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 6
1
Chronicles 2:18-4:4
Admittedly, I tend to read some
of this with half an eye, but there are some things to note. Keep in mind that
the reason this information is important is that after the exile, there was a
need to reestablish the nation in the land. They needed to orient the people
toward Israel's purpose, give the history and significance of people and
places, and they needed to know who was a true-blue Jew. The genealogies were
very important. For example, if a person couldn't prove their connection to
Levi, they couldn't serve in the temple. If someone couldn't prove his lineage
back to Aaron, he couldn't be a priest.
1 Chronicles 2:18-55
Yesterday in 2:9, Ezra began to
mention Hezron. The line of David and the Messiah ran through his son Ram. Now
Ezra is going back to other sons of Hezron who also had importance. What you
find here are a lot of names that became towns and villages.
Vs. 18-50 In all of these
descendants from Caleb (not the fellow spy with Joshua), probably the most
important is Hur in v. 19. The line of Hur will be picked up in vs. 50-51.
There are some other names and places mentioned here like Tekoa and Ephrathah
and Gilead. I'm sure this must have had more significance to the Jews than to
us.
Vs. 50-55 Kiriath-jearim became home to the ark of the
covenant for a while and Bethlehem became a well-known place too. You have also
heard the name Ephrathah before. Micah 5:2
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming
forth is from of old, from ancient days.
V. 55 Now these are some
interesting names, all associated with the tribe of Judah, specifically the
line of the sons of Hur.
This is the first time you see
the name of Jabez. Here it is the town named after the guy we will meet in
chapter 4. Notice that this town became the home to clans of scribes. Now, if
you ask me, it was no accident that the scribes who made copies of the Bible
settled in a town governed by a man like Jabez. Godliness attracts godliness.
Then you have a summary of these clans of scribes who are called Kenites who
come from the house of Rechab. The Rechabites will also figure to be important,
especially in Jeremiah 35:1-19, where God makes an eternal promise to them.
Godliness attracts godliness. I'll have more to say about Jabez tomorrow.
1 Chronicles 3
In this list of sons of David
the intended goal seems to be getting to v. 19. Zerubbabel was the first
governor of Israel after they returned from Babylon. This establishes
Zerubbabel as a continuation of the Davidic line. The other names continue the
line of David to the 400 silent years, but the point is made that the line of
David is clearly able to be established, even after the exile.
Vs. 1-4 These are David’s sons,
born to him as king of Judah during the civil war with Saul’s family and the
northern tribes. In a sense, this civil war would set the precedent of the
northern tribes being separated from Judah when God caused the split later as a
result of Solomon’s disobedience.
I am still somewhat partial to
Abigail; and, for what it's worth, I think he should have just settled with her
and been happy. But what do I know? I do like the name of their son.
Vs. 5-8 Notice how many kids
David had with Bathsheba (Bath-shua). What is really interesting is that God
was partial to Bathsheba. Both Joseph and Mary were descended from David.
Joseph, Jesus’ “legal” father, was descended to David through Solomon. Mary
gave Jesus His blood line to David through Nathan, one of Bathsheba’s other
sons. That will become significant later since God seems to say later that
Solomon’s line will not extend to the Messiah. Notice too that if this order
was birth order, and it usually was, Solomon was the youngest of her four sons.
God is the one who made the choice of Solomon.
The other sons were either from
an unnamed wife or they were prominent sons born of David’s concubines.
Vs. 10-15 This list of Solomon’s
descendants goes to the Babylonian exile. We’ve read about these kings.
Vs. 16-24 Now Ezra’s purpose was
to show that the descendants of David’s line of kings extended into and through
the exile. None of these men was ever a king, but Zerubbabel was the first
governor of Judah after Cyrus of Persia (Iran) sent the exiles home.
1 Chronicles 4:1-4
So, now the author is taking a
look at the lineage of all of Israel, beginning with Judah, possibly with an
emphasis on entering the land after Egypt. Again the mention of Bethlehem is
important because in Ezra's thinking, all roads led to David. That's OK with
me; because for us, Bethlehem means the birth place of our Lord.
Acts
24
This is another formal hearing
regarding the "innocence" of Christianity in the Roman world. This
would have been interesting news for Theophilus and the other readers of Acts.
I was reading Matthew 23:36 this morning; and when Jesus said these words, He
was speaking of events exactly like this one.
Vs. 1-9 This Tertullus was a
trained lawyer and had a Roman name and pedigree to win favor with Felix. All
three of his points were designed to make Paul look like he was in violation of
Roman laws. Paul instigated riots; he led an unapproved non-Jewish religion,
and he had profaned the temple, which was under Roman protection.
Vs. 10-21 Paul's defense not
only has the backing of the Roman tribune who sent him to Caesarea, but the
fact that Paul was found on the last, seventh, day of the cleansing, proved
that he had done nothing to make a disturbance. This is why God allowed Paul to
be caught on the last day.
V. 14 Paul affirmed that
Christianity was the fulfillment of Judaism and that Paul was only following
the law by acknowledging Jesus.
V. 18 As for profaning the
temple, the eyewitnesses (liars) weren't there and they didn't have any
witnesses, or Gentiles in custody, to prove Paul had brought them into the
temple.
Vs. 22-23 Felix understood that
Christianity was the fulfilling of the Jewish religion, the question being if
Jesus was the Messiah. The promise here of Lysias (the guy who wrote the letter
and sent Paul to Caesarea) coming and setting the matter to rest would seem to
work out for Paul.
Paul was placed under house
arrest. So, being in the palace, he didn't have it too bad and he was
protected.
Vs. 24-27 Felix and his wife
both listened to Paul, but were never moved to conversion. This reminds me of
what it says about Herod listening to John the Baptist gladly, but still
killing him. There is a perverse delight in learning about God and His
judgment. You feel challenged and guilty and somehow cleansed. And you can
still be lost and do what you like. I think this is what Jesus meant when He
warned His disciples to beware of the leaven of Herod: the joy of listening and
soothing your conscience without conversion or true faith.
It is said that Paul came from a
wealthy family and therefore Felix's desire to be bribed. If Paul's family
still held to the law, there was no way they'd pay for Paul and there is no way
Paul would help himself.
Probably like today, an official
leaving office could grant pardons. But there is no pardon for Paul because the
ones who were really good to Felix were the Jews.
All of this looks like a victory
for Paul's enemies. Paul was not guilty; but the hate and influence of the
Jews, coupled with a corrupt politician like Felix, kept Paul under house
arrest for two years, inactive and ineffectual. Or did they win? And was Paul
really inactive and ineffectual? Paul had quite a bit of freedom and had
visitors when he wished. Caesarea had a thriving Christian community and a
major seaport. All the Christians traveling by sea from Italy, Greece or Turkey
to Israel would have to land at Caesarea. Philip was there and it's possible
that Cornelius was still there. It would have been a great place to do ministry
and to make disciples and to teach. I'm thinking that groups of people could
have met with Paul for Bible studies. Really, Paul could have been like a
one-man Bible institute. Looking past the "imprisonment" part of this
assignment, Paul was now teaching and equipping, and being taken care of and
being protected. He was exactly where God wanted him to be.
As disciples, we need to have a
very high view of God's sovereignty. If we see ourselves as victims, we become
bitter and ineffectual. If we are humbly following God, we are always where He
wants us in the harvest. God can't lose or be frustrated.
Psalm
4
I have to admit. I've never
noticed how these psalms reflect what Paul must have been going through in
Acts. Read this imagining what Paul must have been thinking being in jail,
having his accusers "victorious," thinking that at least Paul was
locked up and there would be no real justice as long as Felix would do them
favors.
V. 1 This is David's plea to God
to hear his cry and show him mercy.
Vs. 2-3 This is almost like
David warning his enemies to stop and remember that God loves David.
Vs. 4-5 Doesn't this verse sound like Paul's words in
Ephesians 4:26, Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun
go down on your anger. I'll bet this is where Paul got this.
It is suggested that this psalm was also written after the
situation with Absalom's rebellion. If that is the case, we could understand
the be angry but do not sin part.
Ahithophel (Bathsheba’s grandfather) was bitter and sinned and didn't trust the
Lord at the end of his life.
V. 6 Notice the irony in this verse. Who would show David
good? The Lord. How? Just by looking at David, making His face to shine on him.
That was all David needed and it is probably this thought and thoughts like this
after David recovered from his fall, that gave him a passion to build the
temple and to have God’s presence near him. And, doesn't this verse sound like
a good thought for a song?
V. 7 Again an ironic contrast. They had the well-dressed
table, but David was living on the run. Yet, David had the joy.
V. 8 I think this is the kind of training the Lord gives us
in the harvest, following Him, abiding in Christ, making disciples, but always
living with a degree of stress and fatigue and uncertainty. He teaches us how
to rest in Him, finding peace that we are in His heart and that His face is
shining on us.
Proverbs
18:16-18
This is an interesting bouquet of verses considering we have
Paul being falsely imprisoned and held there by corruption.
V. 18 allows the decision to become the Lord's, assuming the lot isn't fixed. But then again, if
we are following Christ in this dark time of harvest and if God is sovereign,
can He really be frustrated by the corruption and designs of men? In Christ, we
see and live a different life. 1 Corinthians 2:15, The spiritual person judges (understands)
all things, but is himself to be judged (understood) by no one.
Ironically, Paul would be brought before great men,
including Nero, because of where he was serving Christ.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment