March 28, Reading Notes

Deuteronomy 9-10

Deut. 9:1-10:11

It seems to me that this entire section is to humble Israel in their own eyes knowing that God is giving them the land, but not because they are righteous. There are lots of things to observe in this section.

Notice that at the end, in 10:6, Moses summarizes some of the history, referring to Aaron's death and the selection of the Levites, then he comes down from the mountain. The people get the idea. They have not been an easy people to lead. So much of this just testifies to the honesty and accuracy of this reporting. No great nation would ever air their dirty laundry like Israel is doing here. This isn't a testimony to them, it is a testimony to God and His love and forgiveness.

Deut. 10:12-22

What things stand out to you in this section? I don't know about you, but this stirs my heart. What does God seek? At the top is love. Love is a relationship. Even in marriage this is the key. You can break love down into actions or responsibilities like communication and faithfulness and service to one another, but these only help us try to grasp what love really is. What God really gives to us and wants from us is love. There are many religions and misrepresentations of "god" on earth, but none of them come close to this reality. God is deeply clear and straightforward about wanting a relationship with us that is first and foremost a bond of love. This is the consistent message of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation.

Someone needs to preach a message on this. This song would be a great way to complete the service.

Luke 8:4-21

I just have a couple observations here.

Note that the real focal point of the parable and bearing fruit is expressed in what Satan seeks to prevent in verse 12: Believe and be saved.

Also, in case anyone holds the idea that bearing fruit can mean something other than reaching the lost with the message of Christ, look at verses 16-18. Being a testimony to Christ is a necessary part of being fruitful. Verse 21 cements the deal.

Psalm 69:19-36

You can still read this section from the perspective of Jesus on the cross.

Notice verse 21. Jesus was offered vinegar on the cross to keep Him alive until Elijah came to rescue Him so the people could see a miracle.

Verses 22-23 are quoted by Paul in Romans 11:9.

On the cross Jesus asks the Father to forgive those who mocked and killed Him. We've seen in Numbers that God forgives, but still exercises judgment on the guilty and unrepentant. So, between verses 21 and 22 insert the theological thought, "and for those who reject your forgiveness and remain in rebellion." This is the case in reality. Grace is offered now. When the time of God's kindness has ended, His wrath will be powerful and terrible.

Notice who will dwell in the land with God. Somehow all of this comes back to the first and greatest commandment, to love the Lord thy God. As disciples, love has to permeate our message and our method in making disciples.

Proverbs 12:2-3

Again, sometimes to spend more time on a Proverb like this, especially if you're using it for a short message for a group, take it apart and put the parallel pieces together. Take time to notice the couplets and the parallelism in the verses. The second verse usually advances the image of the first verse. In the One Year Bible they do a pretty good job of keeping these couplets together.

2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord,

(and in all the storms of life the branches might get beaten by the wind and he may be refined by fire)

but the root of the righteous will never be moved.

but a man of evil devices the Lord condemns.

(and although he might look successful and God might use this man for His purpose)

3 No one is established by wickedness,
Especially in hard times or hard circumstances, it costs something to follow Christ in the harvest and to remember we are here on mission. Our witness is often shown most powerfully in honoring God where others don't, and facing the consequences. It is more important that the lost see Christ than for us to get a "deal" or a promotion. I know a guy from the Ukraine who came to Christ, because a fool took a beating for Christ in the Russian army in Siberia (most of Russia, I think). The guy's branches definitely got broken, but his root never moved and God gave him unknown fruit. Peter watched and thought, "It would have been so easy to have lied. What would possess a man to take a stand like this in such a dangerous place?" Peter found out.

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.