One Year Bible Challenge, Week 14

Week 14

April 2-8, 2011¹

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.