April 7, 2012 Reading Notes, Good Friday

April 7, 2012 Reading Notes

http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/

Deuteronomy 31:1-32:27

One of the things that happens when you read your Bible year after year, even if you have a brain like mine that only works intermittently, is that you make connections. You read something here, and later in another OT book or in the NT, you find the same, or similar, thing. It helps make all of this reading a lot of fun, especially knowing the Spirit is showing you stuff. You can always do a word search, but this is different. There is nothing like making natural connections to spark your curiosity. Below, I'll mention some things about the "sons of God." I didn't get that out of a seminary class or someone's book. It just happened after reading the Bible through for a few years. Suddenly all these puzzle pieces that I'd been viewing, year after year, came together. After preaching and studying for years, I know the difference between things that the Lord has led me to find naturally in my time together with Him, and things I dig up for a sermon. The stuff I read or find for a sermon is either forgotten or stored up with other information in my head. What the Lord shows me becomes a part of my heart and conviction in following Him in the harvest. I think this will be the same for you.

Deuteronomy 31

Notice the recurring words, "strong and courageous." We'll be seeing them again.

Vs. 1-6 This is the conclusion of Moses' sermon, but not the end of his words in the book. This was probably one of the longest and greatest sermons ever preached. Even though we'll see that Israel, as a nation, didn't obey what God said through Moses, this particular generation did.

V. 2 I read a comment that Moses was saying here that he was too old to lead Israel in the conquest of Canaan. That is not the point. In a couple of chapters we'll hear that Moses was fit until the day he died. If Joshua and Caleb were about the same age, they were scrappy 80 year-olds. Moses could have done it but God said, "No."

V. 4 The victories against Sihon and Og were important motivational events that God had designed.

V. 6 "Leave or forsake you," is quoted by the writer of Hebrews in 13:5. Take note of these words because we'll see them again and something like this is echoed today in Luke.

Vs. 7-8 There has already been a ceremony giving Joshua the leadership. As a good leader, Moses is charging Joshua again in front of the people. You may recognize "strong and courageous" from the famous verse in Joshua 1:9. Joshua 1:8 is also a famous verse but we'll talk about that when we get there. Both here in Deuteronomy and there in Joshua, these two words are said several times. "Leave or forsake you," is repeated again also.

V. 8 is quoted again to Joshua, and later in the NT in Hebrews 13:5.

Vs. 9-13 Notice the importance of the Feast of Booths. Although all the men had to be present at the tabernacle every year for this event, every seventh year everyone had to come to the tabernacle. On that occasion, the scroll of Deuteronomy would be read. God built the feasts to influence the men, who would influence the nation. And then these special events would aid families in teaching their children. And then we read in Nehemiah 8:17 that Israel never kept the Feast of Booths after Joshua.

Vs. 14-15 This was God's commissioning of Joshua. I wonder if the people were impressed that the pillar of cloud appeared over the tabernacle. God would do more to elevate Joshua.

I know the minute Moses died and was standing with God, getting a big hug, he thought, "Why didn't I do this sooner?" Yet as I read this it makes me feel like moving out of a house, going room to room to make sure it's in order and then finally you turn out the light and shut the door. It's kind of funky and sad. But again, the minute he was in heaven, looking out over the golf course and seeing the club house, I'll bet Moses said, "Yes!"

Vs. 16-18 This appears to have taken place as Moses and Joshua were standing before the tabernacle. Maybe when Moses heard this he was happy to be going. Notice that their sin will be idolatry. It will be a very personal affront to God since He is the Only God and has saved them. Notice how the word "forsake" is used of the people and of God. It is cause and effect. We'll see this in the NT today.

V. 18 This defines a lot of God's judgment. As we do to God, He does to us. But beyond that, we see over and over again that He acts in mercy and grace, when we don't deserve these things and He is restlessly seeking to save and guide mankind. It isn't that there isn't grace in the OT. There is plenty of it. But His grace is seen in all of its clarity after all of the OT history, and then as it is defined in the coming and sacrifice of our Lord.

Vs. 19-22 Moses preached a sermon, and now he was writing a song.

V. 23 I don't know if anyone else heard this, but Joshua had a heart of faith and you couldn't want any more confirmation than this.

Vs. 24-30 The book of Deuteronomy was placed next to the arc of the covenant. The Ten Commandments were inside. Now Moses must have written the song and was getting everyone together to hear it. This was a lot of work for Moses. Again, it reminds me of moving.

Deut. 32:1-27

So actually, God wrote this song. I'll bet it had a catchy tune. Now, after preaching and writing this song, Moses gets to sing.

Vs. 1-3 This song was to permeate the minds of the people like dew. Catchy tunes do this to us. Once you get it in your mind, it is hard to get out. This is calling all creation to testify to the truth. The greatness of God will be seen in the contrast of His goodness and grace to them and their rebellion toward Him. Israel will be seen as the example of what happens when man is shown mercy by God, but the power of sin remains unbroken.

Vs. 4-7 This is the summary of the charge against Israel. Notice verse 6. There are very few references in the OT where God is referred to as "father." That makes this unique.

Vs. 8-9 These are very important verses. There is good evidence for this reading "sons of God." It refers to angels to whom God gave the guardianship of the nations. You find "sons of God" also in Job 1:6 where they are definitely angels with responsibility to watch over the earth. In Job, Satan seems to be the head of these angels. Again, in Genesis 6:2 as a contributing cause of the wickedness in mankind, these sons of God are very likely angels. In Daniel 10 you see these "sons of God," among whom the nations were divided, as the prince of Persia and the prince of Greece and you realize they are demons. Link this together with what Satan tells Jesus in the temptation and what Paul says about the principalities and powers, and you get a picture of God having given Satan a kind of guiding responsibility over the mankind and the nations that would arise. God never revoked that responsibility from Satan after the fall of Satan or the fall of man. It seems that with the fall of mankind, Satan's guidance over mankind and the nations went from a servant's role to that of a ruling guardian's authority, because of our sin. Yet, within this system that God Himself set up, He chose one man and one nation for Himself to be a witness to the world, and through which His plan of redemption would go forward.

Satan thought that He had crippled God's plan in getting Israel to deny God and follow idols, and then especially in getting Israel to crucify its Messiah; but God's plan for Israel will be fulfilled during the time of "Jacob's Trouble," (the Tribulation) and then in the Millennium. Also, after Christ's resurrection, a new nation sprang into being, over which Satan has no authority. This temporary nation has no geographical boundaries, no common language, no unique ethnicity. This nation without earthly definition has only one common link: The Blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. Today it is the Church that God is using to work in the harvest and to win the day and hold back the night. Soon, Israel will take up the torch.

1 Corinthians 2:7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glorification. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

V.17 This is reminiscent of what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:20, " No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons."

V. 21 Paul quotes the second half of this verse in Romans 10:19, referring to the church taking over Israel’s responsibility to be a witness to the nations and thus making Israel jealous enough, eventually, to get saved. Reading the first half of the verse explains a lot of things and helps to understand the verse in Romans better.

V. 27 is interesting. This sounds like what Moses said to God, that if He destroyed them in the wilderness, the nations would think ill of God. In this case, the nations would think they were responsible for the demise of Israel, maybe by cursing them like Balak tried to do. It adds something to this verse when you think of verses 8 and 9 and the spiritual dimension of what God is doing.

Luke 12:8-34

Vs. 8-12 Jesus continues (from yesterday) His talk to His disciples concerning the leaven of the Pharisees and fearing to speak the truth. Paul must have known this saying of Jesus when he shares this with Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:11-13, "The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we shall also live with him; 12 if we endure, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful -- for he cannot deny himself."

Since all of the twelve, except for Judas, were believers who couldn't lose their salvation, how do you account for all of what Jesus is saying here? I think this is a general statement about the persecution they will face. Some of it is a warning to them and some is an assurance of justice in the battle.

Vs. 8-9 These are for the disciples. They are being left on earth to give testimony. They will be acknowledged before the angels in that they will receive help. But if a person decides to hide and not testify of Christ and not acknowledge Him, what help do they need since they are really trying to help themselves. In this sense, although they really do need help but are helping themselves, Jesus will "deny" His own help by not sending angelic assistance. That is my take on this. It all goes back to "I will never leave you or forsake you." But if we choose to leave and forsake our testimony of Him, He withholds His help. I think that makes sense.

Vs. 10-12 This is justice to the unbelieving. In their current situation, some were blasting Jesus, but some were calling Jesus demon possessed. God was keeping track of all of that. There would be justice. The concern of the disciples was to be willing to speak in persecution and allow the Spirit to speak through them.

V. 12 is not meant to be the verse of assurance for the unprepared Sunday school teacher. It only works if you're being persecuted in the harvest.

Vs. 13-34 The fear of death and persecution isn't the only thing that keeps us from following in the harvest. The other destructive force to following Christ as disciples is the desire for stuff and the anxiousness for our basic needs.

Some of these sayings are new, and some of them were said earlier in His ministry to the disciples after He selected the 12 and gave the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7, Luke 6). Like a good teacher, Jesus didn't say something just once. In this case, the needs of the disciples are different and they have a much more mature idea of what it means to follow Jesus. Now, that old message has new meaning. As Paul said to the Philippians in Philippians 3:1, "Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is not irksome to me, and is safe for you."

Jesus' method of training His disciples was to orient them (all the time up to and including the Sermon on the Mount), involve them in ministry with Him, and as they grew, as the occasions presented themselves, He taught them as they lived together. Since this portion, occurring here in Jesus' training of His disciples, is unique to Luke, as you read it, think of what it might have meant to the disciples now. They had seen the crowds leave Jesus and they've seen the Pharisees unite with the Herodians to destroy Jesus. They had seen Jesus' power in ways that assured them that He was the Son of God and crowds still followed Him, but Jesus was talking more and more about His death and resurrection.

Vs. 13-21 The point here is that there was no need for anxiousness or security. The ground brought forth from God every year. A disciple's security is that His treasure and provider is in heaven.

Vs. 22-31 This was said in the Sermon on the Mount. Notice the impact of verses 25 and 26. This is a slight addition to the Sermon. I like the translation of a "cubit." If you can't add 18 inches to the length of your life, why worry about the rest? For all of our health consciousness, there is nothing we can do to add 18 inches. Wow! And God has already determined, like with Moses, when it is time to turn off the lights and shut the door.

Vs. 32-34 This first verse is unique to Luke and I'm very challenged here. Since it is the Father's good pleasure, understanding the absolute desire of our Father to bless us in the harvest, we should have this heart. It doesn't mean God is asking all of us to give everything away (to some He did and does), but we should have this joy of heart. We should know this so that if He said it, we'd do it. If we can't do it, we don't really understand the impact and joy of what Jesus just said and it may be that we, as disciples, have a case of the "idols." We are not that far removed from what we are reading in Deuteronomy. Notice in verse 15 that Jesus uses a very strong repeated caution. This is extremely dangerous for us as followers. The desire for other things than Christ on this earth is a "lamer" of disciples and a killer of fruit.

These are all good thoughts for a Good Friday. So much of what we are reading points to the need to have the power of sin broken and for mankind to be redeemed. Through Israel, God has shown mankind that sin is the most powerful destructive force in reality. Through Israel God has shown mankind and the angelic world that His grace and love have no end. But now through Christ, we see God's infinite wisdom in all He has done. Through a "defeat" on the cross has come victory, and now the weak and foolish and low and despised have been gathered into a "nation" of the redeemed, bonded together in the blood, life and love of Christ to enter the harvest following Him. And when our work is done, Israel will recall who their "rock" is, call His name and finish the work God has given them to do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wil0PBylyW0

Psalm 78:32-55

Isn’t it weird that we’re reading the end of Deuteronomy and the song of Moses and then also reading this psalm that addresses the same things?

Vs. 32-35 These verses seem to be referring to Kadesh-Barnea and the death of that generation. Look at Deut. 32:4 and verse 35. Pretty cool, huh? This is one of the reasons that reading a One-Year Bible "rocks."

Vs. 36-41 Now the psalmist is showing how they put God to the test in the wilderness. The rebellion of Korah, the crying of the people for meat and for water, and Baal-Peor would have been a part of this.

Vs. 42-55 This is the summary of their salvation. It was God's love for Israel shown in freeing them from Egypt and giving them the land promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Underline in your Bible what God did and what they did.

We don't want to imitate Israel. What "story" is our claim to fame (redemption) and what should that mean for us as we follow Jesus in the harvest? See Luke above.

Proverbs 12:21-23

Now, going backwards, I understand that a prudent person judges situations and weighs and watches his words. I understand that God delights in us when we act faithfully.

So, how do you understand that "no ill" befalls the righteous? The meaning must be hinted at in the second part of verse 21. A wicked person is full of trouble, anxiousness and inner conflict. That must be the "ill" that befalls him; that is, being full of stress, full of conflict and having a bad conscience.

All sorts of bad things happen to righteous people, but the permanent "ill" of having a sick heart, mind, and conscience, and living in inner conflict and stress, doesn't happen to someone whose heart is being massaged daily by the Spirit in the Word. Knowing God and His love and forgiveness in Christ defines us and determines our actions and thoughts. God in us and with us continually protects and heals us, as we follow Him.

Didn't Jesus just say something like this in Luke?

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and 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. 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 manual we have and 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. 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 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, 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. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

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. Send comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.

April 6, 2012 Reading Notes

April 6, 2012 Reading Notes

http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/

Deuteronomy 29-30

We are at the end of the sermon and almost at the end of the books of Moses. These five books are some of the hardest for people to read, but they are incredibly important to understanding the flow of God's plan through the Bible and the fulfillment of His plan in Jesus. Even though I'm living thousands of years since these were written, as I read Deuteronomy my heart responds to God's love and promises. I feel what God wants to do with these people. I understand the blessing of it because I've experienced the spirit of this blessing in Christ. The difference is that I've been set free from the bondage of sin. I also have the complete Word of God, and I have the Spirit living in me to help me. Even then I struggle. These people didn't have that advantage. But they did have some advantages. They saw miracles daily. They are receiving the same Word. And we'll see today, that they were saved by faith and told how to express it. Some of these men and women will be standing with us in the kingdom. I'll want to ask them, "What was it like?"

Deuteronomy 29

Vs. 1-9 This is a summary of the miracle of their lives for 40 years. Every day was a miracle, not only in what happened (the manna) but in what didn't happen (sickness and clothes and shoes wearing out). But did they understand what was happening and what God was doing?

V. 4 This is a key verse. Even though God had done amazing things for Israel, they didn't have a heart of understanding. The blame is somehow on God. He didn't give it to them. It is not that God should have taken away their free will and "made them understand," but that God did not subject them to the full rigors of a program that would have led them to real understanding. They learned a lot in the wilderness in 40 years, but to lead them to real understanding would take thousands of years. Israel is still in process. God will not magically induce sudden obedience and understanding, but the weight of their history, their coming desperation, and the way things will fall into place in the last days will create a sense of seeking God that Israel has never possessed.

This is how God works with us too. He doesn't put us in a spiritual trance and override our wills, but rather molds our hearts and minds as we follow and as we suffer. Some of us actually get tired of banging our heads on the wall and hurting ourselves and say, "You know, I think I'm seeing that God does have a couple of good ideas."

V. 9 In the absence of understanding (taking to heart) all that God had done for them, and understanding all God was doing in the plan of redemption for mankind, they were told just to obey. I may not understand the mechanics of how a circuit board works and I may not understand all the implications of events, but I can obey, so that if the red light goes on, I obey and push that button. That's what Israel was supposed to do.

Vs. 10-15 This entire sermon is for the renewal of the covenant, but here the purpose is stated. The mention of the promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is not a historical reference. It is power behind what is happening there. This is the object of their faith. In a few verses we'll see that this is really driven by faith.

Vs. 14-15 If you want to see an interesting connection, look at verses 5 and 6 in our psalm for today. Actually the entire installment of Psalm 78 (3 in all) has to do with the history we are reading about.

Vs. 16-29 Notice in verses 18 and 19 there are two "bewares," addressed to two different kinds of people, one religious, and one unreligious. Notice that these two people become one person, referred to now by a singular pronoun. This one person becomes responsible for verses 22-29. The concept is that one person can lead to the downfall of the entire nation if they do not beware and obey the Lord.

V. 22 Notice how important the next generation is. This is exactly what Asaph says, and laments, in the psalm.

Notice that God's truth will still be acknowledged by the nations, even in Israel's ruin in verses 24-28. The nations will understand that Israel's downfall was caused by their lack of faith and obedience.

Vs. 26-27 Notice that the evidence of their disobedience will be idol worship. For our modern, western minds idol worship seems utterly crazy, but we have just learned to hide our idols. The "therefore" in verse 27 is important.

V. 29 seems to be saying, "Don't try to figure out God. Just respond to what you know, what He has done, and obey Him."

Deuteronomy 30

Vs. 1-10 What I find interesting here is that God already knows they will fail. God will be using them to show all of mankind the absolute power of sin without God's intervention. But God will honor Israel for using them like this and He will fulfill all the promises. Not only that, all of their history and God's working in all their generations will lead them to understand. Look at verse 6. This hasn't happened yet, but in the tribulation Israel will finally submit its heart to God and become God's loving, testifying people for the next 1007 years.

Do you notice recurring phrases? Notice how often it says, "the Lord (Yahweh) your God."

Vs. 11-14 To understand what Moses and God are saying here, you need to read this in Romans 10:1-10. Salvation, then and now, is by faith. Salvation for them, and for us, is a very simple deal. It happens by believing God's promise and responding in love to Him. Our sin complicates this, exponentially. It's a good thing God doesn't give up.

Vs. 15-20 This is the climatic end of the message. Wow! Notice how often love is mentioned. I don't think you can find a message from God more caring and loving. And to think, as this message was given, there was a pillar of cloud over the tabernacle, and they had eaten manna that morning.

What this all inspires in me is the understanding that I need to live in absolute trust of God and His plan. There is much I don't understand, but I know His love in Christ and how I've been saved by grace from this tragedy of lost humanity. I need to cry out and not complain, understanding that He meets my needs and hears my voice as I follow Him in the harvest. I need to understand His love and His plan and even when I don't understand, I need to follow and obey. He is loving and Jesus did much more than He will ever ask of me. What an easy life it would be if I really understood all that and followed. The central point of all of this obedience and following, even for us as disciples, is not perfection, but the love of God. We acknowledge His great love and acts of kindness, and then we feebly try to show our gratitude and love by following our Savior in the harvest to let others know what He has done for us. Disciples are made, fruit is borne, the Father is glorified and we are shown to be Jesus' disciples. And it's all out of love.

Luke 11:37-12:7

Time wise, this is still the November before Jesus' sacrifice for us.

Luke 11:37-54

Vs. 37-41 I find it interesting that Jesus was willing to accept an invitation to a Pharisee's house, knowing what kind of confrontation would arise.

So, why did Jesus react like this? It seems that Jesus is starting the fight. Didn't He know how to blend with people? I only say this because we put so much emphasis on meeting people halfway and never saying anything that would offend anyone. These people were in a special category, leaders of the people, and Jesus had tried to show them a lot of love and patience, like in John 5.

Vs. 42-44 If you want to underline something, look at the "woes." Actually, the Pharisees get off kind of easy. Their main sin was hypocrisy. In light of all we've read in Leviticus, verse 44 is interesting. A person became unclean before the Lord and unable to worship before the Lord by walking on graves. Jesus is saying that even by accidental contact with the Pharisees or their teaching, they became unable to come before God. That was a huge charge against them, but remember, Jesus is God the Son. Who better to utter this judgment?

Vs. 45-52 The reason this scribe butted in was that, aside from their personal hypocrisy, the Pharisees were only following what they, the scribes/lawyers, had laid out as an interpretation of the law. This guy should have kept his mouth shut.

V. 46 The scribes were also hypocrites. They thought the people were "sinners" and damaged goods. The scribes and Pharisees were OK before God. But they had to make the laws harsh for the "cattle," of which they were not a part.

Vs. 47-51 This was not just a "bomb," it was a nuclear strike. Can you imagine hearing that all of the sins of rebellion to God's Word of all previous generations would come upon your generation because of YOU. That is what Jesus is telling them, Jesus the Son of God, God the Son, the Son of Man. This judgment would come in 70AD when the temple would be destroyed. This is what Paul was referring to in 1 Corinthians 7:29.

Luke 12:1-7

V. 1 So, how do you think these two paragraphs are connected to what just happened? Oddly enough, this section seems kind of reflected in the Proverb for today.

Vs. 2-3 What is the link between verses 1 and 2? It seems to be that the leaven of the Pharisees involved concealing the truth. Jesus is also telling His disciples to avoid hypocrisy at all costs. God will always actively bring truth to light, even among His own children. Many men in ministry haven't taken this warning seriously.

V. 4-7 Jesus launches into another training session for His disciples. Much of this has been said before in the Sermon on the Mount, but that was 18 months ago. Now the disciples were entering a tunnel with Jesus and they would emerge, figuratively speaking, in a stadium for a contest to the death. They would now become, as Paul said, "like men sentenced to death…a spectacle to the world and to angels and to men."

The reality was that the Pharisees would win, temporarily. And in every generation of those working in the harvest, there are times when the wicked win and the followers of Christ are like sheep for the slaughter. God is in control of that too, for His good purpose.

V. 6 If you read this in the Sermon on the Mount, you'll see the slight difference in the sparrows. It's interesting that the references to the sparrows and the hairs of our heads (proving that God can subtract, in my case) are meant to give us confidence to proclaim the truth in the face of opposition. The song, "His Eye is on the Sparrow," is a comforting song, and I'm sure it's ok to apply the "sparrows" to comfort in knowing God always sees us and that He knows us intimately. Not trying to be pushy, but the context of the "sparrows" here in Luke, is comfort in the crisis of trying to reach the lost with the truth of the gospel in a dying, resistant world. It is easy for us to remove "mission" and the "compelling love of Christ," and to see the whole point of God's comfort and love only as it is directed toward us to help us in our loneliness and need. I don't think that directing all of our prayer and worship to our personal need makes God happy. Christianity can easily become about our needs and not about reaching a dying world. To get the power of what Jesus is saying here, you have to be in the harvest with your life on the line to reach the lost and make disciples.

As disciples, we will never be free of fear. Not only are we tempted to focus on what others think about us, but we think that our skill in the delivery of the truth is vital. We concentrate so much on ourselves that we lose the compassion that compels us to follow Christ into the harvest. In truth, we really fear people and persecution. I don't think we'll ever get over it. Even Paul had to remind Timothy to be willing to suffer for the Gospel (2 Timothy 1:8, 2:3, 4:5) and Paul himself pleaded with the Ephesians to pray for him that he would have courage to proclaim the message boldly (Eph. 6:19-20). But love casts out all fear, and guess whose love that would be.

Jesus' discipleship sermon continues tomorrow.

Psalm 78:1-31

This psalm will be spread over the next four days. This song sounds a little like the sermon of Stephen that got him killed, the punch line being, "You are always rebellious and stiff-necked." But here the message is a little more positive with a double pronged agenda.

First: The psalmist is saying to Israel, "Obey God. Don't rebel like Israel did when He did amazing things and led them out of Egypt."

Second: He is saying to them, "Obey God and submit to David (or the house thereof). God decided not to choose Ephraim, but to choose Judah, and has done amazing things by delivering us and giving us peace through the leadership of David."

I'm explaining all of this, only because it will be easy to get lost in this psalm over the next few days and forget the point of its message. And, since the point of the psalm is revealed at the end, it would be helpful to know what's going on at the beginning.

It's hard to know when this was written, but it might have been during the hand off of the kingdom from David to Solomon, or it might have been written after the civil war with Absalom when there was a danger that the northern 10 tribes would break away.

Vs. 1-4 Note verses 2 and 3. Matthew quotes this in Matt. 13:35, as one of the reasons Jesus used parables. At this point it seems that God is saying that the history of Israel leading up to the throne of David was a long determined plan of God. David was revealing some aspect of the mystery of God's plan.

Vs. 5-8 Notice the references to teaching children. These verses sound like Moses in Deuteronomy.

Vs. 9-16 The reference to the Ephraimites in verse 9 will make sense when you get to verses 67-72. Remember in Genesis that Jacob gave the firstborn right to Ephraim over his other sons, but even in Jacob's blessing of his sons, God moved him to give Judah preeminence. Later, in Numbers, we see Judah being the largest tribe. Of all the men of fighting age who went into Canaan to spy it out, only two men, one from Ephraim and one from Judah, were faithful to God. When it came to God's decision, He chose Judah to lead Israel, not Ephraim. David was chosen and God made a covenant with him and the Christ was to come from the line of David.

Here, the psalmist is showing that Ephraim didn't lead the people to obedience to God during the time in the wilderness. But that is what David (a son of Judah) is doing now.

The rest of this psalm should be very familiar to you. Notice the alternating of blessing and disobedience. God is making a case for His steadfast love and amazing mercy.

For us as disciples, I would say the message is, "Obey God, be amazed at what He has done and submit to what He is doing." I've wasted too much time complaining about what God has done that I haven't liked, to the point of, really, forgetting God and missing His love.

Proverbs 12:19-20

The moral of the story is "tell the truth and plan for peace." Notice too that there is the thought of longevity of life and influence in all of this. The more you think about these verses, the deeper they lead your thoughts.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and 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. 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 manual we have and 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. 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 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, 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. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

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. Send comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.

April 5, 2012 Reading Notes

April 5, 2012 Reading Notes

http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/

Deuteronomy 28

Notice the proportion of verses given for the blessing and the proportion given for the curse. What does that tell you? Zig Ziglar said, "The fear of loss is greater than the desire for gain." It seems that God might believe that too. It is also interesting in the NT that Hell and judgment is spoken of quite a bit. If this is what they said out loud in the ceremony of the blessings and the curses, I'll bet it ended with a sense of shock.

Look for key verses for why God will bring the curse on them.

Vs. 1-14 The blessing.

Vs. 1-6 This is the personal blessing to the nation and individuals.

Vs. 7-14 This is their blessing in relationship to the nations. Even though much of this is a benefit to the people, it will be viewed by the nations. Israel will be the witness to the world of the benefits of serving and worshiping Yahweh. During the Millennium, this will be fulfilled.

V. 14 This is a verse of warning and the key to the blessing and curses is given. There is no neutrality in life. All mankind, even atheists, are always worshiping something. Worshiping other gods would unleash God's wrath.

Vs. 15-68 The curse.

Vs. 15-19 This is the general, personal curse. This section is parallel to vs. 1-6. Now it gets worse.

Vs. 20-24 This looks like an explanation of how God will make their personal lives loathsome, by cursing the ground and their health. It almost looks like the curse on Adam.

Vs. 25-35 This is their curse in relationship to the nations. What I find interesting is that verses 28 and 34 describe how God will allow their misfortunes to drive them mad with despair.

Another interesting note is that Isaiah refers to this section (actually God does it) in Isaiah 55. The references to nations that are not known in verses 33 and 36 are used by Isaiah to describe the blessing of what will happen when Israel follows the Lord in the future.

Vs. 36-44 This seems also to amplify how God will show the nations that Israel is under God's curse.

Vs. 45-51 Israel hasn't even entered the land, and God is telling them of foreign domination and the coming of Babylon to take Israel into exile.

Vs. 45-47 These verses summarize the reason God will remove them. Isn't it interesting that it kind of boils down to the people not serving the Lord with joy and gladness.

Vs. 52-57 We will read of this happening when Samaria is besieged. It never says that this happened when Jerusalem was conquered, but then, Jeremiah was, thankfully, in prison; or the people might have eaten him.

Vs. 58-63 Now God is revisiting their history of salvation from Egypt. God will curse them as He cursed Egypt.

Vs. 64-68 The key here is the last verse. Even if they were to go back to Egypt, Egypt wouldn't want them. Oddly enough, there will be a group of people who escape to Egypt, taking Jeremiah with them. In a way, they bring the curse with them and God sends Babylon into Egypt to destroy that country and punish the Jewish exiles.

Both the blessing and the curse are the active work of God. I have met some people against whom, it has appeared to me, God's hand was set to not let them get up. I've discussed this with one of these people, because I have never known the Lord to be this hard. My concern was that he had done something awful, and the Lord wasn't letting him get up until he repented, confessed and in all ways possible, made peace with God. The stuff that tumbled out on the table was interesting, and it explained why all the money that had been given to this person to help him make a new start, had accomplished nothing. Interestingly, it wasn't one event, but rather, a heart that constantly would not trust God. I still don't know about the other case. God showed favor and kindness to the worst people in the Bible when they repented and humbled themselves before Him. That's the key.

These curses seem very hard and very theoretical until you read the pages ahead, from Judges to the end of Malachi. We will see God constantly trying to help Israel, and the people will constantly resist and rebel. God's judgment always seems harsher in the theoretical, as it did to Jeremiah, but when you are working in the harvest with the future recipients of that judgment, you understand that God's judgment is just, as Jeremiah did.

Luke 11:14-36

In the reading for yesterday, did you notice what Jesus was doing just prior to the disciples asking Him how to pray? Apparently Jesus took time everyday to get away from the disciples, a stone's throw, and do it Himself.

Luke 11:14-26

You might think we've read this before in Matthew and Mark, but this is different. In the second year of Jesus' ministry the scribes and the Pharisees had come up with an explanation for Jesus' power and signs. Now, months before His death, the sickness the Jews (Jewish leaders) spread is being expressed by the people themselves. What we have here is coming out of the mouth of the people.

I'm sure that Jesus gave this message to others in different settings. Although what Jesus says here is very close to Matthew 12, there are some interesting differences.

Vs. 22 The telling of this parable is a little different. Since the figures of speech mirror reality, I wonder what the "armor in which he trusted" is?

Vs. 24-26 When Jesus told this earlier, it seemed like He was applying it to the entire generation. In any case, this seems to be a description of reality in the spiritual world. Even among the demons, having rebelled against God's purpose for them, it could be that they can't be completely free of human connection since they were made, back when they were angels, to serve God by serving us.

Vs. 27-28 I wonder if this outburst was to change the subject since Jesus was talking about something "nasty." This expression of religious sentimentality created a nice bridge into talking about the importance of hearing and doing Jesus' words.

Vs. 29-32 Jesus was asked several times to show a sign specifically to prove He was the Messiah. Here it had come from the crowd, but He gave the people His standard answer. Notice that in one example, the hearing of the Word is emphasized; and in the other example, the response to the Word is the main point.

V. 33 When Jesus has used this before, it has been with the disciples and the focus has been for them to spread the Word. Here with the people, the focus is that they themselves should use the light. There still is the aspect of the light being for others.

Vs. 34-36 When Jesus used this before with His disciples in the Sermon on the Mount, it had to do with their perception of value. Here, for the people, it seems that the focus is on them understanding Him, His Word and the times. If they get this right, there is light. If they warp their perception of Him, they will not just be blind, but full of darkness.

This last warning was directed toward the people and the religious leaders. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6:23), Jesus used this same illustration to warn His disciples that it could also happen to them. There's no better way to keep your eye clear than following Him in the Harvest and using the truth for what the truth was meant to be used for, for reaching the lost and making disciples who make disciples.

Psalm 77

This is a good psalm for strength in waiting on the Lord. Since I'm in a time of waiting, this really lets me know that the feelings are normal and understood by God and that I need to wait well, in hope, knowing that my heart is being strengthened in the waiting. God says to keep on crying out, to not be comforted by anything other than God's answer. The psalmist looked to an example of God being gracious and kind to the most undeserving, and showing favor to stubborn people. The idea is, "If He did it for them, He'll do it for me too." In that example, God used His power and shook the elements for these people. Isn't it funny that the people and the event that the psalmist took comfort in is the same stuff we're reading in the OT? Note verse 20.

Vs. 1-3 It doesn't matter who you look at, Job, Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, or anyone in between; this is how we are to pray. God seems to specifically move those who are following Him in His plan into situations where they learn to cry out. In Luke, Jesus doesn't just teach the words by which to tune our hearts in prayer, He gives us two very important stories of persistence in crying out to God. I feel more and more comfortable being in places like this in following Christ, because this is normal and it means that the Lord has led us to this very spot of crying out.

Vs. 4-9 It seems that Asaph realized that God would give him no rest or easy solution. So in verse 5, Asaph turns his heart and mind to the Lord. What gave him strength was remembering that character of God as revealed in Scripture. His steadfast love never ends. His promise to Abraham will never fail. God doesn't know how to hold back His grace and His compassion.

V. 10 This is Asaph's breakthrough. The right hand refers both to power and righteousness.

Vs. 11-15 This is why the Word is so important to us. It is the basis of our remembering the love, power and holiness of God. In verse 13, God is the only God and the holy God. In verse 14, He is the God who is mighty beyond everything and who reveals Himself. In verse 15, He is the promise-keeping God who redeems. By the way, this would preach well.

Notice the mention of Jacob and Joseph. This tips you off that what Asaph is remembering is what happened to Israel being led out of Egypt. Isn't it interesting that in Deuteronomy, God is telling Israel they should never forget these very same things. His holiness, His power, His promises, and their salvation should always be upon their hearts. Is that any different for us?

Vs. 16-20 And here are the acts in Egypt and the exodus that Asaph is remembering.

Here is a great song for this psalm.  It’s by a guy who took a one year challenge to write a praise song a week from the psalms.  Some of the videos are kind of funny.  He’s like a one-man-band. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K1F1CI3S04

Proverbs 12:18

It takes confidence and personal depth in God's love to have the steadfastness and gentleness to speak the truth in love. Anybody can wound. I think I'm getting there, but some days, I'm still the other guy.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and 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. 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 manual we have and 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. 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 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, 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. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

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. Send comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.

April 4, 2012 Reading Notes

April 4, 2012 Reading Notes

http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/

Disclaimer re: April 3 Reading Notes - You may have noticed I made the Good Samaritan very good yesterday and made him overly generous. I memorized this as "200" instead of "2" and it didn't matter what the text said, my head added two zeros. Maybe I wished I had 200 denarii. In any case the notes have been revised and I stand corrected thanks to my lovely wife.

Deuteronomy 26-27

Deuteronomy 26

What we have in this chapter is something totally unique. The only thing I can think of like this for the believer is baptism. Because this was also to have been accompanied by an outpouring of rejoicing and generosity, in principle, it sort of trumps baptism. The real question is, did anyone ever do this.

Vs. 1-4 The first event seems to be something everyone in Israel was supposed to do as an individual and not as part of a regular feast. This could be what is mentioned in Deuteronomy 14:22-29, but this seems like a special one-time event. At the time of their very first harvest, each person was supposed to bring a basket of the firstfruits of their harvest to the tabernacle.

V. 3 Then they made this declaration. Notice that it is a reference to the promise to Abraham. Again, people were saved by faith in God's promise to Abraham, not adherence to the law.

V. 4 Then the priest responded by taking those very firstfruits and setting them before the altar.

Vs. 5-11 Then each person was supposed to make this declaration. I have been at baptisms where nothing this heartfelt was said. This is amazing. This is the story of their deliverance attached to the promise to the patriarchs and concluded by worshiping God and celebrating with those you brought with you from your home town.

Vs. 12-15 This also looks similar to Deut. 14:22-29, but here there is also a declaration. This pronouncement is impressive if a person really loved God and obeyed. Look at the different things this person said to God. I wonder if anyone ever did this. If I thought of anyone who might have done this, it would be Boaz in the book of Ruth.

Vs. 16-19 I am so impressed when I read this. I think that if they had only grasped the wonder of their salvation and God's grace and love to them, they would have been an incredible people. And then I think that I wish more churches and disciples could grasp this too. What a difference it would make serving with one mind, side by side in the harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples who make disciples who make disciples.

Deuteronomy 27

Vs. 1-8 In preparation for going into the land and the initial dedication of the people before God, God commanded that the entire book of Deuteronomy would be written on stones. Possibly all 5 books, but certainly Deuteronomy would have been written out. Stones probably gives the wrong impression. It is possible that they built something like Stonehenge in England. The Egyptians and other cultures did this. The technique was known and there was no lack of stone and plaster. It might have looked like a long wall or it might have been a circular series of blocks, but it would have been like a memorial monument. Remember, the fathers of these people built Egyptian cities, pyramids and monuments. They had the skill and know-how. This would be a remembrance of the people "becoming" God's people. Interestingly enough, it would be built on the mountain of the curse, as seen below.

The fact that they were to build an altar suggests that this would be a kind of memorial park, possibly with the altar in the middle and the stones surrounding it.

Vs. 9-10 This was a moment of recommitment to the Lord.

Vs. 27:11-26 This ceremony was commanded earlier, but restated here with more clarity. It would take place in Joshua 8:33. With the stones and the altar and 2 million people standing on opposite sides of the valley, this must have been an awesome and memorable event. Here we get just a summary of what the curses would sound like. I get the feeling that chapter 28 gives a fuller idea of what the blessings and curses might have actually been.

The examples that Moses gives here are taken from Leviticus and Numbers, giving me the idea that this ceremony would have taken hours to carry out, and it took hours of preparation by the priests to locate all the commands and make them blessings and curses.

Although this is just a "taste" of what would be said at the ceremony, it is obvious that the Spirit made sure these examples were given. What kinds of things come to your mind regarding God when you read these curses? I'm glad we don't have an equivalent of this in knowing Christ. The curse is gone and the Spirit dwells within.

Luke 10:38-11:13

Luke 10:38-42

This is a great story that only Luke has. So, what was the one necessary thing? Isn't it great that it's ok if we live at Jesus' feet. We can take that time even when the world is on fire. God can handle things without us for a while. In fact, we must take that time to be at His feet. If you need some extra Bible work to do, hunt down all the people who ended up at Jesus' feet. That's the one thing that is necessary.

Here we are first introduced to Martha and her sister. Now if you want some interesting trivia about this story, think about when this happened. Jesus had just duked it out with the Jews in Jerusalem during the Feast of the Tabernacles in John 8-10:21. That was the October before Jesus died. The rest of John 10 happened in December. That means this probably took place in November, just 5 months before Jesus died. I wonder if this was when Jesus met Martha, Mary and Lazarus. In any event, this is when we are introduced to them.

Luke 11:1-13

This is absolutely indispensable discipleship stuff. If we were in a group together, we might need to do these passages on a retreat. If you want a fuller treatment of these verses, I have two sermons from Luke 11 on my webpage https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/messages.

What you get out of these verses is very important. I'll just give you some leading thoughts.

The entire section is a response to the disciples' question on how to pray. It is praying in three parts, but it is one complete lesson and one complete answer to their request, "Teach us to pray." Luke introduces this section telling us that Jesus Himself was praying and His prayer life led into this occasion.

Vs. 1-4 Jesus must have taught often about prayer using the Lord's Prayer (LP) as his basic lesson. This event is at least a year and a half after His giving of the LP when He selected the 12 and gave all of His disciples their disciple orientation in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus had already taught them how to pray, but now the twelve are desperately feeling the need.

The occasion for them asking how to pray now is their fear and seeing that public opinion has turned against them. The Jewish leaders want to kill Jesus. To make matters worse, Jesus keeps uttering "suicidal" thoughts about crucifixion or something. They are in need. Before, the LP just sounded like interesting information. Now they are ready to learn. Jesus gives them the "street" version of the LP, but the disciples have heard it before and can fill in the blanks.

The LP is for them to tune their hearts to God in prayer.

Vs. 5-8 Jesus' second lesson is on persistence. This is unique to Luke. Jesus is saying that their insistence and need should be bothersome to God. They shouldn't give up.

Vs. 9-10 This is an application to verses 5-8 and a bridge to verses 11-13. This was also in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7:7.

Vs. 11-13 Lesson three is on expectance. This was also given in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7, but Jesus changed it a little.

Notice in verse 13 that the Father gives the Holy Spirit, whereas in Matthew, He gives all good gifts. How do you put these two different answers together and figure this out? You can listen to the sermon I have and/or figure it out yourself by looking at what Paul says about the Spirit in 1 Cor. 2:9-16.

I think there comes a point in following Christ in the harvest that you don't know what specific things to ask for. You know God is working and more than anything you want His will. You trust His wisdom, knowing He will do those things that are needed. You need to accept His leading, and to receive His mercy and patience. You don't need a certain thing; you need the leading and the working of the Spirit. I think Jesus intentionally changed this here so the disciples would see that they didn't need their expectations met. What the Father was doing was beyond their wisdom. They needed the peace and discernment of the Spirit as they followed.

Psalm 76

So which son of Asaph wrote this psalm, and when? Since a great victory has just been won and the enemy has sunk into sleep (v. 5), I'm going to suggest this was written during Hezekiah's reign when the Assyrians threatened Zion and spoke against Yahweh. The situation was totally impossible, but men prayed and God acted; and the next morning the Assyrian army found that 185,000 of their men had died in their sleep. This is in 2 Kings 19:32-35.

Vs. 1-6 If this is the event, God protected Zion and showed His glory and majesty. This humbling of Assyria became an important event for other nations too. Everyone was talking about Israel's God.

Vs. 7-9 The contrast between the strength and arrogance of the Assyrians and the humility of Jerusalem was pretty apparent. God's judgment made everyone in every nation see that God was to be feared.

Vs. 10-12 The wrath of man was seen in the violence of the Assyrian army and in the words of Rabshakeh. Yet God used all of this for His glory. In a sense God lured Assyria to stand before Zion in its arrogance. In destroying that army, God sent a message to all nations.

God's glory and majesty will be victorious and those who resist Him will be broken. As disciples, this is good to remember.

Proverbs 12:15-17

I think verses 15 and 16 are a process that most young people, even Christians, go through. It takes a long time to listen to advice and to be patient when our expectations or plans are not fulfilled. God is a good teacher if we're willing to learn. And we become better, humbler followers of Christ, walking more in the Spirit than in the strength of our ideas or expectations .

V. 17 But what if we say nothing. That is testimony too, right? But it is not in keeping with the grace we have been given so freely in Christ. We are made to bear testimony and to bear fruit in the harvest.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and 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. 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 manual we have and 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. 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 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, 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. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

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. Send comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.

April 3, 2012 Reading Notes

April 3, 2012 Reading Notes

http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/

Deuteronomy 23-25

Deuteronomy 23

V. 1 Somehow this just seems like a discouraging way to begin today's reading. J Just to put this into perspective, it could very well have been that both Daniel and Nehemiah were eunuchs. I know, I hate that thought too. These were two men who are heroes in God's eyes, and Daniel, if you look at what God says about Him, is in God's top men of all time.

Vs. 2-6 This is a hard command to understand, but linked to verse 3 it makes sense. "A forbidden union" was something abhorrent, like incest. These people could live in Israel, but were not welcome in the courts of the tabernacle or temple until the 10th generation of living in Israel, following Yahweh. In verse 3 you have two children and peoples conceived out of incest, Ammon and Moab, the sons of Lot and his daughters. For these two people, notice, even after the 10th generation they can't enter the assembly of the Lord. Now, this would assume that someone from these peoples wanted to give up their gods, join themselves to Israel and worship the only God, Yahweh. I don't know how often that happened. Usually, Israel was the one defecting.

To balance this out, Rahab and Ruth are both examples that God showed mercy and grace to any individuals who came to Him. Rahab was from Canaan and Ruth was from Moab, and both became a part of the community of faith. Both are related to Jesus.

Vs. 4-5 Notice the bad press that Balaam gets.

Vs. 7-8 The Edomites are from Esau, the brother of Jacob, son of Isaac and the grandson of Abe. The Edomites eventually became absorbed into Israel. The Egyptians have a special place and it is foretold that in the Millennial Kingdom, they will serve and worship Jesus (Isaiah 19:19-25).

Vs. 9-14 The camp was to remain couth during war because God was among them. Living in the presence of God was something they were to remember at all times.

Vs. 15-16 I take this to mean a slave escaped from another country. This happened to David in 1 Sam. 30:15 with an Egyptian slave they found. Israel was to be a safe haven.

Vs.17-18 The ends do not justify the means. This covered every kind of prostitution, religious and non-religious. The word for a male prostitute (usually Baal worship) was "dog." Money earned from sinfulness was not to justify the existence of sin, even if the money was given to the tabernacle. I don't think casinos will fare well in the Millennium, even if people say they do bring in revenue.

Vs. 19-20 This may have had something to do with the poor, but it was a general rule also. They couldn't exact interest from their own people. In our movies the poor are always preyed upon by loan sharks. Not so in Israel.

Vs. 21-23 Notice that verse 21 is used by Jesus as He taught His disciples in the Sermon on the Mount in Matt. 5:33. It was not a sin not to make a vow. Jesus said not to do it.

Vs. 24-25 was a provision of mercy for the needy. These were crops that were planted in abundance and this provision was for those who needed daily bread. Just think, this is how the entire nation would have been during the sabbatical year, that is, every seventh year. I'm sure if you were not destitute and had a morning ritual of going into your neighbor's yard and helping yourself to a handful of his raspberries, the city fathers would have had words with you.

Deuteronomy 24

Vs. 1-4 Divorce is also mentioned in the Sermon on the Mount. Although this is where we get some teaching on divorce and remarriage in the Scriptures, the force of this is directed to prohibit a man from remarrying a wife due to sexual defilement. This is a law of propriety, order, for the people of Israel. God was making the point that if a man divorced his wife, he defiled himself and her in the process. Today, it would be looked on as a good thing if a divorced couple, even after years and marriages between, came to Christ and were able to renew their vows in marriage.

V. 5 The marriage year is a great thing. Can you imagine this? The Lord gave Laura and me two of these.

From verse 6 to the end of this chapter, everything seems to fit together in terms of poorness and payments and pledges made for loans.

Vs. 6-7 You couldn't take a person's means of survival as collateral or payment for a loan. And you couldn't sell him to get what you wanted from him.

Vs. 8-9 It could have been that people thought of using leprous people to work or requiring some labor from them for mercy shown to them in providing food.

Vs.10-13 You couldn't take a poor man's cloak to make sure he paid you back. The poor only had the clothes on their backs and they needed the cloak as a blanket at night. By the way, this helps define a poor person in the OT. You are not poor if you have more than one change of clothes.

Vs.14-15 Another defining feature of the poor was that they had no money and no food, but for that day. So they needed to be paid that day.

V.16 In this context this command could have something to do with the debt or crime of a young adult. You couldn't make the parents responsible for the crime.

Vs. 17-18 These verses restate what has been said in the context of poorness; and they state the underlying heart of mercy. The people were always to remember that they were slaves and were redeemed by the mercy of God.

Vs. 19-22 I wonder how often people in Israel actually did this. Notice that God's sovereignty also played a role in this. If they "forgot" a sheave in the field they couldn't go back. Sometimes God makes you forget.

Verse 22 is the key to them having a heart of mercy. If you think about it, this is also the reason we are to have a heart of mercy to reach out to the lost. We too were lost and without hope. By God's mercy we have received grace and forgiveness and life. Now, it is simply right that we share this with others who are lost. Ironically, the giving back we do is following our Lord into the harvest to bear fruit for the Father.

Deuteronomy 25

I think this entire chapter is held together by the same thoughts of mercy and justice and compassion.

Vs. 1-3 Maybe the dispute had something to do with an issue of cheating a widow or the poor. The guilty person was to be punished, but with mercy, so as not to be degraded in the sight of others.

V. 4 Even a beast of burden was to be honored as it served. How much more a man. This verse is applied to people in full-time ministry in the NT by Paul in 1Cor. 10 and 1Tim. 5. Paul says that the application was always for how one treated their servants.

Vs. 5-10 This too was an act of mercy. This figures into the story of Boaz and Ruth. For a modern day version of this check out the Hallmark film, "Loving Leah." It's Hallmark and it's a "chick flick," but it is very good.

Vs. 11-12 What I get from this is the same as in verses 1-3, even in defeating a person in a fight, you were to do it respectfully. This is the only time in the Bible a person was to be "maimed" for an action. If a woman needed to defend her man, she was to do it with a stick or a frying pan.

Vs. 13-16 Notice how this is linked to them staying in the land they were about to enter. God hates dishonesty, and dishonesty damages us and brings God's justice. This trick was also played on the poor. In a way, it was like making the poor pay more at convenience stores, because they didn't have the means or the money to get to a real store. Like loan sharking, it was another way to prey on the poor.

Vs. 17-19 I think the point here was that in this fight, Amalek played dirty by attacking the poor and the weak and the defenseless. God isn't into terrorism. Attacking the defenseless shows a lack of fear of God. It took hundreds of years (700?) before this took place. And as suggested in the cases of Rahab and Ruth, if an individual Amalekite would have turned to Yahweh in faith, he or she would have been welcomed and saved.

Luke 10:13-37

It seems like a good place to mention that some of what Jesus said, He said on more than one occasion. Like any good traveling preacher, He used the same messages and illustrations and used them in different situations giving the message or application a slightly different twist from the last time He used it. In this case, if you do a search on Chorazin, you'll see Jesus pronouncing this punishment in two different contexts.

Vs. 13-16 These verses continue the "shaking the dust" discourse from yesterday. Jesus denounced these cities on a couple different occasions. Matthew 11:20 gives you the reason Jesus used these examples. Notice the warning and the truth of verse 16. That gives some perspective to our work in the harvest. Ultimately it is not our message or delivery that gets rejected. He speaks through us.

Vs. 17-24 When these guys returned they were very joyful and motivated.

V. 18 Satan hasn't gotten tossed out of heaven yet. That will come during the tribulation. Satan's power was challenged and broken. The same must have taken place at the resurrection and coming of the Spirit to birth the church.

V. 19 The authority Jesus gave them was very verbal and literal. If you don't hear Him telling you that you have this power, don't test God by thinking you have it.

V. 20 This is our true source of joy in any and every situation in this life, on this earth, in this harvest.

Vs. 21-22 Notice Luke's mention of the Holy Spirit and joy. You can tell Luke was a missionary and rubbed shoulders with Paul. This also is an assurance we have, working in the harvest. Those who are open, hear. The Son reveals the Father, not us. I think it is amazing how God makes sure He can be found by a searching heart regardless of education, status or privilege. In fact, those who think they are wise and understanding can't find Him.

Vs. 23-24 This was said privately to the disciples, probably the twelve. Jesus was repeating this to the twelve, having said it to them before in Matthew 13:16 when He told them the reason for the parables.

Vs. 25-37 You know this story and it is only recorded in Luke.

Vs. 25-28 The entire context of the story is that this lawyer/scribe wanted to put Jesus on the spot. Jesus answered the question by asking the scribe a question. The very intelligent scribe was only too happy to show everyone how smart he was. It seems that when Jesus told him to go and do what he had just said, the scribe felt he needed to get Jesus to talk more to get Him to say something wrong. He might have felt he needed to show the people that Jesus was a fraud and that he was smarter than Jesus. So far it hadn't worked well.

Vs. 29-37 Since we have read Leviticus and know what God has said about touching dead things, we can understand some of what is going on in this story. Just remember though, this guy was still alive, and if a priest or Levite became unclean, there were ways to be restored.

V. 31 I think it is funny that Jesus says, "Now by chance…."

Both the priest and the Levite failed to show compassion to their fellow Jew.

Vs. 33-34 Look at how Jesus described this lavish attention and compassion.

Vs. 36-37 This story has a special meaning for us as disciples. We are left here to go back into the harvest and show compassion on those who are still lost as we once were. It is amazing to me that people who are saved can forget the mercy we were shown.

As disciples, we can't afford to ever forget the grace, by which we are saved. His love and grace is the only thing we need to known by. His Word and our following in the harvest keeps this fresh for us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up5q2NQ3pno

Psalm 75

V. 1 In keeping with the story of the Good Samaritan and our need to go back into the harvest and show the mercy shown to us, look at this verse. We are to recount the wonderful deeds of the Lord. And those deeds begin with the love and grace we were shown in Jesus. He died for us while we were still enemies.

Vs. 2-8 It is out of mercy and love that people need to be warned that judgment will come, but we have something to offer that allows people to escape that judgment.

Vs. 9-10 God's love and His Savior are hidden from the wise and understanding. The horns are a symbol for pride and power. And for the righteous, "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord."

Proverbs 12:12-14

V. 12 Fruit comes from a heart set on God, looking to Him. The wicked emulate the wicked and covet.

V. 13 Living trouble free comes from a heart secure in God. The wicked are enamored with their word skills.

V. 14 What we do returns to us, so we seek that which satisfies our Lord. You reap what you sow.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and 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. 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 manual we have and 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. 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 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, 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. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

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. Send comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.

April 2, 2012 Reading Notes

April 2, 2012 Reading Notes

http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/

This is just a word of encouragement to keep up in reading your One-Year Bible. It is only April in the States and we are already into the dog-days of summer. It's hot, the air is full of pollen, my scale is being very peevish and making things up. I feel like I missed winter, skipped spring and now I'm in summer. Thankfully the Lord remains the same and in spite of how I feel, I feel better when I am sitting quietly with Him, reading His Word and praying every day. Don't worry about the Reading Notes. They are not the Word. And, they will be on line until the web is shut down and are for you to use, or not use, as you please. Keeping up with God in His Word is your life and health as a disciple every day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnOeJkZnnT0&feature=related

Deuteronomy 21-22

Some of the laws given from here on seem random and unconnected. They are interesting as they stand, especially when you think that God thought them up. The laws show something about Him and they make you think of what the point was behind these laws. Even if the laws were only binding for Israel, and then, only for Israel as they were ruled by God (for example, under Roman law the Jews couldn't kill people for adultery or not keeping the Sabbath), there was still a lesson involved in God thinking up that particular law. With some of these laws it could also be there is something going on culturally that we don't get because we weren't there.

One thing you notice is that every now and then, there is a purpose statement given which explains the reason behind the law, or maybe it is a block summary for many laws that have been given to that point. In our reading today, the end of Deut. 21:23 is one of those purpose statements. This is why verse 23 was chosen as a good place for a chapter division. These laws gave order and a sense of respectability and propriety to the customs of the people so that they wouldn't defile the land. (If God was making a nation today, for example, I don't think He would allow people to leave their shopping carts out in the middle of the parking lot, that being a sign of the decay of Western civilization.) They emphasize the reality that the nation is set apart wholly and holy for God.

There might be a connection between the order of these laws and it's fun to try to find it, but even that can be overdone. We'll just have to ask God in heaven why they were given like this. I have a feeling that when we get to heaven we won't care anymore. It is important to remember that these laws were not meant to answer every question and contingency, but rather to give a general rule or judgment from which other rules and judgments could be made for situations not mentioned.

Deuteronomy 21

Vs. 1-9 This was in the days before "CSI" and "Bones." Notice verse 9. The issue of "innocent blood" was / is no small thing with God. Notice that the priest was involved in this and since he had the Urim and Thummim the issue probably could have been solved. We have no proof that this was ever done in Israel. Once we are in Judges we'll see why.

Vs. 10-14 This was definitely a different time and a different culture. Note, this was future oriented, because none of the women in Canaan would have qualified for this. This woman did not have to be a virgin. The occasion would have been after the conquest of Canaan. Some nation would have picked a fight with Israel, been defeated by Israel on the field, and then Israel would have pursued them to their land and taken their cities.

Even though this might seem kind of barbaric to our cultured sensitivities, there was order here. There was no raping and pillaging. This event was totally legislated. They had to be married, man and wife, before anything could happen. The act of the woman having to shave her head and trim her nails sounds similar to the Levites having to cut their hair almost as if to enter their new life/service as newborns. In a way, this was also a "cooling" down period for the man. It could be in those 30 days he decided it was a bad idea, especially since she might not have looked so cool bald. Notice also, there was no sexual relationship until the month had passed. The man went into her as her husband, meaning the social customs had been acknowledged and fulfilled and they were legally married.

There is a sense, too, in which there is mercy in this custom. Worse things could happen to a person, and actually, this could be a very good thing. Becoming a part of Israel worked out pretty good for Ruth. But Ruth wasn't taken in war. She came with Naomi. Well, there is another example of a foreign woman who was taken in war and married one of the soldiers, Rahab, from Jericho. It turned out pretty good for Rahab. Her husband Salmon was from a leading family of Judah, and some think Salmon might have been one of the spies who went into Jericho. Rahab gets some good press in Hebrews and in James, but her biggest claim to fame, along with Ruth, is in Matthew 1:5. Rahab shouldn't have been saved because she was a Canaanite, but in God's mercy she was not only saved and not only married a cool dude, but she became the great⁽²⁹⁾ grandmother of Jesus.

Vs.15-17 It is interesting here that God never commanded that a man should only have one wife. God could have nipped it in the bud right here. The model of creation is one man and one woman, and the best marriages you find in the Bible are just one man and one woman. When God says, "the two become one flesh," it's apparent that that is His model. Why He even allowed polygamy to exist is beyond me, but He not only allowed it, but when David messed up, God implied that He would have given David more wives (2 Samuel 12:8). It's clear that monogamy was the rule and having more than one wife was the exception. By Roman times the Jews were totally monogamous, and Christianity never made a provision for more than one wife.

V. 17 It is also interesting that God says the firstborn son is the "firstfruits of his (the man's) strength."

Even though God chose to go around this with Esau and Jacob and with Manasseh and Ephraim, for society, this rule kept things fair and in order.

Vs. 18-21 The Swedes (no spankings) would have freaked out about this one. Obviously this is referring to an older teen. The main issue was his rebelliousness, which probably would have shown up in him being a glutton and a drunkard. Also, this was done in court; therefore, the elders and the gates of the city are mentioned. It was a very public matter. This wasn't shooting him behind the barn.

So what about the rebellious daughter? Probably the same held true.

Notice the purpose statement at the end of verse 21. Later we will see what happens when there is no punishment or enforcement for these violations. The people became disheartened by the lawlessness and gave up following God's order. A case in point is in 1 Samuel 2:22-36. Because Eli didn't have his sons put to death, as they deserved, people gave up on worshiping or following God.

Vs. 22-23 Death by hanging was usually for public warning. Joshua will do this to the kings of Canaan, to alert the other kings in Canaan and to encourage Israel that God is with them. Also, David will do this to allay a curse brought on Israel for King Saul's extermination of the Gibeonites. In that case the bodies were a public demonstration of payment and restitution for violating a covenant. The most notable case of hanging is referred to by Paul in Gal. 3:13, where he is talking about Jesus being cursed by God for us. God hung His son as a testimony that payment for sin was made for mankind.

Deuteronomy 22

Vs. 1-4 This is not for the animal, it is for the neighbor. I did this today walking. This huge dog ran up to me. Thankfully I was wearing so many layers that the dog couldn't smell the fear that I'm sure was pouring out of me. But it was just a big fierce looking, slobbery, shedding, love dog. Yet it kept following me, so I was in a pickle. If I had kept walking, it would have followed me over a busy road. And besides, Rover didn't look intelligent enough to find its way home. So there I stood, until about five minutes later someone missed him. A woman, about half the size of the dog, walked out on the sidewalk, down the block, in her pjs. The last I saw, the dog ran down to her, (picked her up in his mouth and took her into the house, for breakfast, I think. JUST KIDDING!!!!!) Anyway, I guess I fulfilled this command today. How funny.

V. 5 This is not Halloween, this is real cross dressing. God doesn't think it's funny. He considers it to be perverted sexuality.

Vs. 6-7 I guess you could call this a law of propriety or forced wisdom. For the sake of preserving God's blessing the people were to curb their desires, act wisely and to think of the future of the land. Again, from a little case like this, you could probably apply the principle to many other situations where similar wisdom and self control were necessary.

Vs. 8 Even accidental death because of carelessness was to be avoided by acting wisely. I'm sure this was applied to a lot of other situations, like open wells, for example.

Vs. 9-11 Now these might have had some tie to the culture and to superstition. Even if this was just something that had to do with order and keeping things separate, it would have created a mindset for doing things orderly.

Notice verse 10. Paul quotes this in 2 Cor. 6:14, Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

V. 12 refers to the tassels God commanded to be sown on all of their garments in Num. 15:37-41. The reason was to make them remember always to obey the Lord. How could you forget what those conspicuous little, dangly things meant. They weren't jewelry. They also would have started some conversations with foreigners.

Vs. 13-21 Note that this law is to keep a man from unjustly getting rid of his wife by insisting she was sexually impure before they were married. This law is a protection for the woman. That is the focus. If the husband was dishonest, he was trying to get back the 50 shekels of silver he gave for the bride price.

Premarital sexual purity was to have been the expected norm. Parents were to testify to their daughter's virginity and a man expected to marry a virgin. The proof the parents were to bring was the sheet from the wedding night that showed that as the girl had intercourse for the first time, she bled.

On the other hand, if the girl had been a prostitute or the girl and her parents had used prostitution to increase the family income, or if she / they had been involved in Baal worship, these would have all had serious consequences.

The only way the father could have gotten 50 shekels of silver for his daughter in marriage was that she was a virgin. I'm sure the finances of this tempted people to lie. I'm sure there were allowances and the appropriate disclosures for accidents or even rape. The important thing is that the father couldn't say she was a virgin if she wasn't.

Looking at the punishment for the man or the woman, this law would have made premarital sex a very serious and dangerous event. In verse 28, rape meant forced marriage without provision for divorce. In Ex. 22:16 there is a variation of this for seduction, where the girl's father could refuse to have his daughter marry that man. The end result was that premarital sex was not acceptable.

Vs. 22-29 From all of these laws you understand that adultery was punishable by death. An engaged woman was legally married, just not yet married.

V. 24 Note that a woman had to cry for help. The guy couldn't say, "If you yell, I'll kill you," because if she didn't yell she'd die anyway.

All of these laws set a standard by which other situations could be evaluated. In our day, you know that if adultery meant death, fewer people would be willing to do it and it wouldn't be glamorized on TV. And if premarital sex meant a forced marriage, I wonder if people wouldn't take things more seriously. We understand what is allowed in society, and we know that God forgives and gives grace and love; but still, here we see what God's opinion on all this stuff is. And actually, it comes out of His love for us, wanting the best for us.

V. 30 God is simply saying that a son shouldn't marry his stepmother, even if his father dies. That is not only propriety, but it is God's command. Interestingly enough, Paul mentions that someone in Corinth was doing this very thing and that the church approved of it. Oi Weh!

Luke 9:51-10:12

Luke 9:51-62

Vs. 51-56 This wasn't Jesus' final trip to Jerusalem, but the reality of His death and the rejection of His offer to the Jews added more definition to His training of the twelve and to His agenda. Actually, Jesus was going up to the Feast of the Tabernacles in John 7; in fact, John 7:2-10 would come right before this.

Before, Jesus had been willing to spend time with the Samaritans. Now, He was given direction via the Spirit, to get to Jerusalem for this very important showdown.

V. 54 It appears that only this Samaritan village reacted this way. This is one time we see James and John earning the nickname Jesus gave them, "The Sons of Thunder." There were probably lots of other examples. Notice that when Jesus rebuked them, He turned from them. Jesus did this with Peter also. The next village responded better.

Vs. 57-62 How do you categorize these three? Try to put these objections in your own words.

Vs. 57-58 This was a scribe, a Pharisee who was well studied in the law. These were usually rich, well to do people. Apparently the lack of security and proper accommodations were too much for him.

Vs. 59-60 Notice that Jesus initiated this. He must have noticed one disciple who had potential and had gone up to him and told him to follow Him. Particularly in this case where Jesus selected the man, the man's love for father and family won the day. Jesus said that a person had to "hate father and mother" to follow Him. Notice too that Jesus wasn't put off by this man's objection, but commanded him to go and preach the kingdom of God.

Vs. 61-62 This guy declared his willingness but wasn't ready. So why did he say this? For others? To be recognized by Jesus? Interestingly, Jesus says that the person would not be fit. In the Greek that word actually can mean, "to fit" to something. This kind of commitment doesn't fit to the life and call of a disciple in the harvest.

Just for your information, you can insert John 7-10:21 here.

Luke 10:1-12 After the massive rejection Jesus received in John 7-10:21, Jesus was stepping up His discipleship training and also preparing His itinerary for visiting towns on the east side of the Sea of Galilee. If they found towns that were open, Jesus would visit the town, if not, too bad. Much of this looks similar to sending out the12. Jesus still had a lot of disciples. One interesting thought is that the guy who took Judas' place, to fill up the "twelve" in Acts, must have been part of the 70.

Psalm 74

The family of Asaph were singers in the temple from the reign of David to the restoration of the temple after the exile under Ezra and Nehemiah. It looks like this writer wrote after the people returned to Israel following the Babylonian exile.

Vs. 1-3 You notice the appeal for God to remember His promises. Even after Israel returned under Zerubbabel the people experienced great opposition in rebuilding the temple. It seems that the psalmist is lamenting this.

Vs. 4-8 It seems that the writer is asking God to look at the wanton devastation and to remember their acts of violence.

Vs. 9-11 This is interesting that they are asking for God to reveal His hand by giving them a prophet. God would send both Haggai and Zechariah to motivate the people to continue building the temple. I wonder if this is the out pouring of heart, repeated and sung in their worship, that motivated God to send those two men?

Vs. 12-17 This declaration of God as creator is the source of their faith and strength. They might not see God's hand in what was happening in Jerusalem, but in all of the created world they could still draw strength from the fact that God was both there, and able to help them.

Vs. 18-21 God is asked to remember Israel, the dove. And He is asked to remember the covenant with Abraham and the poor and needy.

Vs. 22-23 What cause should God defend? I would think it might be more than Israel. His cause is the redemption of mankind.

Proverbs 12:11

What if "works his land" simply meant "worthwhile, God-honoring pursuits." What would happen here if bread meant "nourishment for your spiritual life as a disciple?" Since most people are not farmers, some thinking about the sense of the proverb helps. Also, we know from Deuteronomy that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word which proceeds from the mouth of God. The abundance of our hearts as followers of Christ comes from our diligence in working the soil of our hearts with His Word.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and 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. 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 manual we have and 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. 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 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, 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. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

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. Send comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.