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.
JULY
12
Today isn't just July 12. You'll
be starting Romans. That in itself is a good excuse to treat yourself to
something. At the beginning of August you'll be ending 2 Chronicles and Romans,
almost on the same day, and you'll be off to other adventures, reading
different books and off for another culinary treat.
1
Chronicles 12:19-14:17
Ezra will begin to show, like no
other writer, why David was a man after God's own heart and why the people and
leaders of Israel should make David their model of devotion to God.
1 Chronicles 12:19-40
Vs. 19-22 Boy, did these guys
come at the right time. Remember what David found when he got back to Ziklag?
Notice that this story points to God's provision and to the united Israel.
Toward the end of his reign I doubt that King Saul was popular, and different
tribes could see that the kingdom was failing. It says these men deserted. What
is significant is that the people of Manasseh made a choice for David before
the death of Saul and before the ensuing civil war.
Vs. 23-40 Notice who these
people were, where they were from and when and where they joined David. These
men joined David during the seven years he was king of Judah at Hebron during
the civil war with Saul’s followers. There is a note in 2 Samuel 3:1 that David
grew stronger and stronger. This explains how that happened.
V. 32 is interesting. These men
were not only good fighters; they knew what Israel needed and did it. This
would be a lesson to those returning to Israel after the exile. This should be
a lesson to us also, to know the times and live accordingly (Rom. 13:11-14).
1 Chronicles 13
This is a retelling of the story
of David bringing the ark to Jerusalem. Remember Ezra is giving the returned
nation a view of how God formed Israel under David, to give the returning
people pride in their calling by God. Having the presence of God in Jerusalem,
and being near God's presence was David's passion. We read about this in almost
all of his psalms. But David failed on his first attempt to bring the ark into
the city. If even a great leader like David failed on his first attempt, the
returned exiles shouldn't lose heart trying to reestablish the worship of the
people in the rebuilt temple. When we read Ezra and Hosea, we'll see they had
plenty of challenges getting the temple and the worship back in order; in fact,
the people gave up.
What Ezra is showing the
returned nation is what made David a man after God's own heart. We'll see this
clearer in 1 Chronicles than anywhere else. Ezra will not mention David's
faults because they are recorded elsewhere, but he will clearly show why David
was given such honor by God and why the leaders and people should make David
the model of their leadership and devotion to God. The Lord has this written
here for us too.
Vs. 1-4 Now David was leading
the united Israel. It is interesting that David brought all the commanders and
leaders into this decision. Notice that no one was asking God anything here.
This all must have seemed like a "no brainer." Of course, God would
want this. What could go wrong?
Vs. 5-8 The celebration here was
going to add to the intensity of the lesson David and the people were about to
receive.
Vs. 9-14 David was disappointed
for a lot of reasons. He had assumed on God, that doing anything would make Him
happy. As you read The Psalms you understand that David really wanted God's
presence with him in Jerusalem. That was a very sincere desire and passion. But
ignorant passion, like what Moses showed at 40, isn't always honored by God.
That ought to say something to us working in the harvest. We need to do things
His way. Knowing Him and the Word is absolutely vital.
Notice that God immediately and
visibly blessed Obed-edom and the ark only stayed there for three months.
1 Chronicles 14
God established David so that he
had peace with his neighbors and rest from his enemies. Notice that the seeking
of the ark and seeking God's presence and favor was sought by David before he
sought the security of the nation with its neighbors. The message to the
returning exiles was clear, that David sought the Lord’s favor first, before
and above his own security. This should be a model for the reestablished
nation. And it’s good advice for us as disciples.
Vs. 1-2 After living in caves
and tents for so long, Hiram sends in the Extreme Makeover, Royal House,
edition. David is finally settled. In the next chapter we'll see that this had
an effect on David. He probably sat some nights looking at the security and the
fine house he had and it not only made him thank God, but it moved his heart to
want to do something for God.
Vs. 3-7 In Deuteronomy 17:16-20,
God says that Israel's king was not to multiply wives. I think that one of the
reasons they did it was to have heirs to the throne. The point here is that
David also had rest and security in his personal life.
Vs. 8-12 Significant in this
section is that David sought the Lord through the Urim and Thummim. God not
only answered and led David, but He led David to victory. Notice that the
Philistines left their idols. This might be similar to how the Israelites
deserted the ark 100 years earlier. It was ironic that each man had to carry
his god into battle, like a mascot or a hood ornament. David burned their
idols. Some would have been of stone, but some would have been wood, coated
with gold or silver. They all ended up trashed.
Vs. 13-17 The Philistines had
been the main threat to Israel over the preceding 100 years. Now this threat
was removed and David had rest from immediate danger. Notice again that David
asked of the Lord. That's not a bad habit to develop. God answered with very
specific information. This would be a test of David's faith, having to believe
and exercise obedience and faith. That never hurts either.
V. 17 Notice that the Lord
brought the fear of David upon the nations.
Of course this is all good
information for the returning exiles. For us in the harvest, all of this is
here for our instruction.
Romans
1:1-17
Wow, we are beginning Romans!
There is so much here regarding discipleship and living for Christ that you’ll
be gleaning from this book each year for the rest of your life. You’ll make
plenty of your own observations, so I’ll just make a few.
Paul wrote this letter from
Corinth, during the three months he was in Greece mentioned in Acts 20:3.
Phoebe, mentioned in Romans 16:1, was a deaconess of the church of Cenchrea,
the eastern harbor of Corinth. Part of the purpose of this letter, toward the
end, is to introduce her. In fact, her trip to Rome might have been what got
Paul thinking that if he wrote a letter to the churches there, she could take
it and he could save on postage.
V. 1 Always notice how Paul
introduces himself. Particularly here in Romans, it has something to do with
his entire focus in the letter.
Vs. 1-7 Notice how often you
find something that refers to being called by God. Notice the promise in these
verses and how Paul mentions David. Notice how the mission is woven through all
of this. Notice how the Spirit is writing this, so that it could apply to you
too. We are called to Christ to serve Him in the harvest.
Vs. 8-15 Notice that their faith
was known and visible. How do you think it was seen? We have no record of any
church planting activity in Rome. It is likely that some of those people saved
in Jerusalem on Pentecost were from Rome. All roads led to Rome and many
Christians walked them.
V. 9 Jesus told the Samaritan
woman that those who worshiped the Father would worship Him in spirit and in
truth. So what does it mean for a person to serve God in "spirit?"
V. 13 We’ll hear more about the
reasons for this delay in visiting Rome in chapter 15. Notice that Paul
naturally assumed he would be fruitful in the gospel when he came to Rome.
Shouldn't we also assume the gospel will bear fruit?
V. 15 Paul said that he was
eager to preach in Rome. Later Paul will say that he didn't want to preach where
Christ had already been proclaimed. Paul's desire to preach in Rome and to
strengthen the church indicates, possibly, that the church began by spontaneous
generation, neighbor to neighbor, but that no one had formally built the church
and preached in Rome. If that's the case, the city still would have been fresh
turf for evangelism, and therefore, fair game for Paul.
Vs. 16-17 Maybe a lack of fruit
is because Christians lack this sense of conviction, confidence and calling.
This is why a disciple is left on earth, to follow Christ into the harvest and
to bear much fruit. The gospel is still powerful, but saying that is not the
same as believing it. The way you get this confidence in the gospel is not by
reading Paul; it is by reading Jesus. Reading the entire Bible is very
important every year, but particularly the words and life of Jesus give you the
confidence of bearing your cross daily. Watching Jesus shows you what it means
to abide in Christ and follow His lead.
Notice here too that Paul says to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
This shows that one of the purposes of this letter will be to strengthen the
unity of these mixed house churches in Rome. This church was very Jewish and
very Gentile. Greek in this context refers to everyone who was not a Jew, not
specifically Greeks. And too, the church was in Italy. I wonder if they had
pizza at their fellowship dinners.
For us as disciples, we need to
internalize for ourselves the first six verses, follow Christ into the harvest,
and in confidence of the gospel's power, not be ashamed.
Psalm
9:13-20
We have read of Abraham waiting.
We have read of Moses living in obscurity for 40 years as a shepherd. We’ve
seen David anointed and victorious and still have to run for his life for 10
years. We’ve seen Paul chased from town to town, beaten and lied against and
then imprisoned for 4-5 years. Yet, as we’ll see in Romans 8, God uses all of
this for good, for His purpose. And in our suffering and waiting, He teaches us
humility and seeking so that we’ll be fruitful for Him in the harvest.
Vs. 13-14 Not only did God
consistently save David, but David consistently let everyone know of God's love
and His deliverance.
Vs. 15-16 David could read in
the Scriptures that God had done this, but shortly after David became king of
the entire nation, everyone began coming after Israel. David needed God's help
against the neighboring nations.
Vs. 17-18 Israel was the needy. Under David they had a man
who could lead them to victory, because David knew what it meant to come to God
in humility, crying out for His help.
Vs. 19-20 This is David asking
God to show the nations His glory. We
saw what happened to Assyria, when they mocked God and His people.
V. 20 Go back and read 1
Chronicles 14:17 from today. That's kind of interesting isn't it?
Proverbs
19:4-5
It seems that v. 5 is the
commentary on v. 4. Verse 4 is full of lying. Verse 5 says that even in
relationships like these, there will be justice.
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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