27 Sep (Matt 26:1-20)

The Gospels: The Betrayal of Jesus

Matthew 26:1-20

(v.2) When we have times where we think we are dumb and not in tune with Christ, take comfort in the fact that Jesus spoke clearly here that He would be arrested and crucified...yet the disciples didn't believe Him until they saw Him resurrected!

(v.15) Judas betrays Jesus for thirty pieces of silver...why thirty? Well, if we look at Zech 11:12 we see the parable of the potter's field.

This story doesn't make sense until we know what happened to the 30 pieces of silver that was given to Judas...more on that later!

There is an amazing prophecy that comes to life in the midst of this great betrayal...God planned everything!

8 Aug (Nehemiah 5-13)

Nehemiah 5

(v.14) Like Daniel, Nehemiah refused to eat of the Persian cuisine. Instead, he grew and provided for himself. Even though we have grocery stores today, it's wise for all of us to have gardens where we can eat vegetables and fruits of our own.

Nehemiah 6

(v.9) When we are feeling weak or doubtful, we need to call upon God to carry our burden. Matt 11:28

(v.12) It doesn't say why, but Nehemiah sensed that he was being lied to. We have a fail-safe way to know if we are being deceived...the Word of God! Compare it to what you're being taught (especially from here) and make sure it's true. Acts 17:11

(v.16) Often, when great things are accomplished, it was because of God. The speed and efficiency of the wall being built was a tribute to the people's faith, and God's provision.

Nehemiah 7

We often skim over the genealogies, but they are there for a reason...God put those people there to document His work and His people in history. We hear today that the Jews "stole" the land from the Arabs and Palestinians...when they weren't there until after the Jews were spread out to all the nations.

Nehemiah 8

(v.6) For Christians, it's common to bow our heads when in corporate prayer. But it's not common to raise hands during song, or to get on our knees in public. I personally am doing more of that, not to gain attention, but to show God my stature to Him...lowly. Worship should come from the heart, and if one is moved to raise hands, then that is good. However, one shouldn't make such a commotion to draw attention to himself, for that is not the reason for worship...it should be all directed to God.

(v.17) I make a point to show my kids that the Jews had forgotten to celebrate the Feasts. This was mandated by God, yet all it took was one generation to not pass this along to their children, and the Feasts were forgotten.

Nehemiah 9

(v.3) We have it so easy nowadays...we go to church for a couple of hours on Sunday, and we think we're giving God a great amount of time! Here we see that they worshiped God for 8 hours!

After repenting, confessing their sins, and hearing the Word of God, the people were really growing in the LORD. This is what we must do. We don't have to spend 8 hours on Sunday, but we should try to pray more, read His Word daily, and sing to Him numerous times during the week. After all, He gave us life, so we should spend a substantial part of our day acknowledging what God has done for us!

Nehemiah 10

(v.28) We keep seeing the phrase, everyone with knowledge and understanding...these are people who have repented and are studying the Word. When we make the effort to seek Him, He rewards us with wisdom and blessings. Acts 17:27

(v.36) The concept of the first fruits is crucial. This goes with tithing, and in the case of children, we are to consecrate the firstborn son of the family to be dedicated to the LORD. I have daughters, but all three of them are learning God's Word, and I expect them to give their lives to God. My oldest has already been baptized at the age of seven, and I expect when she is a teenager, she will do it again...to proclaim her dedication to the LORD.

Nehemiah 11

The Jews welcomed and blessed the foreigners who wished to dwell with them...this is following God's commandments.

Nehemiah 12

(v.43) I have felt such great joy when around others who love and worship God! When we get together and when we collectively worship God, we can feel God's presence there!

Nehemiah 13

(v.2) God turns curses and trials into blessings. The outcome may not appear a blessing at the time, but we're always better off, and in a better state to be used by God because of them. James 1:2

(v.19) On Sundays, after we've gone to church, my family either spends the day with other families who are believers, or we stay at home to be together. During the week, our kids and ourselves are mixed among the secular world, at school and at work, so it's important to have a day where you spend time with only believers.

6 Aug (Esther 9-10)

Esther 9

(v.2) Not only did the enemies of Israel fear the Jews, but they were powerless to hold them off. This is a prophecy into the future, where many times in the 20th century, Satan's efforts to rid the earth of the Jews have failed. In fact, in 1948, 1967 and 1973...the Jews won decisive battles defending their land, despite being outnumbered immensely! God was at work, defending His people and land!

We will see the same thing happen in the last days...where the enemies of God will try to kill all the Jews, but Jesus will return to stop it once and for all.

To this day, the Jews celebrate the Feast of Purim. The word, Purim, means lot, since Haman casted lots (rolled dice) to determine the day of the persecution of the Jews.

Esther 10

(v.3) Like Joseph and Daniel, Mordecai was placed second in command of the whole kingdom!

5 Jul (Ezekiel 40-48)

Ezekiel 40

(v.4) Ezekiel, like Daniel and John, was given a glimpse of the very distant future. He saw the Millennial Temple and the city as Jesus will reign over.

Ezekiel 41

(v.19) This is further evidence that God is showing Ezekiel the Millennial Temple, since the faces are of a man and a lion on the cherubim...Jesus, who became man, reigns as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah!

Ezekiel 42

(v.20) Some scholars believe that the Dome of the Rock will stay in place where the Court of the Gentiles will be, and God will have a wall to separate His Holy Place from them.

Ezekiel 43

(v.5) How awesome this vision must have been, for the Spirit actually lifted Ezekiel up, much like how the Spirit moved John in Revelation. Rev 4:2

(v.8) We now see that Jesus has already come to end the Great Tribulation, and is now reigning on the Mercy Seat in Jerusalem.

Ezekiel 44

(v.2) This is sobering...just as God shut the door of the ark with Noah and his family inside, one day there will be no second chances...the time will be up. Gen 7:16 This is a picture of salvation...make sure your family and friends are on that ark of salvation!

(v.9) When Jesus is reigning, the Jews will adhere to the Law of Moses to the letter. There will be no gray areas...adhere to the Law, or don't go into God's House.

(v.11) Since Jesus wasn't able to reign over the Jews in the Temple the first time, since He had to die for our sins first, He will reign and take ownership of the title deed of the earth...Satan no longer has power!

Ezekiel 45

(v.20) The Jews will observe the Feasts again, with Jesus leading the way! We must remember, that even though the King of Kings will be on earth ruling over Jerusalem, the people are still sinners and mortal. Only after the last resurrection will they be without sin in the presence of the Father!

Jesus did all the work on the cross, so our sins are washed away with His blood. But for the Jews during the Millennium, they will perform the Feasts as a celebration of what Jesus did for all of us!

Ezekiel 46

(v.16) Who is the prince? Many scholars believe it is David, who will be acting upon Jesus' commands.

Ezekiel 47

(v.9) Jesus is our Living Water...we shall never thirst in spirit with Him in our lives! John 4:10 & 7:38

(v.12) We get a glimpse of the Garden of Eden again here...the Tree of Life that gives us everything we need.

Ezekiel 48

(v.35) How cool is that? On the gates, there will be this:

YHWH Shammah = The Lord is there!

Feb 9 (Deut 13-34)

Deuteronomy 13

God tells the people that it is better if someone was never born, than to lead the people away from God and to idolatry.

Deuteronomy 14

God speaks to the people about not mourning the way the pagans do, by cutting themselves. He wants them to act like the special people they are, and mourn properly.

He also goes over what meats are good and bad to eat. This is a part of the Law, to eat only kosher food, but since we as Christians are free from the Law in Christ, we have liberty. However, I tell my kids that God put these things in there to be a guideline for us to live healthier and more vibrant lives, so we should try to live by this as much as we can.

Lastly, God reminds the people that they should have a giving heart and tithe properly.

Deuteronomy 15

This chapter goes over the master-servant relationship. As I've noted earlier, a servant works for seven years, and all his debts are then forgiven. If that servant wishes to continue to live and work with that master, then they pierce their ear as a sign of their love for the master. I then ask my kids if they remember someone else being pierced to show His love for us!

Deuteronomy 16

God reminds the people about the Feasts that are to be performed in the Spring. They point to Christ, and He fulfilled them in His first coming. He will fulfill the Fall Feasts in His second coming.

Deuteronomy 17

(v.18) This is not known by many Christians, but God commanded all of Israel's kings to personally write out the Scriptures so they would remember them and pass them on to their descendants. First of all, there were no kings of Israel yet, so God is revealing that there will be one day, as He did in Gen 50 with the prophecy of the tribe of Judah. Secondly, isn't it the best way to remember something by writing it down yourself? I know when I try to remember something, I can picture where and what I wrote down, and I can see it.

Deuteronomy 18

God tells the people that the tribe of Levi will be the priests for them, and the sons of Aaron will perform the priestly duties.

Also, God prophesies of a coming Prophet that will be like Moses...He will lead the people out of slavery to sin like Moses led God's people out of slavery to Egypt.

Deuteronomy 19

I like to point out to my kids that there are six cities of refuge. If a person killed someone accidentally, then they can go to one of the cities of refuge and be safe from revenge from family members of the deceased. Once the high priest dies, all is forgiven, and the person can go about the country without fear of revenge.

I like to show my kids that the number seven means completion in Hebrew texts. Jesus is our seventh city of refuge, and since He is our High Priest, His death to conquer sin has enabled us to live without fear of death!

Deuteronomy 20

God speaks about warfare. We know that God is a God of peace, but He does allow and even encourage warfare if it is done to fight evil. War to control others is not God's will.

Deuteronomy 21

God covers the laws of dealing with unsolved murder, how to treat female captives and the rights of the firstborn.

Deuteronomy 22

I remember when I was growing up, all of us on the street knew and spent time with each other. Nowadays, that's rare. God wants us to encourage and support our neighbors.

We just moved into a new neighborhood, and we plan on inviting our neighbors over to meet them and get to know them. Who knows, perhaps the LORD wants us to minister to one of these neighbors!

Deuteronomy 23

God gives a total of 513 laws to the people, and all of them are important. The more we think on them, we can see that we would live cleaner and healthier lives if we followed these laws.

Deuteronomy 24

God hates divorce. But He doesn't hate the sinner. If anyone has experienced a divorce, they know the pain and suffering to all who are affected. Obviously, God wants marriages to stay together, and He only approves of divorce in cases of adultery or abuse.

Deuteronomy 25

Here, God tells the people to take care of their own, and resolve conflict internally. Too bad we don't do that anymore in America!

Deuteronomy 26

I teach my kids that it's important to have a grateful heart. In all that we have: health, wealth, family, friends, freedom, etc. we should praise and thank God for providing for us! Also, we should think of others before ourselves, and give to those in more need than us.

We say this together, "Thank God first, share with others, then use our gifts for ourselves."

Deuteronomy 27

This is a heavy chapter, and parents with young kids should read to them what is appropriate for their ages.

Deuteronomy 28

God shows us that we will be blessed if we are obedient, and we will have troubles if we are not. It's simple but effective.

Deuteronomy 29

God reminds the people of the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and now Moses. They are to remember who their God is, and obey and trust Him.

Deuteronomy 30

God tells the people that they have a choice...to follow and love Him, or to curse His name. Either way, there will be consequences.

Deuteronomy 31

God presents Joshua as the successor to Moses.

Deuteronomy 32

The song of Moses and God telling Moses it's time to die on the mountain with Him.

Deuteronomy 33

Moses blesses the 12 tribes like Jacob did in Gen 49. It's interesting to compare those two blessings.

Deuteronomy 34

(v.6) God personally buries Moses, and no one can find the body. No other person in the Bible was buried by God Himself. Also, it's interesting to read that Satan and Michael fought over Moses' body:

Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The LORD rebuke you!" ~ Jude 9

Jan 30 (Exodus 23-30)

Exodus 23

It's fun to go through the feasts with our kids...they all point to Christ! I stress with my kids that in order to fully understand the New Testament and who Jesus is, we need to know and understand the typology and standards established in the Old Testament first!

Exodus 24

The magnificence of God can't be fully described on paper or by word of mouth. The Jews were able to see a glimpse of His power and glory, but not nearly the whole picture. I look forward to seeing that in heaven, and spending eternity in such joy to be in fellowship with such a powerful and loving Father!!!

Exodus 25

God is setting up the items to be placed in the Tabernacle and ultimately the Temple. Each one of these items point to Christ, and they remind us of God's character.

The Ark ~ points us to God's Word...Jesus

The Showbread ~ Jesus is our Bread of Life

The Lampstands ~ Jesus is the Light of the World

Exodus 26

If your kids find the Tabernacle interesting, I suggest you check out the teachings of Chuck Missler on this...the articles and makings of the Tabernacle all have great significance. Here is the Missler link:

http://www.khouse.org/articles/1999/242/

Exodus 27

This chapter shows us more of the tabernacle and the coming temple. One thing I point out with my kids, is that the choice of metals again point us to Christ:

Gold ~ this represents Christ's kingship and royalty

Silver ~ this metal is always linked to blood and the cleansing of sin

Brass/Bronze ~ this is the only metal that can withstand fire or wrath

Exodus 28

From the tribe of Levi come the priests. God ordains and trains the priests to minister to the people and to represent Him.

One thing I mention to my kids are the bells that hang from the hem of the High Priest's robe. On Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, the High Priest goes into the Holy of Holies once a year. Tradition states that the people outside would listen for the bells to sound as the High Priest enters and administers the blood on the Ark. Sometimes, the awe and power of God is too much, and the High Priest perishes. So if they stop hearing the bells, they know that something is wrong. They have a rope tied to his ankle, so if he is dead, they drag him out!

Exodus 29

God sanctifies the sons of Aaron to be the priests. I point out to the kids, that all the Levites are consecrated to work at the Tabernacle and the Temple, but only the sons of Aaron, who are Levites, are to be priests. All the other Levites work and tend to the Temple, but they aren't able to perform the priestly duties.

Exodus 30

I like to focus on how God sees us all the same, no matter our wealth or lineage. All Jews were to give the same amount to the priests as an offering. There weren't any progressive scales for the rich...it was fair...everyone paid the same amount. We are all equal under the LORD.