June 15, Reading Notes

1 Kings 14:1-15:24

There is an effect here that you will get reading the Bible year after year. I'm trying not to "ruin" this for you, but it is hard to resist not mentioning it. When you read this information in Kings, it might be completely new for you. You'll notice that much of what you read here will be duplicated in Chronicles. When you read Kings next year, you'll read these stories and go, "Wait, there's more to this. He did this or that and it's not here." The way God designed the Bible sparks a lot of connections and hints that inspire your curiosity and learning.

1 Kings 14

Vs. 1-20 The death of Jeroboam's son, since this event is recorded, shows two things. First, this event was common knowledge; and second, when both parts of it were fulfilled, it was a sign to the people that they should repent and follow God. They didn't. Signs don't necessarily make people believe.

Notice that the fulfillment comes in two parts, years apart. You would think that if they had responded properly after the first part, God might have had mercy on them for the second part. God gave chances, but there was no repentance.

V. 20 God allowed this ungodly king to reign 22 years.

Vs. 21-31 Rehoboam was also evil before the Lord. Note that his mother was an Ammonite.

V. 21 When you read about the awful and foolish decision that Rehoboam made at the beginning, that split the kingdom, you think that maybe he was in his teens or early twenties and the guys he listened to were his drinking buddies. Look how old he was.

Vs. 25-28 This happened as a result of the evil that Rehoboam allowed to grow in Judah. For all the disobedience and sacrifice involved in making treaties with Egypt, Egypt still took everything. Very ironic.

1 Kings 15:1-24

Vs. 1-8 There are three notable things from Abijam's short, three-year reign.

First, his mother (Rehoboam's wife) was related to Absalom, one of his great granddaughters.

Second, verses 4-5 testify to God's grace, mercy and faithfulness in light of the ungodliness of these kings in David's lineage.

Third, Asa, Abijam's brother became king.

Vs. 9-24 Asa is the first of the godly kings of Judah after Solomon. When we get to 2 Chron. 14-16, you'll learn more about Asa. What is written here is just a brief summary of his reign.

V. 14 Notice what it says here about Asa. This is said in the context of remaining true to the worship of Yahweh. It is good to remember the context of how this statement is made, because Asa will have his troubles, yet in all of them he never worshiped anyone other than Yahweh.

Vs. 9-15 summarize some of what he did well in leading the people.

V. 13 Asa meant business, even removing his mother from any place of influence.

Vs. 16-22 summarize what you think Asa did wrong. You'll have to read about Asa in 2 Chronicles to figure this out. Each king had something that ate through his faith when he grew older or more secure. The question in life is, "Where is our help?"

V. 23 The disease in his feet is an important thing, but you won't understand it yet.

Acts 10:1-23

This event will open the door to the church to reach the Gentile world.

Vs. 1-8 It is important to understand that Cornelius worshiped the God of the Jews. He was a "God Fearer." He wasn't just a nice guy worshiping anything.

Rome enlisted soldiers from every land, but the Italian Cohort were true-blue Italians who were used in places where loyalty to Rome couldn't be risked. Caesarea was important to Rome. Years later, Paul would be imprisoned in a Roman palace/fortress in Caesarea.

Vs. 9-23 God is coordinating this entire event.

Vs. 12-16 Now, Peter was a true-blue Jew. In spite of the fact that the Law was no longer binding, he had still not had his first pork chop, and lobster tail was still foreign to his lips. That this vision was repeated three times meant that God was having to overwhelm Peter's ingrained way of thinking. But the real test was not about food, it was about another ethnicity.

Vs. 17-23 Enter the Gentiles.

This event is so important and Peter's upbringing so ingrained, that the Spirit has to command Peter to obey without hesitation. Notice how often the Spirit is speaking. Who says He is not a person?

V. 22 Notice that God selected both a centurion and one that was in excellent standing with the Jews. In the Gospels and Acts, you never find a bad centurion. That's kind of interesting. The Jews begged Jesus to heal the slave of the centurion in Capernaum because he was not only a "God fearer," but because he loved Israel and built them their synagogue.

V. 23 We'll see later, that in spite of this good reputation, this didn't sit well with some Christians.

Psalm 133

The worship in Jerusalem three times a year was what kept Israel unified as a nation focused on God's love for them. Unity is a true blessing and sign of God's presence.

David knew of disunity and hatred, running from Saul, then a civil war for seven years, and then running from Absalom and another, almost, civil war. Here, David is saying that unity is found in Zion, serving and worshiping God.

Frankly, having olive oil poured on your head, running down your beard on to your clothes doesn't look like blessing to me. I think the images must represent covering and consecrating a people or a land.

You would think in the church, with Christ and our salvation and our mission, that unity would be a given. It wasn't in Acts, it wasn't in the New Testament letters and it isn't now. Unity in Christ is something that must be worked at; sometimes I think it is almost a miracle in itself. I think that biblical unity happens in Christ in the harvest. That was the kind of unity Paul had with the Philippians, and I think he points to the mission also in his prayer for the Romans in Romans 15:5-6, "May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Proverbs 17:7-8

It is interesting that one of the pieces of the armor of the Spirit is truth. It protects us. I had a thought as I read this today. The power to hold to the truth and resist a bribe comes from our hope in God. Money can provide comfort or an answer to a need, but if our hope is fixed on God, our comfort isn't important and He is the answer to our needs. Yet how do you learn this hope unless you are led by God into troubled times and learn to hope in Christ alone. We don't need to tap the "human resources" department, especially if those resources come with an agenda. Better to have need and be wholly focused on the Lord, than to have stuff, but have to deny Christ by our actions. I finished my prayer by telling the Lord that I would rather remain in need and have to cling to my hope in Him, than be satisfied in anything else.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjZYLmi61oo

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.