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
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translations.
MAY 18
1 Samuel 22-23
Here are some dark days in the
history of redemption.
1 Samuel 22
Vs. 1-5 First, David escaped
from Gath and regrouped in the cave at Adullam. Notice the people who came to
David. This cave was between Gath and Jerusalem and is thought to be the place
or near the place where David killed Goliath.
In taking his family to Moab for
safety, David could claim that his great grandmother, Ruth, was also from Moab.
I don't know if Gad the prophet
traveled with David, but this was good advice, and David began to ask the Lord
more and more about what he should do.
Vs. 6-19 This is Saul at his
worst. Saul had no qualms or conscience about killing the priests, but he had
to appeal to a foreigner, Doeg, the Edomite, to kill the priests. Never trust a
guy named Doeg.
Notice that when Saul was
commanded to kill everything that belonged to the Amalekites, he didn't do it. Here,
regarding the city of Nob, a defenseless city of the priests, He declared
"holy war" by killing everyone and everything, using a non-Israelite
to do his dirty work.
The reason Saul did this will be
clear when you later read that though David helped cities, they turned against
him. The cities were afraid of Saul because of this heartless destruction. If
Saul would destroy a city of priests and their families, it was clear that he
had no respect for God or anyone else. He was totally ruthless.
It is interesting that later
Saul will seek the Lord, and God will not answer. Go figure.
It should be noted that this was
in fulfillment of the curse that God put on the priestly lineage of Eli (from
Aaron's son Ithamar). After this, two priests would emerge, Abiathar, the last
priest who would ever serve God from Eli's lineage, and Zadok, from the other
priestly family originating in Aaron's son Eleazar. Abiathar will be retired
(with his life spared because of his rebellion), when Solomon becomes king.
From that point on, the only priests come from the family and lineage of Zadok.
God is often very patient, even in His judgments.
Vs. 20-23 It seems that David
understood that his lying had played a part in the slaughtering of Abiathar's
family. Saul would have killed them anyway because they helped David, but at
least they would have known what was going on and could have protected their
families. One good thing David got out of this deal was that Abiathar brought
the ephod with the Urim and Thummim (U&T).
1 Samuel 23
Vs. 1-5 David had been a
shepherd and was anointed as a boy to be the future king. Although David would
run for the next 10 years, God had a plan for him. God would use David to
protect Israel and to know not to put his trust in people, but rather wholly in
the Lord. Notice that David's men were afraid because they would be going
closer to Saul if they saved Keilah.
This is the first mention of
David inquiring of the Lord. Very cool. Verse 6 explains what made this
"inquiring" possible. When you see the ephod, you think of the
U&T, right? These things were the best kept secret in Israel and seldom
used, but David was wearing them out now.
Vs. 6-14 What I find interesting
in all of these adventures in Keilah is that as David was seeking the Lord,
asking Him the questions that were on everyone's mind, David was also teaching
his motley crew to seek the Lord and depend on Him. This is how David really
became their leader, and it was under pressure and in dangerous times.
Notice that in v. 13, David's
little army had grown since 1 Samuel 22:2, from 400 to 600.
V. 14 It is hard to know how
much time is passing, but the danger was present every day for a while. Yet it
was through this danger and stress that David could see daily how the Lord was
protecting him.
Vs. 15-18 Did you know this was
here? It touches my heart to read this. So little is said about Jonathan, but
what a heroic man of God he was. Supposedly the name means "Yahweh has
given." Well Jonathan submitted to both God and David in giving up his
right to rule. And in Jonathan, God gave David a friend that he really didn't
deserve. More about this when we see how David treats Jonathan's son.
Notice that Jonathan
strengthened David's hand in the Lord.
This was no ordinary pep talk. The German says that Jonathan strengthened
David's trust in God. What a model of Barnabas and a selfless disciple maker.
Vs. 19-29 I'm sure this
treachery hurt David but the Lord kept David safe.
V. 21 These are incredible,
contradictory words.
Vs. 25-29 This is David's
closest call. They were separated only by the space of a few minutes. David not
only had 600 men, but the men also had families, and families have babies,
highchairs, strollers (all-terrain) and potty chairs and tents and plasmas and
computers and cappuccino makers, and, and, and…. That's all to say that this
was not easy. The text here doesn't talk about their families, but when David
lands at Ziklag and the town is overrun, it says that everyone lost someone to
the kidnappers. Again, reading year after year, letting the Spirit make slow,
natural connections pays off and adds human feel to the details.
V. 27 Then, in the nick of time,
a messenger arrived telling Saul that the Philistines had raided a city and
without knowing how close he was to finding David, Saul broke off the search
and went away. David wasn't saved permanently, but this small deliverance
probably had a psalm written for it.
Because we weren't there, we see
these events very one dimensionally and objectively. We don't feel the heat or
sense the urgency, but it was all there. Ironically, in the middle of this
desperate escape, God was so present that Saul could have been a million miles
away, because God wasn't going to let David get caught. It is good to remember
God's sovereignty even when we are acting with God's urgency, going nuts and
sweating like crazy in the harvest. We can work hard but still be calm, knowing
that our Father is working.
John 10:1-21
This is such a great portion of Scripture that what it says to us as
disciples is deeper than any of us could ever go. Note that this reading
concludes at v. 21. All of this is happening in October. Verse 22 picks up at
Hanukkah in December.
As you read, look for stuff to underline, especially about doors and
shepherds. Take a little time to figure out what all that means.
Vs. 1-6 What Jesus says here is immediately after what He just said to
these Pharisees. As shepherds, they had just cast this sheep out of the
synagogue. This is why Jesus launches into this talk. They showed by their
action against this man who had been blind, that they were robbers and thieves
and had not entered the sheepfold by the right way. And then to boot, they
didn't get what Jesus was saying.
Vs. 7-10 So to explain what He meant, Jesus further confused the
Pharisees by telling them who He was. Here Jesus says that the only way to come
into the fold as a sheep or a shepherd is through Him. He is the door to serve
the sheep and He is the door for the sheep. Those who come to Him are saved and
find pasture and life.
Vs. 11-13 Now Jesus says He is the Good Shepherd who dies for the
sheep. Notice that dying for the sheep is how He will protect them.
Vs. 14-16 As the Good Shepherd,
Jesus calls His sheep; they know His voice, and they follow Him. I wonder if
the Pharisees understood that they couldn't hear His voice. Notice that Jesus
is saying that He also had Gentile sheep and that there would eventually be one flock.
Vs. 17-18 This is the authority
that Jesus spoke of back in John 5. The Father has granted Him to have life in
Himself. Although no one could take it from Him, as the Good Shepherd, Jesus
willingly laid down His life for the sheep. Hallelujah!
Vs. 19-21 This is a very interesting look into the minds of the leaders
of the people. Most of them simply rebelled, but some of the priests, scribes
and Pharisees were being honest and were challenged by the spiritual truth in
Jesus' words. Later it will say that many, even among the authorities, believed
in Jesus. They were just afraid to admit it.
Jesus will pick up this same line of teaching in the next verse, which
will occur two months later.
As disciples following our Lord, we are also under the authority of the
Father. We are not our own; we've been bought with a price, and there are sheep
who need to hear the message of Christ. We are called according to His purpose
and given the Spirit to be His witnesses in His harvest.
And as disciples we need to remember that we are His sheep and need to
follow His voice.
Psalm 115
This psalm seems to echo how
alive, close and dependable the Lord is to His people. This was probably
written during the reign of David or some other king who promoted the worship
of Yahweh.
V. 1 The declaration of worship
here is to give glory to the living God who is known by His steadfast love and faithfulness.
Vs. 2-3 Notice the contrast. The
nations that have idols wonder where Israel's idols are. Israel, according to
the psalmist and God, didn't need idols. They had a living God in heaven.
Vs. 4-8 These verses are full of
the contradictions of serving idols.
The nations, but also Israel, followed idols. The irony in v. 8 is interesting.
Not only do people who trust in idols become dumb like the idol, but they also
actually trust in themselves.
Vs. 9-13 This is the call for
Israel to throw away their idols and trust in God. Notice the repetition of
words like help, trust, and bless. This is
what only the living God can do and He promised to do just that in the law.
Notice the mention of Aaron. This is referring to the priesthood and worship at
the tabernacle. That was where Israel was supposed to gather for worship and be
blessed. Instead they worshiped and sacrificed on every high hill. This writer,
possibly David, wanted the people to return to God.
Vs. 14-16 The Lord is the one
who blesses, because He is the Creator of everything.
Vs. 17-18 Most religions have
some sort of rite for the dead. Israel didn't have that. Israel was to worship
and praise the living God who saved them. The forevermore suggests that those the Lord has saved will, in fact,
praise Him forevermore, because they
will be alive in Him.
As disciples, all of this talk
about idols shouldn't be taken lightly. I know we all laugh at the thought of
idols, but when we're in need, it is easier to go to the plastic (charge card)
than to sit before the Lord in silence, waiting until He answers as only He
can.
Proverbs 15:18-19
In contrast to yesterday when
the three verses fit together, we have these very different verses.
So, I figure it like this: A
hot-tempered man is like a sluggard in the sharp contrasts, edges, and
unevenness in his life. The upright controls his temper and is balanced in
dealing with his life before the Lord.
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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