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APRIL 12
It finally hit me today reading about Israel crossing into the
land, that the waters of the Jordan didn't recede until the priests' feet were
in the water. Talk about making your faith work to the last possible second.
God could have started lowering the level as the priests approached, but no,
they had to trust Him to the point of doubt, getting their feet wet. It makes
me think of Jesus telling Peter to put out into the deep and let down the nets
for a catch. Peter says they couldn't catch a fish all night long, but at His
word Peter obeyed. And then it says, And
when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets
were breaking (Luke 5:6). In both situations, the priests and Peter, it
wasn't until they had done it, that the miracle kicked in.
As disciples following Jesus in the harvest, this ought to tell us something.
Joshua 5:1-7:15
Joshua 5
V. 1 So, if the kings of the land had melting heart syndrome, they must
also have had "stiff-necked and not very smart" syndrome. If Israel's
God could do all that they knew He did in Egypt or at the Jordan, what chance
did they think they had? There should have been "for sale" signs
going up all over Canaan.
It was also a good thing they were in no mood for a fight, because
Israel's soldiers were not in any shape to fight back.
Vs. 2-9 Keep this place, Gilgal, in mind for later. This is where the
stone monument would have been set up. It will be important in Judges 3.
This entire section shows us what we might have guessed at, but didn't
fully realize. When Israel rebelled at Kadesh-barnea, God broke off the Mosaic
Covenant with them. His promise to Abraham was still guiding things toward this
moment, but some things were stopped. Since Kadesh-barnea none of their male
children had been circumcised. This wasn't neglect on the part of the people or
Moses. Moses of all people should have known how important circumcision was
since he almost died by not circumcising his son. This must have been a
directive by God. God was looking ahead to this moment when He would lead a new
generation into Canaan. Circumcision will mean something to these people. It
was the symbol of the promise to Abraham. By going through this, every man
would know he was participating in that covenant. This generation of Israel is
probably the most godly group of people who ever followed the Lord.
Vs. 8-9 This is God's explanation to them. In Egypt, the people were
forbidden to circumcise their children. Apparently only people high in society
could be circumcised as a sign of their position. The Hebrews were slaves, and
reproached as such, and therefore forbidden to be circumcised. (Bible
Knowledge Commentary-OT, p. 337)
V. 10 Here is another surprise. An uncircumcised man could not
participate in the Passover. They had not celebrated a Passover since Kadesh-barnea.
This means that this is only the third Passover that Israel has held. They had
the original Passover; they had a Passover at Mt. Sinai; and the next would
have been held in Canaan if they had obeyed. Many people in this generation
have only heard of the Passover.
Vs. 11-12 It is interesting that on the day after the Passover, the
manna stopped. The Feast of Unleavened Bread followed the Passover and for this
feast they gleaned grain from the fields. Some of these people didn't know
anything but the manna. I wonder if they felt bad that this had ended and years
later reminisced about the wonder of it. It sort of makes you wonder which
miracles and provisions of this time on earth are being overlooked and taken
for granted. When this darkness is all over, we might appreciate what a wonder
it was that we were indwelt with the Spirit and had the Word as a daily
resource. Maybe we'll wonder, too, why we didn't take more advantage of these
very special and amazing privileges.
Vs. 13-15 Joshua must have had guts. He apparently recognized the
"man" as an angel, but didn't know what kind (good or bad) he was.
So, he challenged him anyway. What a guy.
Since Joshua was by Jericho, he probably went to look at the challenge
of how Israel, without materials or experience taking a fortified city, could
wage war here. With those thoughts in his mind this angel appeared. Joshua
realized that this person was in command of the battle for Jericho, not him.
Joshua was the servant.
By the way, who
was that angel? Hint: You're not allowed to worship angels. And the angel said to me, “Write this:
Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he
said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Then I fell down at his feet to
worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant
with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.”
For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19:9-10).
I wonder what
Jesus thought, years later, walking through the city He Himself had led Israel
to conquer.
Joshua 6
So, what things do you notice here and what speaks to you as a
disciple?
The biggest lesson for me is that God demands faith, and thereby
strengthens our faith. I've heard people go overboard trying to explain why
they went around the city seven times, trying to find significance in
"7." There might be something there. I don't know. But I do know that
the entire process was "out there." It wasn't normal. It didn't make
sense. There was nothing externally smart or wise or crafty or military about
what they did. But it was wise to listen to God, and they did. We get so used
to only doing the "smart" thing that we forget to walk by faith. If
faith is included in the equation, then the smart thing might look stupid in
the eyes of the world. As disciples, we know God and understand life and
reality in a way that is different than everyone around us. It will make us
look like fools. As Jim Elliot said, "He is no fool who gives what he
cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose." In 1956, in Ecuador, Jim Elliot
and four other guys gave their lives to follow Christ into the harvest.
Vs. 1-14 One thing about the way God did it was that the people
couldn't take any of the credit for this. A city like Jericho could have
withstood a siege for months. God's way only took a week.
Vs. 15-21 It seems that Joshua gave these instructions just before the
men yelled. Notice that special care is given to protect Rahab. Notice too that
all the people of Jericho were called to stand before God for judgment. That
meant they would all have to be separated from the body to stand in His
presence. The killing of the animals might have had some religious significance,
but probably it was for Israel and the other nations to understand that God's
judgment was total. Also, all of the precious metals were to go into the
treasury, almost as a memorial to this first victory. This kind of total ban on
taking anything would only happen here, so if the men were patient, they would
get stuff at other cities.
Vs. 22-25 Again, these are special instructions about Rahab and her
family. They would have to be taken outside of the camp until they were
cleansed and the men circumcised, and then they would become part of the
community of faith. Her faith was already evident. This was an exception to
God's rule of not including any of the Canaanites. But God's mercy always
extends to faith in action and we'll see another exception in chapter 9.
Vs. 26-27 We can assume it was the Spirit speaking through Joshua to
pronounce this curse. Believe it or not the most evil of the kings of Israel,
the northern kingdom, will rebuild Jericho and this curse will be fulfilled.
Joshua 7
Vs. 1-15 It's too bad they didn't include the entire chapter for today.
There are a few things that stand out to me.
First, Achan becomes the symbol of how one man's sin has an impact on
others. Perhaps it was good that something like this happened right away. It
became a permanent lesson to that generation of people. Phinehas will mention this
again at the end of Joshua. Notice in v. 5 that 36 men died as a result of what
Achan did. That was tragic. Families suffered and children lost their fathers.
On the other hand, good does come out of this. The guys were safe with God in
heaven and chillin', and this becomes a tremendous example to the nation. After
this, you can bet they were holding one another responsible to obey the Lord.
You very seldom hear anyone say that our individual walk with the Lord
is important to the work we are doing together in the harvest. It is.
Second, in the next conquest, God is going to allow them to collect
plunder. Achan should have just waited.
Third, God will use this entire situation for good. Not only do the
people get a great lesson, but the nations surrounding Israel will now get
arrogant. This arrogance will actually help Israel make quick work of the main
strength of the opposition. In everything, God works for good with those who
love Him. God will turn this small defeat into a military strategy to defeat
Ai.
Luke 15
This section is rich with lessons for us as disciples. So, why do you
think Jesus makes the same point with three different stories? What is the same
in each? How does the image get enlarged in each?
I do want to mention one thing before I begin here. These three
parables do not stand alone. This section of teaching will continue to Luke
17:10. Because we are reading smaller sections, it is hard to see the
continuity, so as you go from one section to the next, look for the flow of the
teaching and how it all holds together.
Vs. 1-2 This is the occasion and reason for Jesus teaching on the lost
sheep, lost coin and lost son. Now, if you look at Luke 17:1-4, you will see
the conclusion of all of this teaching and all of these parables. To deny anyone
forgiveness was a sin.
Vs. 3-7 Notice that He doesn't love the lost sheep more than the
others, but there is an outpouring of mercy, compelled because of the need.
Notice too that the neighbors and friends are invited to rejoice. And of
course, there is rejoicing in heaven. That happens now too.
Vs. 8-10 Here, even the angels of God rejoice. The other ones, not so
much.
Vs. 11-16 There are good lessons here on how the Father allows us to
have our way. Love cannot be compelled. It should be a warning to us when God
allows us to prosper in our sin.
Vs. 17-24 Notice that it was hardship that caused the son to come to
himself. Neither the father nor anyone else bailed him out. And he knew the
door was open to return to his father. There is true repentance here.
V. 21 Although the father cut him off and didn't let him finish, he
heard enough and knew there was genuine repentance. His words are so
interesting, he was dead and is alive
again (v. 24).
Vs. 25-32 Enter the older brother, with whom I can identify
unfortunately. Notice what his concern was. It was the fattened calf. He never got one. The father pointed him to the
spiritual reality. It wasn't about stuff; it was about life and salvation.
And to think, as we work in the harvest we meet these prodigal sons and
can tell them the Father is waiting if they are ready to turn to Him. And when
we help them come to the Father, there is joy. It is pretty cool to think that
there was rejoicing and joy in heaven the day you gave your life to Christ.
This is a way that we create joy and celebration in heaven, by working in the
harvest, making disciples.
Psalm 81
Because you have read the books of Moses, you will understand this
psalm so much better. Most commentators think this psalm is recording the
celebration of the Feast of Booths. If so, that pinpoints it to Nehemiah
8:14-18. This son of Asaph was writing after the exile, celebrating the first
Feast of Booths since the death of Joshua.
Vs. 1-3 This is to be a joyous celebration because God is their
strength.
Vs. 4-10 God made this feast a statute, so Israel would always remember
how God sustained them in the wilderness living in tents. He freed them from
slavery and did the impossible by keeping them alive. Just think, they were
supposed to have celebrated this every year for the past 800 years and never
did it.
There is a lot of wilderness history here.
Vs. 11-16 Once in the land, the people didn't listen to God.
Ironically, not holding the Feast of Booths was a case in point. God was the
one who freed them, but once free they didn't need Him.
Notice how there is an exhortation here that if people will listen to
Him, He will forgive and bless them. This portion reads a lot like Isaiah 55.
Proverbs 13:1
Does the father's instruction
also contain rebuke? It looks that
way from the parallelism. Rebuke sounds negative to us, but God commands it.
I charge you in the presence of God and of
Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and
his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove,
rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching (2 Tim. 4:1-2).
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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