July 8, Reading Notes

1 Chronicles 5:18-6:81

1 Chr. 5:18-26

I think the purpose of this grouping is that these were the three tribes on the other side of the Jordan. Notice in verse 21 that they took 100,000 men alive. This must have been after they returned from helping the other tribes take Canaan. They were warned about taking slaves because of the idolatry of the people. Verse 25 indicates that this is what happened.

1 Chr. 6

After determining the lineage of Judah and David, the next lineage of great importance is that of Levi. After the exile, they had to know who could serve at the temple. It should be noted that after the Babylonian exile, idolatry was never an issue for Israel. The people never worshiped on the high places around Jerusalem. Something happened during the exile that the Lord used to cure them.

So, for the sake of staying awake and for Bible study, as you read the paragraphs, decide why Ezra made these groupings. What new themes (singers, dwelling places, etc…) was Ezra taking note of?

Acts 26

There are lots of good things in Paul's testimony. I'll only mention a few.

Vs. 9-11 Notice the plurals here. There were many people Paul saw put to death. There were many people Paul tried to make blaspheme the name of Jesus. And, Paul went to more than one foreign city.

V. 16 Notice that Jesus appeared to Paul. It wasn't just a voice and blinding light.

Vs. 17-18 Notice that these are Jesus' words.

V. 24 Good old Festus, showing again how smart he was.

V. 27 Paul knew that Agrippa was a firm believer in Judaism.

V. 29 I'll bet Paul got a laugh with the last line.

V. 32 Agrippa was wrong. There is no mistake here. Paul should have been released long ago, but with Festus being corrupt and trying to win the friendship of the Jews, Rome was the only option.

As disciples, we are seeing some things in Paul's life that "look" out of control. The stories are there to teach us patience as we strive to work in the harvest, following Christ during times when it seems like little is happening.

Psalm 6

With all that Paul had been through, I can see these words coming from David as he ran from Saul, but I'd guess that Paul's maturity in Christ kept him from experiencing some of this.

V. 8 The first part of this verse is verbatim to Matthew 7:23, "and I will say to them, 'Depart from me, you workers of evil…" You see this in the Greek, not in the English translations.

Proverbs 18:20-21

I think these verses sort of echo James' words on the tongue. If you control it, it brings you satisfaction. If you let it control you, the tongue brings you ruin. I sure saw a lot of this growing up.

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.