May 8, 2014

MAY 8

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

1 Samuel 2:22-4:22

1 Samuel 2:22-36

Vs. 22-25 The obvious question is why Eli didn't stop his sons. I have a theory, but here it is enough to say that if Eli knew they were wrong and he loved the Lord, he would have stopped them. Jesus said, "He who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." I think that statement held true back then also. This would be strike one for him.

V. 25 This is a strange editorial note that the Lord wanted to put them to death. Sad as it seems, Eli should have been the one to bring them to trial. If Eli had acted now, things would have been different, but alas.

V. 26 This is another strange editorial note, but we know where it's leading. God is getting Samuel ready. This sentence indicates the passage of time. This also sounds like the comment regarding Jesus in Luke 2:52, And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.

Vs. 27-36 It was bad enough that Eli personally allowed this, but God's own people suffered as a result. Eli did what was right in his own eyes too. Think of the contrast between this priest and Phinehas in the book of Numbers, who saw the plague on the camp, heard the cries of the people dying and then saw this guy take a Midianite woman into his tent. Phinehas raced into action to save the people. Eli allowed the people to die and sink into ignorance and spiritual adultery.

The punishment promised on Eli's family's lineage will begin soon. It will become almost fully fulfilled as David runs from Saul, and then, just before David's death, it will be complete. From that point on, no other Levites of this lineage will ever serve as priest. Just for some balance here: the sins of the fathers do not determine the fate of any who choose to follow the Lord. One famous son who comes from the family lineage of Eli will never serve as a priest, but did pretty well as a prophet: Jeremiah.

Notice the references here to food in vs. 29 and 36.

So, after receiving this condemnation from God, Eli does nothing. Time passes by and life goes on. Maybe God forgot.

1 Samuel 3

V. 1 This is another "passage of time" verse. Actually, there is a kind of interchange going on between Eli and his sons, and Samuel.

Vs. 2-3 The idea here is that because of his eyes, Eli was using Samuel more and more. The lamp was the lampstand in the Holy Place. Samuel had to sleep in the Holy Place to trim the lamp before it went out. I don't get this, but apparently they were trying to conserve oil or something and so they only filled it just before the oil was gone. On the other side of the veil was the Holy of Holies, the ark of the covenant and the presence of God. That is where the voice came from.

Vs. 4-9 Funny. Eli finally got it.

Vs. 10-18 This was not only Samuel becoming a prophet, but it was a confirmation to Eli. It is funny how the Lord used this. Only Eli and the "man of God" would have known what God said to him. Now, those words and that condemnation came out of Samuel's mouth, and Eli knew without a doubt that it was the Lord who spoke to Samuel.

So why didn't Eli run out and remove his sons and send them both somewhere bad, into exile, like Hollywood, or Las Vegas or Australia? This is strike two. Don't say God doesn't give people chances to hear the Word and do it. Eli still could have honored God and found mercy.

Vs. 19-21 Who knows how old Samuel was and how much time had passed; but, no thanks to Eli, God was preparing Samuel for leadership and acceptance by the people. Obviously, 1 Samuel 4:1 belongs to this block of verses. It is interesting to see how the Lord gave Samuel his stature. His renown was that the Lord spoke to him, and the words that Samuel communicated were sure. 1 Samuel 4:1 belongs here, too.

It is probably during this time that Samson was roaming the earth, got dumb, got caught and died, taking the Philistine leadership with him. Israel would have seen this as an opportunity to rebel and break the Philistine dominance.

1 Samuel 4

Vs. 2-4 Notice that no one asked the Lord if this battle was a good idea. After the defeat, it just seemed like a good idea to bring the ark. Now they would be invincible, right? I think this was the thinking behind "Raiders of the Lost Ark." The problem with this premise is that the ark was taken into battle due to disobedience and ignorance, and Israel lost the battle. Actually, it didn't work out any better for the bad guys in Raiders.

Thinking our thoughts are God's thoughts is crazy. If we have the Word, we know better. The Word warns us against presuming on God. Just before this, it mentioned that Samuel had established a supernatural track record of being right and speaking the Word of God. Why didn't they go to Samuel?

Vs. 5-11 The Philistines were bad guys and pagans but they did have some knowledge of Israel and their God. I'm impressed with the Philistines and their courage here, but really they express the reason they fought. This same God had allowed Israel to be their slaves. There wasn't anything wrong with God, but there was something awfully wrong with Israel.

Vs. 12-18 The only thing I want to draw your attention to is the death of Eli. Verse 18 says that Eli was a fat guy. The Lord doesn't go out of His way to mention size often. I think Eli was fat because he ate way too much. Where did Eli get his food? From his sons. This is just me, but I think Eli's god was his belly. The reason he didn't stop his sons was because that would have stopped the food, and the forbidden cuts of meat he received from them. And besides, God didn't seem to care. God's silence and those nice cuts of meat were the reason Eli never took direct action. Now God did something like Judo. He used Eli's own weight against him, to bring his death.

Vs. 19-22 Phinehas' wife died giving birth to a son at this awful time in Israel's history. She gave the boy an awful name, the glory has departed. Talk about being marked for life. I'm sure that was a hit in junior high school.

Humanly speaking, this seems like Israel's darkest hour. The high priest and his sons were dead, the ark was captured and the armies of Israel were defeated. Everything was bad, except for one young man who had been prepared for this moment.

After this reading today, I see two things that are important for us as disciples. First, we should never assume God has to bless us because we use His stuff. Israel used the ark, assuming God would bless because they dragged it into harm's way. Because we attend church or do something, "in the name of God," doesn't cause God to have to bless us. Nothing replaces understanding His Word and obedience to it.

Second, when the Lord grooms a person to follow and to lead, it has to do with knowing God and His Word, not having God thoughts and God feelings based on our feeling of what God would do if we were Him. Our lives are separated from everything and made "holy" by the Word. John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

John 5:24-47

Reading John is like reading a book subtitled, "The Story of the Word Made Flesh, Who Dwelt Among Us." There is a lot of "Word" going on here. It might be worth your while to read John 5:1-23 from yesterday to get the context here. If you read this whole chapter and are confused, that's good. Unless you are gifted or brilliant or something, it takes you more than one time through, to really get the gist of what Jesus is saying. I've had to pray for help understanding this and I've had to read it through…so far, maybe 30-50 times. It really is a matter of how honestly you want to seek God to understand something.

As you read this, underline the personal pronouns, me, I, my.

V. 24 This is the grand conclusion to v. 23. Jesus, the Son, sent from the Father, gives eternal life by His Word.

Vs. 25-30 Jesus has said that the Father gave all judgment to the Son in v. 22. Jesus now explains this in a way the Pharisees would understand since they believed in the resurrection.

Notice that vs. 25 and 28 both refer to hearing the Son's voice. Jesus is saying that He is the responsible party.

V. 25 This verse talks about hearing the voice of the Son of God. Then it gets strange because it talks of the Father granting the Son the right to have life in Himself and giving Him authority. If the Son is the Son of God, God the Son, He already has that life. But, Jesus is the Word made flesh, and as a man, that authority has to be conferred upon Him as a human representative of God, the Son of Man. Jesus is the only human being to whom this ability and authority has ever been conferred.

V. 27 As the human representative of God, Jesus is the Son of Man, the coming eternal king from Daniel 7.

V. 28 The voice that the dead will hear is from the divine Son of God and the human Son of Man. The Pharisees would have understood the meaning of these titles and they would have understood Jesus claiming to be God. I'll bet as Jesus was talking, the chief priest and scribes and Pharisees could feel their hearts hardening.

Vs. 31-40 After such a mammoth claim, there had to be some confirming testimony. How would you know this was true? Jesus gives four sources of testimony.

Vs. 32-35 John bore testimony to Jesus. Jesus says that He didn't need John's testimony, but it was something that was easily familiar to these men, something they understood. Notice too why He used John as testimony to Himself in v. 34, that they would accept this and be saved. Jesus was hoping for some faith.

V. 36 The signs from the Father bore witness. This is what led Nicodemus to Jesus in John 3.

Vs. 37-38 The Father Himself bore testimony. Whether they believed it or not, the Father sent the Son. They could deny the testimony, but they couldn't deny that Jesus was with them. They just refused to see the connection. The testimony was still true. Verse 38 is a rebuke to their unbelief.

Vs. 38-40 The Scriptures bore testimony to Jesus. This would have been an insane claim if Jesus were not God the Son, the Son of God, the Son of Man, the Savior of mankind. But He was and is.

Vs. 41-44 This is part of the summary of the chapter, a chapter which deals with Jesus being glorified by the Father by the signs He performed as He followed the Father. It is interesting that Jesus says they did not seek for the glory that came from God. Their entire focus was to be held in esteem by one another.

Vs. 45-47 Jesus shocked them saying that their condemnation would come from Moses. This is interesting because this sounds just like what Abraham told the rich man who had died. But he said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.” (Luke 16:31)

What breaks the power of sin is welcoming God's Word of deliverance, turning from our sin and welcoming Christ into our lives as Savior and Lord. That is all conveyed through the Word. In some terribly small but important way, like a person lying in the throes of death, we raise our eyes in faith and acknowledgement of that Word…and life begins.

Psalm 106:1-12

For the next few days we'll be in Psalm 106. It is interesting to me, that when Israel needed to remember the steadfast love of the Lord, they thought back to the Exodus and wandering through the wilderness.

For us, too, there are times when the Lord allows us to have to cling strongly, over weeks and months and years, to His steadfast love. So, what do you remember? What do you go back to? Many of us have one or more significant experiences, but one that I notice many people do not mention first is their own salvation.

Israel's confirmation of God's love was to have sprung out of their love and gratefulness for their rescue, their salvation, and their inclusion in God's plan of redemption. That is the same for us. And there are seasons when He allows us to go through hard times so we can redefine ourselves, our values and our lives to the one thing that is really the most important thing about us, Jesus.

It looks to me that this psalm could have been written during the time that David was building unity in Israel at the beginning of his reign. The psalm more or less ends with a reference to the confusion in Judges. God's faithfulness through Exodus to Judges is highlighted. Many lands had captured people from Israel, and David would have been asking for God's grace to rebuild the nation and to lead the people back to Israel.

On the other hand, this could have been written after the exile as a reminder to God to show that same grace in bringing the exiles back to Israel. I would vote for the time of David, but after the exile works too.

Vs. 1-3 The emphasis of the steadfast love of the Lord in this call to worship sounds like David. Also the call to praise is very familiar.

Vs. 4-5 This seems to come from the king of Israel, asking for help to rebuild the nation and to lead them into the promised blessing. After the exile there was no king.

Vs. 6-12 Built into the law was the command to pray to God, confessing one's own sins and then confessing the sins of their fathers.

Proverbs 14:30-31

So, when the earth shakes around us and the nations rage and the thoughts of our hearts disquiet us, where do we learn to find tranquility? Our money? Our job? Our comfort in life? Our nationality? Those things anchor us to the earth and make our hearts thirst for more earth.

If He is our tranquility, we become pilgrims here on earth who are ready to share bread from the One who shared bread with us. I was just reading Jesus saying, Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (John 12:25)

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this linkhttp://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go tohttp://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 todgkachikis@gmail.com.

If you would like documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go tohttps://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download these to use on your computer or to print.

May 7, 2014

MAY 7

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

1 Samuel 1:1-2:21

1 Samuel 1

So, just thinking out loud regarding this time in Israel's history, it is said that Samuel and Samson were alive at the same time. In this area of Israel, they were under Philistine dominance. Samson kept the Philistines at bay for 20 years and then destroyed the Philistine leadership at his death. No wars with the Philistines are mentioned during Samson's lifetime. No wars are mentioned during the early years of Samuel either. Later in Samuel's life, God used the wars with the Philistines to clear out the evil in the priesthood and to test the reign of King Saul. I would guess that Samson was older than Samuel and that Samuel became known in Israel during the later years of Samson's life, during which time Samuel became established as a leader in Israel, though under Eli. After Samson died, in the vacuum of power following the deaths of the Philistine leadership, Israel probably began breaking way from Philistine control and the Philistines fought Israel to regain that control. These wars would have been the occasion of Hophni and Phinehas dying in battle and losing the ark of the covenant to the Philistines. By this time Samuel was already well established as both a prophet and priest; and when the death of Eli came immediately after the battle, Samuel was the only leader in Israel and was probably in his 20's or 30's. Samuel then led Israel against the Philistines as a judge.

So, I would guess that at the time of Samuel's birth, Samson was in his teenage years and beginning to notice girls.

It is interesting that the final two stories in Judges, then Ruth and now this story all take place in the area around Jerusalem. Also, three of the stories involve Levites. In 1 Chronicles 6:35 Elkanah is said to be a Levite, even though he is not identified here as a Levite. This would make it possible for Samuel to be a priest. Elkanah was an Ephrathite by virtue of where he lived.

Ramah, where Elkanah lived, was just north of Jerusalem and south of Shiloh.

Vs. 1-2 Elkanah apparently had two wives because of Hannah being barren. He thought he needed an heir. Otherwise, it looks like Hannah would have been his one and only.

V. 3 Eli and his two sons will figure into the dysfunctional part of this story.

Vs. 4-11 There are a lot of things here, but notice that this awful situation is from the Lord.

V. 11 Again, the similarity to Samson can't be missed in that this, too, is an unusual birth situation. Notice also that she is vowing that the son will be dedicated to the Lord as a Nazirite, just like Samson. The only stipulation she mentions, like with Samson, was the razor. How cool would it be as a boy to know that you never ever had to have a haircut?

All of what God led Hannah through was to produce this kind of intensity in her life. As disciples, this is why we need to keep our eyes on the Lord and bear up under trials. He is trying to produce something in us that cannot be produced any other way. If we become bitter over the "right and wrong" in a situation, or if we are defeated by our own sorrow, we miss the point. He is working, and very likely, to produce a kind of resolve or passion or dedication in us. There is no other way to burn certain things on our hearts apart from the blazing heat of failure, rejection and trial.

Vs. 12-18 Eli is included as a judge of Israel and he will be judged because of his failure to correct his sons. Still, his blessing here holds for Hannah. Notice, like Samson's mother, Hannah doesn't drink wine or strong drink.

Vs. 19-28 Ramah was about 15 miles south of Shiloh. This was not a distance that meant Hannah could only see him once a year, but they didn't have cars back then and 15 miles of hilly country was a trip you didn't make every day.

V. 22 This sounds like what David says in his psalms, dwelling in the presence of the Lord forever.

V. 28 This was an incredible thing for Hannah to do.

In this time of the judges, Elkanah, like Boaz, comes away as a godly man. Hannah was obviously a godly woman, pushed closer to God by her God-given trial. I know the story is about Hannah, but still, it was Elkanah who took his family up to worship at Shiloh every year.

1 Samuel 2

Like so many of The Psalms, and like the Third Day song, you must go through the valley (trials) to stand upon the mountain of God (praising). What do you understand from this praise from Hannah? From things I have experienced and in the situation I find myself now, I sense the strong confidence in God's sovereignty. God's control is something that we as disciples can never lose sight of, even in uncertainty and suffering.

If you have time, compare this song with Mary's song when she visited Elizabeth in Luke, chapter 1. There are some great similarities.

Vs. 1-2 This sounds just like Mary's song.

Vs. 3-8 This is how God will honor those who set their hope in Him.

Vs. 9-10 God is the judge who judges the proud but helps His people.

Vs. 11-17 This gets us back to the description of the time of the judges we are used to. It is amazing that anyone came to Shiloh to worship. When you read this, you can understand how this would have created bitterness and disappointment among the devout, and it would have given reasons to the rebellious to avoid Shiloh and to make God in their own image. Eli's sons were doing this to everyone and every sacrifice.

Note that what is mentioned here is how Eli's sons got food for themselves. That seems minor, but I think it is a big issue in this story, as we'll see later. Paul talks about guys like these and other false disciples and servants of the church, when he warns Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:5, people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

When our lives as disciples are about anything more than following Christ in the harvest to save the lost and make disciples, not only are we prone to error, but we can pervert the good that God has given to assist us in our service in the harvest.

Vs. 18-21 Samuel was becoming true to God, in contrast to Eli and his sons. That Hannah brought Samuel a robe each year means that's when she brought him the robe, not the only time when she saw him. Remember, they only lived 15 miles apart. I don't know about you, but if my kid only lived 15 miles away, I'd see them more than once a year. And besides, according to the law, all males had to appear before the Lord at the tabernacle three times a year.

God blessed Elkanah and Hannah. Hannah had five more kids and Elkanah had a happy wife, and both were in love with each other and with God. Oh yeah, and the hand of God was on Samuel.

John 5:1-23

Commentators usually see this feast as Jesus' second Passover. That would mean John is giving us a very abbreviated history here, just touching major points. It would mean that between the end of chapter 3 and here, a complete year has passed by in John. During this time, Jesus' popularity has skyrocketed. Jesus has recently healed the paralytic carried by four friends and He has preached through all of Galilee. At this point, Jesus still has not chosen the Twelve.

When you think about what it means to abide in Christ, the best example of seeing what this means is to look at Jesus abiding in the Father. Jesus lived His life, conscious every moment that He was walking with the Father and therefore looking to see what the Father was doing. This chapter is like a lesson in abiding.

Vs. 1-9 Notice, that if Jesus had been to Jerusalem three times a year, He had seen this man often. This pool was very near to the temple. Verse 4 is an editorial note put into the Bible years later. According to the Bible Knowledge Commentary-NT, p. 298, this verse doesn't appear in any manuscripts until after 400 A.D.

Now, in v. 6, Jesus is led by the Spirit to notice this particular man. This is an example of Jesus abiding in the Father. Jesus was aware that the Father was pointing to this man to be healed, although Jesus had seen this man many times before.

V. 8 Jesus did this quickly and quietly so as not to draw attention to Himself (v. 13). What will overshadow this miracle is that it took place on the Sabbath.

Vs. 10-13 Now the remark of the Pharisees in v. 12 should shock you. Their problem was they couldn't conceive of God breaking His own law. But really, there were laws the Pharisees had made in addition to God's laws. But the situation is even deeper. Shortly before this, some of these Pharisees had been in Capernaum and heard Jesus say He was the Son of Man (the Messiah) and say He had the authority to forgive sins. He proved this by saying to the paralytic, Get up, take up your bed, and walk (v. 8). These guys were officially members of the "I don't like Jesus, regardless of who He is" fan club.

Vs. 14-18 This is the reason why John is including this event, to show why the Pharisees hated Jesus and why they wanted to kill Him. They understood that Jesus was calling Himself God's Son, and thus, God.

V. 17 You notice what Jesus said about abiding in the Father. The Father was always working. Jesus was always looking for the Father to show Him what to do. He noticed this man and noticed that the Father wanted this man to be healed on the Sabbath. The Son had to be obedient. If the Pharisees wanted to get mad at someone, it should have been at the Father.

Vs. 19-20 This entire chapter is a very tight, logical argument. It is worth looking at it, finding the transitions in what Jesus says and then trying to figure out why He went from one theme to the next. This is probably Jesus' most ambitious try to win over the Pharisees and save them. In the course of this chapter, Jesus will declare Himself to be both the Son of God and the Son of Man.

Vs. 21-23 The relationship is established between the Father and Son, and therefore, the signs are given to the Son to perform when the Father says to perform them, regardless of the day and time. The Father is working and Jesus sees that. Jesus moves on to describe why the Father has done this. The raising of the dead is seen here as authority to judge. The Son has been given that authority so that everyone may honor the Son as they do the Father. Jesus is saying here, that He is a pretty important person. You can't say you honor God, if you don't honor Jesus as the Son of God.

In the harvest, regardless of how good people seem, if they don't honor the Son (who, by the way, created all things), that becomes the ultimate sin. The good news isn't just about forgiveness or connecting with God. It is about Jesus, who loved us and gave Himself for us.

Psalm 105:37-45

Keep underlining he. Notice that v. 45 appears to be the point of the psalm and of God's actions.

Vs. 37-38 This is the redemption of Israel out of the house of slavery.

Vs. 39-42 The miracles of God's provision in the wilderness came because of God's faithfulness to the promise to Abraham.

Vs. 43-45 Israel was blessed by God to obey Him and thereby be a witness and blessing to the world in accordance with the promise to Abraham.

Proverbs 14:28-29

It looks like the success of v. 28 is determined by the character of v. 29. Someone with a hot head doesn't become a godly leader of people. Kind of cool, huh?

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this linkhttp://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go tohttp://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 todgkachikis@gmail.com.

If you would like documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go tohttps://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download these to use on your computer or to print.

May 6, 2014

MAY 6

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

Ruth 2-4

As you read these chapters, notice how different the spiritual tone is here, compared to what we've read in Judges. One man like Boaz influenced a very small community. Notice that Boaz tells Ruth to stay in his fields and not to go to the fields of others. Naomi even warns Ruth against this. The danger of her being sexually molested was real. Boaz didn't have a huge influence that changed all the neighbors, but these fields and these servants were affected by this guy who loved God. One of the surprises is that Boaz is very kind to Ruth. Or is it that surprising? I think Boaz's family history shaped him in this story. There are some notable men and women in his background including Tamar and Rahab, two Gentile women.

Ruth 2

Vs. 1-3 It is interesting that suddenly everything began going the right way. There was this great guy named Boaz, and Ruth just happens to end up in his field. Regardless of how things go, God is always involved and we follow, but it is nice to see how He can smooth the way. Boaz and his kinship to Elimelech is mentioned a lot.

Vs. 4-7 Boaz seems like a good guy and he was very observant.

Vs. 8-13 In Boaz you see the wise man of Proverbs and lover of God in one glance. It was possible to follow God during the times of the judges. Remember too, that this story is describing the family background and spiritual heritage of David. And for that matter, this is the family background of Jesus.

Notice that Boaz mentions that Ruth has taken shelter under God’s wings.

Vs. 14-16 In response to Ruth’s humble answer, Boaz really gets kind. I wonder if he was having stirrings. J

Vs. 17-23 According to John Reed in the Bible Knowledge Commentary-OT, p. 423, this was quite a haul for one day’s work, about 30 pounds of flour. During these weeks it could be that both Boaz and Ruth began getting the idea that God was bringing them together. I say this because Boaz had already looked into the legalities of who was the nearest kinsman. As we’ll see in chapter 3, Naomi was also revived in spirit and was playing matchmaker.

Ruth 3

Vs. 1-5 Apparently the threshing floor was a public place used by everyone. It would have been reserved for this day by Boaz; then when they finished, they would have celebrated and Boaz would have slept there to guard the barley until it could be hauled away in the morning. This was a fairly private meeting place. Ruth was told to uncover Boaz's feet and lie down. I have heard some bizarre explanations of what this was. I think it is simply what it says. It was cold. She uncovered his feet and lay at his feet and when he woke up to cover them up again, holy moly, there was a woman! And that's all this was.

Vs. 6-13 Although Boaz was surprised, he understood what was happening and was honored. In what she was doing, Ruth was being obedient to Naomi and she was honoring God.

V. 12 Apparently Boaz had already given thought to taking responsibility for Elimelech's family. This was the real issue. It didn't have to do with a field; it had to do with preserving the name and inheritance of a dead brother or relative. It was no small matter and involved some risk. In essence, Boaz could have lost his name and all of this land would have gone into the dead man’s name.

Vs. 14-18 They both kept the matter very quiet, but Boaz showed Ruth that he meant business by sending her away with more barley.

Ruth 4

Vs. 1-6 So, the other redeemer just happened to pass by. What a break. Notice v. 6. The risk was that the child would be called the son of Mahlon, who was the heir of Elimelech and husband of Ruth. This guy was afraid of having his name lost and his property belonging, not just to his son through Ruth in the name of Mahlon, but to those of another family. Boaz had no fear of this because he knew he was following the Lord.

Vs. 7-10 Here is the public ceremony of the one guy giving up his right as a redeemer. This is very significant and very symbolic that Boaz is now recognized as the redeemer.

Vs. 11-12 Notice that the people knew the family heritage of Boaz. Boaz’s background was special in that two Gentile women were part of it, and Boaz was in the lineage of the Messiah.

Vs. 13-17 Don’t you like a happy ending, finally? If Samuel was writing this, it was probably after he had anointed that teenage boy, David, to be the future king of Israel.

Vs. 18-22 Notice here that although Boaz had a son who should have been named for Ruth's first husband, Mahlon, God honored Boaz. Boaz is the named father of Obed in the line of David.

One slight tension in this text is that we can pinpoint the time when Boaz and Ruth lived, because of the lineage of David, from Boaz to David. But between Boaz and Salmon there are about 250-300 years. Now, people back then did live a little longer than today, but obviously some of the people in between are not mentioned. But this isn't a huge problem. It was common to call someone the "son" of a famous forefather. For example, Jesus is called "the son of David" meaning the descendant of David, not the immediate birth son of David.

John 4:43-54

Vs. 43-45 Although Jesus went to Galilee, He didn’t go back to Nazareth. It is only in Nazareth, twice, that the words of v. 44 are quoted. Nazareth was His own country. Instead, Jesus went to live in Capernaum.

Vs. 46-50 Jesus’ sharp response to the official was to see how sincere he was. The man was humble and was not there to see a sign, but to save his son. The fact that he came to Jesus meant that he believed. That Jesus simply told him to go, and that his son would be well without Jesus going with him, is a great proof of the faith of this man.

Vs. 51-54 The impact of this man meeting his servants must have been known among the disciples. The apostle John knew, so the others must have known also.

The thing in this passage that speaks to me as a disciple is in vs. 50 and 53. The correspondence between hearing what Jesus said, believing His Word and doing it is what makes a disciple. Jesus never would have found this kind of faith in Nazareth. I think Jesus wants this kind of faith among His laborers in the harvest who make disciples, who also have this same kind of faith.

We forget in all of this proof of Jesus’ identity, that as we work in the harvest we are introducing people to the only person who can make sense of this tragedy on earth. We obey, but we are compelled because of His amazing love and gentleness. He suffered so that we can be saved. We follow out of love and give our lives so that others can know Him and be saved and follow Him. We spend our lives so that disciples can be made who will make disciples for Him into the generations to come, until He comes. And He is loving and compassionate. He is our source of hope and He hears when we cry out to Him.

Psalm 105:16-36

We are in the middle of a psalm, probably written by David, celebrating the faithfulness of God to Abraham in saving Israel and giving them order through David. Underline or circle every occurrence of He, and see if that helps you get to the point of this psalm and what it means to us.

Vs. 16-24 Notice that God afflicted Joseph in order to save Israel. Joseph was then blessed so that the people could be blessed. This was what God did in faithfulness to His promise to Abraham.

Vs. 25-36 Notice that God is the cause of v. 25. Again, He brought affliction to make the people ready. Then He sent Moses and He showed His deliverance, as we will see, because of the promise to Abraham.

I think this psalm is going to end in a call to grateful obedience and praise to God. The argument of the psalm is that praise should be natural, and confidence in God’s faithfulness should be overpowering. He loves His people and remembers His covenant with Abraham.

Do you remember how often in Deuteronomy God and Moses told the people to always be telling the story of Israel's deliverance to their children? I don't think they did that, but here David is putting the story into song. When the man healed of the legion wanted to follow Jesus, Jesus told him to go home and tell the story of his rescue; and he did. It was the wonder and fascination of Christ and being rescued by Him that gave the man his story and message. In the same way it is our love for our Lord because He saved us that gives us our message in the harvest.

Proverbs 14:26-27

Amen, and I think this is exactly what Psalm 105 is getting to.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this linkhttp://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go tohttp://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 todgkachikis@gmail.com.

If you would like documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go tohttps://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download these to use on your computer or to print.

May 5, 2014

MAY 5

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

Judges 21

Vs. 1-7 This event just keeps getting worse. What I find interesting in all of this is that Israel asks God about fighting, but they don't appear to ask God regarding a solution to the problem with Benjamin and where to get wives for them. They sought God for something difficult like fighting and then, when their lives weren't at stake, they said, "We can figure this out on our own." I've always wondered why there was no direct question to the Lord and why there was no answer.

It seems to me that things had fallen apart with the worship at the tabernacle. The ark of the covenant was easier to move, and possibly they moved the inner sanctuary (Holy of Holies) with it. In 1 Samuel we have the ark being moved and brought into battle, and afterward, the ark is separated from the tabernacle for years. It seems then, that Phinehas brought the ark to Bethel, but the tabernacle and altar and lampstand, etc., remained in Shiloh. So when they sacrificed at Bethel, they needed to build an altar.

Even in their worship and inquiry, there is something here that is not right. The Lord doesn't say anything. The verdict, Everyone did what was right in his own eyes, was spreading like a cancer in almost everything that happened in Israel.

V. 5 The oath they took doesn't seem to have been from the Lord, but rather, it was what the leaders thought was a good idea. It made some sense that anyone who didn't send a representative to the battle was in some way saying they agreed with the men of Gibeah or didn't think cleansing the land was important.

Vs. 8-12 Somehow this doesn't strike me as just or smart or honorable. It just seemed good to them and they got 400 brides out of the deal. And the death toll that Benjamin is responsible for kept rising.

Vs. 19-24 The next big idea was to allow 200 men from Benjamin to kidnap the young women from Shiloh. Brilliant!?!?! I wonder how God would have weighed in on that idea if they had asked Him?

V. 25 This verse seems to give the commentary on all of this activity. They did not inquire of the Lord. They followed their own mind and "god" thoughts and feelings.

As disciples, we don't want to be wooden and rigid in seeking God's will, but we don't want to just live by good and godly feelings. I think it is good for us to consider God in every decision we make, just to stay in the habit. If we can just buy thing after thing, and watch show after show, go where we want and do what we want, without really laying it before God, I think we might be kidding ourselves. Maybe we're not really following God and His Word at all, just our "god" thoughts.

Ephesians 5:15-17 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Ruth 1

V. 1 This took place during the days of the judges. The Bible Knowledge Commentary-OT, p. 415, suggests that this might have taken place during the judgeship of Gideon. Who knows? Since we know that Ruth's son will be Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of King David, these time references put this event a couple of generations before Samuel and Samson.

V. 2 Notice with this story, and in the last two stories in Judges, there is another mention of Bethlehem. This area of Israel was taking on dominance, and this story in particular points to God's selection of David as king. So then, even in all of this history, God's plan of redemption is working. A tribe, Judah, has been given a privileged standing and now the region around Bethlehem and Jerusalem is becoming, not just the geographical center of Israel, but the redemptive center as well.

Vs. 1-14 I don't know that Elimelech did anything bad in leaving. I don't read that it was somehow God's punishment that all these guys died. We have the advantage of seeing God's plan in this. They didn't. As disciples, we learn not to judge God because of chaos in our lives. God is working for good.

It looked like one of the boys married OPRAH, but alas, it is really ORPAH.

Vs. 15-18 Somewhere in this, there is not only loyalty, but also great faith on Ruth's part. She was literally turning her back on her previous way of life. Whatever this family was doing, even in dying and doubting their way, they were a testimony to these two women. Ruth couldn't find a home anymore apart from Naomi and her ways, and part of "her ways" was the worship of Yahweh. Apparently Ruth fully believed in Yahweh.

Vs. 19-22 One irony we see here that Naomi didn't see was that she came back bitter and empty in her own eyes, but we see Ruth with her. Bringing Ruth back was probably the point of the entire ten-year adventure. God had been in control and He was still in control.

V. 22 They returned around the time of the Passover. There is a lot of redemption going on here. The BKC also mentions the frequency of the forms of the word, "return." This morning I was reading that the pairs of apostles Jesus sent out, preached the gospel "that men should repent"…that is, the gospel says to turn from sin and turn toward God. I think that the image of turning or returning is part of the early story in Ruth.

John 4:4-42

You know this story, and you'll make lots of great observations.

Vs. 4-6 Just for trivia, this place is probably Shechem from the OT (Joshua 24:32). A lot of history took place there, in particular, the blessings and cursings and the renewal of the covenant in Joshua 8:33-34.

Vs. 7-15 I think the most instructive thing for me was that Jesus understood this situation as being laid before Him by His Father. I think this is one of those situations that shows us how Jesus abided in the Father and how we as disciples abide in Christ.

Vs. 16-18 This was the Spirit giving Jesus some insider information at a critical time.

Vs. 19-26 I've read this story several times and have never understood, as many preachers say, that she was trying to get Jesus off onto a side issue. It seems to me that when she realized that Jesus was a prophet, she asked a question that was important for her, and Jesus gave her a very direct and sensitive answer. Her response shows she had an open heart.

Vs. 27-30 Apparently you didn't talk to strange women. This was culturally stretching for the disciples. I always chuckle at the people going out to meet Jesus, especially since she told them that Jesus knew everything she had ever done. You might have had a lot of scared husbands and suspicious wives running out to speak to Jesus first.

Vs. 31-38 And then Jesus used this to teach His disciples what we are supposed to be doing on earth.

V. 34 Somehow I think this needs to be truer of me and all of us with each passing day.

V. 35 I believe this. Lord, help my unbelief.

Vs. 39-42 What an amazing story. The Father created the situation; the Spirit supplied the information and nudged the Son; and the Son saved the lost and trained His disciples. Somehow I think this has something to do with abiding in Christ.

Psalm 105:1-15

This is the first of three days we'll be reading this psalm. It is probably written by David to unify the nation in worshiping in Jerusalem. David is confirming that the present events are God's blessing as promised in the promise to Abraham to save and bless Israel and draw all nations to Him through Israel.

Vs. 1-6 The peoples are the nations or Gentiles. Notice that Israel is always identified in Abraham. Notice the commands of celebration: call, make known, sing, tell, glory, rejoice, seek and remember. This would preach.

Vs. 7-11 Now notice the words, He and His. This is the God who makes covenants, and promises His love and faithfulness.

Vs. 12-15 And not only does He promise, He proves it with His power.

David is using God's faithfulness to the covenant with Abraham, to motivate the nation to follow God in the covenant with Moses. The covenant with Moses said that if they obeyed, God would bless them as a nation. The covenant with Abraham says that God will redeem Israel and use them to offer redemption to all nations. Both covenants stood side by side, but faith in the promise to Abraham enabled the people to pursue God in obeying the covenant under Moses.

Proverbs 14:25

The truth saves. Period. No amount of "fuzzy speak," even Christian "fuzzy speak" saves lives.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this linkhttp://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go tohttp://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 todgkachikis@gmail.com.

If you would like documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go tohttps://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download these to use on your computer or to print.

May 4, 2014

MAY 4

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

Like most people, I love things in chronological order. In fact, I assume things are in chronological order. When I read the Chronicles of Narnia to my kids, I read book six to them first. Before I read the Lord of the Rings, I made myself read The Hobbit first, just to get the right order of things. People who don't write things in chronological order are "artsy," and will be tolerated if they do a good job and get stuff straightened out in the end and don't lose us in between.

In Judges, God is "artsy," in that the final two stories, chronologically, would have been placed toward the beginning. Apparently He felt this was a better idea. Interestingly, the two stories are in chronological order to each other. So, again, before we read Judges for today, it is good to know that this event happened within the decades immediately after Joshua's death. Look at Judges 20:28, Phinehas is the high priest. It is hard to give an exact time, but it is within the life time of Phinehas, who probably was in his 30's or 40's when Joshua died. This will make a few things we read today a little more understandable. It will make other things we read very alarming.

Judges 19-20

Judges 19

Vs. 1-20 There are some similarities to the previous story in that this man was a Levite. This "wife" had been unfaithful to him, but he wanted her back, so all was well. Bethlehem is mentioned in both stories and Ephraim is mentioned in both stories. Both stories tragically involve an entire tribe departing from God.

I always wonder when I read this why 10 verses are devoted to the guy trying to get away from his father-in-law. I guess it might have to do with the sense of hospitality or the lack of purposefulness in life. Apparently the guys enjoyed each other's company.

V. 12 This verse is utterly ironic.

Vs. 14-15 In any event, once they arrive in the town square of Gibeah, you start getting that "Sodom and Gomorrah" feeling. No one offered them hospitality, making it necessary for them to remain exposed in the town square.

Vs. 16-21 This is exactly what happened when Lot found the two angels sitting in the square of Sodom.

Vs. 22-26 So here is a city of Israel, of Benjamin, that has gone "Sodom." How did that happen? Apparently it wasn't known far and wide, or this man would have stayed among the Gentiles in Jerusalem (Jebus).

No angels were there to save them so the man gave the mob his unfaithful wife rather than the virgin daughter of his host. Whatever happened to protecting the womenfolk? Apparently they didn't watch westerns back then. I find this repulsive all the way around.

Vs. 27-30 This Levite seems scared and heartless to me. Sending around "pieces" was a custom to call all the tribes together. It meant that if they didn't answer the call and show up, they would wind up like the animal. Later, King Saul will call Israel together using the pieces of an ox. That these were the pieces of his maid-wife, a human, made this shocking and alarming. It got everyone's attention.

Notice the mention of Egypt. This is another clue that this generation was still near to the Exodus and the generation of Joshua.

Judges 20

Vs. 1-7 There are some interesting things here. First, notice the mention of from Dan to Beersheba. This means from north to south. Apparently the tribe of Dan (and yesterday's event) had already taken place and the tribe of Dan had migrated from the middle of Israel to the northernmost point. Just like in Romans 1:18ff, the defection from God took place before the moral defection.

If you look at the map you'll see that the people gathered before the Lord at Mizpah, south of Shiloh and just four miles north of Gibeah. This doesn't mean the tabernacle was there. It means that they gathered together to inquire of the Lord. Apparently the tabernacle was still eight miles north at Shiloh. Next to Mizpah was Bethel, and it seems that the ark of the covenant was in Bethel for some reason. You might think that Phinehas brought the ark to Bethel because it was closer to the battle, but v. 27 gives you the idea that the ark was there on a permanent basis. This was not normal.

Vs. 8-17 The repetition that caught my eye in this chapter was as one man. This is another one of those things that shows it was early in the history of Israel. Later, during the time of Samson and Samuel, it is hard for the nation to do anything unified. Samuel, in leading Israel, will bring unity to the nation in worship.

Just the mention of Israel having 400,000 men and Benjamin having only 26,000 gives you a funny feeling. It is almost a shock to see that Benjamin wouldn't hand over the men of Gibeah. I guess they had confidence in their 700 special forces guys.

Vs. 18-25 The people did the right things in assembling and questioning God (Phinehas and the Urim and Thummim) and seeking only to punish the guilty in Gibeah. So, a huge question is, "Why did God tell Israel to fight Benjamin twice, but allow them to lose twice?" In those two battles, Israel lost 40,000 men. Why did God allow them to lose twice?

Vs. 26-28 I think that God wanted to bring the people to a real place of desperate dependence and humility. Actually, it is probable that all of the tribes were sinning at this point. The offerings would have been to confess and cleanse their own sin. I think God allows us to meet disaster for the same reasons. It is often after a defeat, that we become desperate and honest in seeking God's will and mind, and we begin confessing our sins. The sacrifices should have come first. Having hearts cleansed should have been the first priority.

I get the feeling that the people were so desperate, they finally decided to try to do everything according to the book. Just for trivia, God didn't spare David either when David decided to transport the ark on a wagon. After he lost one man in that adventure, David went to the Bible and figured out how God wanted it done, with the Levites carrying it with poles and with sacrifices and offerings for sin and for thanks.

Notice that this is the first mention of Phinehas and notice that the people moved from Mizpah to Bethel where the ark was located. Something is not right here. When we get to Judges 21:4, the people will build an altar at Bethel to sacrifice. If the tabernacle was there, they would have had an altar. But apparently the altar they were using at Bethel was just stones, and after the sacrifices were finished, it needed to be rebuilt. This is all hard to grasp because Israel was forbidden to sacrifice anywhere but at the tabernacle and then only on one altar. And, only the priest could do the sacrificing. The feel of this whole thing is wrong.

Vs. 29-48 When everything was finished, Israel had lost 65,000 soldiers, plus Israel destroyed at least 20,000 people in the towns of Benjamin. Only 600 people of Benjamin were living. Just think, an entire tribe was reduced to 600 men. In Numbers 26:41, before the people crossed the Jordan, Benjamin numbered 45,600 people. This means that Israel killed at least 45,000 men of Benjamin.

John 3:22-4:3

This is another one of those rich sections of Scripture with the gospel in it.

Vs. 22-24 No one knows where this was, but it is supposed that it was directly east of Shechem (see the map for Judges) on the Jordan River. Many of John's disciples stayed with him and became "johnites," instead of followers of Jesus.

Vs. 25-30 This conflict led John the Baptist to set the record straight.

V. 27 This is a very interesting statement for church planters and for those who puzzle over church growth, especially for churches who are "right," but reaching no one, criticizing bigger churches who are “wrong,” but ministering to people. Obviously, there are some standards for evaluation of truth and error, but within the believing church, this is a good statement to keep in mind before we blast our brother.

Jesus will use this "bride" imagery later, after Matthew's dinner for Jesus, to ease the tension with these disciples as the Pharisees try to pit John's followers against Jesus. Somehow this talk got back to Jesus and He used it.

V. 30 This is the famous statement that older church leaders need to be preparing to make. Making disciples means equipping and installing the next generation of leaders, now. For older leaders their joy should be complete, not in holding power until it is pried from their lifeless fingers, but from seeing those who they have trained go beyond them. In this case, John hadn't mentored Jesus; he had gone before Him and borne witness to Him.

Vs. 31-36 These verses seem to be a commentary by the writer, the apostle John. What a meaningful statement in such few words. Notice how true belief is defined in the context of these verses. To believe in, but not obey Jesus, is not to believe. Jesus will really expand on this on His next Passover visit in John 5.

Notice that not to obey/believe Jesus is equal to having never seen life. How ironic to have lived on earth for years, but never to have seen life.

John 4:1-3

This is setting us up for tomorrow. This is why Jesus left Judea and went to Galilee. Tomorrow we will see that Jesus took the short-cut.

As disciples following our Lord in the harvest, our privilege is in seeing someone come to Christ and finally to know life. Nothing beats that. Then to see them become a disciple who makes disciples who makes disciples in the harvest is what makes our joy full.

Psalm 104:24-35

Continuing to expound on God's glory from yesterday.

Vs. 24-26 This is sort of like what God says in Job. His wisdom in all aspects of creation is beyond our understanding.

Vs. 27-30 Every creature on the earth is utterly dependent on God, regardless of their number or their obscurity. The same holds true for mankind.

Vs. 31-32 This shows that the joy of the Lord and the fear of the Lord can stand side by side.

Vs. 33-35 Verses 33, 34 and the end of 35 show the proper response of people to God. The sinners and the wicked are those who ignore God. You can understand why the psalmist thinks they should be removed. When they are removed, then all of mankind will be totally free to give God the glory He is due.

Matthew 13:41-43 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

Proverbs 14:22-24

In v. 24 I understand that wisdom is the wealth and crown of the wise. There are a lot of people who are wise in Christ and "rich," who are not rich in money, and many of them live in the third world making disciples who make disciples who make disciples, hungering now for the sake of His kingdom.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this linkhttp://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go tohttp://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 todgkachikis@gmail.com.

If you would like documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go tohttps://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download these to use on your computer or to print.

May 3, 2014

MAY 3

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

Judges 17-18

This is the first of two snapshots given to show the depth of the religious confusion that followed when Israel refused to love and obey the Lord. The first story deals with the religious apostasy and the second deals with the moral apostasy. You could title the stories “worse” and “worser.” Looking at Romans 1:18-32, you see that religious confusion always precedes moral catastrophe.

We will get two more views into this time period in the book of Ruth and in the early history of 1 Samuel. Ruth will show some confusion, but overall, this book will show us people who followed God. 1 Samuel will show one family that seems fairly balanced, but it will also show a corrupt priesthood and the defiled worship at the tabernacle.

Judges 17

What stands out in this story is the sincerity of the mixing of the true and the false. These people were highly sincere, yet couldn't have been more lost.

The time when this takes place might be very important. Look at Judges 18:30. It identifies the Levite as Jonathan the son of Gershom, son of Moses. A couple of considerations here. In most copies of the OT, Moses' name is found. It is thought that a well meaning scribe added an "n" to turn "Moses" into "Manasseh" and get Moses off the hook. They have so many copies of the OT that they can see that this is an error. Also, it is possible that Jonathan was not the son of Gershom, but a grandson or great grandson, etc. There are instances of a grandson being called the son of someone and the generations in between are skipped. I think he was the grandson. And to think that this guy was related to Moses.

However this works out, there are two terrible dynamics at work here. First, this shows that after Joshua's generation died (Joshua told the people in his farewell speech to put away their foreign gods), the nation sank into almost immediate spiritual confusion. Gershom, Moses' son, would have been that generation of elders who lived with Joshua. Jonathan would have been the next generation. Second, it means that even those closest to the truth, the family of Moses, became too busy with life to really know the law (Bible) well. The system God set up, and the nation He created, could only function if everyone obeyed. If the people didn't worship, they wouldn't support the Levites. If the Levites had to fend for their own living, they couldn't learn and teach the law as they were supposed to. It was all very interconnected. Apparently very few obeyed and the nation fell apart immediately.

So what was the cause, besides sin? This reminds me of something Jesus repeatedly told His disciples, as in Matthew 6:25, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” What Jesus is warning against is not just anxiety, but allowing these things to take our attention away from serving Him on this earth. It was because of this preoccupation that Israel never celebrated a Sabbatical year or the Feast of Booths. Like Israel we forget that we are not here to live; we are here to serve. God says He’ll take care of the rest. That means as disciples we are free to devote our hearts to following our Lord in the harvest. Or as Jesus put it in Luke 12:33-36, Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.

I know this seems hard to grasp and other worldly, but if we cannot grasp the spirit of what Jesus is saying, as disciples, we could end up like Samson, or the story we are about to read.

Vs. 1-6 Notice the editor's note in v. 6. That means this is written during the time when there was a king and order was taking root, looking back on this time of lawlessness.

V. 2 The mother praised God and then dedicated the money to God, to make an idol. They were sincere in their belief and service, and totally displeasing to God. How awful.

Some of what she did here was to remove the curse she put upon whoever stole the money.

V. 4 Either she made two images or it was simply one process, the wooden image, covered with silver.

V. 5 Micah's shrine is a little, eclectic temple, filled with something from all the gods of the land. Notice that he has an ephod. I think the ephod was a tool for discerning the will of the gods. In Israel, the ephod held the Urim and Thummim. In chapter 18, I think, it gets used.

God had put the ephod with the high priest at the tabernacle. One aspect of our need and our worship is to find answers to our questions. The key is really the relationship with God, on His terms, not ours. Still, God set up a way for answers to be found. All you had to do was go to the tabernacle. Well, if the tabernacle was far away, and if the priests and Levites couldn't be trusted, why not have your own ephod and your own Urim and Thummim? This got Gideon in trouble and we see here, in this story, it began years before Gideon, in fact, right after Joshua died.

Vs. 7-13 This brings the confusion to a stellar level. A Levite of the best upbringing is totally lost.

V. 13 is an incredibly ignorant and sincere statement.

Judges 18

Vs. 1-6 Notice again that v. 1 is a commentary given at a later date to explain the sin and confusion of this particular time in Israel's history. You don't flaunt your ignorance in your national literature, unless this isn't national literature, but the record of God's redemptive working with humans, sick with sin.

The tribe of Dan never controlled the land of their inheritance and must have begun looking for a place to live very early.

Vs. 5-6 I think this is where the Levites used the Urim and Thummim to give them advice. Apparently you could get a pair of these at any convenience store.

Vs. 7-26 This story is very straightforward and spiritually dysfunctional. For the tribe of Dan to steal the idol and the ephod and take the Levite made perfect sense, since they were a tribe and these things were better in the service of a tribe of Israel, than for a single individual. The irrationality here is of epic proportions. What kind of god do you have if you can steal him?

Vs. 27-31 The significance of this story is not only the description of the spiritual ignorance and confusion, but it shows how Dan was the first tribe to go entirely apostate.

Vs. 30-31 Dan as a tribe set up official worship away from the tabernacle; after all, it would have been a long way to walk. Some of the tribe of Dan stayed in the south on the original homestead and were spared this apostasy: Samson's parents for example. Verse 30 is like a surprise unveiling in a movie. The Levite turns out to be the grandson of Moses. This shows that the Levitical system and the worship at the tabernacle must have gone to seed pretty soon after the death of Joshua. Again, remember that in Joshua's last address, he was warning people to put away their idols.

In Revelation 7:2-8, when the 144,000 are selected to give testimony during the Tribulation, there is no mention of the tribe of Dan. The presumed reason is that Dan was the first tribe to fall into total idolatry and apostasy. In other words, the punishment for what they did here is that they were removed as a tribe of Israel. Those who were true to the Lord would have been absorbed into the other tribes through intermarriage. After the exile, too, many people lost track of their genealogy and family tree.

It is obvious that our "need" for spiritual connection can be sincere and still be controlled by the power of sin in us. We cannot deny the need, but we can deny God and make "spirituality" what we define it to be. This is tragic and true. What is alarming in this story is that it only took one generation to fall into total confusion. That is very sobering, especially with our desire today not to be bored and to have our needs met. Our churches have been built, in previous generations, by men and women committed to the truth. They sat through boring sermons in very plain services being built on very strong teaching. I'm not confident that same emphasis exists today. As a result, and all the studies show it, our biblical literacy is plummeting. We have more resources than any generation that has ever lived, yet we insist that reading the Bible is just not "the way” we learn. And we don't sit through sermons that are full of teaching and content. Paul's command to Timothy was to preach the Word urgently, because people would turn from listening to the truth and seek teaching that tickled their ears. I think we need that same charge today, and leaders need not be ashamed to expect and exhort people to read their Bibles every day.

John 3:1-21

Vs. 1-16 It seems that Nick sought Jesus out of his own interest, otherwise there would have been two or more witnesses. Nicodemus will be mentioned a couple of times, but never again after the resurrection of Jesus.

V. 3 Jesus' words were trying to force Nick away from his focus on the signs, to what was going on behind the signs. Even though Nick was a "spiritual leader," he was fixated on the physical.

Born again is the right interpretation as seen in Nick's question of crawling back in his mother's womb. He understood what Jesus meant, but the spiritual dimension was too deep for him.

V. 6 Jesus was trying to get Nick to see that before there is entrance into heaven, there has to be a spiritual birth. Like most religious people, Nick focused on behavior and rules. Sin is the most powerful force on the earth. Without a new spiritual life (the breaking of sin's power in repentance, forgiveness and regeneration) and the help of the Holy Spirit (every minute, every day, leading us in the Word to obediently follow our Savior), we'd be toast.

V. 7 The wind illustration simply says there are things you can't see, but they are real. The spiritual is real and the spiritual life is real. The same word for wind also means spirit.

V. 14 So what is the point here? I think it is that the cure for those people was unseen and spiritual. It didn't come through medicine or cutting the wounds and sucking out the poison. It came transmitted invisibly and spiritually through faith. But, you had to believe and you had to look at the brass serpent. In the same way, salvation and rebirth come through faith and turning to the object of that faith, Jesus.

V. 16 This is one of the most well-known verses in the Bible for good reason. It is the gospel in a sentence, beginning with God's love and ending with our salvation in Christ.

Vs. 17-21 I memorized these verses the first year I gave my life to Christ. In fact, I think they were part of the Awana leader's memory verses, and not knowing any better, I thought I was supposed to memorize them because I was an Awana leader. I was overwhelmed by the timelessness and simplicity of this truth. This is exactly why people don’t come to Christ.

Psalm 104:1-23

What a beautiful psalm.

Vs. 1-4 This seems to express the grandeur of God being surrounded by what He created, framing Him and giving glory to Him.

Notice that v. 4 is quoted in Hebrews 1:7, where "winds" mean spirits.

Vs. 5-9 Here it shows God’s control and power over the might and chaos of His creation.

Vs. 10-13 Through God’s power, He uses the forces of nature to feed and water the creatures He made.

Vs. 14-15 Not only does God care for animals, but He cares for mankind, each day. I had to laugh because I looked in a commentary and it mentioned the oil and food, but skipped the "W" word. God made it, too, for a purpose, but like all the good things God made, there needs to be control.

Vs. 16-18 These animals are probably mentioned by David, because David saw these as he lived in the mountains. These animals are hidden from and forgotten by man, but never by God.

Vs. 19-23 Notice that the creation of the moon and sun is mentioned for the same purposes expressed in the creation account in Genesis. This means, especially given that the sun, moon, planets and stars were created on the fourth day, that their sole purpose was for us and the rest of His creation on earth to mark times and seasons, day and night. There was already light for three days before God made the sun.

Notice the mentions of power, provision, protection and control in this psalm.

So, what does this psalm say to you? How did God intend this psalm to strengthen our hearts?

Proverbs 14:20-21

I think v. 21 is telling the rich guy in v. 20 to make friends with the poor, who is his neighbor in both verses. That sure sounds like, "Love your neighbor as yourself," to me. It’s amazing where you find that command.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this linkhttp://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go tohttp://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 todgkachikis@gmail.com.

If you would like documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go tohttps://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download these to use on your computer or to print.

May 2, 2014

MAY 2

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

Judges 15-16

When you read all this about Samson today, you have to wonder what he would have been like if he had been fully devoted to God.

Judges 15

Vs. 1-8 According to the Bible Knowledge Commentary-OT, p. 406, Samson was actually married to her. What had ensued while he was away was a divorce and remarriage to the best man. Notice in v. 6 she is called his wife. He actually thought he was still married to her.

V. 1 Although Samson, like all men, was driven by the need for oneness, like most men, he only saw this one way, in the chamber.

V. 3 This is another of those provoking moments God used to motivate Samson. Samson was driven by his passions and this was revenge for giving away his wife. Too bad he wasn't motivated by justice and love for God.

Vs. 4-5 Think about this. Not only is the destructive creativity pretty high-end, but what kind of skill, speed and strength was required to do this in such a short period of time? This is amazing. Foxes are not known for being slow, stupid or being found in crowds. And they bite (I hear). And then, how do you collect them and tie their tails together with a torch in between? This guy was like Superman.

Vs. 6-7 This wasn't to punish Samson, but they thought to punish this man and his daughter. Now Samson lost his mind, and a mind is a terrible thing to lose.

V. 8 If Samson's intent above was "X" rated (actually, he still thought she was his wife), the violence here was "R" rated. The expression hip and thigh meant vicious, deadly violence. Samson was a one-man horror, like the Terminator. Given all of the evidence, I think he also had a sort of invulnerability. If bees couldn't sting him and foxes couldn't bite him, I'll bet spears, swords and arrows didn't do much either, adding to the terror of fighting him. Samson fought by hand. I'm sure someone got close enough to land a blow with a sword. Imagine how discouraging it would have been to slash him, to no other effect than to get him really mad.

Just a note here: Some of David's mighty men must have had similar fighting abilities, but Samson was in a class of his own.

Vs. 9-13 In a way you can understand the distress of the men of Judah. Samson wasn't a good guy. He was an egotistical loose cannon and not an encourager or leader of men. Samson could have led these men against the Philistines. He could have led them in prayer. Instead, he had an idea. He just made them promise not to try to kill him themselves.

Vs. 14-17 The excitement of seeing the Philistines rush toward him and the Spirit rushing upon him sparked Samson into action. Apparently the men of Judah retreated.

V. 15 Obviously a fresh jawbone was preferred over an old, dry, brittle one. What is sort of interesting is that, in the course of human affairs, God had it right there at the right time.

According to the Bible Knowledge Commentary (BKC) there is a word play here, the word for heap being similar to the word for donkey. In essence, Samson the poet is saying he used the jawbone of a donkey to make donkey heaps. I wonder if he put that to some popular melody and hummed it as he killed these thousand guys.

V. 17 Where he threw the jawbone was thereafter called the "hill of the jawbone." I say this because in some translations it looks like the water comes out of the hollow place in the jawbone. Not so. The water came from the hill of the jawbone.

Vs. 18-20 Notice the faith and familiarity with God that Samson had. He knew that God was there with him. This guy is a complete contrast between faith and following the flesh. While this seems like a mystery, it really explains Christianity today. The Lord has called us to be devoted to Him, following Him in the harvest making disciples. To be doing anything else moves us closer to Samson's kind of faith than we think. Faith and devotion can exist right next to feeding our flesh, enjoying the good life and being virtually ineffective as disciples during our time on earth. This should frighten us.

Judges 16

Vs. 1-3 This is definitely not a story for your kids. What stands out to me is Samson's willingness to live in sin and conflict, and his confidence in the presence of the enemy. He walks into one of the Philistines' major cities, in plain view and then bides his time. Since these gates would have been huge, not to mention heavy, for Samson they must have been feather light. This is obviously supernatural and beyond what we can imagine.

Vs. 4-22 Samson was not seduced. He was just arrogantly stupid. He knew what she was after. There was no real trickery. He was the fool of Proverbs and magnificently over confident. He didn't imagine the Lord would leave him. Also, he didn't realize that the root of his need would betray him. What I mean is that Samson really wanted a "one-flesh" companion. We'd say, "a wife." But all of this would have to have been according to God's plan, and Samson wasn't really interested in God's plan. Unfortunately we don't follow God's plans very well either. Samson really wanted someone to trust, but breaking down and getting all vulnerable and honest with the object of his hormonal affections didn't make her the person he was seeking. God left Samson, and the Philistines put out his lights.

Vs. 23-31 This event gives you the sense of how great a relief it was for the Philistines to defeat Samson. It was like Christmas for them. In a final stroke of victory, God lured all of the leaders of the Philistines to Gaza to see what Dagon had done. Again, God used Samson in spite of himself, motivating Samson to avenge one of his eyes, rather than seeking God's glory.

In contrast to the movie, Samson doesn't tell the kid who shows him where the pillars are to run. You would have thought, with the way Samson asked for help identifying the pillars, that the young man would have been smarter.

It is sad to think what might have been if he had been a godly man. I think for any of us who feel that we've messed up "what could have been" by our own disobedience, the answer is in God's grace. Paul, a murderer, began to follow, and look what God did. Even King Manasseh began to follow. Regardless of lost time and opportunities missed, we can still begin today to follow. Life can become full of regret and tangled like the Gordian knot, but the solution is disarmingly simple. The next decision we make, we decide to honor God, and the one after that and the one after that. Following Christ in the harvest, despite our past failures, gives us a future and brings glory to the Father as we labor to bear fruit for Christ. Satan focuses us on past failure. God focuses us on our Savior, who paid it all for us - past, present and future.

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)

John 2

Vs. 1-12 This is sort of a funny event in Jesus' life, but also His first miracle in front of His disciples. Since John was there for this, he mentions its impact on the disciples in v. 11.

The third day is not only a good name for a Christian band, but it is probably the time measured from the last event: The calling of Philip and Nathanael.

There is no way for us to know the family dynamics going on here. I think there was some sense in Mary's understanding that Jesus was sent by God. No one really understood, but you see Mary pressing the issue here for Him to reveal Himself and Jesus' brothers taunt Him later to declare Himself publicly. Whatever was happening, with Jesus talking to Mary like this, I think it is playfully meant and is building off of some of what was known about Jesus in the family. Besides, here Jesus was, this unmarried son without a job. He quit his job, stopped supporting the family (He had four brothers and at least two sisters to carry the load), He was bumming around teaching, and now He had these merry men. Maybe Mary just wanted Him to get the ball rolling.

V. 5 This is funny. In spite of what she just heard, she tells the servants to do what He says. She knew He could and would do something.

V. 7 We are so conditioned by what we know of Jesus, that it would be easy for us to miss what this would have looked like to the servants and to these brand new disciples, as Jesus did this. It would have looked like the world's worst practical joke gone bad. This wasn't a place for a joke. Even using those purification jars was not kosher. There was no way that this could be wine. And then why take water to the steward of the feast? Was this some sort of political statement against wine or weddings or something? No one would have understood what Jesus was doing until the servants drew the liquid out of the jars and saw and smelled that it was different.

V. 10 indicates that this was good, potent wine, not the diluted kind. It was the kind that one usually brought out first, dulling the senses of the guests so they would not notice the poor wine later.

V. 11 Jesus didn't just do a trick or a sign; He manifested His glory. He created. Remember the words in the first chapter of John. All things were made through Him.

V. 12 This seems like a side comment, but Jesus and his family would eventually take up residence at Peter's house in Capernaum.

Vs. 13-25 Jesus will appear at four Passovers during His three years of ministry. This is the first of those Passovers, kind of inaugurating the beginning of His ministry.

The selling of animals and changing of money could have been done in the city, away from the temple. There was a practical need since many Jews came from all over the Roman Empire. They needed animals and they needed to change their currency. This was all understandable. However, the fact that they did it in the temple in the court of the nations (Mark 11:17), was not only racism (the hating of Gentiles which would invade the church in Acts), but it was in denial of God's plan of redemption for man, the promise to Abraham, and God's design for Israel. This wasn't just some little noise Jesus was making in protest to the corruption of the priesthood. He, as the Savior of all men, was coming to the place all nations were to gather to receive forgiveness from Him. Someday, all men of all nations will come to the temple in Jerusalem and meet Jesus. Jesus had a right to do what He did.

Notice that the order of oxen and sheep is inverted from v. 14 to v. 15. It would have been easier to get the oxen out of the temple by scaring the sheep. Then the oxen would have moved too. That makes you think about the importance of little details in reading. Speaking of which, notice that Jesus didn't throw over the tables of those selling pigeons. He told the sellers to take them away. No animals were hurt in the performing of this cleansing.

V. 17 The disciples thought of this verse. The Holy Spirit was helping out.

V. 18 This is Jesus' first confrontation. In this sense, Jesus was like Samson. He invited hostility and His reply was not only cryptic, but was an "in your face" reply. We don't understand the severity, in God's eyes, of stiff-arming the Gentiles and using their court as a farmers' market. Jesus cleansed the temple on His first visit and on His last visit to Jerusalem during the Passover. What He said to the Pharisees here was cryptic, but the disciples remembered it later and believed. Also, the priests and Pharisees eventually got the point too. That's why they demanded to have the garden tomb guarded. They believed something, but believed it in the way that sin and hate believe and still irrationally try to defeat the truth.

Vs. 23-25 Jesus understood the deep deadly sickness of sin in the people and understood not to entrust Himself to them. It is hard to know what the people actually had faith in. Whatever it was, Jesus didn't trust it. This mixture of faith and folly was in Samson, and it's in us, too. It is good for us as disciples to remember that we also have a deep irrationality because of sin. If not for the Spirit, I don't think we'd stand a chance of warding it off. Imagine what it is like for people who don't know Christ. We need to be wise, humble and understanding.

In John, Jesus will eventually define being a disciple as abiding in Him. It isn't just remaining in Him, but it is a kind of faith that redefines us. Paul probably described it best when he said in Galatians 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

This is the kind of faith that makes a disciple in the harvest a fisher of men and a maker of disciples.

Psalm 103

This seems like the psalm that launched a thousand songs. I found allusions to at least six songs in it. There is not only strength of hope for His people, but the confirmation of salvation for those who seek Him. You'll find plenty to underline, like the word love. David must have written this in his early days as King of Israel, having brought the ark to Jerusalem. It seems that all of his suffering and waiting on God had borne fruit in his confidence and praise to God.

Vs. 1-5 This is the call to worship, summarizing God's salvation and renewal of those who trust Him.

Vs. 6-13 This seems to praise God's justice, discipline, love and forgiveness. For David, this was like summing up all of the years of running from Saul into one declaration of God's wise and sovereign working.

Vs. 14-19 Not only is there love, personally, but it is faithful love over generations and connected to the promise to Abraham. Through David's kingship, God would finally bring the peace to Israel. All of the confusion of the book of Judges was gone and godly order would arrive. David saw that God was using him for the nation and to bring some fulfillment to the covenant with Abraham.

Vs. 20-22 All of creation was being called to bless the Lord.

Proverbs 14:17-19

The thought of God's steadfast love makes a person prudent and slow to anger. Since He is in control, even to the place of making sure the fresh jawbone of a donkey is where it can be obtained when needed, we who are loved by Him can wait patiently as the storm rages around us and look for what the Lord is doing.

A quick temper is a denial of God's presence in the present. Being simple is ignorance of God's Word. God's Word is to make us prudent and alert and good, having the confidence to be godly in an evil world.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this linkhttp://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go tohttp://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 todgkachikis@gmail.com.

If you would like documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go tohttps://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download these to use on your computer or to print.