a-CROSS-antarctica

joshua 8 & Isaiah 62

2010-10-20T01:59:00.000-07:00

Joshua 8
- God told Joshua to take all of the fighting men to Ai.
- They should take its spoil and livestock
- They should lay an ambush behind the city.
- Joshua sent 30,000 men to lay in ambush while he took others up to Ai as they had before.
- Joshua was going to lure them away from the city.
- The 30,000 men will enter the city and set it on fire.
- Joshua woke up early and sent 5,000 men to Ai for an ambush.
- King Ai had all the men from the city follow Joshua's "beaten" army, leaving the city empty.
- Then Joshua raised his javelin and the ambushers went into Ai and set it on fire.
- They killed all of the men of Ai in that battle except the king whom they took to Joshua.
- They then killed all of the men and women in Ai and took plunder and livestock for themselves.
- Today Ai still lies in ruins and the king was hung until evening and then buried in Ai's gateway with stones.
- On Mount Ebal Joshua built an alter to the Lord.
- They offered burnt offerings and peace offerings on it.
- Joshua wrote the laws of Moses on those stones
- They all stood on either side of the ark between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim
- There Joshua read them the law, the blessings and the curse.

Isaiah 62
- He won't keep silent until Jerusalem see their righteousness and glory
- They will get a new name from God.
- They will be a crown of beauty and a royal diadem (crown with jewels)
- They shall no longer be called Forsaken, Desolate but they shall be renamed My Delight is in Her and Married because God delights in them
- God shall rejoice over them as a groom rejoices over his bride.
- God has appointed watchmen which won't keep quiet
- God has no rest until Jerusalem is made a praise in the world
- God has sworn by his right hand, not to give foreigners their grain or wine again.
- Those who gather and rink it will be in God's holy sanctuary (courts)
- Go through (repeated twice) the gates and prepare a highway for people to come
- Zion's salvation has come
- They shall be called The Holy People,The Redeemed of the Lord;and you shall be called Sought Out,A City Not Forsaken.

Joshua 7 & Isaiah 61

2010-10-08T02:39:00.000-07:00

Joshua 7

- Achan, of the tribe of Judah broke faith and took some devoted things, so God's anger burned against Israel.

- Joshua sent spies to Ai, and they said only send a few thousand men because Ai is small.

- 36 men of the 3000 were killed and they fled
- The hearts of the Israelites melted
- Joshua tore his clothes and put his head on the ground by the ark until evening.
- He asked God why he brought them here to be defeated by the Ammmorites
- Joshua feared everyone would hear of this defeat and come out to defeat Israel.
- Joshua also was concerned about doing things for God's name.
- God told Joshua to get up and that someone had stolen devoted things and lied
- Joshua was to address the people and say they will be defeated until the devoted things are returned.
- Joshua was supposed to draw lots to figure out which tribe it was, then they will draw lots by household.
- The person who stole shall be burned along with everything they own.
- Lots were draw and Judah (tribe) was drawn, followed by Zerahites(clan), Zabdi (household), and Achan was selected out of the men.
- Achan admitted that he has sinned and took a cloak, 200 shekels of silver and a large gold bar from their spoils and buried them in his tent.
- Joshua brought Achan and his spoils and his family and animals to the Valley of Achor and stoned Achan first and them everyone and everything else and burned them with fire.
- Achor means trouble
- They covered Achan and his stuff with a large pile of stones that's still there today.
- This turned away God's anger.

Isaiah 61
- Isaiah says that God has anointed him to bring good news to the poor and brokenhearted.
- To proclaim liberty to the captives
- Isaiah is to proclaim the year of the Lord and the day of God's vengeance.
- To replace the ashes of mourners with a beautiful headdress.
- Replace faint spirits with praise and be called "oaks of righteousness"
- God will be glorified and the city will be rebuilt.
- Strangers will watch their flocks and tend their vines.
- The people will speak to the Israelites like ministers and shall be wealthy.
- Shame shall be replaced with rejoicing, a double portion, and everlasting joy.
- God loves justice and hates wrong and robbery.
- God will make an everlasting covenant with them
- Everyone will see they are the offspring of God and blessed.
- Isaiah says he will greatly rejoice in God because he has been clothed by God's garments of salvation and robes of righteousness
- A bridegroom would where a beautiful headdress.
- A bride adorns herself with jewels
- Just like a garden sprouts up what has been sown, God will sprout up righteousness and praise in them before the nations.
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Joshua 6 & Isaiah 60

2010-10-06T02:15:00.000-07:00

Joshua 6
- The city of Jericho shut itself up and no one left or entered the city because they were afraid of Israel.
- God told Joshua to have the men walk around the city for 6 days
- 7 priests shall carry 7 rams horns with the ark on the 7th day and they shall walk around the city 7 times.
- Then the priests will blow their horns and the men shall shout. This will make the walls around Jericho fall.
- The people did as the Lord instructed.
- They blew the horns continuously but weren't supposed to say anything until instructed to do so.
- They spent the night in camp.
- They walked around the city once for 6 days.
- On the 7th day they walked around Jericho 7 times and then the priests blew their horns and the people shouted because God had given them the city.
- The only thing that they should leave untouched is the house of Rahab.
- They shouldn't take anything from the city which would bring destruction upon Israel.
- Everything made of gold, silver, bronze or iron are holy to God and will go in the Lord's treasury.
- They shouted and when the walls fell, all the people and livestock were destroyed.
- Joshua sent in his two spies to get Rahab and her family. She stayed outside the Israelite's camp.
- Rahab would live in Israel with the Israelites because she helped them.
- Joshua said a curse for any man that would rebuild Jericho.
- His curse said - the foundation shall cost that person their firstborn and that person's youngest shall be payment for the gates being hung.
- God was with Joshua and his fame spread.

Isaiah 60
- Their light and the glory of God shall shine.
- Darkness will cover the earth, but the people shall see God's glory in his people.
- Nations and kings will come to the people's brightness.
- Their sons and daughters from afar shall be gathered together and they shall be radiant, thrilled, and exalted.
- Abundance of the sea and the wealth of nations will come to them.
- They shall bring camels, gold and frankincense, and good news.
- Flocks a Kedar will be gathered and the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to them
- How will rams minister?
- God will use these things to beautify His house.
- They shall fly like doves and the ships of Tarshish will bring their children.
- Foreigners shall build up their walls. Is this a reference to the rebuilding in Nehemiah?
- God struck them in His wrath but he will have mercy on them
- Their gates will be open continually and people will bring them gifts.
- Nations that don't serve them will perish
- The wood from Lebanon shall be used for a place for the Lord.
- Those who afflicted Israel will come and bow at their feet.
- God will take them from hated to majestic so that they know He is their savior, redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
- God will give them gold and silver instead of iron and bronze.
- Peace and righteousness will be on them.
- There will be no more violence in the land.
- Salvation will be their walls and Praise will be their gates
- The Lord will be their light, not the sun and the moon
- The people will be righteous and posses the land forever
- God will do all of this to bring glory to Himself
- God will make these things happen

Joshua 5 Isaiah 59

2010-10-05T02:20:00.000-07:00

Joshua 5
- The kings of Ammorites and Canaanites melted when they heard God has dried up the Jordan so the Israelites could cross on dry land.
- God told Joshua to circumcise the people a second time with flint knives.
- How is possible to be circumcised a second time?
- All the males who came out of Egypt had died.
- The males born in the wilderness had not been circumcised
- God told the men in the wilderness that they would not see the promised land because they did not obey God.
- Joshua circumcised those who were born in the 40 years in the wilderness
- They stayed in Gilgal until all the men were healed.
- It was named Gilgal because God had "rolled away the reproach of Egypt" in them. Gilgal means to roll
- They celebrated the Passover in Gilgal.
- The day after Passover they ate food from the land and the manna ceased the next day.
- Joshua saw a man with a sword by Jericho and the man said he was the commander of the army of the Lord.
- Joshua fell on his face and worshipped.
- The commander of the Lord's army told Joshua to take off his sandals because the place was holy.

Isaiah 59
- God's hand is not shortened or ear dull, but iniquities have created a separation between me and God
- My sins have hidden God's face from me so he does not hear
- My hands and tongue are defiled with blood, iniquities, lies, and wickedness
- No one can go to the law justly or honestly
- They rely on empty pleas and conceive mischief
- They hatch viper eggs and spin webs
- Men cannot make clothes from spider's webs
- Their feet run toward evil and are quick to shed blood
- Desolation and destruction are their highways
- They do not know peace or justice
- That is why justice doesn't overtake us.
- That is why when we hope for light but get darkness and gloom
- That is why we grope like a blind man along a wall
- We hope for justice and salvation but we cannot find it.
- Our sins testify against us
- We know our transgressions and when we deny the Lord
- We speak revolt and conceive and utter lying words
- Righteousness stands far away
- Truth is lacking
- He who departs from evil makes himself a prey (What does this phrase mean?)
- God saw this an it displeased him that there was no one to intercede.
- God's own arm brought him salvation and His own righteousness upheld him.
- He put on breastplate of righteousness, helmet of salvation, garments of vengeance, and a cloak of zeal
- He will repay the evil deeds of his enemies.
- They will fear the name of the Lord from the west to the east.
- He will come like a rushing stream or the wind
- The Lord declares that a Redeemer will come to Zion to those in Zion who turn from transgression
- God makes this covenant, "My Spirit is upon you and my words will not depart from your mouth or your children's mouths from this time until forevermore"
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Joshua 4 and Isaiah 58

2010-09-02T02:39:00.000-07:00

Joshua 4
- Joshua told one man from each of the 12 tribes to take one stone each from the dry land in the middle of the Jordan where the priests stood.
- This would be a sign for their future generations
- They shall tell their children that this was where the waters stopped as the ark crossed the Jordan.
- Joshua also set up 12 stones in the midst of the Jordan where the priests stood until everyone had crossed.
- When everyone had crossed, the ark came too.
- The sons of Gad, Reuben and the half tribe of Manasseh crossed over armed fro battle, 40,000
- That day God exalted Joshua and the people stood in awe of them as they had done with Moses.
- The Lord told Joshua to have the priests come out of the Jordan and when they did the river flowed again.
- They crossed the Jordan on the 10th day of the 1st month.
- They set up the 12 stone memorial in Gilgal on the east border of Jericho
- Joshua tells the people to tell their children that these 12 stones show they crossed the Jordan on dry ground as they had done at the Red Sea.
- This will show all people that God is mighty and to be feared forever

Isaiah 58
- These verses are about fasting according to the heading.
- God seems to be telling Isaiah to declare the transgressions and sins of the people of Jacob.
- God says they all seek Him daily and delight to know Him even though they forsake His judgments.
- They ask God for righteous judgments and delight to draw near to God.
- They want to know why God hasn't seen their fasting or their humblings.
- God says that when they fast they oppress their workers, quarrel, and fight.
- This kind of fasting will not be heard by God on high.
- Fasting should not just be to humble yourself and bow your head low with sack cloth and ashes.
- God wants fasting to be loosening bonds of wickedness and letting the oppressed go free.
- It also to share food with the needy and house the homeless.
- This kind of fasting shall bring light and healing
- This will bring righteousness and the glory of God
- Then God will answer your call
- God says they need to stop pointing fingers and speaking wickedness.
- Then their light will rise and gloom be like noon day.
- Then God will guide them continually, satisfy their desires, strengthen them, and give them water.
- God's waters do not fail.
- If they do these things God will rebuild their ruins and repair the breach for future generations.
- What is the breach?
- They must stop seeking their own pleasure on God's holy day.
- They must make the Sabbath honorable again.
- They must not go their own ways, seek their own pleasures, or talk idly.
- Then they can delight in the Lord and God will feed them the heritage of Jacob because God has spoken.

Joshua 3 and Isaiah 57

2010-08-23T02:31:00.000-07:00

Joshua 3

- Joshua took Israel to banks of Jordan and set up camp.
- The officers spent 3 days telling the people that when the see Levitical priests carrying the ark, they should follow it.
- The people should stay 2,000 cubits behind the ark.
- Joshua told the people to consecrate themselves because tomorrow God would do wonders (he was anticipating God to do awesome things)
- The Lord told Joshua that he would do great things through Joshua just like He did through Moses.
- Joshua told the people that God would do great things so they should know God will remove the other nations.
- Joshua said that as soon as the priest's feet touch the waters they shall be held back in a heap.
- When their feet touch the water it stood in a heap at the city of Adam a far distance away.
- Could the people have seen the waters standing "in a heap"?
- The whole nation crossed on dry ground through the Jordan and the Jordan was high at that time due to perennial flooding.

Isaiah 57
- No one cares when the righteous dies
- The righteous man leaves calamity and enters peace (heaven?)
- These verses talk to sons of the sorceress, adulterer, and loose woman.
- God wants to know who they are mocking
- Their children are children of deceit.
- The burn with lust and kill their children.
- They have sacrificed to stones
- They sacrifice on a high mountain, they deserted God and opened up their beds.
- They have journeyed to the king and multiplied perfumes.
- The were weary at the length of their way, but did not say it is hopeless.
- The found new life doing things their way.
- They did not fear God when they lied.
- Their righteousness and their deeds will not profit them.
- God says they should cry out to their idols for deliverance.
- God says that those who take refuge in Him will lifted up.
- Those who trust in God, He will remove obstacles.
- Those with contrite and lowly spirit God sees and helps.
- He will revive their spirits.
- God will not always be angry with them.
- God was angry at the unjust gains and backsliding of the people.
- God will lead, restore, and comfort them.
- God promises peace to the far and near.
- There is no peace for the wicked who are like waves tossing dirt about.

Joshua 1 and Isaiah 55

2010-08-05T07:22:00.000-07:00

Joshua 1

- The Lord to Joshua that Moses was dead and that he was to lead the Israelites across the Jordan.
- All of the land they touch will be theirs from Lebonon to the Euphrates River
- The will own the wilderness and the land west of the Great Sea (Red Sea?")
- No man will be able to stand against them.
- God tells Joshua twice to be strong and courageous and to do the commandments God had given to them.
- Following God's laws = good success and wisdom
- Joshua should meditate on God's law day and night = success and prosperity
- God tells him to be strong and courageous and not to fear a third time because God is with him
- Joshua sent officers to tell the people that they'd cross the Jordan in 3 days
- Joshua spoke to the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh and said God will give them rest and this land.
- These 3 groups were to leave their families in this land and go help the Israelites fight in the new land.
- After they help their brothers get land and find rest they can return home.
- They all agreed to go wherever he sent them.
- They promised to obey Joshua like they obeyed Moses.
- They added that God be with him as God was with Moses.
- They said that anyone who rebelled would be put to death.
- They ended by saying being strong and courageous.

Isaiah 55
- Starts by telling anyone thirsty to come to me
- They are to come and get wine and milk without money
- He asks why they labor for unsatisfying things
- He says to listen and eat what is good
- He says to listen so they might live
- He will make an everlasting covenant of love like he did with David
- An unknown nation will run to them because of God.
- He says to seek God while He is near
- Let the wicked forsake his ways and thoughts
- The wicked can still return to God and be pardoned
- God says their ways and thoughts are not aligned with His.
- God's ways and thoughts are higher than theirs.
- God's word will not return to Him empty like rain or snow.
- His word will accomplish His purpose and succeed in the thing He sent it for
- They shall be led in joy and peace.
- The mountains, hills, and tress will clap their hands and sing.
- The cypress will replace the thorn
- The myrtle shall replace the brier
- It shall make a name for the Lord and a sign that won't be cut off
- What is "it"?

Deuteronomy 34 & Isaiah 54

2010-06-18T03:16:00.000-07:00

Deuteronomy 34

- Moses left the plains of Moab and went up Mount Nebo. From the mountain the Lord showed Moses all of the land promised to Abraham.
- The Lord showed Moses the promised land but told him that he would never go there.
- It says, "he buried him", so God buried Moses and no one knows where Moses is buried even today.
- Moses was buried in the land of Moab opposite Beth-peor.
- Moses was 120 and had great vigor and eye sight when he died.
- The people wept over Moses for 30 days in Moab.
- Joshua was full of the spirit because Moses had laid his hands on Joshua.
- The people now followed him.
- There hasn't been a prophet since who the Lord knew "face-to-face" or a prophet who did such great wonders and signs
- It wraps up by saying Moses did great deeds of terror with mighty power.

Isaiah 54
- It tells the barren one to sing for she will have many children (Is this speaking of Elizabeth, John the Baptist's mother?)
- They will need to get a bigger, stronger tent.
- Her offspring will possess the nations
- She will not be ashamed or disgraced. She will not remember the reproach of her widowhood.
- Your Maker is your husband (speaking of Mary?)
- The Lord called her when she was deserted and grieved.
- He deserted her for a moment but will gather her with great compassion.
- God relates this moment like the time when he promised Noah the world would never flood again.
- God now promises not to be angry and rebuke her any longer.
- The mountains and hills may depart, but God's steadfast love and covenant of peace will not.
- God addresses them as "storm tossed" and "afflicted".
- God will make their foundation with sapphires, their pinnacles of ruby, the gates of carbuncles (crystals), and their walls of precious stones
- All of their children will be taught by the Lord and they will have great peace.
- They shall be established in righteousness and far from oppression and fear.
- God won't send strife, and anyone who stirs strife up will fall.
- God says He has created a smith to blow coals and produce "a weapon for its purpose"
- He has also created a ravager to destroy.
- No weapon against them will win
- They will confute any judgment brought against them.
- This is their heritage from God and their vindication (righteousness) from God.

Deuteronomy 33 & Isaiah 53

2010-06-03T03:23:00.000-07:00

Deuteronomy 33

- Moses blesses the people before he dies.

- The Lord came from Sinai from the ten thousands of holy ones with fire in His right hand.

- He loved His people and kept them in His hand.

- The people responded by following in God's steps and listening to Him.

- The Lord became their king in Jeshurun when Moses commanded them the law

- God spoke about the tribes

1) Reuben shall be few

2) Judah will bring the people into Him and defend against adversaries.

3) Levi will teach Jacob the rules and laws and burn offerings on the alters. There was a blessing put on Levites' work and a curse on those who rise against them.

- What is Thummim and Urim?

4) Benjamin dwells in safety. All day long, God dwells "between his shoulders"

5) Joseph's land will be the best, and their will be great quality and abundance because Joseph was prince among his brothers. He is majesty and powerful like a wild ox against enemies. Ephraim is ten thousands and Manasseh is thousands.

6) & 7) Zebulun and Issachar should rejoice in what they do. They will offer "right sacrifices" and draw abundance and hidden treasure from the sea.

8) Gad will be blessed and grow in size. Gad chose the best land as commander of the army. He executed the Lord's justice and judgments.

9) Dan is a lion's cub that leaps from Bashan (What does this mean?)

10) Naphtali is full of favor and blessing from the Lord and owns the lakes on the south.

11) Asher's sons will be most blessed and be strong.

- There is none like God. He is eternal and their dwelling place who thrusts out and destroys their enemies.

- Why is Destroy capitalized?

- Israel can be happy because there is no one like them who are saved, shielded, and given triumph by God.

- They shall defeat their enemies.

- Why were Zebulun and Issachar's blessings grouped together?

- Why wasn't Simeon mentioned in Moses's blessings speech?

Isaiah 53

- These verses predict the coming Messiah.

- They are looking for who the "arm of God" has been revealed.

- He will grow up among them but not be majestic or overly desirable.

- He was despised and rejected by men.

- A man of sorrows who knows grief

- "we" didn't esteem Him (Isaiah seems to put himself into that group)

- He has carried our grief and sorrows but we still didn't esteem Him

- Gospel statement = But he was wounded for our transgressions;he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,and with his stripes we are healed.

- He was killed because of my sin to bring us peace.

- We have all gone astray (sinned) every one of us.

- God has placed all of our iniquities on Him

- When he was afflicted he didn't open his mouth. (Christ didn't speak to his accusers)
- He was like a sheep led to slaughter (the cross)
- He was taken away by judgment (the Jews) and stricken for the transgressions of the people (the sins of mankind)
- The made his grave with the wicked although there was no violence or deceit in Him.
- It was God's will to "crush" him and put him to grief.
- His soul will make an offering for guilt (take away the sins of the world)
- He shall prolong his days then and God will prosper his hand.
- Out of anguish of his soul he shall see the light and be satisfied (when he said "it is finished?"
- The "righteous one" shall make many accounted righteous and bear their iniquities.
- God will divide him a portion because he poured out his soul to death.
- He was counted as a transgressor and bore the sins of many.
- He intercedes for transgressors

Deuteronomy 32 & Isaiah 52

2010-04-20T03:36:00.000-07:00

Deuteronomy 32

- Moses taught the assembly of Israel a new song

- Moses tells the heavens and earth to listen to his words while he proclaims God's greatness.

- Moses refers to God a the Rock

- God's ways are perfect and justice

- God is faithful and without iniquity

- Israel has dealt corruptly with God so they are no longer His children.

- Moses calls the people foolish and senseless because God created them.

- Moses tells the young to ask the older generation about God's faithfulness.

- God gave the peoples of the earth borders, but he made Jacob his heritage.

- Jacob was in the desert, a wasteland and God encircled him and cared for him.

- God alone guided him, no foreign gods were involved.

- God fed him honey out of rocks and oils out of flinty rocks. (similar to water out of rocks at Marriba?)

- God also gave them milk, wine, and wheat to eat.

- Jeshurun grew fat and forsook God and scoffed at the "Rock of his salvation"

- They made God jealous and angry by following strange gods.

- They worshipped demons and new gods which their fathers had never heard about.

- They forgot God who made them.

- God saw their wickedness and hid His face because they were perverse and not faithful.

- God said he would provoke Israel to anger using a foolish nation.

- God anger burns to the depths of Sheol and burn the earth and its increase.

- Is the "increase" the nation of Israel?

- God says He will send plague, waste, teeth, and venom against them.

- God will set the sword against ALL of Israel; man, woman, young, and old.

- The reason Moses didn't want God to wipe out Israel was because their enemies might misunderstand and think they defeated Israel instead of God punishing them.

- Moses says their enemies have no counsel and no understanding.

- Moses recounts that two of their people defeated ten thousand (Joshua)

- Moses links those people with Sodom and Gomorrah.

- God says vengeance is His and He will repay them

- God will judge His people and have compassion on them once their power is gone.

- God will simply ask them in this low time, where their other gods have gone.

- God will tell them to have their gods help and protect them.

- God tells them that He is the only God and no one can deliver them out of God's hand.

- God will sharpen His "flashing sword" (lightning) and take vengeance on His adversaries.

- He will kill His enemies.

- Moses says the Israelites' response should be to rejoice and even other gods should bow down to God.

- He will avenge the blood of His children.

- Moses rehearsed this song with them and warned them to remember it and teach it to their children.

- Moses' song is not simply "empty words" but words of long life in the new land.

- God told Moses to go up Mount Nebo (in Abrim) in the land of Moab to view the promised land.

- God also told Moses that he'd die there.

- Moses would die there because he "broke faith" with God at the waters of Meribah-kadesh.

- This was because Moses didn't treat God as holy before his people.

Isaiah 52

- Jerusalem needs to wake up and put on strength and garments for no more uncircumcised will come into the city.
- They need to pick themselves up and loose their bonds.
- Israel was sold for nothing and will be redeemed without money.
- God recounts them sojourning into Egypt.
- The Assyrians have oppressed them for nothing.
- God sees His people have been taken away and His name is despised.
- God promised they will all know His name soon.
- Well known verse 7 , How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news
- People bring good news, publishes salvation, and who tell Zion their God reigns.
- They sing for joy and see the return of the Lord.
- The Lord redeemed His people so they can sing.
- All nations will see the salvation of the Lord.
- God tells them to depart and go out from "there" Where is there?
- They need to purify themselves.
- God will go before them AND be their rear guard (He will totally protect them).
- God's servant shall act wisely and be lifted up and exalted.
- His appearance was marred and kings will shut their mouths because of him (Jesus?)
- They will see things untold and understand things they have not heard.
- This last section of Isaiah 52 seems to point to Jesus

Deuteronomy 31 and Isaiah 51

2010-04-10T08:05:00.000-07:00

Deuteronomy 31
- Moses tells the Israelites he's 120 and no longer able to go out and come in.
- He also tells them God said he can't cross the Jordan.
- God will cross the Jordan before them and dispossess the nations there.
- Joshua will be their leader there.
- They shall do to them as God commanded.
- Moses tells them to "be strong and courageous" and not fear because God is with them.
- Moses pulled Joshua up and told him to be strong and courageous because God is with them and God will not leave nor forsake them.
- God with you = no fear
- Moses gave the Levites a law to read every 7 years at the Feast of Booths
- Moses tells them to read it to everyone among them so they may learn to "hear and learn to fear the Lord."
- Also their children will hear the law every 7 years.
- God said Moses would die soon and needed to commission him.
- God appeared in a pillar of cloud over the tent.
- God tells Moses that the Israelites will whore after other gods in the new land and God will turn His face from them.
- God tells Moses that when the people enter the promised land and are full and content, they will turn from God.
- God gives Moses a song to confront them in their future sinfulness.
- Moses wrote down the song and taught it to the people that day.
- God said that He knows how they will sin before they even get into the promised land.
- God commissioned Joshua and told him to be strong because God was with him.
- Moses told the Levites to put this book of the law (Deuteronomy?) next to the ark.
- Moses says the law will bear witness against them when he's gone.
- Moses also tells them they are rebellious and says they will be even more so when he (Moses) is gone.
- Moses has all the elders called to speak to them that heaven and earth will bear witness against them.
- Moses tells them they will surely turn from God's commandments and provoke God to anger.

Isaiah 51
- Isaiah tells those who pursue righteousness to listen to him.
- He reflects how Abraham was one man but God multiplied and blessed him.
- God comforts Zion, making her wilderness like Eden.
- There will be joy and gladness and thanksgiving in Zion.
- God's justice is a light to the peoples.
- God's righteousness draws near
- His salvation has gone out
- His arms will judge the people.
- People wait for the arms of God.
- The heavens will vanish and the earth will die out. the people will die.
- God's salvation is forever
- God's righteousness will never be dismayed.
- God calls to His people to not fear man or his revilings.
- Those people will will fall but righteousness and salvation are forever.
- They cut Rahab into pieces, dried up the sea, for the redeemed to pass,
- The ransomed of the Lord will return to Zion.
- Joy and gladness will fill them. Sorrow and sighing will leave them.
- God comforts, but God asks why they are afraid of man "who dies".
- The son of man has forgotten the Lord, your maker.
- God's people fear man, when God made the heavens and the earth.
- God tells those that are "bowed down" that they won't go into the pit and be lacking bread.
- God makes the waves of the sea.
- God has put His words in their mouth and they are in His hands because they are His people.
- God tells them to wake up.
- They have drank from the cup of God's wrath (cup of staggering)
- No man yet born has been able to lead
- God asks who can comfort them after they have faced devastation, destruction, famine, and sword.
- The people are full of the wrath and rebuke of God.
- The people are drunk (not with wine) but from drinking God's wrath.
- God pleads for their cause (Is this a reference to Christ?) and takes away the cup of God's wrath.
- They will no longer drink from that cup.
- God will put the cup in the hands of their oppressors.
- God tells His people to bow down.

Deuteronomy 30 & Isaiah 50

2010-04-09T03:32:00.000-07:00

Deuteronomy 30
- God is reminding them to remember the blessings and the curse He promises them this day.
- They need to remember it when they enter the new land with all their heart and soul.
- When they turn back to God, He will restore the fortune and have compassion on them.
- They will then be brought back together from where they had been scattered.
- He will gather them from the "outermost parts of heaven"
- Where is the outer most parts of heaven?
- God will bring them back to the promised land and make them more numerous than their fathers.
- God will circumcise their hearts, so they will love God with heart and soul and live.
- Paul talks about circumcising the heart in the NT.
- The curses will then be on their enemies who persecuted them (Babylonians and Assyrians)
- Loving God = prosperous in all work, fruit of womb, fruit of cattle, and crops.
- God will again delight in prospering them. (It's amazing that God takes delight in us.)
- loving God "heart and soul" is listed 4 times in this section.
- God says this commandment isn't "too hard" or "far off" (God's not distant or unfair)
- God says the commandment is so near, it's in their heart and mouth.
- The command isn't in heaven, or in a far away land over the sea.
- The blessing and a curse = life and death.
- Obeying commands by loving God, walking in His ways, obeying His commandments = multiplying, blessing, and possession of the promised land.
- Turning to other gods and not obeying = they perish, not entering promised land across the Jordan.
- God call heaven and earth to bear witness to this blessing and curse.
- God tells them to choose life.
- Hold fast to God = life and length of days and living in promised land.
- This chapter has a lot of repetition, seemingly to emphasize the blessing and curse and leave no doubt as to what God is saying to His people.

Isaiah 50
- God asks where their mother's certificate of divorce is.
- God says he sent her away.
- God also asks which creditor He sold them to.
- They were sent away and sold because of their iniquities.
- God asks why there was no one when he came or no answer when He called.
- God asks the rhetorical question, "Is my hand to short to redeem?" "Have I no power to deliver?"
- He then answers these obviously leading questions, by saying the seas dry up when He rebukes them, and He can make the heavens black.
- Isaiah says that God has given him a "tongue of those who are taught" so that he can sustain the weary and hear those who are taught.
- Because God opened Isaiah's ear he didn't turn away or rebel.
- Instead Isaiah's response has been giving his back to a beating and his cheek to have his beard pulled out.
- He didn't hide his face from disgrace or spitting.
- Isaiah's response = seeing the Lord helps Him, so he hasn't really been disgraced and can't really be put to shame.
- Isaiah knows the "he who vindicates me is near"
- Isaiah knows that as long as God is with him, no one can really declare him guilty or contend with him.
- His adversaries will wear out like an old piece of clothing.
- Isaiah asks who fears God and obeys Isaiah's voice.
- Isaiah tells those walking in darkness to trust in the Lord and rely on his God.
- Why does Isaiah say "trust in his God"? Is he referring to Christ or himself?
- Those who light their own torches and walk by their own torches light will lie down in torment.
- Isaiah shows an amazing faith in God through his own trials. He can see that as long as God is for him, no one can truly be against him. Wow!

Deuteronomy 29 & Isaiah 49

2010-01-29T04:03:00.000-08:00

Deuteronomy 29
- This section tells God’s covenant with the people while they were in Moab in addition to the covenant He made with them at Horeb.
- Moses gathered the people and reminded them of all that the Lord did for them in Egypt
- But until now God hadn’t given them eyes and ears to see or hear.
- Moses simply led them 40 years in the wilderness.
- For 40 years their sandals hadn’t worn out, the hadn’t ate bread or drunk wine so that they’d know He is God.
- Moses reminds them how they defeated Sihon and Og in Heshbon and Bashan.
- They gave that land to the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manassites.
- Moses tells them to keep their work they made then so they will prosper.
- Moses reminds them why EVERYONE is gathered (husbands, wives, kids, sojourners, elders, servants, etc…)
- They are there to make a sworn covenant with God that they might be His people as God promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
- God is making a covenant with everyone there today and with whomever is not there as well.
- Moses reminds them how the left Egypt and passed through many nations
- He reminds them of the detestable things and idols they saw
- God warns them to beware lest there be a root a poison and bitter fruit spring up.
- God warns the man who hears the words of the covenant and says he will be safe even though He walks in the “stubbornness” of His own heart.
- What does God mean when He says “this will lead to the sweeping away of moist and dry alike?”
- God will not forgive that man but God’s anger will burn against him and the curses of Deuteronomy will settle against him.
- God will also blot out that man’s name.
- Moses refers to Deuteronomy as “The Book of the Law”
- Foreigners and that man’s children will see the sickness and affliction of that man’s land, like Sodom and Gomorrah, and wonder why God had done that.
- They will wonder what caused God’s anger to heat up so much.
- That man’s neighbors will tell people that it is like that because that man abandoned God’s covenant and served other gods.
- Serving other gods brought the curses of Deuteronomy upon the land.
- They kindled God’s wrath, fury, anger (3 words for the same thing in one sentence)
- “The secret things” belong to God, but things revealed in Deuteronomy belong to us and our children forever.

Isaiah 49
- It starts by says Ah Ariel, Ariel where David encamped
- Where is Ariel?
- God will distress her and make her an Ariel (which can also mean altar hearth, lion of God, or hero)
- God will lay siege to Ariel.
- They will be bowed down and speak from the dust
- The multitude of their foreign foes will be like small dust
- Is this a good or a bad thing?
- God will visit them quickly bringing earthquakes, whirlwinds, and fire
- Those fighting against Ariel will be like a dream like a hungry man dreaming of food and waking up hungry.
- Again is this a blessing or a curse?
- Ariel will be drunk and stagger but not with strong drink
- The Lord has poured a spirit of deep sleep upon them and closed their eyes (prophets) and their heads (the seers).
- It will be for them like giving a sealed book to a man who can read or an unsealed book to a man who cannot read.
- That is because the people draw near to God with words and their lips but keep their hearts far from God.
- Their fear of God is from a commandment taught by men.
- Therefore God will again do great wonders and the wisdom of the wise and discerning will perish.
- God speaks to people who think their “dark deeds” are hidden and no one sees them, but God does.
- They turn things upside down which is like the clay telling the potter he didn’t make them or have any understanding.
- Soon Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field (It was a great forest at this time)
- The fruitful field shall be like a forest
- The blind will see and the deaf hear
- The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord and the poor shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.
- God will cut off all who do evil and the ruthless.
- The scoffer has been making wrong accusations against him who is right.
- God speaks directly to the house of Jacob and tells them that they shall no longer be ashamed
- They will again sanctify God’s name when they see their children working.
- They will again stand in awe of God.
- Those who go astray in spirit will again come to understanding and those who murmur will accept instruction

Deuteronomy 28 & Isaiah 48

2010-01-23T05:37:00.000-08:00

Deuteronomy 28

- If the are faithful to obey God's commandments, God will rise them above all nations.

- They shall be blessed for listening to God's voice in many ways:

1) Your cities and fields.

2) Fruits of womb, fields, and cattle.

3) Your basket and kneading bowl.

4) When they come in and go out.

5) Enemies who rise against them will be defeated (come one way, flee 7 ways).

6) In your barns and undertakings

7) established as a people holy to God.

8) All other people will see they are God's people.

- God will make others fear them and will abound them in prosperity.

- God will open "His good treasury" the heavens and give their land water

- Israel shall lend to other nations but NOT borrow

- God will make Israel the head not the tail.

- It says similar phrases about "if you obey God's commandments, then..." 5 times in this section.

- The last "if, then" phrase throws if you obey God and don't serve other gods

- The next section starts off with more curses if they don't obey God's commands

- List of Curses:

1) Cursed be cities and fields

2) Cursed be basket and kneading bowl

3) Cursed be fruit of wombs, ground, and herds

4) Cursed coming in and going out.

- Confusion and frustration in all undertakings - they will be destroyed and perish for forsaking God.

- pestilence will stick to them

- God will strike them with wasting disease, fever, fiery heat, drought, blight, and mildew

- The sun shall bake the earth so it's hard as iron.

- Their will be no rain

- Their enemies will defeat them.

- They shall come in one way and flee their enemies 7 ways.

- They shall be a horror to all nations.

- God will strike them with boils, tumors, scabs and unhealable itch.

- God will strike them with blindness, confusion, and madness.

- They shall be opressed and robbed continually with no help.

- They will have a wife who will be ravished by another.

- They will build a house but not live in it.

- Their cattle, donkeys, sheep, and children will be taken away by others.

- An unknown nation will rise against them and crush and oppress them continually.

- Under a new king they will serve gods of wood and Israel will become a horror, a byword, and a proverb to other people and they will be led away.

- They will plant much seed only to be eaten by locusts.

- They will plant vineyard but only worms shall drink of the grapes.

- Their olives will drop off and the crickets will eat their fruit.

- The sojourner will be raised up and they will be brought low.

- The sojourner will lend to them and become the head. They will be the tail.

- Moses repeats that these curses will overtake them because they did not serve the Lord.

- The curses will be a sign to them and their children forever.

- They will serve their enemies because they didn't serve God with "joyfulness and gladness of heart".

- God will destroy them by putting a yoke of iron on them.

- God will send an unknown nation to attack them like an eagle.

- This new nation will take everything they have and kill their children as well.

- They will even tear down the high walls that the Israelites trust in.

- - During the siege the most tender man will not share the flesh of his children with his wife.
- His tender wife will not share the afterbirth she eats during the distress of the siege.
- These things will happen if Israel does not fear “the glorious and awesome name, the Lord your God.
- If they don’t, their children will be plagued by disease and severe affliction, all the diseases of Egypt that they feared.
- God will even bring every unknown disease against them.
- They are numerous like the stars but will then be few in number.
- He takes delight in doing good to Israel but He will delight in destroying them and seeing them come to ruin.
- God will scatter them across the earth, where they will serve other gods which they have never known.
- There they will find no resting place and their hearts will tremble and have a “languishing soul”.
- They will dread every day with no assurance of life.
- Because of the dread and what their eyes see they will say, in the morning “if only it were evening” and in the evening “if only it were morning.”
- They will be shipped back to Egypt which God promised they shall never do.
- There they will sell themselves as slaves, but no one will buy them.

Isaiah 48

- God is calling out to Judah and Israel who confess God but not in truth or right

- The call themselves after God's holy city

- God reminds them of the former things He announced to them that happened as He said they would.

- He told them what would happen before it took place because He knew they were an obstinate people.

- God told things to them in advance so they couldn't say their iodls did those things.

- God tells them to listen up because He is declaring new things that will take place.

- God has created things now before today that they have never heard of so they couldn't say they knew this or that.

- What things was God referring to that He had recent;y made but not long ago?

- God says even long ago their ears were not opened.

- God said that He knew they would deal treacherously and were rebels from birth.

- God deferred His anger for His name's sake and for the sake of His praise.

- That is why He didn't cut them off.

- God has refined and tried them in the "furnace of affliction"

- God says "For my own sake" (twice) and that He won't give His glory to another.

- God tells Israel to listen to Him because he is the first and the last and Hid hands laid the foundations of the earth and the heavens.

- When he calls them heaven and earth stand together.

- The Lord loves them (Israel) and will be against Babylon and the Chaldeans

- God has called him and he will prosper

- God reminds them that He is not speaking in secret and has been there from the beginning.

- God has sent me (Isaiah?) and his Spirit

- God is their God and teaches them how to profit and the way they should go.

- If only they had listened to God and obeyed His commandments there would have been peace like a river and righteousness like the waves of the sea.

- Their offerings and descendents would have been like grains of sand and their name would never have been cut off.

- They should shout for joy because God has proclaimed that He will redeem His people.

- He reminds them that God provided them water from a rock in the desert

- This section closes with this statement, "Thereis no peace," says the Lord, "for the wicked."

Deuteronomy 27 & Isaiah 47

2010-01-21T03:28:00.000-08:00

Deuteronomy 27

- God commanded them to set up lager stones when they cross the Jordan River and plaster them.

- They should write all the words of "this" law on the plastered stones.

- The land will be flowing with milk and honey as God promised.

- They shall also set up stones on Mount Ebal and plaster them with plaster as well.

- On Mount Ebal they shall make an altar, but shouldn't use any iron tool to build it.

- The altar shall be built of uncut stones.

- They will offer burnt and peace offerings there and eat there and rejoice there before God.

- They shall also write the words of the law on those stones.

- Moses and Levitical priests to Israelites to be quiet and listen because they have now become a people of God, so they need to obey God's commandments and statutes.

- Weren't they already God's people before this day being discussed?

- Moses charged the people to stand on Mount Gerizim and bless people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.

- These shall go to Mount Ebal and curse people: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.

- Why do the Levites lift up and curse when they are in the "to bless group"?

- Curses listed:

1) Anyone who dishonors their parents
2) Anyone who moves his neighbors markers
3) Anyone who misleads the blind
4) Anyone who perverts justice due sojourner, fatherless, or widow.
5) Anyone who lies with his father's wife.
6) Anyone who lies with an animal.
7) Anyone who lies with his sister (either his mother or father's daughter)
8) Anyone who lies with his mother-in-law
9) Anyone who strikes down his neighbor in secret
10) Anyone who doesn't confirm all words of the law.

Isaiah 47
- Starts off by calling virgin daughter of Babylon to sit in the dust.
- They shall no longer be called delicate and tender but will be stripped naked.
- Everyone will see their disgrace and God will spare no one.
- God is Our Redeemer and the Holy One of Israel.
- The Chaldeans shall no longer be the "mistress of kingdoms".
- God was angry with His inheritance (Israel) and gave them into Babylon's hands.
- God tells them to listen, because they are calling themselves "I am, and there is no other besides me" (basically claiming they are God)
- God says two things will come to Babylon in a moment
1) the loss of children
2) widowhood
- both things will come despite the attempts from sorcery and great powers to stop it.
- They felt secure in their wickedness and again thought they were God.
- Evil will come upon them and ruin will come upon them suddenly.
- God tells them to keep trying their enchantments and sorceries (Mocking them?)
- They are weary with my counsels and God tells them to let their star gazers save them.
- They are like stubble burned with fire and cannot deliver themselves.
- God ends this chapter by saying their is no one who can save them.

Deuteronomy 26 & Isaiah 46

2010-01-15T03:30:00.000-08:00

Deuteronomy 26
- During first harvest in the new land, they shall some some of the first fruits in a basket to a place God will choose to make His name dwell there.
- They should go to the priest in office and say they have come into the land the Lord swore to their fathers.
- The priest will place the basket before the altar.
- Moses gives them the following to recite to remember where they came from, "A wandering Aramean was my father. And he went down into Egypt and sojourned there, few in number, and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. Then Egypt treated us harshly and humiliated them with hard labor."
- That's when the Israelites cried out to God and God heard them and brought them out of Egypt.
- God reminds them He brought them out of Egypt with "great deeds of terror", signs, and wonders.
- God gave them this "milk and honey flowing" land.
- That's why they are giving God their first fruits.
- They should set it down and worship the Lord and rejoice in all the good God has given to you and your house.
- In the 3rd year they should give their tithe of produce to the Levite, sojourner, fatherless, and widow so they can eat within their towns.
- Then they shall say before God that they have removed the "sacred portion" and given it to the needy according to God's commands.
- They should say they have not transgressed or forgotten any of God's commands or eaten the tithe while mourning or being unclean.
- It says they have kept all commandments a second time.
- They should ask God to look down from His "holy habitation" in heaven and bless Israel and the ground He has given them.
- Moses reminds them that they should be careful to do God's commandments with all their heart and soul. (echoed by Jesus in greatest commandment speech)
- They have declared God is their God and they will walk in His ways, follow His commands, and listen to His voice
- God declares this day that they are His treasured people and He will set them in fame high above all other nations in honor.
- They shall be His holy people and He had promised.

Isaiah 46
- Bel and Nebo will bow down.
- Their idols will weary their beasts.
- Their idols cannot save the burden and they go into captivity.
- God calls out to the house of Jacob to listen to Him.
- He carried them in the womb, and will carry them to old age.
- He will carry and save them.
- God asks them who His equal is.
- The wealthy people hire a goldsmith to make an idol that they can worship.
- They carry the idol home and put it in its place, but it can't move.
- It cannot answer them or save them from trouble
- God tells them to remember the things of old.
- There is no one like God.
- He knows the end from the beginning and ancient times from things not yet done (the future)
- God's counsel will stand and He will accomplish His purpose.
- God can call a bird or a man of counsel from far places.
- If God says it, it will happen.
- God tells those "stubborn of heart" and "far from righteousness" to listen to Him
- God's salvation will not delay.
- Salvation is in Zion and His glory in Israel.

Deuteronomy 25 & Isaiah 45

2010-01-14T03:38:00.000-08:00

Deuteronomy 25
- @ men come into court before the judge, the innocent is acquitted and the guilty will lie down and be beaten with a number of stripes proportionate to his offense.
- 40 stripes is the number, any more would degrade your brother
- If 2 brother live together and one dies, the second shall take his wife and be a husband's brother to her.
- The first son born will receive the dead husband's name, so his name is not blotted out.
- If the second brother doesn't want to take the wife, she shall go to the elders and say that the brother refuses to perform the duty of the husband's brother.
- The elders will call the second brother and if he still refuses the wife shall remove his sandal and spit in his face.
- She will also say, " So shall it be done to the man who does not build up his brother's house"
- The second brother's house shall be known as "the house of him who had his sandal pulled off" in Israel.
- If a women is protecting her husband in a fight and grabs the attackers private parts, her hand shall be cut off.
- What does it mean about not have a large and small weight in their bags?
- They should only have a fair weight and fair measure.
- This will ensure their days are long in the land God is giving them.
- All who act dishonestly are an abomination to God.
- Moses reminds them of King Amalek, who attacked them when they were tired.
- He cut off their "tail" those lagging behind"
- So when God gives Israel rest from its enemies they shall blot out the memory of Amalek and not forget.

Isaiah 45
- Cyrus is labeled as "God's instrument"
- The Lord has grasped Cyrus' hand and is using it to subdue nations, overthrow kings, and level exalted places (mountains)
- God will give them treasures of darkness that they might know it is the Lord.
- He calls them for the sake of Jacob, Israel
- He knows them even though they don't know Him.
- God says there is no God besides Him and He will equip them even though they don't know Him.
- people will know Him from the east (rising of the sun) and from the west
- God does all things; creates light and darkness, well being and calamity
- He tells the clouds to rain down righteousness.
- The earth will open to bear salvation and fruit of righteousness.
- Woe to those who strive against God who made them.
- The clay doesn't question the one forming it.
- Woe also to those who ask a father what he's begetting or a women what their in labor with.
- So it is with those who question God about His children or the work of His hands.
- God created the earth, man, and the heavens.
- God stirred up righteousness in the man and will level his ways so they can build cities.
- He will set the exiles free.
- Men of stature, Egypt, Cush, Sabea, will come and bow down to them in chains.
- Then even they will see God is in His people and there is no other god.
- God is a god who hides Himself but is the Savior
- The makers of idols go into confusion and will be put to shame for all eternity.
- The Lord created the heavens (he is God!) who formed the earth (he established life on it and didn't leave it empty)
- God did not speak in darkness or in vain.
- God speaks in truth and declares what is right.
- The survivors should draw near together.
- They have no knowledge, those who carry around wooden idols that cannot save.
- They should present their case (about God?)
- God is righteous and a Savior.
- God tells "the ends of the earth" to turn to Him (not just Israel.)
- God has sworn by Himself, that His word has gone out and "every knee shall bow every tongue swear allegiance"
- Shame will come to those against Him.
- All offspring of Israel shall be justified and glory in the Lord.

Deuteronomy 24 & Isaiah 44

2010-01-13T03:42:00.000-08:00

Deuteronomy 24
- This law addresses divorce
- if a man finds some indecency with a wife he may write her a certificate of divorce and send her out.
- if she remarries and the second husband divorces her or dies, the first husband may NOT take her back because she has been defiled.
- Isn't the woman allowed to remarry if her husband dies?
- The Israelites were not to bring any sin into the new land of inheritance.
- A man shall be free to be happy with his wife for one year and can't be in the army or public duty.
- No one shall take a millstone or upper millstone in a pledge (it's like taking a life).
- If anyone steals his brothers and sells him into slavery he shall die (like Joseph's brothers).
- Be careful to listen to the priests when someone has leprosy (Miriam is given as a reminder).
- You shall not go into a house to collect a pledge but wait outside.
- If the pledger is poor you shouldn't sleep in his pledge but restore it to him before the sun sets so he might sleep and it be counted as righteousness to you.
- Don't oppress a hired worker who is poor, but pay him on the same day because he needs it and so he won't cry out to God against you.
- Fathers shall not be put to death because of kids or vis versa, but each for his own sin
- What about the "you shall be punished to the fifth generation" etc...?
- Do not pervert justice for the fatherless, widow, or sojourner but remember you were a slave in Egypt and God redeemed you.
- Also in remembrance of being a slave in Egypt they shouldn't return to fields for a sheaf, or check over olive trees twice, or strip the grape vines, but should leave them for the fatherless, widow, and sojourner.

Isaiah 44
- God reminds them He formed them in the womb and will help them.
- Who is Jeshurun?
- God will pour water on dry land.
- He will pour His spirit on Israel's offspring and blessing on their descendants.
- Their children will write God's name on their hands and call themselves "the Lord's"
- God's names; King of Israel, Redeemer, Lord of hosts, first and the last.
- There is NO god besides God.
- God asks if there is anyone besides Him who can declare what will happen.
- God tells them not to fear because they were His from of old and He doesn't know of any other "Rock."
- All idol makers and idols are nothing.
- God will put them to shame and they will be terrified.
- The ironsmith fashions it over hot coals but gets hungry and thirsty and feels faint.
- A carpenter shapes the would to look like a man and cuts down cedar trees and other strong trees.
- The rain grows the tree and the man uses some wood for a fire to make bread and the other wood to make an idol.
- Then he falls down before the idol he made and worships it.
- It repeats the previous 2 statements.
- He cannot discern or understand the absurdity of using the same wood to cook a meal on that he uses to make an idol to worship.
- God will not forget Israel His people.
- He has blotted out their sins like a cloud or a mist.
- God tells them to return to Him because He has redeemed them.
- The heavens, earth, mountain, and trees sing out because God has redeemed Jacob and glorified in Israel.
- It again mentions God formed them in the womb.
- He reminds them He made all things;heaven and earth by Himself.
- He makes fools of diviners, liars, and makes their knowledge foolishness.
- God confirms words of His servants and messengers
- God will raise up ruins in Jerusalem and dry up rivers and will say to Cyrus that Jerusalem shall be rebuilt and her foundation be laid.

Deuteronomy 23 & Isaiah 43

2010-01-07T03:29:00.000-08:00

Deuteronomy 23
- A List of people not allowed to enter the assembly of the Lord
1) Man with crushed testicles or "male organ" cut off
2) No one born of forbidden union (even to the 10th generation decedents)
3) No Ammonite or Moabite (even to the 10th generation)
- they are excluded because they didn't meet Israel with bread and water when they left Egypt.
- they also hired Balaam against Israel.
- reminds them how God turned Balaam's curse into a blessing
- Israel shall not seek peace or prosperity for either group
4) Edomite first and second generation
- Israel should NOT abhor them because Edomites are their brother and they were sojourners in Egypt
- A List of things that make you Unclean
1) Nocturnal emission
- this man should go outside the camp.
- at evening he shall bathe himself with water and come back at sunset
2) Excrement
- go outside the camp, sit down, dig a hole, and bury it.
- The camp shall be kept clean and holy, so nothing "indecent" should be there that might make God turn away
- Miscellaneous laws
1) You may not return an escaped slave but should keep him with you.
2) Daughters shouldn't become cult prostitutes.
- they shouldn't bring money made from these into house of the Lord.
- both the prostitution and money made from it are an abomination
3) No interest shall be charged to your brother
- you may charge a foreigner interest
-charging brothers interest takes away God's blessing in what they undertake and land they want to possess.
4) Do not delay any vow made to God
- God will require your vow be fulfilled
- If not it is sin
- Not vowing ensures you won't be guilty of sin
- caution - be careful what to do what has passed from your lips because you have vowed voluntarily
5) Eating Neighbors grapes from his vineyard & fields
- you may eat your fill but not take any with you.
- grain - you may pluck ears but not take the sickle to the standing grain

Isaiah 43
- God tells them not to fear because He has redeemed them and they are His.
- He will protect them when they cross rivers and walk through fire.
- Because He is God and their Savior
- Egypt is their ransom
- God loves them and gives men in return for Israel.
- God will gather them up from the east and west, north and south.
- He will bring His "sons and daughters" from the ends of the earth.
- He will call everyone He has called by name for His glory
- God tells people to come and declare what has taken place in the past.
- God says they are his servant whom He has chosen that they might know and understand Him.
- No "god" was made before Him and there will be none after Him either.
- There is no savior besides the Lord.
- No one can be delivered from God's hand.
- God is the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel
- God brings them all down from Babylon; even the Chaldeans.
- God is the Creator your King (God is constantly reminding them of His "labels")
- God quenches chariots and might warriors like a wick.
- Why does God tell them NOT to remember the old things? (v.18)
- He says He is making a new way and asks why they don't see it
- The wild beasts honor God even jackals and ostriches (which are "lower" animals)
- He gives water in the dry wilderness
- His people should declare Him praise
- All these truths and Israel and Jacob still did not call out to God.
- They have not brought offerings or sacrifices before God
- Why would frankincense weary them?
- They also didn't bring God sweet cane or fat from sacrifices.
- Instead the people have burdened God with their sin and iniquities.
- He blots out transgression for His own sake and will not remember their sins. (v.25) Why?
- God tells them to remember Him, set forth a case that they may be proved right. What does He mean by this?
- Your first father (Adam?) sinned and mediators (everyone else) transgressed against God.
- Therefore God will profane their princes, let Jacob be destroyed, and revile Israel.

Deuteronomy 22 & Isaiah 42

2010-01-06T03:27:00.000-08:00

Deuteronomy 22 (mixed laws)
- They shouldn't ignore a brother's animal who goes astray, but shall return it.
- If they don't know whose animal it is they should keep it until their brother comes looking for it
- They should do the same thing with anything belonging to their brother, even clothes.
- If his donkey or ox has fallen, help them up.
- A woman shouldn't wear men's clothes
- A man shouldn't wear women's clothes (both are an abomination)
- They may take the young from a nest, but not the sitting mother.
- If building a roof make a parapet (barrier) so no one falls off the roof.
- They shouldn't sow two seeds in their vineyard (that would "forfeit" the whole yield/ make it holy) How does mixing seeds make the yield holy?
- They should work a donkey and ox together.
- They should mix cloth of wool and linen together.
- There should be tassels at the 4 corners of their garments.
- If a man takes a woman and hates her (because he finds out she is not a virgin he should tell her parents.
- The parents shall seek out the elders and should present a cloak.
- If this happens the man will be whipped and fined 100 shekels of silver for bringing a bad name on a virgin of Israel.
- She should still be his wife and he may not divorce her.
- If she is found guilty she shall be stoned outside her father's house for "whoring" to purge evil.
- If a man is found with another man's wife they shall both be put to death.
- If a man lies with a betrothed woman, they will both be stoned by the gate (the woman for not crying out for help and the man for the actual act)
- If a man seizes a betrothed girl in the country only he shall die. The woman has committed no offense.
- If a man seizes an unbetrothed woman and lies with her he shall give her father 50 shekels of gold and marry her. He may NOT divorce her.
- Taking your father's wife would be like uncovering his nakedness and shouldn't be done. (reference to Noah)
- Why does lying about a wife's virginity carry twice the "fine" as raping a virgin?

Isaiah 42
- God says to behold His servant in whom He delights who will have God's Spirit to bring justice to the nations. (reference to Jesus)
- He will not cry out or break a bruised reed (reference to crucifixion?)
- He will be faithful and not discouraged until He has established justice.
- God, who has created all, has called us in righteousness and will take us by the hand and keep us.
- God will give a covenant/light for His people that will make the blind see and free the prisoners.
- God gives his glory to no one and no idol.
- God is telling them what will happen BEFORE it takes place.
- We should sing a new song to God.
- The desert and cities, people of Kedar and Sela will sing for joy.
- God shows his zeal and might against His foes.
- God has kept His peace and restrained Himself long enough.
- Now He will lay waste to mountains and rivers will be islands (coastlands)
- God will lead the blind to new paths and bring them into the light. He won't forsake them.
- Those who worship idols are turned back and put to shame.
- His servant is blind and His messenger deaf.
- His dedicated one (one at peace with God) is blind
- He sees but doesn't observe, has open ears but doesn't hear (reference to what Jesus told the Pharisees?)
- The Lord was pleased for His righteousness' sake; to magnify His law and make it glorious.
- The people have been plundered and looted.
- God was the one who let Jacob and Israel be looted because of their sin against Him.
- They wouldn't obey His laws, so He poured out His anger on them.
- Still he (Israel) didn't understand or take it to heart.

Deuteronomy 21, Isaiah 41

2010-01-05T03:34:00.000-08:00

Deuteronomy 21
- If they find a slain man in a field and don't know who killed him, the elders of the closest town shall bring a heifer down and break its neck there.
- The priests, sons of Levi shall and settle any dispute and assault.
- The elders of that closest city shall wash their hands and testify that they don't know who killed the man.
- They will pray God will accept this atonement for the blood guilt of the slain man.
- This will purge the guilt of the innocent blood from their midst because this is doing what's right before God.
- If they see a beautiful captive and want to take her as a wife, they must shave her head and cut her nails.
- She shall be remove her clothes from when she was captured and lament her father and mother for a month.
- After that she can be their wife.
- If after a month, they no longer desire her, they should release her where she wants.
- They may not sell her or treat her as a slave because they already humiliated her.
- Is this saying they can have sex with a slave and THEN say they don't want her anymore?
- A man with 2 wives, one loved and they other not loved, who has a first born to the unloved wife may not treat the first born of the loved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife.
- The firstborn of the unloved wife shall still get the double portion because he still has firstborn rights.
- A man with a rebellious son who won't listen to either parent, shall take him before the elders.
- The elders will stone the child for being rebellious; gluttonous and a drunkard in order to purge evil from their midst.
- One who commits a crime and is hung from a tree shall not hang all night but be buried that same day.
- Cursed is anyone who hangs from a tree (reference to crucifixion)
- They don't want to curse the land God is giving them as an inheritance.

Isaiah 41
- The people shall renew their strength and draw near to God for judgment.
- God tramples kings under His feet and treats them like dust.
- The Lord is the first and the last (alpha and omega)
- The coastlands have seen and are afraid.
- Everyone helps his neighbor and says be strong.
- Others will strengthen one another but God tells Israel not to fear. He will strengthen them.
- Those who are against you will be put to shame.
- They shall not find those who are against them.
- How does God hold our right hand with His righteous right hand?
- God calls Israel a worm but says He will help them.
- With God they can thresh the moutains and hills
- They shall rejoice and glory in the Holy One.
- God will not forsake those who are parched. He will answer them.
- God will make the dry land a flowing river or spring.
- God will put different kinds of tree together in the wilderness so that "they may see and know , consider and understand" that God's hand has done this.
- God tells them to bring their case before Him.
- They people want to know what will happen and has happened in the past.
- They say these things to idols whose works are "less than nothing"
- God is stirring someone from the north and east who will call upon His name.
- They will remember this prediction when it happens.
- God was the first to give them a herald of good news.
- When idols are asked about the future they give no answer or counsel because they are a delusion.
- The idols are simply metal images with "empty wind"

Deuteronomy 20 & Isaiah 40

2010-01-04T03:25:00.000-08:00

Deuteronomy 20
- God tells them not to be afraid when the fight against an army bigger than them because God is with them.
- The priest shall speak to the people before battle.
- He will tell them not to let their hearts be faint and remind them that God is with them.
- The officers shall speak next and will let anyone leave who:
1) Didn't dedicate a new house he just built
2) Planted a vineyard and hasn't enjoyed its fruit
3) Hasn't taken his betrothed wife yet
4) Is faint hearted and fearful (that man should leave so he doesn't make other doubt God)
- The commander shall be appointed next
- God instructs Israel to offer peace before fighting a city
- If they accept peace they will do forced labor for Israel
- If not, they shall besiege it
- They shall kill all men found in the city
- The women, children, and livestock shall be their spoil.
- That's what they should do to far away cities.
- But in the cities God is giving them as an inheritance, they shouldn't save anything that breathes.
- They should completely destroy the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.
- This is so the Israelites don't learn abominable practices from them and sin against God
- When besieging, they may eat from trees but not cut them down.
- They may cut down nonfood trees for seigeworks.

Isaiah 40
- God comforts His people by speaking tenderly to them.
- Her warfare will end that she has received doubly for her sins.
- The voice of one crying in the wilderness, "prepare the way of the Lord" (Later used by John the Baptist)
- The land will be leveled.
- The glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it.
- The flesh is like the grass and will wither when the breath of the Lord blows on it.
- v. 7 and 8 are echoed in James 1
- Zion shall speak the good news and fear not.
- God comes with might and His reward is with Himself.
- He will gather his flock and carry them in His arms.
- No one can measure the water in His hands or the span of the heavens, or weigh the mountains
- Who can measure His Spirit or offer Him counsel... No one
- No one taught Him justice, knowledge, or understanding.
- There aren't enough animals to make burnt offerings
- All nations are nothing before Him; they are like a drop in a bucket or fine dust
- An idol is created by a craftsman and an idol is NOT like God.
- They should know these things they've always been told from the beginning.
- God sees man like grasshoppers and unrolls the heavens like a carpet.
- God makes princes and kings nothing.
- God asks who can be compared to Him (echoes of the end of Job)
- He will call them out by His might and strong power.
- God asks why the people say their way is hidden from God when He is the everlasting God, creator of the earth.
- God does not grow faint or weary and His knowledge is "unsearchable"
- God gives power to the faint and strength to the weak.
- Even young men grow weary but God will renew their strength.
- "They shall mount up on wings like eagles. they shall run and not be weary they shall walk and not faint" (Used in a hymn)
-

Deuteronomy 19, Isaiah 39

2009-12-22T07:08:00.000-08:00

Deuteronomy 19
- After God gives them the land and casts out their enemies they will set aside 3 cities.
- They are to measure the distances and split the land into 3 parts.
- These three cities will be where a manslayer can go.
- A manslayer who can flee is someone that accidentally killed someone like an axe accident
- If they don't flee the avenger of blood can kill them.
- The manslayer doesn't deserve to die.
- Why is the "y" capitalized in You in v.7?
- Why does it say "if" God gives the land that He promised their forefathers?
- It says if they keep His commandments and get the extra land they should create 3 more cities.
- These cities ensure innocent blood is not shed.
- If it is then the guilt of bloodshed would be on them.
- If anyone kills his neighbor intentionally and flees to one of the 3 cities, the elders shall cast that person out to the avenger of blood.
- They shouldn't pity the murderer but shall purge guilt of innocent blood.
- Do not move your neighbors land markers which have been there for a long time.
- A single witness is not enough to accuse someone.
- A charge can come about by 2 or 3 witnesses.
- If a malicious witness comes they shall stand before God and the priests and judges.
- The judges and priests will inquire to find out if the brother was accused falsely.
- If he IS a false witness, the false witness will receive the punishment instead of the accused.
- Others will hear and never bear false witness again.
- Well know quote "Your eye shall not pity. It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot" Jesus later tweaks this verse saying to turn the other cheek

Isaiah 39
- Merodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent envoys with letters and a present to Hezekiah because he heard Hezekiah had recovered.
- Hezekiah welcomed them gladly.
- He showed Merodach his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his whole armory, all that was found in his storehouses.
- Isaiah asked Hezekiah what he said to them.
- Hezekiah said they came from far away in Babylon and he showed them everything.
- Isaiah said the kings of Babylon will come and take away everything and there shall be nothing left.
- Some of Hezekiah's own sons will be taken away as eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.
- Hezekiah replied that what Isaiah said was good because there would be peace in Hezekiah's days.

Deuteronomy 18, Isaiah 38

2009-12-21T05:15:00.000-08:00

Deuteronomy 18
- Levitical priests got their food from the Lord's food offering since they have no portion of their own.
- The Lord is the Levites' inheritance.
- The priest's dues from a sacrifice shall be the shoulder, the cheeks, and stomach of an ox or sheep.
- Firstfruits of grain, wine, oil, and fleece also go to the Levites.
- They should give to the Levites because God chose them to minister for the people.
- The Levites can move between town and shall receive an equal share
- He also receives from sales of his patrimony (The Hebrew meaning of this is uncertain)
- When they enter new lands they shouldn't follow ways of those places that are abominable.
- Abominable things include; sacrificing kids by burning them, sorcery, divination, fortune telling, necromancer, or talking to the dead.
- These things are the reason God is driving those people out of the land in the first place.
- Those people being ousted have done these things but God doesn't allow the Israelites to do those things.
- Moses tells them that God will raise up another like him to be a prophet.
- Moses reminds them of Horeb and how the people said they didn't want to hear God from the fire anymore.
- The Lord had even said there that the people were right.
- God will choose a brother to speak God's commandments to the people.
- Any prophet who speaks something God hasn't said OR speaks in the name of other God's will die.
- Moses tells they can tell if a prophet has spoken something God did NOT say because it won't come true.
- God says they shouldn't fear a false prophet.

Isaiah 38
- Hezekiah became very sick and Isaiah came to him.
- Isaiah told Hezekiah to get things in order because he was about to die.
- Hezekiah turned away and prayed for God to remember how he walked faithfully and he wept bitterly.
- God then spoke to Isaiah and told him to tell Hezekiah that He would add 15 years to Hezekiah's life.
- God also said that he'd defend Hezekiah's city against the King of Assyria.
- God gave them a sign; turning back the shadow on the sun dial of Ahaz back 10 steps.
- The sun turned back on the sun dial ten steps.
- The rest of this chapter is a letter from Hezekiah king of Judah after he recovered from his illness.
- Hezekiah recounts how he was to die in the middle of his days.
- He saw that his house would be rolled up and taken from him.
- His life was coming to an end and he calmed himself (also means cried out for help) until morning.
- His eyes were weary from looking upwards and he prayed for safety.
- He walked slowly because of the bitterness of his soul.
- Hezekiah asked God to restore his health.
- He had great bitterness for his own welfare.
- God delivered him in love.
- God has cast all of Hezekiah's sins behind His back.
- Sheol, Death, and those down in the pit without hope in God's faithfulness do not thank God.
- The living, like Hezekiah DO thank God and tell their children about God's faithfulness.
- Isaiah told Hezekiah to apply a cake of figs to the boils.
- Why did Hezekiah ask God for a sign to let him know to go up to the house of the Lord?

Deuteronomy 17, Isaiah 35

2009-12-13T06:06:00.000-08:00

Deuteronomy 17
- It is an abomination to sacrifice an animal with a defect to God.
- If they find someone who is worshipping other gods, the sun or moon, or any other in heaven, they shall be brought to the gate and stoned to death.
- A person will be put to death by 2 or 3 witnesses but not by 1 witness alone.
- The witness shall cast the first stone then the rest to purge the evil from their midst.
- If a matter too difficult arises like a murder, legal right, or assault they shall go to where God tells them.
- They shall go to Levitical priests and judge to get a decision.
- They should do what the judge and priest says.
- They shouldn't turn from the decision made to the right or to the left.
- Those who change the verdict shall die.
- This will cause others to hear and fear and not act presumptuously again.
- This part talks about them wanting a king in the future like other nations around them.
- The king shall be appointed from their brothers.
- No foreigner may be appointed king.
- The king shall not have many horses or return to Egypt for horse because told them NOT to return to Egypt.
- The king shouldn't acquire many wives or much gold and silver because these things can turn the king's heart from God.
- The king shall copy this law into a book before the Levite priests.
- The king should read this book (Deuteronomy?) all the days of his life to learn to fear the Lord.
- His heart shouldn't be lifted above his brothers.
- He shouldn't turn from God's commandments so that his children and kingdom may last a long time in Israel.

Isaiah 35
- The ransomed shall be returned.
- The wilderness and dry land will rejoice and they shall be given the glory of Lebanon and the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
- They shall see the glory and majesty of God.
- They should tell the weak and anxious not to fear because God will avenge them.
- God is coming to save them.
- The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will leap, and the mute will speak. (foreshadowing of miracles Christ did?)
- The waters will break forth and water the dry land.
- Where the jackals had been there will be reeds and rushes again. (Place for water)
- A highway will be there called the Way of Holiness.
- The unclean and the fool shall not walk on it.
- Why does one translation say the fool will walk in it but the other translation seems to contradict it?
- The redeemed will walk there but the lion and beasts will not walk there.
- God's ransomed shall return with singing
- They will find everlasting joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing will "flee away"

Deuteronomy 16, Isaiah 34

2009-12-02T04:05:00.000-08:00

Deuteronomy 16

- They were to remember the month of Abib and the Passover

- They needed to make a passover sacrifice from the flock at the place God chooses.

- They shall eat unleavened bread for 7 days because they left Egypt in haste.

- They shouldn't even have leaven to be seen in their area.

- They should always remember the day God brought them out of Egypt.

- No meat that they eat at night shall be left until morning on the first day.

- They shouldn't offer the Passover sacrifice in the towns they take over but in a place God will appoint.

- They shall offer the Passover sacrifice in the evening at sunset (because that's when they left Egypt)

- They should cook and eat it where God chooses.

- 6 days with no leaven and one the 7th day they shall do no work.

- They should count 7 weeks from when they first start the harvest.

- During the Feast of Weeks they shall offer a freewill offering.

- Everyone including slaves and sojourners shall shall rejoice and remember that they were all once slaves in Egypt.

- The Feast of Booths shall be kept for 7 days when they have gathered the produce.

- They should be altogether joyful that God has blessed the work of their hands.

- Three times a year all males shall appear before the Lord; at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Booths.

- They shouldn't come before the Lord empty handed, but should give to the Lord with what he has been blessed with.

- They should appoint judges and officials in each town to make righteous judgments.

- They should be partial or accept bribes.

- Bribes blind eyes of the wise and subverts righteousness.

- Justice should be followed.

- Justice will equal living and inheriting the land.

- They should plant any trees (especially an Asherah) near the altar.

- God also hates pillars.

Isaiah 34

- God is addressing all nations.

- God is furious and enrages against all nations and has devoted it to destruction.

- There will be corpses and blood flowing from mountains.

- Why will heaven rot away?

- The sky will roll up like a scroll.

- Who in heaven has been cut down by God's sword?

- God's judgment is now on Edom.

- The Lord's sword is filled with blood and fat from sacrifices.

- The Lord has a sacrifice in Bozrah.

- Will the land be filled with animal blood or the blood of the people there?

- The land in Edom shall be gorged in fat.
- The Lord will take vengeance for Zion and Edom will burn like pitch forever.
- No one will even pass through Edom again.
- The hawk, porcupine, owl, and raven shall dwell there.
- God will draw a line of confusion and emptiness over it.
- Thorns, nettles, and thistles shall grow over it's strongholds.
- Wild animals; jackals, ostriches, hyenas, goats, and night bird shall rest there.
- The owls and hawks will nest there too.
- Why does it say to seek and read from the Book of the Lord that these animals will be there?
- God's spirit has gathered them there and given them that land forever.

Deuteronomy 15, Isaiah 33

2009-11-24T03:58:00.000-08:00

Deuteronomy 15
- At the end of 7 years they shall grant a release.
- Every creditor shall release what he has lent to his neighbor because God the Lord's release was proclaimed
- They may exact it on the foreigner but not their brothers.
- There will be no poor in the land God is giving them if the strictly obey God's commandments.
- God will bless them and they will lend to others but not borrow from anyone
- If that is true, why would they borrow from each other?
- This is because other nations won't rule over them.
- If anyone becomes poor they shall give without hardening their hearts.
- They shall lend whatever their brother needs.
- If in the 7th year, they don't help out their brother and he cries out to God, that is sin.
- They shall give freely without complaining because God will bless them for giving to the poor.
- There will never cease to be poor so God commanded them to open their hand to the poor.
- Why does it say there won't be poor in v.4 and then say there will never cease to be poor in v.11?
- If a Hebrew man or woman is sold to them they shall work for 6 years and be let free in the 7th year.
- When they are freed they shall be given supplies from the flock, the threshing floor, and the winepress.
- They should do this because God blessed them when they left Egypt.
- If the slave says he doesn't want to leave because he loves them, they shall punch a hole in the slave's ear and they will be his slave forever.
- They shouldn't be upset when freeing a slave because they slave worked for half the cost of a hired servant.
- How much did a slave make?
- The firstborn males in herds and flocks shall be dedicated to God.
- They shouldn't use the firstborn for work or wool.
- They shall it the firstborn before God.
- If the firstborn has any blemishes it shall not be sacrificed to God.
- The clean and unclean may eat it.
- They shouldn't eat its blood but pour it out on the ground.

Isaiah 33
- Who is the "destroyer" that this verse speaks of?
- The destroyer will be destroyed and the betrayer, betrayed.
- This verse asks God to be gracious and arm every morning.
- When God lifts Himself up the nations scatter.
- The Lord on high is exalted and fills Zion with righteousness and justice.
- He is the stability in these times.
- God gives salvation, wisdom, and knowledge.
- The fear of God is Zion's treasure.
- Their heroes cry and traveling ceases.
- Covenants are broken and the land mourns.
- Lebanon is confounded and withers away.
- Sharon is a desert.
- Bashan and Caramel shake.
- In the midst of this chaos, God will raise Himself up.
- The people will be burned like chaff.
- Those near and far should acknowledge God's might.
- The sinners and godless of Zion tremble with fear.
- They know they cannot dwell among the consuming fire.
- The ones who can stand walk in righteousness and speaks uprightly, despises oppression, won't take a bribe, stops bloodshed, doesn't look on evil.
- That righteous person will stand on high, his bread will be with God.
- Their eyes will behold the beauty of their king.
- Insolence and not understanding people will end.
- They will see Zion and see Jerusalem without trouble.
- The Lord in His majesty will be for us in a place ships cannot sail to.
- The LORD is our judge, lawgiver, and king who will save us.
- In that time the spoil will be divide among them.
- No one there will be sick and they will be forgiven of their iniquities!

Deuteronomy 14, Isaiah 32

2009-11-22T10:40:00.000-08:00

Deuteronomy 14
- It starts off by reminding them that they are sons of God (before listing what they should and shouldn't do)
- They shouldn't cut themselves or shave their heads for the dead.
- They are God's treasured and chosen people out of the whole earth.
- This chapter lists food restrictions.
- They are allowed to eat; deer, gazelle, the roebuck, wild goat, the ibex (addax), the antelope, and the mountain sheep. (Any animal with a two parted cloven hoof that chews the cud.)
- The animals that chew the cud with no parted hoof NOT to be eaten are: camel, hare, rock badger.
- The pig parts the hoof but doesn't chew the cud so shall NOT be eaten.
- Those animals shall not be eaten or touched.
- In the water they can eat anything with fins and scales, but if it doesn't have fins and scales it should NOT be eaten.
- They may eat clean birds but these they may NOT eat; eagle, bearded vulture, black vulture, kites, falcons, ravens, ostriches, the nighthawk, seagulls, hawks, the little owl, short-eared owl, barn owl, tawny owl, carrion vulture, cormorant, stork, heron, hoopoe, or the bat an all winged insects.
- They may NOT eat anything that died naturally, but may give it to the sojourner or he may sell it to a foreigner.
- They were NOT to boil a young goat in its mother's milk either.
- They were to tithe for all crops grown each year.
- They should eat the tithe of their grain and firstborn livestock so that they may fear the Lord always.
- How does this make them fear the Lord?
- If carrying the tithe to God's chosen land is too much, they may turn the tithe food/livestock into money and carry that.
- Why are they able to spending their tithe on whatever they want like food or strong drink?
- They shall eat there and rejoice with their household.
- The Levites should not be neglected
- At the end of every 3 years, they should bring the tithe of their produce into their towns for the Levites, sojourners, fatherless, and the widow.
- Didn't they spend their tithe money on food and strong drink?
- When they do this, God will bless them in all that their hands do.

Isaiah 32
- The king will reign in righteousness and the prince rule in justice (Is this referring to God and Christ?)
- They shall be like a shelter from a storm or like water in a dry place (desert)
- Then people will see and hear and give their attention.
- The hearty of the hasty with understand and those who stutter shall speak clearly.
- The fool will not be called noble nor the scoundrel called honorable.
- The fool speak folly and his heart is busy with iniquity, ungodliness, and he utters errors about who God is.
- The fool leave those without food hungry and the thirsty without drink.
- The scoundrel is evil and plans wicked to ruin the poor and needy by lying to them.
- "But he who is noble plans noble things and on noble things he stands" (v.8)
- Isaiah tells the resting women to rise up with their complacent daughters.
- In a little over a year they will shutter because the grape and fruit harvest will NOT come.
- Isaiah tells the complacent to shudder and dress in sack cloth for the "pleasant" fields and soil which will grow briar's and thorns.
- The palace will be forsaken and the populous city will be deserted.
- The watchtower will be a place for animals until "the Spirit is poured upon us from on high" (a possible connection to Acts?)
- The wilderness will then be fruitful again and the field be called a forest
- Then justice will dwell in the wilderness and righteousness live in the fruitful fields.
- Righteousness's effect will be peace, quietness, and trust (security) forever.
- God's people will live in peace, security, and quiet resting places.
- It will hail when the forest falls and the city will be laid low.
- Why this negative thing in the positive section of peace and security?
- Happy are the people who sow next to the waters and let their oxen and donkeys range free.

Clarifying My Quiet Time Plan

2009-11-22T10:31:00.000-08:00

I know a few of you check out my blog from time-to-time and I hope any notes you've read here have been helpful. My original plan was to read through the Bible in a year using For the Love of God by D.A. Carson and take notes this time. I started off well, but when taking notes and seeking to truly understand the daily readings it was taking over an hour in the mornings. Two weeks ago, I finished up Revelations and 2 Corinthians thus ending the OT. Now I still need to do several OT books. I paused in Deuteronomy with chapter 13 and in Isaiah on chapter 31. Since I realize now that my D. A. Carson plan is way off, my new plan is to wrap up Isaiah and Deuteronomy and then wrap up the missing OT books. Just for my personal info; I still have Joshua, Hosea, Obadiah, Habakkuk, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings, 1&2 Chronicles, Psalms, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Joel, Amos, Micah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.

Let the final leg begin!

Revelations 22

2009-11-09T03:36:00.000-08:00

Revelations 22
- The angel showed John the river of life which flows from God's throne through the city.
- The tree of life is on both sides of the river
- Why isn't "tree" plural?
- The tree yield 12 kinds of fruit, a different one each month (so time still works during this time)
- The leaves of the tree were for healing the nations.
- There is no longer anything accursed, but God will be in it all.
- His servants will worship Him and His name will be on their foreheads.
- There will be no more night and God will be their light.
- The angel told John that these wards are trustworthy and true.
- God sent the angel to show John what must soon take place.
- Whoever keeps the words of the prophecy of this book will be blessed.
- John again states that when he saw these things he fell down to worship the angel who told him not to do that.
- The angel was with John and the others and they were to worship God.
- The angel told John not to seal up this prophecy for the time was near.
- The wicked will still be wicked and the righteous still do righteous things.
- He (the angel?) says he will soon repay everyone for what they have done. He is the Alpha and Omega (Is this the angel or God speaking now?)
- Blessed are those who wash their robes (or keep His commandments)
- Those who do will right will enter the city and have access to the tree of life.
- Outside are the dog; those who do evil and love to practice falsehood.
- Jesus says He sent His angel to tell these things to the churches.
- Jesus says He is the root and descendant of David, the bright morning star
- The Spirit and the Bride say come to those who want to drink of the water of life without price
- The warning - anyone who adds to this book, will have plagues added to them.
- If anyone takes away from this book, God will take away that person's share of tree of life and the holy city
- Jesus says, "Surely I am coming soon."
- John ends by saying " The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all (or all of the saints). Amen"

Revelations 21

2009-11-07T04:44:00.000-08:00

Revelations 21
- the old heaven and earth passed away and were replaced by new ones.
- The sea was no more.
- John saw the new Jerusalem coming down from heaven like a bride for her husband.
- The voice from the throne said this was a dwelling place of God with man.
- God will now dwell with man and they will be His people.
- God will wipe away every tear and death will be no more.
- There will be no crying or pain.
- The one on the throne said He was making everything new.
- He told John to write this down.
- He said to John, "I am the Alpha and Omega and He is giving water of to people without payment.
- The one who conquers will "be God's son".
- But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars will be thrown into lake of fire.
- One of the 7 bowl holding angels spoke to John, and wanted to show him Christ's bride.
- The angel took John in Spirit to a high mountain to see New Jerusalem.
- The city looked like clear jasper.
- Why did it have high walls? Aren't they for protection?
- It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed.
- There were 3 gates at each direction; N,E,S,W.
- And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb
- The angel had a golden ruler to measure the city.
- He measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia (1,380 miles). It was a perfect cube.
- The wall was 144 cubits high.
- The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel.
- The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.
- Each gate was made from a single pearl and the street were made of gold but transparent.
- There was no temple in the city because the temple is God Himself.
- The glory of God was the light of the city and Jesus was its lamp.
- The nations will now walk in God's glory.
- The gates will never need to be shut and there will be no night.
- They will bring honor and glory into the city.
- Nothing detestable will ever enter it, but only what is in the Lamb's Book of Life.

Revelations 19 - 20

2009-11-05T03:47:00.000-08:00

Revelations 19

- John heard loud voices shouting, "Hallelujah, salvation and glory belong to God whose judgments of the prostitute are true and just."

- God avenged the blood of the saints and immorality she brought.

- They again shouted her smoke goes up forever.

- The 24 elders fell and worshipped the one on the throne.

- The one on the throne (Jesus?) said praise God all who fear Him; great and small

- He heard the voice of the multitude say, "Hallelujah because God reigns so we should rejoice and give Him glory."

- The marriage of the Lamb to His bride has come.

- It was granted that she would dress in pure, bright white.

- Her fine linens are the righteous deeds of the saints.

- The angel told John to write that those invited to the wedding are blessed.

- These words of God are true.
- John's response was to fall down and worship the angel, but the angel told him not to do that.
- The angel said he was a fellow servant of Jesus.
- John then saw heaven open up and a white horse come out.
- The rider was called Faithful and True.
- He makes war and judgments in righteousness.
- His eyes are like fire and He wears many crowns and has a name that only He knows.
- He wears a robe dipped/sprinkled with blood.
- He is called the Word of God (John 1)
- The armies of heaven wore pure white and followed Him on white horses.
- A sharp sword comes from His mouth to strike down the nations and rule them with an iron rod.
- He treads God's wine press of His wrath.
- King of Kings and Lord of Lords is written on His robe and thigh.
- John saw an angel in the sun who told the birds to eat the flesh of the kings, captains, soldiers on horses, slaves and free and the armies of earth.
- The beast and the armies of earth came out to meet Him in battle.
- The beast was captured along with his prophet who did signs to trick people to worship idols.
- Those two were thrown alive into a lake of fire and sulfur.
- Christ's tongue cut down the beast's armies and the birds gorged themselves.

Revelations 20
- An angel came from heaven with a key to the bottomless pit and a long chain.
- The angel bound Satan (the dragon and serpent) and bound Satan for 1,000 years.
- For 1,000 years Satan could effect no one, but then he had to be released.
- Why did Satan have to be released?
- John saw thrones of those given authority to judge.
- John saw the souls of those beheaded and who did NOT follow the beast and they came and reigned with Christ for 1,000 years. (first resurrection)
- The rest of the dead didn't come alive until AFTER the 1,000 years.
- Blessed and holy are those in the first resurrection.
- The second death has no power and they will reign with Christ for 1,000 years.
- Satan was released after 1,000 years and he will deceive God and Magog and gather them together. Their number is like the sands of the sea.
- Satan's army was consumed by fire from heaven and Satan was thrown into the Lake of Fire with the beast and false prophet to be tormented day and night forever.
- John saw a great white throne and Him seated on it.
- The earth and sky fled from His presence.
- How could no place be found for earth and sky?
- John saw all the dead great and small standing before the throne where the books were.
- What were the first set of books for?
- Another book, the Book of Life, was opened and each person was judged by what they had done.
- The sea, Death and Hades, each gave up their dead to be judged.
- Death and Hades were then thrown into the Lake of Fire
- Who were Death and Hades and what was their rule before this time?
- The lake of fire was the second death.
- Anyone whose names was NOT in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelations 17 and 18

2009-11-01T03:36:00.000-08:00

Revelations 17
- One of the 7 angels came to John to show him the judgement of the great prostitute.
- She sits on many water and has committed sexual immorality with many kings.
- They have become drunk on her immorality like a drunk on wine.
- The Spirit took John into the wilderness where the woman was on a scarlet beast.
- Blasphemous names were written on the beast and it had seven heads and ten horns.
- She was dressed in scarlet and purple and adorned with jewels.
- She held a cup full of her immoralities and abominations.
- A name of mystery was written on her forehead, "Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations"
- John saw a woman drunk on the blood of the saint and martyrs of Jesus.
- John marveled at the woman and the angel asked him why.
- What does it mean the beast was and is not ( sounds like it counters God is was, is and is to come)?
- The beast is about to arise from the bottomless pit and reap destruction.
- Those not in the book of life will marvel at the beast.
- The 7 heads are 7 mountains, and also 7 kings (5 of which have already fallen, one is, and one will come later).
- That one will come and remain for only a short time.
- The beast is the 8th, but belongs to the 7 and is goes to destruction.
- The 10 horns are kings who have not yet received their royal power.
- They will receive power for 1 hour along with the beast.
- They are of one mind and will make war on the Lamb.
- The Lamb will conquer them and those with Him are called "chosen and faithful"
- The "waters" around the prostitute are the multitudes of people and languages.
- Why will the 10 kings and the beast hate the prostitute?
- They will make her naked and burn her with fire.
- God has planned that they be of one mind and hand their power over to the beast until His words are fulfilled.
- The woman = great city that has dominion over kings of earth.

Revelations 18
- John saw another angel who had great power whose glory made earth bright.
- The angel said Babylon has fallen and become a place for demons, unclean spirits and animals
- All nations have drunk her passion of sexual immorality.
- Kings and merchants have grown rich from being immoral with her.
- Another voice told his people to come away from her so they won't take part in her sins.
- God has remembered her sins and she will be paid back double
- For all her luxurious living she will have equal torment given to her.
- She boasts and for that reason she will see mourning and famine and death all in the same day.
- Those who were immoral with her will mourn at her burning.
- They will mourn her loss (She is Babylon)
- The merchants weep because no one now buys their cargo.
- Their cargo is many things; valuables, clothes, wood, bronze, scents, livestock, slaves and human souls (human lives).
- They will lose all of these splendors and delicacies.
- These merchants who gained wealth from her will stand far off and weep.
- All her wealth is taken away in a single hour.
- The seafarers stood far off and mourned too.
- Heaven will rejoice with the saints and prophets over God's judgment of her.
- The angel threw a huge stone into the sea and said that is the way Babylon will go too.
- It won't be found anymore; no light, no sounds, no voices, no marriages, will be found there because the nations were deceived by her sorceror and the fact that she killed the saints there.

Revelations 14 - 16

2009-10-30T03:17:00.000-07:00

Revelations 14

- On Mount Zion the Lamb stood with the 144,000 who had God's name written on their foreheads.

- John heard a voice like thunder, a river, and a harpist.

- The 144,000 were singing a new song before the throne, the 4 creatures and the elders.

- No one but the 144,000 could learn this new song.

- The 144,000 were blameless, virgins, followed the Lamb everywhere and were redeemed from mankind as the first fruits.

- John saw another angel proclaiming an eternal gospel saying, "Fear God because his judgment has come so He should be worshipped.

- A second angel said fallen is Babylon who has made other nations commit sexual immorality.

- A third angel said that anyone who follows the beast will face God's wrath.

- His wrath will be in a cup of His anger and those people will be tormented with fire in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb.

- Does the phrase "holy angels" mean anything significant?

- The smoke of their torment will go on forever.

- The saints should press on in endurance.

- A voice from heaven told John to write, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”

- How will these maurters be more blessed than previous ones?

- John saw a white cloud with the son of man with a golden crown and sickle.

- Another angel came out of the temple telling the one on the cloud to reap a harvest.

- The one on the cloud swung his sickle and reaped a harvest from earth.

- Another angel came out of the temple. He also had a sharp sickle.

- Another angel came out who had authority over fire and spoke to the sickle angel.

- He told the first to use sickle to gather ripe grapes from the earth.

- What did each sickle weilding angel reap exactly?

- The second angel gathered the grapes and put them in the "wine press of God's wrath."

- The blood flowed from the wine press and flowed as high as a horse's bridle (4-5 feet?)

- It flowed for 1,600 stadia (184 miles)

Revelations 15

- Another sign in heaven was the 7 angels who had the 7 plagues.

- This was the last of God's wrath.

- John saw a "sea of glass mixed with fire"

- John saw those who had conquered the beast standing beside the glass lake holding harps.

- How/when was the beast defeated?

- The were singing the song of Moses.

- Was this a song about Moses in that day or a song written by Moses when he was alive?

- God's deed are great and amazing and just and true.

- Who won't fear God and give Him glory.

- All nations will worship Him when His righteous acts have been revealed.

- The sanctuary of the tent (tabernacle) of witness was opened.

- The seven angels with 7 plagues came out of there.

- The were clothed in pure, white linen with golden sashes.

- One of the 4 creatures gave the angels the 7 bowls of God's wrath.

- The sanctuary was filled with smoke from God's glory and power.

- No one could enter the sanctuary until the 7 plagues were finished.

Revelations 16

- A loud voice told the 7 angels to pour out their bowls.

1) First Plague - harmful sores on people who worshiped the beast and had his mark.

2) Second Plague - the sea turned to blood and everything in it died.

3) Third Plague - turned the rivers into blood and said, "Just is God who brought these judgments , for God has given them blood to drink for the saints' blood they shed.

- The altar spoke reiterated that God's judgments are "true and just".

4) Fourth Plague - the sun was allowed to scorch people, but the people refused to turn to God and cursed Him instead.

5) Fifth Plague - turned Beast's throne into darkness, but people gnawed their tongues and cursed God for their sores.

6) Sixth Plague - The Euphrates dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the east.

- Out of the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet came 3 unclean spirits like frogs

- They are demonic spirits gathering kings to battle against the Lord.

- This quote seems to echo what Jesus said about the end coming like a thief in the night.

- They assembled their army at a place in Hebrew is called Armageddon.

7) Seventh Plague - threw his bowl into the air and a voice said, "It is done!"

- instantly there was thunder, lightning, and earthquakes.

- the earthquake was much bigger than anything since man had been on earth.

- The great city was spilt in 3 and the cities of nations fell.

- God remember Babylon and made her drink the cup of His wrath.

- Every island and mountain fled and were no more.

- 100 pound hail stones fell to earth.

- The people still responded by cursing God.

Deuteronomy 13 - Isaiah 31 – Revelations 13

2009-10-28T03:36:00.000-07:00

Deuteronomy 13

- If a prophet or a seer says to go after other gods the people shouldn't listen to him.

- God uses this false prophet to test His people to see if they love Him.

- The people should follow God comandments and stay close to Him.

- That false prophet should be put to death because he taught rebellion.

- They shall "purge evil from their midst.

- If your family, wife, or friends tempt you to serve other gods, you shouldn't listen to them.

- These deceitful friends and family members shall be exposed and killed.

- He shall be stoned for trying to steer others away from God.

- Israel's response will be to fear and never turn to other idols again.

- If there are people in the cities they will overthrow who try to persuade them to turn from God, then the inhabitants of the city and its cattle shall be killed with the sword.

- They should inquire, make search, and ask diligently to see if people are turning the Israelites from God.

- The whole city's belongings shall be gathered and burned as a burnt offering to God.

- They shouldn't rebuild a city in that place.

- None of their gods devoted things shall be taken so that God can respond to them with mercy and not anger.

- God wants to show mercy and multiply them.

- He will do this if they obey His commandments and do what is right.

Isaiah 31

- Woe to those who go down to Egypt.

- They are trusting in chariots and horsemen because they are many.

- But they don't consult God.

- God is wise and brings disaster and won't take back His words.

- God will be against evildoers and those who help bring iniquity.

- The Egyptians are merely men of flesh, not spirit

- God will stretch out His hand and make the helper (Egyptians) and the helped (those running to Egypt) perish together.

- They will be terrified like a lion who many shepherds come out to scare away.

- The Lord will protect, deliver, spare, and rescue Jerusalem.

- They should turn to God, not the Egyptians for help.

- They have deeply revolted and made idols of gold and silver which were made sinfully.

- The Assyrians shall fall by the sword of God, not of man.

- The Assyrians shall be put in God's furnace which is Israel.

- Those who hear what God has done will give attention.

- The heart of the hasty will understand and the speech of the stammerer will be distinct.

- The noble and honorable will become fools.

- The fool = speaking folly, busy with iniquity and ungodliness, uttering errors about God.

- This leaves the fools hungry and thirsty.

- The evil doer = devices evil, plans wicked things, ruins the poor by lying about them.

- The noble one = does noble things and stands because of them.

Revelations 13
The First Beast = rose out of the sea with 10 horns, 7 heads, and 10 crowns, and blasphemous names on each head.
- Looked like a leopard with bear's feet, a lion's mouth.
- The dragon gave this beast his power and throne and authority.
- One of its heads seemed to be mortally wounded but it was healed and the world marveled.
- They worshipped the dragon for giving up his power and the beast because he seemed to have unbeatable power.
- The beast spoke blasphemous words against God and heaven for 42 months.
- The beast was also allowed to make war and defeat the saints.
- Everyone on earth whose name was not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb worshipped the beast.
- Anyone to be taken captive or killed, that's what happened to them.
The Second Beast = rose out of the earth, with two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon.
- It makes the whole earth worship the first beast.
- It performed great signs including making fire come from heaven.
- With these miracles in convinced the whole world to make an idol of the first beast.
- The second beast gave the image (idol) the ability to speak and even slay those who wouldn't worship it.
- This idol causes all to wear the mark of the beast on their right hand or forehead.
- No one could buy or sell without this mark.
- Why shouldn't anyone calculate the number of the beast?
- Why did John tell us the number then of 666?

Deuteronomy 12 - Isaiah 30 – 2 Corinthians 13 – Revelations 12

2009-10-23T03:22:00.000-07:00

Deuteronomy 12
- Now Moses gives them the statutes and rules to follow.
- The shall destroy the altars to other gods in the nations they take over.
- They shall burn the Asherim with fire and chop down their idols.
- They can't worship God and the other idols.
- They shall seek a place of habitation for God there.
- That's where they will bring their tithes and offerings; their vow and free will offerings and first born of their livestock.
- There they will eat, rejoice, in all that God has blessed them with.
- They shouldn't do there what they are doing now; whatever each person thinks is right.
- They haven't yet reached the rest and inheritance God has promised them.
- God will give them rest from their enemies and safety.
- God will choose a place there for their burnt offerings, sacrifices, tithes, and contributions
- There they will rejoice before the Lord with their children and their servants.
- The Levites in the various towns will also celebrate there.
- They shouldn't offer sacrifices anywhere they choose any more, but just where God chooses.
- They may slaughter and eat meat in their towns according to what God blesses them with.
- The unclean and clean may eat the deer or the gazelle, but they shouldn't eat the blood.
- They can NOT eat of their grain offering, first of wine or livestock.
- These shall be eaten in the place God chooses. This goes for their children, servants, and Levites with them.
- They shall rejoice in God in all that they do.
- They shouldn't neglect the Levite.
- God will enlarge their territory and they can eat meat whenever they want.
- If the place God chooses is too far from their town, they may eat within their town.
- Isn't this distance subjective?
- It repeats that the unclean and clean may eat the deer or the gazelle and not to eat the blood.
- The blood is life and that shouldn't be eaten with the flesh.
- They don't eat the blood so it may go well with them.
- Their vow offerings should be taken to the place God chooses.
- the blood from their offerings should be poured on the alter, but they may eat the flesh.
- Moses tells them to be careful and obey these things so it may go well with them forever when they do what is good and right in God's eyes.
- Moses warns them not to be ensnared and follow those people they overthrow.
- They shouldn't even ask how the previous nations served their gods lest they be tempted to do the same.
- They shouldn't do that, because every thing abominable to God, they have done.
- They even burnt their children to their gods.
- Moses tells them not to add to or take away from what God has commanded.

Isaiah 30
- God rebukes those who carry out ungodly plans and add sin upon sin.
- Those who went down to Egypt without asking God first because they wanted Pharaoh to protect them.
- Pharaoh's shelter and protection shall be their shame and humiliation.
- Even though Pharaoh's officials reach all the way to Zion, he will not profit them.
- An oracle on the beasts of Negeb says, "The lion and fiery serpent carry their riches to Egypt who cannot help them. That's why they call her "Rahab who sits still"
- Isaiah is to write this on a tablet and in a book so people can witness forever that they are rebellious and their children will not listen to God's instructions.
- They even tell the seers and prophets NOT to tell them what's right.
- They don't want to hear anymore about the Holy One of Israel.
- Their iniquity is on themselves because they trust in oppression and perverseness.
- They are like a leaning wall about to fall over or a pot smashed to pieces.
- They shall be saved through repentance and quietness.
- They thought they could ride their horses to get away, but a few invaders will cause them to flee.
- God is waiting to be gracious to them and exalts Himself in showing them mercy.
- God is a just god and those who wait on Him are blessed.
- Those who wait in Zion will experience God's grace.
- He will answer them when He hears them.
- God (Teacher) will not hide Himself anymore though they face affliction and adversity.
- They will hear God tell them which way to go.
- Then they will turn from idols and tell them to "Be gone!"
- In that day rain will grow seeds and the livestock will flourish.
- Streams will again flow from the mountains.
- Moonlight will be like sunlight.
- When God binds the broken the sunlight shall be 7 times brighter.
- The name of the Lord will come burning with anger and fury.
- His tongue will be a devouring fire and His breath like an overflowing stream.
- They shall have a celebratory song and be glad.
- The Lord's voice will be heard and His fury will be seen in storms and hailstones.
- This will terrify the Assyrians.
- God will fight the Assyrians.
- Topheth (a burning place) has been prepared for them.
- A fire pyre has been made for the king.

2 Corinthians 13
- This will be the 3rd time Paul is coming to them.
- He tells them that every charge must have 2 -3 witnesses.
- Paul is warning those in sin like he did during his 2nd visit, that he won't spare them on his next visit because they are seeking proof that Christ is speaking through Paul.
- Christ is not weak when dealing with them. He is powerful.
- Christ was crucified in weakness but He lives by the power of God.
- Paul and the others are also weak in Him but will live with Him by the power of God.
- Paul challenges them to examine and test themselves to see if they are in faith.
- Paul asks whether they realize Christ is in them.
- Paul hopes they will trust he hasn't failed the test.
- Paul prays that they won't do wring, but will do what is right even though he and the others seem to have failed.
- How have Paul and the others failed?
- Paul says that can't do anything against the truth.
- Paul is glad when he is weak and they are strong.
- They pray for the Corinthians' restoration.
- Paul writes them before his visit in hopes that when he is there he won't have to be "severe" in his use of the Lord's authority.
- Paul says his authority is for building up and not tearing down.
- Paul tells them to rejoice, aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the love of God will be with them.
- They are supposed to greet one another with a holy kiss.
- Paul prays that Jesus' grace, God's love, and the Holy Spirit's fellowship will be with them all.

Revelations 12
- A great sign = woman clothed with the sun. The moon was under her feet. a crown of 12 stars was on her head.
- She was pregnant and about to give birth.
- A second sign = a great red dragon, 7 heads with 7 diadems (crowns) and 10 horns
- Its tails swept 1/3 of the stars out of heaven and threw them to earth.
- The dragon waited to devour the woman's child when it was born.
- She gave birth to a man child, who was to rule all mankind with a rod of iron, but the child was caught up to God's throne.
- The woman fled into the wilderness and was nourished for 1,260 days in a place God had prepared for her.
- Why didn't the dragon eat the man child?
- A war arose and Michael led the angels against the dragon.
- The dragon and his angels were defeated and there was no more space for them in heaven.
- The dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent (Genesis reference?)
- The dragon is also know as the devil, Satan, deceiver of the world was thrown down to earth with his angels.
- At this moment the salvation and the power and kingdom and authority of Christ has come because the accuser (Satan) has been thrown down.
- Satan accuses us night and day before God.
- Satan has been conquered by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of the testimony of those who died for Him.
- The heavens will rejoice, but the earth will woe because Satan has come to earth full of wrath because he knows his time is short.
- When the dragon was thrown to earth he pursued the woman, but but she flew away on eagle's wings.
- She flew away to the place where she'd be nourished for 1,260 days in the wilderness.
- What does it mean she will be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time?
- The dragon poured flood waters out of his mouth to sweep her away, but the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the water to help the woman.
- The dragon became furious and went off to make war with the rest of her offspring.
- Her offspring were those who keep the commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.
- He (the dragon?) stood on the sand of the sea.

Deuteronomy 11 - Isaiah 29 – 2 Corinthians 12 – Revelations 11

2009-10-21T03:23:00.000-07:00

Deuteronomy 11
- They were to love their God and keep His rules and commandments.
- God is speaking to His people (not their children) because they have seen His power and works in Egypt.
- Moses recounts the parting of the Red Sea and how God destroyed the Egyptians who pursued them.
- He also recounts how God provided for them in the wilderness
- How Dathan and Abiram were swallowed up by the earth.
- The Israelites had seen all of these things.
- Because of these things that should keep all of God's commandments.
- Because of these things they should be strong and go take possession of the land.
- They will live long in the land promised to their fathers.
- In Egypt they had to irrigate their crops but in the promised land streams and rains will grow their crops.
- God cares for this land all year long.
- If they obey God's commands and love Him whole heartedly he will provide rain for the land and grass for their livestock.
- Beware or you may be deceived and turn to other gods which will bring about God's anger against them and will stop the rains.
- If they turn to other gods they will perish quickly.
- Because of this they should put God's words in their hearts, on the hands and near their eyes.
- They should teach God's commandments to their children when talking, walking, or lying with them (constantly)
- They shall write God's laws on their doorposts and on their gates which will multiply their days in the land.If they hold fast to God and love Him, He will drive out their enemies who are mightier than they are.
- Their territory shall be from the wilderness to the Lebanon and from the Euphrates River to the Western Sea.
- No one will be able to stand against them and people will fear them as God had promised.
- Moses is setting before them this day a blessing and a curse.
- The blessing = if they obey
- The curse = if they do not obey God's commandments and go after other gods.
- They shall set the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal which are west of the Jordan in the land of the Canaanites.
- They will cross the Jordan and take this land.
- Moses reminds them again that when they arrived in the promised land they should be careful to keep God's statutes and rules that they are receiving this day.

Isaiah 29
- Ariel is a city where David camped
- They will feast year after year but they too will mourn.
- What does it mean that she shall be an Ariel?
- God will camp against them and besiege them.
- Their speech shall be bowed down in the dust.
- Their foreign foes will be like the dust and they will be visited by God.
- He will come with thunder and earthquake and whirlwind and devouring fire.
- Fighting against Ariel will be like a dream when you eat but wake up hungry.
- All the nations shall be against Mount Zion.
- They will be astonished and stagger, not from wine, but from the deep sleep.
- Their eyes (the prophets) will be closed and their heads (the seers) will be covered.
- The visions of things to come has become like a sealed book which cannot be read but either the literate or the illiterate.
- God says they honer Him with their lips but their hearts are far from Him.
- Because of this God will again do great things which will shame the wise
- The people ask "who can see us?" and they turn things upside down.
- The clay cannot tell the potter he didn't make it.
- It would be like a pot saying the potter has no understanding.
- Lebanon shall soon be turned into a fruitful field and the fruitful field regarded as a forest.
- In that day, the deaf shall hear the words of a book, the blind see, and the meek shall get fresh joy in the Lord.
- The poor shall exult the Lord.
- The ruthless, the scoffer, the evil doer shall be cut off.
- Who can turn aside him who is in the right?
- Jacob won't be ashamed and his face grow pale.
- His children will sanctify His name and stand in awe of God.
- Those who go astray in spirit will come to understanding and those who murmur will accept instruction.

2 Corinthians 12
- Paul continues his boasting though he says it gains him nothing.
- He focuses in on visions and revelations about the Lord.
- Paul says he know a guy who 14 years ago was called up tp the 3rd heaven (not sure if it was in body or simply in spirit) (Was he talking about John?)
- What is the 3rd heaven?
- This man was caught up into paradise.
- He heard things which a man cannot utter.
- Paul is boasting in this man and his own weakness.
- If Paul boasts he would be speaking the truth.
- Paul doesn't boast because he doesn't want people thinking too much of him.
- To keep Paul from being to excited over his revelations a thorn was given to his flesh.
- A messenger of Satan (a demon?) was sent to harass him and keep him from being too elated.
- 3 times Paul pleaded with the Lord to remove this "thorn" and the Lord replied, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my powers are made perfect in weakness."
- That is why Paul boasts in his weakness so God's power may rest on him.
- For Christ's sake, Paul can be content with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.
- Paul knows that when he is weak, then he is actual strong (in the Lord).
- Paul says the Corinthians made him a fool.
- Paul says he isn't inferior to the "super apostles".
- Signs of true apostles were done among them with patience; signs, wonders, and mighty works.
- Paul says the only thing that made them different from other churches was that he didn't burden them.
- He (sarcastically) asks for their forgiveness on this.
- Paul is ready to come to them a 3rd time.
- He isn't seeking what they have, but simply seeking them.
- He is saving up and spending himself for them like a parent does for his child.
- Why did they feel deceived by Paul?
- Paul didn't take advantage of them himself or by Titus or the brother he sent with Titus.
- Who was "the brother" sent with Titus?
- Paul fears not finding them as he wishes or them thinking less of him when he comes.
- Paul fears that he'll find quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.
- Paul fears having to mourn over those who have not turned from their sin; impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality.
- What would constitute as sensuality?

Revelations 11
- John was given a measuring rob to measure the temple of God, the altar and those who worship there.
- He wasn't to measure the court outside the temple because it will be given over to the nations and trampled for 42 months.
- He will grant authority to His 2 witnesses and they will prophesy for 1,260 days in sackcloth.
- These prophets are the 2 trees and 2 lampstands that stand before God on earth.
- Anyone trying to harm these two will be consumed by fire.
- These 2 prophets have the power to shut the sky so no rain may fall while they prophesy.
- They can turn the water into blood and strike earth with every plague.
- after they finish prophesying the beast will arise from the bottomless pit make war on them and kill them.
- Their dead bodies will lie in the streets symbolically called Sodom and Egypt.
- People from various tribes will look at their dead bodies for 3 1/2 days, but refuse to place their bodies in a tomb.
- Those who dwell on the earth will rejoice because the 2 prophets tormented them.
- But after 3 1/2 days, God breathed on them and they were alive again.
- People who saw them were afraid.
- A voice will call out to them and they will rise to heaven on a cloud.
- When that happened there was great earthquake that destroyed 1/10 of the city.
- 7,000 people were killed in this earthquake, but the rest were terrified and gave glory to God.
- This was the 2nd woe
7) The seventh angel blew the 7th trumpet.
- loud voices in heaven the kingdom of the world has become Christ's kingdom.
- the 24 elders again fell on their faces and worshipped God.
- They said, "we give thanks to you who is and was for Hos great power He has begun to reign. The nations fought but then God's wrath came and it was time to judge the dead and to reward the prophets and saints and those who fear God's name (great and small) and for destroying those who destroy on earth."
- Then God's temple opened and the ark of the covenant could be seen.
- There was lightning, thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.
-

QT for Monday/Tuesday

2009-10-12T16:44:00.000-07:00

Today and tomorrow I'm going through a message on the Tragedy of Sin. For my accountability people I DID have a quiet time today, it was a sermon rather than Bible reading and notes.

Deuteronomy 10 - Isaiah 28 – 2 Corinthians 11 – Revelations 10

2009-10-10T16:50:00.000-07:00

Deuteronomy 10
- God told Moses to cut two more stone tablets and make an ark of wood.
- God said He'd rewrite the commandments on the tablets
- Moses made the ark of acacia wood.
- God rewrote the words in the same writing as before. God had spoken these same words to the people through the fire.
- Moses put the tablets in the ark and brought it down as God told him to do.
- Beeroth Bene-jaakan to Moserah where Aaron died.
- They traveled to Gudgodah and then to Jotbathah, a land with brooks of water.
- Here God appointed the Levites to watch over the ark and bless God's name.
- The Lord is the inheritance of the Levites, not what they get from conquests.
- Moses stayed on the mountain for 40 days and night talking with God.
- He said that God listened to him then.
- The Lord said He wouldn't destroy them.
- God told Moses to go lead the people into the promised land.
- God wants the Israelites to fear Him, follow Him, and walk in His ways.
- They were to serve God with their heart and soul, keeping His commandments.
- Moses says God owns heaven, earth, and the heaven of heaven (What is that?)
- God chose to love their fathers and to love them as well.
- Moses tells them to circumcise their hearts (don't be stubborn)
- God is the God of gods and mighty, awesome and not a bribe taker
- He executes Justice for the widow and He loves the sojourner
- That's why the Israelites should love the sojourners (they were once ones themselves)
- Moses again tells them to fear God.
- They should serve God and hold onto Him and swear by Him (This is the opposite of what Jesus says in the Beatitudes)
- He is their praise.
- Their forefathers went down to Egypt (in the times of Joseph) 70 men and have come out as numerous as the stars.

Isaiah 28
- Ephraim was full of drunkards.
- Their glory is fading.
- The Lord has one who is mighty and strong like a storm.
- The proud drunks of Ephraim will be swallowed up like the first figs of the season.
- The Lord will be a crown of glory to those who turn back to Him.
- The priests and prophets stagger with much wine and their tables are full of vomit.
- Who will he teach knowledge? is the question posed by this verse
- Who is the "he" in this verse?
- They keep adding more and more precepts and words.
- God will try to speak to them by foreigners, but they still won't listen.
- God told His people he wants to give them rest for the weary but they won't listen.
- God's word will be precept upon precept to them and they will fall and be broken.
- Isaiah says they have made a deal with death and made lies their refuge.
- God reminds them that God is the cornerstone and a sure foundation.
- God has made a righteousness a plumb line and hail will sweep away those sheltering in lies.
- God will annul their covenant with death.
- They will be overwhelmed and sheered by terror until they understand God's message.
- God will be roused to do His deed.
- Do not laugh at God's decrees and become more inbounded to sin and pride.
- They need to hear what God is saying
- A farmer doesn't continually til the soil, but he plants in it and lets it grow.
- There are certain ways to harvest various crops.
- God will till the soil (discipline them) and then harvest those who turn to Him.

2 Corinthians 11
- Paul asks them to bear with him as he presents them to Christ as his bride with divine jealousy.
- Paul fears they have been led astray like Eve was by the serpent.
- Their thoughts are being led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
- They seem to be accepting all variations of the gospel
- Paul boasts that he is not inferior to the super apostles
- Paul says he is unskilled in speaking but not in knowledge.
- Paul asks them if it was wrong that he shared the gospel with them for free.
- Paul had accepted payment from other churches in order to serve the Corinthians.
- Paul reminds them that he didn't ask them for anything but his fellow brothers from Macedonia supplied his needs.
- Paul will continue to boasting Achaia.
- Paul does this to undermine claims of other false apostles.
- Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
- Satan's servant also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.
- Their end will correspond with the deeds.
- Paul says he will be a fool because the Corinthians let others make slaves of them, take advantage of them, and even slap them in the face.
- Paul says he was "too weak for that"
- Paul boasts that he is Hebrew, an Israelite, an offspring of Abraham, a servant of Christ, 5 times he received 40 lashes minus one, 3 times was beaten with rods, stoned once, 3 times shipwrecked, spent a night and a day adrift at sea,
- He also survived rivers, robbers, danger from Jews and Gentiles, city, wilderness, sea, false brothers, faced many hardships, had sleepless nights, hungry, thirsty, cold and exposure.
- On top of all these things Paul has an anxiety for all the churches.
- Paul said he will boast of the things that show his weakness.
- Paul says God knows he isn't lying.
- In Damascus the governor under King Aretas wanted to seize Paul but he escaped through a window in the wall in a basket.

Revelations 10
- John saw another angel wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, with a face like the sun.
- His legs were like pillars of fire.
- He had a little scroll opened in his hand.
- His right foot was on the sea and his left foot was on the land.
- His voice was like a roaring lion.
- When he spoke 7 thunders sounded.
- A voice told John not to write down what the seven thunders had said.
- The angel swore by him who lives forever and ever that there would be no more delay.
- The 7th trumpet would fulfill the mysteries of God as revealed by the prophets
- The voice told John to take the scroll from the angel.
- The angel told John to eat the scroll which would be bitter to the stomach but sweet to the taste.
- John was told he must prophesy about many people, nations, languages, and kings.
-

Deuteronomy 9 - Isaiah 27 – 2 Corinthians 10 – Revelations 9

2009-10-05T03:38:00.000-07:00

Deuteronomy 9
- God told the people to cross the Jordan River and fight the nations who were greater and mightier than themselves with cities fortified to heaven (This seems discouraging)
- The sons of Anak (who they are to fight) have a reputation for being unbeatable.
- This day they will know God goes before them as a "consuming fire".
- They will beat the sons of Anak quickly and know God fought for them.
- They need to be aware of the temptation to forget God after they win and credit victory to their own righteousness or works.
- God is driving out the sons of Anak simply because they were evil, not because Israel is super righteous
- In driving the sons of Anak out God is confirm His oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
- God's not rewarding them for their righteousness because they are a stubborn people (God says this 3 times).
- They should remember how they made God angry in the wilderness by constantly rebelling.
- At Horeb God wanted to destroy the Israelites because of their rebellion.
- Moses remind them how the rebelled when he was on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights getting the tablets. (Moses didn't eat or drink during that time)
- After 40 days God gave Moses the 2 tablets and sent him down the mountain because the people made a metal image.
- God wanted to destroyed the people and start over through Moses.
- Moses hurried down the burning mountain and saw they had sinned against God by making a golden (metal) calf.
- Moses responded by throwing the tablets down and breaking them before the people.
- Moses lay face down for an additional 40 days without eating or drinking (80 days total)
- Moses was afraid of God's anger toward the people.
- God was really angry at Aaron and wanted to destroy him too.
- Moses prayed for his people and for Aaron.
- What did the people do for those 40 days of Moses laying down and praying?
- Moses ground up the calf and sent its dust down a stream.
- Moses reminds them of other times they made God angry by rebelling, like at Taberah, Massah, and at Kibroth-hattaavah (Here God told them to go up and take a land, and they didn't believe or obey Him)
- Moses humbles them by basically saying, as long as he's known them, they have been rebellious.
- Moses prayed to God that He'd remember Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and disregard the stubbornness of His people.
- If God wiped them out, Moses feared the other nations would say God wasn't able to help His people conquer the land, so God killed them in the wilderness.
- These stubborn, rebellious people are God's heritage which God has been using to show other nations His power.

Isaiah 27
- God will slay Leviathan (sea serpent or fleeing serpent)
- God is the keeper of the pleasant vineyard and waters it.
- There's no wrath or briers in this pleasant vineyard (Is this referring to pre-sin Eden?)
- If there were briers God would burn them, or they would make peace with Him.
- In the future Jacob's descendants (Israelites) shall take root and blossom and fill the whole world with fruit.
- God will strike down those who struck down Israel.
- By Israel's conquering, their sins will be atoned for.
- Their sins will be removed and God will crush all the altars and Asherim poles.
- The fortified cities will be deserted and animals shall dwell there.
- The people had no discernment so God will have no compassion on them or show them any favor.
- God will "thresh out" the people of Israel from those between The Euphrates River and the Brook of Egypt
- In "that day" God will blow a great trumpet and those lost in Assyria and Egypt will come worship in Jerusalem.

2 Corinthians 10
- Why does Paul seem to be bragging about being meek and gentle?
- He says that he is humble when he's with them, but bold when he's away.
- Isn't this showing a fear of man?
- Paul says he doesn't want to have to be so bold when he's with them again.
- There are some he needs to be bold with who are walking in the flesh.
- Only by divine power can we break the hold of the flesh.
- Divine power can break the "strongholds" of the flesh.
- We need to destroy arguments and "lofty" opinions against God.
- We need to take every thought captive in order to obey Christ.
- We need to punish every disobedience. (v.6)
- Paul reminds the Corinthians that they are all believers together of the same God.
- Paul says he won't be ashamed to boast a little in what God has given him.
- Paul said his letters weren't to frighten them.
- They said his letters were strong, when in person Paul appeared weak.
- Paul says what they say in letters and person will match up.
- Paul says it's not his place to compare himself to others preaching the gospel, and those who do compare are "without understanding."
- Paul will only boast in the area of influence assigned to him by God.
- Paul says they were the first to share the gospel with the Corinthians.
- Paul won't boast in the labors of others, but in the fact that their faith is increasing.
- Paul wants to build the gospel beyond the Corinthians.
- He will only boast in the Lord.
- It doesn't matter if a person commmends himself, but only if God commends you.

Revelations 9
5) The 5th trumpet is blown
- A star fell to earth and "he" was given a key to the bottomless pit (abyss)
- Smoke came up from the unlocked pit
- The sun and air were darkened by the smoke.
- From the smoke came locusts with scorpion power (What does this mean?)
- The locusts were commanded not to eat any plants but only those people without the "mark of God" on their foreheads.
- The locusts will torment those people for five months but won't kill them.
- They will sting like scorpions and people will want to die.
- Death won't come to anyone for 5 months.
- The locusts had human faces, little golden crowns, golden hair, lion's teeth, iron breastplates, scorpion tails, and their wings will sound like chariots going into battle.
- Their power to hurt is in their tails.
- The angel is king over them. His Hebrew name is Abaddon (destruction) . His Greek name is Apollyon (destroyer).
- This ends the "First Woe"
6) The 6th trumpet is blown
- a voice came from the 4 horned altar.
- It told the 6th angel to release the 4 angels bound at the Euphrates.
- These angels were prepared for this very moment to kill 1/3 of mankind.
- The troops numbered 200,000,000.
- The horses wore breastplates the color of fire, saphire, and sulfur.
- These horses had a lion's head and breathed fire.
- The fire, smoke and sulfer were 3 plagues that killed 1/3 of the people.
- The power of these horses came from their mouths and their sepent headed tails
- The rest of mankind still did not repent but continued to worship idols.
- The did not repent of murders, sorceries, sexual immorality, or thefts

Deuteronomy 8 - Isaiah 26 – 2 Corinthians 9 – Revelations 8

2009-10-01T03:48:00.000-07:00

Deuteronomy 8
- They should keep God's whole covenant so that it will go well with them and they will multiply.
- They should also remember all God has done for them over the past 40 years.
- God tested them and humbled them to see what was in their hearts.
- God humbled them and then fed them with manna.
- He fed them manna to let them know man doesn't live on bread alone but by the word of God.
- Their clothes didn't wear out after 40 years.
- God disciplined them like a father disciplines his son.
- Keeping God's commandments = walking in His ways and fearing Him.
- God is giving them a good land with springs, lands of wheat and barley, vines, figs, olives and honey, in which they will lack nothing.
- The land also had iron and copper buried there.
- They will bless God for the land He provides them.
- Moses warns them not to forget God's rules and commandments when they are full and living in good houses.
- (Living in plenty tempts us to not lean on God or feel like we need Him)
- Their hearts may turn away from God when their herd have multiplied and all that they have is multiplied.
- When they have all they ever wanted they will be tempted to forget all that God has done for them in Egypt, in the desert, providing manna and water, and in giving them all they will have.
- God sought to do them good.
- They need to beware of saying their power and might provided all that they have.
- The truth is God gives us power to get wealth, confirming His covenant.
- If they turn from God to other idols they will perish.
- Moses warns that Israel will perish like the lands they just conquered.

Isaiah 26
- Judah says the righteous nation that keeps faith will enter in.
- God keeps those who trust in Him at perfect peace.
- The Lord is our everlasting rock to trust in.
- God humbles the lofty people.
- The path of the righteous is level. He makes it level.
- They wait for God, remembering God is the desire of their soul.
- Their spirit seeks God and yearns for Him.
- God teaches the world righteousness.
- If favor were shown to the wicked they wouldn't learn righteousness.
- Isaiah wants others to see God's zeal for His people and be ashamed.
- God will give them peace.
- Isaiah says others have ruled over them but they will only remember what God has done.
- God will wipe out those other rulers
- God has glorified Himself by expanding Judah's borders.
- God's people prayed to Him when they were under His discipline.
- What does Isaiah mean by "giving birth only to wind?"
- They couldn't deliver the earth or make earth's inhabitants fall.
- The dead shall rise.
- God dwells in the dust and will awaken them.
- The earth (ground) will give birth to the dead.
- Judah tells the people to hide themselves until God's fury has passed.
- God will come and punish people for their iniquity.
- The earth will no longer cover the slain.

2 Corinthians 9
- Paul boasts to the Macedonians of the Achaians readiness.
- They have been ready for a year.
- The Corinthians zeal has stirred up many Macedonians.
- That is why Paul is sending his brothers to them, so that his boasting may prove true if the Macedonians visit them.
- Paul says he doesn't want to be proved wrong if people visit them.
- That's why Paul is sending the brothers to receive the Corinthians promised gift as a willing one not an exaction.
- Paul states his point that how they sow will be reflected in what they reap.
- Each person should give as he sees fit, not reluctantly because God loves a cheerful giver.
- God's grace will abound in them in all things and at all times, so that they may abound in every good work.
- Where does this quote by Paul come from in verse 9
- The same God who provides seeds and bread will also increase their their seed
- They will increase in a harvest of righteousness.
- They will be enriched to be generous which will produce thanksgiving to God
- Ministry isn't only supplying the needy but giving thanks to God.
- They will glorify God because of the Corinthians confession of the Gospel.
- Part of that is due to the generosity of the Corinthians.
- The Macedonians long for and pray for the Corinthians because of God's grace on them

Revelations 8
- The Lamb opened the 7th seal and there was 1/2 hour of silence.
- Seven angels were given 7 trumpets.
- An 8th angel came to the altar with a goldne censer and he was given much incense to give with the saints' prayers.
- The smoke of the incense rose before God from the hand of the angel.
- The angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the alter.
- The angel through the burning censer to earth causing storms and earthquakes.
- The 7 angels prepared their trumpets.
- Trumpets Blown
1) The 1st blown trumpet = hail and fire mixed with blood thrown to earth.
- 1/3 or earth burned, 1/3 of trees burned, all grass burned up.
2) The 2nd blown trumpet = A burning mountain was thrown into the sea.
- 1/3 of sea turned to blood, 1/3 of sea life die, 1/3 of ships destroyed.
3) The 3rd blown trumpet = a great star fell into the earth's rivers
- the star's name was Wormwood
- the waters became bitter and killed many people who drank from it
4) The 4th blown trumpet =
- 1/3 of sun, 1/3 of moon, 1/3 of stars were struck causing the light to darken.
- 1/3 of the day and 1/3 of the night with be darkeness.
- After this the eagle cried out as it flew, "Woe, woe, woe to those on the earth as they prepare for the final 3 trumpets"

Deuteronomy 7 - Isaiah 25 – 2 Corinthians 8 – Revelations 7

2009-09-24T03:56:00.000-07:00

Deuteronomy 7
- Moses is talking to the people just before they enter the promised land.
- He says that God will remove the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, the Canannites, Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites (These nations were more abundant than the Israelites
- The people are supposed to completely wipe these people out when God gives them over to the Israelites.
- They shall NOT intermarry because those Israelites marrying from another nation will turn away from God and serve their spouse's gods.
- This would anger God and He would destroy them.
- They shall knock down their alters, burn the Asherim and carved images
- They should do this because they are God's holy people.
- God chose the Israelites over all nations to be His people.
- God didn't choose the Israelites because they were the most numerous (They were actually a very small nation)
- God is helping them because He made an oath with their fathers.
- That is why God brought them out of slavery in Egypt.
- God is the faithful God who keeps His covenants with steadfast love to the 1,000th generation
- He repays those who hate Him by destroying them.
- God will repay those who hate Him
- Moses tells the people to be careful to obey God's rules and statutes.
- Because they obey His laws, God keeps His covenant with them.
- God will bless, love, and multiply them.
- He will bless their pregnancies and crops and wine making and increase their herd numbers in this new land.
- They shall be blessed above ALL people.
- There won't be any sterile person or animal among them.
- God will keep them free from all diseases they faced in Egypt
- He will cause their enemies to get sick
- They shall consume all other people in the land and not pity them or be tempted to serve their gods.
- The Israelites shouldn't be afraid of bigger armies but should remember the Lord's faithfulness in bringing them out of Egypt and all God's mighty works there
- Could the people Moses is talking to now even remember Egypt because they were all supposed to die for unfaithfulness before the reached the promised land?
- God will do to their enemies what He did to the Egyptians.
- God will send hornets out to attack their enemies.
- They shouldn't be afraid because the great and awesome God is among them.
- What does Moses mean by they won't conquer them too quickly or the wild beasts would be too many?
- God will give the people over to them little by little until they are destroyed.
- Their kings will perish
- No one will be able to stand against them.
- They shall burn the conquered's gods
- The Israelites shouldn't even desire the gold or silver that was used to make the idols.
- Their idols are an abomination to God.
- The Israelites should not bring the abominable idols into their homes.
- They should hate the idols like God does and seek to destroy them all.

Isaiah 25
- Isaiah says he will exult God because He is God and has done wonderful things; plans formed of old, faithful and sure (from the beginning of time)
- God has made the great cities a pile of ruins.
- Because of this destruction strong people glorify God and ruthless nations fear Him.
- God is a stronghold for the poor and needy.
- God puts down the ruthless like a cloud puts down heat
- Which mountain is Isaiah referring to?
- God will swallow up death forever
- He will wipe away all tears and take away the reproach of His people because He said so.
- The people will know that this is their God who the have waited for and He will save them.
- They will rejoice and be glad in His salvation on that day.
- Moab will be trampled down on that mountain.
- The Lord will lay low Moab's pompous pride in spite of Moab's skilled hands.
- God will bring down the walls of Moab on that day.

2 Corinthians 8
- Paul wants to tell them about the grace of God given out in Macedonia.
- They were in severe affliction and poverty but had abundant joy and generosity
- They gave beyond their means of their own free will to give to the saints.
- They gave themselves first to the Lord then to Paul.
- Paul said they sent Titus to impart the same grace on the Corinthians.
- As they excel in faith, speech, knowledge, earnestness and in Paul's love for them, Paul reminds them to excel in the act of grace.
- Paul says this isn't a command but to show others their love in genuine.
- Paul reminds them of how Christ was rich but became poor for them.
- By Jesus' poverty we can become rich.
- Paul says his judgment is that this will benefit them.
- The Corinthians have been saved for a year (v.10)
- Paul tells them to make their actions match their spoken desires and do something.
- Readiness is more important than possession (what you have)
- Paul says that they should supply those without from their present abundance.
- Their abundance will later supply the Corinthians when they need it.
- Paul quotes from Exodus 16:18 where it says those who gathered much had nothing left over and those who gathered little had no lack.
- Paul thanks God for placing a heart of care into Titus.
- Titus is coming to them of his own desire.
- Who is this famous "preaching brother" who is going with Titus to them? (v.18)
- This famous brother is traveling with Paul and Titus now.
- They do these things to avoid blame for the generous gift.
- Paul's aim is to do what is honorable in God's sight and in the sight of men.
- Paul again states that he is sending this brother who has been tested and found earnest.
- Paul calls Titus his partner and other brothers messengers.
- Paul tells the Corinthians to give them proof of all the great things Paul has been saying about them, when Titus and this "famous brother" get there.

Revelation 7
- John saw 4 angels standing at the 4 corners of the earth holding back 4 winds.
- No winds blew on earth at this time.
- A fifth angel ascended from the rising sun.
- Didn't the sun turn black now?
- This 5th angel had the seal of the living God.
- The 5th angel called to the 4 angels holding back the winds not to release them until "we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads."
- The number sealed was 144,000 (12,000 from each tribe of the sons of Israel)
- The John saw a great crowd from all over the world, every tribe and nation, standing before the throne and the Lamb.
- They were clothed in white with palm branches in their hands.
- They cried out loudly, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!"
- All the angels and elders encircled the throne and bowed down and worshipped God.
- They all said, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving, and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever amen!"
- One elder asked John who those in white were.
- John told the man he should know.
- The elder replied that they were "the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
- Because they have been cleansed they stand before the throne night and day to serve Him.
- God's presence is their shelter.
- They shall not hunger or thirst or be struck by heat.
- The Lamb will be their shepherd and will guide them to streams of living water.
- God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
- Are these people saved already or is God giving these chosen people these things while they are still on earth, or have they died and are getting these things in heaven?

Deuteronomy 6 - Isaiah 24 – 2 Corinthians 7 – Revelations 6

2009-09-18T04:10:00.000-07:00

Deuteronomy 6
- Moses was to teach them the laws so that they would fear God and it would go well with them.
- Keeping commands = long life and multiplying in the new promised land.
- The Lord our God is one.
- Greatest commandment = love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and might.
- Moses tells them to teach these laws to their children and fellowship over them when hanging out, when you wake up and go to bed
- How should they be bound on the hand? (v.8)
- They should also write the laws on the doorways to their homes.
- Moses reminds them that God will fulfill His promise that He swore to Abraham when He gives them a new land, full of cities and goods they did not make.
- Moses warns them not to forget God when they are full and content there.
- They are to fear and serve God alone.
- God is a jealous God and they don't want to make Him angry and be destroyed.
- Do not test God (like they did at Massah)
- They should diligently keep His statutes and commandments.
- They should do right and good that it may go well with them = possessing promised land and ousting enemies.
- Moses tells them how to answer their children's future questions about where/why/how God's statutes came to pass.
- The parents should remind them how the Israelites were slaves in Egypt and God brought them out of Egypt with great signs and wonders.
- God wanted to give them the land He swore to Abraham.
- God gave them the statutes to fear Him that it may go well with them and He will preserve them.
- Doing all God has commanded will be counted as righteousness.

Isaiah 24
- God will empty out and judge the whole earth.
- Everyone will suffer poor and rich, slave and master, etc...
- The earth and the high people will mourn
- The earth is defiled because the inhabitants (people) have broken every rule and covenant
- The result is a curse and suffering for those guilty of breaking these laws
- Only a few men are left.
- The joyful sounds of drinking and music are silenced.
- Alcohol is no longer sweet, but bitter
- Joy has grown dark and gladness is banished.
- They will shout from the west (the sea)
- The east (where the light(sun) comes from will give glory to God.
- Songs of praise will come from the ends of the earth singing glory to the Righteous One.
- Isaiah is full of woe because the traitors have betrayed.
- Terror, pit, snare (the word for all 3 sounds the same)
- Those fleeing the sound of terror will fall into a pit.
- When they try to escape the pit they will be caught in a snare.
- Windows of heaven are open and earth's foundations tremble.
- The earth is shaken apart.
- The earth will stagger and fall and not get up again.
- Who is the host of heaven who will be punished?
- The host of heaven and king of earth will be prisoners in a pit.
- After many days they will be punished.
- The moon will be confused and the sun ashamed by His glory before the elders (Are these the same 24 elders who are referred to in Revelations?)

2 Corinthians 7
- Because of God's promises we should cleanse ourselves and bring holiness to completion in the fear of God.
- Paul tells them to make room in their hearts for him.
- His group has wronged or corrupted no one.
- Paul isn't trying to condemn them because they are in his heart.
- Paul speaks in boldness toward them because of his pride, comfort, and joy in them.
- Paul says when they entered Macedonia they were afflicted with no rest.
- But God comforted them by sending Titus, who was comforted by the Corinthians.
- Titus told Paul of their mourning and zeal for Paul.
- Paul says he does not regret sending his first letter that grieved them because it was only for a little while.
- Paul was grieved at first though.
- Paul rejoices that their grieving led to repentance.
- They felt a godly grief which was good.
- Godly grief leads to repentance which leads to salvation without regret
- Worldly grief produces death.
- Their godly grief led to earnestness and eagerness to clear themselves.
- Paul says they have proved themselves innocent of the matter now.
- Paul wrote to them not for the one sinning or the one sinned against but to reveal their earnestness for him.
- Shouldn't Paul want to reveal their earnestness for God?
- Paul rejoices at Titus's joy because his spirit was refreshed by the Corinthians.
- Paul's boasts to Titus about the Corinthians were true
- Paul told Titus and the Corinthians things that were found to be true.
- Titus's affection for them is even greater as he remembers their obedience and how the Corinthians received Titus with fear and trembling.

Revelations 6
- Jesus opens the 7 seals
1) First Seal
- The Lamb opened one of the seals
- The 4 living creatures told John to "Come!"
- He saw a white horse and its rider had a bow and a crown
- The rider came our conquering and to conquer.
2) Second Seal
- The second living creature said, "Come!"
- A bright red horse came out
- Its rider took peace from the earth.
- Men began to slay one another
- He was given a great sword
3) Third Seal
- The third living creature said, "Come!"
- There was a black horse
- Its rider had a pair of scales in his hand
- A voice from between the 4 living creatures said, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and 3 quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!"
-What did these measurements mean?
4) Fourth Seal
- The fourth living creature said "Come!"
- There was a pale horse.
- Its rider's name was Death and Hades followed him.
- They were given authority to kill with famine, the sword, pestilence, and wild beasts 1/4 of the earth.
5) Fifth Seal
- John saw the souls of those who died for preaching God's word and for their godly wirness under the altar.
- The souls cried out, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"
- They were each given a white robe and told to rest a little more until the rest of those dying for the same reason were complete.
- So their were more Christians to die for their faith even after the 4 horsemen had come.
6) Sixth Seal
- There was a great earthquake
- the sun became black
- the full moon looked like blood
- the stars of the sky fell to earth
- the sky vanished like a scroll being rolled up.
- Every mountain and island were removed.
- Everyone on earth; kings, the rich, slave and free hid themselves in caves and among the rocks of the mountains
- Wasn't every mountain just removed when the 6the seal was opened?
- They called out to the rocks and the mountains to fall on them and hide them from God (Him seated on the throne) and from the wrath of the Lamb.
- They knew that the day of wrath has come and they can't/ won't be able to stand.

Deuteronomy 5 - Isaiah 23 – 2 Corinthians 6 – Revelations 5

2009-09-17T03:25:00.000-07:00

Deuteronomy 5
- The 10 Commandments
- Moses gathers the people and reminds them of the covenant God made with them at Horeb
- God made the covenant with THIS generation not their fathers.
- Moses reminds them of how God spoke with them through the fire and Moses was in between them.
- The people were afraid of that fire and Moses spoke to them from God.
1) Have no other gods besides (before) me (God)
2) You shall not make for yourselves any carved idol
- you shouldn't serve it or bow down to it because God is a jealous God
- their iniquity will go down 3 -4 generations
- God will show steadfast love to the thousandth generation to those who love Him and keep His commandments.
3) Do not take God's name in vain.
4) Observe the Sabbath and keep it holy.
-six days of work and one day of rest (for everyone including work animals)
- keeping the Sabbath reminds them of being freed from Egypt.
5) Honor your father and mother
- this will make your days long
- it will go well with you in the land
6) You shall not murder (Hebrew word means even death through carelessness)
7) Do not commit adultery
8) Do not steal
9) Do not bear false witness against your neighbor
10) Do not covet
- your neighbor's wife
- his field
- his donkey
- anything he has
- Moses reminds them that this is what God spoke to them and wrote on 2 stone tablets
- The elders and people at that time were amazed that God spoke to them, showing them His greatness and glory, and they lived.
- They were afraid that if God kept speaking to them they would die
- They sent Moses to speak with God directly and report back to them, promising they'd do whatever God instructed them to do through Moses.
- God said they were right to say this and God wished that they'd always have such a mind to fear Him and do what He commanded them to do so that it'd go well with them.
- God told Moses to stay with Him and send the people back to their tents while He instructed Moses.
- If they did all that God commanded them, it'd go well with them and they'd inherit the land.
- God warned them to listen and not swerve to the right or left.
- They were to walk in the way of the Lord so they would live and that it'd go well with them and they'd live a long time.

Isaiah 23
- Oracle concerning Tyre and Sidon
- Tyre will be without ship or harbor
- Those in Sidon should be still
- They were the merchant to many nations
- Sidon should be ashamed
- The sea will be against them (Is this like a hurricane or tidal wave?)
- Who will bring this against Tyre and Sidon who were once full of princes and honored all around the world
- The Lord has done it to put an end to their pride and to dishonor those who the world honored
- Will those in Canaan destroy Tyre and Sidon? (v.11)
- Those in Sidon will not find rest even across the sea.
- Assyria will make these places fit for only wild beasts (totally destroying them)
- Tyre will be forgotten for 70 years.
- Then they will sing like the prostitute in a song to be remembered.
- After 70 years they will prostitute themselves again among nations
- Her merchandise and wages will then be holy to the Lord
- How can her wages be holy if she is again prostituting herself to the nations?
- They will no longer hoard their merchandise but supply it to those who dwell before the Lord.

2 Corinthians 6
- Paul appeals to them not to receive the grace of God in vain.
- He quotes Isaiah 49:8 "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you."
- Paul says that NOW is that time
- Their ministry doesn't put obstacles in the way of others
- They don't want to fault God's ministry.
- Paul and the others commend themselves by their afflictions, hardships, beatings, imprisonments, labors, sleepless nights, hunger, purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God
- It's interesting that Paul starts with things that happen to them physically then progresses into the spiritual traits.
- They are this way through slander and praise.
- They are treated poorly but their ministry moves forward.
- They are treated as sorrowful but they can always rejoice.
- They are seen as having nothing but Paul says they possess everything
- Paul address the Corinthians by name and says he is not restricting them but they are restricted by their own affections.
- He speaks to them as children to "widen their hearts"
- Paul tells them not to be unequally yoked (married to an unbeliever)
- Righteousness and lawlessness, light and darkness, Christ and Belial, temple of God and idols; do not belong together.
- Paul quotes from Leviticus 26:12 and Isaiah 52:11 merging these two quotes together.
- God said in these verses that He'd make them His people and walk among them, and they should be separate from other peoples, not touching anything unclean.
- God will welcome them as His children
- Because of these promises Paul says they should cleanse themselves of defilement bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
- Cleansing yourself from sinful idols and worldliness brings about holiness

Revelations 5
- In the right of hand of the one seated on the throne there was a scroll
- It was written on front and back
- It was sealed with 7 seals.
- An angel asked who was worthy to open the scroll and break its seals.
- No one in heaven or earth or under the earth was able to open it.
- John wept because no one was worthy enough to open it
- One of the elders told John not to cry "the Lion of the tribe of Judah, root of David, who has conquered can open its 7 seals.
- John saw a lamb that looked like it was slain standing between the throne and the 4 living creatures.
- The lamb had 7 horns and 7 eyes which are the 7 spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
- (This is the second reference to 7 spirits of God)
- The lamb took the scroll from the one seated on the throne
- When the lamb took it, the 4 creatures and 24 elders fell down before Him.
- They were all holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense (prayers of the saints)
- They sang that the lamb was worthy to take the scroll because He was slain and His blood ransomed people for God from every tribe and nation and they shall reign on earth.
- The angels (myriads and myriads or thousands of thousands) sang out with a loud voice " Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!"
- Every creatures on, in, under earth and sea said, " To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessings, honor, and glory and might forever and ever."
- The 4 creatures ending by shouting Amen! and the elders again fell down and worshipped.

Deuteronomy 4 - Isaiah 22 – 2 Corinthians 5 – Revelations 4

2009-09-11T03:35:00.000-07:00

Deuteronomy 4
- Moses tells them to listen to rules he is going to teach them.
- That shouldn't add or subtract from the commandments of God.
- Moses reminds them of how God destroyed those who followed Baal.
- Those alive today did not follow Baal
- Moses reminds them to keep God's commandments in this new land
- By keeping the commandments other nations will see them as wise
- God is nearer to His people than any other "god"
- God's laws are more righteous than other gods'
- Moses cautions them to remember these things lest they forget and turn from God
- They are to teach their kids and grand kids what God has done and His commandments.
- God spoke to His people so they might fear Him and follow Him
- Moses recalls how they stood at the base of the mountain that burned in God's presence.
- They heard God's voice there though they couldn't see Him.
- God had commanded them to perform the 10 commandments
- God spoke to them without form, so they need to beware of carving images or idols
- Moses lists things that they may be tempted to worship; animals, birds, sun, moon, etc...
- God brought them out of Egypt (the iron furnace)
- Moses reminds them that God was angry with Moses because of the people and forbid Moses from entering the new land but said he'd die before crossing the Jordan.
- God is a jealous God and has forbidden them from worshipping idols.
- Moses tells them that if they provoke God to anger like they have in the past, they will perish from the new land.
- In those days, they will be scattered and worship foreign gods of wood and stone that have no power
- Then they will seek God again and will find Him if they seek Him with all their hearts.
- When these things take place God will be merciful and remember His covenant with their fathers.
- Moses asks if any other god has ever spoken out of fire since God created man
- Moses then asks if any other god has chosen to free a people by trials, signs, wonders, war, or a mighty hand which God did for them in Egypt.
- God let the people hear His voice when disciplining them.
- God brought them out of Egypt and helped them conquer stronger armies than themselves to bring them an inheritance.
- There is no other God in heaven or on earth.
- Moses again states they must follow God's commands that it may go well with them.
- There were 3 cities set aside as cities of refuge for the unintentional man slayer
- Bezer in the wilderness of the Reubenites
- Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites
- Golan in Bashan for the Manassites.
- Moses gave the people the law in Sihon in the land they had taken from the King of Og

Isaiah 22
- Oracle concerning Jerusalem
- referred to as the "valley of vision"
- Their dead were not killed but fled and were captured without weapons
- Isaiah would weep bitter tears at the destruction of his people
- Jerusalem will face troubles and confusion and its wall will tumble
- Elam will bear a quiver
- Kir will bear a shield
- What is the "covering of Judah"?
- They will look for weapons but the holes in the wall will be too many
- They will tear down houses to fortify the walls
- They will make a "moat" between the walls but will forget God who built it long ago.
- God will call for weeping and mourning, baldness and sackcloth (meaning death and great sadness)
- They will pay for their sins by death.
- God tells Isaiah to go to the steward, Shebna, and ask why he has had a nice tomb carved out for himself when God will hurl him away violently.
- God will throw him to a "wide land" and he shall die in the midsts of his chariots.
- God will replace Shebna with Eliakim and give him Shebna's robe and sash
- God will give Eliakim a key to the house of David
- He will be come a throne of honor to his father's house.
- Why does God call Eliakim a secure peg whole will be a throne of honor and then say the "peg" will give way and be cut down and the load that was on it will be cut off?

2 Corinthians 5
- Our home on earth is a tent.
- Our home on earth will be eternal
- We groan in this tent (body) longing for our heavenly one
- What is mortal is swallowed up by life.
- The Spirit is a guarantee of life with Him.
- We should be encouraged.
- While we are away from God we are in the body.
- Paul says he'd rather be away from the body (dead) and at home with God (in heaven)
- We should aim to please Him wherever we are.
- We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ to receive what is due; good or evil
- Paul hopes the Corinthians know who he is in their conscience.
- He is not commending himself but giving them reason to boast about the heart over outward appearance.
- Being side themselves = for God
- In his right mind = for them
- Paul says the love of Christ controls Him because everyone has died through Him.
- Those living for Him will die and be raised.
- They no longer regard Christ according to the flesh or other believers.
- Anyone in Christ = new creation
- The old has passed away and is replaced by the new
- We have been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.
- Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself not counting their sins against them.
- God gave believers the message of reconciliation to preach to others.
- Why does v. 19 say "Christ God"?
- They are ambassadors for Christ.
- God is speaking to others through them.
- Paul implores the Corinthians to be reconciled to God.
- God made Christ to be sin even though Jesus never sinned so that we might become the "righteousness of God"

Revelations 4
- John then exclaims that he saw a door open in heaven.
- The voice told John to come and see what must take place
- John said he was taken in Spirit to one seated on a throne.
- The figure looked like jasper and carnelian.
- There was an emerald colored rainbow around the throne.
- Around the throne there were 24 other thrones with elders seated on them wearing white and golden crowns.
- There was lightning and thunder coming from the throne.
- There were 7 burning torches (signifying the 7 spirits of God)
- In front of the throne there was a sea of glass crystal
- Around the throne were 4 living creatures full of eyes in front and behind
- The first = lion
- The second = ox
- The third = had a face of a man
- The fourth = an eagle (in flight)
- The 4 creatures each had 6 wings
- Are the wings or the whole creatures full of eyes?
- The 4 creatures cried out continuously, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!"
- When the creatures given honor to the one seated on the throne the 24 elders fall down and worship Him who lives forever and ever
- Forever and ever is repeated twice and is eluded to 2 other times
- The elders cast their crowns before the throne
- The elders cry out, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you have created all things and by your will they existed and were created."
- The elders are referring back to Genesis 1's creation story in this, the last book of the Bible.

Deuteronomy 3 - Isaiah 21 – 2 Corinthians 4 – Revelations 3

2009-09-10T03:31:00.000-07:00

Deuteronomy 3
- Next they fought against King Og of Bashan and God said He'd give them victory
- God commanded them to leave no survivors and they obeyed
- They took 60 cities with fortified walls and only kept the livestock as spoils for themselves
- Og had been the last remaining ancestor of Rephaim.
- They even note the size of Og's iron bed which was 9 cubits by four cubits.
- The Reubenites and Gadites got the land from Arnon to Gilead.
- The region of Argob went to the 1/2 tribe of Manasseh.
- Jar the Manassite took the region of Argob and named the villages after himself.
- Machir got Gilead
- Moses told them that God had given them this land and that the armed men would cross over with them.
- Wives, children, and livestock would stay in the land while the men fought.
- When their brothers had land and were at peace they could return home.
- God told Joshua to remember their success in battle, because God would be fighting for them across the Jordan too so he should not fear
- Moses pleaded with God to be able to go and see the land beyond the Jordan
- He also said that God had only begun to show them His greatness. (Moses knew God was even more powerful than He had shown them over the past 40 years)
- The Lord was angry with Moses because of the people.
- God told Moses not to speak of this request again.
- God told Moses to go to the top of Pisgah and view the land but Moses was not allowed to cross the Jordan.
- Moses was told to strengthen Joshua who was to lead the Israelites across the Jordan.

Isaiah 21
- The Oracle of the Wilderness of the Sea
- Whirlwinds come from the wilderness which is referred to as a terrible area
- Elam and Media's sighing will come to an end.
- He is bowed down so he cannot hear.
- He is dismayed and cannot see.
- Horror and trembling have take over
- What does "oil your shield" mean?
- They are to set a watchman to announce the coming of riders on horses, donkeys, and camels.
- Isaiah says he is positioned on post watching night and day
- The horsemen come in pairs
- They bring word that Babylon has fallen and all the idols are shattered.
- The oracle to Dumah is simply asking the time and Isaiah tells them to ask again later.
- Those of Arabia are hiding from the battles taking place.
- The glory of Kedar will come to an end by the end of the "hired workers year"
- The remainder of Kedar's archers will be few.

2 Corinthians 4
- If we trust the ministry of the mercy of God we shouldn't lose heart.
- We refuse to tamper with God's word or do disgraceful things.
- The gospel message is veiled to those who are not saved
- The god of this world has kept them from seeing the truth of the gospel.
- We proclaim Jesus and are His servants
- God said "let your lights shine in darkness" and has allowed light to enter our hearts.
- We are only jars of clay so we cannot boast in OUR power but in God's.
- We are afflicted but not crushed; perplexed but not despairing, persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed because we remember the death of Jesus so the the life of Jesus is seen in and through us.
- They are dying for Christ's sake.
- Death is working in Paul, but life in them.
- Paul tells them that they all have the same spirit of faith.
- God who raised Jesus will also raise believers through Jesus into God's presence.
- As grace goes to more people it increases people's thanks and glory to God.
- Our bodies are wearing away daily but our inner nature is renewed day by day
- This affliction now is for a moment but it is outweighed by weight of future glory.
- We need to look to things unseen.
- The things we see fade away, but the unseen things are eternal.

Revelations 3
1) To the angel of the church of Sardis
- They have a reputation for "being alive" but they are dead.
- The angel tells them to wake up and strengthen themselves because their works are not complete in God's eyes.
- They need to remember the gospel and repent.
- Jesus will come against them at an unknown hour.
- There are some there who are worthy and will walk with Jesus in white.
- Their names won't be blotted out of the book of life.
- Jesus will confess their names before God and His angels.
2) To the angel at the church in Philadelphia
- God has the key of David
- Jesus has given them an open door which no one can shut.
- They have "little power" but have kept His word and never denied His name.
- The lying "Jews" will come and bow down at their feet.
- Because they were faithful they will be spared the "hour of trial" that is coming to those on earth.
- He tells them to hold onto what they have
- On the one who conquers will be the name of God, the new Jerusalem
- New Jerusalem comes down from heaven and "my own new name"
- What is Christ's "new name"?
3) To the angel of the church of Laodicea
- What the "words of the amen"?
-They are not hot or cold but luke warm.
- Jesus says it'd be better for them if they were hot or were cold.
- He will spit them out of His mouth.
- They boast they are rich and need nothing
- In truth, they are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
- He tells them to wash their eyes, get gold refined by His fire, and wear white
- Jesus reproves and disciplines those He loves.
- They need to be Zealous and repent.
- Jesus is knocking at the door and those who answer it and hear His voice are with Him.
- The one who conquers will sit with Christ on the throne.
- They need to hear what the spirit is saying to them
- What does it mean about "those who conquer" being rewarded. Conquer what?

Deuteronomy 2 - Isaiah 20 – 2 Corinthians 3 – Revelations 2

2009-09-09T03:23:00.000-07:00

Deuteronomy 2
- They went toward the Red Sea and went around Mount Seir
- God told Moses to head north through the country of Esau, but be careful because they are afraid of you.
- They were not to contend with them because God wouldn't give them any of the people of Esau's land.
- They shall buy food and drink their using money
- They lacked nothing for 40 years because God provided
- They left land of Esau and headed into the wilderness of Moab
- God said they wouldn't get any of Moab's land either so not to fight for it.
- God had given Ar to the people of Lot.
- The Emim formally lived in Moab
- The Horites formerly lived in Seir
- God sent them over the Brook of Zered
- From Kadesh-barnea to the brook of Zered was 38 years total.
- By this time all the men from the wicked generation had died as God promised
- Then God sent them in Ammon again saying He would not give them any of this land
- This land belonged to the sons of Lot.
- Rephaim formerly lived there
- The Anakim tribe was a very tall tribe
- The Caphtorim destroyed the Avvim
- God sent them to the Valley of Arnon
- Here the Lord gave them the land of Sihon, the Amorite king of Hesbon
- From this day on God would put the fear of them into other people's hearts.
- Moses sent a messenger to Sihon with words of peace, saying they'd pass through his land and pay for food.
- God hardened the king's heart and he wouldn't let them through
- This was the Battle of Jahaz and Sihon was defeated
- They captured all the cities and destroyed everything, leaving NO survivors, not even women or children.
- They only kept the livestock as spoil.
- God gave them the cities from Aroer to Gilead
- God forbid them to take the land of the sons of Ammon by the Jabbok River

Isaiah 20
- The year that the commander in chief was sent by Sargon the king of Assyria and he captured Ashdod.
- Then God spoke the Isaiah.
- God told Isaiah to walk around naked and barefoot
- Isaiah did this for 3 years as a sign that the king of Assyria will lead away those from Egypt and Cush naked and barefoot
- They shall be ashamed because Cush was their hope and Egypt their boast.
- Those that fled to Cush and Egypt will be dismayed when those countries themselves are captured.

2 Corinthians 3
- Paul say that the people are his "letter of recommendation"
- They are a letter to those around them "written by Spirit not with ink", not on tablets but on hearts
- We aren't sufficient alone to claim anything, but our sufficiency is from God.
- God made them ministers of a new covenant
- The letter kills but the spirit gives life
- The "ministry of death" (stone tablets) came with so much glory that the people couldn't look at Moses
- The ministry of the Spirit will be even more glorious.
- Ministry of righteousness far exceeds that of condemnation.
- The stone tablet that once had "glory" now has been surpassed and now has no glory at all.
- We can be very bold because of this new hope.
- Not like Moses who veiled his face
- Their minds were hardened when they read the old covenant because only Christ can take that veil away.
- Reading about Moses = veil over your heart
- Reading about the Lord = veil removed
- The Spirit of the Lord brings freedom
- Believers can behold His glory and are being transformed into the same image from "one degree of glory to another"
- This transformation can only come from God

Revelations 2
1) John was to write to the angel of the church of Ephesus
- He knows their patient endurance and toil and how they have tested and found out false apostles.
- They have not grown weary of enduring patiently for his name's sake.
- Bad things - they have abandoned their first love
- John reminds them to remember where they have fallen from and to do the works they did at first
- Unless they repent, their lampstand will be removed
- Good Things: They hated the works of the Nicolaitans
- John encourages them to hear what is being said to the churches
- The one who conquers will eat of the tree of life
2) Written to the angel at the church in Smyrna
- written to those who have died and came to life (believers?)
- He says he knows their poverty but reminds them they they are in fact rich!
- He is also aware of slander/blasphemy of those who are in a "synagogue of Satan
- They are not to fear what they are about to suffer
- The devil will throw some in prison to be tested for 10 days under great trial.
- They should be faithful unto death and receive the crown of life.
- The one who conquers will not be burnt by the second death
3) Church of Pergamum
- Satan throne dwells close to them but they hold fast to Christ's name and didn't deny their faith.
- Antipas was a false witness among them
- Bad Things: some follow teachings of Balaam who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before Israel, so they might eat sacrifices to idols and practice sexual immorality.
- Some of them, like those in Ephesus are believing teachings of Nicolaitans.
- They need to repent or God will come against them with "the sword of His mouth"
- If they repent they will receive manna and a white stone with a new name on it that no one knows except those who receive it.
4) The Church in Thyatira
- sent by the Son of God who has fiery eyes and feet like burnished bronze
- Christ knows their love, faith, service, and patient endurance and that their works are increasing.
- Things against them: They are listening to Jezebel, a prophetess who teaches them to practice sexual immorality and eating idol food
- She refuses to repent of her sin, even though He gave her time
- Christ will throw her and those with her onto a sickbed with great tribulation unless they repent
- Her children will be struck dead
- Christ is the one who searches minds and hearts
- He will give to each as the works deserve
- Some in Thyatira do not listen to her and aren't being addressed in the warning
- He tells them to hold fast to what they do have until He comes
- Those who keep His works will have authority over nations
- He will receive the morning star, if they listen to Him
- Christ's authority comes from His Father

Deuteronomy 1 - Isaiah 19 – 2 Corinthians 2 – Revelations 1

2009-09-08T03:27:00.000-07:00

Deuteronomy 1
- These are the words of Moses to his people in the wilderness in the Arabah
- It takes 11 days to get from Horeb to Kadeshbarnea
- The 40th year, first day of the 11th month.
- Moses spoke to the people after they defeated Sihon, king of Amorites
- God had told them to leave the mountain and go to land of Canaanites and in Lebanon by the Euphrates River.
- God said He had given them that land
- There were too many people for Moses to lead alone because they had multiplied
- Moses had each tribe appoint wise, experienced, understanding men as their heads.
- The people agreed that choosing heads was good.
- Moses made them commanders of thousands, hundreds, tens, and officers for the tribes.
- Moses told their judges to judge righteously and not to be partial
- They shall hear small and great alike and not be intimidated.
- If the case is too hard they shall bring it to Moses
- Moses is reminding them of everything he had commanded them in the past.
- They left Horeb and entered Kadeshbarnea (hill country of the Amorites) which God had given to them.
- Moses told them not to fear or be dismayed.
- The people wanted to send in scouts to let them know how and where to enter the land.
- That idea sounded good to Moses so he agreed to do it.
- Moses sent one man from each tribe (12 total) into the land as scouts
- The spies brought back fruit and said the land God was giving them was good.
- Moses reminded them the rebelled and wouldn't enter the land.
- The people murmured that God brought them out of Egypt to be killed by the Amorites.
- The spies told the people that the Amorites were taller and stronger than they were and their city walls stretched up into heaven.
- Who are the "sons of Anakim" they saw there?
- Moses told them not to fear because God would fight for them.
- Moses reminded them of God's faithfulness in Egypt and in the wilderness
- The people still didn't believe the same God who went before them in cloud and flame could do this for them.
- God got angry and said not one of them would see the good land He had for them except for Caleb and Joshua
- Caleb was allowed because he wholly followed God
- Joshua shall inherit the land and cause Israel to inherit it as well
- God was also mad at Moses because of the people and told Moses he couldn't enter either.
- Their children who have no knowledge of good or evil shall one day enter the land.
- God told the people to turn and go toward the Red Sea.
- Then the people saw their sin and decided to go fight, but God told Moses to tell the people not to go because He would not be with them if they did.
- They didn't listen and went up anyway.
- The Amorites chased them like bees and the people fled and wept before the Lord.
- The Lord did not listen to their cries.

Isaiah 19
- An Oracle concerning Egypt
- The idols there will tremble at God's arrival
- The hearts of the Egyptians will melt.
- Egyptians will fight one another
- God will confound their counsel and a hard master will rule over them.
- The waters of the sea will dry up and the canals will be spoiled.
- The branches of the Nile will dry up as well causing famine and drought
- They won't catch fish there and will mourn
- "Pillars of the land" will be crushed
- The princes of Zoan are foolish and the wisest counselors give Pharaoh stupid counsel
- They don't know the plans of the Lord.
- The Lord has confused her spirit that will make Egypt stagger
- Egypt won't be able to do anything.
- The Egyptians will tremble at what God does to them.
- The land of Judah will become a terror to Egypt
- In the day there will be 5 cities in Egypt that speak the language of Canaan but swear allegiance to God.
- One of these cities will be called the City of Destruction (City of the Sun)
- There will be an altar to the Lord in Egypt
- When they cry out to the Lord, He will send a savior and defender to deliver them.
- The Egyptians will know the Lord and sacrifice to Him.
- They will make vows and perform them to the Lord.
- God will strike and heal Egypt
- There will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria and they will worship together
- Israel, Assyria, and Egypt will be a blessing in the midst of the earth.
- God will see all three nations as His people.

2 Corinthians 2
- Paul made up his mind not to make another "painful" visit to them.
- Paul wrote them before so that he might not suffer pain but be able to find joy with them.
- Paul wrote to them through tears, affliction, and anguish not to cause them pain but to let them know of his abundant love for them.
- Paul was caused some pain, but they pained each other most.
- They should forgive and comfort not overwhelm by excessive sorrow.
- Paul tells them to affirm their love for this pained man
- Paul wrote to test whether they were obedient or not
- Paul forgives anyone they forgive.
- Paul forgives for the sake of Christ and so that Satan's plans don't go forward.
- When Paul preach to Troas, the door was opened for the gospel, but Paul didn't find Titus there so he left.
- If the door was open for the gospel, why wouldn't Paul stay and preach there?
- He left Troas and went to Macedonia
- God always leads us to spread the knowledge of Him everywhere.
- We are the aroma of Christ to those being saved.
- Paul says they are not merely peddlers of God's word, but men of sincerity, commissioned by God to speak in Christ.

Revelations 1
- The revelation from God of what must take place.
- God sent an angel to John to show him what would take place.
- Blessed are the ones who read, hear, and keep, this word
- The time is near
- John writes to the 7 churches in Asia
- John starts by identifying God as the one "who is, who was, and who is to come"
- The message also comes from the 7 spirits who are before His throne
- The message also comes from Christ who saved us by His blood
- To Him be all glory and dominion forever
- He is coming from the clouds so that ALL will see Him.
- All those on earth will wail at His coming.
- Jesus says, "I am the Alpha and Omega, who is and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty"
- John received this word on the island of Patmos
- John was enjoying Sabbath when he heard a loud voice like a trumpet
- The voice told John to write what he saw and send in to seven churches in Asia; Ephesus, Smyrna, Pregamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea
- John saw 7 golden lampstands and in the middle one like the son of man clothed in a long robe with a golden sash
- His hair was white like snow
- His eyes were like flames
- His feet like burnished bronze
- His voice like the roar of many waters
- On His right hand he held 7 stars
- From His mouth came a sharp 2 edged sword
- His face was like the sun.
- John saw Him and fell down like he was dead.
- The voice said not to fear
- He had died but was alive forever more
- Jesus says He has the keys of Death and Hades
- The 7 stars are the 7 angels of the 7 churches
- The 7 lampstands are the 7 churches.

Numbers 36 - Isaiah 18 – 2 Corinthians 1 – Jude

2009-09-04T03:53:00.000-07:00

Numbers 36
- The people of Gilead (of Manasseh/Joseph) spoke before Moses.
- They addressed the lots given to Zelophehad's daughter's
- They addressed the problem of the daughter's having to give up their inheritance once they married men from another tribe thus losing the family inheritance.
- Moses told those daughters to marry someone within their clan and no one will lose their inheritance.
- Each tribe shall hold their own inheritance.
- This command would hold true for future daughters as well.
- The daughters of Zelophehad married their cousins.

Isaiah 18
- Oracle concerning Cush (Nubia)
- They were known for sending messages by water
- God tells them to send word that a feared people will come conquering.
- Look for a signal from the mountains
- Listen for the trumpet to sound
- The Lord will look quietly from His dwelling like heat or dew and then cut off "shoots"
- The animals will feast on them.
- A tribute will rise forth from the feared people
- Who is Isaiah referring to with the description, " tall and smooth, feared near and far, mighty and conquering, and whose land the rivers divide?"

2 Corinthians 1
- Paul writes this letter with Timothy present
- They write to Corinth and all churches of Acacia
- Begins with grace and peace in this letter
- Paul acknowledges God as Father of Jesus, full of mercy and comfort
- God comforts us so we can comfort others
- We share in Christ's suffering and in His comfort too.
- Their affliction is for the Corinthians comfort and salvation
- They will find comfort when you patiently endure suffering.
- Paul says his hope for them is unshaken.
- Paul wants them to know about his suffering in Asia.
- They were burdened beyond their strength in Asia and despaired.
- They thought they'd be put to death there.
- They realized that was to make them rely on God instead of themselves.
- God has delivered them from sin so He will deliver them again.
- He asks them to pray so that many will give thanks
- Paul's testimony is: behaving with holiness, godly sincerity, and living in godly wisdom, not earthly wisdom.
- Paul wants them to fully believe in what they believe in part so that in the end they will be able to boast about one another.
- Paul wanted to come to them first so they might experience a "second grace"
- Paul wanted to visit them after Macedonia and before Judea
- Paul says he doesn't make his plans according to the flesh.
- Paul said he preached to them with Timothy and Silvanus
- All God's promises find their "yes" in Him.
- God has established Paul with the Corinthians in Christ.
- God gave them both His Spirit in their hearts as a guarantee (down payment)
- What was Paul trying to "spare" them from by not coming to see them?

Jude
- Jude, brother of James, writes this letter
- He wishes that mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to them.
- Jude wanted to write to them about "common salvation" but instead writes to encourage them to "contend for the faith"
- Some ungodly people have crept in among them (designated long ago)
- These people pervert the grace of God into sensuality and deny Jesus
- Jude says Jesus saved people out of Egypt and destroyed those who didn't believe.
- Angel who didn't keep their position He keeps in eternal chains until judgement day.
- Sodom and Gomorrah also serve as example of people deserving eternal fire.
- Some among them do the same thing; relying on dreams, defiling the flesh, rejecting authority, and blaspheming the "glorious one".
- The angel Micheal had contended with the devil about the body of Moses.
- Michael didn't blaspheme but said "The Lord rebuke you"
- Those people's "instincts and blaspheming are what destroy them.
- They walk in the way of Cain and abandon themselves like Balaam for the sake of gain, who died in Korah's rebellion.
- These people are fruitless trees, waterless clouds, twice dead and uprooted, like wild waves foaming up shame.
- All that is reserved for them in utter darkness.
- Enoch (7th from Adam) prophesied about these people.
- Enoch said the Lord came with 10,000 of his holy ones to execute judgment and convict the ungodly of all the ungodly things they've said and done.
- These are grumbler, malcontents, loud boasters, who show favoritism to gain advantage.
- Christ's apostles said, "there would be scoffers in the last times following ungodly passions.
- These people will cause divisions
- Jude encourages them to build each other up in holy faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, keep themselves in the love of God.
- Have mercy on those who doubt , seek to save others from the fire, show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
- Jude ends by acknowledging Him who is able to prevent them from stumbling, to present them blameless in His presence with great joy.
- It's in God, our Saviour the Jesus Christ is all glory, majesty, dominion, and authority now and forever.
-
-

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

2009-09-03T03:42:00.000-07:00

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"

Numbers 34 - Isaiah 16 – 1 Corinthians 15 – 2 John 1

2009-09-02T03:38:00.000-07:00

Numbers 34
- God gave the people instructions about the land before they even won it.
- Southern Border = wilderness of Zin next to Edom from the Salt Sea to Kadesh-barnea.
- It shall go from Azmon to the Brook of Egypt to the sea.
- Western Border = Great Sea's coast
- Nornthern Border = a line from Great Sea to Mount Hor then a line to Lebo-hamath. It's limit shall be Hazar-enan.
- Eastern Border = Line from Hazar-enan to Sepham to Riblah reaching to Sea of Chinnereth down the Jordan stopping at the Salt Sea.
- 9 tribes and the half tribe (Manasseh)would get land there by lot.
- 2 tribes and the 1/2 tribe have received their inheritance to the east of the Jordan already.
- God gave Moses a list of men to divide the land.
- Eleazar and Joshua would take one chief from each tribe
- Caleb - tribe of Judah
- Shemuel - tribe of Simeon
- Elidad - tribe of Benjamin
- Bukki - tribe of Dan
- Hanniel - tribe of Joseph/Manasseh
- Kemuel - tribe of Ephraim
- Elizaphan - tribe of Zebulun
- Paltiel - tribe of Issachar
- Ahihud - tribe of Asher
- Pedahel - tribe of Naphtali

Isaiah 16
- He will send the lamb to the ruler of the land (still building off of Moab passage)
- Moab's daughters will scatter like birds
- Give counsel and grant justice and provide shade to the outcasts
- Why would God tell the Israelites to let the outcasts of the Moabites sojourn with them?
- After this destruction a ruler will come established in steadfast love.
- From family of David will come a faithful judge who will seek justice and righteousness.
- Moab is brought down because of its prideful boasting.
- The Lord has struck down their fields and vines all the way to Jazer
- "I" (Isaiah or God) weeps over the destruction at Jazer and of the desolation at Heshbon and Elealeh
- There is no joy, gladness, cheers or singing there anymore.
- He again talks about moaning over their loss.
- We the Moabites enter the sanctuary to pray they will not prevail.
- This is God's word spoken against Moab in the past
- This section ends with a prophecy that in 3 years those who remain will be few and feeble in spite of their great multitude now.

1 Corinthians 15
- Paul starts this chapter by reminding them of the gospel he preached to them and they received.
- He reminds them of what he preached - that Christ died for their sins, died and rose 3 days later as the Scriptures said He would.
- Jesus then appeared to Cephas and the 12
- Jesus also appeared to over 500, most of who are still living to bear witness.
- Then Jesus appeared to James and then all the apostles.
- Last of all Jesus appeared to Paul (Paul says this is because he is the least of the apostles).
- Paul reminds them how he persecuted the church but God's grace saved him, but not in vain.
- They preached and so did Paul and the Corinthians believed.
- If scripture says Christ was raised Paul questions why some say there was no resurrection.
- Paul says if their was no resurrection then his preaching is in vain.
- Saying Christ was not raised calls God a liar
- Paul says that if Christ was not raised then their faith is pointless and they are still in their sins.
- By a man (Adam) came death. Life came by a man (Jesus).
- Christ was made alive, then those who belong to Him, then comes the end when Christ will destroy all other rulers and powers.
- Christ will destroy all His enemies, ending with death.
- God put all things under Christ's feet, but Christ is subject to God
- If the dead are not raised, Paul says baptism and his preaching are pointless.
- Paul tells them not to be deceived by popular phrases at the time like, "Bad company ruins good morals" (from a comedy)
- Paul tell them to wake up and to not go on sinning.
- Paul says it's to their shame that some with them have no knowledge of God.
- Paul answers one of their questions about what kind of body they will get when they are raised.
- Even a seed must die to grow a plant.
- This body is a kernel and each kind of "seed" will receive its own type of body
- Paul points out the various body types of people and animals.
- He says there are heavenly bodies and earthly ones.
- There is different glory for the earth, the sun, the moon, and the stars.
- What is sown is perishable but what is raised is eternal.
- Dishonor is sown to reap glory
- Weakness is sown and power is reaped.
- A natural body is sown and a spiritual one is raised.
- Paul quotes Genesis 2:7 - the natural body comes first, then the spiritual
- Adam was from dust, Jesus was sent from heaven.
- We are in Adam's image here, but will be in Christ's image in heaven.
- At the last trumpet we shall be changed
- This mortal body will put on immortality.
- Paul quotes Isaiah 25:8 where death loses its sting
- Sin is death's sting and power of sin is the law.
- God gives us victory over death through Christ.
- Paul encourages them in light of these truths to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in works of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord they aren't laboring in vain.

2 John 1
- The letter is written to the elect lady and her children
- All those in the truth love them.
- Grace, mercy, peace will be with us in truth and love.
- Some of her children are walking in the truth.
- John reminds her to love one another.
- Love = walking according to His commandments.
- Many deceivers are now in the world who do not believe that Christ is coming.
- John tells her to beware of the Antichrist so she doesn't lose the reward she has.
- Those who do not follow Christ's teachings do not have God
John tells her not to let anyone enter her house who doesn't believe the teaching of God and Son.
- Greeting them would be allowing his wicked words to enter her house.
- John says he doesn't want to write her, but will soon meet and talk with her.
- Who are her children?
- Who is the elect sister?

Numbers 33 - Isaiah 15 – 1 Corinthians 14 – 1 John 5

2009-09-01T03:51:00.000-07:00

Numbers 33
- Moses now recounts how the Israelites left Egypt (because most who are alive were too young to remember)
- God commanded Moses to write the starting places down place by place.
- Left Rameses - First Month (15th day) (This was the day after Passover)
- During their departure the Egyptians were still burying their first born sons.
- They went to Succoth, then Etham (edge of wilderness), turned back to PI-hahiroth, then to Migdol, then from Hahiroth through the sea, into the wilderness, paseed Etham, to Marah, then to Elim (place of 12 springs and 70 palms), then camped by the Red Sea, then to the Wilderness of Sin, to Dophkah, then to Alush, then to Rephidim (place with no water to drink), then to Sinai, Kibroth-hattaavah, then to Hazeroth, then to Rithmah, then to Rimmon -perez, then to Libnah, then to Rissah, then to Kethathath, then to Mount Shepher, then to Haradah, then to Makheloth, then to Tahath, then to Terah, thento Mithkah, then to Hashmonah, then to Moseroth, then to Bene-jaakan, then to Horhaggidgad, then to Jotbathah, then to Abronah, then to Ezion-geber, then to Zin (Kadesh), then to Mount Hor (edge of Edom)(Aaron died here at age 123 on the first day of the 15th month), then to Zalmonah, then to Punon, then to Oboth, then to Iye-abarium, then to Dibon-gad, then to Almondiblathaim, then to the mountains of Abraim, then to Nebo, then to the plains of Moab by the Jordan near Jericho, then to Beth-jeshimoth.
- The Lord spoke to them by the Jordan at Jericho and told them to drive out the people in the land of Canaan destroying all their carved gods.
- They shall then possess the land for themselves.
- The inheritance shall be divided by lot by clan.
- Large tribe + large inheritance etc...
- God warns that if they don't drive out ALL the inhabitants, they shall be thorns in the Israelites' sides.
- He ends by saying he will do to the Israelites what He was going to do to the Canaanites.

Isaiah 15
- Oracle about Moab
- Ar and Kir of Moab will be laid to waste.
- Moab will weep over Nebo and Medeba
- Every head shaved and beard cut off (in mourning)
- Heshbon and Elealeh cry out too and their souls tremble.
- His heart cries out for Moab.
- The waters of Nimrim are desolated.
- There is no more greenery.
- The abundance that the people of Moab stored up is carried away over the Brook of Willows
- The water of Dibon are full of blood.
- God will send a lion to kill the Moabites who escape.

1 Corinthians 14
- Pursue love and seek spiritual gifts
- Speak in tongues to God, not men for man cannot understand tongues but God can
- The one who prophecies should speak to people to builds the church up and encourages them.
- Paul says he wants them all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy.
- Prophecy is greater than tongues unless there is an interpreter.
- Tongues, like an instrument, must be understood and clear
- If a trumpet isn't heard, the people will not know to get ready for battle.
- Tongues = no one knowing what you said. You are a "foreigner" to your hearers.
- Their goal with gifts should be building up the church.
- We should pray with spirit and mind.
- People cannot agree with what is said in a tongue and is useless.
- Paul says he speaks in tongues more than any of them, but he'd rather say 5 clear words that build others up than 10,000 words in tongues.
- Be infants in evil but mature in thinking.
- Paul quotes a verse from Isaiah 28:11-12 about speaking in tongues to prove his point.
- Tongues are a sign to unbelievers and prophecy a sign for believers.
- Outsiders will think tongue speaking believers are crazy.
- But prophecy will convict an unbelieving hearer.
- This conviction will lead the unbeliever to worship God and be added to them.
- Hymns, Lessons, Revelations, Tongues or Interpretation should all be done to build others up.
- Paul tell them to limit those speaking in tongues to 2 or 3 and to take turns sharing.
- If there is no interpreter tongues shouldn't be spoken.
- Prophecies should be shared in turn because God is a God of peace not a God of Confusion
- Women should keep silent in church, they should be submissive and are not permitted to speak as the Law says.
- What does this section mean exactly?
- Women should ask their husbands later if they have a question.
- Paul reminds them that his instructions are from the Lord.
- Paul ends by repeating that they should greatly desire to prophecy and tongues may be spoken but it should all be done orderly.

1 John 5
- Believers believe Jesus was born of God.
- We know we are saved because we know God and keep His commandments.
- His commandments should not be burdensome.
- Our faith is victory over the world.
- Only those who trust in Jesus have overcome the world.
- Jesus came of water and blood and the Spirit is of truth.
- The Spirit, the water, and the blood all testify
- God's testimony is greater than that of men.
- Not believing God = calling God a liar.
- The testimony = God gave us eternal life through His Son.
- John write them to remind them that they have eternal life.
- Our confidence is believing that He hears us when we ask Him.
- What are defined as "sins that do not lead to death"?
- All wrongdoing is sin but there is sin that does not lead to death.
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- God protects those born of Him and the evil one will not touch him.
- The whole world is under the evil one.
- The Son of God came to give us understanding and to know what is true, that we have eternal life in Him.
- John ends with a random though to keep oneself from idols.

Numbers 32 - Isaiah 14 – 1 Corinthians 13 – 1 John 4

2009-08-31T02:46:00.000-07:00

Numbers 32
- People of Reuben and Gad had a lot of livestock.
- They went to Moses, Eleazar, and the chiefs (Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon) and said if they found favor with them, could they possess the land of Gilead and NOT cross the Jordan with them.
- Moses asked how they could stay there while their brothers went to war.
- Moses said this would discourage the people like the incident of Valley of Eshcol
- That incident is when God became angry and said no one over 20 (except Caleb and Joshua) would see the promised land.
- That incident was also the reason God kept the Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years.
- Moses accuses them of taken their fathers' sinful place and trying to bring God's anger on them again.
- The people of Reuben and Gad said they'd keep their livestock and children there, but that they would go fight with their brothers until they too had their inheritance.
- They said they wouldn't return home until the fighting was over.
- They said their inheritance was on the east side of the Jordan.
- Moses said that if they fought, then that land would be theirs and they would be free of their obligation to the Lord.
- If they don't do what they say they will be punished because they have sinned against the Lord.
- How long did it take them to build pens for their livestock and fortified cities for their kids? Wouldn't that take a long time and prolong the battle Israel was facing?
- They repeated the agreement and the armed men would go and fight.
- Moses talked to Eleazar and Joshua about the agreement.
- If they break the agreement, they lose the land on the east of the Jordan and get an inheritance in Canaan.
- The land east of the Jordan had belonged to Sihon the Amorite and Og of Bashan.
- The people of Gad built Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer, Atroth-shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah, Beth-nimrah and Beth-haran.
- The people of Reuben built Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim, Nebo, and Baal-meon (their names were changed), and Sibmah.
- After they had claimed the land, THEN they went and won the land from the Amorites.
- Nobah captured Kenath and named it Nobah.

Isaiah 14
- God will have compassion on Jacob and again choose Israel.
- They will get their land back and sojourners will join them.
- Their captors will then be their captives, slaves.
- God will give them rest for their pain and turmoil under the King of Babylon.
- The Lord will break the rule of the wicked.
- He will strike down the nations who ruled in anger and persecution.
- The whole earth will be at rest and quiet.
- Sheol will come to meet the wicked the kings and rulers.
- Their pomp, arrogance, has brought them down to Sheol (death)
- Their fall will be great.
- It refers to the Babylonians as the Day Star.
- The Babylonians said their throne will be higher than heaven.
- That is why God has brought them low.
- Others will question the fall of the mighty Babylon.
- They won't even be buried but scattered when they are slain.
- They have destroyed their land and their people.
- Their sons will be destroyed so they can not repeat the work of their fathers and rise up again.
- The Lord will cut off their name, remnant, descendants, and posterity and give their land to the hedgehog (porcupine/owl)
- God will sweep them away with "the broom of destruction"
- God also promises to break the Assyrians in His land.
- God will remove the yoke from His people there.
- He asked who can turn back His hand. (The answer is no one)
- In the year King Ahaz died Isaiah received the oracle concerning Philistia
- It tells them not to rejoice when the rod that struck them is broken (Babylon or Assyria?)
- There will be another serpent to take the place of the first.
- The poor and needy will be safe (Who is this referring to?)
- God will kill their root with famine.
- Philistia should be afraid of the "smoke from the north"
- The afflicted of Israel will find refuge in Zion.

1 Corinthians 13
- This is known as the love chapter and most often used in weddings
- This is the "more excellent way" Paul ended Chapter 12 on spiritual gifts.
- Paul says if he speaks in tongues of angels but doesn't have love he is a loud sound.
- Having all knowledge and faith that can move mountains without love is nothing.
- Giving away everything and being burned for your faith without love gains you nothing.
- Love is:
1) Patient
2) Kind
3) Doesn't envy or boast
4) Not arrogant
5) Not rude
6) Doesn't insist on its own way
7) Not irritable
8) Not resentful
9) Doesn't rejoice at doing wrong
10) Rejoices in truth
11) Bears all things
12) Believes all things
13) Hopes all things
14) Endures all things
15) Never ends
(Paul shows that gifts without love are nothing) (also shows what true love looks like)
- prophecies, tongues, and knowledge (the things the Corinthians found most important) will pass away.
- We know and prophesy in part
- When the perfect (Christ) comes the partial will pass away.
- Paul says he acted like a child when he was a child, but as a man he has given up "childish ways"
- What we see now is a dim view of what is to come.
- Faith, hope, and love are important, but the greatest thing is love.

1 John 4
- John tells the to test the spirits to see if they are from God.
- There are many false prophets.
- Every spirit that confesses God is from God.
- Those that do not confess God are from the antichrist.
- God is greater than the antichrist who is in the world.
- The antichrist is from the world and speaks to the world and the world listens.
- Those from God listen to them.
- Through testing they will know the Spirit of truth from the spirit of error (first "spirit" is capitalized)
- John again tells the to love one another because God IS love.
- God's love was made manifest when he sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him (The Gospel)
- Love isn't that we love God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to die for our sins as a propitiation.
- If God loved us this much, shouldn't we love others?
- God's love is perfected through us when we love others.
- God has given us the Spirit to love others.
- John says they have seen and testify the God the Father sent His Son as Savior of the world.
- Those who confess Jesus as the Son of God abide in God.
- Those who abide in love abide in God and He in them.
- Because of this fact we have confidence for the day of judgment.
- Perfect love casts out fear.
- Fear comes from punishment, but God has perfected us in love and knowledge of Him through the Gospel.
- We love because He first loved us.
- You can't say you love God and hate your brother.
- You can't love God whom you can't see and hate your brother whom you have seen.
- "We" (John and whoever is writing the letter with him) have given a commandment that "whoever loves God must also love his brother".

Numbers 31 - Isaiah 13 – 1 Corinthians 12 – 1 John 3

2009-08-29T10:18:00.000-07:00

Numbers 31
- God told Moses to avenge his people against the Midianites.
- After that Moses would die.
- Moses told the people to prepare for battle
- Army of 12,000 (1,000 from each tribe)
- Moses sent Phinehas (son of Eleazar, grandson or Aaron)
- Phinehas went with vessels from sanctuary and a trumpet
- The killed the men of Israel and the kings: Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba
- They also killed Balaam with the sword.
- They took the women and children captive and kept their cattle, flocks, and goods
- The army brought the captives and spoil to Moses and Eleazar at Jericho.
- Moses and Eleazar met them outside the camp and Moses was angry.
- He reminded them of how Balaam’ s advice had brought a plague on Israel
- Moses told them to kill all the women who had been married and all the boys.
- Why did he let the virgin girls live?
- They had to stay outside the camp for 7 days (because they had been by dead bodies)
- Moses reminded them to purify themselves, their clothes, and every wooden thing on the 3rd and 7th day
- Eleazar told them to cleanse the gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, and lead in the fire then in water.
- He reminded them to wash their clothes on the 7th day.
- God told Moses to tell the people to divide everything in half, half for those in battle and half for the congregation.
- Then Levy a tribute to the Lord of: 1 out of 500 of people, oxen, and donkeys from the soldiers
- The people would give one out of 50 of the people, oxen, donkeys, sheep, and cattle to give to the Levites
- The total spoils were: 675,000 sheep, 72,000 cattle, 61,000 donkeys, 32,000 people (virgin women)
- The army got:
- 337,500 sheep (gave God 675)
- 36,000 cattle (God got 72)
- 30,500 donkeys (God got 61)
- 16,000 women (God got 32)
- Each soldier (assuming no one died) would get about 2,500 sheep, 3 cattle, 2-3 donkeys, and 1-2 women
- The congregation got the same but gave 2% to the Levites
- It says that they counted those who were missing and everyone was still alive.
- The commanders brought in gold articles to make atonement for themselves.
- Their offering of gold articles was 16,750 shekels
- Moses and Eleazar brought the gold as a memorial to the people.

Isaiah 13
- Isaiah received an oracle about Babylon
- They would wave their hand to enter
- God has summoned “might men” to execute His anger.
- There is a loud noise coming from the mountains as God gathers men.
- They are coming to destroy everything
- Destruction from The Almighty will come
- The result is feeble hands and melting hearts
- They will be shocked as God makes the land desolate and destroys sinners.
- Even the stars won’t give them light and the sun will be dark
- God will punish the world for its evil and iniquity and end the arrogance
- Man will become rare.
- The earth will be shaken out of its place and each people will flee to his own land.
- There infants will be dashed to pieces and wives ravished.
- The Medes will come against them.
- The Medes don’t care about gold or silver but they destroy everything.
- Babylon will be like Sodom and Gomorrah
- It will never be inhabited again
- It will be full of wild creatures, like ostriches, owls, hyenas, and jackals
- Their time is coming to an end

1 Corinthians 12
- Paul answers their questions about spiritual gifts.
- Paul reminds them how they were led astray by mute idols.
- No one speaking in the Spirit can curse God.
- There are many gifts through one Spirit.
- There are varieties of service and activities but God empowers them.
- The gifts = utterance of wisdom, utterance of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, ability to distinguish between spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues.
- The Spirit gives gift as he wills
- The body of Christ has many parts like the body has many parts
- The ear or arm can't say they don't want to be part of the body
- Just an "eye" would lack hearing, smell, etc.
- God arranged all members of the body as He chose.
- One Christian is nothing without the body.
- The "weaker" body parts are indispensable, unrepresentable parts are treated with modesty.
- God gives the "weaker" parts equal honor so that there is no division.
- If one member suffers all suffer or all rejoice.
- God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
- Paul says to seek higher gifts and foreshadows showing them a greater way.

1 John 3
- The love God has given us is to be called His children.
- The world doesn't know us because it doesn't know God.
- We will be like Him when He appears.
- Those who hope in Him are purified through Him.
- Sin = lawlessness
- Christ came to take away sin and He had no sin in Him.
- No one who has seen Christ keeps sinning.
- John cautions them not to be deceived.
- Those practicing sin are of the devil.
- The devil has been sinning from the beginning.
- Jesus appeared to destroy the works of the devil.
- John again says that those of God cannot keep on sinning.
- Those who do not practice righteousness or love his brother are not from God.
- John tells them they must love one another.
- We shouldn't be like Cain who murdered his brother.
- He killed his brother because his deeds were evil and his brother's were righteous.
- We have passed from death to life by loving our brothers.
- Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer and doesn't have eternal life.
- We know love because Christ laid down His life for us and we should do the same for our brothers.
- If anyone has much according to the world but closes his heart to a brother in need does not have God's love in him.
- Love shouldn't be word or talk but in deeds and truth.
- Whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our hearts.
- If we have confidence in God we will receive whatever we ask.
- We should keep His commandments and seek to please Him.
- God's command is to believe in Christ and love one another.
- John repeats loving brother, keeping commandment thought 2 more times to close this portion

Numbers 30 - Isaiah 12 – 1 Corinthians 11 – 1 John 2

2009-08-27T03:58:00.000-07:00

Numbers 30
- Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes
- If a man makes an oath (promise) he shall not break it.
- He shall do all he says.
- If a young woman under her father makes a vow and the father says nothing, she must keep her vow.
- If her father opposes her when he hears her vow, the vow shall not stand
- The Lord will forgive her when her father oppsoes her.
- If a married man hears his wife's vow or "thoughtless utterances" and says nothing her vows shall stand.
- But if the husband hears the vow and opposes her then her vow will not stand and the Lord will forgive her.
- Does God need to forgive a vow that has been opposed if it's not an opposition due to sin?
- A divorced or widow's vow shall stand once spoken.
- Who are verses 9 - 15 speaking to?
- If the husband hears a vow and does not oppose it, then the husband shall bear the iniquity.

Isaiah 12
- You will give thanks (the "you" is porbably Nubia)
- They will give thanks because God was angry but now will comfort.
- God is our salvation so we can trust and not be afraid.
- God is our strength, song, and salvation
- You (or wind) will draw salvation with joy.
- Zion will give thanks and make God known among the people. They will exalt His name.
- Their response should be to sing praises to God
- The inhabitant of Zion should shout for joy and sing because the Holy One is great in their midsts.

1 Corinthains 11
- Paul commends them for remembering him and they remember the traditions he showed them.
- Christ is head of every man --> head of wife is her husband --> head of Christ is God
- Every prophesying man who covers his head dishonors his head.
- Every wife who prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head (same as shaving it).
- If a wife won't cover her head she should just cut her hair short, but that is deemed shameful to do, so she should cover it.
- Man shouldn't cover his head because it is the image of glory of God while the woman is the glory of man.
- Man wasn't created for woman, but woman was created for man.
- The woman should be a symbol because of the angels (messengers sent to report)
- Man and woman or dependent on each other; woman was made from man and woman gave birth to man.
- Nature shows that long hair for a man is a disgrace and long hair for woman is her glory.
- What does Paul mean that "we" and the "churches of God" have no such practice?
- Paul starts the next section by rebuking them and saying he cannot commend them.
- Paul says this because there are divisions in the church when they meet.
- They are NOT taking the Lord's supper properly because some are leaving hungry and others drunk.
- Paul tells them to eat and drink at home!
- Paul says this is despising the church of God and humiliating those with nothing.
- Paul says he delivered the Lord's supper tradition to them, breaking bread to remember Christ's body and drinking from the cup of the new covenant.
- This ceremony is to proclaim the Lord's death and return.
- Eating and drinking wrongly is profaning the body and blood of the Lord.
- Those who are misusing this, puts judgement on himself.
- When God judged us He disciplines us so we aren't condemned with the world.
- Paul tells them that when they partake they should wait for each other so not to be judged.
- Paul ends by saying he'll discuss this with them further when he returns to them.

1 John 2
- John write to "my little children" so they won't sin.
- He reminds them that when they do sin they have an advocate.
- He is our propitiation and the world's of our sins.
- If someone claims to know Him but doesn't keep His commandments, that person is a liar, and the truth is NOt in him.
- By keeping the word, the love of God is perfected.
- We know we are in Him if we walk in the same way as He did.
- John isn't writing a new commandment, but an old one that has been made new because we have a light in the darkness.
- Hating your brother shows you're still in darkness.
- Loving your brother= no stumbling blocks.
- Hating your brother = blinded by darkness and not knowing where you're going.
- Our sins are forgiven for His namesake.
- John addresses multiple groups of people:
- little children = sin's forgiven
- father's = known Him from beginning
- young men = overcomed the evil one
- children = know the Father
- fathers = known Him from beginning (repeated)
- young men = strong, God's word abides in them, and have overcome evil one.
- John tells them not to love the world because that shows the Father is not in them.
- Desires of flesh, the eyes, and pride in possessions is from the world not from God.
- The world and its desires are passing away but God abides forever.
- John tells them the antichrist is coming and many have already come.
- They went out from the group so the people know they are NOT from God.
- John writes to them BECAUSE they know the truth not to teach it to them.
- Antichrist = one who denies Father and Son.
- John reminds them to remember what they have known from the beginning.
- Eternal life is the promise of abiding in God and Son.
- They should abide in what they have been taught and abide in him (lowercase so it is the one who taught them)

-

Numbers 29 - Isaiah 11 – 1 Corinthians 10 – 1 John 1

2009-08-26T04:01:00.000-07:00

Numbers 29
- Offering for the Feast of Trumpets
- 1st day of 7th month = no work, only blow trumpets
- Same offerings needed as previous sacrifices including the goat as a sin offering.
- This is in addition to the new moon's grain offering, regular offering's grain offering, drink offerings according to their own rules.
- Day of Atonement Offerings = 10th day of 7th month
- Here again; one bull, one ram, 7 sheep, and a goat are offered, as well as the sin offering and regular burnt offerings.
- Is the sin offering here still the one goat or something different?
- Feast of Tabernacles Offerings = 15th day of the 7th month
- No work and keep a feast for 7 days.
- Day 1 = 13 bulls, 2 rams, 14 male lambs (grain offerings for each), and a goat as a sin offering
- Day 2 = 12 bulls, (the rest is the same)
- Day 3 = 11 bulls, (the rest is the same)
- Day 4 = 10 bulls, (the rest is the same)
- Day 5 = 9 bulls, (the rest is the same)
- Day 6 = 8 bulls, (the rest is the same)
- Day 7 = 7 bulls, (the rest is the same)
- Day 8 = have a solemn assembly and do no work. on this day the offering is the same as the usual "feasts" sacrifices.
- These things are in addition to vow offerings and freewill offerings, burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings, and peace offerings.
- Moses relayed these things as God commanded him to.

Isaiah 11
- A "shoot" shall come from the "stump" of Jesse.
- The Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of God shall rest on this person.
- He shall delight in the fear of God.
- He will judge the poor with righteousness, not eyes or ears
- He will strike the earth and will the wicked with his lips (mouth)
- Righteousness and faithfulness shall be his belt.
- The wolf/lamb, leopard/young goat, calf/lion shall lie together
- A "little child" shall lead them.
- The cow/bear, lion/straw, nursing child/cobra, weaned child/adder shall be together
- These opposites show that on God's holy mountain nothing will destroy.
- The earth shall be covered by knowledge of God like waters cover the sea.
- The root of Jesse will be a signal for the PEOPLES (not just Israelites)
- His resting place shall be glorious
- In that day God will again recover the remnant of His people from Assyria, Cush, Egypt, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and the coastlines by the sea.
- What does it mean to swoop down on Philistines' shoulders (Will they work together?)
- The Ammonites, Edomites, and Moabites will obey them
- The Lord will dry up the River (Nile?) and turn it into 7 crossable channels
- There will be a highway from Assyria for the remnant to use to return.

1 Corinthians 10
- Paul reminds them that their "fathers" stood under cloud of God and crossed the sea and were "baptized" into Moses.
- They ate spiritual food and drank spiritual drink
- The Rock the drank from was the Rock of Christ.
- God wasn't pleased with most of them and they died in the wilderness.
- They were examples for us, showing us not to desire evil.
- Do not be idolaters (Exodus 32:6 - "The people sat to eat and drink and rose up to play")
- We must avoid sexual immorality - They didn't and 23,000 died in one day.
- When they tested God they were destroyed by serpents.
- When they grumbled the Destroyer killed them.
- They happened as examples for us and were written to teach us.
- Anyone who thinks he stands need to take heed or he will fall (Do not be proud)
- No temptation has overtaken us that is not common to man.
- God is faithful and won't let us be tempted beyond what we can bear.
- He ALWAYS provides a way of escape.
- Paul tells us to flee idolatry because we are in the blood of Christ.
- Paul points back to Jesus' body being the one bread they all partake from (communion)
- Paul's point is that what pagans eat they sacrifice to demons, not God.
- He warns them they can't be with God and with demons.
- He says we shouldn't provoke the Lord to jealousy.
- All things are lawful but not all things are helpful or build up.
- Don't seek our own good, but the good of others.
- Eat whatever is sold in the market.
- If an unbeliever invites you to dinner eat whatever is served without question.
- But if they tell you it was an idol sacrifice refrain from eating it for the server's benefit not your own.
- If you thank God for it, it shouldn't be judged as bad.
- Whatever you eat or drink do it all to the glory of God.
- Our goal should be saving others, and that should be why we please others.
- Paul tells them to imitate him as he is imitating Christ.
THIS PASSAGE HAS MANY WELL KNOWN AND AWESOME TRUTHS!

1 John 1
- John starts off by acknowledging the truth that they believe that was from the beginning.
- They have seen and touched it.
- John proclaims the eternal life which God made manifest to us
- He proclaims to them so that they might have fellowship with us (believers)
- Our ultimate fellowship is with God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ
- Their joy is complete is writing to this group
- There are several people writing this letter with John.
- The message is this: God is light and in Him there is no darkness.
- If we claim to walk with Him and are darkness we lie.
- Walking in the light = fellowship with believers and Jesus' blood cleanses us from our sins.
- Those who say they have "no sin" deceive themselves.
- If we confess our sins He is faithful to forgive us.
- If we say we have NOT sinned we are calling Him a liar and His words aren't in us.

Numbers 28 - Isaiah 10 – 1 Corinthians 9 – 2 Peter 3

2009-08-25T03:59:00.000-07:00

Numbers 28
- God told Moses to remind the people to give the food offering at the appointed time.
-They were to offer, 2 male lambs a year old without blemish daily.
- One lamb was to be offered in morning the other at twilight.
- That was mixed with 12/13 liters of flour and one quart of beaten oil.
- Its drink offering shall be a quarter hin (1 liter) for each lamb as God directed at Mount Sinai
- It should be offered in the Holy Place
- On the Sabbath they were to offer an additional 2 perfect lambs.
- At the beginning of each month they were to offer; 2 bulls, one ram, seven year old lambs, 6/7 liters of flour, mixed with oil.
- The drink offering is 2 liters of wine for the bull, 1.5 liters for the ram, 1 liter for the lamb.
- In addition to those one male goat as a sin offering.
- Passover Offering: 14th day of the first month, the 15th shall be a feast and they shall eat unleavened bread for 7 days.
- They shouldn't do any work on the 1st day, but offer a food and burnt offering to the Lord (same as monthly offerings) along with daily and regular burnt offerings.
- They shall also offer the food of the food offerings for 7 days.
- The 7th day they shouldn't do any work.
- Day of Firstfruits (Feast of Weeks) - they shouldn't do any work.
- The offering shall be the same as above.

Isaiah 10
- Woe to those who write about oppression.
- These people rob the poor and the widow an prey on the fatherless.
- These people will have nowhere to hide and their wealth will be pointless when "ruin" comes.
- His anger is not turned away and his hand in stretched out still (repeated phrase)
- Assyria is God's "rod" (for discipline)
- God is sending Assyria to punish the wicked in the "godless nation"
- Assyria will boast in her conquests and those she has overtaken.
- After God is finished using Assyria, she will be punished for her arrogance.
- Assyria boasts in her strength, her plunder, her wisdom.
- Assyria is like a boastful axe who doesn't see who swings it.
- God will eventually send sickness and fire on them.
- Their remnant will be so few a child could count them.
- In that time Israel will turn back to God.
- Destruction is overflowing with righteousness.
- God seems to comfort the Israelites by saying not to worry because once God's fury has ended and He will pour it out on the Assyrians.
- God reminds them of how He defeated Egypt and Midian for them.
- What does it mean that the yoke will be broken because of the fat?
-Isaiah lists places that God will come through to destroy.
- God falling Lebanon, He is referred to as the Majestic One

1 Corinthians 9
- Paul calls the Corinthians his "seal of apostleship"
- Paul makes a defense to those who question him.
- He says he has a right to eat and rink and to have a wife like others, including Cephas (Peter)
- Paul asks what soldier pays for his own service or who grows grapes but doesn't eat them.
- Paul points back to the Law of Moses and references that an oxen that treads the grain shall not be muzzled. The oxen aren't God's concern, the people are.
- The plower and thresher plow in hope to get a crop.
- Paul asks why he can't reap material things since he planted spiritual things?
- Paul says that although this is his right among them to do, he has withheld that right to not be an obstacle to them.
- Paul says that people serving in the temple get food from the temple and he preaches the gospel so he should make a living from it.
- Paul says that he isn't writing them to get anything.
- Paul says woe to himself if he doesn't preach the gospel.
- By stewarding the gospel he has been given he will receive a reward.
- His reward is preaching the gospel, not in material things.
- Paul has made himself a "slave to all" to win many.
- Paul adapted to win others outside the law, without being outside the law of Christ.
- Paul becomes all things to all people that he might win some.
- Paul is others focused in his preaching.
- Paul tells them to run to win the race.
- Paul says athletes have self control to win a perishable wreath but believers have something that won't perish.
- Paul isn't doing things randomly, like a flailing boxer, but he controls his body to not be disqualified (keeping the racing/boxing analogy going)

2 Peter 3
- Peter says this is his 2nd letter to them.
- Peter's goal is to remind them of the prophets and commandments of Christ to them.
- He also writes to caution them against scoffers who question when Christ will return.
- These men mock the fact that it hasn't happened.
- Peter reminds them that God spoke and created waters and He spoke and flooded the earth.
- Just like the water, fire is being stored up and will destroy the ungodly.
- One day to God is like a thousand years to us.
- Peter says God isn't slow, but patient so that many may be saved.
- Peter reminds them that the end WILL come like a thief in the night.
- Then all sin will be exposed.
- That is why they should remain holy and pursuing godliness.
- Righteousness dwells in the new heaven and new earth.
- Peter encourages them to be without blemish and at peace.
- See God's patience as salvation.
- Peter acknowledges that Paul also wrote them.
- Peter says Paul's writings can be hard for some to understand and they twist Paul's words like they do other scriptures.
- Pater cautions them not to follow lawless men but to grow in grace and knowledge of Christ.

Numbers 27 - Isaiah 9 – 1 Corinthians 8 – 2 Peter 2

2009-08-24T04:16:00.000-07:00

Numbers 27
- Zelophehad (descendant of Joseph) had 5 daughters who came.
- They told Moses and Eleazar that their father died of his own sins not in the uprising led by Korah.
- They asked for an inheritance in their father's name because he had no sons.
- Moses took their case to the Lord and God said to give them an inheritance from their father's brothers.
- God told Moses to tell the people that if a man has no son, then the inheritance goes to any daughters, then to any brothers, then to the nearest kinsman of his clan.
- God told Moses to climb the Mountain of Abraim to see the people's inheritance.
- God told Moses that he will die there because of Moses' rebellion in Zin because Moses failed to regard God as holy.
- Moses asked God to appoint a good leader for the people.
- God told Moses to commission Joshua in their sight and invest him with some of Moses' authority so the people will follow him.
- Moses did what God asked.

Isaiah 9
- There will be no gloom for "her" (Galilee). The anguish will be taken away.
- The people of darkness have seen the light.
- God has increased them and brought them joy.
- They rejoice and divide the spoil.
- God will break the rod of the oppressor and remove the yolk.
- The warrior will be burned up.
- "For unto us a child is born" (quoted in Bible story)
- The whole government will be on his shoulders (in his control)
- His names will be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- He will increase his power and bring everlasting peace.
- He will uphold the throne of David with justice and righteousness forever.
- The zeal of the Lord will do this.
- The Lord has sent His word against Judah and Israel.
- The people boast in what they will do but God says He is bringing the Syrians from the east side and Philistines from the west side to take over Israel.
- God will do this because the people did not turn to Him in their troubles.
- God cut off Israel's head (elders and honored men) and the lying prophets (the tail)
- God has no compassion on them because they are all evil doers and speak folly (disgraceful things)
- That is why His anger still remains on them.
- God's wrath will scorch the land.
- The people will eat and not be satisfied and they will devour their own arm (metaphor?)
- Manassah and Ephraim will devour each other and both will be against Judah.
- The phrase "for all this His anger has not turned away and His hand is outstretched still" is repeated 3 times in this passage.

1 Corinthians 8
- Paul addresses food offered to idols.
- He says that they all possess knowledge which can "puff up", but reminds them that love builds.
- We shouldn't boast in our knowledge because those who love God are known by Him.
- Paul reminds them that idols are not real.
- There ARE many so-called "gods and lords" but for Christians there is one God, the Father, and one Lord, Jesus, for whom we exist.
- Paul reminds them that everyone doesn't know this.
- Some who have worshipped to idols before have a troubled conscience about eating idol food because they are weak.
- Food is no big deal if you eat it either way.
- Paul warns them not to use this "knowledge" to make other "weaker" Christians stumble.
- Eating idol food in front of the weak will not encourage them.
- Wounding the conscience of the weak in sin against Christ for the "knowledgeable"
- Paul says he, himself will never eat meat if it makes a brother stumble.
- How should we know what might make a weaker brother stumble when getting to know that person?

2 Peter 2
- Peter tells them that false prophets will arise from among them.
- These men will even deny the Master (God/Jesus)
- The will divert many and be blasphemers.
- They will exploit Christians, but their end will be destruction.
- Peter reminds them that God didn't spare fallen angels, the ancient world of Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah then these false Prophets won't be spared either.
- Fallen angels are in pits of hell awaiting judgement.
- The ungodly died in the great flood
- Made the two sinful cities go extinct as an example to others.
- God also rescued Lot (who was tormented by what he saw there) from those sinful cities
- The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials (temptations)
- God will bring judgement on those who defile passion and despise authority.
- The blasphemers do not tremble at their fate.
- The blaspheme of things they are ignorant of.
- They are blemishes among Christians.
- They are full of adultery and sin and entice "unsteady souls"
- They have gone astray and trained their hearts in greed.
- They have followed the way of Balaam who was rebuked by his donkey while pursuing his own desires.
- They entice with folly and sensual passions the weak.
- The false prophets offer freedom but they are enslaved by whatever overcomes them.
- They are entangled in sin after hearing the gospel, which is worse then never hearing it.
- It would be better for them if they had never heard the gospel
- How? Why? Don't both go to hell?
- Peter uses the dog returns to its vomit reference from Proverbs to prove his point about those who turn away from the truth to their former ways.

Numbers 26 - Isaiah 8 – 1 Corinthians 7 – 2 Peter 1

2009-08-10T04:54:00.000-07:00

Numbers 26
- God told Moses and Eleazar to take a census of all of the people.
- They had to be 20 and able to go to war to be counted.
- Who is the "them" referring to in v.3?
- Reuben = 43,730 (Dathan and Abiram and Korah had descendants but they themselves had been swallowed by the earth)
- Simeon = 22,200
- Gad = 40,500
- Judah = 76,500
- Issachar = 64,300
- Zebulun = 60,500
- Joseph = (contained descendants of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Gilead) = 52,700 (Zelophehad had no sons, but only 5 daughters)
- Why did the census take note of these daughters?
- Ephraim = 32,500 Why are Joseph's two sons listed separately?
- Benjamin = 45,600
- Dan = 64,400
- Asher = 53,400
- Naphtali = 45,400
- Their total was 601,730
- God told Moses to divide the land and give a large inheritance to the big tribes and a small inheritance to the smaller tribes.
- Levites = 23,000 (Moses, Aaron, and Miriam's tribe) (Nadab and Abihu died offering an unauthorized offering.) This list was for all males a month old and up.
- The Levites did not get an inheritance.
- None of these people were on the previous census list taken in the wilderness as God had promised except for Caleb and Joshua who had had faith.

Isaiah 8
- God told Isaiah to write on a tablet with Uriah and Zechariah as witnesses.
- Isaiah went to prophetess and she bore a son named Maher-shalal-hashbaz (The spoil speeds the prey hastens)
- God said that before this son could talk Damascus and Samaria will be overtaken by the King of Assyria
- God is bringing the assyrians against them since they have refused His gentle waters.
- The Assyrians will overtake the people like a flooding river
- Why does verse 8 end with O Immanuel?
- Who is the "us" God is with in verse 10- the Assyrians or the Israelites?
- God told Isaiah not to fear what the people fear or to act like the people.
- Isaiah should regard God as holy and fear God alone.
- God will be a sanctuary and a stumbling rock to Israel.
- God told Isaiah to wait for the Lord and hope in Him while all this takes place.
- The people will turn to mediums and necromancers instead of to God.
- The people will become hungry and enraged and grumbled against king and God.
- Their end will be darkness.

1 Corinthians 7
- Paul says that it is good not to have sexual relations.
- People should marry to fight sexual temptations.
- They should each give each other conjugal rights.
- They each have control over the other's body not their own.
- Paul cautions not to deprive one another except for prayer because it gives Satan an "in" for temptation because we lack self control.
- Paul tells them as a "concession" not a command that he wishes they could be like him (single?)
- Widows and unmarried are better off not marrying, but they should if their passions arise.
- Paul says that the Lord charges the married that they should not get divorced.
- Why does Paul say if the wife separates from her husband she shouldn't remarry?
- To the rest (Paul, not the Lord says) to stay with an unbelieving spouse if they want to remain with you.
- How is the unbelieving spouse made holy and is Paul saying a holy person's children are automatically made holy?
- If the unbelieving spouse chooses to go, let them.
- God has called believers to peace.
- A husband and a wife should assume they can "save" their unbelieving spouse.
- We should all seek to lead the life God has assigned to us.
- Paul tells people not to seek out circumcision if they haven't already done it, because it cannot save.
- People need to keep the commandments.
- The saved slave shouldn't seek to be free but if God allows it they should take it.
- We are all slaves of the Lord.
- The free shouldn't be slaves of men, but slaves of Christ because they were bought with a price.
- Paul gives his opinion on marrying and says that the free shouldn't be married and the married shouldn't seek to be free.
- Marriage = worldly troubles
- Paul tells people to be aware that the present world; goods, marriage, mourning, rejoicing will all soon pass away.
- The unmarried is anxious about things of the Lord, but the married man's anxieties are divided between how to please his wife and the Lord.
- The unmarried woman focuses on pursuing holiness in body and spirit, but the married woman has to please her husband.
- Paul wants them to have undivided devotion to God.
- Paul seems to be saying that if anyone is giving into temptation with their betrothed then they should marry.
- Marriage is NOT sin.
- Why would a self controlled individual still keep her as his betrothed?
- Mariage is good, not marrying is even better.

2 Peter 1
- Why is Simon written Simeon?
- Peter is writing to those equal in the faith.
- Grace and peace come from knowledge of God and Jesus.
- His divine power has given us all things (life and godliness)
- He has called us for His own glory and excellence.
- By His power we are able to escape corruption and sinful desire.
- We should pursue virtue, knowledge, self-controlled, steadfast, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. (They go from lesser to greater importance)
- These qualities should increase which will help you stay fruitful and effective.
- A believer who lacks these qualities has forgotten the truth of the gospel.
- If you practice these things you will never fall.
- This is the way to show your election is sure and that you will enter heaven.
- Peter says he will continue to remind them of these qualities.
- Peter "stirs them up" by way of reminder.
- Peter acknowledges that his life will soon end, but he wants them to recall the things he preached to them.
- Peter didn't preach myth but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
- Peter recalls when God spoke aloud to Jesus "This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased"
- Peter reminds them of the prophetic Word and reinds them to pay attention to it.
- The will of man has never produced a prophecy.
- Prophecies come from God through the Holy Spirit

Numbers 25 - Isaiah 7 – 1 Corinthians 6 – 1 Peter 5

2009-08-01T04:25:00.000-07:00

Numbers 25
- The Israelites began to intermingle with the Moabites at Shittim.
- The Moabites invited the Israelites to eat and worship their gods, Baal, and they did.
- The Lord grew angry with them and He told Moses to hang/impale the chiefs.
- Moses told the judges to kill any chiefs who had yolked themselves with Baal.
- An Israelite man brought a Midianite woman into his family.
- Phinehas, Eleazar's son, Aaron's grandson, saw this he took a spear and he impaled both of them while they were together.
- This stopped a plague, but 24,000 Israelites had already died.
- The Lord commended Phinehas on his jealousy for God and his atonement for his people and God gave him the covenant of peace.
- Zimri was the impaled man's name and the Midianite woman's name was Cozbi.
- God told Moses to strike down the Midianites because the Israelites were turning toward their wiles (ways)

Isaiah 7
- In the days of Ahaz (Uzziah's grandson) Rezin, king of Syria, and Pekah, the king of Israel (Ephraim) came to wage war on Jerusalem (Judah), but couldn't.
- When the house of David heard of the Syrians attack they were very fearful.
- Isaiah went with his son Shear-jashub to go meet Ahaz by the Washer's Field.
- Isaiah told Ahaz to be quiet, careful and not to fear the two "stumps" who planned evil against him.
- The Lord said that this would NOT come to pass and that within 65 years Ephraim would no longer be a people.
- Why is the 65 year part in parentheses?
- God says is you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.
- Isaiah told Ahaz to ask for a sign from God (which is forbidden in other scriptures)
- Ahaz said he would not test God.
- Isaiah told him that God would give him a sign that " a virgin will conceive and bear a son and shall be called Immanuel.
- Immanuel will refuse evil and choose good and the land of the two kings Ahaz now fears will be deserted.
- In that day the fly from Egypt and bees from Assyria will settle in the streams (What does this phrase mean?)
- The Lord will defeat them with the king of Assyria.
- Everyone who is left will eat curds and honey from a young cow and 2 sheep.
- All the valuable vines will turn into thorns and briers and the land that is now farmed will only be good for releasing cows and sheep to graze.

1 Corinthians 6
- Paul says that when you have something against a fellow believer you should take it before saint before you go to a worldly judge.
- The world is to be judged by us, so we should be able to settle "trivial cases"
- We will judge angels, so we have the ability to judge in this life.
- Paul says they should be ashamed because no one is wise enough to settle disputes between brothers in the faith.
- Paul is saying they shouldn't have any lawsuits against one another but should suffer wrongs instead.
- The unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
- Those deceived participate in sexual immorality, idolatry, homosexuality, thieves, greed, reviling, and swindling.
- Paul reminds them that they once participated in these things but were washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of Jesus and the Spirit of God.
- Paul says all things are lawful for him but not all are helpful.
- He will not be enslaved by anything.
- The food and stomach go together, but sexual immorality and the body do not go together.
- God will raise us like he raise the Lord.
- Our bodies are members of Christ so we shouldn't use them to sin.
- Going to a prostitute is becoming one with her.
- We are one in spirit because we are joined with God.
- All sins other than sexual immorality are done outside the body.
- Our bodies are holy temples that were bought with a price.
- We don't own our bodies. God does so we should glorify Him with our body.

1 Peter 5
- Peter exhorts the elders, he being one of them, to shepherd the flock of God.
- They should give oversight willingly, not for selfish gain, but eagerly.
- They shouldn't be domineering but live as examples to other believers.
- When Jesus appears they shall receive a crown of glory.
- The younger should submit to elders.
- They should all be humble with each other because God opposes the proud.
- God will exalt the humble at the proper time.
- We can cast all our anxieties on Him because he cares for us.
- We should be sober-minded and watchful.
- Satan is a lion who prowls around us.
- We need to resist Satan and know others are also experiencing suffering.
- After suffering a short time God will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us.
- Silvanus had written this letter for Peter.
- He reminds them to stand firm in the grace of God.
- Who is the "she who is at Babylon"? Is this Peter's wife?
- Mark is Peter's son.
- They were to greet each other with the kiss of love.

Numbers 24 - Isaiah 6– 1 Corinthians 5 – 1 Peter 4

2009-07-30T07:12:00.000-07:00

Numbers 24
- Balaam didn't go with Balak this time because he saw that God had chosen to bless Israel.
- Why did Balaam go with Balak the 2nd time then?
- God spoke through Balaam stating how lovely Israel was.
- They are like plants water from God's bucket.
- God's kingdom shall be higher then King Agag.
- God brought Israel out of Egypt and will eat up other nations.
- Those who bless Israel will be blessed and those who curse them will be cursed.
- King Balaak was angry that Balaam blessed Israel a third time and told Balaam to leave.
- Balaam said he would honor Balaak but God has withheld him honor.
- Balaam reminded Balaak that he originally said he would do or say anything beyond the word of God.
- Balaam said he'd let Balaak know what would happen to his people.
- Balaam's final oracle said a star would come out of Jacob and shall crush the head of Moab.
- Edom and Seir shall be dispossessed.
- Jacob shall rule over them and destroy any survivors.
- Amalek will also come to destruction.
- Kenite is enduring but Assur will take them captive
- Ships will come from Kittim and afflict Asshur and Eber.
- Balak and Balaam departed ways after this.

Isaiah 6
- Isaiah saw a vision in the year Uzziah died.
- He saw God and His robe filled the temple.
- There were seraphim with 6 wings each, 2 covered its face, 2 covered its feet and 2 wings flew.
- They called to each other saying "holy, holy, holy the whole earth is filled with his glory"
- The whole place shook when God spoke.
- Isaiah's reaction was woe because he knew he was unclean and from an unclean people.
- A seraphim took tongs and touched a burning coals to Isaiah's lips.
- The seraphim said the coal had taken away his guilt and atoned for his sins.
- The Lord asked who He should send and Isaiah said to send him.
- Isaiah was to say to keep seeing and hearing but not understanding.
- Why does God want Isaiah to tell the people to not understand with their hearts?
- Isaiah asked how long this would last and God replied until the cities were laid to waste.
- God would remove people and and people from forsaken lands would enter the lands.
- The remaining Israelites shall be like a stump from a fallen tree.

1 Corinthians 5
- Paul rebukes them for their sexual immorality.
- He said it is so bad that pagans don't even participate (a man has his father's wife)
- Paul says they should be mourning but are arrogant.
- They should throw out this man.
- Paul says he is present with them in spirit and has passed judgement on that man.
- Why does Paul pass judgement on the man when he told them not to judge others?
- This man should be given over to Satan so that his flesh may die but his spirit be saved.
- How can this man be saved if he continues in sin?
- Boasting is not good because even a little leaven gets into a whole lump of dough.
- As believers they need to replace malice and evil with sincerity and truth.
- (v.9) Did Paul write them a previous letter?
- Paul's "previous letter" had told them not to associate with sexually immoral people (getting them away from worldly temptations.
- He now adds not to associate with a brother who is sexually immoral, a drunkard, idolater, or a swindler.
- Paul tells them to judge their brothers' actions and let God judge the unsaved.

1 Peter 4
- We should arm ourselves with Christ's thinking. (What Would Jesus Do?)
- That way we can live for God's will and not human passions.
- In the past they were like the Gentiles; lawless idolatry, drunkenness, drinking parties, living for passions.
- The Gentiles malign them for no longer participating.
- They will have to give an account to God later for their sins.
- That is why the gospel is preached to them, that they too might live in the spirit.
- Being self-controlled and sober minded helps make prayers more effective.
- Peter tells them to love one another because love covers many sins.
- We are to show hospitality without grumbling.
- We should use our God given gifts to steward God's varied grace.
- God's grace is varied.
- We should speak and serve to glorify God.
- We should not be surprised when trials come.
- We should rejoice in suffering and be glad when God's glory is revealed to the lost.
- Being insulted for Christ's name brings us blessings.
- We shouldn't suffer for common crimes but suffering for being a Christian is nothing to be ashamed of.
- Christians will be judged first then the lost.
- Where does Peter quote this phrase from? “If the righteous is scarcely saved,what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
- When we suffer we should entrust ourselves to a faithful Creator while doing good (faith and doing good; justification and sanctification)

Test Me

2009-07-29T06:52:00.001-07:00

When next you see me ask me to recite James 1. ( I could do it last Friday)
Also if anyone noticed I did Isaiah 15 today and last post (I skipped Isaiah 14)

Numbers 23 - Isaiah 15 – 1 Corinthians 4 – 1 Peter 3

2009-07-29T05:38:00.000-07:00

Numbers 23

- Balaam told King Balak to build 7 alters and prepare 7 bulls and 7 rams.

- Balak and Balaam offered the bulls and rams together.

- Balaam told Balak to wait by the alter while Balaam went to inquire of God.

- God met Balaam and put a word in his mouth to speak to Balak.

- All the princes of Moab were standing beside Balak when Balaam returned.

- Balaam reminded them of the Moabites request for him to curse Israel.

- Balaam said he cannot curse what God has not cursed.

- Balaam said they Moabites were a people alone who were not counted among the nations.

- Balak was very upset that Balaam blessed the Israelites rather than curse them.

- Balaam simply replied that he must speak what God puts in his mouth to say.

- Balak took Balaam to a place where he'd be able to see the whole tribe of Israel and again asked Balaam to curse them.

- They went to the top of Pisgah and built 7 more alters.

- Balaam told King Balaak to wait again while he went to talk with God.

- God's word directly addressed King Balak. God said that HE does not lie or change his mind.

- God cannot revoke a blessing and God protects Israel like the horns of a bull.

- Israel is like a lion which will not lie down until it has killed its prey.

- Balak told Balaam not to curse Israel or bless them.

- Balaam said he must do what God commands.

- Balak took Balaam to a 3rd place hoping God would change his mind at the top opf Peor.

- He again built 7 alters and sacrificed 7 bulls and 7 rams.

- It is ironic that Balak turns to God repeatidly but is denied, where as the Israelites turn FROM God repeatedly and are still blessed.

Isaiah 15

- This oracle is against Moab

- Ar and Kir will be destroyed.

- Medeba and Nebo will weep.

- Every head is bald and every beard cut (sign of cultural mourning)

- Heshbon and Elealeh cry out too.

- Isaiah says "my heart" cries for Moab (Who is the "my"?)

- Moab's fugitives flee to Zoar and to Eglath-shelishiyah

- The abundance they have stored up will be carried away

- Dibon is full of blood and he says those left will be eaten by lions.

1 Corinthians 4

- Paul tells the Corinthians to regard them as servants of Christ and stewards of the Gospel

- Stewards be definition need to be trustworthy.

- Paul says being judged by them or any man is a small thing because God judges him.

- Paul tells them not to judge anyone before Christ returns to bring light into darkness.

- At that time each person will receive their commendation form God.

- Paul tells them he referred to himself and Apollos for their benefit to show them not to add to or alter what is written.

- This fact should keep them humble because they are no better than anyone else because they didn't receive anything that was not given to them.

- Paul tells them that they have already received and are rich.

- Paul says they have become rich.

- God is using the apostles to become spectacles to the world, angels, and men.

- Paul gives several opposites to differ himself from the Corinthians.

1) He's a fool, they are wise

2) He is weak, they are strong.

3) He is in disrepute, they are honored

- Paul then says they are poorly dressed, thirsty, homeless, reviled, and persecuted like scum.

- When Paul is reviled he blesses, when slandered they entreat, when persecuted they endure

- Paul says he's not writing to make them ashamed but to admonish them as beloved children.

- The Corinthians have many guides in Christ but not many fathers.

- Paul urges them to imitate him, which is why he sent Timothy to them his ways in Christ.

- Paul says many say he won't come to them, but he will when the Lord wills it.

- Paul wants to come and find out the "power" of these arrogant men.

- It is NOT about talk, but about power.

- Paul asks them if they want him to come to them in spirit of gentleness or with a rod?

1 Peter 3

- Wives should submit to their husbands so that some unsvaed husbands might be saved by their wives respectful and pure conduct without a word from them.

- Peter tells women not to adorn the outside (by braiding hair, wearing gold, or with fancy clothes) but to put on a gentle and quiet spirit which is precious in God's sight.

- Submitting to their husband demonstrates a holy woman who hopes in God.

- Peter points out how Sarah followed Abraham and called him lord.

- It is frightening to do good and not to fear anything.

- Husbands should live with wives in an understanding way showing them honor since their are heirs with you.

- How does not honoring your wife hinder your prayers?

- All believers should have unity of mind, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind

- Return evil and reviling with blessing.

- Peter quotes Psalm 34: 12-16 which says to keep ones tongue from evil and deceit and to seek peace. They eyes of the Lord are righteous and His ears are open to prayer but He is against evil.

- Peter says no one can harm them if they are zealous to do good.

- Even if they do suffer, they will be blessed.

- Peter tells them to regard Christ as holy and be prepared to defend their hope to anyone who asks. (very great thought!) Do this with gentleness and respect.

- Their actions should be pure so those who persecute them will come to shame.

- It is better to suffer for good than for evil if that's God's will.
- Christ suffered once for sins, making us alive in the spirit when we were dead in the flesh.
- Peter reminds them of the days of Noah when God waited for Noah to build the ark, thus saving 8 people.
- Baptism corresponds to the flood which now saves us.
- The water doesn't remove dirt but appeals to God through resurrection of Jesus.
- Christ is in heaven at the right hand of God with angels and powers subject to Him.

Numbers 22 - Isaiah 14 – 1 Corinthians 3 – 1 Peter 2

2009-07-22T05:49:00.000-07:00

Numbers 22
- They camped in Jericho near Moab plains.
- Balak saw what the Israelites had done to Ammorites and Moab was fearful.
- Balak was Moabite King and sent messengers to Balam
- Balam seemed to be a Moabite prophet.
- King Balak asked Balam to curse the Israelites because they outnumbered him.
- Balam was able to bless or curse people and Balak knew that was his only chance.
- The elders brought Balam the fee for divination.
- Balam told Balak's messengers to stay the night and he would tell them what God said.
- Balam told God that Balak wanted him to curse the Israelites.
- God told Balam that he was not to curse God's blessed people nor go to Balak.
- Balam's response was to sent more gifts and noble men to Balam and offer him great honor
- Balak said he'd do whatever Balam tols him to do.
- Balam said he couldn't go against God regardless of the wealth Balak offered.
- Balam went back to inquire of God who told Balam to go with them and do what He would instruct him to do.
- Why did God get angry with Balam after He told Balam to go?
- Balam's donkey saw God's angel in the road and refused to go forward.
- Balam struck the donkey repeatedly but it refused to move forward because of the angel.
- Balam hit his donkey and it laid down.
- God allowed the donkey to speak.
- Why doesn't Balam realize that God is against him when his donkey starts talking?
- Balam's donkey asked why Balam was hitting it when it had always been faithful to him.
- Then God allowed Balam to see the angel in the road with the sword.
- Balam fell on his face and the angel said the donkey had saved his life.
- Balam confessed his sin and said he'd turn back.
- The angel told Balam to go tell Balak only what the angel would say to him.
- Balak went to meet Balam and asked why he hadn't come earlier
- Balam said he could only speak what God told him to.
- Balak sacrificed ox and sheep and sent to Balam.

Isaiah 15
- This oracle is against Moab
- Ar and Kir will be destroyed.
- Medeba and Nebo will weep.
- Every head is bald and every beard cut (sign of cultural mourning)
- Heshbon and Elealeh cry out too.
- Isaiah says "my heart" cries for Moab (Who is the "my"?)
- Moab's fugitives flee to Zoar and to Eglath-shelishiyah
- The abundance they have stored up will be carried away
- Dibon is full of blood and he says those left will be eaten by lions.

1 Corinthians 3
- Paul says he couldn't call them spiritual people but people of the flesh.
- Paul says they were spiritual babies and even now aren't mature enough for "solid food"
- Paul questions they faith because of the fighting and strife between them.
- They fight over who to follow Paul or Apollos.
- Paul said he planted, Apollos watered but God made the seeds grow
- The planter and waterer are nothing.
- The planters and growers will receive their wages (rewards?)
- They are all believers (God's field)
- Paul laid a foundation and cautioned the Corinthians to watch carefully how they built on it.
- Jesus Christ is the only true foundation.
- Building with wealth or other materials will be exposed on That Day (final day)
- If they build poorly on Christ they will still escape fire (hell) but only barely.
- Isn't this still a good thing because they get heaven?
- Paul reminds them that they are God's temple and He will destroy anyone who destroys His temple.
- Being foolish to this age shows they are wise in God's eyes.
- Paul quotes to sayings that both say God makes foolish the wisdom of the wise.
- Paul tells them not to boast in men but in the fact that they have access to God through Christ.

1 Peter 2
- Peter tells the people to put away evilness: hypocrisy, slander, deceit, and envy
- He tells them to go after spiritual things to grow in salvation.
- Peter points out that Christ was chosen by God but rejected by people.
- The believers are stones built up and they should offer spiritual sacrifices.
- In verse 6, Peter quotes from Isaiah 28:16 though not verbatim. This verse is also quoted by Paul in Romans 9:33
- The "stone of stumbling" quote comes from Isaiah 8:14
- People stumble because they disobey God's Word.
- As sinners we were all destined to do this, but God chose us to be a holy nation.
- We are to proclaim God's excellencies because we have now received God's mercy.
- Peter pleads with them to turn from passions of the flesh and keep their conduct honorable among Gentiles.
- Our good deeds should point others to God
- We should be subject to emperors and governors.
- It is God's will for us to do good to shame the foolish.
- We should live free, but not use our freedom to justify doing evil but because we serve God.
- Honor everyone. Love being a believer. Fear God. Honor emperor.
- All servants should respect their masters, not just the nice ones.
- Enduring sorrows and injustices while focusing on God shows grace to others.
- Taking a beating you deserve is not "enduring"
- Suffering for doing good is an act of grace.
- Christ modeled this type of suffering for us.
- Christ had no sin and did not fight back when sinned against.
- Christ kept focused on God while enduring harm from men.
- Christ bore our sins on the cross so that we could die to sin and live to righteousness.
- We are healed by His wounds.
- We strayed like sheep but now have been brought to the "Shepherd" and "Overseer" of our souls (Both capitalized)
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James Revisited

2009-07-20T10:08:00.000-07:00

For those keeping me accountable. I have rememorized James 1:1-8ish, so if you see me ask me to recite it. Thank ya kindly.