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.
SEPTEMBER 13
Isaiah 12-14
In Isaiah, it seems like every day we bump into a familiar, important
passage of Scripture. Today is no exception. Hang on to your hat. The chapters we’ll
read today get interpreted differently by different men, so I’ll suggest
something that makes sense to me and seems to be in the mainstream.
Isaiah 12
Vs. 1-6 This is the celebration of God’s salvation. When you think of
how the Lord prunes us or disciplines us, the purpose is for our good. As a
result of listening to Him and waiting on Him, He puts praise and testimony in
our mouths and hearts. We don’t have to “formulate” joy. He gives it in a
memorable, real way.
I’m sure there was joy in Jerusalem as God destroyed the Assyrian army.
There will also be joy in Jerusalem as Jesus returns in that crucial moment at
the end of the Tribulation and establishes His kingdom on the earth. It is
built into His eternal plan that He returns to Jerusalem, Zion. It is no
accident that the nations will hate this city.
V. 4 Notice that in that day
divides the chapter into two parts. So what is the difference in these
sections?
Notice that there is a witness to the world in what happens here. God
never loses sight that all this is being done for the salvation of mankind, Jew
and Gentile.
V. 6 is a key verse. Two important things are mentioned here. First,
Zion is focused upon. That will be important in the chapters that follow.
Second, Zion is great only because of God's presence in it. You might know the
song, “Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion city of our God.” Although the
people of Jerusalem and Judah abused this reality, thinking they could sin and
God would still protect them because He claimed Jerusalem as His city, Zion
was, and still is, the city of God. Woe to the nation that threatens or
destroys Zion. We have already seen what happened to Assyria when they threatened
Jerusalem. Now we’ll see what happens to another nation.
Isaiah 13
V. 1 It gives some commentators fits because Babylon is mentioned here.
I would suggest that although the events were still future, Babylon is
mentioned here because they are the ones who would finally destroy Jerusalem.
Vs. 2-13 This description of the coming judgment of God begins with
God’s future wrath in the end times, against the nations that come to destroy
Jerusalem before the battle of Armageddon. Look for all the images that are very
"last day." You’ll be surprised what you find. You would think you
were reading the Olivet Discourse or the book of Revelation. The seven years of
the day of the Lord will make any
distress we’re experiencing on earth now look like a picnic. Financial worries?
As the Larry Norman song says, “A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold.” Wars
and natural disasters will seem small when the very physics of the earth and
universe are shaken.
V. 12 According to
the book of Revelation (6:8, 8:7, 9:18), possibly two-thirds of the earth’s
population will be lost in all of the judgments. Today we have 7 billion
people. It is hard to say that people would be rare if there were still two
billion, but that might be a high estimate of how many will be left when the
Lord returns. We only know of how many people die in a given catastrophic
event, not in the aftermath. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 24:22 that at the
close of the age before He returned, And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved.
But for the sake of the elect those
days will be cut short. It seems that at that time,
those who are left will just be hanging on by their fingertips.
Vs. 14-16 seem to be aiming lower at Babylon itself. One important
reference here that shows that this is the nation of Babylon that destroyed
Jerusalem, and not some earlier version of Babylon that the Assyrians
destroyed, is the reference to dashing the infants in pieces. The Babylonians
did that when they destroyed Jerusalem. This punishment is foretold in Psalm
137:8-9, which at this point in Israel’s history, is also still future.
Vs. 17-22 The Medes took ownership of the palace and city of Babylon.
After Daniel 6, you seldom hear of the city. Over generations, the Medes let it
die and it became a desert ruin, as it is today. It didn’t happen immediately,
but God’s punishment on the city Babylon came true. It was poetic justice. They
destroyed Jerusalem, and the city of Babylon boasted having one of the Seven
Wonders of the World. Jerusalem still exists today; Babylon doesn’t. One
interesting note is to look at what Nebuchadnezzar was saying in Daniel 4:30,
when God temporarily took the image of God from him.
V. 19 When it says that Babylon is the glory of kingdoms, we tend to
pass that off as an idle boast. When you read the prophecy of the nations in
Daniel 2:37-39, God Himself says that Nebuchadnezzar was the golden head and
that all the empires that were to come after Babylon would be inferior to it
(until you get to the Rock). God Himself thought highly of Babylon. (He also
used Babylon greatly for His purposes.) God saved His people in Babylon. (Egypt
also had a special place with God because they hosted Israel.) And, of all the
rulers we get to know, it appears possible that Nebuchadnezzar might have
become a worshipper of Yahweh.
Isaiah 14
Here we go.
Vs. 1-4 give the people hope for their future exile and enslavement in
Babylon. This is one of the purposes of prophecy, allowing the people to know
that the same God who ordained their punishment was promising their
restoration.
A good question here is the identity of this king of Babylon in v. 4.
There was a judgment against Nebuchadnezzar. God judged him for seven years.
Belshazzar was the king of Babylon who was severely humbled and judged in Daniel
5. But as we know in Scripture and will see in v. 12, standing behind the pride
and arrogance of this human government is another government and a being who
says that human nations have all been delivered to him. So in the descriptions
that follow, when the height of arrogance is described, Satan is described.
What we are reading then will have an application to the human and spiritual
kings of Babylon.
Vs. 5-11 I would say that these verses could and probably do apply to
the earthly and spiritual rulers of Babylon. If so, this would also remove the
misconception that Satan will rule in hell. He will be punished and helpless
just like those he worked to corrupt.
Vs. 12-17 I think this is exclusively Satan. Although the description
in vs. 12-14 is poetic, many people believe this is a description of Satan’s
actions and the pride that brought him into rebellion and judgment. Having been
ordained to serve mankind, Lucifer saw himself as a ruler, wanting to be to
mankind what God is to the realm of the angels. In 1 Timothy 3:6, Paul says
conceit brought Satan into condemnation.
Vs. 18-21 This seems to say that this ruler will have a very “abnormal”
reception into living death. The deceiver will be gloated at in his
helplessness.
Vs. 22-25 Here, God declares that His wrath against Babylon and Assyria
is totally certain.
Vs. 26-27 Notice here that now God is talking about the whole world and
His purpose for the culmination of human history.
Vs. 28-32 The neighbors of Jerusalem would rejoice at the death of King
Ahaz, as they would over the destruction of Jerusalem later. But God will
pronounce judgment against the neighbors and raise Jerusalem from the rubble
and bring His people back. Zion is still God’s possession.
God is concerned for all people. Israel here is being shown in its
disobedience. In a sense, they are representing all people, and we are being
shown the power of sin in them resisting and rebelling against God. When you
see all the effort God is making in Isaiah to warn and guide His people, we can
imagine that God is doing that every day with people on this planet. As
followers of Christ in this harvest, our job is to follow the Spirit's leading
and be available to interact with people. We should anticipate that there are
people we bump into every day with whom God is working and preparing to say
"yes" to the offer of forgiveness in our Lord.
2 Corinthians 13
Our last day in 2 Corinthians.
Vs. 1-4 It appears that Paul was coming to Corinth to hold court. You
sort of get the idea that some of the problems mentioned in 1 Corinthians were
not yet taken care of.
V. 1 He reminds them that two or
three witnesses are required to back up a charge against someone.
Apparently there were some charges that might have to be made.
V. 3 He is not weak in dealing
with you was evidenced by God actually removing people who had violated the
Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians 11. Paul knew that if he (Paul) needed to show
spiritual power, God would allow him to do it.
V. 4 Paul shows that this principle of strength being shown first in weakness originated in Jesus Himself.
I'll bet the super-apostles didn't like that illustration. After reading this
and all of what Paul has said, I don't feel that bad about being beaten up in
ministry.
Vs. 5-10 Paul asks them to honestly search their own hearts. This
testing was also mentioned in 1 Corinthians 11, regarding Christians who were
desecrating the Lord’s Supper.
V. 5 I think the
test is twofold here. Were they actually believers? And if so, were they
following? While being saved is mandatory for knowing Christ, abiding in Him
and following Him, with the intentional mindset that He is in us, is optional.
Abiding in Christ is not optional for a disciple in love with Jesus, though it
will always take work to allow this truth to control our minds. Already you are clean because of the word
that I have spoken to you. 4Abide
in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it
abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me (John 15:3-4).
Vs. 6-8 The Corinthians were having a hard time realizing that Paul
& Co. were dedicated to Christ and to making disciples. This wasn't about
Paul proving himself, but having the Corinthians follow the Lord as lovers of
Christ and as dedicated disciples.
Vs. 9-10 At this point, restoration was still necessary in Corinth
between the people and God. Paul was hoping that this letter would spur them on
to take care of their own problems. The good news is that it seems that the
Corinthians, for a time, pulled things together. Paul wrote Romans on this
future visit to Corinth some time before Acts 21, and in the letter Paul seems
at peace. You get this sense of peace from chapter greetings he includes in Romans
16.
Vs. 11-14 Even in taking care of their internal problems, they were to
aim at restoration and to live in the love and peace of God.
So, thinking about 2 Corinthians, what things come to mind when you
think of Paul as a disciple? How does this letter to the Corinthians help
refine and focus what it means for you to follow Christ in the harvest,
reaching the lost and making disciples, who make disciples? One thing that hits
me is that Paul’s trials benefited him, the Corinthians, and us. I need to
understand that the things the Lord takes me through are not just for me; they
are for others. And ultimately, God works things for good for His plan of
redemption in the harvest.
Psalm 57
This looks like it would have been a beautiful song.
David was on the run. Notice the references to taking refuge in God and also the mentions of God’s steadfast love.
Vs. 1-3 In all of this trial and crying out, David understood God had a
purpose for him. That’s a good thing to remember when you are faced with very
dark times for a long time.
Vs. 4-5 Notice how David mentions the threat and then suddenly he
mentions how high and exalted God is.
Vs. 6-11 This is the same kind of pattern as 4-5. Verse 6 is the
challenge, but the rest of the verses are a declaration of David’s faith,
ending with a repeating of v. 5.
V. 9 In light of God’s salvation, it is our privilege and duty to
proclaim His deliverance. The word nations
is the same word that means peoples or Gentiles. There is a redemptive message
here, and a redemptive purpose in God putting David through all of this.
How much more
should we, who know Christ, share the good news of His salvation with others?
Psalm 40:9-10 I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great
congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O LORD. 10I
have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your
faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and
your faithfulness from the great congregation.
But as David learned over and over, God kept him in his distress,
giving him small deliverances over the ten years he ran from Saul. The storm
went on, but God taught David to praise Him in the storm.
Proverbs 23:9-11
These are two separate “words” of wisdom.
V. 9 This is either trying to debate with a fool or casting your pearls
before swine, or any degree in between.
Vs. 10-11 Moving a landmark was the same as stealing land, and it looks
like this specific act of stealing was toward a poor person, a widow or
orphans. God may not judge immediately, but He will judge.
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