Week 14

April 2-8, 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 gave rules for the case when a dead body was found, but the killer couldn’t be found. God gave rules for marriage and family. It was OK to marry a beautiful captive woman. But she could not be made into a slave later, if the husband divorced her. In the case of multiple wives, the first born son was to receive the appropriate inheritance, even if he was not the son of the “favorite” wife.

The Israelites were obliged to return a neighbor’s wandering cattle (or at least hold the cattle to be picked up by the owner). Women were not to wear men’s clothing and men were not to wear women’s clothing. A virginity test was specified in cases in which a new husband questioned the chastity of his bride.

God forbade eunuchs and illegitimate children from accepting the benefits of the Jewish faith, even to the 10th generation. Certain other nationalities were forbidden from participating in the “assembly of the Lord” as well.

Israelites were forbidden from charging interest on loans to other Israelites. However it was permissible to charge interest to foreigners. Deuteronomy 23:19-20.

It was declared lawful to eat your fill of grapes in your neighbor’s vineyard, so long as you did not carry any out in a container. You could pluck your neighbor’s standing grain with your hands, but could not use a sickle. The idea was to permit travelers to take food in the field for immediate personal consumption. But harvesting the crop was reserved to the owner of the field.

It was permissible to divorce your wife. She could remarry. But if the woman’s second husband divorced her as well, it was decreed abhorrent for the original husband to remarry the woman a second time.

Kidnapping another Israelite was forbidden. If you hired poor workers, they had to be paid their daily wages before sunset. Parents were not to be put to death for the crimes of their children; nor children put to death for the crimes of their parents. Forty lashes was set as the maximum number in cases of punishment by flogging.

When brothers live together, if one man died, his brother was supposed to take the dead brothers wife as his own wife. The firstborn child was to succeed to the deceased brother’s name. And then there was this rule from Deuteronomy 25:11-12 (NASB) to discourage women from intervening with brawling neighbors: “[11] If two men, a man and his countryman, are struggling together, and the wife of one comes near to deliver her husband from the hand of the one who is striking him, and puts out her hand and seizes his genitals, [12] then you shall cut off her hand; you shall not show pity.”

Moses and the elders of Israel reminded the people to keep God’s commandments. They conveyed God’s instructions to build an altar when they arrived in the promised land. Also, the Levites were to shout out curses to those who broke any of twelve enumerated categories of God’s commandments. The Israelites were to be blessed for observing all of God’s Commandments.

Moses reviewed all of God’s commandments. He urged all of his people to observe God’s commandments. When Moses was 120 years old, he wrote down all of God’s law. All of the law was be read to the people by the Levites every seven years. God told Moses that Joshua was to be commissioned to replace Moses and lead the Israelites into the promised land. God knew that the Israelites would end up disobeying Him.

Moses recited a song, which told part of the Israelites’ history. Deuteronomy 32. Then God told Moses that it was his time to die. God allowed Moses to see the promised land from atop a mountain, although Moses was not permitted to actually enter the land of Canaan.

Discussion points: Deuteronomy 23:19-20 prohibits charging interest (usury) on loans to other Israelites (brothers), but permits it as to strangers (foreigners). What is the reason for this rule; and should we extend this rule to prohibit charging interest on a loan to a Christian brother?

Psalms: Psalm 74:1-78:64
Proverbs: Proverbs 12:11 – 12:24

Themes and stories: Jesus continued his ministry on his way to Jerusalem. Jesus said, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.” Luke 9:58 (RSV). Jesus sent out 70 of his followers:

[1] After this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to come. [2] And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. [3] Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. [4] Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road. [5] Whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace be to this house!’ [6] And if a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you. [7] And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages; do not go from house to house. [8] Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you; [9] heal the sick in it and say to them, `The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ [10] But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, [11] `Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off against you; nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ [12] I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on that day for Sodom than for that town.” Luke 10:1-12 (RSV).

The seventy followers returned to Jesus and reported they had been successful. Even the demons submitted to them.

Jesus told the parable of the good Samaritan. Jesus went to visit two sisters, Mary and Martha. Mary listened to Jesus preach, Her sister, Martha complained that Mary had left her to do all of the work herself. Jesus pointed out that Mary had chosen the more important thing to do. Luke 10:38-41.

Jesus taught his disciples how to pray and gave an example. It’s the basis for our prayer, commonly known as “The Lord’s Prayer,” or “Our Father”:

King James Version of the Bible

[2] …Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. [3] Give us day by day our daily bread. [4] And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

Roman Catholic “Our Father” prayer

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

The 1928 Book of Common Prayer, United States Episcopal Church (a common Protestant variation)

OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Jesus cast out demons. Some of Jesus’ accusers said that Jesus did this by authority of the ruler of demons, Beelzebul. Jesus pointed out that he could not be working both for and against demons at the same time. Jesus warned the people about their unbelief. They kept asking for a sign, even after all the miracles He had performed. Jesus also taught that if we are full of the light which comes from God, we should not hide that light.

A Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him. He was shocked to see that Jesus did not wash before dinner. The Pharisee was concerned about cleanliness for the sake of appearances. Jesus rebuked them for wanting to appear important, but neglecting justice, love of God, and the needs of other people. The Pharisees did not appreciate Jesus’ candor.

Huge crowds gathered to hear Jesus. Jesus spoke about the evil of hypocrisy. He told a parable about a foolish man who was worried about storing up his riches on earth, but died without preparing to meet God. Jesus told his disciples to not worry. God takes care of the birds and plants in nature. So surely he will take care of us, who are much more important to Him.

Jesus told his followers to be ready for the Son of Man to return. No one knows when that time will come, so we must be prepared now. When that day arrives, it will be too late to start preparation.

Discussion points: Why did Jesus tell a potential follower to not take time to even bury his father?

The discussion notes ( PDF / TEXT ) for breakfast on Saturday, April 9, 2011 are now online — ”RULES”. The Old Testament readings cover some old and some updated rules. As the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land, Moses prepares for his final days on earth. In the New Testament readings, Jesus continues his public ministry. Discussion verses: Deuteronomy 23:19-20; and Luke 9:57-62

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, April 9, 2011 are now online — ”RULES”. The Old Testament readings cover some old and some updated rules. As the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land, Moses prepares for his final days on earth. In the New Testament readings, Jesus continues his public ministry. Discussion verses: Deuteronomy 23:19-20; and Luke 9:57-62

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.