March 30, Reading Notes

Deuteronomy 13-15

Look for recurring words, phrases and themes. There are some big themes that God is emphasizing for Israel.

Deut. 13:1-5

I really don't think we grasp the consequences of sin and separation from God. This thing on earth is happening so slowly and invisibly. The reality, however, remains unchanged. From all that we see, there is a contest for the souls of men. Truth is important, even if people think truth is relative, because the truth doesn't change, no more than gravity working for one person and not for another.

It's interesting that the example mentioned here is where the words of the prophet come true. Wouldn't that be a case for listening to what he says? Paul ups the ante on this and says in Galatians 1:8, "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed."

Deut. 13:6-11

Now this rule was only for Israel as they were a nation under God's rule. This is hard for us to choke down, I know, but the lessons of the wilderness taught them that (as Paul says in 1Cor 5) "a little leaven leavens the whole lump." How much cancer is acceptable? What God is setting up here is a "perfect" society that He knows won't work. It won't work, not because it is a "perfect" society, but because there is something in mankind that rebels against God. By the end of Judges, everything has fallen apart. The law was given, not to make man perfect, but so that sin would be shown to be sin, and through the commandment, become sinful beyond measure.

Deut. 13:12-18

Moses has gone from addressing the false messenger, to the false loved one, to the false city. This will happen at the end of Judges and the tribe of Benjamin will almost be lost.

Since Christ, the power of the Gospel and the love of God is what works in a pluralistic, relativistic, lost world. Society today doesn't give a parent or employer many rights on limiting the freedom of the people they are responsible for. As disciples of Christ, the truth we bring is wrapped in spiritual power and in the love of Christ working through us. Sin rebels against Law. It is not so powerful when confronted by the love and grace of Christ. Today our work is not to shape people or nations by activism, but by working and witnessing and praying "under the radar" to see people come to Christ.

1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. 3 This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Deut. 14:1-2 Great verses and what a privilege.

Deut. 14:3-21

Since God says in the NT that all foods are clean, this was a law showing their differentness among the nations. It was the equivalent of them eating with a fork and a knife instead of their fingers or blowing their noses instead of picking them. It showed a sense of propriety and "rightness" to their customs. Even in the last thing mentioned here, the boiling of the lamb, it was just a point of propriety or respect. My take on this.

Deut. 14:22-29

This section is about the tithe and in that there is a link between only offering the tithes at the Tabernacle and the provision for the Levites. In giving the tithes, there is the underlying value that this is important. But why? Does God need food? No. So do they give because of raw obedience? That only takes you so far. Valuing the presence of God at the Tabernacle was faith. Providing for the Levites was also faith because they, scattered around the country, taught the people spiritual values. They were the "Sunday school teachers" of Israel. If the people lost the value of being a spiritual nation they would stop coming to the Tabernacle and they would stop providing for the Levites. These two "rules" showed what the people truly valued in their hearts.

One note here: When the people came to offer the tithe of their crops, they were to celebrate before the Lord. This is kind of interesting because verse 26 suggests a feast and a celebration. Before the Lord, held in check by their love for God, they could buy any food and drink wine or "strong drink." There is the balance between the occasional being "merry of heart" and being a perpetual drunk. Drunkenness means being given to being drunk. There is a positive rendering of being mildly intoxicated that God doesn't seem to judge, for example, Ruth 3:7 When Boaz had eaten and drunk and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came secretly, and uncovered his feet and lay down.

I'm not making a case for anything, but as Christians and disciples, we should be able to understand these verses without resorting to reshaping the text according to our cultural interpretation. When Jesus made wine in John 2, the context suggests that the wine had the ability to make the heart merry. God made many things to be enjoyed within bounds by those who believe and know the truth. Excess is something we're all prone to because of having a sinful nature.

Deut. 15:1-23

I just have a few observations.

First, note that in verse 4 it says they will not have poor people, but in verse 11 it says they will always have poor people. So what does that mean? I believe it means that God will work things out so that there are always people who need help from others to test the hearts and generosity of the people. I would rather be on the giving end than that God pulls the rug out from under me to make me be on the receiving end to test the heart of others. But it is obvious that God does this. I think this goes for today too, and extends to health care costs and to the protection of the helpless. Lots of wisdom is needed in all of this, but the point seems obvious; God keeps some people in a state of need to see if the surrounding society is humble and willing to care and share.

The contradiction in verses 4 and 11 is dissolved in that God would bring people to the place of being poor, but Israel would meet their needs so that they would no longer be poor. That would be pretty cool.

Second, what we have here isn't true, genuine slavery. People were free after 6 years. Imagine today if someone was out of work and destitute. Mercedes comes along and says, "We'll give you a job, food and a place to live if you'll sign a 6-year contract." Isn't that nuts! Who would say no? In fact, if the situation was really good, at the end of 6 years, the "slave" could say he wanted to stay on permanently and could retire from there. The nations back then were largely farming communities. Help was always needed. The people were to be generous and actively help people by signing them on to work. God said He would bless them for that. For the provision of six years of food, clothing and shelter, a poor person worked. Not a bad set up for the poor, no local government was involved and no taxes were levied on the people to give aid to the needy.

V.19-23 are again that test of heart and security in God's provision. When we get to Malachi the people were not giving God the best because they were pressed by hard times. It's hard to give when it hurts, but it really is hard to give if we don't believe or trust God.

Luke 8:40-9:6

To me it is interesting that Jesus only took Peter, John and James with Him.

It seems to me that the dramatic nature of both of these healings somehow added to the decision to send the 12 out. Their confidence would have been high. It also seems that they all went together (it's what they were doing already, minus Jesus) and that Jesus knew that Peter, James and John would provide leadership.

Talk about total dependence on God. In the west, as disciples, we have so much reserve you wonder if we ever truly learn to depend on God alone.

Psalm 71

This psalm and the next four are pretty long, and it's easy to get lost in the alternating thoughts of crying out and confidence and desiring justice and praising God. I'd suggest you choose something(s) to underline, for example, the pleas (rescue me, be not far from me, etc…) or the praises.

I find verse 20 interesting, "You, who have made me see many troubles….will bring me up again."

Even the psalmist realized that God led him into troubles, to show him that he could depend on God and that God would revive him again. That is a good lesson for a disciple to learn.

Proverbs 12:5-7

I don't know. I guess I'd rather hang with the righteous dudes. So what does real biblical righteousness look like? Luke 6:47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like:

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.