Notes for: Weeks 11 - 18 | Week 19 | Week 20 | Week 21 | Week 22 | Week 23 | Week 24 | Week 25 | Week 26

Week 19

THE WAY OF THE CROSS Jesus knew that the cross lay ahead of him, yet he "set his face to go to Jerusalem". Follow this trail of references: Luke 9:51-53; 17:11; 19:28, 37, 41, 45. He was finally crucified outside the city (Hebrews 13:12-14). THE TEMPLE AND CITY The Temple of Herod was to be destroyed (Luke 21:6) and the city trodden down of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24). 'The stone (Jesus) rejected of the builders' (20:17) is the foundation of God's real House, the people in whom He will dwell (Ephesians 2:19-22).

DAILY NOTES

Week 20

THE BOOK OF NUMBERS

Numbers, the fourth book of Moses, is so called because it contains two 'numberings' (censuses) of Israel in the wilderness (Numbers chapter 1 & chapter 26).

Nearly all the generation that left Egypt at the time of the Exodus died in the wilderness because of lack of FAITH. A new generation was given the opportunity to show more faith.

Numbers continues the account of how the twelve tribes became a nation ready to occupy the land of Canaan.

CHRIST AND THE WILDERNESS JOURNEY

Israel's experiences provide many 'types' or 'shadows' pointing forward to Christ. In NUMBERS we meet several examples, including:

• Caleb - man of faith of the tribe of Judah (14:24).
• Joshua - his Hebrew name is the same as the Greek name Jesus; he too became leader of God's people (14:30).
• Aaron - the High Priest. Jesus is the greater High Priest (Hebrews 7:1l ,22).
• Aaron's rod that budded (17:8). (See daily note for Monday).
• The smitten rock (Exodus 17:6 compared with Numbers 20:11, l Corinthians 10:4).
• The brazen serpent - like Christ crucified (Numbers 21:8-9; John 3:14).

DAILY NOTES

Week 21

JOHN'S DIVINELY INSPIRED RECORD OF THE LIFE OF JESUS

John, 'the disciple whom Jesus loved', gives a profound record of the work and teaching of Jesus that is in many ways different from the other three gospels. He states the purpose of his account in chapter 20, verses 30-31.

John reveals Jesus as 'the only begotten Son' of God (verse 18), who was in God's mind and purpose even before Creation. In that sense Jesus was 'in the beginning', though he did not exist as a person until God's word (His plan, or purpose) was 'made flesh' at the birth of Christ. (See how Peter describes this in 1 Peter 1:19-20).

John's gospel introduces many different aspects of the role of Jesus: in Chapter 1, he is referred to as

• the word (verse 1)
• the light (verse 9)
• the Lamb of God (verse 29)
• Messiah or Christ (God's anointed, or chosen) (verse 41)
• Son of God and King of Israel (verse 49)
• Son of man (the title used by Jesus of himself) (verse 51).

DAILY NOTES

Week 22

THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY

The name means a repetition of the law (see Deuteronomy 17:18).

Shortly before his death, Moses retold the history of the wilderness journey and all that God had done for His people. He was addressing a new generation, but God knew that Israel as a nation would not be obedient. He dealt with the unchanging principles of how faith is achieved and maintained. Jesus Christ taught and lived these same principles.

But Israel did not understand, nor were they obedient. Moses' prophecy, given by God, in Deuteronomy 28, is a vivid forecast of the sufferings of the Jews, especially since AD 70.

DAILY NOTES

Week 23

THE BOOK OF ACTS

The book of Acts was written by Luke (Acts 1:1) and is a continuation of his gospel record. It could rightly be called "The Acts of Jesus and his apostles". See verse 1 - "all that Jesus BEGAN both to do and to teach".

Christ, victorious over death, was now at work establishing, through the apostles, companies of believers in Israel, in Samaria and everywhere (Acts 1:8).

The same themes continue, based on the promises contained in the Old Testament:

• The coming Kingdom on earth.
• The work of Jesus as Saviour and King.
• The resurrection of Jesus was the assurance of resurrection for his followers and of the Kingdom of God.
• The need for men to repent, believe the gospel and be baptised.

DAILY NOTES

Week 24

THE CONQUEST OF CANAAN

At the time of Joshua, the Land of Promise (Canaan) was inhabited by the Amorites and Canaanites who were idolatrous and filthy in their way of life. God had waited a long time before bringing punishment upon them (Genesis 15:16). Because God was with them, Israel was able to overcome the people of the land. They were to destroy them before inhabiting their territory, so that they should not fall into the same sins. The conquest of the land, under Joshua, was miraculous.

But later, faithlessness and compromise by Israel resulted in many of God's enemies remaining in the Land, only to cause trouble later.

DAILY NOTES

Week 25

THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL The public work of Jesus began from his baptism in the river Jordan, the river over which Joshua and Israel had passed. Jesus travelled throughout his own country before his death, preaching about God's Kingdom (Luke 8:1). After ascending to heaven, Jesus continued to work through his apostles in spreading the Gospel outwards from Jerusalem. The Gospel was first preached to the Jews, then Samaritans, then Proselytes (converts to Judaism - like the Ethiopian in Acts 8:27). Then the Gentiles (non-Jews) were called (Acts 10).

Map of Israel at the time of the Apostles

DAILY NOTES

Week 26

THE BOOK OF JUDGES

The Judges ruled for over 400 years, from the death of Joshua until Samuel, during which Israel often left the right way of serving God and turned to idolatry. Then God delivered them into the hands of their enemies, though He raised up 'judges' or leaders from time to time to save them. See Judges 2:16-19.

Judges like Deborah and Barak, Gideon and Samson were people of great faith. They were named or included in the list of those who had outstanding faith (Hebrews 11).

THE STORY OF RUTH

Boaz = Ruth
 |
Obed
 |
Jesse
 |
David
 '
 '
 Christ

DAILY NOTES

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