Week 13

March 26 to April 1, 2011[1. The notes, summaries and points on this page are intended as bookmarks of important matters which are covered in this week’s readings. They are not intended as complete summaries of readings. Please forgive me if some of my summaries are not 100% on point. Read the manual–i.e. Bible–so that you will get a more clear understanding of the material. Thank you.
–Tom Truex]

This is the “One Year Bible Challenge:” to read the entire Bible in one year. Assuming a normal reading level, this can be done by spending about 10-15 minutes per day, each and every day. It is NOT TOO LATE to join the Challenge! Start with today’s reading and keep reading with us through the end of this year. You’ll have to read a bit more at the beginning of next year to finish. See ReadTheWholeBible.COM for more information. If you would like details so you can join us, or if you have any other questions, please call Tom Truex. Or send an email by using the CONTACT form on K-Line.ORG.

Themes and stories: Moses reviewed the 10 Commandments. The greatest commandment is “[4] Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. [5] You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (ESV) God emphasized how important this commandment was in Deuteronomy 6:7-9:

[6] And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. [ 7] You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. [8] You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. [9] You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Verse 9 is cited as the scripture directing Jews to maintain a mezuzah on their doorposts.

God told the Israelites to take care to remember Him and to not follow other gods.

God prepared the Israelites for the coming battles. They would conquer, “the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you.” Deuteronomy 7:1 (NIV). These nations must be completely vanquished:

[2] and when the LORD your God gives them over to you, and you defeat them; then you must utterly destroy them; you shall make no covenant with them, and show no mercy to them. [3] You shall not make marriages with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons. [4] For they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods; then the anger of the LORD would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly. Deuteronomy 7:2-4 (RSV).

God told the people not to be afraid of the nations they must defeat. He reminds them of what He did to Pharaoh and Egypt. He told them not to forget Him. God told the Israelites he will defeat their enemies not because of the righteousness of the Israelites, but because of the wickedness of their enemies.

God told Moses that if the Israelites only remember, love, and serve, God with all their heart and soul, that He would provide for their needs.

God gave Moses rules for worship. There should be only one altar for sacrifice. All of the other altars, to other gods should be destroyed. God warned the people again to not worship other gods, or to follow false prophets. One sure way to spot a false prophet is if he says, “Let’s follow other gods.” Also they should beware of even family members trying to entice them to worship false gods. God told Moses again about “clean” and “unclean” foods.

God tells Moses they must have a second tithe (the first tithe being the one mentioned in Numbers 18:24, for maintenance of the Levites). The second tithe was to be set aside for the owner’s own consumption—grain, wine, old, and livestock. Except that every third year the second tithe was to be set aside for charity.

Every seventh year, debts from other Israelites were to be cancelled. Debts from foreigners remained in place. You were supposed to be generous in lending to others, in need, reguardless of the nearness of the seventh year. Hebrew slaves were to be released in the seventh year as well. God reviewed the festivals with Moses.

God directed appointment of Judges and other officials. They were to be fair, and not accept bribes. The death penalty was prescribed for worshiping other gods—but only after thorough inquiry, and upon the testimony of two or more witnesses. The witnesses had to cast the first stones. This rule made witnesses part of the punishment, as well as the trial. It would discourage trivial or false charges. Also, perjury carried the same punishment as the crime of the accused. Difficult cases could be referred to the Priest.

God announced that he would set a king over the people when they reached the promised land. Guidelines for the future king were descibed as well, to prevent excesses. Among the rules, no foreigner as king,14 and not acquiring too many horses or wives.

God warns against practicing “abhorrent practices” of other nations. Deuteronomy 18:9 (NRSV). In particular,

[10] Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, [11] or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Deuteronomy 18:10-11 (NIV)

God told them about a prophet to come, and tells the Israelites how they will recognize him. Many people say this passage refers to Jesus. God specifies cities of refuge in the promised land.

God gave instructions for soldiers. They are not to be afraid of the enemy. The priest and the officials were to speak to the troops before they go into battle. Certain personal and business affairs must be attended to before the battle, lest the soldier be killed and the matter left undone. As the army approached a town which was not in the land they were to settle, the Israelites were to offer peace terms: surrender and become slaves; or all males will be killed in battle. Women, children, livestock, and other property could be taken as spoils of war. But as to the land in which the Israelites would actually settle, they were to destroy everything that breathes, so those people would not corrupt the Israelites–”that they may not teach you to do according to all their abominable practices which they have done in the service of their gods, and so to sin against the LORD your God.” Deuteronomy 20:18 (RSV).

Discussion points: Deuteronomy describes a system for dealing with the poor and others in need. How does the Israelite’s system compare with modern notions on this matter? Would the Israelite’s system work if implemented in our modern society?

Psalms: Psalm 68:19 – 73:28
Proverbs: Proverbs 11:29 – 12:10

Themes and stories: Jesus went to a Town called Nain. A large crowd followed him. As they were approaching the gate to the town, a funeral procession passed them. It was for the only son of a widow. A woman with no husband or son to take care of her would be in a bad position. Jesus had compassion for her. “He came up and touched the coffin; and the bearers came to a halt. And He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, arise!’“ Luke 7:14 (RSV). The dead man sat up and began to speak. Everyone was afraid, but knew that what they had witnessed was to glorify God.

Some men said to Jesus, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, `Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?'” Luke 7:20 (RSV). Jesus answered them,

“[22] …Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. [23] And blessed is he who takes no offense at me.” Luke 7:22-23 (RSV).

Jesus was invited to dine in the home of a Pharisee. While he was there, a woman who had been a sinner, joined him. She stood behind Jesus at his feet, weeping. As she cried, her tears washed His feet. She began to dry his feet with her hair. She continued kissing his feet, and anointing them with ointment. The Pharisees, knowing the woman’s reputation, thought the display unseemly. Jesus explained that because her sin was great, so was her gratitude for the forgiveness of her sins great. Jesus told the woman that her sins were forgiven and that her faith had saved her. The people at the table asked who this was that could forgive sins.

Certain women, among them “Mary, called Mag’dalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joan’na, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others,” followed Jesus and his disciples to provide for them out of their resources.

Jesus told the parable of the four soils, and explained it’s meaning. Luke 8:4-15. He described the meaning of a true family—not blood relatives, but those who hear the word of God and do it.

Jesus and his disciples were crossing a lake when a storm blew up. Jesus was asleep. The disciples frantically awoke him. He calmed the sea. The disciples were amazed. They landed at a place called Gerasenes, near the cemetery. A man plagued by many demons ran about the tombs with no clothes on. The demons recognized Jesus, and said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beseech you, do not torment me.” Luke 8:28. Jesus asked who the demons were. They answered their name was Legion, for they were many. They begged Jesus to not send them back to the abyss. Instead send them into a nearby herd of pigs. Jesus consented. The demons entered the pigs, and the pigs promptly ran into the lake and drowned. The man who had been delivered from the demons was happy. The pigs’ owners were not happy. They asked Jesus to leave. Jesus left.

A woman with chronic bleeding touched the fringe of Jesus garment. She was instantly healed, because of her faith. A young girl died. She was the daughter of Jairus, a leader in the synagogue. Jesus restored Jairus’ daughter to life, and asked the people standing by to give the girl something to eat.

Jesus sent his 12 disciples out “and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal.” Luke 9:1-6. The people in some places welcomed the disciples. Others did not.

Jesus fed 5,000 men, plus the women and children with them, with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. There were twelve baskets of leftovers.

Peter finally realized that Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus warned his disciples that he would undergo great suffering, be rejected by the religious leaders, be killed, and arise on the third day. Jesus told them, that to be his followers they had to take up their crosses daily and follow him.

Jesus went up a mountain, with Peter, John and James in order to pray. Jesus’ face changed, and his clothes became a dazzling white. The “Transfiguration.” Jesus met Moses and Elijah. A cloud passed overhead, and a voice from it proclaimed, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” Luke 9:35.

Jesus healed a demon possessed boy. He predicted that he would be betrayed. The disciples argued amongst them as to who would be the greatest of them The disciple, John, wanted to prevent another man from casting out demons in Jesus’ name. Jesus told him not to stop the man.

Discussion points: How was Jesus’ attitude toward women unexpected among the Jews? Why was he criticized and why did he treat women as he did?

The discussion notes ( PDF / TEXT ) for breakfast on Saturday, April 2, 2011 are now online — ”Equal Rights”. In Biblical times, views on treatment of the poor, and the place of women in society, were quite different than today. This week we’ll discuss some of those differences. Discussion verses: Deut. 14:28-29; Deut. 15:1-11; Luke 7:36-50; and Luke 8:1-3

A women’s study group meets in Davie, FL on the 2nd Friday morning of the month. Contact Janet Truex, or use the Contact tab at CONTACT form on ReadTheWholeBible.COM.

Week 12

March 19-25, 2011[1. The notes, summaries and points on this page are intended as bookmarks of important matters which are covered in this week’s readings. They are not intended as complete summaries of readings. Please forgive me if some of my summaries are not 100% on point. Read the manual–i.e. Bible–so that you will get a more clear understanding of the material. Thank you.
–Tom Truex]

This is the “One Year Bible Challenge:” to read the entire Bible in one year. Assuming a normal reading level, this can be done by spending about 10-15 minutes per day, each and every day. It is NOT TOO LATE to join the Challenge! Start with today’s reading and keep reading with us through the end of this year. You’ll have to read a bit more at the beginning of next year to finish. See ReadTheWholeBible.COM for more information. If you would like details so you can join us, or if you have any other questions, please call Tom Truex. Or send an email by using the CONTACT form on K-Line.ORG.

Themes and stories: God specified the offering for Passover, Pentecost, Festival of Trumpets, Day of Atonement and the Festival of Booths.

God told the Israelites not to break their promises. A woman was responsible for her promises only if her father (if unmarried) or husband heard the promise and did not express disapproval when he first heard it. A widow or divorced woman was responsible for her promises.

God told Moses to conquer the Midianites in battle. A thousand men from each of the 12 tribes (12,000 total) prepared for war. The Israelites killed every male Midianite, including their kings and Balaam, who owned the talking donkey. The Israelites took the women, children, and cattle and as captives. They burned the Midianite’s towns. Moses was angry with the leaders of his army for allowing the women to live. So at Moses’ command, they killed the male children, and all of the women, except virgins. The warriors got to keep half of the spoils of war. The rest of the Israelites split the other half.

Two tribes among the Israelites, the Reubenites, and the Gadites asked Moses if they could settle on the land they had already conquered, rather than in the land of Canaan. Moses was angry. He thought they would not help conquer the promised land; and would discourage the rest of the Israelites. But the leaders of the Reubenites, and the Gadites assured Moses this was not their intent. In fact they offered to leave their cattle and children in the land they wanted; and they would lead the Israelite attack, until they had conquered the promised land. Only after their victory would the return to their land. Moses agreed to this arrangement. In the end, Moses gave the Reubenites, and the Gadites—plus the half tribe of Manasseh, son of Joseph—the lands that were conquered from King Sihon and King Og. Two and a half tribes agreed to settle in land before the promised land, though they must help all the Israelites fight in the coming battles.

God told Moses that when the Israelites enter the promised land they must get rid of all signs of the previous inhabitants. Destroy their idols and other religious symbols. Drive out all of the people. God warned them that any people who were not driven out of the land would be a source of trouble to the Israelites in the future.

God told Moses how Canaan would be divided amongst the remaining Israelites. The Levites were to get 48 towns—6 of them cities of refuge. A city of refuge was a place where a person who had accidentally killed someone could go.

Moses was again asked to address the matter of the inheritance of Zelophehad’s Daughters. He previously addressed the issue of the four daughters whose father died with no sons in Numbers 27:1-11.

Deuteronomy. Moses reviews what God has done for the Israelites. He reminded them of the twelve spies sent out to the Land of Canaan. They reported it was a good land, but the Israelites lacked faith. They were afraid of the people who inhabited the promised land, because they were big and strong. Due to their lack of faith, only the two men who advocated taking the promised land, would live to see it be done. They were Caleb and Joshua. The Israelites were obliged to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. Moses also reviewed the battles the Israelites had fought.

Moses told the people to obey God. Moses emphasized the prohibition against idols. Throughout history, people have worshiped other gods, but none of them have performed the signs and wonders of the one true God, who the Israelites worshiped.

Psalms: Psalm 62:1 – 68:18
Proverbs: Proverbs 11:18 – 28

Themes and stories:
Jesus was about 30 years old when he began his work. But first, Luke traces the ancestor’s of Jesus back to “…Adam, son of God.”

Luke 4:3-13 (RSV) – [3] The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” [4] And Jesus answered him, “It is written, `Man shall not live by bread alone.'” [5] And the devil took him up, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, [6] and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory; for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. [7] If you, then, will worship me, it shall all be yours.” [8] And Jesus answered him, “It is written, `You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'” [9] And he took him to Jerusalem, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here; [10] for it is written, `He will give his angels charge of you, to guard you,’ [11] and `On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'” [12] And Jesus answered him, “It is said, `You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'” [13] And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Jesus returned to Galilee to teach. Jesus was rejected in his own home town of Nazareth. The people couldn’t believe that Jesus, the son of an ordinary carpenter, could be anything special. Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his own country.” Luke 4:24 (RSV) They were going to throw Jesus off a cliff, outside town. But Jesus simply walked through the mob to leave.

Jesus went to Capernaum, in Galilee. He taught with great authority. People were astounded. Jesus cast out demons, and healed many people. The crowds grew. There were so many people that, in order to be heard, Jesus sat in a boat a little way off in the water, and taught the people on the shore. Later he told the fishermen who owned the boat to go back out to cast their nets. The miraculous haul of fish was so great that it almost tore the fishermen’s nets and swamped their boat.

Jesus healed a man with leprosy. The crowds grew. Some men brought their friend to be healed by Jesus. The man was paralyzed. Unfortunately, the crowd was so great, they could not get anywhere near Jesus. They cut a hole in the roof of the home where Jesus was teaching, and lowered the paralyzed man to him.

Luke 5:20-25 (RSV). [20] And when he saw their faith he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” [21] And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?” [22] When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? [23] Which is easier, to say, `Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, `Rise and walk’? [24] But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins” — he said to the man who was paralyzed — “I say to you, rise, take up your bed and go home.” [25] And immediately he rose before them, and took up that on which he lay, and went home, glorifying God.

The Pharisees did not like the what Jesus said. They were not looking for the truth; but for ways to trap Jesus. They also disagreed with Jesus’ practice of eating in the homes of sinners. Jesus told them, [31] … “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; [32] I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:31-32.

Jesus disciples picked wheat on the Sabbath—technically considered work, and a violation of the Sabbath, according to the Pharisees. Jesus also healed a man with a withered hand—also technically considered work and what the Pharisees considered a violation of the Sabbath. The Pharisees were more interested in justifying the status quo than in learning the truth about God’s law and God’s son. So they could not understand what Jesus tried to teach them in these matters.

Jesus chose his twelve disciples: “Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon called Zelotes, And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.”

As Jesus was teaching and healing, he spoke on a number of things that were blessed. Jesus taught that we should love our enemies. He also taught about judging others–”Judge not, and ye shall not be judged…” Luke 6:37 (KJV).

You would not expect a Roman soldier to have faith in Jesus. Yet a Roman Centurion demonstrated great faith. The centurion’s slave was very sick. Jesus heard about his illness and started to go to the centurion’s house. But the centurion knew that Jesus did not have to physically see or touch the slave. Jesus’ mere word was sufficient to heal the slave. Jesus healed the slave without going to the centurion’s house.

Old Testament: When the Israelites defeated the Midianite army, the military commanders killed all of the enemy men and burned their towns. This sounds harsh, by modern standards, though common in the ancient world. Also common was the military commanders’ decision to take the women and children as slaves. Why did Moses command that the male children and women (other than virgins) from the Midianite captives be killed? Do we know if this order was carried out?
New Testament: Most of us were taught as children to stay away from the “wrong crowd.” So why was it OK for Jesus to associate with sinners. Are Jesus’ actions in this matter a blanket endorsement for us to associate with unsavory people in unsavory places?

The discussion notes ( PDF / TEXT ) for breakfast on Saturday, March 26, 2011 are now online — ”The ‘Wrong’ Element”. God’s rule with the Midianites was to take (almost) no prisoners. Literally. God did not want the Israelites to be corrupted by the sinful influence of the Midianites. Yet Jesus made a point of dining with sinners, because they needed to hear his word. What’s going on here? Should be a good discussion this week! Discussion verses: Numbers 31:7-18 and Luke 5:29-32

A women’s study group meets in Davie, FL on the 2nd Friday morning of the month. Contact Janet Truex, or use the Contact tab at CONTACT form on ReadTheWholeBible.COM.

The discussion notes ( PDF / TEXT ) for breakfast on Saturday, March 26, 2011 are now online — ”The ‘Wrong’ Element”. God’s rule with the Midianites was to take (almost) no prisoners. Literally. God did not want the Israelites to be corrupted by the sinful influence of the Midianites. Yet Jesus made a point of dining with sinners, because they needed to hear his word. What’s going on here? Should be a good discussion this week! Discussion verses: Numbers 31:7-18 and Luke 5:29-32