Fence Rail

Friday, January 5, 2018

January 6, 2018 Reading Notes

If you don't have a One Year Bible or prefer something online, this link will take you to the day's reading, http://oneyearbibleonline.com/daily-oyb/. This site allows you to select from several languages and several English translations.

JANUARY 6

Just to keep things in perspective let me remind you that it is more important for you to read The One Year Bible than for you to read these notes. I'm writing to give some background to the text and hopefully some motivation.

At this point in the year it is important for you to find a time and a place to read. You need to develop the habit. They say that anything you do 19 times in a row begins a pattern. If you miss a day, make the adjustments and learn from it, but don't get discouraged. This is the time to begin that pattern because everything we'll be reading for the next month is pretty interesting. Find ways to motivate yourself. I mark the pages at the top with a number for the year as I finish each page. Go out and celebrate a completed month. If you find a time to read that is best for you, don't compromise. Enjoy knowing that what you are reading is seeping into your heart through the Spirit, and the Lord is pleased that you're taking the time to sit before Him as a disciple.

Genesis 13:5-15:21

As far as beginnings go, this is another important section of Genesis. God is telling Israel where things came from and how certain things came to be. In this section, again, the history of God's work to save mankind takes a giant step forward.

Genesis 13:5-18

Vs. 1-7 The stuff they gained from the time in Egypt eventually caused a problem between Abe and Lot. Bigger is not always better and I'm sure there are many individuals, couples, businesses and churches that could say, "Things were better when things were simpler, before we got that house or building or became involved in that activity." As disciples following Christ, once we know what we are supposed to be doing, and what pleases and serves Christ in making disciples, we need to be careful about attractive things that distract us or consume us.

Notice in v. 7 that it says the Canaanites and Perizzites were in the land. That also meant that grazing land was not easy to find because others were laying claim to their own territories.

Vs. 8-13 This would be a tragic parting for Lot. Apparently the conflict was fueled by the herdsmen and neither Lot nor Abraham could control the direction their possessions were taking them. Finally, Abe stepped in to the conflict.

V. 8 Abraham showed his security in God by allowing Lot to make the first choice. He also showed meekness, that is, strength and authority that expresses itself in gentleness and patience. Abraham, as the elder man, could have told Lot what to do.

V. 13 Lot's choice eventually ruined him. It wasn't just that he was greedy for more pastureland, but he was drawn to the attraction of the city. Lot was a rich man. How cool is it to be rich in the wilderness? Your money is not liquid. You have to wait on caravans to buy stuff, and no one can tell you how cool you are. If being rich is important to us, we need people and goods and comfort to realize richness. Lot eventually moved from herding and living in tents, to living in a nice house in Sodom. It could be that he even became the mayor (or some official) in Sodom. Cool. He wasn't forced to move into or near Sodom; but, inch by inch, this little decision had a huge impact and he ended up in Sodom. He didn't save Sodom; in fact, they ruined him, although the root of this was already in his heart.

Abraham showed that true meekness is strength. Again, as disciples, where does our security come from? Are we content to allow our lives to be simple and simply shaped by God and following Christ in His harvest? Or is following Christ OK as long as we can be first in line, and have a voice and a reputation, and get the breaks we deserve or at least get our rights recognized?

Vs. 14-18 After they separated and Abraham gave up the choice for the "best" land, only then did God confirm Abraham. Sometimes you have to make the decision to accept what God has for you in following, before He confirms His will.

Notice that God took Abraham away from Lot to travel the land. The area around the oaks of Mamre will become an important place later for Abraham. Notice that when he settled there, he built an altar to honor God.

Genesis 14

Vs. 1-12 As we'll see in Scripture, God often allows a challenge or disaster to happen to lead us to blessing. That is what happens here. This event didn't directly affect Abe until v. 12.

Vs. 13-16 Abraham lived in tents his entire life in Canaan. Actually though, with all his livestock and servants, it was a small city. This was not "camping" and it definitely wasn't easy to move. If Abe took 318 men with him (born in his house) to save Lot, there were probably women and 2.5 children per couple too. They could have easily been 1000+ people. I'm sure Abraham was a scheduled stop by the merchant caravans that passed through. Eventually Abe & Co. became a known entity in Canaan, with Abe as the leader. He/they became known as Hebrews.

V. 14 This mention of Dan suggests that God had already given Moses some idea how the land would be allocated. The tribe of Dan had their land in northern Israel.

Abraham with his servants and his allies defeated a much bigger army and brought everything back. Now Abraham was a military force to be reckoned with.

Vs. 17-20 This is a small section, but huge in the plan of redemption.

As close as Abe's relationship with God was, he understood that Melchizedek was a priest of God and submitted to him. It appears, too, that Melchizedek taught Abraham something about God in the way he addressed God.

If you do a word search in the Bible on Melchizedek, you'll find some interesting stuff. Psalm 110 is written by David and is a prophetic description of the Messiah. The Messiah is said to be a priest of the order of Melchizedek. In Hebrews a lot of information is given about Melchizedek. Because Jesus is a priest of the order of Melchizedek, it means that although Jesus humanly couldn't be a priest because he wasn't from the tribe of Levi, He is a priest superior to the Levitical priesthood. Because of the way Melchizedek is spoken of, mysteriously and without origin, some people think that this Melchizedek that Abe is talking to is a manifestation of God the Son before He became incarnate as Jesus. Notice that he greeted Abe with bread and wine. Jesus would have done something like that.

I had a university professor go after me one time, because, in his thinking, some people didn't have a chance to learn about God. I said that God had His way of making sure people heard if they sought Him, and suddenly I thought of Melchizedek. I told him that unknown to us, suddenly this guy pops up in Genesis who has been telling all sorts of people about God. Also, later, you find a guy like Balaam (who is not a role model for your kids), but was known as a prophet of God. There may have been thousands of these guys who we don't know about, who traveled with the other language groups, scattered across the earth. We have to trust that God made sure people had a chance to know about Him and to respond to Him. Here we meet one of them and he's a priest of the God Most High.

Vs. 21-24 Abraham was open to Melchizedek, but was distant and resistant to the king of Sodom. If Abraham had taken anything from him, it would have signaled an obligation to Sodom. Sodom was a bad place. He refused to take any of the wealth of what had been recaptured. As disciples, it is important to know who to connect with and whose influence to avoid. That's not being legalistic, just realistic.

V. 22 Notice that Abraham pledges himself to God with the very words he just heard from Melchizedek.

Genesis 15

This is a great chapter in the Bible.

V. 1 So, why would God come to Abraham and tell him not to fear, that He would be Abe's shield and reward? The words in the ESV, your reward shall be very great, can mean, as in the KJV, NKJV and NIV, "your great reward;" that is, God Himself was Abraham's reward.

Abraham had now made a name for himself, but that's not always good. Those who wanted to raid Canaan now knew they would have to deal with Abraham. That meant that "Abe's town" had become a military target. Also, in the time that passed, maybe Abe regretted not having taken some of the booty. In any event, this is how you can understand God's words to him in the NIV, I am your shield and your very great reward. Apparently Abe needed a hug.

Vs. 2-3 It is hard to imagine how hard the waiting was for Abraham. God had promised; Abe had gone. God made him wait. Waiting is part of following as a disciple and doesn't mean you've missed God's will. What a great lesson. Abe would have more lessons on waiting and so will we. Becoming fruit-bearing disciples is not for the weak-of-heart or those who imagine instant success.

Yet notice here how deeply Abraham's desire and desperation had grown. The promise and the waiting intensified and tested his faith. Remember what God did to Adam before He made Eve. He gave Adam something to do that revealed his need and created a longing. We shouldn't be surprised when God does that with us.

Now comes a very important part of biblical and redemptive history. I'll hit the high points, but make as many observations as possible.

Vs. 4-6 Notice that God takes Abe beyond a single child to an uncountable multitude. Abraham's faith was incredible. In spite of the waiting and disappointment, when God restates the promise, telling Abe to look at the stars, Abe looks up and believes God…and it was counted to him as righteousness (Rom. 4:3). This belief was based on his faith in God and His promise, but the actual "being right before God" was still future, waiting for Christ to make payment for sin and satisfy the justice of God. Faith saves, not works, and salvation by faith is built on the death and resurrection of Christ.

Vs. 7-11 Abraham's question in v. 8 launches this "cutting of the covenant.” According to custom they were to kill the animals and cut them up, making a lane between the animal parts. Then both parties of the covenant were to walk through this lane, committing to the agreement, saying that if either one reneged on the contract, that they would end up like the animals. Something like that.

Vs. 12-21 First, God prophetically states what He will do for Abe's offspring in the near future. Then God makes the covenant, but the Abrahamic covenant is unique because only God makes it. In a way, it is more accurate to call it a promise, since a covenant usually had two parties. Abe never strolls the lane, only God. That means that the fulfillment of this covenant has nothing to do with the obedience of Abraham or Israel as a nation; it is solely God's responsibility to fulfill what He has promised. It is an unconditional covenant. This means that all of the promises to Abe and Israel will be fulfilled. None of it depends on Israel's obedience. God will make it work.

So, does the church replace Israel? Only if the Abrahamic Covenant is invalid, and that can only happen if God reneges on His promise. As Paul would say, "By no means!" In Romans 15:8-9, Paul says that the covenant with the patriarchs was confirmed (not fulfilled) in Christ. The fulfillment of Israel's destiny in God's plan is still future. The literal nation of Israel will fulfill God's purpose as a fulfillment, not of the Mosaic Covenant, but as promised to Abraham and then through the prophets.

V. 18 Notice that God tells Abe that He will give Israel the land up to the Euphrates. That has never happened…yet. It will happen during the Millennial Kingdom when Israel fulfills its destiny.

Another way to understand the unconditional quality of this promise, as confirming all redemptive history and promises, is to realize that it too is a part of another promise; that is, the seed of the woman would conquer the seed of the serpent. That promise was absolute, without any input from Adam, Eve, or any person. It became a basis of hope and faith for the believing, but the promise was never dependent upon them. That promise necessitated and incorporated other actions on God's part. The saving of Noah, the promise to Abraham, the establishment of Israel and the law and the promises, the promise to David, the coming of the Christ, His death and resurrection, and our redemption are all parts of that promise. The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. None of what God did was to be done "only if" we responded properly. While we were still weak, lost, dead and blind, Christ died for the ungodly. Our only "part" is to believe and receive.

Isn't that a great message to take into the harvest?

Matthew 5:27-48

For me, it is best to understand what Jesus is saying as instructions to His disciples. The supposed "intensification" of the law given here is not toward rigidity or legalism, but to honesty and realism following Christ on earth. Instead of playing fast and loose in matters of authentic honesty before God and getting by with "religion," we are to realize we are in a serious conflict, and so to live for Him and reach lost people.

Vs. 27-30 These are important for us as disciples especially today, with the ease of getting pornography. We are to have no mercy with things in our lives which cause us to sin. Jesus will use this same example later with the disciples, warning them about things that make them proud.

Vs. 31-32 We are not to treat marriage lightly. God meant for marriage to be permanent, so if a person is devoted to God, he needs to treat marriage the same way. That's hard to do when divorce is so commonplace in our culture. It would appear here that it is allowed to divorce a person for committing adultery because they have broken the marriage covenant. However, these verses are not saying that divorce is necessary.

Vs. 33-37 This matter of taking oaths or making grand declarations in the name of God was a religious thing. I think Jesus is saying to live quietly and humbly before God, obeying what He says.

Vs. 38-48 These verses are probably the purest test of our true understanding of our salvation in Christ. If we know what is happening in the world and understand the spiritual battle, we know what is at stake and how important our testimony is. Jesus Himself was the model for this. Isaiah 53:7-8 says, He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?

For us and our salvation He willingly allowed Himself to be mistreated. I ask myself why this is so hard for me; but if I want to be His disciple, I have to become more like Him, or as Paul put it in Philippians 3:10, share his sufferings, becoming like Him in His death. These verses are the test of being like Him.

V. 42 Notice that this is a command to His disciples. It shows how bound we are to our money and stuff and whether we really believe God can provide. Always keep a few dollars in your pocket to give to someone who is begging.

V. 45 This should be the goal we are working toward.

Vs. 46-47 In a godly sense, we are told to seek these rewards. Probably the best way to keep this in perspective is to remember that we are really seeking to be like our Father and our Lord. That is reward enough. Hebrews 11:6 says, And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Psalm 6

Vs. 1-3 Although David knew that what he was feeling was because of his enemies, it is hard to be down and not feel like God is rebuking you. How bad do you have to feel to sense it in your bones?

Vs. 4-7 David's life was weak because of his enemies, but he appealed to God to save him based on God's steadfast love, not because of anything David had done. This all looks pretty desperate.

Vs. 8-10 David understood that God would accept him and help him.

Not to say that you can't find help in other places, but as disciples, we find that true mercy comes from the Lord; and true confidence comes from being heard by Him as we pour out our hearts. There is a lot of prayer-less ministry and networking that goes on in the name of God, asking only for His stamp of approval, often after the fact.

Proverbs 1:29-33

These are amazing words of warning, especially realizing that the guy who wrote them didn't heed them. The fear of the Lord, knowing that this could happen to any of us (and does happen to us), helps us not to treat God's love as something to be taken for granted. He warns us because He loves us. If He didn't spare Solomon or David, why should He spare us for disregarding His Word, His kindness and His love. On the other hand, as disciples working with people in the harvest, what a fantastic relationship to bring people into. If they will follow as disciples, in that process, He will bring order and peace to confused and tragic lives.

Please Read the Following Disclaimer

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

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary (BKC). I read the BKC in doing background for the Reading Notes and refer to it quite often. I also make reference to maps or charts in the BKC, though I will only note where those resources can be found. Often you can do a search for these and find them in Google books. Buying both volumes of the Bible Knowledge Commentary would be a good idea.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible translation; in fact, I read something you probably don't, Die Revidierte Lutherbibel, 1984. Unless noted, all Scripture quotes are from the ESV Bible.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Often there is a breadth of opinion on certain events, both historical and prophetic. Many of my views come from my church background, theological training and my personal study.

I'm doing this with discipleship in mind, meaning, I'm writing out thoughts that will keep discipleship and our growth as disciples applied to what we are reading. Remember, the real focus of the Reading Notes is to be a supplement, a disciple’s commentary, giving motivation and insight so that we will keep following our Lord in the harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who make disciples. Being in the Word every day, sitting at Jesus’ feet, learning directly from Him, is the essential essence of being and making disciples.

May the Lord bless you as you follow Him in the harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who make disciples. Dan

The daily installments of the Reading Notes can be found at http://fencerail.blogspot.com/

If you would like documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.

If you would like a full presentation of discipleship read Simply Disciples*^{Making Disciples}.

Or if you are struggling with insomnia and would like a long boring dissertation on disciple making, these can both be found on https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.

Reading Notes ©, Dan Kachikis 2011

The One Year Bible © by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton Illinois 60189

Thursday, January 4, 2018

January 5, 2018 Reading Notes

JANUARY 5

Genesis 11:1-13:4

There is a lot of information in this section, most of it flowing toward Abraham. God and Moses are not giving Israel a "history of the world," but to some degree, a history of their nation. I say "to some degree," because inherent in this history is the description to Israel of how this mess began, and how God is working with and through mankind to bring redemption. Israel will become God's messenger to the world that salvation and blessing are possible. Unfortunately, Israel will also become the symbol of mankind in rebellion to God. This "service" to humanity will cost them a lot, but there will be blessing at the end.

Genesis 11

Vs. 1-11 Whereas the problem in Genesis 6:1 may have involved man calling on "spirits" and those angels mixing with mankind in a way that produced almost absolute corruption, this initiative seems to come solely from man. Notice the term in v. 5 - children of man.

V. 4 It seems implied that the tower was for worship, possibly for worshiping or getting information from the stars. Ironically, this area is where the wise men eventually came from.

V. 6 That nothing would be impossible for man, I think, implies that mankind would have become as deeply corrupt as they were before the flood. God "nipped it in the bud."

Vs. 7-8 I have never understood that mankind had sinned in that they didn't scatter after the flood. How do you define disperse? The sin here was the tower and seeking to make themselves capable of finding answers without God. The giving of languages was brilliant on God's part. Interestingly today, English has become the common language of the world. Things are more connected today than ever before, and once again it seems we are capable of all sorts of things. What God did there held back this "unity and self-sufficiency" phenomenon for a long time.

Vs. 9-26 This is tracing the line of faith and of the promise of a child and deliverer. Almost all of these names appear in Jesus' genealogy in both Matthew and Luke.

Part of enjoying reading the OT is getting curious and making observations.

How many years were there between the end of the flood and Peleg and the end of the flood and Abe? Who is the last baby in the line of the promise that Noah would have bounced on his knee? You also have to look at yesterday's reading regarding Noah's age and how many years he lived after the flood. Have fun!

These years were a time of incredible change in history. Nimrod, thought to be the builder of Babel, and first "man of renown," was born right away. This would set the wheels in motion for the language confusion, the scattering of mankind and the grouping of languages, clans and tribes, and (in my opinion) the drifting of the continents in the days of Peleg, about __ years after the flood.

These days would also have been the days of Job. The climate would have been changing; animals that needed the pre-flood greenhouse climate to live would have been going extinct. Also, the age of men was decreasing drastically, some think, due to the different atmospheric conditions after the flood (that being the natural agent of God's working to bring the age of man down to about 100).

V. 26 There is a little bit of a problem with this verse. If you look at Gen 12:4, Abe was 75 when he left Haran. That doesn't work if Abe was born when Terah was 70 and didn't leave Haran until after Terah had died (Acts 7:4). It is best to understand this verse saying that after Terah was 70, he had three sons in the years that followed. Probably, Abraham is named first because he is the most prominent of the three. Apparently Abraham was born when Terah was 130. The reason for the focus on these three sons is that they figure in the history to follow, but Abe is the focus of the story. Abraham is not only the beginning of the nation of Israel, but with Abraham, the promise of redemption becomes more defined. Another promise is given.

A guy once asked me why God was a Jew. As you see the story to this point, there isn't a Jew around. But there is God who is seeking to use the godly lineage, from Adam through Noah to Abraham and beyond, to bring about redemption. As disciples we have to believe that since the Fall, God has been involved in the redemption of mankind fulltime. As you see Him working with the godly line of mankind, He is saving and working through those who have faith in Him and hope in His promise. As redemption is His purpose, and was to be the purpose of Israel and was the purpose of Christ, it is to be our purpose as His disciples.

An interesting take on all of this history and the selection of Abraham/Israel is given in the ESV and Septuagint reading of Deuteronomy 32:8, When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God (my emphasis)." The Septuagint (Greek version of the OT written before Christ and after the Babylonian exile) says "angels of God." These "sons" or angels would be referring to those bad princes mentioned in Daniel 10. The implication being, that as God allowed Satan and his angels to follow through with the authority He had given them to watch over mankind and the nations of men, God kept one man for Himself, making a nation from him to use as His voice of redemption to the other nations, and then, to all humanity.

Vs. 27-32 This introduces Abraham's (Abram's) family and background. Some of the names mentioned here will be important during the lives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

These verses are a summary. Apparently God called Abraham in Ur, a city on the Euphrates near the Persian Gulf. Terah accompanied Abraham toward Canaan and brought his family and stuff 600 miles north until they settled in a place they called Haran, which they named after his youngest son who had died in Ur. For some reason they stopped here. Some suggest that this was disobedience on Abe's part. More likely God had this planned. Haran would become an important place for Isaac and Jacob. It could be that the father, Terah, had a strong hold on Abraham. Who knows? But, according to Joshua 24:2, Terah was an idolater. Abraham was not. He was a fully devoted follower of God. God probably wanted Terah left behind. From here God spoke to Abraham again to separate himself from his family and go to Canaan.

Genesis 12

Vs. 1-3 According to Acts 7:2, God first called Abraham in Ur. Now in Haran, after the death of Terah, God renews the call and promise to Abraham.

The promise to Abraham is explained in the New Testament to be for the redemption of mankind. Jesus came from Abraham and fulfilled this promise; that is, in Jesus, the descendant of Abraham, all nations will be blessed. This promise is a monument in redemptive history.

The faith of Abraham is amazing. It is not only a lesson and model for us all (Romans 4), but it serves as a basis of understanding that even in the OT, before and after the giving of the law, salvation was based on faith. It could be that Abe just "had" this faith, but I think he was influenced by Noah. Depending on how you understand the dating, Abe would have either been 60 when Noah died or Abe would have been born two years after Noah's death. In any case Shem, the son of faith who believed the promise, lived for 500 years after the flood and died just 25 years before Abraham died. For Abraham, the story of redemption wouldn't have been some old story handed down from generation to generation. Abe knew of Noah and he might have personally known Shem. If so, I'll bet God touched his heart with the need for salvation and redemption.

Vs. 4-9 This account shows Abraham's entrance into Canaan.

V. 4 Apparently Abraham felt responsible for Lot, his brother Haran's son. Note that Abe was 75 when he left Haran.

V. 5 When they left, Abe already had servants born into his household. When they traveled, it must have looked like a mass of people, wagons and great flocks. When they set up, they probably looked like a tent city. This was no small endeavor.

V. 7 Shechem would become a fairly well-known place. God confirmed His calling and promise to Abraham.

As the people of Israel heard this story as Moses wrote it and read it to them, they would be instructed in the faith and failings of Abraham and God's faithfulness to His promises.

Vs. 10-20 Now we come to something Abe did wrong. It was something that was to instruct Israel. As disciples, we are meant to learn from this as well.

Once given the promise, Abraham still panicked when the famine came. With the firmness and nature of the promise God had made to him, Abe should have known that God would protect him in all situations, and so, to seek God and rest in Him. That's easy to write, right? Going to Egypt, per se, wasn't wrong, but we have no evidence that he asked God about going to Egypt. I definitely don't think God helped him come up with the half lie regarding Sarah.

God saved Abe from the Egyptians, but He didn't save him from the consequences.

Genesis 13:1-4

What Abe gained in Egypt became a thorn in his side. His "ill gotten" wealth became a division between him and Lot. And then, they acquired Hagar, and she became a division between Abe and Sarah.

Even as disciples, "using our heads" and just doing what seems obvious can cause major problems or destroy the work that God is doing through us. We have to seek God and His way, even if we think the way before us seems obvious. We are no better than Abraham, and this story is here for us, on whom the end of the ages has come. ¹²Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands, take heed lest he fall. (1 Cor. 10:11-12)

We have seen a man like Noah who became an object of ridicule for his neighbors for 100 years as he built the ark. It was all because he followed God. Now we see Abraham and Sarah following God. They gave up everything they had in Ur and in Haran to live in tents for the rest of their lives. The nature of knowing the Lord is to follow. But it is the passion of every disciple to follow his Lord in the harvest, making disciples, who make disciples.

Matthew 5:1-26

Although Matthew is being somewhat chronological here, his focus now, having established that Jesus is the Messiah and King of Israel, is to give a demonstration of His teaching. Matthew shows Jesus' authority over the law and how the people should live.

Let me put the sermon and the timeframe when Jesus said this in perspective. At this point, John, chapters 2-5 are finished. Jesus has been in public ministry for over a year. If you read Luke 6:1-19, you'll see what happened just before the sermon. The leaders now really want to kill Jesus. Jesus has just been up all night in prayer and this morning has just called the Twelve. He comes down the mountain with them to a level place. The huge crowds gather, and He goes back up a bit to a place where He can sit and have His disciples come to Him. Luke 6:20 gives you the true audience of the sermon, And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.”

Vs. 3-12 The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus' orientation for His disciples. For your reading, imagine that all the "blesseds" are choices you make or don't make in following Christ as a disciple in reaching out to a lost world as Christ did. You can choose to be poor in spirit now, or not. You can choose to weep now, or not. This means you can opt to live a comfortable, non-focused life, making the decision to be burdened, or not burdened, by this calling. The burden leads to blessing.

Vs. 13-16 Notice that the call to follow Christ as a disciple means working in the harvest as salt and light. Everyone who knows Christ should be salt and light. This is why the Lord has left us on earth, and this is the way we are close to Him, following Him. Inherent in what Jesus is saying here is our option not to obey.

Vs. 17-20 Jesus begins to re-adjust the way the disciples have been taught to think about God and obedience. What He says here will give the explanation for what follows in you have heard that it was said (v. 21-48). When Jesus is referring to the law here, He means moral law, not the ceremonial laws and rituals, the sacrifices, cleansings, etc.

V. 20 would have blown the disciples away. These religious leaders were looked on to be the most righteous and heaven-worthy of all men in their society. Jesus is about to show them that true following is in the attitude of faith, obedience and love toward God.

Vs. 21-26 It is interesting that Jesus begins with this one. The new commandment that Jesus will give His followers later is to love one another. What He says here is really key to loving one another and loving our neighbor.

V. 21 Note that Jesus doesn't say, "It is written.” He is referring to how the leaders taught this.

V. 22 Jesus is saying that if you have the attitude, you are guilty without committing the act. Notice that this applies to insults and calling someone fool. As disciples our hearts, our understanding of life, and our focus on Christ have to lift us above these attitudes. We are all guilty of this. In any election year you can hear Christians "murdering" politicians, hurting their own hearts and bringing shame to the name of Jesus. Disciples are not supposed to be doing this.

Vs. 23-24 Allow me to paraphrase this through the filter of some conflicts I have seen between believers in the church. What is interesting here is that the offended party didn't come to church. The offender is in church and everything is fine. The person who is not at the temple worshiping is probably at home calling the other "fool" in his heart and is the one who was harmed to the place of isolation. Now, it could be that the person doing the offering didn't mean to offend the guy who is not at the temple worshiping, but even knowing the other guy was offended meant he had some connection and needed to try to be reconciled to the other. Care for our brother is more important to God than offering or attending church in peace.

Vs. 25-26 Later, Jesus will use this same example to tell the multitudes to be reconciled to God. Here, the story seems to imply that if you don't reconcile quickly with someone you've offended, then the offence might become a permanent resentment that will always be there exacting some sort of harm to the relationship. If so, married people should take heed and reconcile quickly. Unfortunately, churches are full of this stuff too.

The bottom line is that rotten relationships can hurt disciples. The basis of loving one another in the work of the harvest is forgiveness and reconciliation. If we don't do it, it can keep us from being as fruitful as we could be.

Psalm 5

It is possible that David ran from Saul for about 10 years. In order for Saul to smooth this with the people, he and his leaders spread lies about David. You sense the injury these lies meant for David. It was through this pain and suffering that God led David to Him and His Word. This was David's education in becoming a man after God's own heart.

Vs. 1-3 David had lived the high life after Goliath. He was a hero, had a good bank account and he was a son-in-law of the king. All David did turned to gold, until Saul's jealousy and hatred was directed toward him. Now he was homeless and in danger every day. David's focus went to God, his true King. His life became simplified because the only hope he had was in God. That David sought God made him the great follower that he was.

Vs. 4-6 Israel was full of talk and lies about David. It seemed like no one would listen to the truth and David really couldn't defend himself, running as he was. Yet, He had to rest in the Lord. God doesn't tolerate wickedness. David had to learn to wait on the Lord. David waited a long time.

Vs. 7-8 This is what David learned and it becomes the testimony of David. God's steadfast love never failed him and David's heart sought the joy of simply being in the presence of God. Amen.

V. 8 is also expressed again in Psalm 27:11. David wanted God's very plain and certain leading every day.

Vs. 9-10 Note that Paul quotes v. 9 in Romans 3:13 regarding the incurable sickness of sin. Just as Jesus said, sin directed against those following Christ is ultimately directed against Jesus and against the Father. All sin is a rebellion against God.

Vs. 11-12 To me, these verses are the real challenge in following Christ. Understanding that we are safe in God and there is no need for despair or anxiousness, we should be joyful. Apparently before this joy, you have to learn the deep crying out of the first verses.

Remember that these psalms were sung in worship.

Proverbs 1:24-28

These words seem hard but they are just. God is not mocked. In the OT, we are about to see the amazing patience and love of the Lord. He will give Israel chance after chance, over hundreds of years. He will forgive and be patient beyond anything we could imagine. But when people have refused to the place where their guilt is overflowing, God will judge. That is the same in our world. We just don't see or perceive it.

V. 28 Compare this verse with Luke 13:23-28. It is sad but true, and God will be totally just in doing this. Jesus also expressed this in John 7:34 and 8:21. Both contexts are very sobering.

I think, in God's love, I've experienced and learned in this way of having ignored God and then suffered the results of my foolishness; but by God's grace, there has been restoration. God's grace knows no end for those who are willing to come to Him and heed His voice.