February 14, 2012 Reading Notes

February 14, 2012 Reading Notes

http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/

Exodus 37-38

So, what do you get from this section? God builds furniture! No wonder Jesus was a carpenter. It is interesting that we have so many extremes of ideas. Obviously we worship God in spirit and in truth, and we don't need building or lavish surroundings, yet look at how God made the tabernacle and surrounding courtyard. The precious metals that were used weighed tons. We need to observe God, learn of Him and resist our pious opinions. That was the same trap the disciples fell into when Mary broke the ointment to anoint Jesus' feet. They rebuked her, because in their minds, "God is for the poor and this was waste." The real rebuke came from Jesus.

Exodus 37

Vs. 1-9 The building of this furniture went from the inside out, from the Holy of Holies, out to the Holy Place, out to the courtyard. First you have the Ark of the Covenant, used once a year to make atonement for the sins of the nation, appealing to God for His mercy and presence in Israel, fulfilling the covenant of Abraham through His covenant with them as a nation. That was in the Holy of Holies.

Vs. 10-16 Then, on the other side of the veil, in the Holy Place, you have the table for the bread that had to be tended every day. The twelve loaves represented Israel and God's gracious, daily provision and sustaining blessing upon them. (Any lessons for us disciples here?)

Vs. 17-24 Then you have the lampstand that had to be filled evening and morning so that it would never go out. The lampstand was made from one solid, 75-pound piece of gold. This represented the leading and guidance that Israel was always to seek. This was the most elaborate and precious thing in the Holy Place and probably would represent His Word. (Any lessons for us disciples here?)

Vs. 25-29 Then came the altar of incense that was to be tended morning and evening, that also was never to go out. This represented the constant prayers of the people to God. The smoke of the incense rose up the veil before God who symbolically was in the Most Holy Place on the seat of mercy. (Any lessons for us disciples here?)

Exodus 38

Vs. 1-7 Outside of the tabernacle (the tent that housed the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies) was the altar of the burnt offering. This was also used twice a day, representing the constant sacrifice of substitution for the ongoing sins of the people. These sacrifices also incorporated all of the elements of God's provision for His people: meat, flour and wine. (Any lessons for us disciples here?)

V. 8 Finally, between the altar and the tabernacle was the basin of bronze where the priests washed before they entered the Holy Place of the tabernacle. The mirrors were highly polished bronze. They may also have been brass bowls used for carrying things or for cleaning as they served the needs of Moses and Joshua. The tent of the meeting was the tent that Moses put up outside the camp where he met with God. Joshua lived in this tent when it wasn't in use by Moses. After this, the tent that made up the courtyard and the tabernacle, the entire complex, would be referred to as the tent of the meeting.

It just hit me how God built in constant cycles of reminders, the bread, the prayers, the light, the need for cleansing from sin, morning and evening. God put the entire nation on "two-a-days," that is, symbolic sacrifices morning and evening. I suppose we don't need more ritual, but, as disciples, what do we do to keep the reality of His grace and our need in the center of our hearts, day and night? I read in the morning. I pray in the morning. Maybe I need to go to "two-a-days" too.

Vs. 9-20 This was the courtyard of the tabernacle.

Vs. 21-31 This is a total surprise to me. These were very advanced people who not only had amazing building skills, but they took great records. Isn't it interesting that God built this into them through slavery, having to learn the skills to build Egypt.

V. 24 This would have been over 2,175 pounds of gold.

Vs. 25-26 You can figure out the weight of silver. A talent was 75 pounds. What surprises me here is that the shekels of silver came from the men who were 20 and older. This means they took a count and a census as they were leaving Egypt, and I'll bet they had this broken down to tribes and families.

All of this building took about 10 months. Tomorrow, God goes into the clothing business.

Matthew 28

What an amazing chapter in the Bible.

Vs. 1-10 The women came early because the preparation of Jesus' body had been done quickly to get Him into the tomb before the Sabbath began.

There is joy in all of this, but notice that the emphasis is to tell the disciples to meet Jesus in Galilee. Jesus is risen, but instead of letting the disciples and everyone go ballistic about that, the angels and Jesus kind of go, "yeah, yeah, ok, are you done? Good, now tell them to go to Galilee." Look at verses 7 & 10. I thought that the resurrection was the huge deal? It obviously was, but huge only when applied. We'll see what the application of the cross and the resurrection are when we look at verse sixteen.

V. 10 Notice that Jesus calls the disciples, brothers. This sounds like Romans 8:29, For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Vs. 11-15 When you read this you notice a few things. First, the Jews had political power to pull this off. The guards should have been killed for falling asleep. That they could pay off the guards and placate Pilate showed that they were really in charge. Second, the lie itself made no sense. The thought that the guards fell asleep was silly and then, if they did, how would they know it was the disciples?

Vs. 16-20 The 11 finally get to Galilee. The mention of doubt was probably a reference to Thomas' previous doubts or what is mentioned in John when they met Jesus on the beach. Although He didn't look like Jesus, they knew in their hearts it was.

What was so important about meeting there? The importance for Jesus was the application of the resurrection and the focus of all that He had now accomplished. They were to go.

Verses 18-20 ought to be tattooed on every Christian. We have no other reason to be on earth. What powerful and beautiful verses these are. These are our orders, our mission, our good news, and our strength. These are our weapons to fight to save broken people like ourselves. And we've got the power because we've got HIM. This should cause a disciple's heart to beat faster.

Though saved by grace in His sovereign plan, and beloved despite our disobedience, I will never understand a believer who is not reaching out to the lost, making disciples who make disciples.

Notice the order of this commission.

Make disciples: This is belief and repentance, entering into a living, growing, relationship with Christ. The "lordship" aspect is present immediately in belief in Christ, for if Christ is God, God must be worshipped by sheer definition of the word "God." To believe that Jesus is God is not "a meritorious work." He could not be our Savior unless He is God, and if God, He should be worshiped and served.

Baptizing them: This personal devotion linked to the action of publicly declaring our devotion to Christ. This must come before teaching. Learning without personal devotion and a mission leads to, well, look around.

Teaching them: Teaching them what? What did Jesus command the disciples? When you begin reading Mark and then Luke and then John, take note of what He tells the disciples. Most of what Jesus will command them has to do with following Him as disciples in the harvest, being light and salt. It is assumed that they will live lives worthy of their calling and worthy of Him. Living morally is a given. Following Him and acknowledging His name before men is the command. And remember, the motivation to obey is always love. John 14:21-23.

And He is with us always until the end of the age. Not only is this present confidence in the work of the harvest, but Jesus is showing the finish line. The end of the age is coming. This is motivation to do the work now while there is still time. This is also our blessed hope that He will return in glory and we will see Him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FXiEjsSIho&list=PL600B7F8F032F0328&index=2&feature=plpp_video

Psalm 34:11-22

Vs. 11-14 David earned the right to say these words through long years of being hunted and following the Lord in spite of opportunities he had to take short cuts, disobey and not wait on the Lord's deliverance. As we read the story of David's suffering, we'll see how David actually did verses 13-14.

Vs. 15-22 These are David's encouragement for the suffering to wait on the Lord. These are great verses God has given to strengthen our hearts. Notice that one is quoted by John when he gives his account of the crucifixion of Jesus. Can you figure out which one?

Proverbs 9:9-10

I feel like I need verse 10 tattooed on my heart. I think of what Paul said:

1 Corinthians 8:1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." "Knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If any one imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if one loves God, one is known by him.

I want to know Him and be known only by HIM.

Philippians 3:10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature be thus minded; and if in anything you are otherwise minded, God will reveal that also to you.

Amen, and Happy Valentine's Day

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/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. Send comment or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.