Numbers 35 - Isaiah 17 – 1 Corinthians 16 – 3 John 1

Numbers 35
- The Lord spoke to Moses by the Jordan at Jericho
- The Levites were supposed to be given a portion of the other tribes inheritance, cities and pasturelands.
- The Levites' pasturelands shall be 18,000 inches from the city walls.
- If it was 1,000 cubits (18,000 inches) why does the next paragraph say to measure out 2,000 cubits?
- Levites will get 6 cities that will be "cities of refuge"
- A murderer can flee to one of these 6 cities.
- The Levites shall also get 42 smaller cities.
- The larger tribes shall give up more cities than the smaller ones.
- A manslayer (who did so without intent) can flee to one of the 6 cities.
- The avenger may not touch the manslayer until he has been judged by the congregation.
- 3 refuges shall be on one side of the Jordan and the other 3 will be in Canaan.
- If he killed with a metal object, stone tool, or wooded tool he is a murderer and shall be put to death.
- The avenger shall put that murderer to death.
- If the murderer threw something, beat the man to death, or pushed him out of hatred he shall be put to death.
- If the man killed without enmity (an accident) and didn't seek the dead's harm then the congregation shall judge the man.
- The manslayer can stay in the city of refuge and he shall live there until the death of the high priest.
- If the avenger finds the manslayer outside the city, he may kill the man without being "guilty of blood"
- The manslayer may only return to his home city after the high priest dies.
- No one shall be killed based on evidence of only one witness.
- The murderer shall not be able to be ransomed. He must be killed.
- Blood pollutes the land.
- God says they must not defile the land (pollute it by shedding blood)

Isaiah 17
- Oracle about Damascus
- it will cease to be a city and be in ruins
- The fortress in Ephraim will disappear.
- Syria will be like the remnant of God.
- The glory of Jacob will be brought low.
- The crops will be sparse.
- Man will look to his Master and turn back to God.
- Man will turn from trusting in alters and the works of their own hands.
- Their cities will be like deserted places.
- Why? because they have forgotten their Lord.
- They build up and plant, but they won't reap the harvest.
- Isaiah describes it as a day of grief and incurable pain.
- The enemies will come in like roaring waters but will be swept away later for looting and plundering "us" (Israel)

1 Corinthians 16
- Paul moves onto discussing the collection for the saints.
- He already told the Galatians to do this.
- Paul tells them to put some of what they have aside on the first of the week for the saints in Jerusalem, not just to give it to Paul when he comes
- Paul will have men who they choose to take the money to Jerusalem.
- He will visit them after Macedonia, and try to stay the winter there.
- If the Lord permits, he wants to spend some time with them, not just a quick visit.
- He is in Ephesus until Pentacost because "a wide door has opened" there
- He tells them to treat Timothy well and help him on in peace.
- Paul hope Apollos would visit them but it was not God's will.
- Paul exhorts them to be watchful, stand firm in faith, be strong, and do everything in love
- The house of Stephanas were the first converts in Achacia
- Paul tells the Corinthians to follow people like this.
- Stephanas, Fotunatus, and Achaicus visited Paul and refreshed him.
- He sends greeting from the churches in Asia (Aquila and Prisca)
- Paul wrote this letter himself.
He wishes a curse on those who don't love the Lord.
- Our Lord come! = Maranatha
- Grace and Paul's love are with them.

3 John 1
- This letter was written to Gaius
- John prays he is in good physical health like his soul is in good health
- John rejoiced when he heard of Gaius' faith
- There is no greater joy for John than to hear of "his children" walking in faith.
- John encourage Gaius for helping fellow brothers.
- Gaius should send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God (be generous)
- The teachers haven't accepted anything from Gentiles.
- That's why these men need support from Jewish brothers.
- John wrote to the church but it was dismissed by Diotephes who doesn't acknowledge John's authority
- John will call Diotephes out on this when he comes.
- He is stopping others from helping out brothers passing through.
- Don't imitate evil, imitate good.
- Doing evil = not knowing God.
- Demetrius has received good testimony.
- John doesn't want to write to much to Gaius but would rather come and visit him.
- John says the friends greet Gaius, and he should greet "every one of them"