March 18, Reading Notes

Numbers 26:52-28:15

Num. 26:52-65

This is really a part of yesterday, confirming that none of the leading men who were part of the first census were alive for this census. Only Caleb and Joshua were alive from that generation. Again, remember that Caleb, from Judah, and Joshua, from Joseph (Ephraim) is somehow a fulfillment of Jacob's blessings on both Ephraim and Judah in Genesis.

Num. 27:1-11

As the word was circulating through the camp, how the land would be divided and how the inheritance would be disbursed, these women came forward and God honored them in their request. This created a new law. Who says God isn't for women's rights?

Num. 27:12-23

God's words to Moses are absolute. We can invest this with all the human emotion we want to, but really, Moses needed a rest. I still cringe when I visualize Charlton Heston falling on his knees and saying, "You are a hard God." Moses definitely blew it, and God was using the situation as a lesson to all of us lesser men that if He didn't cut Moses any slack, we should be a little afraid to overstep the boundaries of our stupidity. I get that. And now, Moses was going into retirement. First, easing Joshua into his position and then later in heaven. In Heaven!! Sitting in a lounge chair, sipping something cool, watching the mountains or sea or universe, chilling, eating a Maria's Pizza from Milwaukee (the best in the universe). I understand the human pathos of not achieving a goal, but really, I can't feel too sorry for Moses.

V. 15 Moses asks God to appoint a leader. This plea was passionate. The selection of Joshua was evident. Moses had been mentoring Joshua for 40 years. Again, this is interesting because of Jacob's blessing on Ephraim. As a young man, Joshua was visibly a man of faith. Israel now has a new leader, still, for a while, being mentored by Moses.

Num. 28:1-15

This chapter is an old instruction for a new generation. When the people walked into the land, their daily sacrifices, forgiveness, renewal, refocusing, covering would be important. I would guess that is why God says this now.

I got something completely different out of this chapter. On March 16th I mentioned something about people who make a big deal of saying that the time of Jesus' birth might not have been in December. One of the "proofs" of this is that flocks shouldn't have been out around Jerusalem in winter. Anyway, it's really not a big deal either way. But when I read this chapter, for the daily offering, the monthly offering and the offering on each Sabbath, I began adding. I came up with needing 90 lambs a month, plus, when people came to Jerusalem from a long distance, they would have bought a lamb locally to sacrifice. They always would have had flocks around Jerusalem, even in the winter.

Luke 3:1-22

John the Baptist appears and Luke pinpoints the date.

V. 7 In Mark, this "rant" was because the Pharisees and Sadducees showed up for baptism. John was testing the sincerity of their hearts and also spoke this to the people. The people responded with open hearts. Even tax collectors and soldiers (Romans) wanted to know what to do to escape the wrath to come.

Vs. 17-18 I love the contrast of these two verses. John was authentic and passionate and truthful and the people responded.

Vs. 19-20 are a summary of John's active ministry. John wasn't thrown into jail until after Jesus' temptation and after he overturned the tables in the temple at the next Passover.

Vs. 21-22 This is the purpose that John came for, to baptize and give testimony to the Christ. This is also where Luke eases us into the ministry of Jesus, beginning here with his baptism/anointing, followed by His genealogy and then His showdown with Satan.

Psalm 61

I never noticed how often it talks about dwelling with the Lord. For a man like David, who ran for his life and lived in caves and then among the Philistines, to be absolutely secure meant to live with the Lord.

As disciples reading Romans 8 you get the same idea of security, but this security is in the love of Christ. The love of Christ, in the context of Romans 8, means a lot. In Christ, with the Spirit, being adopted, being foreknown, predestined, called, justified and glorified, there is nothing that can condemn us or separate us from Christ. There is nothing that can make God not love us, and death just becomes a dark little line on the sidewalk. You step over it and there's a lounge chair waiting. That gives us, as disciples, the confidence to go for it here and share our praise for God. We are already dwelling with the Lord.

Proverbs 11:16-17

Great words.

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.