Deuteronomy 16:1-17:20
Big Idea
The passage from Deuteronomy 16:1-17:20 outlines the laws and commands given by God to the Israelites, emphasizing their relationship with God and their responsibilities as a community.
Commentary
The passage begins with the command to observe the month of Abib and keep the Passover, highlighting the significance of this event in Israel's history.
The Israelites are instructed to offer the Passover sacrifice at a chosen place, eat unleavened bread for seven days, and count seven weeks to keep the Feast of Weeks.
The passage also emphasizes the importance of justice, appointing judges and officers, and following the law.
The Israelites are commanded to not plant Asherah trees or set up pillars, and to not sacrifice blemished animals.
The passage also deals with the punishment of evil doers, the role of Levitical priests and judges, and the appointment of a king over the Israelites.
The king is instructed to write a copy of the law and read it daily to learn to fear God.
Claims
- God commands the Israelites to observe the month of Abib and keep the Passover.
- The Israelites are to offer the Passover sacrifice at a chosen place and eat unleavened bread for seven days.
- The Israelites are to count seven weeks and keep the Feast of Weeks with a freewill offering.
- The Israelites are to keep the Feast of Booths for seven days with rejoicing.
- The king is to write a copy of the law and read it daily to learn to fear God.
- The Israelites are to appoint judges and officers in all their towns and follow justice.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
The Israelites are commanded to sacrifice animals with blemishes, but this is actually forbidden (Deuteronomy 17:1).
Correction
The Israelites are commanded to not sacrifice animals with blemishes (Deuteronomy 17:1).
Misunderstanding
The king is allowed to acquire many horses and return to Egypt to acquire more, but this is actually forbidden (Deuteronomy 17:16).
Correction
The king is not allowed to acquire many horses or return to Egypt to acquire more (Deuteronomy 17:16).
Application Questions
- What are the key responsibilities of the Israelites as a community?
- How does the passage emphasize the importance of justice and following the law?
- What role do Levitical priests and judges play in the Israelites' community?
- What are the qualifications for a king over the Israelites?
- How does the passage relate to the Israelites' relationship with God?
- What are the consequences of not following the law and the king's responsibilities in this regard?
Luke 9:7-27
Big Idea
Jesus' identity and mission are misunderstood by Herod and the crowds, but understood by Peter and the apostles.
Commentary
Herod is perplexed by the rumors about Jesus' identity, which range from John the Baptist being raised from the dead to one of the prophets of old rising.
Jesus welcomes the crowds and speaks to them about the kingdom of God, demonstrating his power and authority.
The apostles suggest sending the crowd away to find food, but Jesus tells them to feed the crowd, which they do with five loaves and two fish.
Jesus asks the disciples about the crowds' opinion of him, and Peter identifies him as the Christ of God.
Jesus warns the disciples about his future suffering and death, and teaches about the cost of following him.
Jesus promises that some of the disciples will see the kingdom of God before they die.
Herod seeks to see Jesus, but Jesus' identity and mission are not clear to him.
The feeding of the crowd is a miracle that demonstrates Jesus' power and authority.
Jesus' question to the disciples about the crowds' opinion of him is a way of testing their understanding.
Peter's identification of Jesus as the Christ of God is a significant moment in the passage.
Jesus' warning to the disciples about his future suffering and death is a difficult message to hear.
Jesus' teaching about the cost of following him emphasizes the importance of self-denial and sacrifice.
Claims
- Jesus is the Christ of God.
- The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.
- Whoever would come after Jesus must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow him.
- Whoever loses his life for Jesus' sake will save it.
- Whoever is ashamed of Jesus and his words will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
Herod thinks Jesus is John the Baptist raised from the dead
Correction
Jesus is a different person, but Herod is trying to understand who he is.
Misunderstanding
The crowds think Jesus is Elijah or one of the prophets of old
Correction
Jesus is the Christ of God, not a prophet or Elijah.
Application Questions
- How can we apply Jesus' teaching about the cost of following him to our own lives?
- What does it mean to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily and follow Jesus?
- How can we lose our lives for Jesus' sake and save them?
- What does it mean to be ashamed of Jesus and his words, and how can we avoid this?
Psalm 72:1-20
Big Idea
The psalm is a prayer for the king, asking God to give him justice and righteousness, and to bless him with prosperity and dominion.
Commentary
The psalm is written in the first person, with the speaker asking God to give justice and righteousness to the king.
The king is referred to as the "royal son", emphasizing his connection to God.
The psalm uses imagery from nature to describe the king's reign, such as rain and showers that bring prosperity.
The psalm also emphasizes the importance of justice and righteousness, and the need for the king to defend the poor and needy.
The psalm is a prayer for the king's long life and prosperity, and for his name to endure forever.
The psalm ends with a blessing on God, who is described as the one who does wondrous things.
Claims
- God will give justice and righteousness to the king.
- The king will judge people with righteousness and defend the poor.
- The mountains and hills will bear prosperity for the people.
- The king will have dominion from sea to sea.
- The desert tribes and kings will bow down before the king.
- The kings of Tarshish and the coastlands will render tribute to the king.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
The king is asking God to give him justice and righteousness
Correction
The psalm is actually a prayer from God to give justice and righteousness to the king.
Misunderstanding
The king will have dominion over the whole earth, and everyone will bow down to him
Correction
The psalm actually says that the desert tribes and kings will bow down before the king, and that the kings of Tarshish and the coastlands will render tribute to him.
Misunderstanding
The king's name will endure forever, and his fame will continue as long as the sun
Correction
This is actually a prayer for the king's long life and prosperity, rather than a statement of fact.
Application Questions
- How can we apply the principles of justice and righteousness in our own lives?
- What does it mean to "defend the cause of the poor" and how can we do this in our communities?
- How can we pray for our leaders and ask God to give them wisdom and justice?
- What does it mean to "have dominion from sea to sea" and how can we work towards this goal in our own lives?
- How can we show reverence and respect to our leaders, even if we disagree with them?
- What does it mean to "bless the LORD, the God of Israel" and how can we do this in our own lives?
Proverbs 12:8-9
Big Idea
The passage emphasizes the importance of good sense and humility in achieving commendation and avoiding despisal.
Commentary
The passage uses a contrast between good sense and twisted mind to convey the value of wisdom.
A man's character is judged based on his good sense, not his social status.
The passage also contrasts being lowly with being a great man, highlighting the benefits of humility.
The imagery of having a servant is used to illustrate the benefits of being lowly.
The great man is associated with lacking bread, implying that material wealth is not as valuable as spiritual wealth.
The passage uses a rhetorical question to encourage the reader to prioritize good sense and humility.
The use of "better" to begin the second line emphasizes the superiority of being lowly and having a servant.
The passage assumes that the reader is familiar with the concept of good sense and twisted mind.
The contrast between good sense and twisted mind is a common theme in Proverbs.
The passage uses a simple and straightforward style to convey its message.
The use of "one of twisted mind" in the second line emphasizes the individual's responsibility for their own character.
The passage assumes that the reader is familiar with the concept of being lowly and being a great man.
Claims
- A man is commended according to his good sense.
- A man with a twisted mind is despised.
- Good sense is preferred over twisted mind.
- Being lowly is better than being a great man.
- Having a servant is better than lacking bread.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
Correction
The passage does not say that being a great man is inherently bad, but rather that it is not as valuable as being lowly.
Misunderstanding
Correction
The passage does not say that having a servant is a guarantee of material wealth, but rather that it is a benefit of being lowly.
Misunderstanding
Correction
The passage does not say that good sense is the only factor in achieving commendation, but rather that it is a key factor.
Application Questions
- How can I cultivate good sense in my life?
- What are some ways that I can prioritize humility and being lowly?
- How can I balance my desire for material wealth with the importance of spiritual wealth?
- What are some ways that I can use my good sense to make wise decisions?
- How can I avoid being despised by others due to my twisted mind?
- What are some ways that I can prioritize being a servant to others rather than seeking to be a great man?