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

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.

Week 11

March 12 to 18, 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: [Last week, in Numbers 16, a group of rebels lead by Korah, tried to get more power. They argued that Moses was no better than them—so why should he be in charge? God punished the Israelites who had rebelled against Moses by swallowing them up in a giant “sinkhole.”]

More of the Israelites rebelled against Moses. As punishment for their latest rebellion against Moses, God killed 14,700 more rebels in a plague.

God told Moses how to stop these pointless rebellions against Moses’ (and God’s) authority. Each one of the twelve ancestral houses of the Israelites was to write its name on a staff, and put the staff in the Tabernacle. The next day, all of the staff’s remained dead wood, except for Aaron’s staff, which represented the Levites. His staff was as a living branch. Overnight, it had sprouted buds, blossoms, and bore ripe almonds (Numbers 17:1-11). This was a sign to the other groups, confirming that the Levites were to remain in charge of the Tabernacle.

God further directed that the Levites, and no one else, should perform the duties of the priests. The Levites were to receive a portion of the offerings in the Tabernacle for their upkeep.

God directed that a red heifer, without defect, be sacrificed. God gave directions for purification after touching a dead human’s body.

We don’t know much about the next 37 years as the Israelites wandered in the wilderness. Numbers 20 picks up about 40 years after the Exodus. The Israelites came to another place where they had no water. The Israelites complained to Moses again. Proving that history does repeat itself. Moses and Aaron went into the Tabernacle to pray. God told Moses to take his staff, assemble all of the Israelites and command water to come out of a rock. Moses did as God directed, except instead of simply commanding water to come out of the rock, Moses whacked the rock twice with his staff. Water came out of the rock. God was not pleased with Moses’ theatrical interpretation of his directions. God wants us to follow his instructions, not simply follow his rules as we see fit. Got viewed Moses deviation from His instructions as failure to trust Him. Because of his actions in this matter, God decreed that Moses would not be the person to lead the Israelites into the promised land. The punishment seems harsh. Not following God’s instructions is a serious matter.

Moses asked Kadesh, the King of Edom, if the Israelites could pass on the road through their country. Kadesh said no.

Aaron died at Mount Hor. Aaron’s priestly garments were taken and given to his son, Eleazar, who became the new high priest.

The Israelites continued to complain, as they continued to wander. God sent poisonous snakes to harass the people as punishment for their grumbling. Many Israelites died from the snake bites. Moses prayed for relief, on behalf of the people. God instructed Moses to put a bronze serpent on a pole. Whoever looked at the serpent on the pole would live.

The Israelites continued to move/wander. They asked King Sihon of the Amorites, if they could pass through his lands. The King said no, and went out to defeat the Israelites in battle. Instead, the Israelites won the battle, killed the king and took his land. King Og of Bashan challenged the Israelites in battle too. The Israelites killed King Og and his sons. They took his land too.

By now, people who lived in the path of the Israelites were afraid. Moab said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will now lick up all that is round about us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.”

Balak, King of Moab, sent for Balaam, to curse the Israelites. Balaam lived at some distance, but had a reputation which had traveled far. The nature and source of Balaam’s power has been debated. Apparently, Balaam had connections to occult practices. But he did have an understanding and belief in the God of the Israelites. God told Balaam not to go with Moab’s messengers. Balak sent more messengers. This time God allowed Balaam to go. God’s angel stood in the road to block Balaam’s path. Balaam couldn’t see the angel, but Balaam’s donkey could see the angel. The Donkey refused to proceed where the angel blocked their path. Balaam was angry, and beat the donkey. The donkey spoke to Balaam, asking why he was being beaten. Finally, God permitted Balaam to see the angel too. Balaam apologized to the angel for going with the men who wanted him to curse the Israelites. The angel told Balaam to go with the messengers, but to speak only according to the angel’s directions.

Balak was happy to see Balaam, when he finally arrived. Balaam explained that he would only say what God told him to say. The next day, Balak took Balaam out to curse the Israelites. Instead, Balaam listened to God and blessed the Israelites. Balak took Balaam to another location, and again asked Balaam to curse the Israelites. Instead, Balaam blessed the Israelites again.

The same thing happened a third time. Balak was angry with Balaam for blessing the Israelites a third time. Balaam was supposed to curse the Israelites, not bless them. Balaam blessed the Israelites a fourth time. Balak sent him home.

Meanwhile, the Israelite men were having sex with the local women of Moab. These women lead the men to worship their false god, Baal. Aaron’s grandson, Phinehas, took a spear and ran it through both an Israelite man and his Moabite woman. 24,000 died in a plague.

God told Moses to take another census of men, age 20 and older. There were 601,730 men, not including women and children. This is almost the same number as originally left Egypt in Exodus. God directed that in the future, land would be apportioned according to the size of the family group.

God gave Moses certain rules about inheritance. The issue was brought to him by the daughters of a deceased man who had no sons. The order of inheritance was: first to the son; but if no son, to the daughter; but if no sons or daughters, then to his brothers; but if none of these, then to his uncles; but if none of these, then to his nearest kin.

Moses followed God’s instructions and appointed Joshua to be his successor.

Psalms: Psalm 55:1-61:8
Proverbs: Proverbs 11:7-17

Themes and stories: [At the end of week 10, Jesus was placed in the tomb]

Easter. On Sunday morning, three women, “Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint [Jesus].” Mark 16:1 (ESV). They were concerned about who would roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb so they could go about their task. But the large stone had already been rolled back. A young man in a white robe was sitting there, and told them not to worry. The young man said Jesus had been raised from the dead. The women fled in “terror and amazement.”

Jesus appeared again to Mary Magdalene and to others. Jesus appeared to the 11 disciples and rebuked them for their lack of faith, because they had not believed the reports that he had arisen. Jesus told them to go and proclaim the gospel to the whole world. After he spoke to the disciples, he was taken up into heaven and sat at the right hand of God. The disciples did go out and proclaim the good news everywhere, just as Jesus had instructed them.

Luke. The book of Luke begins again, before the birth of Jesus. A priest named Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth had no children, but were getting older. As Zechariah was in the Temple performing his duties, the angel, Gabriel, appeared to him. The angel told him that his wife, Elizabeth would have a son. This son would be a great leader for God. Because Zechariah did not at first believe the angel, he was struck mute.

Later, the angel Gabriel appeared to the Mary. Gabriel told Mary she would conceive and bear a son named Jesus, though she was still a virgin.
Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth (Zechariah’s wife). When Elizabeth saw Mary, the child leaped in her womb.

[41] And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit [42] and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! [43] And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? [44] For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. [45] And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

When Elizabeth’s son was born, he was named John. Zechariah could speak again after the infant, John, was named. Later, Zechariah prophesied that John would be a great prophet.

The Roman Emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census would be conducted, and that all the Jews had to return to their ancestral home town to be counted. Jesus and Mary were obliged to go to Bethlehem, even though she was about to have her baby. The town was so crowded when they arrived, that there was no room for them in an inn. Jesus was born in a type of stable, and was placed in a manger for a bed. An angel appeared to shepherds in the field, and told them the Messiah had been born. They went to Bethlehem to see Jesus. After eight days, Jesus was taken to the Temple to be circumcised, according to Jewish custom.

A righteous man named Simeon was in the Temple. The Holy Spirit had told Simeon that the Messiah would appear to him before he died. Simeon recognized Jesus as the Messiah.

When Jesus was 12 years old, he traveled with his parents and a large group of people to Jerusalem for the festival Passover. Jesus was separated from his parents. At this age, Jesus might have been expected to travel with either the women and children, or with the men. They were with such a large group, that each parent thought he was with the other. Mary and Joseph traveled a day, before they realized Jesus was not with them. They returned to Jerusalem and found him in the temple. Everyone was amazed at Jesus’ level of understanding of the the topics taught and discussed in the Temple.
John the Baptist. When John grew into a man, he came out of the wilderness and began proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin. Crowds came to be baptized. Some of the people thought John might be the messiah. He told them someone much greater than him would follow.
John rebuked the Jewish leader, Herod, because Herod’s wife was actually the wife of his brother. Herod had John arrested.

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.