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JANUARY 4
Genesis 8-10
This is another day of big beginnings in Genesis. Remember to write out
observations and questions and mark up your Bible when you find things that are
interesting to you. The important thing that happens is that your natural
interest becomes engaged so you begin to see connections and seek answers.
One resource you might want to check out if you have a question is the Bible
Knowledge Commentary online at Google books. Much of it can be
previewed/read for free and this commentary is easy reading and more in depth
than these notes. One chart that might be helpful is “Chronology of the Flood,”
Bible Knowledge Commentary-OT, p. 39.
Genesis 8
Vs. 1-12 Noah and his family have taken a long cruise. The chart mentioned
above shows you how long all of this lasted.
V. 2 It is supposed by some that conditions before and after the flood
were incredibly different. There are questions as to where all that water came
from and where it went. It is thought that the earth was surrounded by a wall
of water vapor that filtered the rays of the sun and gave the earth a
greenhouse climate. In the flood then, that water vapor layer was dissolved
(windows of heaven). After the flood, with this layer missing, the earth had
extreme temperatures allowing for the ice caps at the north and south and the
freezing of that water. With a huge change in climate came clouds and rain,
making a rainbow possible, and certain animals became extinct because of the
harsher climate. Also, it is suggested, that because the sun was no longer
filtered, it led to the drastic reduction in the span of life for everything,
mankind included.
Regardless of how God did it, through natural or supernatural means,
God changed things significantly.
V. 10 Since this was a new beginning for everything, I think it is safe
to assume that God allowed everything to grow quickly, supernaturally. To have
an olive tree with a leaf, after all plant life on land had been destroyed,
would be a miracle. This same thing is true when we read of the resurrection of
someone in the Bible. It seems easy to believe the spirit could just go back to
the body, but the body first had to be totally re-created. In this case God was
again creating plant life. And who knows what else He was doing during that
time.
Vs. 13-19 I think that God's blessing was supernaturally on everything
that left the ark. One interesting thought is wondering where Moses got all of
these month and day references. The detail is very exact. It may be that Noah
kept records, but these never would have made their way into Moses' hands. It
must be that Moses wrote all of this during the 40 years in the wilderness, as
he spent time with the Lord. That means that as God gave Moses all of this
information to write down, all of the days would have been according to the
calendar God had just given to His people. On that calendar, their first month
was our March-April. Later that would be the Passover and the death and
resurrection of the child of promise, Jesus.
Vs. 20-22 I wonder if 8:20 wouldn't have been a better place to begin
chapter 9.
V. 20 It is interesting to think that Noah knew which animals were
clean or unclean. Even if Moses was writing this with his understanding of
God's requirements, how would Noah, back then, have known which animals were
acceptable for worship? Apparently God told him.
V. 21 The sacrifice had more to do with God being pleased with
devotion, obedience and man's understanding of his need to have his sin
forgiven. That was pleasing to God. It was not that God likes the smell of
brisket. I mean, He probably does. Who doesn't? But in other places God says
that sacrifices will not please Him if the understanding and heart behind the
sacrifices is false. You can see this in Isaiah 1.
God is pleased with the sacrifice and devotion of Noah and promises not
to repeat the flood, though He states that the sickness of sin is still
present. Noah & Co. brought it with them.
This is a new beginning of the human race, from scratch.
Genesis 9
Vs. 1-7 This is God's blessing of Man and the earth with a couple of
interesting additions.
Along with the fear of man given to the animals, it seems that Noah
& Co. could now eat meat. Here God gives them the prohibition against
eating raw, un-drained meat, that is, with the blood still in it. This command
is repeated in the Law of Moses and again in Acts. Since this command is given
before the law, it is suggested that it is still in force. The reason for this
command is given and becomes a very interesting statement both literally and
figuratively looking toward the future and redemption, its life, that is, its blood. Again, the intent here is not to
forbid eating uncooked meat, but not to drink or eat blood.
V. 5 Were you wondering where the command for capital punishment came
from? Then comes the reasoning for the command against murder. Man is created
in the image of God. It seems to me this is mentioned here because a year
earlier the world had been ruled not by justice, but by who could kill whom. I
think this law reflects back to life before the flood.
V. 7 This almost sounds like God sending all the animals into the
world.
Vs. 8-17 This is a big section and shows that God is doing something
very important.
Since this is the first rainbow, it means that this is the first time
there were conditions that would make a rainbow possible. It should be noted
that the word for bow means
"bow" as in weapon. When we see a rainbow I guess it should remind us
that God has promised to show mercy and to withhold total judgment.
Notice that although this is a covenant between God, man and all
creation, God is the only responsible party. This then is an unconditional
covenant or promise. Also, underline every instance of God saying
"I." Think about the implications of what He is saying.
This promise to preserve or save is interesting when you see the
rainbows in Revelation. Even there, as judgment is coming on the earth, God
promises to preserve.
Vs. 18-19 These men and their wives were used to repopulate the earth.
Notice that it was all one man and one woman. None of these men had multiple
wives.
Notice that Ham is already being identified as the father of Canaan in v. 18 and again in v. 22 when he does what
he does. So what did he do? Did he just look at his father, or something more?
Part of this might be linked to the respect his other sons show Noah. It might
also be displayed later in what was found in the religious worship of the land
of Canaan.
Vs. 20-27 God never punishes Noah for getting drunk. Noah was a very
righteous man. Some people who know more about fermentation than I do suggest
that Noah might have been surprised by the change in the way the process worked
after the flood. I don't know.
The real damage came as a result of Ham. When we get to heaven we'll
have to find out what happened, but it was an attitude of disrespect and it
must have had some element of perverted thought.
The curse is not toward Ham or his other children in general. The curse
is fully on Canaan. Notice that other kids of Ham became notable people with
notable cities. This curse was misused to support African slave trade. The
curse is not on Ham nor was it on any of his descendants who may have populated
Africa. The curse is only on one son, Canaan, who later becomes the people and
land of Canaan, where Israel is today.
The land of Canaan has special interest because it was given to
Abraham. That's why God and Moses are mentioning it here. As the children of
Israel are hearing this read, God is supplying them with the explanation for
why He used Israel to judge the land of Canaan. When Israel got there, they
found that Canaanite worship was very sexually saturated. Most of what
archeologists find from religious worship in that area is “X-rated.”
Something was seen in Ham and became intensified in his son Canaan, and
God promised judgment for it. It is enough to say that as disciples, we need to
be careful to keep our lives open and cleanable before the Lord, so we don't
spread unnecessary stuff to our families or to those we are trying to lead as
disciples.
Vs. 25-27 Do you notice anything interesting about the curse and the
blessings? Shem and Japheth, Noah's sons, are blessed. But Ham isn't blessed.
He isn't even mentioned. But Noah's grandson, Canaan, was cursed.
Vs. 28-29 This is just some more trivia, right? Not at all. It may be
that Abraham was alive the last 60 years of Noah's life. Depending on the
dating either Noah and Abe overlapped, or Noah died just before Abraham was
born. In any event, Shem would have been alive to give a firsthand accounting
of life before and after the flood. You wonder if Noah or Shem influenced the
faith of Abraham.
Genesis 10
V. 1 This is the new beginning of the human race and sounds like Genesis
5:1.
Vs. 2-5 These are the descendants of Japheth. Remember that Moses and
God are writing this many years later for the Israelites. These peoples had
spread out after Babel. Notable are Magog, a people associated with aggression
toward Jerusalem in the end times. Also, the name Kittim sounds like a people
associated with the Romans.
Vs. 6-20 These are the descendants of Ham. Notice that Nimrod, from his
son Cush, was the founder of Babel and Assyria. He was the first great king.
It's always interesting to see the little commentaries given to certain people.
Vs. 15-20 This is a special mention for Israel. The people who came
from Canaan, the son of the curse, would be the people God would remove from
the land, through Israel. Although, if you look at Sidon, you realize that
this is the influence of Tyre and Sidon and also the influence of Jezebel on
Ahab and the northern kingdom of Israel.
Baal worship would become a snare to Israel. The worship of Baal and
his female counterpart, Ashtoreth, were associated with fertility and sexual
worship, using prostitutes to aid the worshipers in their "worship
experience." Along with this worship was Moloch worship where the unwanted
babies were offered in worship/sacrifice. This sexual worship was deeply seated
in Canaan. Although God warned Israel not to copy the Canaanites, Israel
followed the attraction of Baal worship almost immediately. Samuel, Saul, and David
did away with it, but it was reintroduced by Solomon as he and his wives
participated in the worship of Ashtoreth. Then Baal-Ashtoreth-Moloch worship
became institutionalized in the northern kingdom when King Ahab married
Jezebel, the princess of Sidon. And to think, this all began with Canaan, the
son of Ham.
Vs. 21-32 This is the line of Shem, the line of faith. Jesus will be
one of Shem's descendants.
V. 25 Notice the comment given to Peleg. It is thought that it was
during the time of his birth that the continents began to drift. This would
mean that the languages had already been confused, and the peoples drifted
apart from one another finding those of like language. Then the land masses
began to move. If that's how it worked, that would have been a cheaper solution
than taking a cruise or renting a kayak to get to South or North America.
From here God will direct Moses to follow the line of those people who
were led by faith in the promise of a child who would deliver mankind. It is
pretty amazing that as disciples of Jesus, we continue that line of faith as we
work in the harvest following our Lord. His commission to us is to make disciples,
who make disciples, until He comes. That's a cool privilege. But first,
tomorrow, we'll have to read about the invention of that awful German language
(Mark Twain's opinion).
Matthew 4:12-25
Now, you have seen that Matthew has a very specific purpose in mind,
showing that Jesus is the promised Messiah. You've noticed that he didn't
include the announcements of John the Baptist or Jesus, but we did get the wise
men.
V. 12 Jesus' public ministry began at the arrest of John the Baptist,
although Jesus had already been involved in ministry since His baptism. The
arrest of John was an official starting point.
Now, just for your information, between vs. 12 and 13 there is a gap of
time. It is here that you have John 1:35-4:54 and Luke 5:1-11. If you are
interested, scan those portions to get a feel for how much Matthew is leaving
out.
Vs. 13-17 After Jesus' rejection in Nazareth, Jesus chose Capernaum as
His hometown. There were several reasons for this, but the reason Matthew wants
us to see is that it fulfilled prophecy of Isaiah 9:1-2.
Vs. 18-22 This is the official calling of Peter, Andrew, James and
John. I remember reading this and being stunned by the fact that Jesus just
walked up to these guys He had never met or barely knew and said, "follow
me," and they immediately left everything. That seems so unbelievable
because it was. The calling of Peter & Co. was a process. Matthew is being
very selective about the information he is giving. He's driving home a point
about Jesus as the Jewish Messiah so he has to leave some stuff out. Before
Matthew 4:18 comes John 1:35-chapter 4 and then Luke 5:1-11. If you just
lightly skim those portions, you'll see that Peter & Co. had spent lots of
time with Jesus. So if we were making some principles, we might say we have to
get to know people first, and they need to get to know us, before we call them
as disciples. We need to give them time before we ask someone to commit.
V. 21 John was probably one of the two disciples of John mentioned in
John 1:37. Poor Zebedee is left alone, and it would get worse. Not only do his
sons leave here, but later we find that his wife, Salome (Mary's sister),
becomes a follower of Jesus and also accompanies Him on His journeys. I'm
guessing that Zeb became a believer too.
Matthew's point here is the one we need to heed. When Jesus, the
Messiah, called, they left everything and followed Him.
Vs. 23-25 This is the growth of Jesus' public ministry. Jesus will now
begin to experience increased popularity and opposition. The group of
"disciples" will grow into a great crowd. It will still be several
months before Jesus selects the Twelve. Discipleship with Jesus was a process.
Psalm 4
Like in the psalm yesterday, David is crying out to God. This will be a
constant situation with David. God had Samuel anoint David to be king of Israel
when David was a young teen. Now, years later, the promise hadn't been
fulfilled and David will run and hide from King Saul for about 10 years. David
learned to cry out, but he also learned that God's faithfulness and love
were steadfast. He only learned that in hardship. That's how we learn as
disciples in the harvest. There is no easy way to need the Lord desperately and
to receive His saving help unless we are desperate and need to be saved.
V. 1 David was a pro at crying out to God. Notice what he asks for.
V. 2 I don't know how this sounded sung in worship, but the reality was
that David had enemies in high places in Saul's palace.
V. 3 David knew this from his own anointing, but also from all of the
history he knew from Genesis-Ruth. God was with those who walked in faith and
trusted in His promises.
V. 4 Doesn't that sound like Paul in Ephesians 4:26, be angry and do not sin?
V. 5 In spite of persecution and hard times, David insisted that his
men honor God and put their trust in Him and His provision. We'll see this in
action in 1 Samuel.
V. 6 What do we really need? The light of God's face upon us.
V. 7 Even in his hardship David had joy, and it was probably a unique
joy, because it was found in hardship.
Vs. 8 What do we need to have peace and feel secure when everything is
falling apart? David had peace and security, though humanly speaking, he was
living in danger and uncertainty. God made the difference. That's why we're
reading and soaking daily in His Word.
Proverbs 1:20-23
Notice how urgently God has Wisdom
crying out to us.
As disciples, our growth has ups and downs. There is our love for
Christ and our desire to make Him known and make disciples, but something that
also has to grow is our willingness to be more and more submitted to Christ and
to following the Spirit.
As Wisdom cries out in this proverb she says in v. 22, How long, O simple ones, will you love being
simple?
Even as a disciple, I could say, "Hey, I've loved being foolish
for years and I've still got a couple of areas I enjoy.”
Jesus, as a very gentle "disciple-maker," works with us,
waits for us, probably saying, "If you'd really give yourself totally to
me and quit doing the stuff that you and I both know is unwise, you'd have more
joy in your walk with me and see real fruit."
V. 23 What an awesome promise. This isn't just the baptism of the
Spirit when we are saved. Paul often spoke of being filled as a command and
exhortation. Jesus promised that if we would seek God and yield ourselves to
Him, the Spirit would lead and strengthen us in joy. I need that more and more.
Please Read
the Following Disclaimer
I'm writing the Reading Notes to and
for those who are following a One Year Bible and are 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, that is, 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 and important discipleship manual we have and it is the 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, or whom we are to be following. 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, as disciples, 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, 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 (BKC).
I read the BKC in doing background for the Reading Notes and refer to it quite
often. I also make reference to maps or charts in the BKC, though I will only
note where those resources can be found. Often you can do a search for these
and find them in Google books. Buying both volumes of the Bible Knowledge
Commentary would be a good idea.
I am not endorsing any particular
One Year Bible translation; in fact, I read something you probably don't, Die
Revidierte Lutherbibel, 1984. Unless noted, all Scripture quotes are from the
ESV Bible.
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. Often there is a breadth of opinion on certain events, both
historical and prophetic. Many of my views come from my church background,
theological training and my personal study.
I'm
doing this with discipleship in mind, meaning, I'm writing out thoughts that
will keep discipleship and our growth as disciples applied to what we are
reading. Remember, the real focus of the Reading Notes is to be a
supplement, a disciple’s commentary, giving motivation and insight so that we
will keep following our Lord in the harvest, reaching the lost and making
disciples, who make disciples. Being in
the Word every day, sitting at Jesus’ feet, learning directly from Him, is the
essential essence of being and making disciples.
May the Lord bless you as you follow
Him in the harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who make disciples. Dan
The daily installments of the Reading Notes can be found at http://fencerail.blogspot.com/
If you would like documents containing an entire month of the
Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
If you would like a full presentation of discipleship read Simply Disciples*Making Disciples.
Or if you are struggling with insomnia and would like a long
boring dissertation on disciple making, these can both be found on https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
Reading Notes ©, Dan Kachikis 2011
The One Year Bible © by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton
Illinois 60189
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright ©
2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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