If you don't
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translations.
MARCH 13
Numbers 19-20
Laura and I are looking forward to March 17, when we will celebrate
making it to St. Pat's day in The One Year Bible. Actually today is
another milestone in our reading. Today we begin Luke.
Numbers 19
So what is this chapter doing here? This law and recipe was for the
cleansing of people who had touched dead things or were in the tent of a dead
person. Why is God doing this now? It is because the camp of Israel is a camp
of death. They just lost over 14,000 people in a day, and there will be
hundreds of funerals every day until they enter the land. People will be dying
in their tents every day. Everyone will be handling dead people. Cleansing from
sin required the death of something. Sin brings death, and so sin is to be
feared and avoided. The best way to avoid sin was for them not to focus on sin,
but to love the Lord their God with all their hearts, minds, souls and
strength.
There are all sorts of symbolic things going on here. You can have fun
finding them, too.
Vs. 1-10 This is the recipe. Notice that the red heifer, by its color,
symbolized blood.
V. 3 Notice too that these instructions were to be carried out by
Eleazar, Aaron's son. That is a hint as to what is coming. The fact that the
animal was killed and burned outside the camp must have symbolized sin and
distance from God. Jesus, Himself, died outside the camp, outside of Jerusalem
and the temple.
Then the ashes were gathered and kept in a special clean place outside
of the camp. The ashes were mixed with water to make water for
impurity for cleansing from the uncleanness of death.
V. 10 Notice that this was to be a perpetual ordinance to be obeyed and
followed forever (v. 21). It might be that later, when Israel was in the land
and the priests and Levites lived among the people, as the priest returned from
duty at the tabernacle or temple, they brought this cleansing water back with
them.
Vs. 11-13 The people would be made clean by the ashes of an animal that
was killed for their sin and cleansing. Now, they would have to come to the
tabernacle and allow the priest to sprinkle them with this water. Later, in the
land, the local priests and Levites would have to do this.
Vs. 14-19 These verses apply to specific situations. The hyssop was
also used to apply the blood to the doorposts on Passover.
It is interesting
that Jesus told the Pharisees in Luke 11:44, Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them
without knowing it. The idea is that people became unclean by coming in
contact with the teaching of the Pharisees, whereas the Pharisees washed when
they came in from the markets because they thought the people were unclean.
Vs. 20-22 This is a warning to the people to make sure they went
through this cleansing ceremony. It is interesting that the priest who did the
cleansing also became unclean. What a powerful way for God to show the people
that sin brought separation and death. What a way for them to be prepared for
being cleansed by the blood of the Lamb.
Numbers 20
Between chapters 15 and 20, thirty-eight years pass. Here's how you
know this. In chapter 20 Miriam and Aaron die. The events of the chapter appear
to be in close order and make sense together. Miriam dies in the first month
but we don't find out when Aaron dies until Numbers 33:38. Aaron dies in the
fifth month of the 40th year after leaving Egypt. In Num 33:36 it mentions the
wilderness of Zin, just before Aaron's death. That's where Miriam dies.
What this means is that Israel is on the brink, again, of entering the
land.
V. 1 Notice that Miriam's death is only mentioned in passing. This is
one of those places where it is not only good to observe the event, but to
consider what it may have meant to Moses and Aaron. Miriam was the sister who
watched over Moses in the basket in the water and waited until the princess
found him. Without getting overly sentimental, Miriam's death may have had a
lot of meaning for Moses and Aaron. It may also have made them vulnerable.
Vs. 2-13 This is a very tragic event. The people complained of not
having water and went after Moses. He and Aaron did the right thing; they went
and fell on their faces before the
Lord. God told them what to do, and then in anger, Moses reacted to the people
and rather than speaking to the rock as he was told, got dramatic and showed
his stuff and struck the rock twice, as if he was the one giving them water.
God judged Moses and Aaron for this.
Now, I wonder if v. 1 had anything to do with Moses and Aaron being
completely mad at the people. If you're asking me, I think it had a huge
impact.
I'm sure God didn't want Moses to take the people into the land. But he
used Moses' anger and disobedience to show the people that He doesn't play
favorites. To whom much is given, much is required. All in all, Moses and Aaron
have clean records, and Moses ranks as one of the greatest men who ever walked
the earth, but they were still men - and the best thing to do at any time is to
honor God.
Vs. 14-21 God wouldn't let Israel fight against the Edomites anyway,
because they were, as a nation, related to Abraham. But this does show
something that will become more obvious. All nations were aware of this big,
bulky mass of people in the wilderness. Forty years is a long time. By this
time, all the caravans knew them. And, of course, the word had gotten out
regarding the promise of God to Abraham concerning Canaan. When the spies enter
Jericho, they will be told by Rahab what the nations knew and what they were
thinking. For now, the nations felt confident and aggressive toward this big,
lumbering, defenseless, nomadic nation.
Vs. 22-29 Again, this was an object lesson to the people. As great as
Aaron was, he was not above obedience to God. Notice in v. 24, the prominent
role his rebellion played at his death. Apparently this happened in the sight
of the people. They saw the garments of a high priest taken off of Aaron and put
on Eleazar. The people who mourned would also know they pushed Moses and Aaron
into judgment.
As disciples, our strength is not in past accomplishments or in how
people view us. Our strength is in our personal worship of loving, honoring and
following Christ now. The further we follow Christ in the harvest, the more we
realize how much we owe everything to Him, including "our" successes.
To model this kind of humility is like gold, because everyone when he is fully trained will be
like his teacher. (Luke 6:40) This doesn't just mean that we will be good
models for those we disciple, but that we as disciples are becoming more and
more like Him.
Luke 1:1-25
I don't think we're supposed to have a "favorite" Gospel or
writer, but I've got to admit I really like Luke. It is going to be hard for me
to write notes to spark interest, rather than writing sermons. I'll give it my
best shot to give you only what you need.
Luke, a Gentile, was from Troas, a port city in western Turkey, across
from Greece. In fact, Luke is the only Gentile writer in the Bible. His Gospel
and Acts make up about 28% of the Greek NT. Not bad for a Gentile. He might
have been a ship's physician. No one knows when Luke came to Christ. He met
Paul in Troas and traveled with him (the "we" chapters of Acts) from
time to time. Even here, there are gaps. Luke appears to have been with Paul
during the two years he was imprisoned in Caesarea. It looks like Luke could
have written his Gospel either during the 7-8 year gap between Acts 16 and Acts
20, or during Paul's time in Caesarea. It would have taken Luke lots of time to
have contacted eyewitnesses and done interviews. Unlike the other Gospel
writers who knew Jesus or were related to Him, Luke would had to have done
original research. Caesarea would have been a good base of operations for that.
It was a transportation hub and a place where many Christians were and had to
pass through. Also, it wasn't far from Jerusalem.
There are a couple things that make Luke's writing unique that stand
out to me. They could be the influence of Paul, or simply the influence of
being a follower of Jesus. First, more than any other writer, Luke mentions
Jesus praying; in fact, he shows Jesus praying during events that other writers
mention, but not the fact that He was praying. Also, Luke frequently mentions
the Holy Spirit leading Jesus and others. Finally, Luke seems to be the most
chronological account of Jesus' life.
Your observations are important for you to get the "taste" of
discovery. I'll just write some things that stand out to me.
V. 1-7 Apparently lots of people were writing "narratives."
We know about Matthew, Mark and John. I wouldn't consider those as
"many." Apparently there were more, and there was some confusion
regarding the truth of what happened.
V. 4 The RSV says, that you may
know the truth concerning the things of which you have been informed. You
get the idea that there were not only many reports, but some of them were not
accurate. Apparently Theophilus was already a believer.
Vs. 8-17 I have a sermon on this called, "It happened at a prayer
meeting." It is no accident that this is where Luke begins. Not only was
it the hour of prayer, but Gabriel was standing next to the altar of incense,
the incense representing the prayers constantly going up to God in the Holy
Place.
Notice also that Gabriel said he had come to answer Zechariah's prayer,
but we know he was also there in answer to a lot of other prayers, going back
to Adam and Eve.
Notice that John will be a Nazirite from birth, but will also be filled
with the Spirit from the womb.
Vs. 18-20 I think it is interesting that Gabriel was hard on Zechariah.
Zechariah, as a priest, in spite of the miracle promised here, should have
believed. Not only was there biblical precedent for the fulfillment of this
promise (old people having babies), but there was a very special angel standing
before him. There was only one angel ever named in the OT, who was sent from
God to speak to a man; and it was Gabriel who was sent to Daniel to reveal
God's destiny of the nation of Israel. In typical OT fashion, God is going to
use Zechariah and his lack of faith as an object lesson and symbol as part of
the wonder of this event.
It is impossible for us to imagine how stunned Zechariah was,
especially hearing that the prayer he and Elizabeth had prayed so long, and
then given up on, would be answered. Not to mention that it is coupled together
with the fulfillment of all the law and prophets.
Adding to his wonder in seeing Gabriel standing in the Holy Place next
to the altar of incense is that these were the first words that God had spoken
since He spoke to Malachi. The 400 silent years ended and His first words came
to Zechariah announcing the forerunner of the Lord.
Vs. 21-23 Apparently you didn't get time off for seeing a vision and
being made (deaf? and) unable to speak. Many surprises were in store for
Elizabeth when Zechariah returned home.
Vs. 24-25 This shows that Elizabeth had faced reproach without any
vindication. They may have both been righteous before God, but in the eyes of
men she was barren and under God's punishment. She had lived in this shame, had
suffered in it, had wept through it; and she had finally accepted it. All of
that, as unfair as it was, was designed by God to intensify the personal and public
wonder of what was happening now. She hid herself for five months, but now she
couldn't hide anymore. The word was getting out and creating news all over the
place. In fact, the news might have just reached a poor teenage girl in an
obscure village in Galilee. If it hadn't yet, it will tomorrow via special
delivery.
Psalm 56
The note in the ESV says, "when the Philistines seized him in
Gath." That is misleading. Read 1 Samuel 21:10-15. David went to Gath to
hide from Saul, and once there, he was seized with fear of the Philistines and
didn't know where to run. Finally, he calmed down and regained his composure
before the Lord. It was a terrifying time in David's life and he almost lost
his way.
Vs. 1-2 David was in the early days of running from King Saul. Lies
were being circulated, so David wouldn't find any help among the people of
Israel.
Vs. 3-4 This will be what ultimately saves David. He trusts in God and
in His Word.
Vs. 5-7 Again, David would suffer not only from the hardship of
running, but his name and reputation were being destroyed among the people.
Vs. 8-11 This is an interesting twist on God knowing the number of our
hairs. David knew God even counted tears. David's praise and love for God and
His Word made him a great man and helped him survive very hard and dangerous
times.
Vs. 12-13 David knew he was in debt to God. The fulfillment of his
gratitude was seen in rendering thanks and testimony to God.
V. 13 is interesting, because David would be saved many times. They
were little deliverances for which he would praise God and write a psalm, but
it would still be 10-15 years before God would bring David peace.
God does this with us too. He doesn't always remove our challenges, but
He gives us little deliverances to encourage us and to strengthen our faith to
keep going and to praise Him in the harvest.
Proverbs 11:8
The meaning is that there is this hole in the road. One man avoids it,
but the other falls into it. The difference in the two men is their willingness
to be led by God. Sometimes our understanding of "righteousness" gets
us into trouble. There is no righteousness on our part that is not ours through
God's help, mercy, and grace. It is the Word and Spirit that move us to
understand the love and sacrifice of Christ. To be proud and "self
righteous" is of the enemy and has nothing to do with Christ. Disciples
need to watch themselves here on earth and stay in the harvest. Working with
Christ, trying to reach lost people, is a good way to remember that, without
His grace, we would never have known Him. You learn to appreciate the miracle
of your own salvation by working with those who have yet to understand.
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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