October 4, 2015

OCTOBER 4

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

You are beginning Colossians today and your feet are just getting wet in Jeremiah. You should be encouraged with how much you have read this year. Just think, you're reading your 24th book in the OT, your 12th in the NT, and you are more than halfway through your second reading of The Psalms.

Jeremiah 2:31-4:18

Jeremiah 2:31-37

Vs. 31-32 Notice that these words are written to a particular generation. This is written in the early years of Josiah, the godliest king Jerusalem ever knew. These words against these people would be fulfilled during the next three kings, still 40 years down the road. For most of his 55 years as king, Manasseh had ingrained idolatry into Judah and Jerusalem. This idolatry was now the culture and national identity of the people. Although Josiah was incredibly brave and passionate about saving his people from the wrath of God, God is saying through Jeremiah that they will not change. Those people during the years of Jehoiakim and Zedekiah forgot all that God had done through Josiah and they are this generation.

V. 33 They were so good at harlotry, that they could teach old prostitutes new tricks. No pun intended.

V. 34 This refers to the charge against Manasseh that he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood and God would not forgive. (2 Kings 24:4)

V. 35 This was the biggest sin of all. We understand this. When God is silent, we think everything must be OK.

Vs. 36-37 Jerusalem switched alliances regularly, rather than holding to the Lord.

Jeremiah 3

These words probably came before Josiah found the OT and passionately began to cleanse the land. When you see what God says to the northern (exiled) kingdom, you understand how this might have motivated Josiah to take his crusade further north into Israel.

Vs. 1-5 In saying this, God is not rejecting true repentance, but rather false profession in the face of troubles. You know how we always get "serious" when things are going bad. They did it too, but God isn't fooled.

Before Josiah, there were small temples of Baal along the roads or on the hills, each with a prostitute. People could make a quick worship stop and be on their way. Although Josiah got rid of these things, as soon as Josiah was dead, the people put them up again. People were worshiping Yahweh, and also everything else. God didn't (doesn't) like that.

Vs. 6-10 In light of those first five verses, this is what God spoke to Jeremiah. What is the message? In Ezekiel, God will take this two sister analogy and graphically develop it, giving them both names. You would have thought that Judah would have taken seriously what they saw God do to Israel. But today too, we really don't learn much from the example of others who make mistakes and are judged.

Vs. 11-18 Another word to Jeremiah, this is for the future restoration of Israel (the northern kingdom) and its reuniting with Judah into one nation. Notice the call to return. This was a great promise of mercy and restoration. Although Judah was just within a few years of judgment, God was still appealing to the people to turn to Him. Too bad it all fell on deaf ears.

V. 11 Israel was more righteous, in that it only ever had idolatrous kings. It honestly followed their example. Judah had some very godly men, but the people still defected from God.

V. 13 This is all God needed.

Vs. 19-20 God would have healed them had there been repentance.

Vs. 21-25 This might be God's call to a future generation and the confession and future repentance of Israel.

Jeremiah 4:1-18

Vs. 1-4 Notice that this returning was relational. It was not to a religion, but to Yahweh, the living God. Returning and repentance was to look like true returning and repentance. When John the Baptist was faced with the Pharisees coming to him, he told them to bear fruits of true repentance. The Pharisees walked away, but the people understood and wanted to know more. Here, there was only the show of repentance and returning, so God prophetically motivated them.

Vs. 5-18 Imagine that Jeremiah had to preach this publicly. This would be the word to those people 30 and 40 years in the future. When Jehoiakim heard these words (along with the rest of what Jeremiah wrote) it was winter, so as these lines were read to him, he cut them from the scroll and threw them into the fire. Cool, huh?

V. 10 Many places in Jeremiah, Jeremiah himself cries out in anguish. Here, I think his problem with God was that God allowed the false prophets to prophesy peace. But it was what the people wanted. It wasn't God's fault. Later, Jeremiah goes nose to fist with these prophets.

It was good that God started Jeremiah's ministry during a time of national revival, because people were willing to listen. I think these first six chapters during the time of Josiah (11 & 12 also) helped Josiah have the courage he needed to work to change the nation. After Josiah, the real battles begin for Jeremiah.

Colossians 1:1-20

Colossians was written at the same time as Ephesians, while Paul was in prison in Rome. Colossae was about 100 miles east of Ephesus. The same guy, Tychicus, carried both letters and he probably was in good shape when he was done with the delivery. It is likely that Paul had not fathered this church as he had Ephesus. It appears that Epaphras was the disciple who sowed and reaped in this field.

It is evident that as Christianity grew, there were constant problems cropping up. People took the teaching and twisted it; therefore, we have all of these letters. We also have Paul telling Timothy to guard and entrust the truth. As you read this letter you will notice how similar it is to Ephesians, but what will be important for us is to see where it is different. Those differences will point to the particular problems at Colossae.

Vs. 1-8 As Paul talks about the gospel here, notice that the gospel is bearing fruit everywhere it goes. That should say something to us, that if we let the gospel out, it will bear fruit. In this context, it also tells the people there that the message of the gospel is the same truth all the people have responded to. They don't need a "special" truth of their own. Not only that, Epaphras is a well-known and approved worker. It appears that Epaphras was there telling Paul and others about this church.

Vs. 9-12 This is Paul's prayer for their growth. You see parts of Ephesians and Philippians in this. Notice again the bearing fruit.

Vs. 13-20 This is the fullest description of Jesus' work and His deity in the NT. This also begins to hint at the problem the Colossians were facing. It was a teaching that said that Jesus was not fully God, that at some point He had been made by God and had been made a god. You get this from all the things that Paul says here. It would be good to map out all the things that Paul says about Jesus.

The firstborn is a reference to Jesus' position, not that He was created and was born into existence or deity. In John 1:1-18 you see the apostle John making sure everyone understood that Jesus was God. In fact, in John 5 Jesus refers to Himself as the Son of God and as the Son of Man. As the Son of God, he is God the Son, fully God, never created, always one with the Father and Spirit. As the Son of Man, Jesus was born as a man, and as a full-fledged man in submission to God, was given authority to rule by the Father. At the end of John 8, Jesus calls Himself Yahweh, I Am. There is no perfect analogy for the Trinity or the person of Jesus. We have the biblical information and are simply told it is true. We don't need to be able to figure out God.

Today we have many religions that say that Jesus was something other than a part of the eternal triune God. The Jehovah's Witnesses say that Jesus was Michael the Archangel who was made into a god. The Mormons say that Jesus, who was chosen to be the savior of man, was a god among many gods and the half brother of Satan. It is understandable that as the gospel spread, there were people who couldn't grasp the Trinity or understand God the Son becoming the Son of Man. It took 300 years of church councils and fights to formulate the doctrinal positions on the Trinity and on Jesus that we find in church statements of faith. All of those positions find their ways back to the NT and to these words.

The truth is important, and so we entrust truth to others to be passed on. It is important what we believe about Jesus. Paul and all the NT writers describe Jesus as God who became man and took our place. To make Jesus secondary in any sense (not fully God or only one of many saints to whom we pray) eventually destroys the message that brings salvation. Paul said it to the Philippians, For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh. Who glories in Jesus Christ except those who have been saved by faith in the Son of God? As Paul said, Who loved me and gave Himself for me (Gal. 2:20).

Psalm 76

Vs. 1-3 Notice the importance of Zion and the broken weaponry.

Vs. 4-9 If you put together some of the reading we've been doing, you might get an interesting feel about this psalm. The event sounds like it could be when Assyria came against Jerusalem. We just read about this in Isaiah. This gave the people great confidence in the object of God's affection, Zion; but they didn't fully turn to Him. Now with Babylon about to assail Jerusalem in Jeremiah, the people had a false confidence in Zion as if it were magic, not fully understanding that they had totally lost God, and so, Jerusalem would be destroyed.

Vs. 10-12 As you read this, remember the arrogant words of Rabshakeh in 2 Kings 18 & 19. He vented his wrath on the people, the city, the king and then on God Himself. God used his wrath, to bring Himself praise. Interestingly, the final battle on earth will occur just miles outside of the walls of this city;­­ and, again, men will vent their wrath against God and Israel. God still says Zion is His city, and that's why the irrationality of man (and spirit) aims its hatred there. This morning in Romans I read, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” (Rom. 9:33) Jesus is that living stone. Zion is the city in which He will reign. The powers of nations, earthly and spiritual, will be drawn there to that city to witness the arrival and wrath of the coming King. There, our Lord will use the wrath of men to bring Himself praise. In the meantime, we need to be bringing in the sheaves.

Proverbs 24:21-22

We would take the part about the Lord and say, "Duh, of course." But what about the part about the king? You can just imagine what the Christians in Rome thought about their governmental leaders. Take five minutes to read Romans 13. Look at what it says disciples are to do regarding the government. Look at what it says disciples are to do regarding the harvest. The same author wrote this proverb and that chapter.

That last line is interesting. If you oppose God and oppose the authorities He has put in place, when the hammer falls, it is a double whammy.

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

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a complete description of this model of being and making disciples you can find it in my book:  Simply Disciples*Making Disciples.   http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011WJIDQA?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

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

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comments or feedback to ^{dgkachikis@gmail.com.}

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

October 3, 2015

OCTOBER 3

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

Hang on to your hat. In some respects Isaiah and Jeremiah are comparable to Elijah and Elisha. Elijah and Elisha were called upon to try to save the northern kingdom. When Elijah's ministry was rejected by the majority of the people, Elisha was called to accompany them into their judgment. Isaiah was used to warn the people of Judah of the coming judgment and he gave the people hope that there would be redemption and blessing if they followed the Lord. The people and leaders rejected that message. Now Jeremiah will be used by God to confront and appeal to anybody who would hear as Judah enters their judgment and exile.

Jeremiah 1-2:30

Jeremiah 1

This is the calling of Jeremiah, probably as a teen during the reign of Josiah.

Vs. 1-3 This introductory info is very interesting. Jeremiah's dad has the same name as the high priest under Josiah. Since Jeremiah isn't mentioned as the son of a high priest, and since Jeremiah's family of priests had been excluded from the office of high priest because of Eli back in 1 Samuel, it is thought that Jeremiah's father had the same name but wasn't the high priest. Yet, they would have been living at the same time. I only mention this, because it is still possible that Jeremiah's dad had been the high priest. Hilkiah was the one who found the only existent copy of the books of Moses. Jeremiah was from Anathoth, a city of priests three miles from Jerusalem. This is where Solomon had sent Abiathar, the priest, into exile (you remember, right?).

The Word of the Lord came to him and sounds like the calling of Samuel and Isaiah. This happened in the 13th year of Josiah, meaning that the only existent copy of the Bible, the law, had not yet been found. That would happen in the 18th year of Josiah. Since Josiah became king when he was eight, it could be that Jeremiah and Josiah were about the same age.

Jeremiah's ministry continued well beyond King Zedekiah and the fall of Jerusalem; in fact, Jeremiah might have been the writer who finished 2 Kings, recording events that happened 30 years after the destruction of Jerusalem. Jeremiah was there when Jerusalem was destroyed and Judah was taken fully into exile. Jeremiah was the prophet who recorded the dark days of Jerusalem.

Also, just for trivia, Jeremiah would have been alive during the days of Ezekiel and Daniel, Jeremiah being the senior of these three prophets. Jeremiah might have known Ezekiel before Ezekiel was taken into exile, but he never knew him as the wild and weird prophet he became in Babylon. Although it is wildly speculative, it could be that Jeremiah might possibly have met Daniel. Interestingly, when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem, he specifically sought out Jeremiah and allowed him to go free. I think Daniel might have had something to do with that. Since Daniel was an important advisor to Neb, you can safely assume Daniel was giving Nebuchadnezzar important information regarding how to deal with Jerusalem and its people.

Vs. 4-8 So, what do you get out of this?

V. 5 You have to wonder how Jeremiah was a prophet to the nations. Did any of the nations know what God said through him? Later, we'll see that Daniel had a copy of Jeremiah, so it is likely that both Nebuchadnezzar and Darius might have heard some of what God said through him.

V. 8 God promised to deliver Jeremiah here, and later God says this even stronger. Jeremiah eventually, I think, got the idea he was untouchable, until he got his first punch in the mouth. We'll read later what Jeremiah thought of that. In the end, we'll see that except for a couple of humiliating and dangerous situations, Jeremiah did indeed outlive all of his adversaries. So, God did protect him.

Vs. 9-10 This is the second prophet who had his mouth touched. It is cool that God Himself touched Jeremiah.

I would say that being set over the nations means that God will give him the authority to speak God's words of judgment against them.

Vs. 11-19 This is Jeremiah's operational check to make sure he "worked."

Vs. 11-12 The almond tree's name sounds like the word for seeing. Also, it was the first tree to bud, so it was watched by people to determine the time of the season. God would watch over His Word to make sure it was fulfilled.

Vs. 13-14 The pot was from the north pouring out toward the south, which would be God's wrath and Babylon pouring toward Judah and Jerusalem. Remember, all of the great threats against Jerusalem came out of the north. Even though Babylon and Persia were east, they couldn't come over the desert and so had to go north along the rivers and then move south toward Israel.

V. 17 It says, dress yourself for work, but the note says "gird up your loins," which also meant to get ready for a fight or for action. God told Job twice to gird up his loins. Jeremiah was about to have a very action-packed life, sometimes fighting for his life.

Vs. 18-19 Jeremiah was untouchable for a time, and in the end, he survived all of the hate and destruction.

Jeremiah 2

There is no way to know exactly when this was written. If it was before Josiah found the Book of the Law, then this may have helped lead to his reforms. Verse 16 could mean the death of Josiah, in which case, this would have been shortly after that event.

Vs. 1-3 This is what Israel was, probably just before they entered the land after the older, rebellious generation had died off.

Vs. 4-8 This is the sin of the nation after entering the land, led by three groups of leaders. What was the purpose of each group? It sums up total loss and corruption in a culture.

Vs. 9-13 No nation ever leaves their gods, but Israel did. Why doesn't a nation leave their gods? I think it is because those gods are dead and are really controlled by the people. A living God is much harder to live with.

Their crime is described in v. 13 as having two parts. Do you see the difference in those two actions, yet how they fit together? It is the same today. Going to God means depending on God. If you have your own source other than God, you can avoid Him. Living water was superior to stagnant water that sat in a cistern.

Vs. 14-19 Judah had gone to Egypt and Assyria for help rather than going to God, as if they were slaves looking for help from their master.

V. 16 could mean the death of Josiah, either before or after it happened. Or it could mean that every time they went to Egypt they kept having to pay money for no real help, consequently getting scalped.

Vs. 20-22 Although God freed them from Egypt, they willingly became slaves of idols. This is one of those places where God is using Israel to show us what mankind is really like even with the truth, but without a spiritual rebirth. The sin within us is too strong and defies truth, logic and reality. The sickness is spiritual and it needs a spiritual cure. And God is the only doctor. Even after receiving the "cure," we need to stay in the Word daily and follow Him daily. The full cure comes when we step into a new body.

Vs. 23-25 Their zeal for idols was like an animal in heat. Verse 25 says it was all for the sake of comfort and appetite.

Vs. 26-28 They have been caught by God and He will make them feel shame.

Vs. 29-30 They complained against God, yet as God punished them, they didn't turn to Him, but instead kept devouring one another.

I was reminded of Jesus' word regarding the stress of the Tribulation in Matthew 24:12, And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. When things get worse for people as God's judgment approaches, it will reveal what is truly in people's hearts. Now is a good time for us to be working in the harvest.

Philippians 4

V. 1 Stand firm how? From what Paul has just said, what makes them stand firm? If it has to do with 3:17, then it really goes all the way back to 3:7 and everything thereafter. Jesus will be at the center of this stand.

Vs. 2-3 Sometimes you just need a wise mediator, even among seasoned disciples. Paul knew that these women would have a hard time working this out alone. Some malfunctions are like that. I have been in situations where I needed and lacked a wise mediator.

Vs. 4-7 Notice that the rejoicing and the forbearance are linked to knowing, really knowing, that the Lord is present. The Lord is not at hand as in His imminent return; but like we saw in Job, He is present in everything in our lives, working for His glory and purpose. That gives us stability and hope, if we truly know and acknowledge it.

Notice that the peace…which surpasses all understanding is linked to that "knowing" and also to a life where everything is always, constantly, being brought before God. We often tend to use vs. 6 & 7 like a rabbit's foot. We get in trouble and then rub it for good luck. This peace is for those who are always coming to God, not just when they are in trouble.

Vs. 8-9 Finally Paul got back to the finally from 3:1.

So, what do you do when you are surrounded by stress and persecution? Paul says to think on good stuff and to do what Paul has taught them. Using Psalm 119 as a guide, I would also say that memorizing Scripture is a good idea. Also, using Psalm 42 as a guide, I would say recounting times of God's past blessing and kindness helps too.

Vs. 10-20 There are some good things in this section. Verse 13 is one of those gems.

V. 17 Paul, like any maker of disciples, was looking for the life of Christ coming out through the lives of the Philippians. Life in knowing Jesus is seen in expressing Christ's love.

Vs. 19-20 Great verses.

Vs. 21-22 While Paul was in jail, he was often attended by guards. Sometimes he was chained between two of them. As Howard Hendricks observed, if Paul was chained to them, that means they were chained to him. Imagine the assignment of sitting next to this distressing individual for four-hour stretches. That would give Paul more than enough time to share the Four Laws, twice.

And now Paul says that there were believers all over Caesar's household. That's what you call a "chain reaction."

There is such a contrast in the readings today. In the OT we have the judgment against Israel, and in the NT we have a sense of the Philippians working hard in the harvest in spite of their challenges. But there is one thing that links both readings: A servant was called to faithfully proclaim the Word in this present darkness. As disciples we are called to be light, but at times the darkness seems so strong. But it isn't we who are supposed to shine; it is Jesus, and in us, as we follow Him in the harvest, praising Him, reaching out, making disciples. He is stronger. You might want to listen to “Stronger,” by Hillsong Chapel.

Psalm 75

Judging by what we read in Psalm 73, and now see here, Asaph had a hard time looking at the evil and proud people around him, wondering why they prospered. The focus here seems to be how the righteous are to keep their hearts from being consumed with the unfairness they see around them. As Paul said to the Romans in Romans 12:19, "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'"

V. 1 This is what Asaph learned in the trials, to look to the Lord's deeds and to praise God.

Vs. 2-3 His judgment will be to the entire earth.

Vs. 4-5 And the judgment will extend to every individual.

Vs. 6-8 And Asaph learned not to occupy himself with God's judgment, because it is God who will judge in the measure that He sees fit.

Vs. 9-10 Those who fear the Lord and follow Him will declare God's praise forever. The proud and all who rebel against God and resist Him will get their horns cut off; that is, they will be humbled as they are judged.

God uses wickedness and evil and injustice for His purposes, so they won't be going away anytime soon. As disciples, we need to learn how to live with these in the grace of God. We keep our eyes on the Lord, praise Him and follow our Lord in the harvest.

Proverbs 24:17-20

This is good advice considering what we just read in Psalm 75. Add to that what Jesus tells His disciples that they should love their enemies and do good to those who hate them, and you have the complete picture. God allows us to be in situations where we can fret so that we can grow. We have to take what we know is true and make it a part of our hearts in following the Word and the Spirit. When presented with the opportunity, we are to do good for these people. It gives them an opportunity to seek help or repent. If nothing else, it heaps burning coals upon their heads and messes with their minds. J

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

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a complete description of this model of being and making disciples you can find it in my book:  Simply Disciples*Making Disciples.   http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011WJIDQA?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

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

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comments or feedback to ^{dgkachikis@gmail.com.}

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

October 2, 2015

OCTOBER 2

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

This is the final day in Isaiah. If you've been keeping up, you really, really owe yourself a treat. I'd recommend a Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino at Starbucks©. Or, just find a quiet place and page through Isaiah in a normal Bible and see what you remember. Without a doubt, you have been blessed in reading this in ways you might not even know.

Isaiah 66

Vs. 1-2 Read this and think about it. Do you get the point of what God is saying?

Jesus quotes a part of v. 1 in the Sermon on the Mount when He tells His disciples not to make vows to God.

If you understand what God and Isaiah are saying here, this is the same thought Paul expresses in the last two verses of Romans 11 and the first two verses of Romans 12. I'm willing to bet these two verses of Isaiah were in Paul's mind when he was writing those verses in Romans. I'll ask him when I get to see him.

Vs. 3-4 If our hearts are not obedient to His Word, this is what God thinks of our worship and religious routine, even as believers.

When I spoke they did not listen, reminds me of Jesus saying, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”

V. 5 Notice that this is addressed to those who truly are the Lord's, that is, those who tremble at His Word. Notice too, the trembling in v. 2. How is your "trembling?"

The words of the brothers here must be either insincere or meant as mockery.

Vs. 6-9 God uses the illustration of labor to say to Israel, "I haven't brought you through all of this to not complete my purpose for you."

Vs. 10-14 So Jerusalem gives birth and all will find consolation and comfort and will nurse there. Interesting. According to Ezekiel and Revelation, there will be a river running out of the temple. On each side of it there will be trees that bear fruit monthly, and there will be healing in the leaves. (Rev. 22:2) The people of the world will come to Jerusalem for healing, and after the Tribulation, they're going to need it. God is going to offer blessing for all who come to His city. And of course the best thing about Jerusalem will be the guy sitting on the throne in the temple.

It will still apparently be a matter of the will for people to come to Jerusalem. Even during the Millennial Kingdom and at the end of it, not everyone will like Jesus. Sin's dominance doesn't need Satan's deception. We can be rebellious all by ourselves if we don't recognize what sin truly is (an incurable spiritual disease) and our need of a Savior.

Vs. 15-17 This judgment seems to be the Messiah judging the nations in opposition to Israel at the end of the Tribulation. Or, it could be a warning for those who rebel against the Messiah and His servant Israel at the end of the thousand years, when Satan is released and finds those ready to wage war against Israel.

Vs. 18-21 This seems to say that Israel will be a servant to all the nations, declaring God's glory to all who don't have an opportunity to come to Jerusalem.

Vs. 22-24 This is after the thousand-year reign of Jesus on earth. There will be a new heaven and a new earth, and there will be a final judgment. (Rev. 21:1-2)

I can't wait. I was reading this morning, For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Now, we have the Lord and the Spirit burning in us as we work in the harvest on this dying planet. But the Day is coming.

Philippians 3:4-21

Vs. 4-6 This isn't Paul bragging, but he is really trying to make the Philippians see that they shouldn't be impressed by "credentials." Paul had been the real thing and threw it all away for Jesus.

Vs. 7-11 Notice that the focus of all of this is knowing Jesus. In the past, Paul discovered that salvation by grace through faith meant knowing Christ. Now, even 30 years down the road Paul is still striving to know Christ more. That, I think, is the mark of a disciple who never tires in the harvest and doesn't get older, just wiser and stronger. Knowing our Lord isn't academic or knowledge-oriented; it is a daily ongoing walk. We follow Him in the harvest and He reveals Himself more and more in ways we could never guess. That is why it is by faith. (John 14:21-23)

V. 12 And here is Paul's motivation.

So many believers seem to have the mindset that they got saved, and now they're going to heaven; so the goal is to go to church, enjoy life and stay out of trouble. Knowing Christ is our personal goal, the goal of every disciple. Read that prayer again at the end of Ephesians 3. It all has to do with knowing Jesus and His love.

But Paul's goal here is knowing Christ in such a way that, if possible, he could live on earth as if he were perfectly following Christ. The goal was being so fully focused on Jesus and the blessings and grace available in Him, that Paul would honor God as if he had been resurrected. I'm sure Paul knew this was impossible in this body of death; but if you aim at nothing, you hit it every time. Paul aimed high out of love for Jesus. But that was only for Paul, right?

Vs. 13-14 Paul had a lot to forget from the past. He looked at the future (that's why God has also given us all that stuff in Isaiah) and strained forward in the present. And again, this is only recommended for disciples on steroids, like Paul. Right?

Vs. 15-16 Wrong. It is meant to be the norm for every one of us. It is what makers of disciples are to model so as to make disciples who model the same. A disciple is not above his teacher; but every disciple, when he is fully trained, will be like his teacher.

Vs. 17-21 The important thing to see in these verses is that Paul was not crying over lost humanity; he was crying over fallen followers, disciples who defected.

Notice where the focus is, on Jesus and the coming transformation of this body of death. That is our personal hope in the resurrection. You see this expressed in Romans 8 when Paul talks about how the creation is waiting for our redemption.

In the opening verses of Isaiah 66, we had God looking for those who trembled, who were awed by and honored His Word in their hearts and actions. What Paul is saying here is the same thing, just in a different way. The natural response to Christ giving His life for us is to give Him our hearts and do what He says. This involves following Him in the harvest and being treated as He was treated, but also bearing fruit as He bore fruit and glorified the Father. It is simple discipleship.

Psalm 74

Isn't it interesting to read this psalm, having read Isaiah? Notice that the appeal for help focuses more on God defending His name, than defending His people.

Vs. 1-2 The plea to remember the people, His heritage and Zion.

Vs. 3-8 When the Babylonians burned the temple, the gold on the paneling melted and went into crevices between the foundation stones of the temple. They removed these stones to get at the gold. When they were done, the temple was completely ruined.

Vs. 9-11 These are the age old questions. However, Isaiah's ministry revealed the people's hearts. When they had the Word they should have responded. Hearing the Word and ignoring it makes a people dull and ungrateful. When the Word comes to Israel again, it will be like living water. Knowing the love of Christ, the Word and the plan of God is enough to get us through all the rough spots. It is something that God continually teaches us in His "silence."

Vs. 12-17 But, as in Job and in Isaiah, what is known about God, His wisdom in creation and His love, are the things we cling to when He is "silent."

Vs. 18-23 God should see the actions of the nations as an attack on Him and do something about it. He does and He will.

Proverbs 24:15-16

Amen.

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

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a complete description of this model of being and making disciples you can find it in my book:  Simply Disciples*Making Disciples.   http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011WJIDQA?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

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

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comments or feedback to ^{dgkachikis@gmail.com.}

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