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 5
Deuteronomy 28
Notice the proportion of verses given for the blessing and the
proportion given for the curse. What does that tell you? Zig Ziglar said,
"The fear of loss is greater than the desire for gain." It seems that
God might believe that too. It is also interesting in the NT that hell and
judgment are spoken of quite a bit. If this is what they said out loud in the
ceremony of the blessings and the curses, I'll bet it ended with a sense of
shock.
Look for key verses for why God will bring the curse on them.
Vs. 1-14 The blessing.
Vs. 1-6 This is the personal blessing to the nation and individuals.
Vs. 7-14 This is their blessing in relationship to the nations. Even
though much of this is a benefit to the people, it will be viewed by the
nations. Israel will be the witness to the world of the benefits of serving and
worshiping Yahweh. During the Millennium, this will be fulfilled.
V. 14 This is a verse of warning, and the key to the blessing and
curses is given. There is no neutrality in life. All mankind, even atheists,
are always worshiping something. Worshiping other gods would unleash God's
wrath.
Vs. 15-68 The curse.
Vs. 15-19 This is the general, personal curse. This section is parallel
to vs. 1-6. Now it gets worse.
Vs. 20-24 This looks like an explanation of how God will make their
personal lives loathsome, by cursing the ground and their health. It almost
looks like the curse on Adam.
Vs. 25-35 This is their curse in relationship to the nations. What I
find interesting is that vs. 28 and 34 describe how God will allow their
misfortunes to drive them mad with despair.
Another interesting note is that Isaiah refers to this section
(actually God does it) in Isaiah 55. The references to nations that are not
known in vs. 33 and 36 are used by Isaiah to describe the blessing of what will
happen when Israel follows the Lord in the future.
Vs. 36-44 This seems also to amplify how God will show the nations that
Israel is under God's curse.
Vs. 45-51 Israel hasn't even entered the land, and God is already
telling them of foreign domination and the coming of Babylon to take Israel
into exile.
Vs. 45-47 These verses summarize the reason God will remove them. Isn't
it interesting that it kind of boils down to the people not serving the Lord
with joy and gladness.
Vs. 52-57 We will read of this happening when Samaria is besieged (2
Kings 6:24-7:20). Although this happened in Jerusalem too, we have no similar
eyewitness account, but then, Jeremiah was, thankfully, in prison; or the
people might have eaten him too.
Vs. 58-63 Now God is revisiting their history of salvation from Egypt.
God will curse them as He cursed Egypt.
Vs. 64-68 The key here is the last verse. Even if they were to go back
to Egypt, Egypt wouldn't want them. Oddly enough, there will be a group of
people who escape to Egypt, taking Jeremiah with them. In a way, they bring the
curse with them and God sends Babylon into Egypt to destroy that country and
punish the Jewish exiles.
Both the blessing and the curse are the active work of God. I have met
some people against whom, it has appeared to me, God's hand was set not to let
them get up. I discussed this with one of these people, because I had never
known the Lord to be this hard. My concern was that he had done something
awful, and the Lord wasn't letting him get up until he repented, confessed and
in all ways possible, made peace with God. The stuff that tumbled out on the
table was interesting, and it explained why all the money that had been given
to this person to help him make a new start had accomplished nothing.
Interestingly, it wasn't one event, but rather, a heart that constantly would
not trust God. I still don't know about the other case. God showed favor and
kindness to the worst people in the Bible when they repented and humbled
themselves before Him. That's the key.
These curses seem very hard and very theoretical until you read the
pages ahead, from Judges to the end of Malachi. We will see God constantly
trying to help Israel, and the people will constantly resist and rebel. God's
judgment always seems harsher in the theoretical, as it did to Jeremiah, but
when you are working in the harvest with the future recipients of that
judgment, you understand that God's judgment is just, as Jeremiah did.
Luke 11:14-36
In the reading for yesterday, did you notice what Jesus was doing just
prior to the disciples asking Him how to pray? Apparently Jesus took time every
day to get away from the disciples, a stone's throw, and do it Himself.
Luke 11:14-26
You might think we've read this before in Matthew 12:24 and in Mark
3:22, but this is different. In the second year of Jesus' ministry the scribes
and the Pharisees had come up with an explanation for Jesus' power and signs.
Now, months before His death, the sickness the Jews (Jewish leaders) spread is
being expressed by the people themselves. What we have here is coming out of
the mouth of the people.
I'm sure that Jesus gave this message to others in different settings.
Although what Jesus says here is very close to Matthew 12, there are some
interesting differences.
Vs. 14-23 This is very similar to what Jesus had said to the Pharisees
and scribes in Matthew 12 and in Mark 3. What is missing here is the mention of
the unforgivable sin.
V. 22 The telling of this parable is a little different. Jesus adds to
this by including the mention of armor. Since the figures of speech mirror
reality, I wonder what the armor in which
he trusted was?
Vs. 24-26 When Jesus told this earlier, it seemed like He was applying
it to the entire generation. In any case, this seems to be a description of
reality in the spiritual world. Even among the demons, having rebelled against
God's purpose for them, it could be that they can't be completely free of human
connection since they were made, back when they were angels, to serve God by
serving us.
Vs. 27-28 I wonder if this outburst was to change the subject since
Jesus was talking about something "nasty." This expression of
religious sentimentality created a nice bridge into talking about the
importance of hearing and doing Jesus' words.
Vs. 29-32 Jesus was asked several times to show a sign specifically to
prove He was the Messiah. Here it had come from the crowd, but He gave the
people His standard answer. Notice that in one example, the hearing of the Word
is emphasized; and in the other example, the response to the Word is the main
point.
V. 33 When Jesus has used this before, it has been with the disciples
and the focus has been for them to spread the Word. Here with the people, the
focus is that they themselves should use the light. There still is the aspect
of the light being for others.
Vs. 34-36 When Jesus used this before with His disciples in the Sermon
on the Mount, it had to do with their perception of value. Here, for the
people, it seems that the focus is on them understanding Him, His Word and the
times. If they get this right, there is light. If they warp their perception of
Him, they will not only be blind, but will also be full of darkness.
This last warning was directed toward the people and the religious
leaders. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6:23), Jesus used this same
illustration to warn His disciples that it could also happen to them. There's
no better way to keep your eye clear than following Him in the harvest and
using the truth for what the truth was meant to be used, for reaching the lost
and making disciples, who make disciples.
Psalm 77
This is a good psalm for strength in waiting on the Lord. Since I'm in
a time of waiting, this really lets me know that these feelings are normal and
understood by God and that I need to wait well, in hope, knowing that my heart
is being strengthened in the waiting. God says to keep on crying out, not to be
comforted by anything other than God's answer. The psalmist looked to an
example of God being gracious and kind to the most undeserving, and showing
favor to stubborn people. The idea is, "If He did it for them, He'll do it
for me too." In that example, God used His power and shook the elements
for these people. Isn't it funny that the people and the event that the
psalmist took comfort in is the same stuff we're reading in the OT? Note v. 20.
Vs. 1-3 It doesn't matter who you look at, Job, Abraham, Moses, David,
Jesus, or anyone in between; this is how we are to pray. God seems to
specifically move those who are following Him in His plan into situations where
they learn to cry out. In Luke, Jesus doesn't just teach the words by which to
tune our hearts in prayer; He gives us two very important stories of persistence
in crying out to God. I feel more and more comfortable being in places like
this in following Christ, because this is normal and it means that the Lord has
led us to this very spot of crying out.
Vs. 4-9 It seems that Asaph realized that God would give him no rest or
easy solution. So in v. 5, Asaph turns his heart and mind to the Lord. What
gave him strength was remembering that character of God as revealed in
Scripture. His steadfast love never ends. His promise to Abraham will never
fail. God doesn't know how to hold back His grace and His compassion.
V. 10 This is Asaph's breakthrough. The right hand refers both to power
and righteousness.
Vs. 11-15 This is why the Word is so important to us. It is the basis
of our remembering the love, power and holiness of God. In v. 13, God is the
only God and the holy God. In v. 14, He is the God who is mighty beyond
everything and who reveals Himself. In v. 15, He is the promise-keeping God who
redeems. By the way, this would preach well.
Notice the mention of Jacob and Joseph. This tips you off that what
Asaph is remembering is what happened to Israel being led out of Egypt. Isn't
it interesting that in Deuteronomy, God is telling Israel they should never
forget these very same things. His holiness, His power, His promises, and their
salvation should always be upon their hearts. Is that any different for us?
Vs. 16-20 And here are the acts in Egypt and the Exodus that Asaph is
remembering.
Proverbs 12:18
It takes confidence and personal depth in God's love to have the
steadfastness and gentleness to speak the truth in love. Anybody can wound. I
think I'm getting there, but some days, I'm still the other guy.
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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