July 10, Reading Notes

1 Chronicles 9-10

1 Chr. 9

We're almost out of the woods.

V. 1 This gives you the point of this chapter and the past eight chapters. Who were the first of the people to return from exile in Babylon? Those who could trace their roots. The particular interest in this chapter is the Levites and setting up the worship of God. One of the questions you might ask yourself is how they were so ready to return, both in terms of organization and genealogies. Did they have a "heads up?" God did some amazing things during their time in Babylon. More on that later.

1 Chr. 10

This is a very abbreviated rendition of Saul, in fact, only his death. The real point is to get to David in the next chapter.

V. 6 Notice that this account is at odds with the guy who came to David and said he had killed Saul. It gives proof to the fact that the kid lied trying to win David's favor. His lie got him killed.

Vs. 13-14 This is an interesting commentary on Saul's sin and death. How do you reconcile the fact that Saul said he had tried to contact God but God wasn't talking, with this report that Saul didn't seek guidance from the Lord? Sometimes seeking is a matter of how and how long.

Acts 27:21-44

It is kind of interesting that as I write this, my daughter and her family are in (on?) Malta. Hopefully they're not collecting driftwood.

V. 21 Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul says, "I told you so."

Vs. 23-24 Once again we have confirmation, that even in this catastrophe at sea, God was in it. Remember too, that the centurion would have to file a report.

V. 27 That's a long time. I definitely would have been beyond seasick.

V. 29 Nelson, of Her Majesty's Navy, took a lesson from this and did likewise before one of his battles.

V. 31 It wasn't a matter of God needing the crew together to save them all, it was a matter of needing all the experienced sailors present when they struck land so they could save everyone else.

V. 43 Again, the centurion was a good guy.

Psalm 8

Hey, it works out again that this would have been a great song to have sung as they were all safely on shore.

This is another translation, but try to read Psalm 8 with this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm8BVF1NPfE

Proverbs 18:23-24

I guess this is saying that the poor make real friends. There is something about adversity that teaches you humility and bonding together. I'll bet that Paul and the centurion on the ship were friends after this.

In our lives here on earth, I think it is the harvest that gives us this kind of humility and this kind of closeness. Churches and pastors herniate themselves trying to produce the kind of unity that only comes from knowing we're saved by grace to follow Christ and work together in the harvest. Musical worship and potlucks and summer missions trips will never replace living as disciples, working together in the harvest.

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.