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the day's reading, http://oneyearbibleonline.com/daily-oyb/. This
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translations.
MARCH 21
Numbers 32:1-33:39
Numbers 32
Vs. 1-5 The people of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh ask for the
land they have just captured on the east side of the Jordan. This is their
formal request. Note that this is a request and not a rebellious declaration.
Something was learned in those 38 years since Kadesh-barnea.
Vs. 6-15 Moses' words to them have one big point: the rebellion of the
few brings God's anger on the many. Notice that Moses doesn’t use an argument
against them, but rather the story of their own history. Moses mentions the
cause/effect danger of what they “might” be doing in vs. 14-15. The effect on
the people would be as it was 38 years earlier - discouragement and a bitter
heart. Moses recounts the history of Kadesh-barnea, mentioning how that
resulted in what they have just lived through for 40 years, and that Caleb and
Joshua were the only survivors.
Vs. 16-26 The story had a happy ending because these tribes were not
rebelling; they were asking. They were seeking the Lord and seeking permission
to do this. In the 40 years, seeing the older generation die because of their
rebellion, and understanding every day that their situation came to them
because of the report of 10 men, had ingrained in them that if they sin, others
will suffer. These tribes represent what every person in the camp knew and
felt. It also shows that they were developing a heart to ask God instead of
trying to "complain" Him into submission. God shows Himself to be
very flexible and accommodating here.
Vs. 28-32 With a decision of this magnitude, communication was vital
and it was important that Moses was still the man in charge. Even though God
allowed it, it could have caused bitterness; but with Moses heading up the
communication and making this known, it didn't look like new leadership making
a bad decision.
Vs. 33-42 Moses was even able to lead Joshua and Eleazar through the
exercise of dividing the land for these tribes. In a way, that was also God’s
mercy on Moses. He wouldn’t enter the land, but God allowed him to enjoy some
of the process and to train the men who would go beyond him.
God gave Israel the victories they needed to encourage them before they
entered the land, and the fighting men of Reuben, Gad and 1/2 Manasseh would
cross over the Jordan ready to rumble. And, they would be a source of
encouragement for Joshua.
I think it is kind of neat that Joshua and Caleb were two of the oldest
men in the camp. Both would have been 80+ and both were godly leaders; in fact,
we'll see that Caleb still has "attitude."
As disciples, this history of Israel provides important lessons to
learn about spiritual group dynamics. Criticism, bitterness and pride never,
never take us in the right direction. Personally it hurts us in our growth in
Christ and our service and focus in His harvest. This sin kills the harvest of
a group. If a group of people is reaching no one, something happened. Look for
it. If we personally are not reaching out and reaching out with a group, we're
on the wrong track. It took God 40 years to develop a heart of obedience in
these people so that they were willing to focus on following Him, and to bring
them to the understanding of each person’s responsibility to the entire people.
For us as disciples in the harvest, life on earth should be very simple.
We follow Christ into the harvest with a group of people, telling lost people
what the Lord has done for us and how they can come to know Christ. As people
come to Christ, we help them become disciples, who make disciples, in the
harvest. So why is this really very complicated for many churches and
believers? That’s good food for thought.
Numbers 33
Just for fun, without looking online or in another book, try to figure
out how many times they moved.
Many of these places where they camped were just "areas" in
the wilderness and can be referred to by several names. I'll do some leg work
for you. They rebelled, we are told later, at Kadesh-barnea. After 38 years of
wandering they return to Kadesh-barnea where Miriam dies. So where was
Kadesh-barnea in this list, the first time? If you go back to the rebellion, in
Numbers 13:16, they have just left Hazeroth (where Miriam had leprosy) and
arrived at the desert of Paran. In our list today, Paran is called Rithmah.
Rithmah must be some landmark at Kadesh-barnea. Now that you have that piece of
the puzzle, figure out how many times they moved before and after Rithmah.
It's interesting in Psalm 90, a psalm Moses wrote about all the
wilderness years, he says Lord, you have
been our dwelling place in all generations. (Psalm 90:1) Where do you
dwell? Now think of David in The Psalms. Where would David want to dwell? I
think Moses and David dwelt in the same place.
Vs. 38-39 are actually Numbers 20. Both Miriam and Aaron died that
year, four months apart. This is how you can figure out the time lapse between
chapters 19 and 20.
Luke 4:31-5:11
The events here launched Jesus into being followed by the masses.
Before these events, there were no great crowds following Him. After these
events, Jesus and the disciples will seldom have time to themselves. It is no
accident then that Jesus began asking men to become permanent followers who
began to assist Him in His work.
Also, Mark and Luke have these events reversed chronologically. Notice
that 5:1 says, On one occasion… This
means that this story is probably not in order but is put here to mark the
occasion where Jesus personally called Peter, Andrew, James and John. Jesus
already knew these men, and they had already had some adventures together in
John 1-4. I think Mark has the right chronology, and Luke is showing logically
why Jesus needed to call the disciples. Both events happened, it seems, in the
same week.
Luke 4:31-44
Vs. 31-37 In Capernaum in this synagogue Jesus’ mass ministry was
launched by driving out this demon. Reports were already going out about Him,
but there was something about this event that caused the news to begin
circulating rapidly.
Vs. 38-39 Jesus had already stayed at Peter’s house, but from here on
out, Peter’s house would be His base of operations in Capernaum.
Vs. 40-41 This great crowd was just the city. When Jesus returned to
Capernaum, this kind of gathering at Peter’s house would become a regular
event, as it was the day the paralytic was healed.
Vs. 42-44 Jesus rose early and evaded the crowd, knowing they would
have kept Him from leaving. This would be the first preaching tour He took the
disciples on.
Luke 5:1-11
This, I think, is a flashback. If this was a TV show, it would say,
“Three days earlier.”
Vs. 1-3 Notice that Luke identifies the Sea of Galilee by its Gentile
name. That Jesus was teaching here was incidental to what follows with Peter
and the boys.
Vs. 4-5 Here is the point. Jesus was “presumably” a novice in fishing.
Experienced fishermen labored all night and sat by for hours as Jesus taught.
Now He was finished. They had done their good deed and finished their work
(multi-tasking); the nets were ready for tomorrow. Now they could go home, eat
and get ready for the night of fishing ahead. Then, of all things, Jesus tells
the pros to go out into the deep in the heat of the day and throw their newly
cleaned nets in the water. To Peter’s credit, he did it. Now, it should be
mentioned that Peter had seen the water turned into wine and had probably seen
other miracles in Jerusalem and in Capernaum when Jesus stayed there with His
family after the marriage in Cana.
Vs. 6-7 The key word of faith here is, when they had done this. The partners in the boat on land were the
Zebedees. James, John and their father were partners with Peter. Later that day
when Jesus called James and John, Mark tells us they were in the boat with
their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Here the nets are tearing.
Vs. 8-11 Peter fell at Jesus’ knees because Jesus was probably knee
deep in fish. Notice what the call to Peter was. It was to catch men. That's
what disciples are supposed to do in following Jesus (switching metaphors) into
the harvest. It was no small thing for Peter (and Andrew, James and John) to
get the boat to land, hand it off to the workers and probably Peter’s and
James’ fathers, and then to leave everything and follow Jesus.
I know this is theoretical, but would we have that same faith to follow
Jesus in the harvest, or do our stuff, our sources of income, and security own
us?
Psalm 64
What a contrast to the last psalm.
Vs. 1-6 David is in distress. Maybe it was the next day or next week.
There was danger and the lies and threats of the enemy had shaken him. His cry
to God for help includes the catalog of the arrogance of these people who are pursuing
David.
Vs. 7-8 David wouldn’t work to fight or judge these people, but David
was confident that God would. He did.
Vs. 9-10 It takes getting to these verses before David had something to
praise God for. David didn’t know when God would vindicate him, but he knew
that when He did, it would be visible and all men would fear and learn to put
their trust in the Lord. Those who were righteous would learn to take refuge in
the Lord.
The psalm itself is a picture of what really brings praise, trust and
understanding. It is not until we are so weighed down and desperate, and we
have endured, holding on and waiting on the Lord, that we can know this kind of
rejoicing. Only when we have taken refuge in Him and seen His vindication, will
we be able to praise Him like this. Then the words of v. 10 will flow from our
hearts.
Proverbs 11:22
God said it. This is a weird kind of image if you think about it. It
doesn't compare the woman to the pig, but to a gold ring in a pig's nose. The
beauty of the ring can't hide the pig. So, in this proverb, what is this big,
crass, dirty, and for the Jew, unclean animal that can't be hidden or dressed
up? It is the woman’s lack of discretion and godly wisdom.
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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