1 Chronicles 7-8
In chapter 7 you have the genealogies of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Ephraim and Asher.
Vs. 20-29 So what is the point of this story? Apparently Ephraim lived in northern Egypt near the border of Canaan, and raiders from Gath came down and killed some of his sons. After he was comforted he had a "replacement" son named Beriah who had a son named Rephah…follow the names and you get to….. And that's the reason for the story. So, if not for the raiders from Gath, we would have one less book of the Bible, kind of.
1 Chr. 8
This chapter is an expansion of the tribe of Benjamin because of their importance in the kingship of Saul. Just think, the apostle Paul could probably trace his lineage all the way back to Jacob.
Again, these genealogies were important after the exile, particularly knowing who could worship in the temple and who could serve in the temple. Many of the mixed people in Samaria would claim to be descendants, but they couldn't prove it. To be a true-blue-Jew, you had to be able to provide proof through documents.
Notice that you can find a judge of Israel in all of this.
V. 34 You have the name of Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth.
As disciples, isn't it interesting that we can trace our genealogy back to Jesus. He's the only one that counts.
Acts 27:1-20
Now, Paul has been imprisoned for over 2 years at this point.
V. 3 The centurions were always nice guys in the NT. Notice that Paul needed to be cared for. No one is really sure what his problem, or thorn in the flesh, was. It might have been his sight. In any case Paul seems to have needed someone to be with him and help him. Here, Dr. Luke is with him also. Luke's presence with Paul during this trip also speaks to Paul's need for help. What is interesting is Luke's descriptions of the sailing and trip. This is some of the most detailed and accurate reporting of sailing in those times. This has led some people to think that Luke was an experienced sailor, probably being a ship's doctor.
V. 9 The Fast is the Day of Atonement in October. By November they usually closed all shipping in the Med that was traveling west. It became stormy and the strong winds came out of the west, making travel to the west almost impossible.
V. 10 You might ask what "knowledge" a preacher had of sailing. When you read 2 Corinthians 11:25 "Three times I have been beaten with rods; once I was stoned. Three times I have been shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been adrift at sea;" you see that Paul had some firsthand experience with ships that pressed their luck against the weather. Notice that Paul says he was adrift in the sea an entire day. That happened before this trip, since when they jump overboard in a couple of weeks, it is just a short swim to shore at Malta.
V. 11 It's good to know that this centurion learned his lesson later.
Psalm 7
It would be understandable if Paul felt like this.
V. 11 This being true, it is a testimony to God's patience and grace that He waits for the full number of those who are to be saved.
Vs. 12-16 tell the story of those who do not respond to God's patience and forgiveness during this time of salvation and harvest.
When I read those words of God being our shield, I always think of this song. It's an oldie and I like this version because it has all four verses. Beth's dad and the other four guys sang this, just before they gave their lives in the harvest following Christ in Ecuador.
Proverbs 18:22
Interesting that it doesn't say anything about the deal the wife gets, getting a husband. I assume it's assumed.
What can you say but, "Amen!"
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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