March 7 Readings

You can also check out all these Reading Plans Blogs to go through the Bible in a year from Back to the Bible Reading Lists:the Chronological Reading Plan blog; OT and NT Together blog; Historical Readings blog; Blended Readings blog and Beginning to End blog In addition, there is the Theophilus1 blog in the One Year Bible format

The Back to the Bible OT and NT Together Reading Plan

Today's reading from Deuteronomy 1-3; Mark 10.32-52

Deuteronomy means the second law. The book describes the giving of the law to the new generation of Israelites, as they propeare to enter Canaan. Moses not only gave the Law but he prepare them to look forward to what God has in store for them. He kept on reminding them to love and obey God from the heart. Deuteronomy was the book that Jesus loved. He quoted from Deuteronomy man times, especially loving God Deut 6.4-5 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. [a] 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
There words that occur frequently in Deuteronomy according to Wiersbe, land (190 times), possess (57 times), heart (53 times), love (35 times). Look for phrases such as 'be careful', 'remember' 'do not forget'.

In Chapter 1, Moses reminded the people about the events that had happened to them. they were to break camp and leave Horeb, Deut 1.1-8. In Deut 1.9-18, Moses said that he could not handle leading the people by himself. He probably remembered what his father-in-law, Jethro told him, to pick godly men and to delegate his authority so the people were to pick new leaders,
He reminded what happened during their father's generation at Kadesh Barnea where Moses sent in twelve spies into Canaan, when they retun, ten told the people not to go in, they had unbelief, while Joshua and Caleb pled with them but they refused to go intt Canaan and possess the land (Num 14).

In Deuteronomy 2, They wandered in the Desert for some forty years, they could have been in Canaan in a matter of weeks, they wasted their lives, only Joshua and Caleb from the twelve spies were allowed to go into Canaan. He reminded of the goodness of God, how he provided them with with everything they needed (7). He told them not to harass the Moabites, Edomites or Ammonites. They were at the plains of Moab near the Jordan River across from Jericho.
Sihon, King of Hesbon was defeated (24-37): They had asked for rite of passage through Arnon Gorge from Sihon but he refused. They were courteous, offering to stay on the main road, and to pay for food and water. God had assured the Israelites of victory over Sihon. God had hardened Sihon's heart and he refused them rite of passage through his land. God comanded the Israelites to fight Sihon and they defeated him and his army.

What does Deut 1 and 2 say to us, today? Unbelief waste time. It can waste our time and lives as well. It can take God hours do what He has promised us, could take Him years to do because of UNBELIEF. Hebrews 3-4 is a commentary of what unbelief did at Kadesh-Barnea. Is there a Kadesh-Barnea in your life? God provided for the Israelites for forty years, He can provide for our needs (Phil 4.19). God want us to do things His way. He will pick the battles for us to fight in His own way and time. He requires utmost obedience to Him. God gives us a fresh start in our lives even though we fail Him constantly. He did not give up Israel, He punished them, disciplined them and forgave them. He assures us of victory as well.

In Chapter 3, the Israelites went toward Bashan and defeated Og, the king of Bashan. God had promised Moses that he would hand over Bashan, his armiy and land to Israel. They completely destroyed everything there. This should remind us, the Christian life is a battle, where God is our Warrior, and he assures us the victory, IF we have TRUST and OBEY Him. Check out this link, Map of the Twelve Tribes
A discussion centered around the Trans-Jordan tribes of Gad, Reuben and Mannasseh was discussed. We had spent some time with the these tribes in Numbers 32. Moses was told that he could not enter Canaan because of the sin he commited when dealing with Israel at Meribah (Numbers 27.12-22)


Deuteronomy 1 with Commentaries, verse by verse
Deuteronomy 2 with Commentaries, verse by verse
Deuteronomy 3 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 10.32-52 with Commentaries, verse by verse

Jesus predicted His death again (v. 32-34)on their way to Jerusalem and Jesus said that He would be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law, the will condemn Him and hand over to the Romans where they would scourge Him and kill Him.
James and John came up to Jesus and ask that one sit at his right hand and the other sit on his left. He asked them if they could drink the cup or be baptized the baptism that He was baptized with. They said they could. Jesus said they would drink the cup and be baptized the baptism he was baptized with. He meant that they would go through suffering and death the way he would. But it was God’s decision who would sit at the sides of Jesus. We know that James was martyred by Herod in Acts 2.2 and John the Beloved was exiled on Patmos for his faith. There on Patmos he wrote the book of Revelation. Of course the other apostles were indignant because they were arguing before about who was the greatest. Jesus gave them the paradox, that whoever wants to be great among you must become your servant.
Bartimaeus was begging, he heard Jesus was nearby, so he cried Son of David, have mercy on me! But the crowd told him to be quiet but he shouted even more. Blind Bartimaeus received his sight, because he had faith. What about us are we willing to drink of the cup and be baptized with the baptism that Jesus had? Are we willing to take part in his sufferings and death? Do we have faith like blind Bartimaeus?

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

More Links on Commentaries for the Old Testament
Dr. Thomas Constable Study Notes (for both OT and NT) is a PDF file, open with Adobe Acrobatic Reader

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.