JULY
12
Today
isn't just July 12. You'll be starting Romans. That in itself is a good excuse
to treat yourself to something. At the beginning of August you'll be ending 2 Chronicles
and Romans, almost on the same day, and you'll be off to other adventures,
reading different books and off for another culinary treat.
1 Chronicles 12:19-14:17
Ezra
will begin to show, like no other writer, why David was a man after God's own
heart and why the people and leaders of Israel should make David their model of
devotion to God.
1
Chronicles 12:19-40
Vs.
19-22 Boy, did these guys come at the right time. Remember what David found
when he got back to Ziklag? Notice that this story points to God's provision
and to the united Israel. Toward the end of his reign I doubt that King Saul
was popular, and different tribes could see that the kingdom was failing. It
says these men deserted. What is significant is that the people of Manasseh
made a choice for David before the death of Saul and before the ensuing civil
war.
Vs.
23-40 Notice who these people were, where they were from and when and where
they joined David. These men joined David during the seven years he was king of
Judah at Hebron during the civil war with Saul’s followers. There is a note in
2 Samuel 3:1 that David grew stronger and stronger. This explains how that
happened.
V. 32
is interesting. These men were not only good fighters; they knew what Israel
needed and did it. This would be a lesson to those returning to Israel after
the exile. This should be a lesson to us also, to know the times and live
accordingly. (Romans 13:11-14)
1
Chronicles 13
This
is a retelling of the story of David bringing the ark to Jerusalem. Remember
Ezra is giving the returned nation a view of how God formed Israel under David,
to give the returning people pride in their calling by God. Having the presence
of God in Jerusalem, and being near God's presence was David's passion. We read
about this in almost all of his psalms. But David failed on his first attempt
to bring the ark into the city. If even a great leader like David failed on his
first attempt, the returned exiles shouldn't lose heart trying to reestablish
the worship of the people in the rebuilt temple. When we read Ezra and Hosea,
we'll see they had plenty of challenges getting the temple and the worship back
in order; in fact, the people gave up.
What
Ezra is showing the returned nation is what made David a man after God's own
heart. We'll see this clearer in 1 Chronicles than anywhere else. Ezra will not
mention David's faults because they are recorded elsewhere, but he will clearly
show why David was given such honor by God and why the leaders and people
should make David the model of their leadership and devotion to God. The Lord
has this written here for us too.
Vs.
1-4 Now David was leading the united Israel. It is interesting that David
brought all the commanders and leaders into this decision. Notice that no one
was asking God anything here. This all must have seemed like a "no
brainer." Of course, God would want this. What could go wrong?
Vs.
5-8 The celebration here was going to add to the intensity of the lesson David
and the people were about to receive.
Vs.
9-14 David was disappointed for a lot of reasons. He had assumed on God, that
doing anything would make Him happy. As you read The Psalms you understand that
David really wanted God's presence with him in Jerusalem. That was a very
sincere desire and passion. But ignorant passion, like what Moses showed at 40,
isn't always honored by God. That ought to say something to us working in the
harvest. We need to do things His way. Knowing Him and the Word is absolutely
vital.
Notice
that God immediately and visibly blessed Obed-edom and the ark only stayed
there for three months.
1
Chronicles 14
God
established David so that he had peace with his neighbors and rest from his
enemies. Notice that the seeking of the ark and seeking God's presence and
favor was sought by David before he sought the security of the nation with its
neighbors. The message to the returning exiles was clear, that David sought the
Lord’s favor first, before and above his own security. This should be a model
for the reestablished nation. And it’s good advice for us as disciples.
Vs.
1-2 After living in caves and tents for so long, Hiram sends in the Extreme
Makeover, Royal House, edition. David is finally settled. In the next chapter
we'll see that this had an effect on David. He probably sat some nights looking
at the security and the fine house he had and it not only made him thank God,
but it moved his heart to want to do something for God.
Vs.
3-7 In Deuteronomy 17:16-20, God says that Israel's king was not to multiply
wives. I think that one of the reasons they did it was to have heirs to the
throne. The point here is that David also had rest and security in his personal
life.
Vs.
8-12 Significant in this section is that David sought the Lord through the Urim
and Thummim. God not only answered and led David, but He led David to victory.
Notice that the Philistines left their idols. This might be similar to how the
Israelites deserted the ark 100 years earlier. It was ironic that each man had
to carry his god into battle, like a mascot or a hood ornament. David burned
their idols. Some would have been of stone, but some would have been wood,
coated with gold or silver. They all ended up trashed.
Vs.
13-17 The Philistines had been the main threat to Israel over the preceding 100
years. Now this threat was removed and David had rest from immediate danger.
Notice again that David asked of the Lord. That's not a bad habit to develop.
God answered with very specific information. This would be a test of David's
faith, having to believe and exercise obedience and faith. That never hurts either.
V. 17
Notice that the Lord brought the fear of David upon the nations.
Of
course this is all good information for the returning exiles. For us in the
harvest, all of this is here for our instruction.
Romans 1:1-17
Wow,
we are beginning Romans! There is so much here regarding discipleship and
living for Christ that you’ll be gleaning from this book each year for the rest
of your life. You’ll make plenty of your own observations, so I’ll just make a
few.
Paul
wrote this letter from Corinth, during the three months he was in Greece
mentioned in Acts 20:3. Phoebe, mentioned in Romans 16:1, was a deaconess of
the church of Cenchrea, the eastern harbor of Corinth. Part of the purpose of
this letter, toward the end, is to introduce her. In fact, her trip to Rome
might have been what got Paul thinking that if he wrote a letter to the
churches there, she could take it and he could save on postage.
V. 1
Always notice how Paul introduces himself. Particularly here in Romans, it has
something to do with his entire focus in the letter.
Vs.
1-7 Notice how often you find something that refers to being called by God.
Notice the promise in these verses and how Paul mentions David. Notice how the
mission is woven through all of this. Notice how the Spirit is writing this, so
that it could apply to you too. We are called to Christ to serve Him in the
harvest.
Vs.
8-15 Notice that their faith was known and visible. How do you think it was
seen? We have no record of any church planting activity in Rome. It is likely
that some of those people saved in Jerusalem on Pentecost were from Rome. All
roads led to Rome and many Christians walked them.
V. 9
Jesus told the Samaritan woman that those who worshiped the Father would
worship Him in spirit and in truth. So what does it mean for a person to serve God
in "spirit?"
V. 13
We’ll hear more about the reasons for this delay in visiting Rome in chapter
15. Notice that Paul naturally assumed he would be fruitful in the gospel when
he came to Rome. Shouldn't we also assume the gospel will bear fruit?
V. 15
Paul said that he was eager to preach in Rome. Later Paul will say that he
didn't want to preach where Christ had already been proclaimed. Paul's desire
to preach in Rome and to strengthen the church indicates, possibly, that the
church began by spontaneous generation, neighbor to neighbor, but that no one
had formally built the church and preached in Rome. If that's the case, the
city still would have been fresh turf for evangelism, and therefore, fair game
for Paul.
Vs.
16-17 Maybe a lack of fruit is because Christians lack this sense of
conviction, confidence and calling. This is why a disciple is left on earth, to
follow Christ into the harvest and to bear much fruit. The gospel is still
powerful, but saying that is not the same as believing it. The way you get this
confidence in the gospel is not by reading Paul; it is by reading Jesus.
Reading the entire Bible is very important every year, but particularly the
words and life of Jesus give you the confidence of bearing your cross daily.
Watching Jesus shows you what it means to abide in Christ and follow His lead.
Notice
here too that Paul says to the Jew first
and also to the Greek. This shows that one of the purposes of this letter
will be to strengthen the unity of these mixed house churches in Rome. This
church was very Jewish and very Gentile. Greek in this context refers to
everyone who was not a Jew, not specifically Greeks. And too, the church was in
Italy. I wonder if they had pizza at their fellowship dinners.
For us
as disciples, we need to internalize for ourselves the first six verses, follow
Christ into the harvest, and in confidence of the gospel's power, not be
ashamed.
Psalm 9:13-20
We
have read of Abraham waiting. We have read of Moses living in obscurity for 40
years as a shepherd. We’ve seen David anointed and victorious and still have to
run for his life for 10 years. We’ve seen Paul chased from town to town, beaten
and lied against and then imprisoned for 4-5 years. Yet, as we’ll see in Romans
8, God uses all of this for good, for His purpose. And in our suffering and
waiting, He teaches us humility and seeking so that we’ll be fruitful for Him
in the harvest.
Vs.
13-14 Not only did God consistently save David, but David consistently let
everyone know of God's love and His deliverance.
Vs.
15-16 David could read in the Scriptures that God had done this, but shortly
after David became king of the entire nation, everyone began coming after
Israel. David needed God's help against the neighboring nations.
Vs.
17-18 Israel was the needy. Under
David they had a man who could lead them to victory, because David knew what it
meant to come to God in humility, crying out for His help.
Vs.
19-20 This is David asking God to show the
nations His glory. We saw what happened to Assyria, when they mocked God
and His people.
V. 20
Go back and read 1 Chronicles 14:17 from today. That's kind of interesting
isn't it?
Proverbs 19:4-5
It
seems that v. 5 is the commentary on v. 4. Verse 4 is full of lying. Verse 5
says that even in relationships like these, there will be justice.
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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