Tuesday, March 31, 2015

2015DBRP_091 Num36 Ps48 Acts7a


Yesterday we heard about the boundaries for the nation of Israel, the 12 clan leaders, and about cities set aside for the Levites and cities of refuge to protect from unjust prosecution of murder.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/num.36.nlt

 

We turn to Psalm 48. This psalm praises God for Jerusalem and  shows that Jerusalem is a reflection of God's glory. It is clear that more than the earthly Jerusalem is the topic. God has prepared a city for us!

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.48

 

We turn for the first time to Acts 7. Yesterday in chapter 6 we heard how grumbling in the ever-expanding group of believers in Jerusalem required that seven helpers (the first deacons) be appointed. One of them, Stephen, became the object of controversy with the Greek-speaking Jews. Before the council, his face shone with radiance like that of an angel.

 

Translation notes:

37 “Moses himself told the people of Israel, ‘God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people.

That Prophet is Jesus!

 

42b ‘Was it to me you were bringing sacrifices and offerings

during those forty years in the wilderness, Israel?

 

43 No, you carried your pagan gods—

the shrine of Molech,

the star of your god Rephan,

and the images you made to worship them.

 

This is not to be taken literally. This is hyperbole which highlights that the people were not faithful to the tabernacle.

 

48 However, the Most High doesn’t live in temples made by human hands. As [God said through a prophet,//the prophet says,]

 

56 And he [said/told] to them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”

 

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/act.7


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Monday, March 30, 2015

2015DBRP_090 Num34-35 Ps47 Acts6


Yesterday we heard the listing of the stages of the nomadic journey of the people of Israel. God began giving instructions for the time when the people would enter the promised land.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/num.34.nlt

 

We turn to Psalm 47, which is a jubilant song of praise.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.47

 

We turn to Acts 6. Yesterday we heard Peter and the apostles give fearless testimony before the Jewish high council. They were beaten, but counted it an honor.

 

Translation notes:

5 Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following

[men//0]: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith).

 

10 None of them could stand against the wisdom [given by the Holy Spirit//and the Spirit], with which Stephen spoke.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/act.6


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Sunday, March 29, 2015

2015DBRP_089 Num33 Ps46 Acts5b


Yesterday we heard how the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half the

tribe of Manasseh promised to go ahead of their fellow Israelites in

battle on the west side of the Jordon, because they were receiving

land on the east side of the Jordan. In hinds site, I must say this was

not a great idea. Because of how often all the men were required to

go to Jerusalem for the holy assemblies, it must have been very easy

to not attend those events and grow increasingly far from the Lord.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/num.33.nlt

 

We turn to the famous Psalm 46. This was the inspiration for the hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.46

 

We turn for the second time to Acts 5. Yesterday we heard the sobering story of Ananias and Sapphira. Then, just when God was using the apostles to perform many miracles, they were arrested.

 

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/act.5


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Saturday, March 28, 2015

2015DBRP_088 Num32 Ps45 Acts5a


Yesterday we heard of the conquest of the Midianite people. That

story is an example of how hard it is for us humans to follow God's

instructions.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/num.32.nlt

 

We turn to Psalm 45. This psalm may have originally been intended as a wedding song for King Solomon, but from our vantage point we can see that it is really a song of praise to our King, the Messiah, and we— the people of God, are the bride.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.45

 

We turn for the first time to Acts 5. Yesterday we heard of the fearless praying of the believers after being commanded to no longer teach about Jesus. And we heard of the wonderful unity of spirit among them.

 

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/act.5


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Friday, March 27, 2015

2015DBRP_087 Num31 Ps44 Acts4b


Yesterday the listing of sacrifices continued with those for the Festival of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the 8 day Festival of Shelters. Then in Numbers 30 we heard laws concerning the annulment of rash vows. These laws show how seriously God takes any vows made to Him!

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/num.31.nlt

 

We turn to Psalm 44. This is a psalm with extreme contrast between part one and part two. Part one recites has a tone of praise, reciting the wonderful way God helped Israel. But part two accuses God of abandoning Israel. This psalm can be a pattern for us in how to plead with God to fulfill his promises or to again act as He has in the past.

 

Translation notes:

11 You have [stood by and watched as they] butchered us like sheep

and scattered us among the nations.

 

21 [You, O Lord] God would surely have known it,

for [you know//he knows] the secrets of every heart.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.44

 

We turn for the second time to Acts. 4. Yesterday we heard the start of the dramatic trial that happened after the apostles were arrested because of the healing of the lame man in chapter 3 and Peter's teaching about the resurrection of Jesus. The council recognized that these men had been with Jesus.

 

Translation note:

30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done [by the authority//through the name] of your holy servant Jesus.”

 

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/act.4


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Thursday, March 26, 2015

2015DBRP_086 Num29-30 Ps43 Acts4a


Yesterday we heard about the request of the daughters of Zelophehad, and the Lord told Moses that it was time for him to die. Joshua was appointed to lead in Moses' place. And we were given the list of sacrificial offerings for high holy days.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/num.29.nlt

 

We turn to Psalm 43. This psalm is a companion to Psalm 42,  containing the same refrain at the end. This is a prayer for God to defend and guide each of us as worshipers of the Lord.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.43

 

We turn for the first time to Acts 4. Yesterday we heard the story of the remarkable healing of lame beggar at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. Peter's speech was interrupted as we will hear today.

 

Translation note:

18 So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach [by the authority//in the name] of Jesus.

 

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/act.4


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Wednesday, March 25, 2015

2015DBRP_085 Num27-28 Ps42 Acts3


Yesterday we heard of the second registration of Israel's troops.

Translation note ch.28:

24 On each of the seven days of the festival, this is how you must prepare the food offering that is presented as a special gift, a pleasing aroma to [Me,/0] the LORD. These will be offered in addition to the regular burnt offerings and liquid offerings.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/num.27.nlt

 

Psalm 42 contains words we often sing. It is a song about renewing

hope in the Lord after discouragement.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.42

 

Yesterday we heard the conclusion of Peter's first sermon. 3,000

believed in Christ that day and were baptized. And the believers

devoted themselves totally to the apostles' teaching.

 

Translation notes:

6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of [Christ Jesus//Jesus Christ] the Nazarene,a get up and walk!”

 

16 “Through [fully believing//faith] in [Jesus//the name of Jesus], this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. [Fully believing in Jesus//Faith in Jesus’ name] has healed him before your very eyes.

 

Peter uses a common Jewish metonymy here, where 'name' stands for the whole person of Jesus. We use metonymy in English (in sayings like “The pen is mightier than the sword.”) While many English speakers will understand 'name of Jesus' simply to refer to Jesus himself, others (and especially some of my listeners from other cultures) could be tempted to think that the Bible teaches followers of Christ use 'the name of Jesus' like magic words.

 

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/act.3


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Tuesday, March 24, 2015

2015DBRP_084 Num26 Ps41 Acts2b


Yesterday we heard Balaam's final prophecies. Even though he was

a shaman and a charlatan, God chose to speak through him on that

occasion, giving a small glimpse of God's redemptive plan.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/num.26.nlt

 

We turn to Psalm 41. God hears us when we are down and cry out for his help!

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.41

 

We turn for the second time to Acts 2. Yesterday we heard how the Holy Spirit came with tongues of fire and a loud noise, and the beginning part of Peter's first famous sermon.

 

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/act.2


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Monday, March 23, 2015

2015DBRP_083 Num24-25 Ps40 Acts2a


Yesterday we heard how Balak sent for the shaman Balaam to curse

Israel, and we heard that God instead moved him to bless Israel two

times. And a third sacrifice of 7 bulls and 7 rams was made.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/num.24.nlt

 

We turn to Psalm 40. This is a psalm that is quoted in the New Testament. It is a great psalm of praise which conveys many New Testament concepts.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.40

 

We turn for the first time to Acts 2. Yesterday we heard about Jesus' followers who were waiting in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit and for power from God.

 

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/act.2


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Sunday, March 22, 2015

2015DBRP_082 Num22-23 Ps39 Acts1


In Numbers 21, the Lord gave victory to the Israelites over the Amorites, and then over King Sihon. And because of their grumbling, the Lord sent poisonous snakes among them. When the people cried out to Moses, the Lord told him to make a snake and set it up on a pole. This is an unannounced picture of Christ.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/num.22.nlt

 

We turn to Psalm 39. This is a prayer for relief by David when he felt he was under the discipline of the Lord.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.39

 

We follow up Luke's first report to Theophilus with his second

to the same man. (Or perhaps Luke meant this account to be for

any 'lover of God'.) The book covers the story of what happened after Jesus’ death in 33AD to Paul’s two-year house arrest that ended in 62AD.

 

Since only a few of the apostles are told about in this book, rather than ‘Acts of the Apostles’, others have suggested the name ‘Acts of the Holy Spirit’. Here Constable quotes William Neil, who is quoting Streeter:

 

“Streeter suggested that an alternative title for the book of Acts might be ‘The Road to Rome’, for this is indeed the significance of Luke’s work. Whatever minor motifs Luke had in mind, such as the establishment of Christianity in men’s minds as a constructive and not destructive element in the social order, his main concern was to show that, in God’s plan for the renewal of the life of mankind, Jerusalem, the heart of old Israel, was the goal of Stage I [i.e., the Book of Luke], while Rome, the centre of the world, was the goal of Stage II [i.e., the Book of Acts].”

 

I also like this quote from Rosner:

“. . . Luke in Acts is not merely concerned to draw a link between the time of Jesus and the time of the early church, as is commonly noticed, but also between the time of Israel and the time of Jesus and His church. Acts insists that the God who was at work in the history of his ancient people, Israel, bringing them salvation, is the same God who is at work in the church.”

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/act.1


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Saturday, March 21, 2015

2015DBRP_081 Num21 Ps38 Luke24b


Yesterday we heard about the water of purification, which involved the burnt offering of a red heifer and following very exacting requirements. Then we heard the story of Moses and Aaron's failure to display God's holiness in the issue of speaking to— rather than striking the rock. It is no wonder Moses was exasperated by the people. And following that incident, not being able to pass through the land of Edom, they turned back to Mount Hor, where Aaron died.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/num.21.nlt

 

We turn to Psalm 38, which is a beautiful song of repentance.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.38

 

We turn for the second time to Luke 24. Yesterday we heard the story of the women not finding Jesus in the tomb, and the story of the two men meeting the risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus.

 

Translation note:

6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7 that [He,/0] the Son of Man[,/0] must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”

 

25 Then Jesus  said to them, “You foolish [men/people]! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the

Scriptures.

 

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/luk.24


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Friday, March 20, 2015

2015DBRP_080 Num19-20 Ps37b Luke24a


In yesterday's portions we heard how God proved again His choice

of Aaron and the Levites by causing Aaron's staff to bud and even

produce almonds. And God explained to the Levites and priests that

their portion was not land— as for the other Israelites, but God

himself and all the gifts given to God.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/num.19.nlt

 

Today we return to Psalm 37, which is an acrostic poem. This shows us God’s perspective about this world.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.37

 

We turn for the first time to Luke 24. At the end of chapter 23, we heard of the events of the crucifixion, including the miracle of the torn curtain in the temple. Jesus was laid in the tomb, and the women prepared spices to anoint his body.

 

Translation note:

6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7 that [He,/0] the Son of Man[,/0] must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”

 

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/luk.24


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Thursday, March 19, 2015

2015DBRP_079 Num17-18 Ps37a Luke23b


Yesterday we heard another dramatic chapter in Israel's history: The rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. They must have been included in those who refused to go to the Promised Land, but then they had the gall to find fault with Moses that he didn't lead them to that land. It is also incredible that God would prove Moses' authority so dramatically (resulting in the death of the three conspirators and their families), yet the people would the next day without fear accuse Moses of killing the Lord's people (resulting in a plague).

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/num.17.nlt

 

We turn for the first time to Psalm37, which is an acrostic poem. This is a great Psalm for giving us the right perspective in our fallen world.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.37

 

We turn for the second time to Luke 23. In the first half of this chapter, Jesus was tried by Pilato and Herode, before finally Pilato caved into pressure and sentenced Jesus to death. We repeat a few verses starting at verse 36.

 

Translation notes:

3 So Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

Jesus replied, “[You are the one who says it.//You have said it.]

 

34 Jesus said [about the ones crucifying him//0], “Father,

forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

 

50 Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, 51 but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was [one of those//0] waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.

 

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/luk.23


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Wednesday, March 18, 2015

2015DBRP_078 Num16 Ps36 Luke23a


In Numbers 15, we found out that there were sacrifices that could be made for unintentional sins— whether done by the whole community or by an individual. But there was no sacrifice to cover an intentional sin— such as working on the Sabbath, as illustrated in chapter 15 also. The tassels that Tevia in Fiddler on the Roof doesn't know the meaning of are explained at the end of chapter 15.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/num.16.nlt

 

We turn to Psalm 36, which is a song praising God’s unfailing love.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.36

 

We turn for the first time to Luke 23. Chapter 22 ended with Peter's denial of being a follower of Jesus, and we heard of the council's decision against Jesus.

 

Translation notes:

3 So Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

Jesus replied, “[You are the one who says it.//You have said it.]

 

34 Jesus said [about the ones crucifying him//0], “Father,

forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And

the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

 

50 Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, 51 but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was [one of those//0] waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.

 

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/luk.23


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Tuesday, March 17, 2015

2015DBRP_077 Num15 Ps35 Luke22b


Yesterday in Numbers 14 we heard the very important and dramatic story: The people of Israel became unworthy to enter the Promised Land because of their stubborn unbelief. In the midst of that experience, Moses' prayers to God on behalf of the people are prime examples of how to plead with the Lord. The key is to plead with God in accordance with his character and quoting his promises!

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/num.15.nlt

 

In today’s psalm, Psalm 35, David prays for victory against his enemy, King Saul, became David's enemy for no good reason— only because of envy.

 

Translation notes:

8 So let sudden ruin come upon them!

Let them be caught in the [same/0] trap they set for me!

Let them be destroyed in the pit they dug for me.

 

9 Then I will rejoice in [You,/the] LORD.

I will be glad because [you/he] rescues me.

 

10 With every bone in my body I will praise [You/him]:

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/psa.35

 

We turn for the second time to Luke 22. Yesterday in this chapter we heard of Judas betraying Jesus to the Jewish leaders, of the last supper, and of Jesus' last words to the disciples, including the prophecy that Peter would deny Him three times.

 

Translation notes:

48 But Jesus said, “Judas, would you

betray the [Me,/0] the Son of Man, with a kiss?”

 

69 But from now on [I,/0] the Son of Man, will be seated in the place of power at God’s right hand.”

 

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/luk.22


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