Numbers 8-10; Psalm 34:8-14; Acts 28

Numbers 8
1-4 - The lamp stand - made by Moses "according to the pattern"

5-26 - Consecration and Service of the Levites

• Cleansing - Levites sprinkled with water of purification, then to shave bodies and wash clothes
• Young bull and grain offering, plus second young bull for sin offering
• Israelites to lay their hands on the Levites (I'm not exactly clear on how they would do this -- all 603,550 men would shake their hands, put their hands on their heads?)
• Levites would be presented before the LORD as an elevation offering.
  
• God repeats his taking Levites as replacement for all Israelite firstborns
• Israelites do "just as the LORD had commanded"
• Tabernacle service for Levites ages 25-50 only. At 50, they would retire, able to assist servers, but not to serve themselves

Numbers 9
1-14 - Passover at Sinai

• Most Israelites keep the Passover on the 1st month, 14th day, at twilight
• But some are unclean and complain about not being able to observe the feast
• God allows those who are unclean from touching a corpse or who were away during the feast to keep it on the 2nd month, 14th day
• Those who are present and clean but do not keep Passover will be cut off

15-23 - The Cloud and the Fire

• God guides the Israelites through a cloud that covers the tabernacle -- by night it looks like a fire. Up until now, I thought it was actually a fire by night, but apparently it was the same cloud that merely looked like a fire as the sky darkened.
  
• When it lifts, they move; if it stays, they stay
• Sometimes they stay in the same place for only one day. Are they so mobile -- all 3 million of them (counting women and children) -- that they can move that often? Amazing!
• I don't remember it saying: Did the Israelites also sleep in tents? That would certainly slow down the packing process.
  

Numbers 10
1-10 - Silver Trumpets

• Moses to make two silver trumpets "for summoning the congregation, and for breaking camp"
• If both are blown, the whole congregation assembles in front of the tabernacle
• If only one is blown, only the tribal heads shall assemble
• One alarm: the east regiment sets out; 2nd alarm: the south side; and so on
• Sons of Aaron to blow the trumpets
• Trumpets also to be blown on days of rejoicing

11-36 - Departure from Sinai (A test of organization - the first move)

• In 2nd year, 2nd month, 20th day of the month
• In this order (the tabernacle and holy things to be carried in the center, I'm supposing, for protection):
  
• East regiment: Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun
• Tabernacle, carried by Gershonites and Merarites
• South regiment: Reuben, Simeon, and Gad
• Holy things, carried by the Kohathites (the tabernacle would be set up before their arrival at the next camp)
  
• West regiment: Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin
  
• North regiment (the rear guard): Dan, Asher, and Naphtali
• Hobab, Moses' brother-in-law, declines to go, wanting to return home, but Moses persuades him to accompany them, because he knows good camping places in the wilderness
• They travel for 3 days' journey, "with the ark of the covenant of the LORD going before them." Is this literal? I thought it would be in the midst of the camp, with the other holy things.
• How's this for a pronouncement every time you continue on a journey?

"Arise, O LORD, let your enemies be scattered,
and your foes flee before you."

• And when you stop for the night:

"Return, O LORD of the ten thousand thousands of Israel."

Psalm 34:8-14
8 - "O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him."

Acts 28
1-10 - On the Island of Malta

• Natives of island hospitable
• After incident with snake, they go from believing Paul is a murderer to thinking he is a god
• Paul prays for father of leading man of island, who is healed, and others come to him for healing as well
• By the time they leave 3 months later, they have all the provisions they need. Once again, God provides. Who would have thought a snake would supply their ship?

11-16 - Rome

• Board ship (Twin Brothers) that had wintered at the island
• To Syracuse, Rheium, Puteoli (where they stay with believers), to Rome (from where believers come to meet them)
• Paul allowed to stay by himself with one guard
• 3 days later, Paul calls together Jewish leaders to tell them his story
• They have heard nothing bad about him, wish to hear more, "for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against."
• At set day -- all day -- he tries to convince them about Jesus, using the law of Moses and the prophets
• Some are convinced, others refuse (a decision of the will)
• Paul: You are a fulfillment of the prophecy: "...they have shut their eyes..."
  
• Therefore, I will go to the Gentiles. "They will listen."
• Paul stays there 2 years "at his own expense" and preaches "without hindrance."
• And so ends the saga of Paul. But of course, his story nor does his influence end in Rome. Aren't we blessed, then to have his writings? And would we have had so many if he had not been imprisoned in Rome?
• An indication that we don't have to necessarily go to have an influence. Paul used his influence, even under house arrest -- by being hospitable and through his letter-writing.
  

Numbers 7; Psalm 34:1-7; Acts 27

Numbers 7 - Offerings of the Leaders (Heads of Tribes) - Part of their "enrollment"

• 6 covered wagons, 12 oxen, to be given to the Levites to use
• Offerings for dedication of altar: One leader each day.
• Offerings identical
• A silver plate and a silver basin, both full of choice flour mixed with oil
• One golden dish full of incense
• Burnt offering: bull, ram, male lamb a year old
• Sin offering: male goat
• Sacrifice of well-being: 2 oxen, 5 rams, 5 male goats, 5 male lambs a year old
• In this order of tribal leaders:
• Judah -Issachar -Zebulun (East regiment)
  
• Reuben -Simeon -Gad (South regiment)
  
• Ephraim -Manassah -Benjamin (West regiment)
  
• Dan -Asher -Naphtali (North regiment)
• Note that Judah, the ancestor of Jesus, is the first listed. I thought maybe this was significant, then realized that gifts were brought in same order as the order of encampment, from Chapter 2 (which may be significant in itself)
  
• 89 - When God speaks to Moses, he does so from above the mercy seat in the tent of meeting.

Psalm 34:1-7 (Psalm of David, after he escaped from Abimelech by feigning madness)
3 - "O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together."

Acts 27
1-12 - Paul Sails for Rome

• A personal witness: Luke is with Paul (vs. 1 is "we"). Also Aristarchus, from Macedonia
  
• From Caesarea, to Sidon, to Myra in Lycia guarded by centurion named Julius, who treats Paul kindly.
• At Myra, they change to Alexandrian ship bound for Italy, to Fair Havens, near Lasea
• Paul warns of danger if they continue, but centurion ignores his warning, and heads for Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, hoping they can winter there.
  

13-38 - Storm at Sea

• Caused by "the northeaster."
  
• Began throwing cargo overboard, then the tackle, but still "no small tempest raged...all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned."
• Paul: You should have listened to me...But God has assured me there will be no loss of life...Keep up your courage...But we will have to run aground on some island.
• On 14th day, Paul tells crew and passengers (276 people) to go ahead and eat, and "giving thanks to God in the presence of all, he broke [bread] and began to eat." (This time, they listen to him!)
  
• They all follow his example, then throw the uneaten wheat overboard to lighten the ship.

39-44 - Shipwreck

• Crew casts off anchors in the sea, and runs the ship aground
• Soldiers want to kill prisoners to prevent escape, but "wishing to save Paul," the centurion prevents them
• Swimmers swim for land; others float on planks and pieces of ship
• "All were brought safely to land."
• Whether we would see the details as negative or positive, it's hard not to see the hand of God in this whole story, from the accusations against Paul in Jerusalem, to his trial in Caesarea, through his journey to Rome.
  

Numbers 5-6; Psalm 33:13-22; Acts 26

Numbers 5
1-4 - Unclean Persons put outside camp, both male and female
5-10 - Confession and Restitution - Make full restitution plus 1/5
11-31 - Laws re an Unfaithful Wife (Laws that go very much against our [my] American sensibilities, and the equal rights we expect as women in our society -- that a husband can humiliate his wife in this way because he's jealous. Also, the word "curse" used is too reminiscent of witchcraft, somehow.)

• If a man suspects his wife has been unfaithful, he takes her to the priest with barley-flour offering
• The priests mixes holy water and dust from the floor of the tabernacle, messes up her hair, and puts the grain offering in her hands
• He makes her take an oath of her innocence
• He pronounces a curse. If she's lying, her uterus will drop, and her womb will discharge.
• The priest puts the curse in writing and washes the words off into the "water of bitterness" (the dirty water, I think).
• He makes her drink the water, takes the grain offering from her, elevates it and takes it to the altar.
• If she experiences bitter pain, and other consequences of the curse, then she shall become an "execration" (abomination) among her people.
  
• This can be done by a husband whenever he is "jealous" of his wife.
• "The man shall be free from iniquity, but the woman shall bear her iniquity."
  

Chapter 6
1-21 - The Nazirites

• Men or women
• No wine or strong drink - no vinegar or any part of a grape
• For the duration of the vow, no cutting of the hair
• No going near a corpse.
  
• If a close relative dies suddenly, they must go through a cleansing process: shave the head; offer 2 birds as sin and burnt offering, separate themselves again, and offer a lamb offering -- then start the vow over again.
• At end of consecration, a ceremony in the tabernacle involving a lamb, grain offering, oil, a ram, shaving of the head put on the altar.
• After that, the nazarites may drink wine.

22-27 - The Priestly Benediction - The LORD to Moses to Aaron and his sons to bless the Israelites. Is this found elsewhere, too?

The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious unto you;
the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

Psalm 33:13-22
16 - "A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength."
18 - "Truly the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love."

Acts 26 - Paul's Defense before Agrippa

• Per Paul, Agrippa familiar with "customs and controversies" of the Jews
• All the Jews know my history.
• Yet I stand here on trial for a promise made by God to our ancestors.
• "Why is it incredible...that God raises the dead?"
• Story of his conversion, his vision of Jesus
• Account of his preaching to Jews and Gentiles
• Festus interrupts: "Paul, much learning has made you mad!"
• Paul to Agrippa: "Do you believe the prophets? I know you do."
• Agrippa to Paul: "Are you so quickly persuading me to become a Christian?"
• Agrippa and his entourage: "This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment."
• Agrippa to Festus: "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to the emperor."
  

Numbers 3-4; Psalm 33:1-12; Acts 25

Numbers 3
1-4 - Sons of Aaron

• Nadab and Abihu had died for offering unholy fire
• Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests for the lifetime of their father Aaron

5-13 - God to Moses: Duties of the Levites

• Tabernacle responsibility
• Give the Levites to Aaron and his descendants
• Any outsider who comes near (try to perform duties of a Levite?) shall be put to death
• "I hereby accept the Levites...as substitutes for the firstborn...among the Israelites. The Levites shall be mine, for all the firstborn are mine."
• "When I killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for my own all the firstborn in Israel, both human and animal; they shall be mine. I am the LORD." I'm not sure I understand the significance of this statement, but I think it's very important in understanding God's character, his absolute authority, his insistence that his will must be obeyed." This character of his will, I think, is what makes him so unpopular with the secularists of today, those who, in order to believe, need to make God in their own image.
  

14-39 - A Census of the Levites

• Unlike the other Israelites, this count would be for all males one month and older!
• Clans (sons) of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari
• Gershon clan to camp west of the tabernacle, responsible for the tabernacle curtains, hangings, etc.
• Kohath clan to camp south of the tabernacle, responsible for the ark, table, lampstand, altars and other vessels, to be overseen by Eleazar the son of Aaron
• Merari to camp north of the tabernacle, responsible for the framing of the tabernacle -- bars, pillars, bases, etc.
• Moses, Aaron and Aaron's sons (and their families, I assume) to camp east of the tabernacle, in charges of the rites within the sanctuary
• Any outsider who came near was to be put to death.
• Total census: 22,000 males one month and older

40-51 - The LORD to Moses re Redemption of the Firstborn

• The LORD to Moses: Count all firstborn males of the Israelites one month and older. The Levites will be substitutes for them
• Also, the livestock of the Levites will substitute for the firstborn livestock of the others
  
• Total firstborn males one month and older: 22,273 (very close to the number of Levite males)
  
• The extra 273 to pay 5 shekels apiece, totaling 1,365 shekels, to Aaron and his sons. I wonder how they determined which 273 were the extra ones, and did they resent being the only ones who had to pay?

Numbers 4
1-20 - The Kohathites

• Moses to count Kohathites from 30 to 50 years old, qualified to fulfill their responsibilities
• Aaron and sons were to cover all the holy vessels, per very detailed instructions, and put them in their carrying frames before the Kohathites could move them.
• Example of instruction: Table of the bread of the presence would be covered with a blue cloth, then the plates, etc., then a crimson cloth, and then a leather covering.
  
• If Kohathites touched the sanctified vessels, they would die.
• This answers 2 questions I've had: "If only the high priest could enter the holy of holies, how did they move the tabernacle without defiling the items?" and "Why did only the Kohathites require the supervision of one of the priests (Num. 3: 32)?"
  
• God to Moses: You must protect the Kohathites. They must not look on the holy things even for a moment; otherwise they will die.

21-33 - The Gershonites and Merarites

• Moses to "enroll" men of both clans age 30 to 50
• Details of their service, as summarized in chapter 3

34-49 - Census of the Levites enrolled to do tabernacle work

• 2,750 Kohathites - assigned to tabernacle furniture and other vessels
• 2,630 Gershonites assigned to curtains, hangings, etc.
• 3,200 Merarites assigned to the frames, bars, pillars, etc.
• Total of 8,580 men
• We think of priests doing nothing but offering sacrifices, but the enormity of personnel management responsibilities they must have had boggles my mind. Was each assigned a specific job, or did they take turns? I think of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. When Gabriel appeared to him with the promise of a son, he "was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty. He was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense" (Luke 1:8). Not exactly the same thing, but maybe an indication of how duties and men were organized.

Psalm 33:1-12 - Why worship the LORD?

• 4 - His word is upright...
• 5 - He loves righteousness and justice...
• 6 - He made the heavens and their host by the breath of his mouth...
• 9 - He spoke, and it came to be...
• 10 - He brings the counsel of the nations to nothing...

Conclusion: 12 - "Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage."

Acts 25
1-12 - Paul Appeals to the Emperor

• While Festus visiting in Jerusalem, Jews there try to persuade him (as a favor to them) to send Paul to Jerusalem (plotting to kill him on the way)
• After 8-10 days in Jerusalem, Festus returns to Caesarea to judge Paul for himself
• Jerusalem Jews bring "many serious charges against [Paul], which they can not prove.
• Festus, to please the Jews, offers Jerusalem trial to Paul.
• Paul: "I appeal to the emperor."
• Festus: "To the emperor you will go."

13-22 - Festus, King Agrippa, and Paul

• King Agrippa and wife Bernice come to Caesarea
• Festus tells Agrippa of the Paul situation: "...points of disagreement with him...about a certain Jesus..."
• Agrippa: "I would like to hear the man myself."
• Present the next day: Agrippa, Bernice, military tribunes, the prominent men of the city. A clear fulfillment of God's prophecy to Ananias in Acts 9:15 - "Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel."
• Festus to Agrippa, after bringing in Paul: "...it seems unreasonable to send a prisoner [to Rome] without indicating the charges against him." Festus now the picture of Roman justice, even though before he had been willing to send Paul back to Jerusalem. What he's really saying: What am I to do with this man? If I release him, the Jews will be angry, but I have nothing to accuse him of! Little does Festus know he's just an instrument in God's hands.
  

Numbers 1-2; Psalm 32; Acts 24

Numbers 1 - First Census of Israel

• 2nd year, 2nd month, 1st day since Exodus from Egypt
• Census of all males over 20 years old and able to go to war
• One man from each tribe would help (2 from Joseph's family, none from Levi)
• Total - 603,550, excluding the Levites
• Levites are given responsibility for the tabernacle

Numbers 2 - Order of Encampment and Marching

• Imagine 12 cities, ranging from a population of 32,000 in Manasseh (men only) to 74,600 in Judah (men only), camped around a tent smaller than a football field. Imagine what it would take to move from place to place. Any wonder why God mandated some kind of organization? Imagine the conflict it prevented!
  
• Divided into 4 regiments, 3 tribes each
• Placed on all four sides of the tabernacle, with the Levites camped closest to the tabernacle, surrounding it
• On the east - the Judah regiment, with Issachar and Zebulun
• On the south - the Reuben regiment, with Simeon and Gad
• On the west - the Ephraim regiment, with Manasseh and Benjamin
• On the north - the Dan regiment, with Asher and Naphtali

Psalm 32 - Anxiety caused by denial of sin; Joy of forgiveness
3 - "While I kept silent, my body wasted away, through my groaning all day long."
5 - "Then I acknowledged my sin to you...and you forgave the guilt of my sin."
1 - "Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." Like the peace that passes understanding that comes from being held securely in God's hand, covered by the blood of Jesus, counted as sinless before God.

Acts 24 - Paul's Trial before Felix
1-9 - Accusations

• Prosecuting attorney: Tertullus
• Accusations against Paul:
• A pestilent fellow
• An agitator
• Ringleader of a Nazarene sect
• Profaned the temple

10-21 - Paul's Defense and the Verdict

• No basis and no proof for these charges
• This I will admit:
• I worship according to the Way
• I worship the God of our ancestors
• I have a hope in the resurrection from the dead
• I do my best to have a clear conscience

22-27 - Felix shows his true character

• He calls for a recess until Lysias (the tribune) can testify, keeps Paul in custody
• At the next trial, when his wife Drusilla is present, Felix is frightened by Paul's message about "justice, self-control, and the coming judgment."
• He holds Paul for 2 more years, hoping for some kind of bribe from him.
• When replaced by Festus, he still leaves Paul in prison "to grant the Jews a favor."
• Felix's character in my opinion? A political and spiritual weakling.
  

Leviticus 26-27; Psalm 31:14-24; Acts 23

Leviticus 26
1-13 - Rewards for Obedience
First, a prohibition: No idols or carved images or figured stones, because "I am the LORD your God...."

Rewards for obedience:

• Rains in their season
• Good harvests
• Peace in the land
• Safety from dangerous animals and enemies in the land
• Victory over enemies
• Grain in storage
• "And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you shall be my people....I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect." A promise already fulfilled.

14-46 - Penalties for disobedience

• Terror on you: consumption and fever
• You will sow your seed in vain
• You will be struck down by your enemies
• I will punish you sevenfold
• I will break your proud glory: your work will be fruitless.
  

If you are still hostile:

• Wild animals will kill your children
• I will send pestilence among you
• Though you eat, you will not be satisfied

If you are still hostile:

• You will eat the flesh of your children
• I will heap your carcasses on the carcasses of your idols
• I will abhor you
• The enemies who settle your land shall be appalled at it
  
• I will scatter you among the nations
• Your land will get the rest you did not give it, with your enemies living there

Those who survive:

• Will be faint of heart in the lands of your enemies
• Will flee, even with no one pursuing them
• Will languish in the land of your enemies
• I will not destroy utterly in the land of their enemies - for I am their God
  

But -- if they confess their iniquity and make amends:

• I will remember my covenant with Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham
• I will remember the land

Leviticus 27 - Votive (Vow) offerings

• Explicit vows and amount of offering, according to their worth?
• Adult male: 50 shekels
• Adult female: 30 shekels
• Male 5-20 years old: 20 shekels
• Female 5-20 years old: 10 shekels
• Age one month - 5 years: 5 shekels of silver for male; 3 for female
• If unable to pay, priest will assess the value
• Priest will assess value of animals brought in exchange for another
• Value of houses consecrated will be assessed by priest
• Details regarding assessment of consecrated land, in light of year of jubilee
• Firstlings of animals cannot be consecrated: they are the LORD's
• Nothing or no one marked for destruction can be redeemed or ransomed
• Those who wish to redeem their tithes must add one-fifth to them

34 - Last verse of Leviticus: "These are the commandments that the LORD gave to Moses for the people of Israel on Mount Sinai."

Psalm 31:14-24
14 - But...I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God."
18 - Let the lying lips be stilled that speak insolently against the righteous with pride and contempt. Verse for our times?

Acts 23
1-11 - Paul before the Council

• Claims to have a clear conscience
• Ananias, the high priest, orders him to be slapped
• After initial negative response, and realizing Ananias is the priest, Paul shows respect for his position
• Cleverly sets Sadducees in audience against the Pharisees by speaking of the resurrection from the dead
  
• Pharisees defend him!
• He's taken back to the barracks
• That night, the Lord promises he will testify of him in Rome. "Keep up your courage!"

12-22 - Plot to Kill Paul

• 40 men promise not to eat nor drink until they kill Paul. A foolish vow, it seems. How humiliating it must have been to break it, as I'm guessing they did.
  
• Paul's nephew learns of the plot and warns him; Paul sends him to tell tribune of the plot

23-35 - Paul sent to Felix

• Tribune immediately sends Paul, accompanied by 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen, to Caesarea to Felix, the governor
• Letter from tribune (Claudius Lysias) to Felix: This man deserves a fair trial
• Felix promises Paul a hearing "when your accusers arrive."
• Orders him confined under guard in Herod's headquarters
  

Leviticus 25; Psalm 31:9-13; Acts 22

Leviticus 25
1-7 - The Sabbatical Year

• 7th year after entering the land - a year of rest
  
• No sowing or pruning
• No reaping of the aftergrowth or gathering grapes of unpruned vines
  
• Eat what the land yields - you, your slaves, your bound laborers, your livestock, and the wild animals

8-55 - Year of Jubilee

• 50th year to be hallowed
• Everyone returns to property
• No sowing or reaping or harvesting; eat only what the land produces
• Buy and sell land according to worth of crop since or until the jubilee year
  
• God would increase the crop in the year before the jubilee year
• Relative can redeem sold land
• House within walled city may be redeemed only in the first year after sale
  
• Different laws for Levites
• Support your dependent relatives; do not charge them interest
• Hire, don't enslave, impoverished dependents
• In year of jubilee, they may return to their ancestral property
• You may makes slaves of aliens, non-Israelites
• Those enslaved to aliens freed in Jubilee year, may redeem themselves, or be redeemed by family member, before then, if they pay proportionately.

Psalm 31:9-13 - Sad words from David: distress, grief, sorrow, sighing, misery, waste, scorn, horror, dread, a broken vessel, terror all around... v. 14 - "But..."

Acts 22 - Paul's Defense continues
1-5 - His Jewish history, persecution of Christians
6-16 - His conversion and baptism in Damascus
17-21 - Back in Jerusalem, in a trance, told by Jesus to go leave Jerusalem and go to the Gentiles
22-29 - Crowd still angry, tribune wants to flog him until he discovers Paul is a Roman citizen
30 - Tribune releases Paul to stand before the Jewish priests and council

Leviticus 23-24; Psalm 31:1-8; Acts 21

Leviticus 23 - Appointed Festivals
1-8 - Sabbath, Passover, Unleavened Bread

• Sabbath - 7th day of the week
• Passover - 14th day of 1st month
• Unleavened Bread - 15th day of 1st month

9-14 - Firstfruits

• Bring sheaf of first fruits of the harvest
• Also burnt offering, grain offering, and drink offering

15-22 - Festival of Weeks

• 7 weeks from day after the offering of first fruits
• Grain offering
• Burnt offering of 7 lambs, 1 young bull, 2 rams
• Drink offering
• Sin offering of 1 male goat and 2 male lambs
• Day of rest
• Leave harvest gleanings for the poor

23-25 - Festival of Trumpets

• 1st day of 7th month
• Day of rest, commemorated with trumpet blasts

26-32 - Day of Atonement

• 10th day of 7th month
• Day of rest

33-44 - Festival of Booths

• 15th day of 7th month, for 7 days
• 1st day a day of rest
• To "present the LORD's offering" for 7 days
• 8th day a day of rest
• All people to live in booths for 7 days, so that "your generations may know that I made the people of Israel live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God."

Leviticus 24
1-4 - The Lamp - to burn night and day
5-9 - Bread for the Tabernacle - 12 loaves set out each sabbath
10-23 - Punishment for blasphemy

• Son of Israelite woman and Egyptian man, in a fight, "blasphemed the Name in a curse."
• To be stoned to death by whole congregation
• Other laws demanding restitution: Murder, killing an animal, maiming another.
• One law for the alien and the citizen, "for I am the LORD your God."

Psalm 31:1-8
3 - "You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name's sake lead me and guide me."

Acts 21
1-16 - Journey to Jerusalem

• "We" sail to Tyre, via Cos, Rhodes, and Patara, stay 7 days
• Paul warned not to go to Jerusalem
• Sail to Ptolemais, stay for one day, then to Caesarea to stay with Philip
• Paul warned by prophet Agabus not to go to Jerusalem
• Paul: Don't weep and break my heart. I am ready to be bound and even to die.
• Some disciples from Caesarea accompany them to Jerusalem

17-26 - With James in Jerusalem

• Reports to James and the elders
• They warn him of Judaizing teachers, encourage him to go through rite of purification with 4 men under a vow, to show that he still observes the law
• Paul does so the next day

27-36 - Paul arrested in Temple

• Accused by Jews of taking Greeks into the temple, because he had been seen with Trophimus the Ephesian in the city
• Mob gathers, drags Paul out of the temple, tries to kill him
• Rescued by the tribune of the cohort, who chains him, and takes him toward the barracks, followed by crowds shouting "Away with him!"

37-40 - Paul defends himself

• Surprises tribune by speaking in Greek, asks permission to speak to the people
• Granted permission, stands on barracks steps and speaks to the people in Hebrew
  

Leviticus 20-22; Psalm 30; Acts 20

Leviticus 20 - Penalties for Violations of Holiness

• Those who give children to Molech will be stoned
• Those who turn a blind eye to the practice will be cut off
• Those who turn to mediums or wizards will be cut off
• Those who curse father or mother will be put to death
• 7 - Consecrate yourselves and be holy for I am the LORD your God
• 8 - "Keep my statutes and observe them; I am the LORD: I sanctify you." Because God is holy, they become holy through observing His laws.
• Adultery, incest, homosexuality, and bestiality punishable by death
• Subject to punishment: nudity of siblings, a menstruating woman; an aunt
• Punished with childlessness: adultery with an aunt or sister-in-law
• 22ff - Keep my statutes so the land "does not vomit you out"
• Distinguish between clean and unclean
• 26 - "You shall be holy to me; for I the LORD am holy, and I have separated you from the other peoples to be mine." Again -- the reason behind all these commandments. God is holy; Israel is his; therefore, they must also be holy.

Leviticus 21 - Holiness of Priests
Priests must:

• Not defile themselves for a dead person unless it is a close relative
• Not shave their heads or the edges of their beards or gash their skin
• Not profane the name of God
• Not marry a prostitute, defiled woman, or a divorced woman
• Be holy, because they "offer the LORD's offerings by fire, the food of their God"

9 - Daughter of priest who prostitutes herself will be put to death

An anointed priest must:

• Not dishevel his hair nor tear his vestments
• Not defile himself with a dead person, even a close relative
• Not go outside the sanctuary
• Marry only a virgin, of his own kin

Sons of Aaron:

• Must not offer sacrifices if they have a blemish, or are blind, lame, have a mutilated face or a limb too long or a broken foot or hand, or be a hunchback or dwarf, have a blemish in the eyes or itching disease or scabs or crushed testicles
• Can eat the food of God, but must not come near the curtain or approach the altar

Leviticus 22
1-15 - Use of Holy Offerings

• None of Aaron's offspring can come near the sacred donations if he is unclean
• They must keep God's charge so they will not die in the sanctuary
• Forbidden from eating sacred donations: Lay person, hired servant of priests, daughter who marries lay person
• Permitted to eat them: Acquired servant, those born in priest's house, married daughter who returns to her father's house
• Person who eats donation unintentionally offers back the same plus one-fifth
• Disobedience requires a guilt offering

16-33 - Instructions to Aaron and Sons: Acceptable Offerings

• Unblemished
• More than 7 days old
• Eaten on the same day as slaughter
• 32 - "I am the LORD; I sanctify you. I who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the LORD.

Psalm 30
5 - "For [the LORD's] anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning."

Acts 20
1-16 - Paul to Macedonia and Greece, Troas and Miletus

• Says goodbye to disciples in Ephesus, encourages disciples as he travels through Macedonia to Greece, where he stays 3 months
• Trip to Syria prevented by threat from Jews, so heads back by land through Macedonia, accompanied by Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Timothy, Tychicus, Trophimus, and Luke
  
• Sails from Philippi to Troas
  
• In Troas on first day of the week, preaches through the night, raises Eutychus
• Fellow travelers sail to Assos, pick up Paul, sail past Ephesus to Miletus. Luke (and other travelers?) appear to have stayed at Miletus, because from hereon it's "Paul" not "we."
  

17-38 - Paul's farewell to Ephesian elders
Recounts his service in Asia:

• Served with all humility and tears
• Endured trials caused by Jews
• Taught publicly and from house to house
• Preached to both Jews and Greeks

His plans now:

• As a "captive to the Spirit," on his way to Jerusalem
• Expects imprisonment and persecutions, wherever he goes
• But wishes only to "finish" his course

Message to the elders:

• You will not see my face again
• I declared to you the "whole purpose of God"
• Watch yourselves and the flock; expect savage wolves
• Be alert
• I commend you to God and to the message of his grace
• Remember the words of Jesus: "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
  

Leviticus 18-19; Psalm 29; Acts 19

Leviticus 18 - Laws regarding Sexual Relations

• Introduction: Do not do as they did in Egypt, or do in Canaan. This list of laws is to prevent God's people from taking on the lifestyle of pagans.
• My ordinances you shall observe and my statutes you shall keep...I am the LORD your God.
• Prohibited: sexual relations with family members; aunts; uncles; in-laws; rival sisters
• Prohibitions re menstruating women; kinsman's wife; child sacrificed to Molech; males with males; animals
• Results of misbehavior: The land is defiled and will vomit out its inhabitants
• This has happened to other people, and it will happen to you

Leviticus 19 - Ritual and Moral Holiness

• I am the LORD -- repeated in verses 2, 4, 9, 12, 13, 16, 18, 25, 28, 39, 31, 32, 33, 37. Just in case they forget the authority behind these commandments.
• Positive commands: You shall be holy, for I am holy
• Honor your parents; keep my sabbaths; turn from idols
• Sacrifice of well-being must be eaten on same day; burn the leftovers. To not do this is to profane what is holy.
• Leave gleanings of harvest for the poor
• Do not steal nor lie nor swear nor defraud your neighbor nor hold back wages nor be cruel to the disabled
• Do not show partiality either to the poor or the rich nor slander nor profit by your neighbor's blood
• Do not hate a relative nor take vengeance nor bear a grudge
• Love your neighbor as yourself.
• Keep my statutes.
• Do not mix animals nor sown seeds nor clothing fabrics
• Guilt offering required if a man sleeps with a female slave
• When you plant new trees, do not eat fruit until the 5th year. The 4th year's fruit will be "set apart for rejoicing in the LORD."
• Do not eat anything with its blood nor practice witchcraft nor round off the hair on your temples nor mar the edges of your beards nor gash your flesh for the dead nor tattoo. How odd that hair prohibitions would be grouped with practicing witchcraft. More study needed on this: Maybe there was some connection.
• Keep my sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary.
• Do not turn to mediums or wizards
• Rise before the aged; defer to the old
• Do not oppress the alien - you were once an alien
• Do not cheat - Keep honest balances, weights, ephah and hin
• Keep all my statues and ordinances

Psalm 29
The voice of the LORD

• Thunders
• Breaks the cedars
• Flashes forth flames of fire
• Shakes the wilderness
• Causes the oaks to whirl

May the LORD

• Give strength to his people
• Bless his people with peace

Acts 19 - Paul in Ephesus

• Twelve recipients of John's baptism are re-baptized
• Paul lays his hands on them and they speak in tongues and prophesy
• Speaks in synagogue for three months, but message is rejected
• Leaves synagogue, taking disciples with him, and begins lecturing daily in lecture hall of Tyrannus
• In two years all the residents of Asia hear the word of the Lord
• Humorous scene: Sons of Sceva, a Jewish high priest, try to exorcise evil spirits, but the spirits don't recognize them
• The man with the evil spirit attacks them, and the sons of Sceva flee
• As a result, magicians burn their books -- a value of 50,000 coins
• Paul sends Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia on his behalf
• Threatened by Paul's preaching, Demetrius and fellow silversmiths start a riot
• Mob quieted by town clerk: Take your case to court, if you have one
  

Leviticus 15-17; Psalm 28; Acts 18

Leviticus 15 - Laws re Bodily Discharges

• Laws, it would seem, that prevented the spread of disease.
• If unnatural conditions, sacrifices required

Leviticus 16 - Day of Atonement
Instructions for Aaron

• Not observed on just any day
• Special clothes to be worn
• Young bull for sin offering and ram for burnt offering
• Two goats - one sacrificed, the other sent out into the wilderness (scapegoat)
• Incense offering
• Sprinkle blood of bull and goat on mercy seat
• No one else to be in the tabernacle
• Sprinkle blood on the altar
• Release the scapegoat
• Leave vestments in the tabernacle
• The special day - 10th day of the 7th month
• A day of rest
• An "everlasting" statute

Leviticus 17 - Laws re slaughtering of animals
1-9 - Animal sacrifices

• Made only in the tabernacle -- nowhere else
• Punishment for disobedience - cut off from the people

10-16 - Eating of blood prohibited

• Because "life is in the blood"
• Punishment: "I will set my face against that person...and will cut that person off from the people."

Psalm 28
1 - "To you, O LORD, I call; my rock, do not refuse to hear me, for if you are silent to me, I shall be like those who go down to the Pit."

Acts 18
1-17 - Paul in Corinth

• Meets Aquila and Priscilla, refugees from Rome
• Part-time preacher. During the week, makes tents; on Sabbaths, in synagogues, arguing with Jews and Greeks
• Paul gives up on Jews and declares he will now preach to the Gentiles. He had told this same thing to the Jews in Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:46).
  
• God appears to Paul in a vision: Stay here, for "there are many in this city who are my people."
• Achaian proconsul dismisses Jews' case against Paul -- denying Paul an opportunity to defend his case and ignoring their beating of Sosthenes, a synagogue official

18-23 - Paul leaves with Priscilla and Aquila to go to Cenchrea and Ephesus

• In Cenchrea, has his hair cut, for "he was under a vow."
• In Ephesus, goes to synagogue to speak to the Jews. Apparently his declaration to go only to Gentiles was principally to the Corinthians Jews
• Leaves Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus and goes by himself to Caesarea, Jerusalem, Antioch, then to Galatia and Phrygia

24-28 - Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos

• Priscilla and Aquila explain "the way of God more accurately" to Apollos
  
• Apollos goes to Achaia and works with the church there, refuting Jews in public, "showing by the scriptures that the Messiah is Jesus."

Leviticus 13-14; Psalm 27:7-14; Acts 17

Leviticus 13 - Leprosy - Varieties and Symptoms

Leviticus 14 - Purification of Lepers and Leprous Houses

• 2 birds - one slaughtered, the other dipped in blood of the first and released
• Sacrifice of 2 male lambs or, if possible, one lamb and one flour offering and two turtledoves or pigeons
• Priest anoints cleansed leper with oil
• House - infected stones removed; plaster scraped and replaced
• Offering - 2 birds - one slaughtered, one released

Psalm 27:7-14
v. 10 - "If my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will take me up."

Acts 17
1-9 - Uproar in Thessalonica

• Paul preaches in the synagogue. Some Jews, devout Greeks, and leading women believe
• Jealous Jews form a mob and attack Jason's house, where Paul and Silas are staying
• 7 - Another spin. Jews accuse Paul and Silas of trying to overthrow the government -- a cover-up of their jealousy.

10-15 - In Beroea

• Many believe - "Jews were more receptive than those in Thessalonica."
  
• Thessalonian Jews come and stir up crowds
• Paul goes to Athens to wait for Silas and Timothy to join him

16-32 - Paul in Athens

• "Deeply distressed" by all the idols
• Argues with Jews and devout persons in synagogues and in marketplace with anyone there.
• Debates Epicurean and Stoic philosophers
• They call him a "babbler," proclaiming "foreign divinities."
• But they're curious, and Paul preaches to them.
• 30 - "commands all people everywhere to repent." This is in the context of pagans and Jews. "The world will be judged by a man God appointed, whom he raised from the dead." How much more exclusive can you get?
• 32 - Some scoffed, some would hear more; others believed. Some closed their minds; others were curious; others were receptive -- to the same message.
  

Leviticus 10-12; Psalm 27:1-6; Acts 16

Leviticus 10 - Nadab & Abihu

• This incident follows right after demonstration of God's power and ordination of priests.
• They offered "unholy" fire.
• Similarities: 9:24 - "Fire came out from the LORD and consumed the burnt offering...." 10:2 - "Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them."
• Instructions to Aaron and his sons: 1) Do not "dishevel your hair or...you will die." 2) Do not leave the tent of meeting, or you will die." 3) Eat these offerings: grain, breast, thigh.
• Moses becomes angry at Aaron's sons for burning up the sin offering. Aaron's answer: Look at what has happened to me today! Would it have made any difference? And Moses agrees.

Leviticus 11 - Clean & Unclean Foods

• You may eat only land animals that 1) have divided hoofs; 2) are cleft-footed; and 3) chew the cud
• You may eat only water animals that have fins and scales
• Unclean birds: eagle, vulture, osprey, buzzard, kite, raven, ostrich, nighthawk, seagull, hawk, owl, cormorant, water hen, desert owl, carrion vulture, stork, heron, hoopoe, bat
• All insects are unclean
• If you touch the carcass of an unclean animal, wash your clothes. You'll be unclean until evening.
• Anything that touches an unclean animal shall be unclean until evening.
• vv. 43-44 - "You shall not defile yourselves...for I am the LORD your God; sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.
• Comment: These last two verses seem to connect physical purity with the purity and holiness of God.

Leviticus 12 - Purification of Women after Childbirth

• Male child - Woman is ceremonially unclean 7 days; time of blood purification, 33 days
• Female child - Ceremonially unclean twice as long -- 14 days, time of blood purification - 66 days
• At end of this time, she offers a sacrifice.

Psalm 27:1-6 -- One to memorize!
Especially verses 1 and 4:
1 - The LORD is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

4 - One thing I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

Acts 16
1-5 - Timothy joins Paul and Silas
6-10 - Paul's vision of the man of Macedonia
10 - Luke joins them (pronoun changes to "we")
11-15 - Conversion of Lydia
20 - These Jews are "advocating customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to adopt or observe." What a spin! The real threat - losing their income! Reminds me of unbelievers today that feel threatened by Christians. I'm not exactly sure that they're afraid of, though. Does it also boil down to money somehow?

Leviticus 7-9; Acts 15

Leviticus 7-9
Chapter 7 - Laws regarding

• Guilt offering - Every male priest eats it
• Offering of well-being
• Flesh that touches an unclean thing

Chapter 8 - Rites of Ordinances

• Ordination of the priests
• Moses cleanses, then "dresses" Aaron and his sons in their priestly garments
• Slaughters bull for sin offering, ram for burnt offering, second ram for ordination
• Anoints them with the blood of the ram - right earlobes, right thumbs, right big toes
• Burns fat and grain offering and breast
• Aaron and sons to remain at the entrance of the tent for 7 days

Chapter 9 - Aaron's Priesthood Inaugurated

• On 8th day
• Sin offering - bull calf
• People's offering - goat and grain
• Offering of Well-being - ox and ram
• 24 - "Fire came out from the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces."

Acts 15
1-21 - Jerusalem Council -Dispute over circumcision of Gentile believers
Three sources of evidence for inclusion of Gentiles:

• Personal testimony - Peter speaks: God has appointed me to preach to the Gentiles. Jews will be saved through grace, just like the Gentiles
• Testimony from God - Paul and Barnabas tell of signs and wonders done among the Gentiles
• Testimony of scripture - James: This is a fulfillment of prophecy

22-35 - Letter to the Gentiles

• To be sent back to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas accompanied by Judas and Silas of the Jerusalem church
• Message from Jerusalem church: Judaizers do not represent us; Paul and Barnabas, Judas and Silas do.
• Observe these things: Abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, what is strangled, and fornication.

36-41 - Paul and Barnabas disagree about John Mark

• Barnabas takes Mark to Cyprus
• Paul takes Silas and goes through Syria and Cilicia

Leviticus 4-6; Psalm 26; Acts 14

Leviticus 4-6
Chapter 4 - Sin Offerings for Unintentional Sins

• Anointed priest - bull sacrifice
• Whole congregation - bull
• Ruler - male goat
• Ordinary person - female goat or female sheep

5:1 - 6:7 - Sins and Appropriate Sacrifices

• Withholding testimony -Touching an unclean thing -Rash oath
• Sacrifice: If not a goat or sheep then 2 turtledoves or 2 pigeons. If those are too expensive, then flour
• Offerings with restitution: Unintentional sinning in holy things of God
• Sacrifice: a ram for a guilt offering
• Sin of fraud: Pay the principal plus 1/5, plus a ram

6:8ff - Sacrifices - Instructions to Priests

• Burnt offering - a perpetual fire
• Grain offering - majority for priests to eat
• Grain offering given by priests, sacrificed totally to God
• Sin offering eaten in court by priests

Psalm 26
v. 8 - "O LORD, I love the house in which you dwell, and the place where your glory abides."

Acts 14
1-7 - Iconium

• Both Jews and Greeks believe
• Unbelieving Jews stir up Gentiles and "poison" their minds
• The Lord "testifies to the word of his grace" with signs and wonders
• Both Jews and Gentiles plot to stone Paul and Barnabas, and they flee

8-19 - Lystra and Derbe

• Heal a crippled man
• Are mistaken for gods. There is a tendency for men to praise the creature (the preacher) rather than the Creator.
• Lystra - Jews from Iconium come and incite crowds, who stone Paul and drag him out of the city, leaving him for dead.
• 20 - A miracle here? The disciples surround Paul, and he calmly gets up and goes on to Derbe with Barnabas

21-28 - From Derbe back to Antioch of Syria

• Many disciples in Galatia
• Paul and Barnabas encourage disciples in Lystra, Iconium and Antioch of Pisidia. They go right back to those place where they had been so mistreated. Under the circumstance, it was vital for those who believed. What encouragement they must have received from seeing Paul and Barnabas again!
• Paul's message: "It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God."
• They appoint elders in each church
• They return to their sending church - Antioch of Syria

Leviticus 1-3; Psalm 25:12-22; Acts 13

Leviticus 1 - Laws regarding Burnt Offerings
From the herd:

• Male without blemish
• Worshiper to bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting
• Worshiper to lay hand on its head - a personal sacrifice, not impersonal
  
• Priests to slaughter the bull and dash its blood against the altar
• Priests to flay and cut up the offering
• Priests to arrange the parts on the altar, washing the entrails
• Priests to turn "the whole into smoke."

From the flock: Same as bull, except it's slaughtered on the north side of the altar

Birds:

• Turtledoves or pigeons -- the priest:
  
• Wrings its neck
• Drains the blood
• Removes the crop and throws it at the east side of the altar (the place for ashes)
• Tears it open by the wings
• Turns it into smoke

Leviticus 2 - Grain Offerings

• Choice flour
• Worshiper pours oil and frankincense on it and brings it to the priest
• Priest keeps a handful, then throws the rest on the altar
• If baked - unleavened cakes or wafers and oil
• If cooked on a griddle - flour and oil, broken up
• If cooked in a pan - flour in oil
• Priest keeps a token portion, offers the rest
• No leaven or honey to be burned
• Salt always included with the grain offering

Leviticus 3 - Offerings of Well-Being
From herd:

• Male or female without blemish
• Worshiper lays hand on head of sacrifice
• Offers fat on entrails, 2 kidneys, appendage of liver

From flock:

• Male or female without blemish

"All fat is the LORD's. It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations, in all your settlements: you must not eat any fat or any blood." [Interesting how we still tend to honor the blood restriction, but not the fat restriction. It might be good if we still offered our "fat" to God.]

Psalm 25:12-22
v. 14 - "The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes his covenant known to them."

Acts 13
2 - Holy Spirit: "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." [How did the Holy Spirit say this?]

3-4 - The Antioch church "sent them off"; the Holy Spirit "sent them out."

9 - "Saul - also known as Paul" - is called Paul from here forward.

6-12 - Elymas: God blinds the one trying to blind others to the truth. [Question: Did Paul perform this miracle, or was he just prophesying what God was about to do to Elymas?]

5 - Cyprus - to the synagogue

14 - Antioch of Pisidia - to the synagogue on the Sabbath

16ff - Paul's sermon

• Starts with what they know -- Hebrew history -- and concludes with the resurrection of Christ
• Response: "Come again next Sabbath."
• Many Jews and devout converts follow them
• The next Sabbath, seeing the crowds, the Jews 1) are filled with jealousy; 2) blaspheme; 3) contradict Paul and Barnabas
• Paul's response: "We're going to the Gentiles."
• Gentiles are glad, "and as many as had been destined for eternal life became believers."
• Jewish persecution drive Paul and Barnabas out of the region, to Iconium
• They are filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. Persecution obviously indicates they were making an impact.

Exodus 39-40; Psalm 25:1-11; Acts 12

Exodus 39 - Completion of Work
1-31 - Vestments made for priests "as the LORD had commanded Moses."

32-43 - Tabernacle work completed

• 32 - Israelites had done everything just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
• 43 - When Moses saw they had done the work just as the LORD commanded, he blessed them.

Exodus 40 - Tabernacle Erected

• Tabernacle and equipment installed - to be done the 1st day of the 1st month. [See Exodus 12:1 - The Passover is to be observed the 10th day of the 1st month]
• God's instructions: 1) Place the vessels, set up the court; 2) Anoint it, consecrate it; 3) Anoint the priests
• Cloud and glory: Even Moses could not enter the tent when the cloud (the glory of the LORD) filled it. Again, the cloud would serve as a signal for moving or staying
  

Psalm 25:1-11 - Things for God to remember, things for him to forget (emphasis mine)
Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love.
Do not remember the sins of my youth
According to your steadfast love, remember me for your goodness sake.

Acts 12 - Death of James, Imprisonment of Peter
1 - Herod kills James, encouraged by the killing because it pleases the Jews

34 - He has Peter arrested and thrown into prison, but God is greater than Herod.

• He sends angels to release Peter from prison
• He uses worms to kill Herod. Could there be any more humiliating death than for a king to be eaten up by worms?
  

Exodus 37-38; Psalm 24; Acts 11

Exodus 37 - Making the Ark of the Covenant and Other Vessels
Bezalel makes the following just as God and Moses instructed:

• Ark: gold overlay inside and outside
• Table for the Bread of the Presence
• Lampstand - one piece of hammered gold
• Altar of incense
• Anointing oil and incense

Exodus 38

• Altar of Burnt Offering
• Court of the Tabernacle - v. 13 - The east side is the front side
• Materials of the Tabernacle - Ithamar, son of Aaron, directs Levites in their work
• Gold - 29 talents and 730 shekels
• Silver - 100 talents and 1775 shekels (1/2 shekel per head for census of 603,500 men)
• Bronze - 70 talents, 2400 shekels
• Note: 1 talent equivalent to 3000 shekels, or 125 pounds. So the weight of gold was 12,500 pounds
• Shekel = 20 gerahs; Gerah ~ 3 cents American money; Shekel ~ 60 cents; 1 talent = 3,000 shekels ~ $1800.
  
• 29 talents of gold ~ $52,200 plus 730 shekels ~ $52,638 in gold. (The 3-cent value comes from Nave's Topical Bible, first published in 1917. I don't know whether or not values have been updated with more recent editions.)
  

Psalm 24
Question: "Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?"
Answer: "Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully."

Acts
11:1-18 - Peter's Report to the Church in Jerusalem

• 2 - Immediately met with criticism by circumcised believers
• 4 - So Peter explains, "step by step."
• 13 - Peter's vision verified by 1) Cornelius's vision; 2) the words of Jesus
• 18 - Critics are silenced, then they praise God. "Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life." This shows their trust in Peter and a readiness to accept his word. Rumor leads to criticism; firsthand testimony leads to faith.

11:19-30 - The Church in Antioch (of Syria)

• v. 19 picks up where 8:1 leaves off.
• Most of those scattered spoke only to Jews
• In Antioch, some from Cyprus and Cyrene also spoke to Hellenists
• Barnabas goes to Antioch and, impressed with his reception there, sends for Saul
• The disciples first called Christians
• With a prediction of drought, this young Gentile church sends relief to Jewish believers in Judea.
• What a heady period of time! Conversion of Saul; gospel opened to Gentiles; success among Gentiles in Antioch; unity of believers shown in the Gentile gifts to the Jews.

Exodus 35-36; Psalm 23; Acts 10

Exodus 35
1-3 - Sabbath Regulations

4-19 - Enumeration of all that would have to be crafted for the tabernacle

20-29 - And the people responded. Indication that even in the Old Testament, gifts were given out of gratitude, not compulsion

• "whose heart was stirred"
• "whose spirit was willing"
• "both men and women"
• "of a willing heart"
• Everyone who possessed blue or purple; could offer silver or bronze; possessed acacia wood
• All the skillful women
• All whose hearts made them willing

30-35 - Moses introduces Bezalel and Oholiah as major craftsmen chosen and gifted by God. (See 31:1-11)

Exodus 36 - The Israelites are too generous.

• 1-7 - Bezalel & Oholiah receive freewill offerings.
• v. 5 - "The people are bringing much more than enough!"
• v. 6 - Moses to people: No more offerings! "So the people were restrained from bringing."
• 8-38 - Construction of tabernacle - according to God's pattern as given to Moses on the mountain

Psalm 23
Verse of note: v. 6 "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long."

Acts 10 - Peter & Cornelius
Cornelius:

• Prayed constantly
• Obeyed immediately

Peter:

• Was praying when he fell into the trance
• Objected to the command at first
• After command was repeated 3 times, he was still puzzled
• Immediately obeys the command to go down to meet Cornelius's men and invites these Gentiles in

Cornelius:

• Knew Peter would come
• Had gathered friends and family
• Fell at Peter's feet

Peter:

• Makes Cornelius rise - "I am only a man."
• Cites the illegal nature of the meeting
• Preaches to the Gentiles for the first time: Jesus' baptism; signs he performed; his death, resurrection, and ordination as judge of the living and the dead
• After Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit, Peter commands them to be baptized
• Stays several days with these Gentiles

Exodus 33-34; Psalm 22:22-31; Acts 9

33:1-3 - God's Command to Leave Sinai, but without Him

• Leave Sinai, go conquer the land I will give you
  
• My angel will lead you, but I will not be among you, because I would consume you on the way for being stubborn. God's restraint, knowing his own power and his jealousy for his people.
  

33:4-11 - Past Procedure for Receiving God's Instructions

• Moses would meet God in a tent outside the camp, accompanied by Joshua.
• God would descend in the form of a cloud, and all the people would stand at the entrances of their tents until God and Moses finished speaking.
• Then Moses would return to the camp, but Joshua would stay at the tent.

33:12-17 - Moses' Intercession

• v. 16 - Moses' argument. "How will people know I (we) have found favor in your sight if you don't go with us?" In other words, if you don't go with us, you'll be just like other [local] gods!"
  
• God agrees for Moses' sake and promises to reveal himself to Moses.

33:19-23 - God's Promises

• I will make all my goodness and glory pass before you.
• I will proclaim before you the name YHWH.
• I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. God limits his capacity to withstand sin and rebellious attitudes.
  

34:1-27 - Replacement Tablets and Renewal of Covenant

• On God's order, Moses cuts two new tablets, rises early the next morning, and goes back up to Mt. Sinai to meet God.
• The LORD declares himself and his character: merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, forgiving iniquity BUT by no means clearing the guilty.
• God's promise: To drive out the Canaanites.
  
• God's requirements: No idols, keep feasts, sacrifices, the Sabbath, no leaven in sacrifices
• In this 40 days and nights, Moses writes the words on the tablets

34:28-35 - The Shining Face of Moses

• Moses did not know his face was shining.
  
• After he realized it, Moses veiled his face when talking with people after he had been with the LORD.

Psalm 22:22-31
Prophecy about Gentiles:

All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD;
and all the families of the nations shall worship before him.
For dominion belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.

Acts 9 - Conversion of Saul

• v. 1 - Saul still on a rampage. Stirred up - by death of Stephen? - for more persecution.
• v. 5 - Saul an unlikely candidate for conversion in our eyes, but not in God's.
• v. 10 - Ananias does not seem surprised to receive a direct message from God.
• v. 13 - Like Moses and other Old Testament faithfuls, Ananias starts with "But Lord...." and like with Moses, God says "Just go!"

9:5-31 Progression of Saul's Conversion

• 5 - Revelation
• 9,11 - Fasting and prayer
• 17 - Human messenger
• 18 - Sight and baptism
  
• 19 - Physical sustenance
• 20-22 - Proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues of Damascus, "proving" that Jesus was the Messiah
• 23-25 - Persecution and escape
• 26-30 - In Jerusalem, suspicion; Barnabas' defense of him; bold preaching; more persecution; escape to Tarsus, his hometown
• 31 - Meanwhile, the church in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria [See 1:8] had peace and was built up

9:32-42 Peter in Lydda & Joppa

• Heals Aeneas
• Raises Dorcas from the dead
• Seems to have been called to Joppa for that purpose. [See 5:15.]