Matthew's brother and nephew were part of the Twelve. Finally, comes Simon the zealot (patriot) and Judas the traitor.

Vs. 5-8 This mission was only directed toward Israel. Notice that they were to preach everywhere as they went, and look at what the message was. Imagine today if you just said to someone that God is coming and all men will have to give account for their lives. This is a basic message and "icebreaker." Finally, He reminded them that the power was from God and they shouldn't do anything for pay.

V. 9 The word "acquire" can mean they were to take nothing and they were to receive nothing. The money belts were to remain empty at all times. That is also seen in not taking a bag, an extra shirt or sandals. Notice that Jesus mentions they should take no staff and then says the laborer deserves his food. Since a walking staff wasn't necessary for a journey, the staff might have been "the staff of life," bread.

Jesus sends them out with nothing. Why? The focus is to be on the mission and looking to God. They needed to learn that God would provide. This is almost impossible to learn here, in the western world, where we have so much and can get a line of credit when we need it. We are so surrounded by all manner of distraction that you wonder how God ever teaches us this focus and dependence. Many never get it and never develop as disciples.

Vs. 11-15 Notice that Jesus doesn’t teach them how to attract a crowd or craft the message for men's ears. To be fair, they had heard Jesus preach and do this enough, so that they had the basic pattern of what to do. Rather than focus them on technique, Jesus was getting them to see that God would go before them. Neither acceptance nor rejection was to be seen as their fault. Their only responsibility was to go and to preach that very simple message in full dependence on God. They would be used as God's tools to make men accept or reject Him.

Vs. 16-22 Welcome to following Jesus! Notice that God is in charge of all of this. It is not the result of poor preaching. In fact, it might be the result of good preaching.

V. 18 This is God's doing.

Vs. 19-20 This is the context of this verse. Many Sunday school teachers claim this verse to make up for poor class preparation. J

Vs. 21-22 I understand the one who endures to the end will be saved, as referring to being saved from the emotional damage and damage to one's faith that would occur if a person caved in, denied Christ and hid to avoid pain. Even today, those who live a lukewarm Christianity often get hurt because they don't take seriously the danger involved in following Christ in this life. Their faith is uninformed and ineffectual; their marriages and families suffer, and there is no fruit. They live knowing that more is promised, but their only purpose is theoretical and centered on Sunday morning. They are the seed sown among the thorns. During times of persecution, that kind of faith will hurt you and the effect of caving in and hiding will damage you.

V. 23 This is a funny way for God to plan their itinerary, but if you look at Acts, this is exactly what happened to Paul.

Vs. 24-25 This is interesting. Jesus has already used this illustration with the disciples, showing them that if they were "log ridden" disciples, they would produce the same. Here, this illustration is used both to encourage them and to take the edge off of their pride and trust in technique. If Jesus Himself was not believed on or followed by all, they shouldn't expect to do any better than the Son of God, God Himself.

Is this really discipleship? Paul says, "all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…" A godly life involves living for the mission in the harvest, sharing the message with the lost, becoming and making disciples. This will automatically bring persecution (and reward). The fact that our lives are so quiet and peaceful on this planet of death is almost an indictment against us as disciples.

Psalm 12:1-8

David had been a trusted and famous soldier in King Saul's army. He had been a regular in the palace and had known many of the high officials. David was the king's son-in-law. Now he was on the run and living in caves. Those whom he knew were now lying about him to the people. The people he had saved in battle were betraying him to Saul. The entire city of priests, families and all, had been viciously slaughtered by Saul; and the people passively accepted it. David was still running.

V. 1 It could be that the godly one referred to here was the high priest who died along with his entire family and village. (1 Samuel 22:16-23)

Vs. 2-4 This would have been the actions and motives of those who served around King Saul. Every man was dishonest and lying and flattering and living as if God were either dead or absent. After all, God did nothing when this high priest and his family were killed.

Vs. 5-6 But David knew better. God is not mocked and injustice is never hidden from Him. God was already moving. But David's hope was in the sure Words of the Lord.

Vs. 7-8 In all of the confusion David knew that God would protect him.

David held on to the promise made to him by God and he drew close to the Word of God. David didn't give into despair but he hoped in the Word. That is what "saved" him from damage.

We usually don't sense the pressure of living in a world that is totally marinated in sin. It is a part of everything and is closer to us than our noses. To say this seems objectionable and like something the religious would say. But when you read in Romans 3:10-12, None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one - you realize this is reality. Our hearts and lives are fragile because of this. Only the love and grace of God, and His Spirit, sustain us. While wanting to stay true to God (understanding by His grace alone, what "true" is), as disciples, we need to have compassion on those who are lost and have no clue. They want us to be like them so they can feel better about themselves, not realizing they are really dead in their sin. God will guard us, if we let Him, by hearing His Word and doing it. Only then can we reach out to help those who are lost.

Proverbs 3:13-15

Do we really believe that wisdom from God is something to strive after and that it is more precious than anything on this silly planet?

This sounds like Jesus talking about the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price, both of which are really claiming Him as Savior and Lord. Is He precious enough to us to forsake everything on this planet and follow Him in the harvest, without stuff, dependent on Him alone, totally focused on His mission for us on this dying planet? I think wisdom says, "Yes."

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this linkhttp://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comments or feedback todgkachikis@gmail.com.

If you would like documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download these to use on your computer or to print.

January 13, 2014

JANUARY 13

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

Genesis 28:1-29:35

Genesis 28

Vs. 1-5 Apparently Isaac recognized that things had worked out as God wanted them and that the promise was to go to Jacob. You have to assume that Isaac had always known this, since Rebekah was told that the elder would serve the younger. It is worth considering what Isaac could have done to have worked with God. I suppose the parents could have talked with the boys as they were growing up and told them what God had said to Rebekah and Abraham, etc. Esau would still be a nation, as promised. I can't imagine that if they had really prayed and sought God, it would have turned out any worse than this.

I know that Jacob is the hero of the story and that Esau is the bad guy, but when they meet 20 years later, guess who looks well adjusted and guess who is a nervous wreck with a totally dysfunctional family.

As disciples, it is better to be honest. If God is sovereign and good, we can be open and communicate honestly. God is not mocked.

Vs. 6-9 This portion of the story always saddens me. I know Esau was a gnarly, snorting, burping guy who married women of that same inclination. I know he didn't respect the promise. I'm good there. But it seems here, that his parents had never fully communicated their desires. Or, they never thought through what they wanted for the kids. So, Esau messed up with his wives and now they want Jacob to do better. When Esau finally sees what his father desired, he tries to comply; but because of the animosity created here, he goes to another line of Abraham. I don't get the feeling he was a rebellious son. He wanted leadership and when he saw what Isaac really wanted, he did it. Communication in leadership, in family and disciple making, is important. The other option is being awakened by the jolts and collisions in a drifting life.

Vs. 10-17 This was pure grace on God's part. Since Jacob was the son who esteemed the promise to Abraham, God renewed this promise with Jacob. Notice in v. 14 that the redemptive part of the promise is restated; that is, God's blessing of Abe/Isaac/Jacob would lead to blessing of all the nations. This promise is still part of the first promise to Adam and Eve. Jacob would need faith in this promise to make it though the educational process God was going to take him through the next 20 years.

Vs. 18-22 I know there is a positive aspect of Jacob's response toward God, but I sense some conniving in this. Jacob seems to make a conditional promise to God, "If you do this, then I'll serve you.” Abraham believed and obeyed. Notice too that in the conditions of v. 20, this sounds very much like Jesus' words in Matt 6:25, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.” As disciples, instead of seeking those things, we are to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Seeking to serve and please God was not foremost on Jacob's agenda.

Genesis 29

Vs. 1-12 Being blessed by God and having the promise confirmed did not spare Jacob from dysfunction, injury and justice. Notice that just like his dad, Jacob found his wife at a well.

Vs. 10-12 Obviously Jacob was overcome with emotion because he was running for his life and was meeting long lost relatives. But since Jacob was going to marry Rachel, the crying and kissing on the first meeting doesn't seem like the right "move" on his part. But maybe she said, "You had me when you moved the stone."

Vs. 13-14 I see this as being very ironic. Jacob explains what he did back home to Esau, and Laban says, "Surely you are my bone and my flesh.” They were both swindlers, but now Jacob had met his match.

Vs. 15-20 Jacob actually worked seven years for Rachel before the marriage. This means there was a lot of longing by Jacob and a lot of plotting by Laban.

Vs. 21-27 How much does someone have to drink not to know who he's having sex with? I don't want to know. This happened with Lot too. They must have had some potent wine back then.

Laban had been planning this for a long time. Notice Laban's words to Jacob in v. 26. This is a reference back to what Jacob did to Esau. Laban has gotten to know Jacob and apparently felt justice was due. It's hard to scream for justice when you have done the same thing to others. Jacob was "had" and Laban was just a bigger rat. God was allowing Jacob to feel what his brother had felt. And the fun wasn't over.

Jacob had to wait seven days, until after the honeymoon with Leah was over. I'll bet that was a pretty grim week for everyone. Jacob had never been on the receiving end of lying, plotting and deception.

Vs. 28-30 Then Jacob married Rachel, promising to work another seven years for her. Imagine the joy this created between sisters.

Vs. 31-35 I have a lot of questions here, but by the time I get to heaven to ask them, I probably won't want an answer. I imagine that Laban made sure that Jacob divided his time between the two women. Did they have separate tents? They must have and I'm sure they did later. Now you have the "baby wars" with God blessing Leah over Rachel. Later, not in this text, Jacob gets the maids too! Cool, right? I'll bet it was hell on earth. It must have made his relationship with Esau look like a Hallmark © moment. He was getting justice and, believe it or not, it would still get worse.

Notice the first round of Leah's sons ends with Judah. In spite of Jacob's favoritism (like his father's) and love for Joseph above his other sons, Judah, the son of the unloved wife, becomes the line of blessing. Notice too, that there is a difference with how Leah names the first three boys and how she names Judah. The first three names seem to reflect something about her fighting to win Jacob's love. The naming of Judah seems to be her simple praise and gratitude to God.

That God chooses Judah to be the preeminent son will seem strange when we get to chapter 38. Quality-wise, you wonder why God chose Judah? He wasn't the firstborn and he doesn't receive the blessing. He was definitely a better man than his father in a couple of important ways, which you could hunt down now if you're interested. We'll talk about this when we get there.

Grace is seen in God's patience in working with Jacob. The family Jacob makes is not healthy. Then God takes the unloved wife and gives her children, until she no longer feels any of the hurt and she turns her heart to God and praises Him. That son of praise will have a quality of faith and sacrifice that God will bless with the line of the kings and the Savior of mankind.

Matthew 9:18-38

Vs. 18-26 Matthew is summarizing these events to show Jesus' power to heal and how the word about Jesus was getting out so that people knew God's power was in Him to heal.

In order for a ruler of the synagogue to come to Jesus, there would have been a desperate need. Yet, he had heard enough about Jesus to know he could approach Him.

V. 20 Likewise, this woman had heard much about Jesus and she literally reached out in desperation. From Mark and Luke we know that the ruler's daughter was at the point of death, but not yet dead. I always wonder how the father felt. Jesus was on His way and then this stupid woman touches Him, and then Jesus has to waste time with her. It is during this time as Jesus is speaking with the woman that someone arrives and says the daughter is dead. (See Luke 8:49.) How could a loving God let this happen? How could Jesus be so distracted and calloused?

As disciples, we learn that waiting is the rule, not the exception, in following Christ. This was a divinely arranged malfunction. The result was that both Jesus and His Father received more glory, and the parents, the daughter and the three disciples would never be the same. Was it "worth the wait?" God thought so, and then, after a short delay, so did they.

Vs. 27-31 This was great faith on the part of the blind men. How did they figure out to call Jesus with the messianic title, "Son of David?" They may have been blind, but they saw something that others were missing. Notice that their faith was genuine. Jesus prefaced His healing on what it was that they held in their hearts. We shouldn't be too hard on these guys for not obeying. Hardly anyone paid attention to Jesus' instructions to keep quiet. I always laugh at this one because Jesus says to the blind men, "See that no one knows about it."

Vs. 32-34 This event is important because it is the first time you see this "explanation" of Jesus' healing power. The people thought it was obvious that God was with Jesus, so the authorities had to come up with an explanation that would lead the people away from Jesus. First we'll hear the Pharisees and scribes making this accusation. Later, it will be on the lips of the masses.

Vs. 35-38 You could preach a sermon on these verses. Note the reasons in vs. 35-36 that cause Jesus to say vs. 37-38. God in veiled glory was walking among those He created to be the object of His love and kindness. It is safe to say that you will not have vs. 37-38 be real in your life as a disciple, if you don't have vs. 35-36. The key is compassion for the lost. The more you are with the lost, trying to help them with the gospel, the more compassion you have. Without those two things, you don't passionately pray the prayer and seek to make disciples.

Notice that the prayer is not for the harvest, it is for harvesters; that is, disciples who will make disciples who will make disciples, living their lives in the fields, following Jesus. Not many people feel the desperate compassion for lost people to beg the Lord of the harvest to send more and more laborers into the fields.

Psalm 11:1-7

Vs. 1-3 I'm sure that many people must have threatened David. Many more must have mocked him and spoken down to him. He was a servant running from his master. But because his hope was in God, he knew that he didn't have to fear and that the foundation of his hope could never be touched or shaken.

Vs. 4-7 This is an interesting picture. The Lord tests men to see what they are, righteous or wicked, obedient or disobedient. In v. 7 it says that God Himself is righteous, so it is natural that those who share His heart will see His face.

What speaks to me out of this psalm is the play between vs. 3 & 4. The wicked are right, we have no hope if we have no foundation, but the Lord is real (just unseen) and is enthroned where nothing can shake the foundations of life and hope. This mindset is hard to hold on to when it seems like God is not present and things are spinning out of control. The disciple of Jesus is constantly being trained in the harvest to be steady and confident, because his hope is in the One who is unshakable.

Proverbs 3:11-12

I'm reminded of what the writer of Hebrews says, It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? (Hebrews 12:7)

The Lord Himself is making us disciples, so we can reach and guide others. All of the waiting and learning and lessons of faith are for our benefit and theirs. Blessed is the disciple (man or woman) who, unlike Jacob, is a quick learner and close follower of the coming King.

It's interesting how all these readings complement one another. Tomorrow we continue to see God's discipline of Jacob.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this linkhttp://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comments or feedback todgkachikis@gmail.com.

If you would like documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download these to use on your computer or to print.

January 12, 2014

JANUARY 12

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

So how is faith shown? Abraham showed great, visible faith, seen particularly in 25 years of waiting for God to give him and Sarah a child. If all we knew about Abe was condensed, we might only have a couple weeks of recorded action. Abraham was given a promise that required believing, obeying, moving to a strange land, and living completely in God's hands. That was great faith and I have to believe that Abraham knew that the promise he was living for was connected to the promise given to Adam and Eve, the promise that a deliverer would be born.

Then you have Isaac, who inherited everything, the promise, the cattle, and the wealth. He doesn't seem to do much. In a way, this might be a picture of many churches and believers today, who kind of grasp what we are living for and are supposed to do, but are lost in daily life in the land. They have been given their local church, but didn't have to strain to see it come into being. Even with Isaac, living a sort of drifting life, there is still faith and still a clinging to the importance of the promise. Things work best, of course, if we as disciples keep the focus sharp on our purpose here, following Jesus in the harvest.

Genesis 26:17-27:46

Genesis 26:17-35

We have two events that show that Isaac was a man of faith. It might have been faith with a fuzzy focus, but it was still tough faith.

Vs. 17-25 Isaac had a very large camp. He didn't have to be this meek, but it was his strength in faith. He had been promised the land, but he understood that God would lead him to a place of peace. He could have destroyed these other herdsmen, but in faith he waited for God's leading.

Vs. 26-33 Notice here that Abimelech and his advisors take the initiative to make this covenant. They realized with the abuse Isaac was taking, if he got mad, he could wage a war (especially with God's help) that would defeat Abimelech and take everything.

Isaac's faith is seen in his strength/meekness, waiting for God to fulfill the promise without taking the matter into his own hand and defeating the opposition that rose against him. The land was his by promise, but he would wait on God and suffer abuse until God Himself fulfilled the promise.

Vs. 34-35 Esau will appear as a tragic figure; but in all, I don't think he was any worse, as a person, than Jacob. Here, the mention is made of something he did to make life miserable for Isaac and Rebekah. It is setting up what comes later when Rebekah suggests sending Jacob to Laban. It is very probable that if Isaac had sat down with Esau and told him not to marry Canaanite women, he would have complied. Even at 40, Esau was a daddy's boy. This little scene might suggest the effect that living among the Canaanites was having on the family.

Just as an interesting memo here, can you figure out how old Isaac was at this point? This will add a lot of depth to the following events, especially when you see how old Isaac is when he dies. Sometimes people get old in their heads long before they die. Imagine a tombstone that read, "Died 1988 -- Buried 2068."

Genesis 27

Vs. 1-46 This story is pretty straightforward and is sad from one end to the other. Of note here for us as disciples is that none of this anxiousness and trickery was necessary. Ironically, it brought great and tragic results to Jacob. Even when Jacob and Esau meet again later, notice which one of them has the ulcer. A loving and sovereign God, having made His promises to us, can fulfill His will without us having to help with lies and deceit. God is utterly faithful and will fulfill His promises, but He is never mocked.

Isaac must have been having some poor health issues and thought that death was near. This might have happened shortly after Esau married the Canaanite cuties and therefore the time marker regarding Esau's marriages is given and is important to notice. Isaac was a young man of ___. Ironically, he would live another 80 years! How sad that he didn't talk to God more and have a better grasp of God's working. He was right in wanting to pass on the blessing, that is, the blessings of the promise of God to Abraham. As the firstborn, it was natural to have this go to Esau.

Vs. 18-26 The lying here numbs the mind.

V. 29 This is the actual part of the blessing that God gave to Abraham.

Vs. 34-40 Esau's grief does show some faith, though too late. He must have believed that he had truly lost something.

There is no perfection on earth and all families struggle, but if we have to struggle, we at least have to struggle well. Isaac and Rebekah do not appear to have made the promise a focus of their lives and family. The promise of redemption was lost in the dust of living life on earth. They don't appear to have tried to unite the boys in the specialness of what God was doing in the world and through their family. Reading this, I can't help but feel bad. I think they were, like so many Christians and would-be disciples, drifting, content with daily life, and lost on earth.

Vs. 41-46 Although we don't know a lot about Rebekah, we see that she was decisive and manipulative. Verse 46 is an example of her work. She is setting up Isaac to send Jacob away without telling him the real reason. When we meet Laban in the next chapters, we'll see that he was the Duke of "manipulative and cunning." Jacob would more than meet his match in Uncle Laban. Unknown to Rebekah, in doing this, she would never again see Jacob.

Bill Shakespeare said, "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” True. But I like what Jesus said, Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him…If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. (John 14:21-23 ESV)

Matthew 9:1-17

This is a great portion for disciples.

Vs. 1-8 In healing the paralytic, Jesus faced off against the religious "right" and made a bold claim. The claim was not only that He could forgive sins, but that He was the Son of Man. Jesus was saying He was the king who would reign eternally, from Daniel 7. Even under pressure, Jesus showed compassion to the paralytic and his friends. This event has an interesting link to what happens later in John 5. If you notice the words Jesus uses here, they are repeated by the Pharisees in John 5:12. There is great significance in the question the Pharisees ask the healed man, knowing that the healing of the paralytic happened just before the events of John 5.

As disciples, we have to speak the truth. Jesus did not change God's message to attract the masses or to please the religious establishment. His focus was pleasing the Father and doing His will. That makes you think about all the lying going on in the OT portion for today.

V. 9 I think this shows the cause-effect dynamic of disciple making. If you are authentic and firm on the truth and are willing to accept all men in the love of Christ, people get brave and follow. So how did what happened in 9:1-8 make what happened down the street, a couple days later in 9:9, possible? What finally gave Matthew this resolve? Realize too, that Jesus had done other miracles and had taught in Capernaum, so Matthew's decision was a process. Matthew had already heard Jesus teach and had seen His miracles. Now, when Matthew saw Jesus was willing to stand against the religious leaders who had scorned men like Matthew, he knew he would be accepted. He immediately dropped everything and followed.

Vs. 10-13 Why did Matthew have this party? What was he trying to accomplish? He was a new disciple, wanting to see his friends get saved and become disciples.

Notice that the Pharisees didn't go to Jesus. They tried to divide the disciples against Him. Verses 12-13 are a key statement to the Pharisees that Jesus will refer to again. I remember reading this after I began following Jesus, and catching the irony in v. 13. No one was righteous before God. The Pharisees were the sick ones because they couldn't see their own need.

So, Jesus is in trouble, first with the Pharisees, and then with John's disciples.

Vs. 14-17 I'm not sure, but I think this friction with John's disciples was helped along by the Pharisees. But notice that Jesus was very gentle in dealing with John's followers. If you look at the parallel passage in Luke 5, you will see that Jesus' first ever use of a parable was in gently trying to give an explanation to teach John's disciples. Unlike Andrew and that other guy (probably the apostle John), not all of John the Baptist's disciples followed Jesus. Jesus is smoothing this situation by using the illustration of the bridegroom that John himself had used with his disciples in John 3:26-36.

It's hard to say how deep this division went between Jesus and John's disciples. As you can see reading the OT and Matthew, we don't always get a lot of information. Here is some interesting trivia. The last recorded use of tongues in Acts is in Acts 19:6. There, Paul finds a group of John's disciples who were still holding to John's message and didn't know about Jesus' resurrection or the coming of the Spirit. Tongues is always used as a sign to bring unity to the Jews, showing them that God was reaching out beyond them with the gospel. The gift was necessary to break down Jewish prejudice and to bring unity, as in Acts 11. It is significant that this gift was used with John's followers, all of whom would have been Jews.

V. 17 There is great wisdom in this because some churches prefer remaining as they have always been

Psalm 10:16-18

These are great words in this psalm. It is almost a summary of the book of Revelation. And, Jacob and Rebekah would have benefited from holding this confidence in a quiet heart.

When this history is over, all the nations will be gone and the tyrants will be removed. All that will remain is the Lord, who will show steadfast love, faithfulness and kindness to those who love Him.

Proverbs 3:9-10

These are words to be held and heeded, but not abused by those following Christ. Your Father knows what you need and will reward you, though not always with gift cards and cash. Toward the end of His ministry, when Jesus was telling His disciples to ask, seek and knock, the reward He promised them was the Holy Spirit. Who of us is really wise enough to tell God what we need? But we always need the Spirit's peace, joy and guidance. I'll take those any day over an iPad, a new car or a full bank account.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this linkhttp://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comments or feedback todgkachikis@gmail.com.

If you would like documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download these to use on your computer or to print.

January 11, 2014

JANUARY 11
Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible
Genesis 24:52-26:16
This section gives a lot of historical information in summary form, and it's not all in order. This history is meant to convey background and reasons for events that Israel in the wilderness would need to understand in becoming a nation and in fulfilling its ministry as God's ambassador. Note in all of this, that the promise, which is a promise of redemption, is still present; but its meaning is certainly being forgotten. That's just like what we do. We make churches and do programs, and somehow lose what the main goal of every disciple and church is on this planet: love Christ, reach the lost, make disciples who make disciples.
Genesis 24:52-67
Vs. 52-61 Note the worshipful attitude of Abe's servant. Note also that as Rebekah’s family blesses her, there may be a sense in which they knew something of the promise to Abraham. On the other hand, this could have been just the normal wedding blessing you gave a woman.
Vs. 62-67 Isaac was heir to this vast community that had grown up around Abraham. He wasn't just wandering around the countryside. He was probably visiting one of the places they were grazing livestock. All we have recorded is the meeting of Isaac and Rebekah and the account is very condensed. The account almost makes it look like he saw her, took her into a tent that was standing there and they consummated the relationship. Not so. He put her in Sarah's tent, not his. This was a place of privilege in the community. They would have a new leading lady. He "took her," that is, accepted the arrangement of being married to her. He could have refused. They would have been separated before they were married and there would have been a formal wedding. And apparently there was enough time in all of this for Isaac to fall in love.
V. 62 My German one year Bible helped me here. Unless you have a great memory you will not remember that Beer-lahai-roi is from Genesis 16:14. That is where the angel of the Lord met Hagar when she ran from Sarah. The full name is "The Living God, who sees me." It is interesting to me that Isaac was here. Maybe he was seeking God. In Genesis 25:11, after Abraham's death, this will become home for Isaac.
Genesis 25
Vs. 1-6 There are a couple of names here that are notable, one in particular. Can you figure out which one? If you read year after year, this people will come up on your radar on a couple of important occasions as enemies of Israel. You can figure, if one of these men has his genealogy shared, it is because God/Moses wants the people to know where that particular nation came from. Moses hid in their land. His wife was one of these people, and this people figures big in the wilderness wanderings of Israel from Numbers 22-31. Gideon even hid from them.
Very realistically, Abraham's life and relationship to Sarah wasn't some romanticized fiction. When she died, Abe grieved, but still needed a wife to be complete.
Vs. 7-18 This section is narrative housekeeping in order to get to the continuation of the progress of the promise of redemption.
First, Abraham's death is recorded and he passes out of the narrative. So, reading his age, why is this interesting that you hear no more of Abraham? Obviously, you might say, because the story is no longer about him. But his age is an interesting factor and the absence of any mention of him is very strange.
Then, Ishmael's lineage is presented and he is gone.
Vs. 19-26 Look how old Isaac was when they were married. He was no spring chicken. Then, the Lord made it difficult for Rebekah to have children, thereby making their births and the progress of the promise more significant for them. How long did God make them wait? It's there in the text. Can you imagine waiting that long for a child and knowing that the continuation of the promise was dependent on having kids?
So, we are only this far in the Bible. You might conclude that "waiting" is not a strange thing in God's leading. God forges faith in waiting. So many people wash out as disciples for this reason alone.
Isaac prays and God hears. Immediately at their births, God overturns the normal process of blessing and inheritance by stating that the elder will serve the younger. Note that the Lord states this to Rebekah in answer to her seeking. She should have rested in this promise/prediction to her. Instead, she'll try to work God's plan in her own cleverness.
Living in the reality of the promise could have been constantly communicated because of how God had arranged things. From Abraham to Adam there are only three/four relationships. Abe might have known Noah and certainly could have known Seth. Seth knew many of the men behind him and almost all of those men had known Adam.
Given the age of Abraham, how old would the twins have been at his death? How long would Abe have known Rebekah before she had the kids? All of this is to say that Abraham, firsthand, would have passed on the importance of the promises to Rebekah and the two boys.
As disciples, our relationship to Christ, to reaching the lost, and to making disciples who make disciples has to be firsthand. Jesus said that a disciple is not above his teacher. As Howard Hendricks used to say, "You cannot impart, what you do not possess.” If we are distracted by life and not living the reality of being close to the Lord, in His Word, reaching out and making disciples, then what hope do we have of passing that on? If it is theoretical to us, it will be theoretical to those we influence also.
Vs. 27-34 Losing the clear focus of what the promise meant might explain what was happening in the family and between the two boys. This fractured family was not healthy. It will get exponentially worse with Jacob.
This contest between the boys was the result of the parents. Jacob was a rat, but you might say at least he was a rat who had faith in the promise. And Esau was worse, despising the reality of the promise. God is simply gracious here, furthering His will and plan in spite of ungodly behavior. Later, Jacob, who at least had faith, will pay dearly for this. The fact that there is no "justice" here doesn't mean it won't come. As a friend of mine once told me, "God doesn't always pay on Friday."
As disciples, to presume on God's grace, to further our own agenda and desires, even if it is "for God," is a very dangerous thing. Jacob didn't escape and Solomon didn't escape. We have a Master and we have to reflect Him, submitting to His will, His way and His timing. I know I've hurt myself forgetting this. God is sovereign, and also, He's the boss. It's His work, to be done His way.
Ironically, the Lord has already told Rebekah that Jacob would be the receiver of the promise. In faith, all of this and what follows was unnecessary.
Genesis 26
Vs. 1-16 I'm assuming Abraham was dead by this time, otherwise Abimelech would have come to Abe as the head of the clan, especially since he already made a covenant with Abe.
Isaac receives confirmation of the promise directly from God, but like his father, he fears for his life in Gerar and does the "she's my sister" thing. Although for Isaac, this was a total, 100% lie. Treasure in earthen vessels?
Canaan was a large, long land, north to south; and since Abe and Isaac were herdsmen, they would always have been looking for fresh land to use for grazing. Overgrazing ruins the land, so they would have had to move from time to time. By this time, Abimelech may not have had dealings with Abe for years and didn't know Isaac. If Abe was dead here, you can figure out how many years ago it was that Abimelech probably made that covenant with Abraham. Apparently Abimelech was a much younger man at the time of that covenant, and although older now, still had an eye for good-looking women to add to his harem. So he looks out the window and sees this new guy with his sister, and they were doing what????
The ESV falls down in v. 8. I like the word the KJV uses, "sporting.” Were they playing badminton? Throwing a football? The RSV is to the point, "fondling.” There was no mistake that Isaac was doing that which only a husband ought to do; and the poor guy was so desperate, he was doing it in the open, maybe hidden, but not hidden enough.
V. 11 So again Abimelech warns his people to stay away from these pesky Hebrews. Both Abe and Isaac brought these people into jeopardy because of their lack of faith in God's promise and provision. As disciples, we can do the same. Everything we do following Jesus in the harvest is so much better if we will just trust.
Vs. 16-16 Isaac was rich, and everyone knew it was the Lord who had done this for him. They were jealous, but also afraid of him. Remember, this is that same thing that happened after Abraham's stay with Abimelech. By this time, Isaac's holdings might have necessitated a community of thousands, making him vaster, richer and more powerful than many of the neighboring cities. This section should have really been included in tomorrow's reading. Abimelech will again make a covenant. This time he makes it with Isaac.
Matthew 8:18-34
It is hard to understand the method behind Matthew's writing here, but he is focused on showing that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah. Matthew didn't always include events chronologically. In this section, he was more focused on showing that only a heart of faith could understand that Jesus was the promised Messiah.
Vs. 18-22 As a result of His rising popularity and His miracles, many wanted to follow Jesus, but were not willing to pay the price of commitment. In these two examples of half-heartedness, what do you think kept these people from following Jesus? This is the same today. It is easy to go to church, but it is difficult to follow Christ. In following Christ in the harvest, issues of security and our true love and allegiance have to be set to rest. He is our security and our first and greatest love. He is the mission of each disciple and every church. This is the reason you don't recruit every warm body to become a part of a discipleship cell or project. Jesus Himself brought "would be" followers to the place of understanding the cost. Popularity attracts lots of warm bodies, but not always devoted followers of Christ.
Vs. 23-27 Luke lets us know that Jesus had just had a very long day of teaching and was exhausted. The Father and Spirit must have designed this little voyage on the lake. The disciples' words to Jesus are, first, an accusation, and second, a scream; that is, "Master, wake up, don't you care? Master, master, save Lord, we're perishing.” They were terrified of dying. They marveled, but Luke says they were now afraid of Him.
Just like Abe and Isaac and Rebekah above, if God says something, you can rest easy. Jesus told the disciples to go to the other side, with Him, the Creator of the universe, in the boat. He didn't say, "Let's go to the middle and die.” As disciples we are no better. In order for Him to impress on our hearts His ability to help, to save and guide and care for us, He has to take us out on the sea, to the very brink of disaster. How else, like the psalmist, do we learn to trust and sing His praise for His power and deliverance. We are no better than the Twelve and we learn the same way.
So, Matthew shows that Jesus, as Messiah, was the ruler over nature.
Vs. 28-34 Matthew now shows Jesus' rule over the spiritual world.
I imagine the poor disciples were relieved to finally be safe on land. Then they see these two naked, crazy guys start running at them from the tombs. The demons recognized Jesus as God the Son in a human body. Matthew's purpose here is only to show Jesus' authority over the spiritual realm. Isn't it interesting that the people's reaction was to beg Jesus to go away? In Luke, one of the two healed men desired to follow Jesus.
Psalm 10:1-15
V. 1 I wonder what this "song" would have sounded like. Was the first note a scream? In any case, the events behind David's writing must have been pretty distressing.
Vs. 2-4 In the time David ran from Saul, it must have seemed like Saul could do whatever he wanted with no result. Saul destroyed a family and city of priests and God did nothing. Even though Saul "believed" in God, his actions showed what he really felt about God's existence and presence.
Vs. 5-11 This section expresses how this "practical atheist's" actions are guided by his thought that God doesn't care or see. You can follow each thought by underlining he and his.
Vs. 12-15 David knew that God's justice would roll. He might not have understood God's waiting and he might have been pressured by the circumstances, but David knew that God would be true to His Word and call these men to account.
Understanding why God waits and does not apply instant justice in this world is something that a fully trained disciple should be able to deal with and explain. It doesn't feel good, but we know it is part of this history on earth. We see what happened to Jesus Himself, and the Father allowed it. We see what happened to different apostles in Acts, and God allowed it. The psalm itself shows that God is understanding and compassionate with our emotional distress and desperate wondering. He wants His followers to trust Him and patiently wait. We, of all people, should know that the earth is not a good place and that this is only a small, tragic portion of the whole of reality.
Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. (Revelation 14:12)
Proverbs 3:7-8
Great words for us as disciples. If you "turn this around," it means that if you think you have it, if you only "so-so" fear the Lord and if you play fast and loose with things, your flesh will wither and your bones will get tired.
I think I've had days and months like that. It is time to get wise, as a disciple of Jesus.
If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this linkhttp://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”
I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.
I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.
Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comments or feedback todgkachikis@gmail.com.
If you would like documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download these to use on your computer or to print.

January 10, 2014

JANUARY 10

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

In yesterday's reading when Abraham is going to offer Isaac, the angel of the Lord spoke to him. Now, what I'm going to say is meant to be an encouragement for you to take time and observe and get curious. If you missed this, that's OK. It is something to learn. Texts like these are what form our theology, literally "knowledge of God.” You don't have to read theology or go to a seminary. All you have to do is take time with your Bible.

Who is the angel of the Lord? I mentioned a couple of days ago that He is often recognized as God in human form. How do you know? Read what He says to Abraham. These are not the words of a messenger, an angel. The speaker is saying what only God can say.

Why do people say this is God the Son before He became flesh? This is where just reading the entire Bible through over years helps. You know from Paul and Jesus and others, that no one has ever seen God, the Father. No one has ever seen the Spirit. But the Son has been seen. It makes sense, and the Son is the only candidate; but it only makes sense if you've read these texts and grappled with some of the "apparent" inconsistencies, i.e., "No one has ever seen God? But they saw that angel and people saw Jesus and Jesus was God and…..Whoa, the angel of the Lord is God who can be seen, or God the Son in human form."

Genesis 23:1-24:51

Genesis 23

Notice that Sarah lived to be 127, that means she lived to see her son grow for __ years. That's like another lifetime. God blessed her last years in such a way that it removed the pain and longing of those barren years.

As disciples we need to be continually building for the future. What special thing could you do in your own life, if the Lord were to approve and grant you the time? What could you begin doing today, little by little, that would deepen your relationship with Him and make you a better maker of disciples? I'm 57 and I could die tomorrow, but God could also give me another 30 years. Thirty years is like another lifetime. The Lord has graciously given me two big projects to work on (and you're reading one of them) that I hope will deepen my love for Jesus, give glory to God in bearing fruit and help me present myself to Him and His work as an approved workman. What you could do in just one or two years would be incredible. Look to the Lord, ask and pray, and when He gives you the idea, just do it. Our years are to be lived with Christ, building into the lives of others, not sitting, amusing ourselves or mourning our aging bodies and coming deaths. Tomorrow, we'll see this "wasted time" with Isaac, who appears to have prepared for death long before he was buried. What a shame.

Vs. 1-20 This shows that Abraham was respected by the people of the land. Abe arrived when he was 75 and lived until he was 175. He wasn't just a man. He was like a small cultural entity in Canaan. Note the strength and humility of Abraham. He was strong, faithful and humble and a witness to his neighbors. He was honest and patient. This is the only piece of real estate Abe owned in the land that was to be his. What a guy.

Genesis 24

There are great lessons for you in this section and I won't say much. I remember having my quiet time one morning in a restaurant at the intersection of I-80 and I-35. It was the fall of 1987. My car broke down the Sunday evening before, and I missed presenting my missionary stuff at a church. Disappointing. So now my car was being fixed and I'd soon be on my way to GEM's headquarters in Illinois. When I read this portion, I was encouraged by God's sovereignty and His mercy to Abraham's servant. I was touched and it calmed my heart. Reading the Bible is to be valued. Spending time with your Father over a cup of coffee with His Word penetrating your heart is priceless.

So, if you read your Bible every year, you'd read this section and think back to last year and go, "I know about you!” But if you didn't you won't, because you can't. Next year, when you read this and you meet Rebekah and Laban again, remember what you learn about both of them in the next several chapters. It might add some "insight" to their actions here. Obviously, what I'll share with you is my take on things. There are very few, "squeaky clean," people in the Bible. Most were just normal sinners with some faith. As disciples we need to live in the Word so that their stories and God's working with them can make an impact on us. That's why He wrote it down for us.

Vs. 1-9 Notice that Abe didn't want Isaac to have a woman from Canaan. The people were pretty corrupt. Isaac and Rebekah would learn this the hard way. Also, Abe didn't want Isaac taken back to Haran. Years later, Jacob went there and almost didn't make it back.

V. 8 Abraham was willing to leave this all to the sovereignty of God.

Vs. 10-14 The guy I love here is Abe's servant, ________. You've already heard his name, but, if you remember, you'll see it next year (it took me a couple years to remember to look). What a great guy, and blessed to have this kind of faith and to see this kind of answer. He is a model of what it means to be a disciple (slave, servant, ambassador) of Jesus. I am always impressed at the depth of his faith and devotion.

I could be wrong, but I think this is the first time God's "steadfast love" is mentioned in the Bible, and it comes from this incredible disciple and man of God.

Vs. 15-28 You know, God doesn't always have to answer like this, but He always can. We always applaud God when He answers with a miracle like this; but if He can do this all the time, it should make us think when He doesn’t answer like this. It doesn't mean He is sleeping on the job, or that we've made a mistake, but it does mean we need to be paying careful attention to what He wants from us. Just think, God could have made Sarah pregnant when she was 65, but He waited until she was 90.

V. 27 Thanks to Laura, I just noticed in my reading this year, that this is the first mention in the Bible of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness being linked together (ESV). You may want to search for these the rest of the year as you read your Bible daily.

Vs. 29-51 Recounting the story of God's gracious provision should never get "old" for us. We will get to know both Rebekah and Laban in the stories that follow. They were two peas in a pod. Neither of them were close followers of the Lord. I'm almost surprised that Eliezer got out of there, but he knew the Lord and he was following God in deep passion and devotion.

Matthew 8:1-17

Matthew will begin to show Jesus' authority over sickness (which attracted crowds), over nature and over the spiritual world. Then Jesus will claim authority as the human king who will reign eternally over Israel and the entire earth. At this point, Jesus has been preaching and making disciples for a year. Now, as His ministry and popularity grow, He will use every event and confrontation to train the Twelve.

Vs. 1-4 Lepers were not cleansed every day; in fact, this is the first Israelite we know of who was ever healed of leprosy. Jesus commanded the leper to allow his healing to be a sign for Israel. Matthew's focus was to show the Messiah's power and authority. It is Luke who tells us that this guy didn't obey, and as a result, Jesus' ministry was hampered.

Vs. 5-13 Now this is a contrast. The last guy to be healed was a Jew. This miracle will be done for a Roman centurion's Gentile servant. It is hard to find a place where Jesus Himself marvels at anything. Here is a Gentile who has amazing faith and understanding. If this centurion hadn't been loved by the Jews, Jesus would have caught some flak for what He said in vs. 11-12. Matthew shows here that the Messiah's healing is extended to Gentiles. By the way, all of the centurions in the Bible are good guys.

Vs. 14-15 I always smile when I read this. I can see Jesus finding out that the mother-in-law was sick and that Peter was going to cook, and saying, "No, I've got a better idea.” He healed her and she made supper. Jesus heals Pete's mother-in-law and then becomes the ER ward for all of Capernaum. Matthew, very focused, gets to his point, that this healing ministry was the fulfillment of another prophecy of the Messiah. Your job is to find the passage Matthew is referring to, and read the entire chapter. As the teacher, so the disciple. We are to model and live for what our savior did in that chapter.

Psalm 9:13-20

Vs. 13-14 Now David came to his request for help. One of the repeated lines of reasoning in Psalms is, "It would be good to save me because I can't praise you before men if I'm dead." (roughly paraphrased).

Vs. 15-16 God had done this again and again in human history, but David was living by faith in God's promise to judge the unrighteous.

Vs. 17-18 David learned that present injustice and suffering didn't mean God had gone away or was disapproving. David knew he could always count on God, but not knowing God's will and purpose meant that he needed to wait and cry out. And as a result, Israel got some great worship songs and we have these very deep psalms.

Vs. 19-20 This is David's plea for God to take action. Apparently David felt the threat was very near.

For us as disciples, rather than freaking out when "life" happens, we can train ourselves to pray that the Lord would use the experience to give us hearts of praise to express what the Lord has done to those who don't yet know Him and to those who are becoming disciples who are making disciples.

Proverbs 3:1-6

If you haven't memorized Proverbs 3:5-6, make that your meditation and assignment. These are two of the easiest verses in the Bible to memorize and two of the hardest to follow.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this linkhttp://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comments or feedback todgkachikis@gmail.com.

If you would like documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download these to use on your computer or to print.