Daily Bible Reading - April 4, 2017

Today's Reading:

Matthew 26:26-46

Deuteronomy 1-2

Job 4

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Thoughts and Commentary on Today's Reading:

Today, we're starting into the Book of Deuteronomy. Did you know that this was the Book of Moses from which Jesus (Yahshua) quoted the most? For fun, consider the following, quoted from the Biblia blog by Jeffrey Kranz:

The 4 Old Testament books Jesus (Yahshua) quoted most:

#4 Exodus: The Book Yahshua quoted from fourth most -

Exodus is famous for the stories of Moses, the burning bush, the 10 plagues, and the parting of the Red Sea. It’s the story of God calling Israel from Egypt and making them his own people in the Wilderness.

Jesus (Yahshua) quotes Exodus seven times, usually referencing the Law of Yahweh:

• Jesus references the burning bush incident when explaining the resurrection (Exodus 3:6; Matthew 22:32; Mark 12:26; Luke 20:37).

• He recalls the Ten Commandments when telling a rich man how to enter the Kingdom of God (Exodus 20:12–16; Matthew 19:18–19; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20).

• He mentions the Fifth Commandment (honoring parents) when exposing the Pharisees’ and scribes’ hypocrisy (Ex 20:12, 21:17; Mt 15:4; Mk 7:10).

• And of course, the Commandments against murder and adultery show up in Jesus’ (Yahshua's) Sermon on the Mount (Ex 20:12–13; Mt 5:21, 27).

• Jesus (Yahshua) quoted the famous “eye for an eye” line right before telling his disciples to turn the other cheek (Ex 21:24; Mt 5:38).

#3 Isaiah - The Book Yahshua quoted from third most

Jesus (Yahshua) quoted the book of Isaiah eight times during His Ministry. Isaiah was a prophet who wrote about the coming Judgment—and the comfort that God would bring to His people afterward.

Jesus (Yahshua) quoted Isaiah to describe the disconnect between the people and their God. For example:

• Jesus (Yahshua) speaks in parables, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy concerning “eyes that do not see” and “ears that do not hear” (Isaiah 6:9–10; Matthew 13:14–15; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10).

• When Jesus (Yahshua) turned over the tables in the Temple, He referenced Isaiah’s Words on how the House of God was intended to operate (Isaiah 56:7; Matthew 21:13; Mark 11:17; Luke 19:46).

• He called out the Pharisees and scribes for their lip service to God—they honored God with their Words, but their hearts were far, far from Him (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8–9; Mark 7:6–7).

• He alluded to Isaiah in His parable of the vineyard (Isaiah 5:1; Matthew 21:33; Mark 12:1; Luke 20:9).

These messages weren’t always well-received, but that shouldn’t be a surprise—they weren’t very popular back when Isaiah wrote them, either.

But Jesus (Yahshua) didn’t always dwell on the negatives. He also quoted Isaiah when describing how His Ministry reconciles the people back to God:

• He quoted Isaiah’s prophecy that Messiah would die a sinner’s death (Isaiah 53:12; Luke 22:37).

• His Salvation Ministry allowed the people to be taught of God (Isaiah 54:13; John 6:45).

• He healed the blind and brought good news to the afflicted (Isaiah 61:1–2; Matthew 11:5; Luke 4:18–19, 7:22).

Jesus (Yahshua) quoted Isaiah to highlight the disconnect between God and the people, but He also quoted Isaiah to remind people of the comfort God would bring through Him.

#2 Deuteronomy - the Book Christ quoted from the second most

Another book of Moses—the last of the five. Deuteronomy wraps up the story of Israel’s wanderings in the wilderness. Moses calls the people together and lays out God’s expectations for them in the future, once they take the land of Canaan.

Jesus (Yahshua) quoted Deuteronomy on 10 occasions in the Gospels, and it’s the only OT Book Jesus (Yahshua) quoted when He resisted the devil.

• Jesus (Yahshua) summed up the Law and the prophets with a line from Deuteronomy (and another from Leviticus): love God, and love your neighbor as yourself (Dt 6:5; Mt 22:37; Mk 12:29–33; Lk 10:27).

• The Ten Commandments are in both Exodus and Deuteronomy: Jesus (Yahshua) referenced both books when He cited the Commandments.

• Jesus (Yahshua) referenced Deuteronomy when He discussed divorce (Deuteronomy 24:1–3; Matthew 5:31, 19:7; Mark 10:4).

• He mentioned Moses’ rule of witnesses when He outlined church discipline (Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:16).

• When Satan tempted Jesus (Yahshua) in the wilderness, He responded with passages from Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 6:13, 16, 8:3; Matthew 4:4, 7, 10; Luke 4:4, 8, 12).

#1 Psalms - the Old Testament Book which Christ quoted the Most was Psalms

Psalms is the most-read book of the Bible, and it’s the one Messiah quoted most often.

The book of Psalms is a collection of 150 songs and poems written to God. David penned half of them, and the rest were written by temple worship leaders (like the sons of Asaph), wise men (like Solomon), and some unknown poets...

Messiah quoted the Psalms on 11 occasions:

• Jesus (Yahshua) outwitted the Pharisees with the Psalms on several occasions (Psalm 8:2, 110:1; Matthew 21:16, 22:44; Mark 12:36, 14:62; Luke 20:42–43).

• He quoted the twenty-second Psalm while dying on the Cross: “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34). He then fulfilled the thirty-first Psalm by committing His Spirit to the Father (31:5; Luke 23:46).

• Jesus (Yahshua) was hated without cause, which He said the Psalms foretold (Psalm 35:19, 69:4; John 15:25).

• He quoted the Psalms when talking about His betrayal (Psalm 41:9; John 13:18).

• Jesus (Yahshua) recalled the manna in the wilderness after feeding a multitude (Psalm 78:24; John 6:31).

• When the Jews wanted to stone Jesus (Yahshua) for claiming to be God, He responded with a line from Psalms (Psalm 82:6; John 10:34).

• Jesus (Yahshua) quotes Psalm 110 when Pilate asks if he is the son of God (Psalm 110:1; Matthew 26:64).

• He quoted Psalms to the chief priests and elders, calling Himself the Chief Cornerstone (Psalm 118:22–23; Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17).

• Jesus (Yahshua) referenced Psalms when foretelling Jerusalem’s destruction (Psalm 118:26; Matthew 23:39; Luke 13:35).

So, as we begin reading the book of Deuteronomy, I just thought I'd point out that it was one of our Saviour's personal favorites. It is an excellent overview of the Law of God. But the part that especially interests me, is I like to pray to read it with Yahshua's Eyes. In fact, I pray that now. I pray that I will see in it what He does, as I read. Happy reading!