December 1, 2015

DECEMBER 1

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

Welcome to December and heading down the home stretch of this year's reading of The One Year Bible. I think that calls for a gingerbread something.

Daniel 8 

This vision was given to Daniel two years after the vision in chapter 7. Though it involves both Persia and Greece, the major revelation of this vision concerns the people of Israel as the time of the end approaches. Although everything revealed here will apply to the next century of trials for Daniel's people, it will mirror the time of the end before the Messiah establishes His reign on earth and Israel becomes a leader for the nations.

You'll find a chart, “A Comparison of Daniel 2; 7; and 8,” at the end of this document.

Vs. 1-4 We'll see that the ram is Persia, the horns are the first two kings who served at the same time. Darius (representing the Medes) is the little horn and Cyrus (representing the Persians) is the big horn. By the time you get to Esther, Ezra and Nehemiah, you don't hear of the Medes anymore, but Persian kings were still named Darius and Ahasuerus in honor of those early leaders.

V. 2 So where was Daniel? In the vision, he was in Susa (in Iran), the capital of the Persian Empire. It was only about 150-200 miles directly east of Babylon. Daniel's description seems as if he was very familiar with the city. We know from Daniel 5, that Daniel was no longer working in the king's direct service but was totally forgotten. The king didn't know who Daniel was. My suggestion is that Daniel was sent out of Babylon, during the reign of Belshazzar, as a diplomat to Persia. He was still in the king's service, just out of sight and out of mind. During the conflict with the Persians he would have returned to the city of Babylon. This is all speculation, but it does make sense of some of the information.

Vs. 5-8 This is Greece and the mighty horn is Alexander the Great. The four horns are the four kings and kingdoms that rose after Alexander died at the age of 32.

Vs. 9-12 Here's that little horn again. Yesterday it was associated with the fourth kingdom, coming at the time of the end. Today we meet a king who foreshadows that coming king who will persecute the Jews and claim an authority above God. Oddly enough, the ruler from the Greeks who will arise is Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who we'll refer to as AE. He will foreshadow the antichrist (AC). It's only in English that the spellings of Antiochus and antichrist are so similar, but still, it is ironic.

V. 10 This is hard to understand. AE and the AC will both be given power over the people of Israel and especially over those who are following God. Since we haven't read Daniel 10 yet, we don't understand that behind the earthly warfare there is also an angelic warfare going on. The mention of stars can refer to angels. To see this connection of angels and stars, look at Revelation 1:20, and read Revelation 12:4 which is very parallel to this verse in Daniel. So then, with all of these words that can have double references, both the human and angelic aspects of this battle could be in view.

V. 11 The Prince of the host could be referring to the angelic representative for Israel.

V. 12 I think the host here is clearly referring to the people of Israel.

Vs. 13-14 Since offerings were offered evenings and mornings, this number should be divided in half, which makes it closer to 3.5 years. This was the length of time the temple was desecrated by AE during the time of the Maccabean revolt, and it is roughly the same amount of time it will be desecrated by the AC in the future.

Vs. 15-18 This is one of four places in the Bible where we meet Gabriel. He is here and in Daniel 9, and then we see him twice in Luke, announcing the births of John and Jesus.

V. 17 The vision is for the time of the end, but this information about the antichrist as seen in AE will also be a help to the Jews, led by the priest family of the Maccabeans who in 170 A.D. had to endure AE's madness. Hanukkah is the Jewish celebration of the Maccabeans rededicating the temple after AE desecrated it.

Vs. 19-26 Notice that Gabriel, in describing AE, doesn't go to the very last times historically, but rather to the end of this rogue Greek Empire. Actually AE was chased out of Egypt by the Romans, so this was, as v. 23 says, toward the end of these Greek kingdoms. When AE arrived in Jerusalem, he wanted Israel to be a buffer state against the Romans; but the Jews were always stubborn, so he went crazy. There was a massive persecution of the Jews with much killing and destruction.

What is to be noted here is the extreme arrogance of AE and his success against God's people. This example, and what we'll learn in chapter 10, will help the Jews living in the Tribulation understand what is happening to them and will give them strength to hold on. Actually too, those believers in the Tribulation will have the book of Revelation so they will fully understand why the persecution against them is so hard and so relentless.

V. 25 AE died of madness in Persia. At the end of the Tribulation, it will be Jesus, the Prince of Princes, who does away with the antichrist.

V. 27 Since Daniel had lived for God and for his people, I think it was the vision of this destruction of his people that made him sick. In this vision, too, what he couldn't understand or grasp was the spiritual overtone of this battle and the apparent victory given to the bad guys.

As disciples, we are following Christ in the harvest in the calm before the storm. The Bible says the clouds are gathering. Now is the time for us to be working.

1 John 2:1-17

Since this letter is written to believers, we need to understand John's warnings as trying to keep believers from becoming damaged on earth, and to motivate and help disciples to walk closely with the Lord.

Vs. 1-3 Notice this is addressed to all of the believers as little children.

V. 2 Propitiation means that God was completely "satisfied" by the sacrifice/payment of Jesus. Nothing more is needed.

Vs. 4-6 Both in John 14:21-23 and in John 15:1-8, there is a special relationship that is promised to those who walk closely with Jesus. It doesn't mean that a child who stays distant from his father is not a child, but it will influence how much benefit and closeness he receives from the relationship. Even what I was reading this morning, about Jesus acknowledging or denying His disciples before the angels of God, has to do with blessing and provision, not with salvation. If a person denies Jesus, Jesus doesn't need to help them (acknowledge them) because that person is helping himself, getting out of a tough jam by denying Jesus. If you acknowledge Jesus, He acknowledges you and sends help from the Father. It has to do with relationship, not salvation.

Vs. 7-11 Now John just mentioned the idea of keeping the commandments of Christ. If someone asked you what some of those commandments were, there are a few that should come right to the surface. Anyone who has had to work with Christians, encouraging them to work in the harvest, knows that working in the church is not easy. Loving one another is one of those major commandments that Jesus gave the night before He died. The commandment to love one another was prefaced by Jesus saying He was leaving, but sending us into the world as witnesses. He knew the world would hate us, yet we are to love one another as we bear witness to Him.

It needs to be emphasized that keeping His commandments will always be tied into the Great Commission and bearing witness for Christ. To live morally is the least we can do for what He's done for us. It is daring to die for Him in reaching out and making disciples, that puts us in the position of obeying His commands. For most people, being a Christian means staying away from sex and drugs and fun and trouble in general. We are to imitate our Savior and follow and obey the Father as He did. (John 14:13) And in joy, it led Jesus straight to the cross. Loving one another takes on a special, God intended meaning, when we are all risking our lives on earth to make Christ known. Without the mission and living as disciples, loving one another is just another flowery, religious thought.

Now, in John's Gospel, he says, The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. (John 1:9) This light is Jesus. However, if you've been in church, you know that it is possible for born-again people not to like or love one another. Again, what John is saying here is that the proof of growing in Christ is loving one another. It is a sign of abiding in Christ. And if this abiding is the same as the context of John 15, this abiding is done by disciples in the harvest, living to bear fruit for Christ. When we forget Who saved us, where we are and why we are left here, all we have is a social organization called "church," in which we vie for position and recognition and where we demand that our needs be met. The church exists to carry a light into the harvest. In Christ, His salvation and mission binds us together.

Vs. 12-14 One way to try to understand this section is to understand that John is addressing everyone as little children, then everyone as fathers, and finally everyone as young men. John has already said in 2:1, that they are all little children. So, it seems to me that John was saying first that he was calling them little children, because they were innocent, like those who had just had their sins forgiven in Christ. He was saying they were like fathers in that they knew the Ancient of Days, understood His wisdom and could give perspective to life. And they were like young men, because they had fought and overcome the evil one by obeying God.

Then the next section of restatement adds a source or directive to what was said: little children are to grow to know the Father, fathers are to keep on doing the same thing, and young men are to be strong in the Word.

Vs. 15-17 It seems that this section is a warning. Being lured into these desires will keep them from the faith of a child, the perspective of a father, and the victory of a young man. Abiding in Christ, or not, is the point here.

This morning I was reading of Jesus warning His disciples in Luke 12:1-15. What is interesting is that His warning about hypocrisy only begins with beware, but when Jesus warns them against all aspects of coveting and possession in v. 15, He intensifies the warning by saying, Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness. Sometimes it is easier for us to see religious problems than for us to see the desires of our hearts that are consuming us. Just like the seed sown among thorns, believers get choked, their fruit does not mature and so they prove unfruitful. That choking was the result of cares and delights and desires. Living for those things describes a lot of people in a lot of churches. This is a good warning.

Psalm 120

Remember, a song of ascents was sung by the pilgrims coming to Jerusalem for the feasts, three times a year, preparing their hearts for worshiping God.

I would guess that this song (sort of an unusual song to read so it must have sounded great when sung) would have reflected a desire to dwell in the Lord's presence. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. (Psalm 27:4)

V. 1 Not everyone went to the feasts. To do that, you had to leave your house, possessions, and property unguarded. You missed work. Eventually you were scorned and ridiculed for being faithful.

Vs. 2-7 This must have been the inner feelings of being scorned and ridiculed for coming to the feasts. Dwelling with the Lord, in peace in the inner man, is the hope of those who must live in a hostile, unbelieving part of the world. As disciples we work where human things are often out of control, where there are few choices, but we do have a choice where our heart dwells.

Proverbs 28:25-26

V. 25 As I've been reading about Jesus teaching His disciples not to have any anxiety about life or stuff, it not only shows you the trust that He wants His disciples to have; but that trust is the key to them being full of joy and having peace. Those who are content in Him and put their trust in Him bring that joy and trust with them wherever they go. They have it in the middle of chaos, because they have Him with them.

V. 26 This again has to do with trust. Notice in the second line the trust is in the Word (how else do we know God's wisdom?) and it leads to deliverance. This means that the person who trusts his own wisdom ends up in a trap.

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.

November 30, 2015

NOVEMBER 30

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

This is a red letter day. Today you'll begin 1 John and finish Psalm 119. Tomorrow you will begin your final month reading The One Year Bible this year. Hopefully you feel encouraged. Don't give up if you've fallen behind. Just begin again on January 1. Everything you've learned in the Word this year will seem familiar as you begin reading in January. Also, you've learned some stuff about yourself, and this next year you'll be more likely to be more regular about reading every day. It takes three to five years of reading The One Year Bible to develop the habits that will keep you on track for a full year. Imagine, there are people who have been believers 40 years to whom the Word is a familiar, yet foggy, book. Their quiet times come out of secondary sources that only reference the Word. They are attuned to the words of men about God, but not God's Word. They never invested five years to set their hearts on developing a life-long walk with God every day in His truth. And if you are meeting regularly with 2-3 others, sharing what the Spirit is teaching you, the effect of walking with the Lord like this is magnified 100 times and becomes a disciple-making way of life.

Daniel 7

Daniel is either liked because of the "children's" stories in chapters 1-6, or because of the apocalyptic portions where beasts are doing beastly stuff, or because angels are warring with one another. In my opinion, if you only look at the first six chapters as interesting kids' stories, you miss the entire point, and with that, Daniel ends up in the lion's den as a 20-40 year-old man. Clearly in the first six chapters, God is moving and influencing the nations for the return of Israel to their land. Now, in chapters 7-12 we need to ask ourselves what God's purpose is in letting us have this information. I would say that God is showing how He will also be moving the nations and influencing them for the return of the Messiah and the establishment of His kingdom. Yet, there is still the question of why God is giving us this future information. Think about that.

V. 1 The first year of Belshazzar's reign means this vision is given to Daniel about 14 years before the lion's den. Why did God give this to Daniel now? It's all speculation; but I think, among other things, He wanted to encourage Daniel. When Belshazzar was given the rule in Babylon, while Nabonidus was living the high-life elsewhere, that must have felt bad. The empire began to decline even faster. Daniel was powerless and was now demoted. This might have been to inspire Daniel to know that God was still in charge and that this weakening of Babylon was a part of His plan to bring about the next empire. That might be a reason for all of these chapters. One thing all of these empires had in common was their rule over Israel, God's people.

Many people on this planet feel powerless regarding the direction of their country, government, and the trends of culture. Daniel felt that, but what God showed Daniel has to help us too. We are disciples following Christ in the harvest on a dying planet that will ultimately experience the wrath of God. We are no longer people identified by a nationality like Jews or Greeks, or identified by a geological area like the USA, China, or Europe. We belong to the kingdom of God, and just like Jesus sent the 70 ahead of Him into every place where He Himself was coming, we are heralding the coming of our King and His offer of forgiveness. We need to wake up and do our work. We were meant to love our cultures and care for our people, but this time must come to an end because of the ravages of sin and the rule of Satan. God says that things will only get worse before the coming of our Lord. But as the clouds roll in before the storm, many people will be stirred and will open their hearts to Christ. We are here for Christ to reach out to them.

This is the final chapter that is in Aramaic. Now, you could understand chapters 2-6 being in Aramaic, since they were like news communications in the empire, but what about chapter 7? This again is speculation, but I think that as chief of the wise men, Daniel published this in their literature. Chapter 7, as well as chapter 2, hang together and help interpret one another. The rest of the chapters deal exclusively with Israel and how nations and events will impact God's people. Those chapters, specifically for the Jews, are written in Hebrew. Chapter 7 belongs to the explanation of chapter 2, and so I think this was also included in the official records of Babylon, though maybe, only under the note, "for wise guys only."

Just as an aside, we have no idea as to what Daniel did among the wise men. I can't imagine they just did card tricks all day. He must have had some input into their learning and doings. You know that the wise men who visited Jesus after His birth came from the east, from the region Daniel ruled. How do you think they knew about this coming King who would set up an eternal kingdom? Although you can't say for sure it was the influence of Daniel, it would be silly to exclude that possibility. I don't know how, but I think that through Daniel, God gave the information to the wise men that would culminate with the journey of the Magi to worship the young child Jesus.

Vs. 2-7 In chapter 2, we had four metals as a part of one statue. In the last of those kingdoms, something funny happened in the feet that was a part of that last kingdom, a continuation of some sort. In the days of those last kings, God sets up His eternal kingdom. Here we have four beasts, and in the days of that final beast something funny happens. Like the iron legs of the statue that have these toes, this final beast will eventually have ten horns. After those horns, God will set up His kingdom. So, we have two visions with one meaning. But now Daniel is shown something about that final kingdom and God has Daniel particularly concerned with a little horn.

Note, God used the sea often as a symbol of rebellion to His rule. Out of that sea of human rebellion come the nations that will claim world domination, and particularly domination of Israel.

V. 4 Just as the head of gold was Nebuchadnezzar and was given prominence, this beast is also given some honor in its description. God removes the wings and gives it the mind of a man. This is probably alluding to God's education of Nebuchadnezzar, making him rational and understanding that the living God ruled.

V. 5 The bear representing the Persian Empire would have been the breast and arms of silver on the statue. The bear was lopsided, some suggest, because it was of the Medes (weaker side) and the Persians (the stronger side.)

V. 6 This is Greece, the bronze torso and thighs of bronze on the statue. The animal imagery here is very direct. The leopard was a symbol the Greeks used; and after Alexander's death, the empire was divided into four kingdoms: north, south, east and west.

V. 7 Breaking into pieces sort of describes this empire, both in the legs of iron and in this beast with its teeth of iron. I don't know my history, so I don't know that the Romans were more brutal than all other empires, but they did have the distinction of being the empire that both killed the Messiah and destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. The ten horns, as we'll see, are ten kings and they would correspond to the toes on the statue. In the description of the statue in chapter 2, it mentions the days of those kings. Since we know here, that there are ten kings ruling at once, looking back on that phrase and those ten toes makes sense. I think that because of the way both of these visions help interpret each other, Daniel wrote this in Aramaic, probably to put it together in the file with the vision of the statue.

V. 8 So, in the days of those ten horns, a small one comes up and plucks up three of the others by their roots, meaning, totally removed. The description of the eyes must have to do with some special dark intelligence given to that horn. While it is saying these great things…

Vs. 9-10 …God takes His seat to pronounce judgment on mankind. This is like the beginning and duration of the Tribulation. Notice that some of this description of the glory of God sounds like what Ezekiel saw.

Vs. 11-12 Eventually this horn was judged. The dominion of the other beasts (Iraq, Iran, Greece and Italy) has been taken away, but their lands remain. We don't have enough information on this final manifestation of the final beast, but with everything that is said here and elsewhere about the horn, the killing of the beast seems to be talking about a man.

Vs. 13-14 This would be the coming of Christ at the end of the Tribulation.

As a result of v. 13, the Jews had a title for the Messiah, the "Son of Man." Imagine the distress of the religious leaders, when they heard Jesus refer to Himself as the "Son of Man." As you read through the Gospels next year, underline "Son of Man." It will give you an idea of how often Jesus used this title. Here are a couple of times Jesus said this of Himself.

Mark 2:10-11 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" -- he said to the paralytic -- ¹¹"I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home."

Matthew 26:63-65 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." ⁶⁴Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." ⁶⁵Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy.”

Vs. 15-18 Daniel seeks help and is given a very brief summary, with the assurance that God will fulfill His promise to Israel. Remember, this vision is given to Daniel as the Babylonian Empire was crumbling. Daniel is shown and told that God will sovereignly guide Israel to fulfill the promise given to Abraham.

Vs. 19-22 Now, some of this seems like a review of what he saw, except for the part of the horn beating up the people of Israel/followers of Christ until God puts an end to it. Daniel didn't mention this persecution before, but God knew it would catch Daniel's eye. What concerned Daniel was that this king was fighting and beating the "saints" / people of Israel and followers of Christ during the Tribulation. Why would God allow that?

Vs. 23-28 Notice that this last kingdom, in the final years before the return of Christ, will have power over the whole earth. Those who stand and survive against this power will be few. There will be believers on the earth and there will still be nations that will resist God and the antichrist. As C. S. Lewis said, "The dwarfs are for the dwarfs."

V. 25 What is significant in this description of the antichrist is that he will be given power to kill the followers of Christ during the Tribulation, who will mostly be Jews. We will see this when we read the book of Revelation, and there, we'll see God's purpose in it. Remember Romans 8:36.

V. 27 This is clearly the Millennial Kingdom with the Jews being a witness to the world and Christ reigning. For another prediction of this, see Isaiah 55:5.

V. 28 Daniel was distressed because of the damage this king will do to the saints of God. Revelation explains a little more about this. Those days are still future for Israel, but then there will be full vindication from God.

So, knowing that God has everything in His hands, now is the time to work in the harvest, sharing and witnessing the blessings and power of the gospel as we follow Christ, reaching out to the lost and making disciples, who make disciples.

1 John 1

After reading Paul and Peter, what we'll find in John's letters will fall right in line. John wrote this after many churches were established, probably in the 60's A.D., and before the persecution by Nero. What marked this time was the rise of false teaching in the church. God, of course, knew it would come and so He used this rise in false teaching as a help for us to see the apostles address the issues. In dealing with the false teaching, John will also express, in his unique way, the focus of disciples following Christ in the harvest.

Vs. 1-4 Like the introduction to John's Gospel, the focus is immediately on Jesus and His message. See how many things you can find in this introduction that would caution the believers to resist false teachers.

V. 4 As with Paul, John’s joy was in seeing disciples joyfully and faithfully following Christ, making disciples.

Vs. 5-10 This section is definitely aiming at something. Now, even if there weren't false teachers, there would still be the presence of inappropriate lifestyles and the warped rationalizations that supported those in the guise of being OK with God.

Vs. 5-6 We've seen people in Corinth doing all sorts of sin, from immorality to idolatry, justifying it before God. Apparently there were teachers who were not only rationalizing this, but they were promoting it.

V. 7 Notice how this great truth not only rebukes those not honoring Christ in their lives, but it says that as disciples follow Christ, God continually cleanses them from the sins they will inevitably commit. This led John into the next extreme in teaching.

Vs. 8-10 There is no sinless perfection on this earth, whether we say, "Oh that's just the flesh and it doesn't count," or if we say, "I've reached that higher plane of existence." John and the Spirit didn't have much patience for any opinion that says we don't continually need to ask forgiveness before God.

V. 9 This is forgiveness in the family. When a child or spouse sins, it doesn't mean they are out of the family, it means that until someone says they're sorry, you can't pretend that nothing happened. On the basis of the power of what Jesus did, He can justly forgive us and cleanse us as often as we sin. We only need to confess.

V. 10 Again, since this is addressed to Christians, this is not talking about sin before conversion, but sinning while walking with Christ. A disciple will keep a very short, and sensitive, account of his sins and will be talking with God often. It's part of the joy of that closeness with the Lord.

Psalm 119:153-176

Isn't it interesting that David used this alphabet pattern to write this entire psalm. Then in the first part of each section, he refers to something about his life, but the second part always says something about the Word. He goes out of his way to refer to the Word in different ways, yet it is always the same. He couldn't live without being in God's Word in every situation every day and every hour. We need to learn to do the same.

As you read, notice again all of the references to distress or trouble and how the Word helped him.

Vs. 153-154 This is David's plea to God in this section. God knows those who are His and He will deliver them, according to His wisdom and His plan. Sometimes heaven is that deliverance.

Vs. 155-160 God's salvation and compassion are based on a person's relationship to Him. The wicked do not seek or obey God's Word. David not only read and obeyed, but he also loved God's Word.

Vs. 161-162 In the face of unjust persecution, David focused on God's Word to the point of having joy. Notice here that v. 161 sort of echoes John 15:25, They hated me without a cause.

Vs. 163-168 Notice all of the emotions in this section from v. 161 to 168: awe, joy, praise, love, peace, hope and love.

Vs. 169-176 Underline let in this section. Notice too how crying, pleading, and praising are mentioned.

V. 176 David asked God to seek him when he went astray. God did this for David.

Proverbs 28:23-24

V. 23 I was reading this morning how Jesus strongly cautioned His disciples to avoid the leaven of the Pharisees, which was hypocrisy. Immediately afterward He told them not to worry about death or persecution. To live as honestly and transparently as we should for Christ, apparently, could get us into trouble. At least Jesus must have thought so.

V. 24 Having just read 1 John 1:10, isn't this a funny "coincidence?" We need to call a sin a sin.

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.

November 29, 2015

NOVEMBER 29

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

Daniel 6

In my thinking, there are few chapters in the Bible that are as under-taught, underestimated and misunderstood as this chapter. This is one of those chapters that makes Bible study a lot of fun. Buckle up!

Vs. 1-3 Now, how is this possible? It should be impossible for anyone to read this and just accept it without wondering why Darius, the conquering general and ruler over this part of the Persian Empire, should elevate Daniel. Daniel was not only the final ruler of the Babylonian Empire, but he had served Babylon as a high ranking official for 67 years. These are the guys you kill when you take over. Assuming Darius was a rational man, why would he do this? It doesn’t make sense. Darius must have had very good reasons for bringing Daniel into his government.

Just for fun look at the following verses: Daniel 9:1 and 11:1. All of this is happening in the first year of Darius.

The fact that Darius was 62 years old meant he would have been in his twenties when Neb lost his mind. There were great relationships between the Babylonians and the Persians and Medes. As royalty, Darius would have visited Babylon many times on official business or to attend events. He may have even fed Nebuchadnezzar a carrot. He would have known Daniel all his life as the ruler of the province of Babylon and the chief of the wise men. Daniel’s eminence would have been even greater during the seven years while Neb was grazing. We don’t know when Daniel was sent as an ambassador to Susa, but we find him there in chapter 8. This would have given Darius and Cyrus more contact with Daniel. Now, these could have been some reasons for Darius to have respected Daniel, but as we read on, we will find some reasons that were far more powerful.

Vs. 4-9 There are two things that are important to see here. First, these people were very religious, and to break the will of a people, you made them compromise themselves in the worship of their gods. We saw that in Daniel 1 and 3. So, as silly as this might sound to us, it made good sense to them. Second, in v. 8, it is very clear that Darius was an equal with Cyrus, in that he could sign a decree into existence that was binding and could not be broken in the entire empire. Official records of this would have been made, sent out by courier and put into official books. This information about official recorded decrees will come in handy at the end of the chapter.

Vs. 10-11 Daniel went and prayed anyway. Why? I’ve heard people attribute this to the faithful habits of a person having their quiet time and their sweet hour of prayer before the Lord. That is all great stuff. But, if you really want to know why Daniel prayed, as well as what he prayed, read Daniel 9:1-19. This was an absolutely crucial time in the history of Israel. Daniel’s passion for the Lord and for his people, as representatives of the God of salvation, was burning in him. The seventy years were up and a new government had taken over. Daniel knew his entire life had been directed by God to save his people. He was begging God to fulfill His promise, given in Jeremiah 29:10, to end the exile after 70 years and return the people to Jerusalem. It is really deeper than that and we’ll see it in chapter 9. There was no way in the world, regardless of the enemy or the cost, that Daniel would not beg God for His people. (By the way, we’ll see later that facing Jerusalem in prayer was a part of another promise in Scripture.)

Vs. 11-13 The trap was sprung, but as we saw in Esther with Haman, sometimes the traps you set for others have a way of biting you back. In this case, the biting is meant literally.

Vs. 14-20 Here we go again. Darius is acting very strangely.

V. 14 I’ve heard this explained that Darius really loved Daniel and didn’t want to lose such a cool leader. Maybe, but how do you explain that Darius is very distressed. This section shows that Darius was fearful. How do you explain that? Read on.

V. 15 This would not have endeared these men to Darius. How many men were a part of this conspiracy? Certainly there were the two other presidents, but some suggest that many of the local leaders were a part of this. I've read of numbers into the hundreds, but only so many men and their families would have fit in the lion's den. I think the main actors here were those other presidents and a few other high ranking men.

One of the things that leads people to misunderstand the depth of this book is that the first six chapters are seen individually, as disconnected children’s stories. Just for the fun of it, Google “Daniel in the lion’s den,” and then click on “images.” Notice how many of the pictures do not show that Daniel was in his eighties. I found one picture that looked like “Samson in the lion’s den.” Anyway, it should be impossible to read chapters 1-6 and not know that 70 years have passed, but most people still visualize Daniel as a young man.

V. 16 How did Darius have this information? I think Darius had known this about Daniel most of his life.

V. 18 No TV, no dancing girls, no nothing! Why in the world is a pagan king fasting, and whom is he seeking by his praying and fasting? Why couldn’t he sleep? What was he worried about?

V. 19 Why is he going to the den so early and with so much agitation? Did he want to collect the bones? Guys like this never traveled alone, so the coach or the guys who carried him apparently had to do double-time.

V. 20 Why is he crying out in anguish? Just think of what Darius says here, servant of the living God. That is a grade “A” shocker. How did Darius know that?

I think Darius expected that God would act that night to save Daniel. I think Darius knew all about God’s education of Nebuchadnezzar: the first dream, the dedication and furnace, and particularly the events that led up to Neb being punished. All of these actions were official Babylonian events, recorded in Aramaic, copied, sent out to the capitals of the provinces and filed. Then, the night that Darius took over, he heard of this strange event in the ballroom. He and Mrs. Darius walked into their new ballroom the next day to decide on paint and drapes, and there on the wall they saw the words carved in the plaster. Not only did he know the stories of what had happened to Neb, but now he had become a part of that history of this mighty God who mixes Himself in empires, and disciplines those kings who resist Him. For Darius, living in Babylon might have been kind of like inheriting a haunted house. I think that when Darius realized he had been tricked and maneuvered into putting Daniel to death, he feared for his life before Yahweh.

Vs. 21-23 Not only was Darius happy (and off the hook), but it was a visual sign and miracle to all of those officials and soldiers who were with him.

V. 24 Darius was also very mad. It was time for some "payback." And just like we saw in the book of Esther, when the decree was given to destroy the Jews, their enemies revealed who they were and were dealt with.

Vs. 25-27 I just have a few observations here. First, another pagan king is worshiping God. Actually, Darius is doing such a good job of it, you wonder if this event moved him to become a worshiper of Yahweh only.

Second, Darius writes a binding decree for the entire Persian Empire stating that people were to fear Yahweh. Remember that Nebuchadnezzar did this after the furnace in chapter 3. The force of Neb’s decree was that no one dared force the Jews to worship any god but their own. That decree protected the Jews up until the Persian Empire. When the Persians came to power, they hit the “reset” button and the Jews were threatened again with being forced to worship other gods. With this decree, the Jews were again a favored people in the empire and they were granted the freedom to worship Yahweh only.

Third, this information, the entire written account, would have been sent out in Aramaic to all the ends of the earth, not just the empire. Cyrus would have gotten a copy. The first year of Darius was also the first year of Cyrus. Guess what Cyrus did in his first year, and after this event? He sent the Jews back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Notice that they were sent to rebuild the temple, not the city. The focus of Cyrus' decree was the worship of Yahweh and wanting to earn Yahweh's favor. Was this event the catalyst to Cyrus’ decree? That makes a lot more sense to me than that God just whammied him and Cyrus mindlessly did it. Read Ezra 1:1-2, and you’ll notice that Cyrus had a lot of information. He most certainly had been influenced by what happened to Neb and Cyrus might have read some of the official Babylonian documents that had been written by Daniel, that is, chapters 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7. (Chapter 7 is interesting and was written in Aramaic, years earlier.) I think that God used this crisis to put the fire under Cyrus to seek the favor of God and to send the Jews home.

Fourth, look at what God does through crisis. In God’s hands, crisis is our friend. This should teach us something.

Fifth, though Belshazzar knew what God had done to Nebuchadnezzar, he failed to learn from it and paid the price. Darius was different. He not only observed; he took it to heart. Darius got an “A.”

As disciples, when Jesus tells us to go into the harvest and not to fear, I think He can really back that up. The question is, after reading all of this, have we learned anything?

2 Peter 3

Vs. 1-3 Peter is doing the same thing that Paul did with Timothy, when he told Tim in both letters that in the last days there would be false teachers. In this case Peter is saying that, from within the church, there will come false teachers who, among other things, will cause others not to take certain things seriously. People will scoff at God. It happens, too, and as a result, bitter, disillusioned, fruitless believers are easy to find.

Vs. 4-7 In this case they are creating doubt regarding the return of the Lord and judgment. Peter uses the example of the flood, to show that what happened once will certainly happen again. The same Word that created the world has brought judgment once, by water, and will bring it again. As sure as there is a visible world, there will be a time of accountability before the Creator. I think the issue here is not only God’s delay, but whether He will bring judgment.

Vs. 8-10 Notice the prominence of the harvest and the importance of our mission in what Peter says here. The reason that God is waiting is for the harvest to be brought in. Notice that this judgment will come with fire on the earth. That sounds like the book of Revelation.

Vs. 11-13 Since we know the judgment is coming, we should live a particular kind of life, following Jesus. Since everything on earth will be done away with, except people, saving people is the goal, not acquiring stuff or fulfilling our desires. By working in the harvest, bringing in those whom God will save, we are hastening the coming of the Lord. Notice that Peter adds some reality here regarding the coming judgment and the promise of our future not being on this earth, but on the new one. Too many believers still think that heaven is on this earth. This earth and this time on earth is like the foyer or entrance to a building. We haven't really entered the true building yet.

Vs. 14-18 Notice here that Paul’s writings are equated as Scripture. The people are to resist the false teachers, wait on the Lord, honor God and work in the harvest during this time of God’s patience. Notice that there were "other Scriptures" besides what Paul had written. This could be referring to the Gospels of Mark, Luke and the letter from James.

V. 18 says it all. Amen!

The time to be working in the harvest is now, before God's judgment begins. And, this is the perfect season in many western nations to use Christmas as a conversation starter, or to show kindness to someone in the name of our Lord.

Psalm 119:129-152

Vs. 129-130 Here, the Word becomes the light to the soul, giving understanding. Unfolding gives the sense of the Word gradually making sense to us as we spend time in it daily.

Vs. 131-136 On the basis of the light you have, you know how to move and respond in the darkness. David had plenty of darkness around him.

V. 133 David needed God to steady his steps and this came through the Word. In reading this, I think of how strong David was when he was afflicted and distressed. He was forced to go to the Lord in His Word. It seems like David lived in the Word. When he got comfortable and busy and important in his palace, I think he let the Word gather dust, and we’ve read the tragic results.

Vs. 137-144 Righteousness seems to be important in this section. Righteousness is like a standard, or measurement or guide to help us. Driving "righteously" would be obeying the rules, stopping at signs and staying inside the lines. We learn of God's guides for us in His Word. David's adversaries were out of bounds in pursuing David. It was a matter of knowing God's Word and living righteously before Him. David was distressed by the danger and the unjustness, but the Word gave David comfort. The righteousness of God and those standards expressed in the Word pleaded David's case.

Vs. 145-146 David's interest in God and in His Word was with his whole heart.

Vs. 147-148 I wonder if this was David’s quiet time. Notice the mention of the promise.

Vs. 149-151 And here’s the reason David got up so early. David knew of the steadfast love of God as revealed in His Word. God was near.

V. 152 David knew that the Word was eternal.

This makes me think that we need to pursue the Lord in times of “peace,” the way we do in times of need and distress. The reality of this life is that we live behind enemy lines, with people around us being deceived and destroyed, around the clock. When God gives us peace, we shouldn’t abuse it by forgetting why He has left us here. We are to pursue Him in this dark harvest, following Christ, reaching the lost, making disciples, who make disciples. Very soon, both in the OT and in the NT, we will begin reading about the judgment that is coming.

Proverbs 28:21-22

V. 21 I’m sure this was another reason why Jesus taught His disciples that we should expect our bread from God and lay up treasure in heaven. If that’s where our bread comes from, we can’t be bought.

V. 22 I’m sure that “poverty of soul” is included in this.

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.