The One Year Bible TLB (51 page)

Proverbs 10:22

The Lord’s blessing is our greatest wealth. All our work adds nothing to it!
*

Leviticus 27:14—Numbers 1:54

Mark 11:1-25

Psalm 46:1-11

Proverbs 10:23

Leviticus 27:14—Numbers 1:54

“If someone donates his home to the Lord and then wishes to redeem it, the priest will decide its value, and the man shall pay that amount plus 20 percent, and the house will be his again.

16
 “If a man dedicates any part of his field to the Lord, value it in proportion to its size, as indicated by the amount of seed required to sow it. A section of land that requires ten bushels of barley seed for sowing is valued at twenty-five dollars.
17
 If a man dedicates his field in the Year of Jubilee, then the whole estimate shall stand;
18
 but if it is after the Year of Jubilee, then the value shall be in proportion to the number of years remaining until the next Year of Jubilee.
19
 If the man decides to redeem the field, he shall pay 20 percent in addition to the priest’s valuation, and the field will be his again.
20
 But if he decides not to redeem the field, or if he has sold the field to someone else and has given to the Lord his rights to it at the Year of Jubilee,
*
it shall not be returned to him again.
21
 When it is freed in the Year of Jubilee, it shall belong to the Lord as a field devoted to him, and it shall be given to the priests.

22
 “If a man dedicates to the Lord a field he has bought, but which is not part of his family possession,
23
 the priest shall estimate the value until the Year of Jubilee, and he shall immediately give that estimated value to the Lord,
24
 and in the Year of Jubilee the field shall return to the original owner from whom it was bought.
25
 All the valuations shall be stated in standard money.
*

26
 “You may not dedicate to the Lord the firstborn of any ox or sheep, for it is already his.
27
 But if it is the firstborn of an animal that cannot be sacrificed because it is not on the list of those acceptable to the Lord, then the owner shall pay the priest’s estimate of its worth, plus 20 percent; or if the owner does not redeem it, the priest may sell it to someone else.
28
 However, anything utterly devoted to the Lord—people, animals, or inherited fields—shall not be sold or redeemed, for they are most holy to the Lord.
29
 No one sentenced by the courts to die may pay a fine instead; he shall surely be put to death.
*

30
 “A tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain or fruit, is the Lord’s, and is holy.
31
 If anyone wants to buy back this fruit or grain, he must add a fifth to its value.
32
 And the Lord owns every tenth animal of your herds and flocks and other domestic animals, as they pass by for counting.
33
 The tenth given to the Lord shall not be selected on the basis of whether it is good or bad, and there shall be no substitutions; for if there is any change made, then both the original and the substitution shall belong to the Lord, and may not be bought back!”

34
 These are the commandments the Lord gave to Moses for the people of Israel on Mount Sinai.

1:
1
 It was on the fifteenth day of April
*
of the second year after the Israelis left Egypt that the Lord issued the following instructions to Moses. (He was in the Tabernacle at the camp of Israel on the Sinai peninsula at the time.)

2-15
 “Take a census of all the men twenty years old and older who are able to go to war, indicating their tribe and family. You and Aaron are to direct the project, assisted by these leaders from each tribe”:

16
 These were the tribal leaders elected from among the people.

17-19
*
  On the same day Moses and Aaron and the above-named leaders summoned all the men of Israel who were twenty years old or older to come and register, each man indicating his tribe and family, as the Lord had commanded Moses.
20-46
 Here is the final tabulation:

Grand Total: 603,550

47-49
 This total does not include the Levites, for the Lord had said to Moses, “Exempt the entire tribe of Levi from the draft, and do not include their number in the census.
50
 For the Levites are assigned for the work connected with the Tabernacle and its transportation. They are to live near the Tabernacle,
51
 and whenever the Tabernacle is moved, the Levites are to take it down and set it up again; anyone else touching it shall be executed.
52
 Each tribe of Israel shall have a separate camping area with its own flag.
53
 The Levites’ tents shall be clustered around the Tabernacle as a wall between the people of Israel and God’s wrath—to protect them from his fierce anger against their sins.”

54
 So all these instructions of the Lord to Moses were put into effect.

Mark 11:1-25

As they neared Bethphage and Bethany on the outskirts of Jerusalem and came to the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples on ahead.

2
 
“Go into that village over there,”
he told them,
“and just as you enter you will see a colt tied up that has never been ridden. Untie him and bring him here.
3
 
And if anyone asks you what you are doing, just say, ‘Our Master needs him and will return him soon.’”

4-5
 Off went the two men and found the colt standing in the street, tied outside a house. As they were untying it, some who were standing there demanded, “What are you doing, untying that colt?”

6
 So they said what Jesus had told them to, and then the men agreed.

7
 So the colt was brought to Jesus, and the disciples threw their cloaks across its back for him to ride on.
8
 Then many in the crowd spread out their coats along the road before him, while others threw down leafy branches from the fields.

9
 He was in the center of the procession with crowds ahead and behind, and all of them shouting, “Hail to the King!” “Praise God for him who comes in the name of the Lord!” . . .
10
 “Praise God for the return of our father David’s kingdom. . . . ” “Hail to the King of the universe!”

11
 And so he entered Jerusalem and went into the Temple. He looked around carefully at everything and then left—for now it was late in the afternoon—and went out to Bethany with the twelve disciples.

12
 The next morning as they left Bethany, he felt hungry.
13
 A little way off he noticed a fig tree in full leaf, so he went over to see if he could find any figs on it. But no, there were only leaves, for it was too early in the season for fruit.

14
 Then Jesus said to the tree,
“You shall never bear fruit again!”
And the disciples heard him say it.

15
 When they arrived back in Jerusalem, he went to the Temple and began to drive out the merchants and their customers, and knocked over the tables of the money changers and the stalls of those selling doves,
16
 and stopped everyone from bringing in loads of merchandise.

17
 He told them,
“It is written in the Scriptures, ‘My Temple is to be a place of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of robbers.”

18
 When the chief priests and other Jewish leaders heard what he had done, they began planning how best to get rid of him. Their problem was their fear of riots because the people were so enthusiastic about Jesus’ teaching.

19
 That evening as usual they left the city.

20
 Next morning, as the disciples passed the fig tree he had cursed, they saw that it was withered from the roots!
21
 Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, “Look, Teacher! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”

22-23
 
In reply Jesus said to the disciples, “If you only have faith in God—this is the absolute truth—you can say to this Mount of Olives, ‘Rise up and fall into the Mediterranean,’ and your command will be obeyed. All that’s required is that you really believe and have no doubt!
24
 
Listen to me! You can pray for
anything,
and
if you believe, you have it;
it’s yours!
25
 
But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive you your sins too.”

Psalm 46:1-11

God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble.
2
 And so we need not fear even if the world blows up and the mountains crumble into the sea.
3
 Let the oceans roar and foam; let the mountains tremble!

4
 There is a river of joy flowing through the city of our God—the sacred home of the God above all gods.
5
 God himself is living in that city; therefore it stands unmoved despite the turmoil everywhere. He will not delay his help.
6
 The nations rant and rave in anger—but when God speaks, the earth melts in submission and kingdoms totter into ruin.

7
 The Commander of the armies of heaven is here among us. He, the God of Jacob, has come to rescue us.

8
 Come, see the glorious things that our God does, how he brings ruin upon the world
9
 and causes wars to end throughout the earth, breaking and burning every weapon.
10
 “Stand silent! Know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation in the world!”

11
 The Commander of the heavenly armies is here among
us!
He, the God of Jacob, has come to rescue
us!

Proverbs 10:23

A fool’s fun is being bad; a wise man’s fun is being wise!

Numbers 2:1–3:51

Mark 11:26–12:17

Psalm 47:1-9

Proverbs 10:24-25

Numbers 2:1–3:51

The Lord gave these further instructions to Moses and Aaron: “Each tribe will have its own tent area, with its flagpole and tribal banner; and at the center of these tribal compounds will be the Tabernacle.”
3-31
 Here are the tribal locations:
*

So the total of all those on Judah’s side of the camp was 186,400. These three tribes led the way whenever the Israelites traveled to a new campsite.

So the total of the Reuben side of the camp was 151,450. These three tribes were next in line whenever the Israelis traveled.

Next in the line of march was the Tabernacle, with the Levites. When traveling, each tribe stayed together under its own flag, just as each was separate from the others in camp.

So the total on the Ephraim side of the camp was 108,100, and they were next in the line of march.

So the total on Dan’s side of the camp was 157,600. They brought up the rear whenever Israel traveled.
32-33
 In summary, the armies of Israel totaled 603,550 (not including the Levites, who were exempted by Jehovah’s commandment to Moses).
34
 So the people of Israel set up their camps, each tribe under its own banner, in the locations indicated by the Lord to Moses.

3:
1
 At the time when the Lord spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai,
2
 Aaron’s sons were:
*
Nadab (his oldest), Abihu, Eleazar, Ithamar.
3
 All were anointed as priests and set apart to minister at the Tabernacle.
4
 But Nadab and Abihu died before the Lord in the wilderness of Sinai when they used unholy fire. And since they had no children, this left only Eleazar and Ithamar to assist their father, Aaron.

5
 Then the Lord said to Moses,
6
 “Summon the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron as his assistants.
7-9
 They will follow his instructions and perform the sacred duties at the Tabernacle on behalf of all the people of Israel. For they are assigned to him as representatives of all the people of Israel. They are in charge of all the furnishings and maintenance of the Tabernacle.
10
 However, only Aaron and his sons may carry out the duties of the priesthood; anyone else who presumes to assume this office shall be executed.”

11-12
 And the Lord said to Moses, “I have accepted the Levites in substitution for all the oldest sons of the people of Israel. The Levites are mine
13
 in exchange for all the oldest sons. From the day I killed all the oldest sons of the Egyptians, I took for myself all the firstborn in Israel of both men and animals! They are mine; I am Jehovah.”

14-15
 The Lord now spoke again to Moses at the Sinai peninsula, telling him, “Take a census of the tribe of Levi, indicating each person’s clan; count every male down to one month old.”
16-24
 So Moses did:

25-30
 
Responsibilities:

The responsibility of these two clans of Levites was the care of the Tabernacle: its coverings, its entry drapes, the drapes covering the fence surrounding the courtyard, the screen at the entrance of the courtyard surrounding the Tabernacle, the altar, and all the ropes used in tying the Tabernacle together.

31-35
 
Responsibilities:

The responsibility of these four clans of Levites was the care of the Ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the various utensils used in the Tabernacle, the veil, and any repairs needed on any of these items. (Note: Eleazar, Aaron’s son, shall be the chief administrator over the leaders of the Levites, with special responsibility for the oversight of the sanctuary.)

36-37
 
Responsibilities:

The responsibility of these two clans was the care of the frames of the Tabernacle building; the posts; the bases for the posts, and all of the equipment needed for their use; the posts around the courtyard and their bases, pegs, and ropes.

38
 The area east of the Tabernacle was reserved for the tents of Moses and of Aaron and his sons, who had the final responsibility for the Tabernacle on behalf of the people of Israel. (Anyone who was not a priest or Levite, but came into the Tabernacle, was to be executed.)

39
 So all the Levites, as numbered by Moses and Aaron at the command of the Lord, were 22,000 males one month old and older.

40
 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now take a census of all the eldest sons in Israel who are one month old and older, and register each name.
41
 The Levites shall be mine (I am Jehovah) as substitutes for the eldest sons of Israel; and the Levites’ cattle are mine as substitutes for the firstborn cattle of the whole nation.”

42
 So Moses took a census of the eldest sons of the people of Israel, as the Lord had commanded,
43
 and found the total number of eldest sons one month old and older to be 22,273.

44
 Now the Lord said to Moses,
45
 “Give me the Levites instead of the eldest sons of the people of Israel; and give me the cattle of the Levites instead of the firstborn cattle of the people of Israel; yes, the Levites shall be mine; I am Jehovah.
46
 To redeem the 273 eldest sons in excess of the number of Levites,
47-48
 pay five dollars for each one to Aaron and his sons.”

49
 So Moses received redemption money for the 273 eldest sons of Israel who were in excess of the number of Levites. (All the others were redeemed because the Levites had been given to the Lord in their place.)
50
 The money collected came to a total of $1,365.
*
51
 And Moses gave it to Aaron and his sons as the Lord had commanded.

Mark 11:26–12:17

26-28
*
 By this time they had arrived in Jerusalem again, and as he was walking through the Temple area, the chief priests and other Jewish leaders came up to him demanding, “What’s going on here? Who gave you the authority to drive out the merchants?”

29
 Jesus replied,
“I’ll tell you if you answer one question!
30
 
What about John the Baptist? Was he sent by God, or not? Answer me!”

31
 They talked it over among themselves. “If we reply that God sent him, then he will say, ‘All right, why didn’t you accept him?’
32
 But if we say God didn’t send him, then the people will start a riot.” (For the people all believed strongly that John was a prophet.)

33
 So they said, “We can’t answer. We don’t know.”

To which Jesus replied,
“Then I won’t answer your question either!”

12:
1
 Here are some of the story-illustrations Jesus gave to the people at that time:

“A man planted a vineyard and built a wall around it and dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice, and built a watchman’s tower. Then he leased the farm to tenant farmers and moved to another country.
2
 
At grape-picking time he sent one of his men to collect his share of the crop.
3
 
But the farmers beat up the man and sent him back empty-handed.

4
 
“The owner then sent another of his men, who received the same treatment, only worse, for his head was seriously injured.
5
 
The next man he sent was killed; and later, others were either beaten or killed, until
6
 
there was only one left—his only son. He finally sent him, thinking they would surely give him their full respect.

7
 
“But when the farmers saw him coming they said, ‘He will own the farm when his father dies. Come on, let’s kill him—and then the farm will be ours!’
8
 
So they caught him and murdered him and threw his body out of the vineyard.

9
 
“What do you suppose the owner will do when he hears what happened? He will come and kill them all, and lease the vineyard to others.
10
 
Don’t you remember reading this verse in the Scriptures? ‘The Rock the builders threw away became the cornerstone, the most honored stone in the building!
11
 
This is the Lord’s doing and it is an amazing thing to see.’”

12
 The Jewish leaders wanted to arrest him then and there for using this illustration, for they knew he was pointing at them—they were the wicked farmers in his story. But they were afraid to touch him for fear of a mob. So they left him and went away.

13
 But they sent other religious and political leaders to talk with him and try to trap him into saying something he could be arrested for.

14
 “Teacher,” these spies said, “we know you tell the truth no matter what! You aren’t influenced by the opinions and desires of men, but sincerely teach the ways of God. Now tell us, is it right to pay taxes to Rome, or not?”

15
 Jesus saw their trick and said,
“Show me a coin and I’ll tell you.”

16
 When they handed it to him he asked,
“Whose picture and title is this on the coin?”
They replied, “The emperor’s.”

17
 
“All right,”
he said,
“if it is his, give it to him. But everything that belongs to God must be given to God!”
And they scratched their heads in bafflement at his reply.

Psalm 47:1-9

Come, everyone, and clap for joy! Shout triumphant praises to the Lord!
2
 For the Lord, the God above all gods, is awesome beyond words; he is the great King of all the earth.
3
 He subdues the nations before us
4
 and will personally select his choicest blessings for his Jewish people
*
—the very best for those he loves.

5
 God has ascended with a mighty shout, with trumpets blaring.
6-7
 Sing out your praises to our God, our King. Yes, sing your highest praises to our King, the King of all the earth. Sing thoughtful praises!
8
 He reigns above the nations, sitting on his holy throne.
9
 The Gentile rulers of the world have joined with us in praising him—praising
*
the God of Abraham—for the battle shields of all the armies of the world are his trophies. He is highly honored everywhere.