If you don't
have a One Year Bible or prefer something online, this link will take you to
the day's reading, http://oneyearbibleonline.com/daily-oyb/. This
site allows you to select from several languages and several English
translations.
FEBRUARY 16
Some congratulations are in order. If you’ve been keeping up, you’ve
now read three books of the Bible. You’ve probably read more of The Psalms than
you did last year, and you’re making good headway into Proverbs. The point of
all of this reading is connection with God. Like in any relationship, you learn
over time, through constant contact and time together in different situations.
As we seek to follow Christ in the harvest and in all the changing
circumstances of our lives, we need the Word to be constantly flowing through
us, to give the Spirit the ability to apply God’s thoughts and wisdom to our
hearts. Reading the Bible is not a onetime deal, and it is not about learning
content and remembering stories. We are seeking God and wanting to know His
heart and hear His Word.
Leviticus 1-3
Before I came to Christ, my uncle suggested one time that I should read
the Bible. I told him I had tried but I died in the third book. He told me to
start in the Gospels. That helped. I relate that story only to say that
Leviticus is where a lot of well meaning people “bite the dust” in their effort
to read the Bible through. Hang in there. We’ll get through it together. If you
want to make it more fun, try finding repeated words or phrases to look for;
and underline, for example, pleasing
aroma to the Lord.
Leviticus 1
Vs. 1-2 So, now that the tabernacle is set up, God will teach the
people how to approach Him and to live with Him in holiness. The word
"holy" when applied to God means both "totally pure and
sinless" and "separated." Holiness is what God will be teaching
in Leviticus. By the sacrifices, the minds and hearts of the people would be
directed to the need for forgiveness before a holy God. In all of the
sacrifices and other laws and rituals, they would be reminded that they were a
people that God had set apart, separated, to be a witness to the nations.
Vs. 3-17 These burnt offerings had to do with the atoning for sin. This
offering was to be completely devoted to the Lord; and therefore, it was
completely burned up. This would look forward to Jesus' sacrifice for us for
payment of sin and our forgiveness. It is also symbolic of the sacrifice seen
in Romans 12:1, representing discipleship in following Jesus.
In this offering a person met the priest outside of the tabernacle
courtyard. The priest examined the animal to make sure it qualified. Then the
worshiper and the priest went into the courtyard to the north side of the
altar. There the worshiper put his hand on the head of the animal and made a
declaration of confession of sin or desire to have his sin cleansed. Then the
worshiper, not the priest, killed the animal. The priest caught the blood in a
bowl and sprinkled the blood on the altar. As the worshiper skinned the animal
and cut the sacrifice into pieces, the priest arranged the wood on top of the
grate of the altar. The priest then put the pieces on the altar.
As you read this, try to note things that seem interesting. Here are
some of mine.
First, these offerings could only be males (picking on males?).
Second, the sacrifices could only be at the tabernacle. This meant if
you lived far away, you had to travel, which meant devotion and commitment.
There would be no more unrestrained sacrifice. This is why the tabernacle was
also called the tent of meeting. It
was here that they met together with God.
Third, it was a pleasing aroma….if
done in sincerity for heartfelt forgiveness.
Fourth, the very poorest of people could offer turtledoves or pigeons.
You know what famous couple offered this offering right? (Lk. 2:24) Also, Jesus
was kind to the pigeons. (John 2:14-16)
Fifth, the entire animal was consumed in fire, meaning that nothing
went to the priest for supper.
Sixth, each man had to know how to kill and prepare an animal.
Seventh, in killing the animal a man had to place his hand on its head.
That made the act very personal because it showed that the price for the
cleansing of sin was the death of an animal that visually (though not really)
took the place of the sinner.
Leviticus 2
The grain offerings were also burnt offerings and often
accompanied the sin offering. It was a way of acknowledging God's provision and
grace.
Vs. 1-15 The priests seem to have been able to have some of this
sacrifice for supper. The frankincense was added only to that portion that
would be burned.
Vs. 4-10 The different ways this grain offering could be presented
might suggest the different economic levels of the people who brought them.
Vs. 11-13 These offerings couldn’t have yeast since they were burnt
offerings, but they all had to have salt. A covenant of salt meant something
like "perpetual witness.” As the people expressed their thanks to God for
His provision or forgiveness, there was to be an element of this declaration
that was outward to all people. It is interesting to have Jesus say we are the
salt of the earth. As disciples, our thankfulness for our salvation needs to be
offered with salt and declared to others.
Leviticus 3
Vs. 1-17 This peace offering
was also a burnt offering of thankfulness for fellowship with God. Often after
the sin offering and the grain offering, there was this offering of communion
with God. This offering was accompanied by a feast afterward with the Levites
and also with the poor or anyone you wanted to invite. It was a sacrifice of
joy and celebration, eaten before the Lord and shared with others.
Notice that this animal could be either male or female, and only certain parts of the animal were
sacrificed by burning. This allowed for most of the animal to be cooked and
eaten.
Vs. 3-4 I don’t understand all of the detail here. It’s interesting
that the people couldn’t eat the fat that was attached to the entrails. Why
would you want to eat that anyway? I understand not eating raw blood, but they
couldn’t eat fat that was not on the cooked meat. Maybe among other things, God
wanted them to stay healthy.
When I think of this offering I think of Jesus standing at the door
knocking, wanting to eat with us. It also makes me think that this isn't a
private party. As disciples we need to invite the poor, the maimed, the blind
and the lame (especially those who are spiritually so) to enjoy what the Lord
has shared with us.
When we read what Jesus said about taking up our cross and that unless
we renounce everything, we cannot be His disciples, we understand that Jesus is
talking about complete sacrifice to Him.
The disciple, Paul, said it best in Galatians 2:20, I
have been crucified with
Christ. It is no longer I who
live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I
live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Mark 1:29-2:12
Mark 1:29-45
Vs. 29-31 I always smile when I read this. I’m sure the image I have in
my mind isn’t how it happened; but I can see Jesus entering into the house, a
little bit worn out and hungry, and He says, “Peter, do you have anything to
eat?” Peter says, “Sure, but my mother-in-law is sick, so I’ll have to cook,
but don’t worry.” Jesus looks at Peter rolling up his sleeves and says, “Right.
Where’s your mother-in-law?”
Vs. 32-35 This first flurry of activity in Capernaum ends with Jesus,
basically, escaping. Note that as exhausted as He was the night before, He got
up early before daylight to pray and to avoid the crowds looking for Him.
Vs. 36-37 Peter and the others thought that meeting peoples' temporal
needs was the mission. Why would you leave this kind of a crowd?
Vs. 38-39 Notice why Jesus said that He came. The gospel and His
mission were always primary in His thinking. God didn't send Him to heal and
provide food. The spiritual need of mankind was what He came to meet.
Vs. 40-45 Interestingly, in Leviticus, we are about to read the
requirements for the cleansing of a leper. In all the history of Israel since
they entered the land, this is the first Israelite we know of who was ever
cleansed. And he disobeyed Jesus. You can imagine the historical event this would
have been if the man had obeyed Jesus. Even giving testimony to Jesus has to be
done according to God's will. This publicity, humanly speaking, hurt Jesus’
ministry of preaching in the towns and cities He was sent to, mentioned in v.
38.
Mark 2:1-12
This is the first of the public conflicts that Jesus had with the
Jewish leaders. The other Gospels tell us that the scribes and Pharisees who
were there were also from Jerusalem. If you want to see how important and
memorable this conflict was, read John 5. There are two things that link this
passage to John 5. First, the phrase, take
up your bed and walk, is very important. Also, Jesus refers to Himself
there as the Son of Man.
As already noted, Jesus' use of the title, Son of Man, gave this conflict great intensity; because Jesus was
calling Himself the Messiah and eternal king from Daniel 7.
Psalm 35:17-28
When you think of what David went through, you realize how deeply and
desperately he needed the Lord. The Lord led David through those hours of fear
and years of instability to equip him to write this. But there is more.
V. 17 This is what God was leading David through.
V. 18 This is what God was enabling David to do.
Vs. 19-26 Notice the use of let.
Now notice how this contrasts to the let
in v. 27.
Vs. 27-28 This is why the Lord led David through such a dangerous time,
so that David could proclaim this to us and so that we might have the
steadfastness and encouragement that he was given from God.
Proverbs 9:13-18
Well, we managed to go a few days without this warning, but here it is
again. Notice that although this woman named Folly is figurative and the opposite of lady Wisdom, what is presented here still has the hint of sexual
misadventure.
V. 17 The stolen water is in
contrast to Proverbs 5:15-20.
V. 18 As the Lord describes foolishness, He links it to a man's
weakness to sexual adventure. It seems inviting until God introduces Sheol (hell) into the fantasy. Even
digitally, sexual silliness is just as deadly. I guess the Lord knew we'd need
these warnings against the enticement of foolishness even in the digital age.
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
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, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
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.
All charts/graphics/outlines
from the Bible Knowledge Commentary are used with the permission of David C.
Cook.
© 1983, 2001 John F Walvoord and Roy B Zuck.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary is published by David C Cook.
All rights reserved. Publisher permission
required to reproduce.
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