March 18 Readings

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The Back to the Bible OT and NT Together Reading Plan

Deuteronomy 32-34; Mark 15.24-47

Deuteronomy 32-34
Moses wrote the song and recited the words in Deuteronomy 31.30-47. This is similar to Exodus 15.1-18. The outline of this chapter was taken from Guzik’s commentary: The song included the theme that God is the Rock (v. 4). He recounts how God took care of Jacob and his people but the child, Israel, forsook the father, God (v. 5-6). In verse 7-14 Moses reminded them of God’s goodness, He provide for their needs. In verse 15-18, Israel reacts to God’s mercy with apostasy, they sacrificed to other gods, demons. In verse 19-27 God reacted by withdrawing from Israel. In verse 28-43, God made His case and pleads with Israel to return to Him. In verse 44-47 Moses encouraged the people to obey carefully the words of the law. The word Rock stood out (verses 4, 13, 15, 18, 30, 31, 37). God is the Rock that provide a firm foundation for them to build on. He protects them from the storms of life.
God told Moses that Moses that he would died on Mount Nebo. He would be gathered among the people just as his brother Aaron. He would not enter Canaan broke faith with God at the waters of Meribah Kadesh. Moses would be allowed to see the land from a distance.

Deuteronomy 33 Moses blessed the Tribes of Israel, This is similar to the blessing that Jacob gave to his sons before his death. Since Moses was also the author of Genesis, he probably modeled some of the thoughts from Genesis 49 into this chapter. He reminded the people what the Lord did for them v. 1-5. He then bless the tribes individually for specific comments, please see the commentaries links provided. In verse 7 Moses prayed that the God would protect the tribe of Judah, be his help against his foes. Moses knew that it was through the tribe of Judah that the Messiah would come. In Genesis 49.10. The scepter would not depart from Judah…

Deuteronomy 34 Moses climbed Mount Nebo as God instructed him in chapter 32. The God showed him Canaan. God reminded Moses that he kept his word with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (verse 4). Moses was allowed to see the land but did not cross into it. God buried Moses in Moab, to this day nobody knows where Moses was buried. Joshua succeeded Moses and was prepared to lead them into Canaan.

A tribute was made to Moses (v. 10-12). Moses died at one hundred and twenty years old. D.L. Moody, the American evangelist said that Moses spent Forty years thinking he was somebody. Forty years learning that he was nobody. Forty years discovering what God can do with a nobody. See Hebrew 11.23-29.

Deuteronomy 32 with Commentaries, verse by verse
Deuteronomy 33 with Commentaries, verse by verse
Deuteronomy 34 with Commentaries, verse by verse

Other Links
OT Gateway Links on Deuteronomy
Malik Introduction to Deuteronomy
Malik Argument of Deuteronomy
Israel's Covenant Renewal
Dr. Thomas Constable Study Notes is a PDF file, open with Adobe Acrobatic Reader
Calvin Harmony of the Law Volume 1 Search for the chapter you want with (CTRL F)
Calvin Harmony of the Law Volume 2 Search for the chapter you want with (CTRL F)
Calvin Harmony of the Law Volume 3 Search for the chapter you want with (CTRL F)
Calvin Harmony of the Law Volume 4 Search for the chapter you want with (CTRL F)
Spurgeon's Sermons on Deuteronomy
Biblebb.com Website
Stedman on Deuteronomy and Numbers

Mark 15.1-47 with Commentaries, verse by verse

They led Him away to be crucified (Mark 15.22-32; Matthew 27.33-44; Luke 23.33-43; John 19.17-24). Jesus was exhausted and weakened by a sleepless night, he faced many trials, floggings, and scourging. He could not carry the beam of the cross which probably weighed fifty pounds. We do not need a movie of Christ to let us know what He went through for us. Link to the crucifixion. It was interesting and ironical when the chief priests said 'He saved others, but he can't saved himself. Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down from the cross, that we may see and believe.' Thank God, Jesus only thought about us and did not come off that cross. If I was in that position, I would get off that cross and teach them a lesson! But thank God, Jesus stayed on the cross for us.

Before Jesus died (Mark 15.33-41; Matthew 27.45-56; Luke 23.44-49), He said, 'My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?' Was it because of the pain of the crucifixion? I don't think so. I think because He took on the sins of the world on our behalf. A holy God seeing Jesus, did not recognize Him, because of the sin He had carried with Him on the cross and turned His back on Him. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5.21: 'He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.' (NASB)
It is significant that the veil in the Holy of Holies was torn in two (verse 38) This meant that the tearing of veil indicated that Christ had entered heaven itself for us so that we too, can have access to God's presence. Now when God sees us, He does not see sin but the righteousness of Christ in us.

The Burial of Jesus (Mark 15.42-47; Matthew 27.57-61; Luke 23.50-56; John 19.38-42) Since it was late in the afternoon, Jesus had to be buried as quickly as possible, before sundown when Sabbath began. Jesus was buried in a rich man's tomb, that belonging to Joseph of Arimathea. Joseph was a secret disciple just like Nicodemus. Pilate was surprised that Jesus had died (verse 44) since men would be on the cross for two or three days before they had died, and the early death of Jesus was surprising.

More Links in Mark
Dan Hill on Mark
Ray Stedman on Mark
Jeff Miller on Mark
Chadwick on Mark
Dr. Thomas Constable Study Notes is a PDF file, open with Adobe Acrobatic Reader
Sermons on Mark by Ryle, Spurgeon, and Whitefield
John Piper Sermon's on Mark


Jesus Saves
This Posting is NOT a commentary of the passages read today but it is a devotional. Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.