So, we are at a landmark. With today's reading, you have made it a third of a year, you have read 100 psalms, you have finished Luke, the last of the synoptic Gospels (summary, parallel accounts), plus you've read the first six books of the Bible. Even if you're behind and your "regular reading" muscles are not yet toned and strong, you've probably done better than you did last year. More importantly, you've given the Spirit lots to work with. You've already had insights and grown stronger in the Lord, but there is something the Spirit does with what you've read, that you think has gone in one eye and out the other. When you don't expect it, a word will come to you or a story will come to mind and you'll see the Spirit giving you insight or leading you in the situation you are in. That's what being a child of God and a disciple in the harvest are all about: growing in Him. All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. And He leads through His Word.
Judges 9:22-10:18
Judges 9:22-57
There is an expression, "God doesn't always pay on Friday," meaning that He doesn't always pass judgment according to our sense of timing. I wonder what it was like for Jotham to have to wait three years to see God finally work things around like this.
V. 24 God didn't forget what had happened and He included those who lent moral support. Since God knows the heart, you can still be guilty without pulling the trigger. It's good to keep your heart cleansed of this kind of guilt.
With all of this betrayal going on, it is interesting that Abimelech knows, but doesn't do anything until he is incited to action by the anger of Zebul (the city's mayor) in verse 30.
V. 38 Zebul (one guy with a funny name) goads Gaal (another guy with a funny name) to take the fight to the open fields. A bad move for Gaal.
Like medieval castles, in the center of the grounds of the castle they had a tower for refuge and defense. It sounds like they started a fire on the roof of the tower and everyone died of smoke.
Vs. 50-57 The same trick didn't work at Thebez. In God's justice and ridicule in death, a woman throws a small millstone about the size of a brick on the troops and beans Abimelech. God's justice was complete.
Judges 10:1-18
Vs. 1-5 The only things I see with these two judges is that Tola was on the west side of the Jordan and Jair was on the east side of the Jordan. It seems that they were sort of like local forces to be reckoned with, but it never says who they fought against. Jair was a rich man with sons and donkeys.
Vs. 6-17 I have some questions and observations.
The people here are crying out and repentant. It seems that this time, they understand, as a people, that they are really in trouble and know that their trouble is because of idolatry.
The two peoples mentioned here will be the focus of the next two judges. Jephthah will go after the Ammonites and Samson will go after the Philistines; although in Samson's case, it's hard to say he went after anything but Philistine women. He was a judge by arrogance and intimidation only.
I wonder how this conversation with the Lord took place. I wonder if the people gathered together at the Tabernacle in Shiloh.
Vs. 13-14 God gave the people what they deserved.
Vs. 15-16 The people were genuinely ready to follow God.
One of the benefits of being close to God in His Word and following, is that we don't need God to use hard times to push us to repentance, obedience and the putting away of idols.
Luke 24:13-53
I don't know who isn't inspired in some way by the story of the guys going to Emmaus. I love to have been there. There is a lot to observe in this account. Have fun.
Vs. 34 On Easter many Christians in all countries have a greeting and response when they see each other on Easter morning. One says, "He is risen!" and the other person says, "He is risen indeed." That response is taken from this verse.
Vs. 36-43 This is Luke's "proof" that Jesus was risen and not just a mass mirage of some kind.
Vs. 44-53 When I read this, I get the feeling because it is such a quick summary, that Luke might not have had the writing of Acts in mind. If he had, I think he would have made a smoother transition between books. The first part of Acts covers this section in much greater detail.
I wonder if Theophilus got this book and said, "Luke, this is great, but you can't stop here. Here, I'll stake you a couple hundred thousand drachma to write the continuing story."
Even beyond the book of Acts, we are the continuing story, following those who have gone before us, following Christ in the harvest while it is still day.
Psalm 100
A beautiful song.
Proverbs 14:11-12
I wonder if the way that seems right is the one that convinces you to make heaven here and live in houses, as opposed to realizing that we should choose to live in tents here and work in the harvest, until the master calls us in from the fields.
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.
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