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APRIL 10
Deuteronomy 34
It is obvious reading this that the writer was probably Joshua.
Vs. 1-4 The Lord showed Moses the land. He couldn't have seen all of
this territory from Mt. Nebo, even on a clear day. The fact that God promised
it to Abraham is an assurance to Moses that even after he is gone, God will
continue to lead Israel into the land.
Vs. 5-8 One question here is why God hid the gravesite. The standard,
and probably correct, answer is that if Israel would have known where the body
was, they would have brought it with them and made a shrine to Moses, possibly
a place of worship.
V. 7 Apparently God kept Moses from wearing out, meaning on the other
hand, that when we wear out, it is because God lets us. I think of Isaac losing
his sight so early in his life, thinking he was going to die and then living
another 40-80 years. If I had my choice, I'd go like Moses, but I don't think
God will consult me and His choice will be for His glory, not mine. I'd still
like to go out with my boots on.
V. 9 I find it interesting that Joshua is described as being full of
the Spirit. It says spirit of wisdom, but we can guess it was Holy Spirit
enabled wisdom. In the OT it doesn't mean Joshua was permanently indwelt by the
Spirit (that couldn't happen until Christ), but the Holy Spirit was close to
him, guiding him. Also, what is the spirit of wisdom? God gave wisdom to the
men who built the tabernacle. It was that same sense of order and creativity
and insight that was with God as He created the universe.
Vs. 10-12 It is also interesting that the miracles are mentioned as deeds of terror. That is our language
struggling to express the Hebrew. The signs created a sense of amazement and
fear and awe. As awesome as that was, sin trumps wonders. All the people older
than nineteen who saw those miracles, and followed Moses out of the land, were
overthrown in the wilderness by their sin.
Jesus is the prophet "like Moses" who has come to lead Israel
and all of mankind. In Jesus' short time on earth he did more wonders. Moses
knew God like a friend, but Jesus knows God as Father. As for the "deeds
of terror," wait until the Lamb begins to open the seals on that book.
Moses was used to show Egypt the fear of God for a few months. Jesus will
introduce a seven-year "sound and light" show on earth that will get
everyone's notice. And those who follow Jesus will be led in the Spirit to the
Father and true rest.
Joshua 1-2
Joshua 1
Vs. 1-9 This is a great section of Scripture - God's first address to
Joshua after Moses' death.
V. 2 Wouldn't you freak out if God told you to get two million people
to do anything? This is that spirit of wisdom working in Joshua. In Joshua's
head, thanks to the Spirit, this was a piece of cake.
V. 4 God would begin to give this land to Israel. In Joshua we'll see
God break the military power of Canaan. After that, it would have been easy for
the people to go to God and then take more and more of the land. That means
that the second phase of the conquest would have been easy, but contingent on
their obedience. And there is the rub. They didn't obey or seek God. The full
ownership of the land will come during the Millennial Kingdom of Christ.
Note how often God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous.
If you have never memorized v. 8, now would be a great time. Instead of
memorizing only v. 8, memorize 5-9.
V. 8 Should we be any different? Joshua was to read Deuteronomy daily,
meditating on it day and night. But
do you see that he was supposed to speak of it? In order to speak of it, he had
to be totally submerged in God's heart and thoughts.
Vs. 10-18 I get inspired reading what the Reubenites, Gadites and the
half-tribe of Manasseh said to Joshua. Why do you think they close their
message to him with, Only be strong and
courageous? This strength and courage were to have come from Joshua's own
faith and confidence in God. I was reading about Jesus teaching His disciples,
saying that a disciple is not above his teacher. It makes me think that those
who lead others don't need to be perfect, but they should be strong and
courageous in the couple of things we really need to be doing as we follow
Christ in the harvest. Faith is contagious. So is doubt and hypocrisy.
Joshua 2
Vs. 1-7 It is interesting that there is no mention of a conversation
with God regarding the spies. Joshua only sent out two spies. Tradition has it
that one of these spies is the guy who married Rahab, Salmon (or Salma). In
that case we know Salmon's father was Nahshon. This would have made Salmon one
of the prominent, godly leaders of Judah. I'll bet the other spy was from the
tribe of Ephraim.
That the spies went to a prostitute almost gives the idea that they
were like sailors finally hitting land and looking for a good time. Rahab was
certainly a prostitute, but most likely she also ran an inn. They were looking
for a place to stay. These guys would have been close to the Lord. The fact is
that God is very insistent on telling us that she was a prostitute. Even back
then, God was in the business of saving tax collectors and sinners.
Vs. 2-5 The entire city was on "red" alert for Israel. This
is evident from the king’s search for the spies and Rahab's words in v. 9.
V. 6 So why would Rahab risk her life like this?
Vs. 8-14 Now, what about the faith of Rahab? This is a little complicated,
at least in our thinking; because she was a prostitute, a Canaanite woman who
should have been killed, and she lies like a trooper (whatever that means).
There is some tension in all of this. God not only shows her incredible mercy,
but she marries Salmon (some think he's one of the spies), and through Rahab
comes the entire Davidic line of kings and, eventually, the Messiah.
In my thinking, real faith has three parts: Information, Acceptance/Trust,
and Doing.
Notice the information that Rahab had. It dates all the way back to the
Red Sea, 40 years earlier. This means that on hearsay, she believed the entire
story about Egypt and she was aware of Israel in the wilderness for the past 38
years.
She certainly believed and trusted this information. She mentions that
she and everyone else were shaking in their sandals. Rahab goes on to make the
connection of all that Israel had done to the supremacy of their God. Look at
v. 11. Wow!
What is interesting to me is that, to this point, everyone in Jericho
went this far with what they believed. Rahab says that everyone knew this
information and that they believed the information. So why was she saved?
Rahab risked her life to save the spies. She did something. Doing is
what completes real faith. The demons believe in God and tremble (James 2:19).
The demons had the right information, and really knew that God was there; but
they made the wrong response. So did the people in Jericho. Rahab made the
response of faith, honoring God. She may have lied, but she was also risking
her life for God and these men who followed Him. Ends do not justify the means.
She was an immature believer, but she was a believer.
The response of Jericho's city fathers was to pursue the spies to kill
them...bad choice. This showed their hearts. If they had approached Joshua with
terms of peace, they would have been told there could be no peace and they
would have had to move before Israel got there. If they really believed the
stories, they would have moved and saved their lives. They should have known
they didn't have a chance.
This is why Rahab was saved. She had real, amazing faith. Everyone knew
about the Red Sea, and Egypt and Sihon and Og and believed the truth of those stories.
Everyone understood that Israel had an awesome God. Rahab personalized that
information, and when given an unexpected opportunity by God, she did
something. She honored God. And in spite of her past and fear and weakness, God
honored her right back, a hundredfold.
Vs. 15-21 It is also notable that the spies were close enough to the
Lord to be able to make this kind of a deal with her. It showed something of
their faith, too.
Notice that if her house was built into the city wall, God must have
protected this part of the wall.
Vs. 22-24 These two spies, like two other spies 38 years ago, came back
with a good honest report. Notice that even in this, God gave them an adventure
and a story. I'll bet Joshua and the other leaders were sitting on the edge of,
of, well, whatever they were sitting on, as the spies told this story. They
would have been utterly convinced that the Lord was in this. That's cool of God
to encourage us through these types of adventures. In the harvest you get lots
of these.
Luke 13:22-14:6
Luke 13:22-35
Vs. 22-30 Since it doesn't say that one of the disciples asked Jesus
this question, it could have been someone from the crowd that followed Him. The
answer suggests that Jesus was answering someone who was not yet saved. This
answer is very similar to what He said in Luke 12:57-59, which was also to the
unbelieving crowd.
V. 24 The word strive means
to agonize, to fight, scratch and struggle. The crowds treated Jesus like their
good buddy; but the danger of judgment was always present, and believing in
Jesus was no trifling matter. And, it isn't as easy as unbelieving people think
it is. We know that it is only a prayer away, but in reality, there is a
struggle of heart against one’s own sin that takes place. Without God's help,
none of us would have made it. If a person was on a sinking ship, they would be
crazy not to struggle to get to a lifeboat. And if God threw them a rope and
made a way and they were too "relaxed" about taking the help, they
would only have themselves to blame.
V. 30 This is definitely to the disciples and Jesus will talk about
this later.
Vs. 31-35 Can you imagine the surprise these Pharisees received when
they died and immediately found Jesus sitting on a throne? Shocking.
Jesus is trying to help the people, and these guys are trying to scare
Him away. Jesus' route to Jerusalem was not very direct. You could say that He
was making a final tour of Israel, sometimes actually heading away from
Jerusalem, but the destination was where He was to offer Himself to God for
mankind.
He weeps over Jerusalem here, though He is miles away. He will do this
in Luke 19:41 as He views Jerusalem from across the valley. Notice the words
Jesus uses here. How can people actually say that Jesus didn't think He was
God?
Luke 14:1-6
When I read this, all I can say is that Jesus was strong and
courageous. Jesus was invited again to eat with a Pharisee and He went, but He
knew the Father was leading Him into a place of testimony, teaching and
conflict. And this is only a small part of what happened at the Pharisee's
house. There will be more tomorrow.
I think for us as disciples, a part of "abiding in Christ" is
seen in how Jesus abided in the Father. Jesus expected the Father to lead Him
every minute of every day. Jesus was always in the presence of the Father and
understood every situation as being a part of the Father's working. Jesus
always knew that He had the resources of the Spirit and Jesus always knew that
He was completely secure in the Father's care. I think if we abide in Christ as
we follow Him in the harvest, this same security we see in Jesus will be ours
too.
Psalm 79
This looks like it was written after the destruction of Jerusalem in
586 B.C. Verse 11 talks about prisoners. By this time, there was a well
established and protected Jewish community in exile in Babylon and the
synagogue system was being developed. A descendant of Asaph, apparently, got
inspired.
Vs. 1-4 The only time this happened in Jerusalem in the Old Testament
is when the Babylonians broke in at the end of Zedekiah's reign. Notice that
Asaph is appealing to God on the basis of the destroyed temple and city and the
scorn brought to God's name. It is interesting that we read in the song of
Moses that when God let that happen, the nations would know that God allowed it
because of Israel's idolatry.
Now, there may also be a prophetic element to this that looks ahead to
the Tribulation. What happens to the Jews and all other believers in Christ
during the final 3.5 years of the Tribulation will make all other persecutions
pale in comparison.
Vs. 5-7 Using
Jacob's name is probably a way of appealing to God to remember His promise to
Abraham. Notably, the Tribulation is called the time of Jacob's trouble. Notice
that v. 5 is echoed by the martyrs in Revelation 6:10, They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how
long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
Vs. 8-10 Since the people in Jerusalem during the siege were mostly
ungodly (there were exceptions) these verses seem to look to the future when
those who follow Christ will be viciously persecuted during the Tribulation.
This sounds like something the martyrs in Revelation ask of God.
Vs. 11-13 The retribution asked for here came upon Babylon and will
come upon the nations in Revelation. Verse 13 is said from a heart of faith,
and this will be true of those who stand with Christ in His kingdom.
Since this psalm is inspired by the Spirit of God, the thoughts of this
psalm are also God's thoughts. That's something for us to think about when we
try to understand God. Look at what Jesus said regarding the narrow gate. He is
not just about inclusion and warmth and love and tenderness. There is also
judgment and punishment. These are also part of the good news, and this is why
the Lord has left us here and sent us into His harvest.
Proverbs 12:26
We do have a responsibility to those around us, including the guy next
door. To whom much is given, will much be required. It's a matter of compassion
and love. We've been shown love, and now as disciples of Jesus in the harvest,
we need to try to help others find what we have found.
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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