March 21, Reading Notes

Numbers 32:1-33:39

Num. 32

The people of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh ask for the land they have just captured on the east side of the Jordan. I just have a few observations.

First, Moses' words to them in vs. 6-15 have one big point, the rebellion of the few brings God's anger on the many. Moses mentions cause/effect in vs. 14-15. The beginning would be discouragement and a bitter heart in v. 7. Moses recounts the history of Kadesh-Barnea, mentioning how that resulted in what they have just lived through for 40 years, and that Caleb and Joshua were the only survivors.

Second, the story has a happy ending because these tribes were not rebelling, they were asking. They were seeking the Lord and seeking permission to do this. In the 40 years, seeing the older generation die because of their rebellion, understanding everyday that their situation came to them because of the report of 10 men, has ingrained in them that if they sin, others will suffer. These tribes represent what every person in the camp knew and felt. It also shows that they were developing a heart to ask God instead of trying to "complain" Him into submission. God shows Himself to be very flexible and accommodating here.

Third, with a decision of this magnitude, communication was vital and it was important that Moses was still the man in charge. Even though God allowed it, it could have caused bitterness, but with Moses heading up the communication and making this known, it didn't look like new leadership making a bad decision.

Fourth, God gave them the victories they needed and the fighting men of Reuben, Gad and 1/2 Manasseh would cross over the Jordan and be a source of encouragement for Joshua.

Fifth, I think it is kind of neat that Joshua and Caleb were two of the oldest men in the camp. Both would have been 80+ and both were godly leaders; in fact, we'll see that Caleb has "attitude."

As disciples these are all good lessons to learn. Criticism and bitterness and pride never, never, take us in the right direction. Personally it hurts us in our growth in Christ and our service and focus in His harvest. This sin kills the harvest of a group. If a group of people is reaching no one, something happened. Look for it. If we personally are not reaching out and reaching out with a group, we're on the wrong track. It took God 40 years to develop a heart of obedience in these people so that they were willing to focus on following and to where they understood their responsibility to the entire people.

Life is simple here on earth. We follow Christ into the harvest with a group of people, telling lost people what the Lord has done for us and how they can come to know Christ. As people come to Christ, we help them become disciples who make disciples in the harvest. How is our focus?

Numbers 33

Just for fun, without looking online or in a book, try to figure out how many times they moved.

Many of these places they camped were just "areas" in the wilderness and can be referred to by several names. I'll do some leg work for you. They rebelled, we are told later, at Kadesh-Barnea. After 38 years of wandering they return to Kadesh-Barnea where Miriam dies. So where was Kadesh-Barnea in this list, the first time? If you go back to the rebellion, in Num. 13:16 they have just left Hazeroth (where Miriam had leprosy) and arrived at the desert of Paran. In our list today, Paran is called Rithmah. Rithmah must be some landmark at Kadesh-Barnea. Now that you have that piece of the puzzle, figure out how many times they move before and then after Rithmah.

It's interesting in Psalm 90, a psalm Moses wrote about all of this, he says "You have been our dwelling place in all generations." Psalm 90:1 Where do you dwell?

Vs. 38-39 are actually Numbers 20. This is how you can figure out the time lapse between Ch. 19 and 20.

Luke 4:31-5:11

I only have a couple comments on this section.

Notice that 5:1 says, "On one occasion." This means that this story is probably not in order but is put here to mark the occasion where Jesus personally called Peter, Andrew, James and John. Jesus had already known these men and they had already had some adventures together in John 1-4.

Notice what the call to Peter was. It was to catch men. That's what disciples are supposed to do in following Jesus (switching metaphors) into the harvest.

Psalm 64

It takes getting to verses 9 and 10 before we have something to praise God for. The psalm itself is a picture of what really brings praise and trust and understanding. It is not until you are so weighed down and desperate and have endured, holding on and waiting on the Lord, that you will see His vindication and be able to praise like this and say verse 10 from your heart.

Proverbs 11:22

God said it. This is a weird kind of image if you think about it. It doesn't compare the woman to the pig, but to a gold ring in a pig's nose. The beauty of the ring can't hide the pig. So what is this big, crass, dirty, and for the Jew, unclean animal that can't be hidden or dressed up?

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.