Leviticus Nine / Psalm Nine

Leviticus 9

My notes: "On the eighth day following the week of consecration, the priests begin their official duties. They offer up special sacrifices for the people that the glory of the Lord may appear. Indeed, the whole purpose of the sacrificial system is revelation, the assurance that God is with his people. However, God's presence is never assumed to be a coefficient of the ritual performed; it is always viewed as an act of his grace."

Here's a little riff off of that passage (I doubt it reflects that passage): We worship God, but it is by His grace that he hears us. It is by His grace that sacrificed God Jesus for our sins. He didn't sacrifice His Son so that we would worship Him. Our salvation is God's gift to us - it is up to us to accept that gift.

Psalm 9

God's Power and Justice

This is pretty neat: My notes: "Pss 9 and 10 are to be read as a unit for several reasons . . . In Hebrew, they generally follow an alphabetic acrostic pattern in which every other verse begins with a successive letter of the alphabet beginning with the first leter in 9.1 and the final letter in 10.17. " Pretty neat. Sometimes I wished I had studied all of these languages so I could see all the little nuances.

1 - 2 "I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart"

3 - 10 Thanksgiving for God is a righteous judge

11 - 12 A call for praise: "Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion. Declare his deeds among the peoples. (I looked up Zion in Wikipedia - it is "is often used metaphorically, to symbolize Jerusalem and the Promised Land come, in which God dwells among his chosen people")

15. Again, "the nations have sunk into the pit that they made." Ain't that always the way?

20. "Put them in fear, O Lord; let the nations know that they are only human." It's time for people to remember that they aren't in charge - that God is.

Leviticus Eight / Psalm Eight

Leviticus 8

1 - 36 The Rites of Ordination

Hey! We're back to the story! God tells Moses to take Aaron and his sons and assemble a congregational meeting. Moses conducts the inaugural service, and Aaron and his sons perform the tasks as Moses commands.

Psalm 8

Divine Majesty and Human Dignity

My notes say this is a "hymn of praise for God's exaltation of the human creature."

2. Even babies sing the praises of God!
3 - 4. Looking at the heavens reminds the psalmist of God's glory - he wonders why God would take interest in humans!
5 - 8. Yet God made humans just a little lower than God and gave them dominion over the earth.
1 & 9 repeat the refrain, "O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"

Any glory of man comes from God.

Leviticus Seven / Psalm Eight

Leviticus 7

11 - 38 Further Instructions

My notes: This chapter discusses "the types of well-being offering and their taboos (11 - 21), the prohibition against eating suet and blood (22 - 27), the priestly share of the well-being offering, set aside by the donor (28 - 36), and the summation (37 - 38)

Psalm 7

Plea for Help Against Persecutors

My notes: "A prayer for help of a person who has probably been falsely accused of some wrong."

1 - 2 The psalmist prays to God for refuge from pursuers or "like a lion they will tear me a part; they will drag me away"

3 - 5 The psalmist tells the Lord that if he has committed the crime, then let the enemy take him.

6 - 8 The Lord shall be the final judge. "The Lord judges the peoples; judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and the integrity that is in me." We should live a live in order that we will welcome the Lord's judgement.

9 - 11 The psalmist prays for evil to come to an end. Line to memorize: "God is my shield, who saves the upright in heart."

12 - 16 What will happen to one who does not repent . . .

17 The psalmist ends by giving thanks to the Lord.

Leviticus Six / Psalms Six

Leviticus 6

8 - 29 Instructions Concerning Sacrifices

My notes (again): Supplementary instructions for sacrifices. Since the well-being offering is eaten chiefly by the donor, the rules pertain mainly to him. Otherwise they are the concerns of the officiating priest. The subjects are altar fire (8 - 13), the manner and place for eating the grain offering (14 - 18), the daily grain offering of the high priest and the voluntary one of the officiating priest (19 - 23), safeguards in sacrificing the purification offering (24 - 30), and the ritual for the reparation offering (7:1-7)

Psalms 6

Prayer for Recovery from Grave Illness

My notes (the first of seven penitential psalms - 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143)

1 - 5 The psalmist asks God for mercy and healing

6 - 7 The psalmist shares his pain

8 - 10 The psalmist is certain that God has heard his prayer and warns "workers of evil" to depart for "All my enemies shall be ashamed and struck with terror; they shall turn back, and in a moment be put to shame."

Leviticus Five / Psalms Five

Leviticus 5

1 - 13 Purification Offerings (Part Two)

My notes: The offering must be given when sacred objects (holy things) or the Name of God have been desanctified. Sins that were committed on purpose can be commuted restroactively to inadvertant sins.

Psalms 5

Trust in God for Delieverance from Enemies

1 - 3 Asks God to listen to psalm (prayer)
4 - 6 God hates those who "speak lies" and are "bloodthirsty and deceitful"
7 - 8 The psalmist, through the abundance of your steadfast love" bows down in the temple in awe of God.
9 - 10 The psalmist asks God to make his enemies "bear their guilt"
11 - 12 The psalmist asks for God's protection, "For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover them with favor with a shield."

Leviticus Four / Psalms Four

Leviticus 4

1 - 35 Purification Offerings (Part One)

My notes say the purpose of the purification offering is to remove the impurity inflicted upon the sanctuary by the accidental violation of prohibitions. (Purposeful violation is punishable by death). OT(?):I like the idea of keeping the sanctuary a holy place (I might not go through these ritualisistic extremes . . . ) . But I hate when people wander around the sanctuary, joking around like they are anywhere.

Psalms 4

Confident Plea for Deliverance from Enemies

"A prayer for help in trouble." Good advice: (4) When you are disturbed (angry), do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord."

Do not act rashly, but to sleep on your problems and trust in the Lord. (8) I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.

Leviticus Three / Psalms Three

Leviticus 3

1 - 17 Offerings of Well-Being

My notes state that the well-being offering serves simply to permit the consumption of meat.

Psalms 3

Trust in God Under Adversity

This is a good one to bookmark for tough times.

2. ". . . many are saying to me, "There is no help for you in God." How many times do we hear this? Just not in these explicit terms - we are told to put our trust elsewhere - in money, a job, a political party.

Remember 3: God is our shield. He is the one that lifts our heads.

Also remember 4: God always answers when we call out to him.

5. God is reason we wake up in the morning. 6 - 8 God protects us through adversity.

Leviticus Two / Psalms Two

Leviticus 2

1 - 16 The Grain Offering

My notes state, "In non-priestly texts the term 'grain offering' connotes a present made to secure goodwill or a tribute broguth by subjects to their overlords, both human or divine."

Note the care with which the grain is prepared. Only the best is offered.

Psalms 2

God's Anointed Is Established as Ruler over the Nations

My notes say this might have been used on the occasion of the coronation of a king. I say you can also read it and reflect on the coming Messiah. (esp. after verse 7 says You are my son)

God in heaven laughs at the petty plots of people (vs 4), but then he becomes wrathful (vs. 5). Verses 10 -12 are a warning to world leaders to Serve the Lord with fear, with trembling kiss his feet or he will be angry, and you will perish in the way; for his wrath is quickly kindled. No matter how much power a person has, he still must answer to a higher authority.

You gotta admit, the psalmist ends on a nice note, though: Happy are all who take refuge in him.

Leviticus One / Psalms One

Leviticus 1

1 - 17 The Burnt Offering

The book of Leviticus is basically a priest's manual. The burnt offering is the only sacrifice that was entirely consumed on the altar. We must remember Christ who was sacrificed for our sins.

Psalms 1

The Two Ways

Either a person avoids the path of sinners and meditates (prays) on the law (word) or God and is blessed (happy). 3. They are like trees planted by streams of water which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.

or . . .

A person is wicked - (. . . ) the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

It's funny how, since we studied Romans 1 the other night, everything I read seems to go back to that. (Even Leviticus 1 made me think of it).

Romans Sixteen

Romans 16

1 - 16 Personal Greetings

Paul gives a shout out to some folks he knows in Rome.

17 - 24 Final Instructions and Greetings

"I urge you, brothers and sisters, to keep an eye on those who cause dissensions and offenses, in opposition to the teaching you have learned; avoid them. For such people do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites . . . I want you to be wise in what is good and guileless in what is evil."

25 - 27 Final Doxology

Romans Fifteen

Romans 15

1 - 6 Please Others, Not Yourselves

Paul recommends the Romans be Christlike and follow Jesus' selfless example

7 - 13 The Gospel for Jesus and Gentiles Alike

Paul recaps the themes his letter

14 - 21 Paul's Reason for Writing so Boldly

Paul quotes Isaiah 52.15, "Those who have never been told of him shall see, and those who have never heard of him shall understand."

22 - 33 Paul's Plan to Visit Rome

Romans Fourteen

Romans 14

1 - 12 Do Not Judge Another

My notes: "Paul outlines his position regarding the tension between those who scrupulously observe religiously grounded regulations governing dietary matters and special days (the weak) and those who insist on their freedom in Christ to ignore those regulations (the strong)."

We are each accountable to the Lord at our deaths, why do we judge others? (God will judge us)

13 - 23 Do Not Make Another Stumble

My notes: "Paul, while implicitly agreeing with the strong, emphasizes their responsibility for the weak.

Paul is talking about dietary concerns, but isn't he talking about our responsibility to respect what another churchs thinks is a sin, but my church does not? For example, the Seventh Day Adventists don't work on Saturday, but my church doesn' t have a problem with, say, mowing the grass on Saturday. Therefore, it is my responsibility, not to let the Seventh Day Adventist stumble in his faith. I must respect his faith that he believes he will be judged on.

Romans Thirteen

Romans 13

1 - 7 Being Subject to Authorities

Christians are called to submit to the authorities. ". . . those authorities that exist have been instituted by God."

8 - 10 Love for One Another

All the commandments are summed up in this word, ""Love your neighbor as yourself." I've often heard that the Commandments are set up for either love for God or your neighbor. Also, Love for yo

11 - 14 An Urgent Appeal

A few analogies here: waking from sleep; night is gone, the day is near; darkness vs. night. Don't live in the night, reveling and drunk - 14, "Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires."

Romans Twelve

Romans 12

1 - 8 The New Life in Christ

This goes back to that section in chapter one that we discussed Saturday night. Paul's words speak for themselves.

"(P)resent your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."

"Do not conform to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is will of God . . ."

We are one body in Christ, but each has his own gifts (Paul mentions prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, and compassion).

9 - 21 Marks of the True Christian

Paul lists many atributes of a good Christian: (Love must be genuine, Hate what is evil, Hold fast to what is good, etc.). Basically, love one another and allow God's will to rule the world.

Romans Eleven

Romans 11

1 - 10 Israel's Rejection Is Not Final

My notes: "Paul argues that God did not in the past, and does not now, annul Israel's election because the majority have disobeyed."

11 - 24 The Salvation of the Gentiles

Paul states that Israel should be jealous of Gentile Christians who have what they lack. He also warns Gentiles of arrogance.

25 - 36 All Israel Will Be Saved

29 - 32 "(F)or the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all."

Romans Ten

Romans 10

5 - 21 Salvation Is for All

5 - 13 says to me that we shouldn't worry about whether or not we're going to heaven, but simply to believe.

9. ". . . if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that god raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

He cited Joel 2.32: "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

(This is all a relief after all the talk of the elect in the last chapter . . . )

Romans Nine

Romans 9

1 - 18 God's Election of Israel

Paul explains how we are all children of Abraham. 16. So it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy. We are saved not because of anything we do but because of God's mercy. 18. So then he has mercy on whomever he chooses, and he hardens the heart of whomever he chooses.

19 - 29 God's Wrath and Mercy

My notes: "After defending God's freedom in election, Paul relates that freedom to the election of Gentiles as well as Jews."

30 - 10:4 Irael's Unbelief

My notes: "Ironically, Gentiles (Christians) have found God's righteousness through faith, but Israel has missed it wrongly relying on works. 3 - 4 "For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from god, and seeking to establish thier own, they have not submitted to God's righteousness. for Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

Romans Eight

Romans 8

1 - 17 Life in the Spirit

The law of the Spirit has set us free from the law of sin and death. 5. "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

9. "For you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you."

13. "for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."

18 - 30 Future Glory

Our sufferings are nothing compared to our future glory. The Spirit helps us in our weakness (for we don't know how to pray), therefore the Holy Spirit intercedes (for the saints) for us.

31 - 39 God's Love in Christ Jesus

31b "If God is for us, who is against us?"

38- 39 "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans Seven

Romans 7

1 - 6 An Analogy from Marriage

Just as a woman isn't breaking the Law (commiting adultery) when she marries after the death of her husband, Christians have "died to the law through the body of Christ."

7 - 13 The Law and Sin

Paul states that the Law is not sin. 13b: "It was sin, working death in me thgouh what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure."

14 - 25 The Inner Conflict

The law is spiritual and humans are flesh, "sold into slavery under sin." Great passage: "For I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand." We must become slaves to the law of God, but the conflict is that we are slaves to sin.