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.
JUNE 14
1 Kings 12:20-13:34
1 Kings 12:20-33
Vs. 20-24 Although it says that only Judah followed the house of David, Benjamin is listed
as contributing to the army of Judah. God kept this a relatively bloodless
civil war.
V. 24 Rehoboam listened to the man of God, and in humility, he did
something wise.
Vs. 26-33 God had made a promise to Jeroboam and it had been fulfilled
to this point. There should have been no doubt on Jeroboam’s part that God
would fulfill everything. And remember too, that Jeroboam was being given one
half of one of the most glorious and prosperous kingdoms on earth. This is an
utterly amazing gift and honor.
Look at what is influencing Jeroboam. Faith is spiritual, fixed on, and
resting in God. The flesh is not only of no avail; it can destroy us, others
and nations. As disciples these are some of the same things that influence us.
I don't know about you, but this all seems so unbelievable. He is blessed by God
and then commits amazing sin to hold on to the gift and the blessing.
Notice what Jeroboam imitated. He made golden calves in the north and
south, and allowed worship anywhere. And, he made anyone a priest. Talk about
being an equal opportunity employer. And in v. 32 he replaced the Day of
Atonement with a feast of his own. What a smart guy.
One question here: Why do you think the nation was so easy to push into
idol worship? Doesn’t it seem like the entire country would have rebelled at
leaving the worship of Yahweh like this? So, who got the nation ready for this?
That's right, the wisest man in the world, by his own ungodly example, led
Israel into idolatry. Isn't it stunning to think that the man who built the
temple, as a king, introduced such grave idolatry into the nation for so many
years before these events, that Israel would never recover? This would
eventually lead the nation into exile and lead to the destruction of the
temple.
As disciples, we are never perfect. In following in humility, our
imperfections are overwhelmed by God's grace and forgiveness. We need to beware
of having a secret life, as David did for a time, and as Solomon must have had
privately with his wives, before it became public. Living with such a
contradiction between belief and practice caused irreparable damage. It appears
that neither David nor Solomon read the Word daily as they were commanded to do
in Deuteronomy.
1 Kings 13
Vs. 1-10 So, what common element ties the events of chapters 12 &
13 together besides the fact that the names of both guys end in boam? It seems to me that both were
faced with a man of God. This begins
something very important in the history of Israel and in prophetic history: the
role of the prophet. God begins sending His messengers before the kings and
people, but the prophets are ignored or killed.
V. 2 This will not happen for another 290 years. Josiah will be (in my
opinion) the godliest king the nation ever had. He will be a brilliant light
before the storm hits Israel.
Vs. 4-10 So, in spite of all of these signs, Jeroboam didn't change.
What does that say to you? I thought "seeing is believing." We will
observe this “seeing is not believing phenomenon” more and more. Signs will
most often result in showing the deep, controlling sin in people, thus giving
God basis for judgment. The signs will not move the majority of the people to
repentance and obedience.
V. 5 This translation by the ESV is unfortunate. As the prophet was
speaking, the altar was not "torn down," but it burst apart and
spewed the ashes that were on it, defiling everyone in the area.
Vs. 11-34 Your guess is as good as anyone's regarding the meaning of
this story of the man of God and the prophet of Bethel. Go nuts making
observations and applications. Everything about this event is strange for a
purpose.
As I read this this morning it hit me that it may be that the Lord was
introducing the concept of “parable” into the teaching of Israel. The idea of
parables and hidden truth is introduced in Psalm 78 and it is linked to
Israel’s disobedience. Parables, as Jesus used them, were truth in story form
that would become understood by those who sought, but whose truth would remain
veiled to those who really didn’t care. Parables reveal the faith or unbelief
of the hearer. The use of parables is also related to the call of Isaiah in
Isaiah 6:8-10. The way that God will now be revealing truth to Israel will make
it so those who don’t want to see won’t. And those who hear, but don’t want to
hear, will not understand.
Try thinking of this entire story as a kind of parable, that is, truth
with deeper meaning under the surface if you try to understand it. What does it
say to you as a disciple living in this present darkness? The Spirit had a lot
to say to me.
Vs. 30-32 These verses actually give the message and meaning of the
story. The thing God had prophesied would surely happen. Judgment was
determined and all the circumstances of this event showed that every word would
be fulfilled. Remember that this guy would be buried next to the man of God.
We'll revisit both of their bones, and this event, when we read about Josiah
290 years from now (if you know what I mean).
Acts 9:26-43
Vs. 26-30 One of the challenges in understanding how Paul's testimony
in Galatians fits here is that he says it was three years after his conversion
that he went to Jerusalem. So then, it is presumed that he left Damascus, went
to the Arabia, returned to Damascus and then went to Jerusalem. The challenge
is that in v. 26, they are still terribly afraid of Paul. If this is all
accurate, then Paul must have been a very terrible guy who had left wreckage
and scars and bad memories all over the place. I think that was his reputation.
V. 27 Paul was trying to find the apostles, but it was like a wacky
cartoon. He would come into a room and they would sneak away on tiptoes behind
him. As everyone else was avoiding Paul, Barnabas actively sought out and laid
hold of Paul and took him to the apostles. Now, in Galatians 1:17, Paul says he
only saw the apostles Peter and James (the brother of Jesus); but it should be
noted, that the group of apostles was growing. Barnabas would be called an
apostle as well as others. Apparently Paul meant that he didn't see the Twelve.
V. 29 That old Paul magic was working again. How do you know Paul was
involved in effective ministry? People were trying to kill him.
V. 30 Caesarea was the main seaport. Philip lived there now and so did
Cornelius. Peter would be there soon. Although Caesarea was northwest of
Jerusalem, all directions from Jerusalem are "down." Paul was from
Tarsus, in what would be modern-day Turkey. Today, Paul would have been a Turk
by birth. According to Paul, in Galatians, it would be 14 years until he would
return to Jerusalem.
V. 31 Notice that when Paul left, they had peace. J Can you
imagine the change in Paul's identity? Jerusalem and those three feasts each
year had been his world. Now Jerusalem was not only the scene of his crimes,
but also the place where his newly found Savior had bought his forgiveness.
This city had been his life, and now Paul would not see Jerusalem again for 14
years.
Even for us as disciples, radical change is to be expected as we follow
Christ on this planet. Times, places and people come and go; but for us, Jesus,
His love, and His mission become and remain our focus, leading us into new
seasons of growth, friendships, service, and joy.
Vs. 32-43 This account of Peter's travels is a very important setup to the
next major important event in the early church and God’s plan of redemption.
V. 32 Peter was visiting believers who had been forced to flee
Jerusalem. Of course, some of those who came to Christ in Jerusalem may have
lived in some of these towns and cities. The network of faith was spreading
throughout Judea and Samaria.
V. 36 Joppa would have been one of those cities where Philip preached
as he walked from Azotus to Caesarea.
V. 42 It is interesting that Peter was staying with a tanner. Jews
regarded them as unclean because they were always dealing with dead animals.
There is a reason why God used Peter like this. Obviously, He wanted
people healed, but God’s plans also had to do with a purpose He had for Peter,
an apostle and a true-blue Jew, to knock down one huge wall. God is giving
Peter a great deal of esteem among the Jewish Christians. This respect will
come in handy in chapter 11.
As Christians, we are often overly personality oriented. We read the
books and try to figure out the talent, faith and abilities that made a person
great. It is still God who chooses the person and does that work. There are
many more talented, faithful, capable people running around and serving Christ
without renown, than those who serve with public recognition. God decides who
to give a public name and ministry. Others may be more skilled, more fruitful
and more faithful, but God just doesn't lift them up. It isn't for a lack of
devotion or faith on their part. It just isn't the Lord's plan for them.
Faithfulness in loving and following Christ in the harvest is the goal, not
renown or respect. God gives visible ministry to people publicly if and when it
is necessary for Him and His plan. Peter will pay a price for this and then he
will disappear from the record of Acts.
Psalm 132
No one is sure when this psalm was written; but since we just witnessed
Solomon dedicating the temple, it seems that this could have been the song that
was sung on that occasion.
Vs. 1-5 This was the reason for the passion of both David and Solomon
to build the temple. Therefore, especially because of David's passion and
sufferings, God should remember to honor Zion.
Vs. 6-10 As the people respect David's desire, God is asked to honor
the temple with His presence.
Vs. 11-12 This sounds like Solomon reminding the Lord what He said to
him.
Vs. 13-18 These verses take on a prophetic note, referring to the final
king in David's line. See how many references you find that make sense to you.
Notice that the idea of crown
could be related to the promise that Solomon’s sons, grandchildren and
descendants would sit on the throne after him (vs. 11-12) and then in v. 17
referring to Jesus. Now, look at how Proverbs 17:6 begins.
Proverbs 17:6
My "grand-crowns" are all living miles away. As for the next
part, the Lord says this, so it is true, but I wonder if this is what most
people think or experience in our world today.
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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