Joshua 16:1-18:28 ~ Luke 19:1-27 ~ Psalm 87:1-7 ~ Proverbs 13:11
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Old Testament - In Joshua chapter 18 verse 1 today we read - "Now that the land was under Israelite control, the entire Israelite assembly gathered at Shiloh and set up the Tabernacle." Shiloh was located about 25 miles north of Jerusalem. The tabernacle remained in Shiloh throughout the period of the Judges, or about 300 years. We will later read about Samuel traveling to Shiloh with his family. Click here for some interesting facts on Shiloh. The tabernacle at Shiloh may have looked something like this -
New Testament - Today in Luke chapter 19 we read the awesome story of Jesus’ interactions with Zacchaeus the Tax Collector. As we read through this story about Zacchaeus “the sinner,” does anything maybe correlate with our life story today? Consider verse 9 – “Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” What does this mean that Jesus came to seek and to save what was lost? Did Jesus seek Zacchaeus? Did Jesus save Zacchaeus? Now, take a moment if you will to reflect back on your life and your interactions with Jesus. Like Zacchaeus, were you a “sinner?” Like Zacchaeus, did Jesus seek you? Are there moments in your life where you really have felt that Jesus literally has been “pursuing” you? (I know I have had these moments in my life – thank God for them!) And, most importantly – like Zacchaeus – has Jesus saved you?
Interesting! The Story of the Ten Servants is something I reflected on back in our readings of Matthew. But what stood out to me today was verse 11 - "The crowd was listening to everything Jesus said. And because he was nearing Jerusalem, he told a story to correct the impression that the Kingdom of God would begin right away." This is very interesting to note that Jesus told this story to correct the impression that the Kingdom would begin right away! The Jewish people were looking for a Messiah that would overthrow the Roman political structure. A fighting / revolutionary Messiah that would free Jerusalem from Rome. Instead, as we all know, Jesus died on a cross with nails that were driven into his hands and feet by Roman soldier. Not quite what the Jews at this time were expecting in a Messiah... And here we have this story that's purpose is to show the Kingdom would not begin right away. This makes sense. It is the paradox of the Kingdom of God being already / not yet. And while Jesus first came to usher in the Kingdom, its fulfillment is not complete until his Second Coming. And - while we are awaiting the fulfillment of the Kingdom, how are we utilizing the talents God has given us? How are we utilizing our time, treasure, and talents? Is it for the Kingdom's benefit?
Bible.org's commentary on our Luke chapter 19 readings today titled "The Nobleman: His Slaves and His Citizens" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 87 is a celebration of Jerusalem as the City of God, as we read in verse 3 - "O city of God, what glorious things are said of you!" As we continue to read through the One Year Bible this year it is amazing to reflect upon how much focus there is on Jerusalem as the city of God. Truly, so many of the Psalms glorify Jerusalem, often as a foreshadowing of the Heavenly City of God. Indeed, as this verse suggests, many glorious things are said of Jerusalem in the Bible!
Proverbs - Proverbs 13 verse 11 is a great verse to consider as we watch those late night TV infomercials... :) - "Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows." Are we focusing our working lives on working hard or trying to get rich quick...
Worship God: Today's readings in Luke about Zacchaeus the tax collector reminded me of the Switchfoot song "Dare you to move!" Here's an acoustic version of this song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEDkNZZU1X4
Have you moved toward God? I dare you to move!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time." Proverbs 13:11 NLT
Prayer Point: Pray that you will not pursue wealth from get-rich-schemes. Pray that you will work hard, give and save money, while growing your wealth over time. Pray that your ultimate investments are in God's Kingdom and not in the markets of this world.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Have you every fallen prey to the idea of "getting rich quick"? Do you see the wisdom of hard work over get-rich-quick schemes? From which avenue does true wealth ultimately come from? And, really, what is true wealth? Is it what the world offers or perhaps something God offers? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our One Year Bible readings at this link.
p.p.s. Download a schedule of our One Year Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!
Joshua 16:1-18:28
9 Ephraim was also given some towns with surrounding villages in the territory of the half-tribe of Manasseh. 10 They did not drive the Canaanites out of Gezer, however, so the people of Gezer live as slaves among the people of Ephraim to this day.
This passage and others like it from yesterday and today’s reading are thoroughly convicting me. In the giving of the boundary lines I see God setting up boundaries in my heart and telling me to 1) root out every enemy from within the boundaries, 2) keep out enemies that are without from coming in, and 3) remain obedient to God’s commands so that I will complete the task of item one and have the strength to guard my borders from item two.
That she, Israel, failed to do that means she played with sin. It means that she took sin and used it to support other endeavors even though she may not have participated directly in the sin, she shored up her economy on the back of sin. What is in my heart that God has commanded me to root out and I have said, “It’s to hard, it’s stronger than I?” What sin n my heart have I kept in the corner supporting an “industry” that I declared will do good things for God? If Israel made slaves of her enemies, the ones she was suppose to root out, and then excused herself for doing so because now they can give more time to worshiping God, then her worship is built on a lies, deceit and corruption destined to fail. How far-off from Israel am I, are we, if we do likewise?
Luke 19:1-27
Mike in regard to your Comments on Zacchaeus, I see Zacchaeus as being saved because he knew he was lost. As the most influential Jew in the tax-collecting business, Zaccheaus had become very rich by ripping off people and he felt guilty. Although it doesn’t say that in the text one can figure that out by his behavior, climbing up a tree to get a look at Jesus and immediately declaring he would repay those he had ripped off. People may have influence amongst the people they are ripping off but that doesn’t mean they have there respect. Influential people who feel their wealth has brought them salvation would not be climbing trees, they would be summing folks to them. The Queen of England summons people to her court not the other way around.
There are a lot of people who don’t know where they are and don’t know where they are going, but haven’t admitted that to anyone, much less themselves. They can’t be saved because they don’t know they are lost.
In the story of the ten servants what struck me and caught my attention was the fifteenth verse as read in the NIV, 15 “He was made king, however, and returned home.” Despite sending a local delegation to tell the “man of noble birth,” that they didn’t want him to be their king, He was made King anyway. We can believe there is no God, we can reject God and go after other gods and submit ourselves to them; however, that doesn’t stop God from being God.
Psalm 87:1-7
In the turmoil that is the Middle East verse four and five let us know that in God there will be a Peace,
4 I will record Egypt and Babylon among those who know me--
also Philistia and Tyre, and even distant Ethiopia.
They have all become citizens of Jerusalem!
5 And it will be said of Jerusalem,
"Everyone has become a citizen here."
And the Most High will personally bless this city.
Proverbs 13:11
Mike, there are the late-night infomercials and then there are the State Lottery, and multi-state Power-Ball, get your one-billion to one money here, because the gifts, talents and abilities God has placed within you are always going to keep you poor. God is portrayed as not being able to supply our needs so let the state and the bookie give you what God can’t do.
If you don’t know how to make a million you won’t know how to keep a million. That is why nine out of ten lottery winners are bankrupted within five years and go to lottery winner support groups.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
Posted by: Ramona | April 17, 2019 at 08:16 PM