APRIL
1
Deuteronomy
18-20
For many reasons, it looks like the reading
today has drifted into randomness, but I think Moses and God are driving
forward with a very strongly connected theme of keeping the land pure before
the Lord and keeping its people strong in the Lord.
Deuteronomy 18
Vs. 1-8 So the king was to devote himself to
the law under the guidance of the priests and Levites. Now God restates the
provision for the Levites who live among the people, guiding the nation into
the knowledge of God. The fact that this has been restated so often means that
it was important, and that the people might have the tendency not to respect or
value the importance of the Levites living among them. To see this importance
read Deuteronomy 33:10 and 2 Chronicles 17:8-9. The people would desperately
need the Levites.
V. 3 What were the cheeks, the rump? And I guess the stomach means the abdominal muscles. If not, I wouldn't have fought
you for it at the table.
Vs. 9-14 It would be the Levites, by teaching
and helping the people, who would keep the law before them. The Levites would
supply guidance from God by teaching the people His Word. In contrast to the
Levites, false prophets would rise among the people. That was a given.
V. 10 Notice that Moloch worship, the
sacrificing of unwanted babies, was mentioned first. This worship took care of
a social/personal need that came as a result of Baal worship.
V. 14 The next mention also took care of a
social/personal need: ways to contact the spirit world to get guidance. God,
through the Word and the ministry of the Levities, would supply that guidance.
Vs. 15-22 God said He would bring another
prophet to guide Israel. Now God brought lots of prophets to Israel and Israel
had lots of leaders and prophets; but this guy must have had a special meaning
in the minds of the Jews, a meaning they understood even back then. Later, the
Jews would come to John the Baptist and ask him if he was "the
prophet." Jesus was that prophet. It apparently meant one man, like Moses,
who would lead the entire nation before God. So, from this text you understand
that God will send prophets to guide the people. From later texts (Isaiah, for
example) and the NT, we understand that God is promising to one day send
"The Prophet." And we know Him.
In the context of this message to Israel,
Moses is telling the people that even in hard times and chaos, He will provide
a leader for them.
Notice that they are told two ways to
understand if a prophet were true. If he spoke for other gods, he was false.
And if he made a prediction that didn’t come true, he was false. Also remember,
in really tough cases, they had local Levites and they could always go to the
priest at the tabernacle who had the Urim and Thummim.
Deuteronomy 19
Vs. 1-13 Just as idolatry would contaminate
the land and defile the nation, so would the shedding of blood of the innocent.
Again, King Manasseh led his people to irrevocable judgment, first spiritually,
and then by the guilt of all the innocent blood he spilled. Oddly enough, he
reigned longer than any other king.
Along with the cities of the Levites, Moses
had already given them three special levitical cities of refuge in Deuteronomy
4:41. Those cities were on the east side of the Jordan in the inheritance of
Reuben, Gad and ½ Manasseh. These cities of refuge would be on the west side of
the Jordan and they will be named in Joshua 20. Also, just by the fact these
cities were present, they were a visual reminder that the people were to make sure
the innocent were protected and the laws were followed. In all questions like
these, the people were to go to the Levites to protect the land and their
blessing before God.
V. 8 Notice that Moses uses the words here
that Jabez will later use in his prayer in 1 Chronicles 4:10. I think that
Jabez was in this assembly listening to Moses.
V. 9 Notice too, that IF the people really
obeyed, and God was able to give them all the land He had promised to Abraham,
God would have added three more cities. This never happened.
Vs. 14-21 The other way to contaminate the
land and to defile the nation was through injustice and theft. Notice that the
first four of the Ten Commandments are in respect to living with God. The next
six commandments are how to honor God in living with one another. Later in
Israel's history, God and the prophets will lament that most of the people only
dealt unjustly with one another.
Notice that the priests got involved in this
too. Cases would go to the local officials. If those lying were too good and
they didn’t have enough proof of a thing, they went to the tabernacle. The high
priest had the means for determining the truth of a matter. Too bad they really
didn't use the Urim and Thummim. It was a long way to Jerusalem, and why bother
when you could flip a coin or throw some sticks on the ground to get guidance?
Vs. 19-21 If Israel had done this, the report
would have gone out and the good people would have had confidence in the Lord.
The bad ones would have feared to do anything to their neighbor. It would have
been a public testimony that would have kept the people and the land pure.
Deuteronomy 20
Vs. 1-9 God had made provisions to keep them
secure in the land. Those same provisions would guide them in warfare.
V. 1 Notice that their confidence was in
remembering how God had saved them and brought them out of Egypt.
Vs. 2-4 The priest was to be the primary
motivator for the people. He would direct their thoughts to God.
Vs. 5-9 In looking at this list of who was to
be excluded from battle, it sort of boils down to all those who were not fully
focused and confident in the Lord. The issue was faith and dependence, not
courage. Also, those who would breed fear or bitterness were not necessary.
This was the lesson they had learned of how a few could have an adverse effect
on the nation.
Vs. 10-15 Notice that these verses have to do
with nations outside of Canaan. This would be in the far future for Israel.
David received tribute from some nations and had some control of Damascus. Had
the nation actually obeyed God, they would have had the borders promised to
Abraham.
It seems to me here, too, the main point
isn't war, but compassion. However, if I were a non-Israelite male and knew our
army had been defeated on the field and now Israel was marching on our city and
I'd be fighting Israel and knew about these laws, I'd relocate. For a city that
decided to fight Israel, everyone was spared, but the guys. For a surrendering
city, everyone was spared and was put to forced labor in Israel. This is what
will happen to the Gibeonites after they trick Joshua, and it works out well
for them. They worked with the Levites, close to the tabernacle, and they all
became believing.
Vs. 16-18 Just for perspective on the law
being given here, it's important to notice that the only land Israel was told
to war against was Canaan, and there they were to take no prisoners for the
reason mentioned in v. 18. This was God's punishment on the sickness of the
people who lived there. In order for Israel to become involved in any other
conflict, the other cities and nations were the aggressors who attacked first.
Most often, after Israel was attacked and defeated the army of the aggressor on
the field, they went after the city the army came from.
Except for God's judgment on Canaan, Israel
was never told to fight against anyone who didn't attack them first. Sihon and
Og and the Midianites were examples of people who Israel tried to avoid and had
no quarrel with, but who attacked Israel first. These lands became the
possession of the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh.
Vs. 19-20 I guess this fits into the
compassion scenario. No wanton destruction was allowed. I think of Levi and
Simeon when they destroyed Shechem. Even at the end of his life, Jacob
condemned their uncontrolled, arrogant wrath and cruelty in wantonly laming the
livestock in that city.
Luke
9:28-50
Vs. 28-36 Mark mentions that it was six days
after Peter’s confession of Jesus’ identity (and Jesus’ rebuke of Peter) when
Jesus invites the guys up the mountain to pray. Then according to Luke, it was
eight days after those events, while Jesus was praying that He was transfigured.
Matthew and Mark mention this event too, but Luke is the only one who says what
Jesus was doing when He began to glow. Kind of cool, huh?
Vs. 32 Apparently this must have happened
near the evening, which would account for Peter and the boys being so tired.
As Jesus had predicted in 9:27, some standing
there would see the glory of the Son before death.
Vs. 37-42 On the next day when they came down
from the mountain, Luke mentions the story of healing the man’s son. Now we see
divine glory contrasted with human unbelief.
Vs. 43-45 In contrast to the glory of the
transfiguration and to the majesty of Christ shown in healing the boy, Jesus
strongly reminds them that things are not going to go the way the disciples
think. This Son of Man would be rejected and killed. God's plan of redemption
would lead Jesus to "defeat" and "disappointment," at least
from the standpoint of the disciples' expectations. Isn't it funny that even
the best of us, serving God in the harvest, still battle with our expectations in
contrast to God's actions? We learn, too slowly, that He is wise beyond all of
our thinking and does what is best for His purpose and plan. We simply follow,
sometimes with no clue of what He's doing.
Vs. 46-48 As Jesus taught them of His coming
death and resurrection, the only thing the disciples could grasp was the coming
of the kingdom. They sort of had the right idea, but their motivation and
expectations were all wrong. They would sit on thrones judging the 12 tribes of
Israel, but greatness was a matter of humility and service. Jesus used the
example of a child and then said that the greatest was the one who was least
among them.
Vs. 49-50 When Jesus said, among you (v. 48), John thought about
someone they had seen when they went out preaching. They rebuked this other
disciple because he was not “among” them. Jesus cautioned them. In the future
they would be happy to see many new disciples of Jesus, even some who ate pork
chops.
Psalm
73
This is an amazing psalm. Take your time
here.
Vs. 1-3 Notice the conflict the writer has in
all of what he humanly sees, feels and understands. Notice what it was doing to
him personally, emotionally and spiritually.
Vs. 4-12 This block of verses is held
together by the two “therefores.” Verse 6 talks about why they are so proud.
Verse 10 talks about why people follow them. Apparently God allows them to
prosper to test the hearts of men.
Vs. 13-15 This was the test to Asaph. What do
you do when experience seems to contradict the Word of God?
Vs. 16-17 It is the seeking of God in this
kind of situation, going to God, going to the Word, that saves the day. Notice
that it wasn’t until he went into the presence of God, in that quietness and
closure, that he gained perspective on all of life and on all of the world. As
disciples, this time and closure alone with the Lord is absolutely vital for
us. We need to get alone with Him and the Word, and in that quietness we need
time to pray and listen. Multitasking is not a spiritual discipline or virtue.
Vs. 18-22 It seems that Asaph is reflecting.
Now that he knows the truth, he looks back at himself and how he almost gave
up.
Vs. 23-24 But God continually held him even
in this trial.
Vs. 25-26 are worth memorizing.
Vs. 27-28 Verse 27 is how he understands God
will deal with the wicked. Notice that they are far from God. The contrast is
in v. 28, and you are doing it now by drawing close to God in His Word. Even
with His Spirit within us, finding His closeness in His Word is the only thing
that truly helps and shields us from despair in this world.
Proverbs
12:10
Sounds like what we were talking about at the
end of Deuteronomy 20, above. And I’ll bet that they were even gentle with
vegetation, for as J.R.R.R.R.R.R.R. Tolkien points out that only an orc
wantonly cuts down trees.
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
complete description of this model of being and making disciples you can find
it in my book: Simply Disciples*Making Disciples.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011WJIDQA?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
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 comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.
If you would like
documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download these to use on your computer or to
print.
