Numbers 32:1-33:39
Numbers 32
Vs. 1-5 The people of Reuben, Gad, and half
of Manasseh ask for the land they have just captured on the east side of the
Jordan. This is their formal request. Note that this is a request and not a
rebellious declaration. Something was learned in those 38 years since
Kadesh-barnea.
Vs. 6-15 Moses' words to them have one big
point: the rebellion of the few brings God's anger on the many. Notice that
Moses doesn’t use an argument against them, but rather the story of their own
history. Moses mentions the cause/effect danger of what they “might” be doing
in vs. 14-15. The effect on the people would be as it was 38 years earlier -
discouragement and a bitter heart. Moses recounts the history of Kadesh-barnea,
mentioning how that resulted in what they have just lived through for 40 years,
and that Caleb and Joshua were the only survivors.
Vs. 16-26 The story had a happy ending
because these tribes were not rebelling; they were asking. They were seeking
the Lord and seeking permission to do this. In the 40 years, seeing the older
generation die because of their rebellion, and understanding every day that
their situation came to them because of the report of 10 men, had ingrained in
them that if they sin, others will suffer. These tribes represent what every
person in the camp knew and felt. It also shows that they were developing a
heart to ask God instead of trying to "complain" Him into submission.
God shows Himself to be very flexible and accommodating here.
Vs. 28-32 With a decision of this magnitude,
communication was vital and it was important that Moses was still the man in
charge. Even though God allowed it, it could have caused bitterness; but with
Moses heading up the communication and making this known, it didn't look like
new leadership making a bad decision.
Vs. 33-42 Moses was even able to lead Joshua
and Eleazar through the exercise of dividing the land for these tribes. In a
way, that was also God’s mercy on Moses. He wouldn’t enter the land, but God
allowed him to enjoy some of the process and to train the men who would go
beyond him.
God gave Israel the victories they needed to
encourage them before they entered the land, and the fighting men of Reuben,
Gad and 1/2 Manasseh would cross over the Jordan ready to rumble. And, they
would be a source of encouragement for Joshua.
I think it is kind of neat that Joshua and
Caleb were two of the oldest men in the camp. Both would have been 80+ and both
were godly leaders; in fact, we'll see that Caleb still has
"attitude."
As disciples, this history of Israel provides
important lessons to learn about spiritual group dynamics. Criticism,
bitterness and pride never, never take us in the right direction. Personally it
hurts us in our growth in Christ and our service and focus in His harvest. This
sin kills the harvest of a group. If a group of people is reaching no one,
something happened. Look for it. If we personally are not reaching out and
reaching out with a group, we're on the wrong track. It took God 40 years to
develop a heart of obedience in these people so that they were willing to focus
on following Him, and to bring them to the understanding of each person’s
responsibility to the entire people.
For us as disciples in the harvest, life on
earth should be very simple. We follow Christ into the harvest with a group of
people, telling lost people what the Lord has done for us and how they can come
to know Christ. As people come to Christ, we help them become disciples, who
make disciples, in the harvest. So why is this really very complicated for many
churches and believers? That’s good food for thought.
Numbers 33
Just for fun, without looking online or in
another book, try to figure out how many times they moved.
Many of these places where they camped were
just "areas" in the wilderness and can be referred to by several
names. I'll do some leg work for you. They rebelled, we are told later, at
Kadesh-barnea. After 38 years of wandering they return to Kadesh-barnea where
Miriam dies. So where was Kadesh-barnea in this list, the first time? If you go
back to the rebellion, in Numbers 13:16, they have just left Hazeroth (where
Miriam had leprosy) and arrived at the desert of Paran. In our list today,
Paran is called Rithmah. Rithmah must be some landmark at Kadesh-barnea. Now
that you have that piece of the puzzle, figure out how many times they moved
before and after Rithmah.
It's interesting in Psalm 90, a psalm Moses
wrote about all the wilderness years, he says Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. (Psalm
90:1) Where do you dwell? Now think of David in The Psalms. Where would David
want to dwell? I think Moses and David dwelt in the same place.
Vs. 38-39 are actually Numbers 20. Both
Miriam and Aaron died that year, four months apart. This is how you can figure
out the time lapse between chapters 19 and 20.
Luke 4:31-5:11
The events here launched Jesus into being
followed by the masses. Before these events, there were no great crowds
following Him. After these events, Jesus and the disciples will seldom have
time to themselves. It is no accident then that Jesus began asking men to
become permanent followers who began to assist Him in His work.
Also, Mark and Luke have these events
reversed chronologically. Notice that 5:1 says, On one occasion… This means that this story is probably not in order
but is put here to mark the occasion where Jesus personally called Peter,
Andrew, James and John. Jesus already knew these men, and they had already had
some adventures together in John 1-4. I think Mark has the right chronology,
and Luke is showing logically why Jesus needed to call the disciples. Both
events happened, it seems, in the same week.
Luke 4:31-44
Vs. 31-37 In Capernaum in this synagogue
Jesus’ mass ministry was launched by driving out this demon. Reports were
already going out about Him, but there was something about this event that
caused the news to begin circulating rapidly.
Vs. 38-39 Jesus had already stayed at Peter’s
house, but from here on out, Peter’s house would be His base of operations in
Capernaum.
Vs. 40-41 This great crowd was just the city.
When Jesus returned to Capernaum, this kind of gathering at Peter’s house would
become a regular event, as it was the day the paralytic was healed.
Vs. 42-44 Jesus rose early and evaded the
crowd, knowing they would have kept Him from leaving. This would be the first
preaching tour He took the disciples on.
Luke 5:1-11
This, I think, is a flashback. If this was a
TV show, it would say, “Three days earlier.”
Vs. 1-3 Notice that Luke identifies the Sea
of Galilee by its Gentile name. That Jesus was teaching here was incidental to
what follows with Peter and the boys.
Vs. 4-5 Here is the point. Jesus was
“presumably” a novice in fishing. Experienced fishermen labored all night and
sat by for hours as Jesus taught. Now He was finished. They had done their good
deed and finished their work (multi-tasking); the nets were ready for tomorrow.
Now they could go home, eat and get ready for the night of fishing ahead. Then,
of all things, Jesus tells the pros to go out into the deep in the heat of the
day and throw their newly cleaned nets in the water. To Peter’s credit, he did
it. Now, it should be mentioned that Peter had seen the water turned into wine
and had probably seen other miracles in Jerusalem and in Capernaum when Jesus
stayed there with His family after the marriage in Cana.
Vs. 6-7 The key word of faith here is, when they had done this. The partners in
the boat on land were the Zebedees. James, John and their father were partners
with Peter. Later that day when Jesus called James and John, Mark tells us they
were in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Here the nets
are tearing.
Vs. 8-11 Peter fell at Jesus’ knees because
Jesus was probably knee deep in fish. Notice what the call to Peter was. It was
to catch men. That's what disciples are supposed to do in following Jesus
(switching metaphors) into the harvest. It was no small thing for Peter (and
Andrew, James and John) to get the boat to land, hand it off to the workers and
probably Peter’s and James’ fathers, and then to leave everything and follow
Jesus.
I know this is theoretical, but would we have
that same faith to follow Jesus in the harvest, or do our stuff, our sources of
income, and security own us?
Psalm 64
What a contrast to the last psalm.
Vs. 1-6 David is in distress. Maybe it was
the next day or next week. There was danger and the lies and threats of the
enemy had shaken him. His cry to God for help includes the catalog of the
arrogance of these people who are pursuing David.
Vs. 7-8 David wouldn’t work to fight or judge
these people, but David was confident that God would. He did.
Vs. 9-10 It takes getting to these verses
before David had something to praise God for. David didn’t know when God would
vindicate him, but he knew that when He did, it would be visible and all men
would fear and learn to put their trust in the Lord. Those who were righteous
would learn to take refuge in the Lord.
The psalm itself is a picture of what really
brings praise, trust and understanding. It is not until we are so weighed down
and desperate, and we have endured, holding on and waiting on the Lord, that we
can know this kind of rejoicing. Only when we have taken refuge in Him and seen
His vindication, will we be able to praise Him like this. Then the words of v.
10 will flow from our hearts.
Proverbs 11:22
God said it. This is a weird kind of image if
you think about it. It doesn't compare the woman to the pig, but to a gold ring
in a pig's nose. The beauty of the ring can't hide the pig. So, in this
proverb, what is this big, crass, dirty, and for the Jew, unclean animal that
can't be hidden or dressed up? It is the woman’s lack of discretion and godly
wisdom.
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.
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