Day 35: Deuteronomy 11–15; Proverbs 12–16; Acts 10–12
Deuteronomy 11-15 concerns laws and instructions concerning how the people are to behave in the promised land. Th writer warns against idolatry, following the detestable ways of the Canaanites and to remember the true God who lead them out of slavery in Egypt. They are to not sacrifice under trees or at any altar, but at the place where God appoints His sacrifices to be made. This is the writer's way of pointing forward to the temple in Jerusalem, generations in the future.
If animals are eaten their blood must be drained, for the life is in the blood (Deut. 12:22-23). God, the life-giver, has already appointed the blood as an atonement for the people. Blood is not to be ingested for it is set aside for this life giving, life redeeming purpose. (Sorry, Count Dracula!)
There is a reminder also of the food restrictions in Deuteronomy 14. And there is provision through a ten percent tithe of the harvest a means by which Levites, the poor, widowed and orphaned and the foreigner are cared for (Deut. 14:28-29). Chapter 15 urges the people to be "open handed" toward the poor. If the Israelite gives tot e poor without a stingy heart, God will bless him in all his work and everything he does (Deut. 15:10).
"Whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy (Pr. 14:21b)."
"The fear of the Lord is the fountain of life (Pr. 14:27a)."
Kindness to foreigners, strangers and the poor is something the early church also learned to practice. But by the time of Jesus and His followers Jewish tradition had made it religiously illegal for a Jew to enter a foreigner's house (Acts 10:28).
Peter was given a vision of a sheet falling down from heaven with a variety of unclean animals forbidden by the holiness code. No Jew is to eat them. On the sheet may have been...
the camel, the hare, and the hyrax, and the pig, the eagle, the bearded vulture,
the black vulture, the kite,the various kinds of falcon, every kind of raven, the ostrich,
the short-eared owl, the gull, the various kinds of hawk, the little owl, the long-eared owl,
the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey, the cormorant, the stork, the various kinds of heron,
the hoopoe, and the bat and winged insects. (Deut. 14:7-19)
God told Peter to eat what the law forbid. Peter thought it a test and refused claiming never to let any unclean or common food into his mouth. But the voice of God in the vision said, "do not call unclean or common what I have made clean (Acts 10:15)." This happened three times convincing Peter that God had spoken to him and prepared him to go with 3 gentiles who were sent by a Roman centurion named Cornelius.
Cornelius was a God-fearer and a man who practiced charity. The Jewish community of Caesarea respected him. Now Cornelius' good works and His faith were being rewarded. He was told to send for Peter in a vision. The one who showed kindness to the poor was soon to be blessed with eternal life!
Peter shared the gospel and Cornelius and his whole household were filled with the Holy Spirit. Peter and his Jewish Christian companions were amazed that God had poured out the Spirit on Gentiles as well. So they baptized them with water in the name of Jesus.
In the ministry of Jesus we see a redeeming of rifts and separations which were necessary under the covenant with Moses. Israel was yeast in the dough, light in the darkness. They had to separate from the gentiles in order to become a people holy to God. Through this centuries long work of God Israel produced Messiah Jesus. Now through the new covenant in His blood, a repentance resulting in life (Acts 11:18) is now healing the rifts and bringing Jew and Gentile together in one family of God (Eph. 2:13-19).
Lord, Thank you for the work of healing You have done and are doing in Jesus. It means a poor gentile like me might come to enjoy the rich blessings of the children of God through the repentance resulting in life. Amen
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Hear O Israel! You Have Seen!
Day 34: Deuteronomy 6–10; Proverbs 7–11; Acts 7–9
I remember once being a witness to an accident which claimed the lives of two teenage girls. The police interviewed me about what I had seen. I shared how the tire on their vehicle blew and the van went out of control flipping down the highway. It was a terrible sight. I was shaken afterward and I wasn't in the wreck, I only witnessed it.
Imagine the sheer terror of those who witnessed God's appearance on Mt. Sinai when He spoke to them all the words of the Law. It so terrified the Israelites, they begged Moses to speak the words of the Law to them for they feared they would die if they listened directly to the voice of God.
Now as the people prepare to cross the Jordan and take possession of the Land, Moses speaks to them all the words, reminding them to keep all God's laws and commands and why. Keeping the law keeps Israel within God's blessing and protection. God will drive out the enemies from the Land and God will bless them with long life and much wealth.
They are warned not to get too proud thinking they are responsible for their own wealth and forget who gave them the Land and the wealth. They are to remain humble before God their deliverer and continue in His righteousness. They them selves have heard God's law and they have seen with their own eyes God's signs and wonders among them in the wilderness. Their healthy respect for the great and awesome God in their midst should cause them to remain obedient and never forget to love and worship the Lord.
The fear (or reverence) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Pr. 9:10). And they repeat the words, "Hear O Israel, The Lord Thy God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord with all you heart, mind, soul and strength (Deut. 6:4)." Remember and teach your children and grandchildren.
But we humans are forgetful and we can be prideful. The leadership of Israel in the time of the early church had grown proud and could not see Jesus for who he is. This is made clear when Stephen, the first Martyr recounts for them the nations history and how they have always been a stiff-necked people who reject and kill God's prophets. Now the blood of the Son of Man is on their hands. When they hear Stephen's confrontation, they shout and cover their ears! They are deaf to the truth.
And when Saul hears the voice of the Lord, he asks, "Who are you, Lord?" Does he not know since he has authority from the Sanhedrin to punish and imprison the church? And he who claims to see, who claims to know God, becomes blind. He has a 3 day period of blindness as he prays for deliverance from Jesus who he had persecuted so ruthlessly. His 3 days of sightlessness parallels Jesus' three days of lifelessness. But God has mercy and sends Ananias to pray for him to regain his sight and to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Saul becomes Paul and begins preaching boldly the gospel that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
If obedience brings blessing and protection, rebellion brings curse and disease. God promised the Israelites that He would spare them the plague of Egypt if they kept His covenant carefully (Deut. 7:15). If they didn't He would afflict them. Paul is afflicted with blindness, but only for the purpose of converting him to faith in Jesus. In the same way, the terrible plagues on a rebellious Israel converted them to become a nation ready to possess the Promised Land.
What have I heard? What have I seen of this God who loves me and corrects me with discipline that I might share in His holiness? I have heard that He gives rest to the weary and I have seen that He is faithful always even when I have failed to be. God will never fail to be God. God is good all the time.
I remember once being a witness to an accident which claimed the lives of two teenage girls. The police interviewed me about what I had seen. I shared how the tire on their vehicle blew and the van went out of control flipping down the highway. It was a terrible sight. I was shaken afterward and I wasn't in the wreck, I only witnessed it.
Imagine the sheer terror of those who witnessed God's appearance on Mt. Sinai when He spoke to them all the words of the Law. It so terrified the Israelites, they begged Moses to speak the words of the Law to them for they feared they would die if they listened directly to the voice of God.
Now as the people prepare to cross the Jordan and take possession of the Land, Moses speaks to them all the words, reminding them to keep all God's laws and commands and why. Keeping the law keeps Israel within God's blessing and protection. God will drive out the enemies from the Land and God will bless them with long life and much wealth.
They are warned not to get too proud thinking they are responsible for their own wealth and forget who gave them the Land and the wealth. They are to remain humble before God their deliverer and continue in His righteousness. They them selves have heard God's law and they have seen with their own eyes God's signs and wonders among them in the wilderness. Their healthy respect for the great and awesome God in their midst should cause them to remain obedient and never forget to love and worship the Lord.
The fear (or reverence) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Pr. 9:10). And they repeat the words, "Hear O Israel, The Lord Thy God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord with all you heart, mind, soul and strength (Deut. 6:4)." Remember and teach your children and grandchildren.
But we humans are forgetful and we can be prideful. The leadership of Israel in the time of the early church had grown proud and could not see Jesus for who he is. This is made clear when Stephen, the first Martyr recounts for them the nations history and how they have always been a stiff-necked people who reject and kill God's prophets. Now the blood of the Son of Man is on their hands. When they hear Stephen's confrontation, they shout and cover their ears! They are deaf to the truth.
And when Saul hears the voice of the Lord, he asks, "Who are you, Lord?" Does he not know since he has authority from the Sanhedrin to punish and imprison the church? And he who claims to see, who claims to know God, becomes blind. He has a 3 day period of blindness as he prays for deliverance from Jesus who he had persecuted so ruthlessly. His 3 days of sightlessness parallels Jesus' three days of lifelessness. But God has mercy and sends Ananias to pray for him to regain his sight and to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Saul becomes Paul and begins preaching boldly the gospel that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
If obedience brings blessing and protection, rebellion brings curse and disease. God promised the Israelites that He would spare them the plague of Egypt if they kept His covenant carefully (Deut. 7:15). If they didn't He would afflict them. Paul is afflicted with blindness, but only for the purpose of converting him to faith in Jesus. In the same way, the terrible plagues on a rebellious Israel converted them to become a nation ready to possess the Promised Land.
What have I heard? What have I seen of this God who loves me and corrects me with discipline that I might share in His holiness? I have heard that He gives rest to the weary and I have seen that He is faithful always even when I have failed to be. God will never fail to be God. God is good all the time.
And In Summary, Let Me Say...
Day 33: Deuteronomy 1–5; Proverbs 1–6; Acts 4–6
Deuteronomy is a sermon of sorts. The book summarizes the history of the wilderness wanderings and the laws, statutes and ordinances which the Lord commanded Moses for the people to keep. You might think of Deuteronomy as a Reader's Digest abridged version of some of Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. The book was likely written or at least edited by scribes post the exile in Babylon (see Deut. 2:12) as it has inferences to future happenings as if the reader already knows.
I am also confused because the writer of Deuteronomy tells a slightly different history than the writer of Numbers. Edom turns Israel away and will not let them pass through the land of Seir (Num. 20:20-21), but in Deuteronomy it seems like the Edomites allow passage (Deut. 2:29). Is this a mistake from the editors? Is this a purposeful telling that is warmer toward the Edomites that reflects Israel's warmer relationships in the post-exilic return to the Land? Who knows? What does it matter?
Deuteronomy 1-5 summarizes the journey from Mt. Sinai, where they received the Law, to the valley facing Beth-Peor (Shittim?). Chapters 4-5 begin a witness to the Law, warning the Israelites about worshipping idols/false gods and the giving of the Ten Commandments. Deuteronomy 5:6-21 is the second place in the Old Testament to find the entire list of the Ten Commandments.
Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings by King Solomon, son of King David, who prayed for the Lord to give him wisdom to govern the people of Israel. This collection if heeded brings life and blessing. If wisdom and correction is ignored, doom befalls the foolish. The wisdom recorded here is to be prized above silver and gold. Practical and inspiring, troubling and compelling are the Proverbs as the heart longs to attain the wealth of wisdom being offered.
Acts 4-6 tells of the continued rejection of Jesus by the ruling class of religious leaders in Jerusalem and the growth of the church through the proclamation of the gospel accompanied with signs and wonders that God is indeed with this movement.
Peter and John heal a lame man in Acts 3, but are arrested for teaching that faith in the name of Jesus healed him (Acts 3:16). The Sanhedrin order them not to preach any longer in the name of Jesus, but the men boldly reply, "Whether it's right in the sight of God [for us] to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard (Acts 4:19-20)."
They continue to witness to Jesus just as He promised they would when they received the power from heaven (Acts 1:8). And the signs of God's power among them continued. Fear gripped the community when the liars Ananias and Sapphira try to cheat God and they both die suddenly when confronted with their sin (Acts 5:11). The Apostles are arrested again for preaching, but an angel sets them free form jail in the middle of the night with the guards still present and unaware. This is very much like the resurrection of Jesus who could not be found in the empty tomb much to the guards' dismay.
Healings continue to the point that people began bringing the sick out to Peter in hopes that even his shadow might fall on them and heal them. This is very much like the woman with the flow of blood hoping to touch the tassels on Jesus' garment for healing.
And the apostles suffering the lash just as their Lord before them and yet they are rejoicing to suffer for the Name (Acts 5:41)! Can you imagine?
And in summary, let me say that the work of Jesus was only multiplied in His death, for through resurrection and exaltation and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, His church, His body on earth continues the work He began. He healed and the Spirit-filled church heals. He suffered and the church suffers. He drew crowds and His church draws crowds in response to the gospel. This is not simply a continuation of Jesus' ministry. This is the beginning of the culmination of all God has been doing from the very beginning when He spoke and separated the light from the dark, when He separated the children of Abraham to shine for all the nations to see. And now the kingdom of Christ advances further as the Spirit-filled church proclaims with authority the name of Jesus.
May Your kingdom continue to advance and many Your church continue to proclaim with power the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Fro there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Amen and Amen!
Deuteronomy is a sermon of sorts. The book summarizes the history of the wilderness wanderings and the laws, statutes and ordinances which the Lord commanded Moses for the people to keep. You might think of Deuteronomy as a Reader's Digest abridged version of some of Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. The book was likely written or at least edited by scribes post the exile in Babylon (see Deut. 2:12) as it has inferences to future happenings as if the reader already knows.
I am also confused because the writer of Deuteronomy tells a slightly different history than the writer of Numbers. Edom turns Israel away and will not let them pass through the land of Seir (Num. 20:20-21), but in Deuteronomy it seems like the Edomites allow passage (Deut. 2:29). Is this a mistake from the editors? Is this a purposeful telling that is warmer toward the Edomites that reflects Israel's warmer relationships in the post-exilic return to the Land? Who knows? What does it matter?
Deuteronomy 1-5 summarizes the journey from Mt. Sinai, where they received the Law, to the valley facing Beth-Peor (Shittim?). Chapters 4-5 begin a witness to the Law, warning the Israelites about worshipping idols/false gods and the giving of the Ten Commandments. Deuteronomy 5:6-21 is the second place in the Old Testament to find the entire list of the Ten Commandments.
Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings by King Solomon, son of King David, who prayed for the Lord to give him wisdom to govern the people of Israel. This collection if heeded brings life and blessing. If wisdom and correction is ignored, doom befalls the foolish. The wisdom recorded here is to be prized above silver and gold. Practical and inspiring, troubling and compelling are the Proverbs as the heart longs to attain the wealth of wisdom being offered.
Acts 4-6 tells of the continued rejection of Jesus by the ruling class of religious leaders in Jerusalem and the growth of the church through the proclamation of the gospel accompanied with signs and wonders that God is indeed with this movement.
Peter and John heal a lame man in Acts 3, but are arrested for teaching that faith in the name of Jesus healed him (Acts 3:16). The Sanhedrin order them not to preach any longer in the name of Jesus, but the men boldly reply, "Whether it's right in the sight of God [for us] to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard (Acts 4:19-20)."
They continue to witness to Jesus just as He promised they would when they received the power from heaven (Acts 1:8). And the signs of God's power among them continued. Fear gripped the community when the liars Ananias and Sapphira try to cheat God and they both die suddenly when confronted with their sin (Acts 5:11). The Apostles are arrested again for preaching, but an angel sets them free form jail in the middle of the night with the guards still present and unaware. This is very much like the resurrection of Jesus who could not be found in the empty tomb much to the guards' dismay.
Healings continue to the point that people began bringing the sick out to Peter in hopes that even his shadow might fall on them and heal them. This is very much like the woman with the flow of blood hoping to touch the tassels on Jesus' garment for healing.
And the apostles suffering the lash just as their Lord before them and yet they are rejoicing to suffer for the Name (Acts 5:41)! Can you imagine?
And in summary, let me say that the work of Jesus was only multiplied in His death, for through resurrection and exaltation and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, His church, His body on earth continues the work He began. He healed and the Spirit-filled church heals. He suffered and the church suffers. He drew crowds and His church draws crowds in response to the gospel. This is not simply a continuation of Jesus' ministry. This is the beginning of the culmination of all God has been doing from the very beginning when He spoke and separated the light from the dark, when He separated the children of Abraham to shine for all the nations to see. And now the kingdom of Christ advances further as the Spirit-filled church proclaims with authority the name of Jesus.
May Your kingdom continue to advance and many Your church continue to proclaim with power the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Fro there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Amen and Amen!
Three Days Grace
Wow! I'm three days behind in my readings! I got lazy after passing the 30 day mark. I am playing catch up today. There's a band called Three Days Grace. I need grace from God to catch up the three days I have lost. But I do remember this reading plan gives me 6 days grace, so I am not worried at all.
But I don't like begin behind. Do you?
Lord, give me grace as I read Your word and write what You speak through me. Amen
But I don't like begin behind. Do you?
Lord, give me grace as I read Your word and write what You speak through me. Amen
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Boundaries and Places
Day 32: Numbers 33–36; Psalms 145–150; Acts 1–3
Have you ever poured a glass of water on a table or kitchen counter? It's a mess isn't it? The water runs every which way and falls tot he floor in puddles. But take a plate or saucer and pour water into it. The water conforms the the shape of the plate without making a mess. The water maintains a circular shape from the plate until you overfill the plate and the water runs over the edges.
Boundaries in geography or society or relationships also shape the land, communities and individuals. As I complete the books of Numbers and the Book of Psalms, I recognize I have reached an end... a boundary. And as I read the first two chapters of Acts (short for the Acts of the Apostles) I realize there are boundaries to the new community in Christ.
Numbers ends with a chapter summarizing the journey through the wilderness and a chapter on the boundaries of the portions of land given as inheritance to the twelve tribes of Israel. Each region is bounded by cities or geographical markers like desert or mountains, rivers and seas.
Another chapter describes how each tribe is to provide out of their portion (much like the holy portions shared with priests and Levites) cities for Levities to live in and fields to pasture their livestock. The people are also to provide cities of refuge for those who kill someone by accident. These safe zones are within the Levite cities. If there are those who are angry wand wish to kill the one who killed the other, they are to respect the boundaries of the cities of refuge. An "avenger of blood" shall not enter the city of refuge to take the life of the one who has hidden there for protection. The refugee is to be safe within the boundaries of this safe place. But should they choose to leave the city of refuge before the current high priest dies, they are not protected. An avenger may kill them outside the boundaries of the city and not bear any guilt.
Finally there are economic boundaries for those special conditions in which fathers have no sons. Their inheritance goes to the daughters, but the daughters must marry inside her fathers tribal clan so as to keep the inherited land in the confines of the tribe. Property is not to be transferred to another tribe through marriage of the these daughters. The inheritance for the tribe is to stay with the tribe as God desired.
The Psalms end in mighty praise! Psalm 146-150 all begin and end with the word "Hallelujah" which means "Praise Yahweh!" How fitting to mark the end of this book of prayers and liturgical poetry with high praise! The boundary markers on these psalms are praises to the Lord and in the midst of each is all praise. It summons joy and celebration for the God who hears all the anguished cries for justice and deliverance, healing and help in much of the book's content. Not only does God hear, He acts to save, redeem, heal, provide, rescue and redeem. He is worthy to be praised.
And the community of early Christians under the leadership of the apostles are filled with the Holy Spirit and break out into praise declaring the "magnificent acts of God (Acts 2:11)." The people learn that God had exalted Jesus and made Him "both Lord and Messiah (Acts 2:36)." The people want to know what they must do in order to be saved. In other words they realized that Israel's rejection of Jesus put them outside the boundaries of God's mercy. They were "under deep conviction."
Praise be to God for His love in Jesus Christ. Salvation is a gift for all who will repent of their sin (especially unbelief) and be baptized into the authoritative realm of the Christ. It is one thing to get wet. It is another thing entirely to make a choice to turn away from sin and turn toward God and submit to His Christ as your Master and Savior. Life is now lived differently, shaped by the boundaries of the new community in Christ.
These bounds are marked by
1) Devotion to the Apostles' teaching
2) Fellowship
3) Breaking Bread (a sign of friendship with Christ and one another. We call it Holy Communion)
4) Prayers
5) Holy Awe or Reverent Fear for God working among them
6) Signs of the Spirit's power among them in healing and liberation, providence and power
7) No claim to personal possession or property, a redistribution of wealth
8) Generosity to the poor
9) Joy
10 Humility
11 Favor of God and neighbor
12) Growth
One might suggest the practices shape the community to reflect the Spirit or character of Christ. Study, Fellowship, Sacrament and Prayer produce in the community reverence, generosity, humility and joy. God responds by healing, freeing and providing. The world responds by wanting to be a part of this blessed community.
Oh my Lord, may I always realize that it isn't silver or gold the church carries, but the power of life eternal in Jesus Christ we offer to the lame and blind. May we all find a fuller life through Christ's healing presence among us and leap about praising God. Amen
Have you ever poured a glass of water on a table or kitchen counter? It's a mess isn't it? The water runs every which way and falls tot he floor in puddles. But take a plate or saucer and pour water into it. The water conforms the the shape of the plate without making a mess. The water maintains a circular shape from the plate until you overfill the plate and the water runs over the edges.
Boundaries in geography or society or relationships also shape the land, communities and individuals. As I complete the books of Numbers and the Book of Psalms, I recognize I have reached an end... a boundary. And as I read the first two chapters of Acts (short for the Acts of the Apostles) I realize there are boundaries to the new community in Christ.
Numbers ends with a chapter summarizing the journey through the wilderness and a chapter on the boundaries of the portions of land given as inheritance to the twelve tribes of Israel. Each region is bounded by cities or geographical markers like desert or mountains, rivers and seas.
Another chapter describes how each tribe is to provide out of their portion (much like the holy portions shared with priests and Levites) cities for Levities to live in and fields to pasture their livestock. The people are also to provide cities of refuge for those who kill someone by accident. These safe zones are within the Levite cities. If there are those who are angry wand wish to kill the one who killed the other, they are to respect the boundaries of the cities of refuge. An "avenger of blood" shall not enter the city of refuge to take the life of the one who has hidden there for protection. The refugee is to be safe within the boundaries of this safe place. But should they choose to leave the city of refuge before the current high priest dies, they are not protected. An avenger may kill them outside the boundaries of the city and not bear any guilt.
Finally there are economic boundaries for those special conditions in which fathers have no sons. Their inheritance goes to the daughters, but the daughters must marry inside her fathers tribal clan so as to keep the inherited land in the confines of the tribe. Property is not to be transferred to another tribe through marriage of the these daughters. The inheritance for the tribe is to stay with the tribe as God desired.
The Psalms end in mighty praise! Psalm 146-150 all begin and end with the word "Hallelujah" which means "Praise Yahweh!" How fitting to mark the end of this book of prayers and liturgical poetry with high praise! The boundary markers on these psalms are praises to the Lord and in the midst of each is all praise. It summons joy and celebration for the God who hears all the anguished cries for justice and deliverance, healing and help in much of the book's content. Not only does God hear, He acts to save, redeem, heal, provide, rescue and redeem. He is worthy to be praised.
And the community of early Christians under the leadership of the apostles are filled with the Holy Spirit and break out into praise declaring the "magnificent acts of God (Acts 2:11)." The people learn that God had exalted Jesus and made Him "both Lord and Messiah (Acts 2:36)." The people want to know what they must do in order to be saved. In other words they realized that Israel's rejection of Jesus put them outside the boundaries of God's mercy. They were "under deep conviction."
Praise be to God for His love in Jesus Christ. Salvation is a gift for all who will repent of their sin (especially unbelief) and be baptized into the authoritative realm of the Christ. It is one thing to get wet. It is another thing entirely to make a choice to turn away from sin and turn toward God and submit to His Christ as your Master and Savior. Life is now lived differently, shaped by the boundaries of the new community in Christ.
These bounds are marked by
1) Devotion to the Apostles' teaching
2) Fellowship
3) Breaking Bread (a sign of friendship with Christ and one another. We call it Holy Communion)
4) Prayers
5) Holy Awe or Reverent Fear for God working among them
6) Signs of the Spirit's power among them in healing and liberation, providence and power
7) No claim to personal possession or property, a redistribution of wealth
8) Generosity to the poor
9) Joy
10 Humility
11 Favor of God and neighbor
12) Growth
One might suggest the practices shape the community to reflect the Spirit or character of Christ. Study, Fellowship, Sacrament and Prayer produce in the community reverence, generosity, humility and joy. God responds by healing, freeing and providing. The world responds by wanting to be a part of this blessed community.
Oh my Lord, may I always realize that it isn't silver or gold the church carries, but the power of life eternal in Jesus Christ we offer to the lame and blind. May we all find a fuller life through Christ's healing presence among us and leap about praising God. Amen
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Enemies
Day 31: Numbers 28–32; Psalms 139–144; John 19–21
King David prayed in Psalm 144...
May the LORD my rock be praised,
who trains my hands for battle
and my fingers for warfare.
He is my faithful love and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer.
He is my shield, and I take refuge in Him;
He subdues peoples under me. (Psa. 144:1-2)
The Israelites are called into battle to exact vengeance on the Midianites who lead them astray to worship the Baal of Peor. 12,000 troops destroy all the Midianite fighting men and their cities and encampments. They bring home the booty and present it to Moses, women, children, livestock, gold, silver, bronze and other treasures. Moses is furious that they allowed the women to live for it was these Midianites who lead them to sin. He ordered the deaths of all women sparing only virgins and children who were then made to serve Israel as slaves (Num. 31:14-18).
The booty was distributed half to the soldiers who fought the battles, half to the rest of the Israelites and a portion was taken from each half to be given to as tribute to the Lord which the priesthood and Levites accepted for the work of the Tabernacle. There is something refreshing about the distribution. Everyone gets some share with special consideration given to the victors and the servants of Yawheh at His dwelling.
The enemies being vanquished the Gaddites, Reubenites and the 1/2 tribe of Manasseh (the Machirites) approach Moses about taking the Land that they had won in their various battles in the wilderness years there on the east of the Jordan River. Moses felt that this request threatened Israel. Would these men abandon the rest to face enemies in Canaan? Would they rebel against God and not go in and take possession of the Land as the previous generation had feared to do? Would it mean yet another harsh lesson for the nations to learn as they wandered in the desert for a longer period until they learned obedience?
It seemed the enemy was not vanquished. Sin was still at work in Israel as it always has been in the human heart. The Gaddites, Reubenites and Machirites reasoned that they only wish to leave behind their wives, children and livestock in the fortress cities they had won. This meant a delay to proceeding to Israel for they had to rebuild the cities they had destroyed. They promised they would be first to fight in Canaan leading the battle across the river. They would not stop fighting until every one of the other tribes were settled in their inheritance.
Their request reminds me of James and John who asked Jesus to place them in positions of authority when He came into His kingdom. They were looking out for themselves. The person of faith must safeguard their hearts from the temptation of advancing themselves above others. Paul taught the church to "consider others more important than yourselves (Phil. 2:3)."
Jesus is surrounded by enemies. Judas, one of His chosen apostles betrayed Him. His own people judge Him and hands Him over to Pilate the Roman governor. And Pilate buckles under the pressure of the mob and orders Jesus to be crucified. He is flogged and abused and debased and nailed to the cross. While His enemies divide His clothes and cast lots for His tunic, Jesus leads John to care for his mother, Mary. He thirsts, He drinks sour wine, He cries aloud "It is finished" and He dies. He is pierced in the side to assure He is actually dead. Blood and water pour from His side as sign that He had in fact perished. He is taken down from the cross on the Day of Preparation, the day they slaughter the passover lambs, and laid in a freshly hewn tomb by the care of Joseph of Arimathea (a disciple of Jesus), member of the council of Jewish rulers tribute who handed Him over to be crucified.
All of humanity's sin was paid for in this death. God no longer looks for the debt to be paid, nor the guilt to be covered. The death of Jesus has us covered. But the greatest penalty for sin is death. Death itself was conquered when Jesus emerged from the tomb with resurrected eternal life. He promised to give this eternal life to all who will believe in Him. Our greatest enemy, Death, and the fear we have of non-being is destroyed in our hope in God's love through Jesus Christ. The love of God breaks down the gates of Hades/Sheol, the pit for the dead, and sets the captives free!
What do we do with this good news? What do we do with this freedom? Some doubt like Thomas, another enemy still in our weak hearts. Some go on with life like nothing happened like Peter and some of the other disciples did when they went fishing on the Sea of Tiberius (Galilee). After receiving the Holy Spirit (Jn. 20:21-23) and begin given a commission with His authority to forgive sins to those who believe the gospel and unforgiveness to those who do not hope in Christ as savior, they just go back to what they know. Our weakness is our enemy. We doubt and we waste time in daily concerns of this life and we pursue pleasures to comfort us, but we don't act like this great victory over sin and death makes any difference at all in how we live each day or the priorities we set.
Jesus reminds us at the shore of the sea with Peter that it will take love (agape), sacrifice, to accomplish His mission. If we say we love Jesus, we must love Him by feeding His sheep, tending to the matters of the kingdom and sharing the gospel so that all His sheep may come into the sheepfold and not be separated out at the end of days as a selfish goat.
Lord, teach me to love you by treating others as more important than myself. Let me tend to their needs, physical, intellectual and spiritual first, before I rest in my own pleasures. Let pleasing you become my greatest joy. In Your love, Amen.
King David prayed in Psalm 144...
May the LORD my rock be praised,
who trains my hands for battle
and my fingers for warfare.
He is my faithful love and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer.
He is my shield, and I take refuge in Him;
He subdues peoples under me. (Psa. 144:1-2)
The Israelites are called into battle to exact vengeance on the Midianites who lead them astray to worship the Baal of Peor. 12,000 troops destroy all the Midianite fighting men and their cities and encampments. They bring home the booty and present it to Moses, women, children, livestock, gold, silver, bronze and other treasures. Moses is furious that they allowed the women to live for it was these Midianites who lead them to sin. He ordered the deaths of all women sparing only virgins and children who were then made to serve Israel as slaves (Num. 31:14-18).
The booty was distributed half to the soldiers who fought the battles, half to the rest of the Israelites and a portion was taken from each half to be given to as tribute to the Lord which the priesthood and Levites accepted for the work of the Tabernacle. There is something refreshing about the distribution. Everyone gets some share with special consideration given to the victors and the servants of Yawheh at His dwelling.
The enemies being vanquished the Gaddites, Reubenites and the 1/2 tribe of Manasseh (the Machirites) approach Moses about taking the Land that they had won in their various battles in the wilderness years there on the east of the Jordan River. Moses felt that this request threatened Israel. Would these men abandon the rest to face enemies in Canaan? Would they rebel against God and not go in and take possession of the Land as the previous generation had feared to do? Would it mean yet another harsh lesson for the nations to learn as they wandered in the desert for a longer period until they learned obedience?
It seemed the enemy was not vanquished. Sin was still at work in Israel as it always has been in the human heart. The Gaddites, Reubenites and Machirites reasoned that they only wish to leave behind their wives, children and livestock in the fortress cities they had won. This meant a delay to proceeding to Israel for they had to rebuild the cities they had destroyed. They promised they would be first to fight in Canaan leading the battle across the river. They would not stop fighting until every one of the other tribes were settled in their inheritance.
Their request reminds me of James and John who asked Jesus to place them in positions of authority when He came into His kingdom. They were looking out for themselves. The person of faith must safeguard their hearts from the temptation of advancing themselves above others. Paul taught the church to "consider others more important than yourselves (Phil. 2:3)."
Jesus is surrounded by enemies. Judas, one of His chosen apostles betrayed Him. His own people judge Him and hands Him over to Pilate the Roman governor. And Pilate buckles under the pressure of the mob and orders Jesus to be crucified. He is flogged and abused and debased and nailed to the cross. While His enemies divide His clothes and cast lots for His tunic, Jesus leads John to care for his mother, Mary. He thirsts, He drinks sour wine, He cries aloud "It is finished" and He dies. He is pierced in the side to assure He is actually dead. Blood and water pour from His side as sign that He had in fact perished. He is taken down from the cross on the Day of Preparation, the day they slaughter the passover lambs, and laid in a freshly hewn tomb by the care of Joseph of Arimathea (a disciple of Jesus), member of the council of Jewish rulers tribute who handed Him over to be crucified.
All of humanity's sin was paid for in this death. God no longer looks for the debt to be paid, nor the guilt to be covered. The death of Jesus has us covered. But the greatest penalty for sin is death. Death itself was conquered when Jesus emerged from the tomb with resurrected eternal life. He promised to give this eternal life to all who will believe in Him. Our greatest enemy, Death, and the fear we have of non-being is destroyed in our hope in God's love through Jesus Christ. The love of God breaks down the gates of Hades/Sheol, the pit for the dead, and sets the captives free!
What do we do with this good news? What do we do with this freedom? Some doubt like Thomas, another enemy still in our weak hearts. Some go on with life like nothing happened like Peter and some of the other disciples did when they went fishing on the Sea of Tiberius (Galilee). After receiving the Holy Spirit (Jn. 20:21-23) and begin given a commission with His authority to forgive sins to those who believe the gospel and unforgiveness to those who do not hope in Christ as savior, they just go back to what they know. Our weakness is our enemy. We doubt and we waste time in daily concerns of this life and we pursue pleasures to comfort us, but we don't act like this great victory over sin and death makes any difference at all in how we live each day or the priorities we set.
Jesus reminds us at the shore of the sea with Peter that it will take love (agape), sacrifice, to accomplish His mission. If we say we love Jesus, we must love Him by feeding His sheep, tending to the matters of the kingdom and sharing the gospel so that all His sheep may come into the sheepfold and not be separated out at the end of days as a selfish goat.
Lord, teach me to love you by treating others as more important than myself. Let me tend to their needs, physical, intellectual and spiritual first, before I rest in my own pleasures. Let pleasing you become my greatest joy. In Your love, Amen.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Warning Sign
Day 30: Numbers 24–27; Psalms 133–138; John 16–18
I am making progress! I am now one third of the way through reading the Bible in my 90 day journey. I feel grateful to those who have encouraged me and are praying for me and reading along with me. I am grateful for the example of the biblical characters. They journey toward promise as do I.
The people ofIsrael Jordan River from Jericho Jericho Canaan . At this place great sin occurs and a new chapter is alluded to.
Some of the Israelites are seduced into pagan worship with Moabites/Midianites. The text is sort of unclear as to the distinction betweenMoab
While Moses and Eleazer (the new High Priest, Aaron's son) were making atonement forIsrael
In a sense the death of Zimir (meaning Celebrated) and Cozbi (meaning Slipping Away) was a sacrifice offered by Phinehas a priest which made atonement for the people (Num 25:13). The plague against the Israelites ceased, but not before 24,000 of them died.
I feel like I have to make excuses for God for such brutal vengeance. I have to keep reminding myself that this is the Holy God, creator of the universe. He is completely other than me a mere man. I am a worm compared to God. And yet this Holy God desires to make Himself known to His creatures, to enlighten our utter ignorance and lift us from the pig's wallow through revealing Himself inIsrael Israel
In a brief mention during the next census taken there on the east bank of the Jordan River Moses records this statement.
"The sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram.
(It was Dathan and Abiram, chosen by the community, who fought against Moses and Aaron; they and Korah's followers fought against the LORD. The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them with Korah, when his followers died and the fire consumed 250 men. They [serve as] a warning sign." (Num. 26:9-10)
Paul states the same about all the others who died in the Wilderness in those forty years of wandering from slavery to freedom as they learned to live as God's holy community (1 Cor. 10:5-6). And life for the Christian is no different.
Jesus told His disciples that they would suffer persecution at the hands of the Jews. They would be thrown out of the synagogue because of Him. Their suffering though would become a sign to others. Peter told the church to suffer for doing good so that those who slander the church might be ashamed (1 Pet. -17). Jesus encouraged His apostles, "Take heart! I have overcome the world (Jn. )."
He then breaks into a lengthy prayer which is quite beautiful. Jesus prays for God to glorify Himself through glorifying His Son on the cross. He prays for the apostles that they might be protected from the evil one and be one with each other through love just as the Father and Son are one. This unity is meant to be a sign to others. Jesus prays for the future church, you and me. He prays that we all may be one so that the world will believe (Jn. ).
Just as Moses knows he is about to die and summons Joshua to take his place as the leader ofIsrael
A new chapter forIsrael
The zeal of priests leads the slaughter of one opponent to the Lord and ends a plague on the people. The great irony in Jesus Christ is that the Lord is visiting in Jesus and the zeal of priests leads to the slaughter of one supposed opponent toIsrael
Now let that be a warning sign to you! :)
I am making progress! I am now one third of the way through reading the Bible in my 90 day journey. I feel grateful to those who have encouraged me and are praying for me and reading along with me. I am grateful for the example of the biblical characters. They journey toward promise as do I.
The people of
Some of the Israelites are seduced into pagan worship with Moabites/Midianites. The text is sort of unclear as to the distinction between
While Moses and Eleazer (the new High Priest, Aaron's son) were making atonement for
In a sense the death of Zimir (meaning Celebrated) and Cozbi (meaning Slipping Away) was a sacrifice offered by Phinehas a priest which made atonement for the people (Num 25:13). The plague against the Israelites ceased, but not before 24,000 of them died.
I feel like I have to make excuses for God for such brutal vengeance. I have to keep reminding myself that this is the Holy God, creator of the universe. He is completely other than me a mere man. I am a worm compared to God. And yet this Holy God desires to make Himself known to His creatures, to enlighten our utter ignorance and lift us from the pig's wallow through revealing Himself in
In a brief mention during the next census taken there on the east bank of the Jordan River Moses records this statement.
"The sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram.
(It was Dathan and Abiram, chosen by the community, who fought against Moses and Aaron; they and Korah's followers fought against the LORD. The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them with Korah, when his followers died and the fire consumed 250 men. They [serve as] a warning sign." (Num. 26:9-10)
Paul states the same about all the others who died in the Wilderness in those forty years of wandering from slavery to freedom as they learned to live as God's holy community (1 Cor. 10:5-6). And life for the Christian is no different.
Jesus told His disciples that they would suffer persecution at the hands of the Jews. They would be thrown out of the synagogue because of Him. Their suffering though would become a sign to others. Peter told the church to suffer for doing good so that those who slander the church might be ashamed (1 Pet. -17). Jesus encouraged His apostles, "Take heart! I have overcome the world (Jn. )."
He then breaks into a lengthy prayer which is quite beautiful. Jesus prays for God to glorify Himself through glorifying His Son on the cross. He prays for the apostles that they might be protected from the evil one and be one with each other through love just as the Father and Son are one. This unity is meant to be a sign to others. Jesus prays for the future church, you and me. He prays that we all may be one so that the world will believe (Jn. ).
Just as Moses knows he is about to die and summons Joshua to take his place as the leader of
A new chapter for
The zeal of priests leads the slaughter of one opponent to the Lord and ends a plague on the people. The great irony in Jesus Christ is that the Lord is visiting in Jesus and the zeal of priests leads to the slaughter of one supposed opponent to
Now let that be a warning sign to you! :)
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