Deut 9-20

9.
God guides Israel/us to great victories over impossibly strong enemies/situations, and to possess readily made cities/farms. He goes ahead of us to bring down the enemies/situation and to guarantee success.

10.
What does the Lord require of us?
- to fear/respect Him
- to walk in His ways
- to love Him
- to serve Him with all our heart and with all our soul
- to keep His commandments

11.
The repeated command is to love the Lord (v.1, 13, 22), keep His charge/statutes/judgments/commandments (v.1, 8, 22, 27, 32), to walk in His ways (v.22), to cleave unto Him (v.22), and to serve Him with all our heart and soul (v.13).

In return, we will be strong possessors (v.8, 31) and dwellers (v.9, 21) of the promised fruitful land. The Lord personally takes care of this land (v. 12). He constantly observes it (v.12), and continuously blesses it with rain, fruitfulness, produce, and greenery (v.14, 15). He will defeat stronger enemies for us (v.23), wherever we tread upon will be ours (v.24), and no one can stand before us (v.25).

12.
Blood is sacred- it is life.
But in the Holy Communion, we drink Jesus’ blood and attain life.

13.
We are often curious to know about our unknown future, and there are professionals whose predictions might come true and whom we may be eager to consult. However, God doesn’t want us to listen to these people since these are tests to see whether we love the Lord with all our heart and soul. In the case of prophets, we have to discern whether they are true or false. One way is by evaluating whether they bring people to God or encourages them to backslide.

Again, we are told to do what is right in Lord’s eyes (v.18), to walk after the Lord (v.4), to fear Him (v.4), to keep His commandments (v.4, 18), obey His voice (v.4, 18), serve Him (v.4), and cleave unto Him (v.4).

14.
Even though there are commandments to follow, we are not the slaves but the children of the Lord (v.1). And since we have been chosen to be a peculiar people to the Lord (v.2) and are exalted over all others of this world (v.2), we should be holy (v.2, 21).

The ‘clean flesh’ suggested for consumption have a logical background- these are healthy, whilst the others (if consumed constantly) are not and some are endangered.

We should also tithe/give constantly.

15.
At the end of seven years, we are to forgive every debt. We should help the poor/the needy, especially the poor in the family, and give with a cheerful heart (v.10): then the Lord will bless us in all our works and in everything that we put our hands upon. Again, we must carefully listen to God’s voice (v.5), observe and do all the commandments (v.5), if we want great blessings (v.4, 6), the ability to lend but not to borrow (v.7), and reign over nations with none to reign over us (v.8).

16.
We should give only according to our ability.
We shouldn’t respect person or accept gifts, for gifts makes us blind and perverse.
We should be just.
We are not to have idols- which may be local gods, individuals, or even concepts such as money, wealth, property, gold…

17.
Whatever we give to God must be pure.
God points out that kings are especially likely to be tempted by immorality (v.17), riches (1.17), and pride (v.20). But the reign and continuity of a kingdom will be assured only if these leaders revere the commandments and follow it carefully.

18.
God expects us to be perfect. Again, we are told to shun divination, observing ‘auspicious’ times, witchcraft, enchantment, charms, spirits, wizards, and necromancers.

We can detect false prophets by seeing if what they predict doesn’t happen in the future.

19.
Another repeat which indicates how important it is to keep the commandments (v.9), to love the Lord (v.9), and to walk in His ways (v.9).

20.
We shouldn’t be afraid or faint/tremble/terrified when we/our family go out to battle and observe the enemy’s horses, chariots, and strong army- for the Lord is with us and fights for us so that we will be saved.

God also advocates conservation and sustainable felling! (v. 19-20)

Numbers 21-29

21.

We always find the Israelites grumbling against God and Moses, especially during unsavoury stints in deserts, valleys, and wastelands. Although our lives may not feature such physical/geographical areas, we do have emotional/spiritual times of depression, troubles, unproductivity and separation from God.

In this chapter, the Israelites grumble and God sends fiery serpents which bites and kills many. When the people admitted their sins and asked for forgiveness, Moses intercedes for them. God commands him to make a fiery serpent (of brass) and hang it on a pole so that if anyone bitten by the snakes looks at it, they will live. The onus was on the people to look up at the brass serpent and claim healing. Jesus too was crucified for our sins (the fiery serpent of brass on the pole is symbolic of sin being nailed to the cross during Jesus’ crucifixion) - he died and resurrected. We should look at him, accept this sacrifice, and believe in him. We did not ask God for this, but He had mercy on us.

God gives them water to quench their thirst during their tough times in the desert- as for us, we should drink from the eternal waters which won’t make us thirsty ever again.

Despite God being with them, the Israelites had to go through problems. But God helped them to deal with it. Whoever came to fight against them were defeated.

This chapter refers to two (presumably lost?) books: book of the wars of the Lord (v. 14) and proverbs (v. 27).

22.

Balaam doesn’t seem to be a false prophet- for his divination was from God. However, he demanded fees for divination (v. 7) and is condemned in the NT for loving the wages of wickedness (2 Peter 2:15) and rushing for profit (Jude v.11). When the elders visited Balaam, he obeys God who tells him not to go. When the princes visit him with more rewards, God tells him to go with them if they come to call him. Nonetheless, Balaam gets up in the morning and leaves. Perhaps he misinterpreted God’s message, or maybe he thought that he was permitted to leave. In any case, God was angry with him since he left without being invited.

The faithful ass sees the angel standing against them and tries to deviate, and is treated badly by Balaam. This animal could see something which wise Balaam couldn’t.

The angel seems to be angry at the ill-treatment of the ass too! God does love animals!

Are we like Balaam when our determined plans meet obstacles? Are these posed by God because He doesn’t want us to take that route? Or is it an hindrance by the devil which we need to surmount? Pray!

23.

God’s words never change- neither does His blessings. No enchantment or divination will happen against us because God is with us.

24.

Balaam used to seek/practice enchantments/sorcery (which certainly doesn’t come from the Lord), but he decides not to do this against the Israelites since the Lord is with them. Thus Balaam conveys the Lord’s blessings, ‘Israel shall be like peaceful valleys, well-watered gardens, well-watered trees, and strong as unicorn’. He also prophesises about Jesus- the star coming out of Jacob, a scepter rising out of Israel, and a ruler coming out of Jacob.

25.

The Israelites again become unfaithful. They worshipped other Gods and were sexually depraved.

27.

Zelophehad’s daughters stood up for their rights. Thus, we too should courageously stand up and claim what’s ours. Instead of pooh-paahing their requests, Moses gave this true weightage.

Joshua is appointed as a shepherd of the flock, an authority given by God since he is willing, eager to serve Him, and an appropriate example to the flock.

Acts 21 and 22

These chapters (written by Luke) presents Paul’s travels in Coos, Rhodes, Patara, Tyre, and Caesarea, as well as his time in Jerusalem. At Tyre (v 4), the Holy Spirit, via the disciples, warns him not to go to Jerusalem. Although this warning is repeated by the prophet Agabus of Caesarea, Paul goes to Jerusalem, perhaps disobeying the Holy Spirit (God’s plan may have been something much greater), where, although he follows the advice of the followers (v. 20-25) and undergoes the purification ritual, he is still captured by the Jews.

In Acts 22, Paul speaks to the Jews about his background: As a Jew of Tarsus, the zealous child, Saul, was educated by Gamaliel. Consequently, he captured (subsequently killed) all those who departed from the religion. It was on to the road to Damascus, when sent to convey such prisoners to Jerusalem, that he was confronted by a great light at noon time, and heard a voice of asking him why he was persecuting Him (obviously, the persecution of each Christian equates to repeated persecution of Jesus). Saul was puzzled about the identity of this Supreme Being, and Jesus identifies Himself and directs him to Damascus where he will receive more directions. His companions saw the light, but did not hear the voice. Blinded, he was led to Damascus where Jesus healed him through Ananias. Ananias informs him that he was chosen by God to know His will, see Jesus (‘The Just One’), and hear him (v. 14), so that he will be His witness. When Paul returned to Jerusalem, Jesus tells him to leave the city. Paul is reluctant since his testimony will carry much weight since everyone knows of how he persecuted Christians. Still, Jesus had planned to send him to the Gentiles.

Lessons from Acts I

The book of Acts, which clearly illustrates the struggles of the early Church after Jesus’ ascension, is believed to have been written by Luke, a physician who wasn’t one of Jesus’ disciples, but a follower.

After his resurrection, Jesus ministered to his disciples for 40 days until his ascension to heaven. He did not appear as an ephemeral spirit, but as a live human in flesh and blood (v. 3). The disciples were commanded them to remain in Jerusalem until the baptism by the Holy Spirit – the third member of the Trinity who will be sent to commission, instruct, and guide them in spreading the Word to the uttermost parts of the world (v 2, 4, 5,8). Later, it is evident that them remaining at Jerusalem resulted in many non-followers witnessing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit- for many Jews, from around the world, had gathered for the feast of the Pentecost (a festival of harvest and thanksgiving held 50 days after Passover).

The disciples, perhaps like us, expected Jesus to become King of Israel by overthrowing the Roman Empire (v 6). Jesus points out that the date of the Second Coming is known only by God the Father (v 7). At the Mount of Olives, he ascended to heaven in front of their own eyes, and two angels appeared telling them of how Jesus will return (v. 9-12).

The remaining 11 disciples, and other followers (120 in total) gathered in an upper room where they continued praying (v. 13-14). Peter points out how the Psalms foretold the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, and Judas’ resulting ignoble suicide (v 15-20). Thus, it was decided that Judas’ vacant ‘apostleship’ should be occupied by either Joseph Justus or Matthias (v. 20-22). After praying, they drew lots and Matthias was chosen as the 12th disciple. Later, we learn of how Jesus chooses someone else as his 12th disciple.



1. The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
2. Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
3. To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
4. And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5: For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
6: When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7: And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8: But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
9: And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10: And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11: Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
12: Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
13: And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
14: These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
15: And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
16: Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
17: For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
18: Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
19: And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
20: For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishopric let another take.
21: Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22: Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
23: And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
24: And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen,
25: That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
26: And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

John 12

1Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

Jesus knew that he would be crucified on the day after the Passover, becoming the human substitute for the customary young lamb sacrificed at the Temple of Jerusalem, for the sins of others, by the high priest. Thus, six days later, Jesus comes back to Judea- and to Bethany, which was near to Jerusalem (the place where the Pharisees were plotting his death- any human would have kept away, but Jesus knew that he will have to make the triumphant entry, institute the communion, be betrayed by one of his own disciples, be crucified, and ultimately, triumph over death). Lazarus, who was raised from the dead, was also at Bethany.

2There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

The household made him a supper which Martha, as always, served. A very alive Lazarus also sat nearby.

3Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

As a gesture of gratitude and probably realising the divinity of Jesus, Mary anointed the feet of Jesus with spikenard (a very expensive fragrance) and wiped his feet with her hair. Since they don’t seem to be affluent, I wonder whether she sold all her valuables to buy the ointment for 300 silver coins.

4Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,

5Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

Annoyed at the gesture, Judas admonished her- ‘Why wasn’t this ointment sold for 300 silver coins, and given to the poor?’

6This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

John comments that Judas’ admonishing Mary didn’t have to do with his concern for the poor. But he was the carrier of the group’s money bag, and stole money as it suited him (Jesus had previously said of how he chose 12 disciples, of whom one is the devil).

7Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.

Jesus tells him to leave her alone. The entombment ritual involved women preparing the body with spices and fragrance. Jesus knew that, it would be Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea who would be preparing his body after the crucifixion. Later on, we shall read of how spikenard was not among the spices and fragrances which they used. Thus, God gave Mary the opportunity to daub Jesus’ feet with spikenard as a prelude to the burial.

8For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

The poor will always be physically present around, and thus one can be benevolent towards them anytime. But Jesus would be crucified soon.

9Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.

Many Jews knew that Jesus was in Bethany. They came to the house not just to see Jesus, but also to observe Lazarus.

10But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;

11Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

The chief priests discussed about killing Lazarus since he was the reason why the Jews started to believe in Jesus. The creative miracles performed by Jesus might have eventually convinced the Jews, but the priests were reluctant to believe- rather than seeing Jesus as a heretical prophet or the Messiah, it seems as if they were more concerned that the Romans would kick them out from their positions and annihilate the Jewish nation. Moreover, it is likely that Jesus’ popularity led to Jews not attending prayers at the synagogues, thus resulting in a loss of revenue.

12On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

13Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Upon hearing that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Jews, who had already congregated in Jerusalem for the feast, took branches of palm trees, and went to give him a king’s welcome.

14And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,

15Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.

To fulfill the prophecy, Jesus rode into the city on a young ass (one which no one else used).

16These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

The disciples did not comprehend this then. But after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, they remembered that the Old Testament prophecies referred to him.

17The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.

18For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.

The calling of Lazarus out of the grave by Jesus was publicised by the people who witnessed it. Thus, more people also met him.

19The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

Seeing the huge following behind Jesus, the Pharisees were frustrated- ‘Can’t you see how our plans aren’t working. The whole world has followed him’.

20And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:

21The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

Certain Greeks had come to worship at the feast. I believe that these are Jews who had been settled in Greece. They went to Philip (native of Bethsaida) and requested him to arrange a meeting with Jesus. The nature of their request suggests that they were educated.

22Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.

23And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

Jesus met them, and it is evident that it is an important meeting. After all, the first church was established in Greece, probably aided by the same people who discoursed with Jesus. Jesus said that the hour has come when he should be glorified

24Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

A corn of wheat on the plant itself will not bear fruit. In order to germinate and bear much fruit, it has to fall to the ground and die. And the cycle would repeat. It is only by his death that the Christian church will flourish.

25He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

He who loves his earthly life, the trappings, and the indulgences, shall lose eternal life. But he who despises the carnal life, will gain eternal life.

26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

If anyone wants to serve Jesus, let them follow him and his teachings. Wherever Jesus will be, there will his servant be. And God will honour anyone who serves Jesus.

27Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

Jesus is troubled again because it is a momentous time. He requests God to save him from that hour but he knows the magnitude of the happenings.

28Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

Jesus asks God to glorify His name. And a voice was heard from the heaven which said- ‘I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again’.

29The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.

The people around heard the voice thought that it thundered, whilst others thought that it was an angel.

30Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.

Jesus points out that the voice was not for him but for the people to listen.

31Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

32And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

33This he said, signifying what death he should die.

The judgment of the world was about to begin. Since the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Eden, the devil (prince of this world) had authority over the sinning humans. The Old Testament shows of how the devil continually went to God to claim the souls of God’s children. Jesus’ sacrifice for the sins of others will destroy the hold which devil has, and will lead to his permanent expulsion from heaven.

And if Jesus is lifted up from the earth (this, as per John’s suggestion, could imply the crucifixion which involves hanging him from the cross, or could also mean his ascension and glorification), he will draw all people unto him. There will be the option for everyone to become Jesus’ follower and gain redemption from the death grip of sin.

34The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

The listeners are confused and points out that the Old Testament refers to the eternal reign of the Messiah. The prophecies regarding the Messiah in Isaiah’s book were not in chronological order, and thus they expected the Messiah to come once and reign forever. However, deep scrutiny of Isaiah reveals that the prophet refers to the 1^st and 2^nd coming of Christ.

35Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

Jesus said unto them: ‘The light (Jesus) will be with you for a little more time. Walk in the light before it is dark (‘darkness come upon you’). For, if you walk in the dark, you will not know where you are going’. During ‘darkness’, the people will not have any guidance due to Jesus’ absence. Moreover, Jesus used ‘darkness’ to refer to the reign of Anti-christ- when there will not be an opportunity to preach, profess, or pray, and when the church and Christians will be persecuted.

36While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

When the light (Jesus) is still present, believe in him, so that you will be the children of light.

After speaking this, Jesus left and hid himself from the people.

37But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

38That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

39Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

40He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

41These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

Irrespective of all the miracles, the people did not, and could not, believe. They could not see and their hearts were hardened like that of the Pharaoh in Exodus. It was God’s will that they should not believe for Jesus had to be slain for the majestic conquest over sin and death.

42Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

43For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Although many important Jews believed in Jesus, they did not admit their faith since the Pharisees would expel them from the society. Obviously, they were more concerned about being honoured by men than being honoured by God.

44Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.

45And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.

The following verses show the oneness of the Father and the Son. Whoever believes (and sees) in Jesus, is not believing (or seeing) in Jesus, but believing in (or seeing) God.

46I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

Jesus has come as a light into the world, so that whoever decides to believe in him, will enter light (salvation, truth) and will not remain in darkness (sin).

47And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

Jesus has come to save the world and not to judge people- thus, he will not judge anyone who hears the message but yet doesn’t believe.

48He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

As for those who reject Jesus and don’t follow his words, the same will be judged on the last day, by the very words/commandments which Jesus has spoken.

49For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

50And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

The words spoken by Jesus are not his own- God has commanded Jesus about what he should say and what he should speak. Thus, Jesus is speaking whatever God has said unto him.