March 19, Reading Notes

Numbers 28:16-29:40

At this point, it is either weeks or months before Israel enters the land. In 29:40 it says that these instructions were given publicly. Even though we might be saying, "Didn't I just read something like this earlier?" For many people listening now, they have never heard this before. Between chapters 19 and 20, 38-40 years passed. There are 40 year olds who have never heard these laws, and we'll find out in Joshua, men who have never been circumcised. What we're reading here is the preparation of the people for entering the land.

In Joshua 5, the first thing the people do after they cross the Jordan will be to circumcise the men. The second thing they will do is celebrate the Passover. The day after the Passover, the manna will cease.

One question I have in all of these instructions is that if the sacrifices called for flour and the bread for the Holy Place needed flour, where did they get the flour? Also, if the sacrifices required wine, where did they get the wine? They had been doing this for 40 years in the wilderness, so where did they get flour and wine? I think it is safe to say that their main food was the manna. How else do you feed 2 or more million people? But, if you were a merchant, or a local farmer, and you knew there were 2 million people sitting there with money but nothing to spend it on, don't you think you'd want to help them? I'm sure that Israel became a stop, or even a main destination, on one or more caravan routes. For the sacrifices and temple service, I'm sure they bought wine and flour. I'm sure the people also bought cheeses (although they had plenty of milk with their flocks), veggies, flour, wine, clothing (with sheep and goats they had plenty of wool) and other stuff, but again, 2 million people in the wilderness, off the beaten trail, couldn't have survived on outside merchants.

Luke 3:23-38

Luke gives Jesus' lineage from Joseph, whereas Matthew uses the lineage from Mary. Both Joseph and Mary are descendants of David. Luke gives the lineage here because of Jesus' baptism and anointing as King. This is the beginning of his ministry. (I'm making this up now.) Maybe back in the day, when they had gladiator fights or contests, as the fighters entered the arena, they gave their credentials. I don't know. I wasn't there. But it is interesting that Jesus' credentials are given here, and that He's about to "duke it out" with "the ruler of this world."

Psalm 62

I feel like I'm living this Psalm. It is very hard to get it into your head, "For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation."

Just circle the repetition of words here. "God alone," my salvation, shaken, etc… this is a great psalm.

But the question is, where is our help really found. In the western world, many people have deep resources. We have credit cards, friends, advocates, people offering services, Dr. Phil, geek squads, libraries, pod casts, Google, basically, help for everything.

As disciples, what brings us to the place where we realize, without God, there is no help, no refuge, no resource, no stability? In reality, it isn't a "what," it's a "who." For the Lord to really train us as disciples, He makes following Him in the harvest the passion we can't live without, and in that context, without Him, we can do nothing.

Proverbs 11:18-19

Notice the pattern of these verses….evil, righteous, righteous, evil. It kind of makes you think of Romans 6:19-23, "I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once yielded your members to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now yield your members to righteousness for sanctification. 20 When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But then what return did you get from the things of which you are now ashamed? The end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the return you get is sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

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.