One Year Bible Challenge, Week 8

Week 8

February 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 gives more instructions to Moses about their offerings. Moses carries out God’s instructions regarding consecration of the priests. Moses anoints the Tabernacle and all that was in it with anointing oil. Moses slaughtered a bull as a sin offering; and then other animal sacrifices. Moses put blood from the sacrifice on Aaron and his sons, on the lobe of their right ears, on the thumb of their right hands, and the big toe of their right feet. The priests began their ministry. They sacrificed animals in quantity. Two of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, disobeyed God’s instructions by using “unauthorized fire” before the Lord. God consumed (killed) them with the fire. God made another rule: The priest must not drink alcohol before entering the Tabernacle.

God specified which animals were clean and which were “unclean.” There are detailed guidelines. But, in general, if it has divided hoofs and chews its cud, it is most likely acceptable to eat. If it is a scavenger, lizard, carrion bird or snake, it’s probably not fine to eat it. Fish with scales and gills are clean—most other sea creatures are “unclean.” If in doubt, check the label, to see if it’s kosher.

God gave rules for purification after child birth—slightly different if the child is male or female. God also gave rules on how leprosy is to be diagnosed and dealt with.

“[45] The leper who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip and cry, `Unclean, unclean.’ [46] He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease; he is unclean; he shall dwell alone in a habitation outside the camp.” Leviticus 13: 45-46 (RSV)

God gave Moses a procedure for dealing with a leprous person who has been healed. Also rules on dealing with mildew in homes. If the problem couldn’t be cured, the home might have to be torn down. He also gave Moses rules for other medical ailments and conditions.

God gave more instructions on the sacrifices offered at the altar. There were also warnings against the consequences of improper sacrifices. Next God gives rules about certain sexual practices. It’s an interesting list. I don’t think my summary would do it justice. You can read it in Chapter 18 of Leviticus.

Discussion points: Why did God give the Israelites so many rules about “clean” and “unclean” animals?
Psalms: Psalm 37:12-41:13
Proverbs: Proverbs 10:5-16

Themes and stories: Jesus says, “Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Mark 3:35 (RSV)

Parable of the four soils. Jesus explains it’s meaning to the disciples. Specifically, Satan immediately takes away the word from some; in other cases, the word is gladly received, but does not take root. The “cares of the world, and the delight in riches, and the desire for other things” chokes out the word with others. But others hear the word, and it bears fruit with them, many times over. Jesus tells another parable about a growing seed, and one about a mustard seed.

One evening Jesus and his disciples set out in their boat to get away from the crowds. A sudden storm threatened to swamp the ship and drown them all. Jesus calmed the seas. His disciples were amazed.

On the other side of the sea, in Gerasenes, a wild demon possessed man was running in the cemetery between the tombs. He was so crazed that no one could restrain him—not even with chains! Jesus asked the demons their name. They replied “My name is Legion; for we are many.” Mark 5:9 (RSV). The unclean spirits begged Jesus to let them go into a nearby herd of swine. Jesus consented. “And the unclean spirits came out, and entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and were drowned in the sea. Mark 5:13. The owners of the pigs didn’t appreciate the significance of the event, and asked Jesus to leave.

Jesus heals a bleeding woman and restores a dead girl to life. The woman, who had been bleeding for years, was healed by her faith, merely by touching Jesus’ garment. The dead girl, whose father was Jairus, was really dead. Completely dead. Dead as a doornail. When Jesus implied she was not dead, the mourners “laughed him to scorn.“ Mark 5:40 (KJV). Jesus took the girl by the hand and said, “Tal’itha cu’mi”; which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” Immediately, the girl, who was 12 years old, got up and began to walk around. Jesus told them to get her something to eat.

The people of Nazareth didn’t accept Jesus. Jesus noted that it is hard for people to believe a man is anything special in his own hometown.

Jesus sent out his disciples to preach. They took no money nor possessions. They cast out demons, anointed with oil and cured the sick.

King Herod had married his brother’s wife. John the Baptist pointed out this marriage was a sin. At the prompting of his wife, Herodias, Herod arrested John. Herodias’ daughter danced at Herod’s party. Herod was so impressed that he made an open promise to her. She cashed in on the promise by demanding the head of John the Baptist on a platter. Beware of pretty dancing girls.

Jesus fed 5,000 men (plus women and children) with five loaves of bread and two fish. There were 12 baskets of leftovers. Jesus walked on water. Jesus continued to heal people.

Jesus reprimanded the religious leaders for following the letter of the law, while ignoring God’s intent of the law. Jesus came to the house of Gentiles. He sent a demon out of a girl. Jesus fed another large crowd with almost no food. This time, it was 4,000 men (plus women and children), with seven loaves of bread, and few small fish. There were 7 baskets of leftovers. Mark 8:1-10

Discussion points:

1. Is the purpose of the parables to convey the truth? Or to hide the truth? Or both? Or neither?
2. Imagine you were Jairus, and Jesus brought your child back to life. How do you think you would feel? Why did Jesus tell the people standing by to give the girl something to eat?

• Isn’t leprosy incurable? Why was there a procedure in Leviticus, chapter 14 for re-admitting people back into society after being cured of leprosy?
• What was the “unholy fire” that Nadab and Abihu offered before the Lord?
• Why did God restrict the foods the Israelites were allowed to eat
• How did the boat Jesus and the disciples were in get caught at sea? Weren’t they experienced fishermen?
• Why did Herod’s wife want to kill John the Baptist? Why did Herod agree to do so?

The discussion notes ( PDF / TEXT ) for breakfast on Saturday, February 26, 2011 are now online — ”Clean vs. Unclean”. This week we read more about God’s specific rules for the Israelites. God defines what animals are considered clean and can be eaten. God’s rules for leprosy also use the terms “Clean” and “Unclean.” Discussion verses: Leviticus 11 and Mark 4:10-12. This week’s BACKGROUND is a brief review of the Latin Vulgate Bibles..

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.