March 1, Reading Notes

Leviticus 24:1-25:46

Lev. 24:1-9

Along with the Feasts and Holy days, there were these two things mentioned. I guess you don't have to be Einstein to figure out the symbolic nature of these. The people knew there were two things the Lord always provided for them. The one thing not mentioned here that also stood in the Holy Place was the altar of incense. This was probably to signify the prayers of the people constantly coming before God in gratitude for His provision symbolized on the other tables.

Lev. 24:10-23

I don't think this guy said anything more than something you'd hear on TV or expect someone to say in a fight with emotions running high. God is a "good old boy" and just sort of shakes His head when we do this, right? Wrong. Here God is stressing the point of holiness among the people, that He is close and hears this stuff.

Some interesting things here:

First, the man's father was an Egyptian. This might have had something to do with the lack of respect or the cause of the fight.

Second, the tribe of Dan is mentioned. Dan was the first tribe to fall into total idolatry. Also, Dan is not listed among the tribes in the book of Revelation. This guy is the first person put to death for violating one of the 10 commandments.

Third, the repetition of "for I am the Lord your God."

Last, the people did as the Lord commanded Moses. Obedience, for now.

Lev. 25:1-46

Actually this will all flow into tomorrow's reading. This is an awesome chapter in that what is commanded here was never, ever, done in the land, not once. No king did it. The amount of dependence on God that this required was more than anyone could humanly muster up.

If we were doing a Bible study, I'd ask you to break this chapter into two main divisions and then each division into 2 parts. That's just an exercise to help people see the flow of a chapter (and keep them awake).

The main division is after verse 17. Verses 1-17 give a general description of the Sabbath year and the year of Jubilee, and verses 18-55 give specifics as to how to deal with various situations that might arise.

Verses 1-7 and 18-22 have to do with the sabbatical year. Everything else has to do with the year of Jubilee.

I won't make a lot of comments here. Your own observations will be better than anything I can say. Reading the verses on the sabbatical year and particularly 18-22, you understand that if the people couldn't trust God for this, they would never trust Him for the year of Jubilee.

Any of us would have been deeply challenged to do what they were asked to do. Thankfully, God no longer requires this. But, true obedience is always costly and radical, and I have a feeling that we're missing very obvious things related to the Great Commission and the harvest. Therefore, not as many prisoners and slaves of sin get set free.

Mark 10:13-31

Mark 10:13-16

The poor disciples. Where are all these kids coming from? This tells me that when Jesus taught or healed, the disciples did crowd control. The disciples had all these deeply needy people on deck, and then these moms showed up. This "kid" situation seemed low priority to them. They learned a lesson about needs and the value of simple wide-eyed faith and trust.

Mark 10:17-31

Again, what great training for the disciples. You could have a class on "the dangers of riches and idolatry" and never get the point across like here.

Somehow in this, Jesus actually communicated love so that Peter (Mark's source) noticed this. Then the guy leaves.

Now if verses 26 and 27 are a true picture of the reality, then "stuff" really is a problem. Money is bigger than we think. Being saved and being disciples doesn't shield us from this temptation and influence, any more than being a Christian keeps us from getting a cold. This "treasure in heaven" determines how we use our time and focus our lives. It determines our faith. Are we so secure with our holdings in heaven that we could pour out and "waste" our lives on earth for Christ, following Him in the harvest? The "acceptable" answer is "yes," but not many are doing it. Yeah, I feel bad, too, but that's why we're encouraging one another to go in the right direction together.

Psalm 44:9-26

Since this Psalm is from the sons of Korah, who were appointed by David to lead singing in the Tabernacle in Jerusalem, I wonder what the historical situation was. What hardship did Israel endure during the time of David? When you read that the people were following God, but being defeated by their enemies, it really makes me wonder when this Psalm was written.

Note verse 22. Paul quotes this verse in Romans 8 and ends it, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

In the context of Romans 8, we don't know why God does what He does, but we do know that God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. "For good" might be that we don't understand His purpose and die, but we trust that God knew what He was doing and used our death for His plan.

Many Christians in many times and many countries have endured deep oppression and injustice and cried out to God. Their only victory was Christ.

Revelation 12:11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

Proverbs 10:20-21

Just for fun, try to put these two Proverbs together. 20a and 21a / 20b and 21b

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/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.