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.
APRIL 1
Deuteronomy 18-20
For many reasons, it looks like the reading today has drifted into
randomness, but I think Moses and God are driving forward with a very strongly
connected theme of keeping the land pure before the Lord and keeping its people
strong in the Lord.
Deuteronomy 18
Vs. 1-8 So the king was to devote himself to the law under the guidance
of the priests and Levites. Now God restates the provision for the Levites who
live among the people, guiding the nation into the knowledge of God. The fact
that this has been restated so often means that it was important, and that the
people might have the tendency not to respect or value the importance of the
Levites living among them. To see this importance read Deuteronomy 33:10 and 2 Chronicles
17:8-9. The people would desperately need the Levites.
V. 3 What were the cheeks,
the rump? And I guess the stomach
means the abdominal muscles. If not, I wouldn't have fought you for it at the
table.
Vs. 9-14 It would be the Levites, by teaching and helping the people,
who would keep the law before them. The Levites would supply guidance from God
by teaching the people His Word. In contrast to the Levites, false prophets
would rise among the people. That was a given.
V. 10 Notice that Moloch worship, the sacrificing of unwanted babies,
was mentioned first. This worship took care of a social/personal need that came
as a result of Baal worship.
V. 14 The next mention also took care of a social/personal need: ways
to contact the spirit world to get guidance. God, through the Word and the
ministry of the Levities, would supply that guidance.
Vs. 15-22 God said He would bring another prophet to guide Israel. Now
God brought lots of prophets to Israel and Israel had lots of leaders and
prophets; but this guy must have had a special meaning in the minds of the
Jews, a meaning they understood even back then. Later, the Jews would come to
John the Baptist and ask him if he was "the prophet." Jesus was that
prophet. It apparently meant one man, like Moses, who would lead the entire
nation before God. So, from this text you understand that God will send
prophets to guide the people. From later texts (Isaiah, for example) and the
NT, we understand that God is promising to one day send "The
Prophet." And we know Him.
In the context of this message to Israel, Moses is telling the people
that even in hard times and chaos, He will provide a leader for them.
Notice that they are told two ways to understand if a prophet were
true. If he spoke for other gods, he was false. And if he made a prediction
that didn’t come true, he was false. Also remember, in really tough cases, they
had local Levites and they could always go to the priest at the tabernacle who
had the Urim and Thummim.
Deuteronomy 19
Vs. 1-13 Just as idolatry would contaminate the land and defile the
nation, so would the shedding of blood of the innocent. Again, King Manasseh
led his people to irrevocable judgment, first spiritually, and then by the
guilt of all the innocent blood he spilled. Oddly enough, he reigned longer
than any other king.
Along with the cities of the Levites, Moses had already given them
three special levitical cities of refuge in Deuteronomy 4:41. Those cities were
on the east side of the Jordan in the inheritance of Reuben, Gad and ½
Manasseh. These cities of refuge would be on the west side of the Jordan and
they will be named in Joshua 20. Also, just by the fact these cities were
present, they were a visual reminder that the people were to make sure the
innocent were protected and the laws were followed. In all questions like
these, the people were to go to the Levites to protect the land and their
blessing before God.
V. 8 Notice that Moses uses the words here that Jabez will later use in
his prayer in 1 Chronicles 4:10. I think that Jabez was in this assembly
listening to Moses.
V. 9 Notice too, that IF the people really obeyed, and God was able to
give them all the land He had promised to Abraham, God would have added three
more cities. This never happened.
Vs. 14-21 The other way to contaminate the land and to defile the
nation was through injustice and theft. Notice that the first four of the Ten
Commandments are in respect to living with God. The next six commandments are
how to honor God in living with one another. Later in Israel's history, God and
the prophets will lament that most of the people only dealt unjustly with one
another.
Notice that the priests got involved in this too. Cases would go to the
local officials. If those lying were too good and they didn’t have enough proof
of a thing, they went to the tabernacle. The high priest had the means for
determining the truth of a matter. Too bad they really didn't use the Urim and
Thummim. It was a long way to Jerusalem, and why bother when you could flip a
coin or throw some sticks on the ground to get guidance?
Vs. 19-21 If Israel had done this, the report would have gone out and
the good people would have had confidence in the Lord. The bad ones would have
feared to do anything to their neighbor. It would have been a public testimony
that would have kept the people and the land pure.
Deuteronomy 20
Vs. 1-9 God had made provisions to keep them secure in the land. Those
same provisions would guide them in warfare.
V. 1 Notice that their confidence was in remembering how God had saved
them and brought them out of Egypt.
Vs. 2-4 The priest was to be the primary motivator for the people. He
would direct their thoughts to God.
Vs. 5-9 In looking at this list of who was to be excluded from battle,
it sort of boils down to all those who were not fully focused and confident in
the Lord. The issue was faith and dependence, not courage. Also, those who
would breed fear or bitterness were not necessary. This was the lesson they had
learned of how a few could have an adverse effect on the nation.
Vs. 10-15 Notice that these verses have to do with nations outside of
Canaan. This would be in the far future for Israel. David received tribute from
some nations and had some control of Damascus. Had the nation actually obeyed
God, they would have had the borders promised to Abraham.
It seems to me here, too, the main point isn't war, but compassion.
However, if I were a non-Israelite male and knew our army had been defeated on
the field and now Israel was marching on our city and I'd be fighting Israel
and knew about these laws, I'd relocate. For a city that decided to fight Israel,
everyone was spared, but the guys. For a surrendering city, everyone was spared
and was put to forced labor in Israel. This is what will happen to the
Gibeonites after they trick Joshua, and it works out well for them. They worked
with the Levites, close to the tabernacle, and they all became believing.
Vs. 16-18 Just for perspective on the law being given here, it's
important to notice that the only land Israel was told to war against was
Canaan, and there they were to take no prisoners for the reason mentioned in v.
18. This was God's punishment on the sickness of the people who lived there. In
order for Israel to become involved in any other conflict, the other cities and
nations were the aggressors who attacked first. Most often, after Israel was attacked
and defeated the army of the aggressor on the field, they went after the city
the army came from.
Except for God's judgment on Canaan, Israel was never told to fight
against anyone who didn't attack them first. Sihon and Og and the Midianites
were examples of people who Israel tried to avoid and had no quarrel with, but
who attacked Israel first. These lands became the possession of the tribes of
Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh.
Vs. 19-20 I guess this fits into the compassion scenario. No wanton
destruction was allowed. I think of Levi and Simeon when they destroyed
Shechem. Even at the end of his life, Jacob condemned their uncontrolled,
arrogant wrath and cruelty in wantonly laming the livestock in that city.
Luke 9:28-50
Vs. 28-36 Mark mentions that it was six days after Peter’s confession
of Jesus’ identity (and Jesus’ rebuke of Peter) when Jesus invites the guys up
the mountain to pray. Then according to Luke, it was eight days after those
events, while Jesus was praying that He was transfigured. Matthew and Mark
mention this event too, but Luke is the only one who says what Jesus was doing
when He began to glow. Kind of cool, huh?
Vs. 32 Apparently this must have happened near the evening, which would
account for Peter and the boys being so tired.
As Jesus had predicted in 9:27, some standing there would see the glory
of the Son before death.
Vs. 37-42 On the next day when they came down from the mountain, Luke
mentions the story of healing the man’s son. Now we see divine glory contrasted
with human unbelief.
Vs. 43-45 In contrast to the glory of the transfiguration and to the
majesty of Christ shown in healing the boy, Jesus strongly reminds them that
things are not going to go the way the disciples think. This Son of Man would
be rejected and killed. God's plan of redemption would lead Jesus to
"defeat" and "disappointment," at least from the standpoint
of the disciples' expectations. Isn't it funny that even the best of us,
serving God in the harvest, still battle with our expectations in contrast to
God's actions? We learn, too slowly, that He is wise beyond all of our thinking
and does what is best for His purpose and plan. We simply follow, sometimes
with no clue of what He's doing.
Vs. 46-48 As Jesus taught them of His coming death and resurrection,
the only thing the disciples could grasp was the coming of the kingdom. They
sort of had the right idea, but their motivation and expectations were all
wrong. They would sit on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel, but greatness
was a matter of humility and service. Jesus used the example of a child and
then said that the greatest was the one who was least among them.
Vs. 49-50 When Jesus said, among
you (v. 48), John thought about someone they had seen when they went out
preaching. They rebuked this other disciple because he was not “among” them.
Jesus cautioned them. In the future they would be happy to see many new
disciples of Jesus, even some who ate pork chops.
Psalm 73
This is an amazing psalm. Take your time here.
Vs. 1-3 Notice the conflict the writer has in all of what he humanly
sees, feels and understands. Notice what it was doing to him personally,
emotionally and spiritually.
Vs. 4-12 This block of verses is held together by the two “therefores.”
Verse 6 talks about why they are so proud. Verse 10 talks about why people
follow them. Apparently God allows them to prosper to test the hearts of men.
Vs. 13-15 This was the test to Asaph. What do you do when experience
seems to contradict the Word of God?
Vs. 16-17 It is the seeking of God in this kind of situation, going to
God, going to the Word, that saves the day. Notice that it wasn’t until he went
into the presence of God, in that quietness and closure, that he gained
perspective on all of life and on all of the world. As disciples, this time and
closure alone with the Lord is absolutely vital for us. We need to get alone
with Him and the Word, and in that quietness we need time to pray and listen.
Multitasking is not a spiritual discipline or virtue.
Vs. 18-22 It seems that Asaph is reflecting. Now that he knows the
truth, he looks back at himself and how he almost gave up.
Vs. 23-24 But God continually held him even in this trial.
Vs. 25-26 are worth memorizing.
Vs. 27-28 Verse 27 is how he understands God will deal with the wicked.
Notice that they are far from God. The contrast is in v. 28, and you are doing
it now by drawing close to God in His Word. Even with His Spirit within us,
finding His closeness in His Word is the only thing that truly helps and
shields us from despair in this world.
Proverbs 12:10
Sounds like what we were talking about at the end of Deuteronomy 20,
above. And I’ll bet that they were even gentle with vegetation, for as J.R.R.R.R.R.R.R.
Tolkien points out that only an orc wantonly cuts down trees.
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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