Deuteronomy 18-20
Deut. 18:1-8
So the king was to devote himself to the law under the guidance of the Levites, now God restates the provision of the Levites who live among the people, guiding the nation into the knowledge of God. The fact that this has been restated so often means that it was important and that the people would have the tendency not to respect or value the importance of the Levites living among them.
What were the "cheeks," the rump? And I guess the stomach means the abdomen muscles. If not, I wouldn't have fought you for it at the table.
Deut. 18:9-14
It would be the Levites helping the people who would keep the Law before them. The Levites would supply guidance from God by teaching the people His Word.
Notice that Moloch worship, the sacrificing of unwanted babies, was mentioned first. This worship took care of a social/personal need.
The next mention also took care of a social/personal need: ways to contact the spirit world to get guidance. God, through the Word and the ministry of the Levities, would supply that guidance.
Deut. 18:15-22
God says He will bring another prophet to guide Israel. Now, Israel had lots of leaders and prophets; but this guy must have had a special meaning in the minds of the Jews, a meaning they understood even back then. Later, the Jews come to John the Baptist and ask him if he is "the prophet." Jesus was that prophet. It apparently meant one man, like Moses, who would lead the entire nation before God. So, from this text you understand that God will send prophets to guide the people. From later texts (Isaiah, for example) and the NT, we understand that God is promising to one day send "The Prophet." And we know Him.
Deut. 19:1-13
Just as idolatry, spiritual adultery, would contaminate the land and defile the nation, so would the blood of the innocent. Again, King Manasseh led his people to irrevocable judgment, first spiritually, and then by the guilt of all the innocent blood he spilled. Oddly enough, he reigned longer than any other king.
These cities of refuge were a provision for the innocent man. Also, just by the fact these cities were present, they were a visual reminder that the people were to make sure the innocent were protected and laws were followed.
Deut. 19:14-21
The other way to contaminate the land and to defile the nation was through injustice. Notice that the first four of the 10 Commandments are in respect to living with God. The next six commandments are how to honor God in living with one another. Later in Israel's history, God and the prophets will lament that the people only deal unjustly with one another.
Notice that the priests get involved in this too. The high priest had the means for determining the truth of a matter. Too bad they didn't use it. It was a long way to Jerusalem and why bother when you could flip a coin or throw some sticks on the ground to get guidance.
Deut. 20:1-9
So what would you call this section? What stands out to me is that they needed to realize the Lord was with them. Their strength wasn't in numbers or skill. Therefore, they were to be compassionate toward the fainthearted and to recognize special situations.
There's more in this, but that's what seemed prominent to me.
Deut. 20:10-18
It seems to me here, too, the main point isn't war, but compassion. However, if I was a non-Israelite male and knew our army had been defeated on the field and now Israel was marching on our city and I'd be fighting Israel and knew about these laws, I'd relocate. For a surrendering city, everyone was spared but the guys.
Just for perspective on the law being given here, it's important to notice that the only land Israel was told to war against was Canaan, and there they were to take no prisoners for the reason mentioned in v. 18. This was God's punishment on the sickness of the people who lived there. In order for Israel to become involved in any other conflict, and has already happened and will be the case later, the other cities and nations were the aggressors who attacked first. Most often, after Israel was attacked and defeated the army of the aggressor on the field, they went after the city the army came from.
Except for God's judgment on Canaan, Israel was never told to fight against anyone who didn't attack them first. Sihon and Og and the Midianites were examples of people who Israel tried to avoid and had no quarrel with, but who attacked Israel first. These lands became the possession of the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh.
Deut. 20:19-20
I guess this fits into the compassion scenario. No wanton destruction was allowed. I think of Levi and Simeon when they destroyed Shechem. Even at the end of his life, Jacob condemned their uncontrolled, arrogant wrath and cruelty in wantonly laming the livestock in that city.
Luke 9:28-50
Luke 9:28-36
Matthew and Mark mention this event too, but Luke is the only one who says what Jesus was doing when He began to glow. Kind of cool, huh?
Luke 9:37-49
V. 43 In contrast to the transfiguration and to the majesty of Christ shown in healing the boy, Jesus strongly reminds them that things are not going to go the way the disciples think. God's plan of redemption would lead Jesus to "defeat" and "disappointment," at least from the standpoint of the disciples' expectations. Isn't it funny that even the best of us, serving God in the harvest, still battle with our expectations in contrast to God's actions? We learn, too slowly, that He is wise beyond all of our thinking and does what is best for His purpose and plan. We simply follow, sometimes with no clue of what He's doing.
Verses 46-50 have good teaching and make good points, but they really show that the disciples didn't "get it."
Psalm 73
This is an amazing psalm. Take your time here.
Notice the conflict the writer has in all of what he humanly sees, feels and understands. Notice what it was doing to him personally, emotionally and spiritually.
Notice the turning point. Where do you find that "sanctuary" today?
Vs. 25-26 are worth memorizing.
Notice that the answer for the writer and for us is verse 28, and you are doing it by now by drawing close to Him in His Word. Even with His Spirit within us, only His closeness in His Word truly helps and shields us from despair in this world.
The words of Magnificent Obsession by Steven Curtis Chapman, express some of this. One of my favorites.
or follow this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cel_O-qy0i0&feature=player_embedded
Proverbs 12:10
Sounds like what we were talking about at the end of Deut. 20, above. And I would add from J. R.R.R.R.R.R.R. Tolkien that only an Orc wantonly cuts down trees.
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.
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