Daily Devotional Bible Readings

AM Mar 5th Mark 16

2012-03-04T08:35:00.002Z

March 5th

Mark, 16

D The Vindicated Servant

Jesus is risen

1: And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. 2: And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. 3: And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? 4: And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. 5: And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. 6: And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. 7: But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. 8: And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.

Jesus appears – Mary

9: Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. 10: And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11: And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

Jesus appears – two disciples

12: After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. 13: And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.

E The Directions of the Servant

Jesus’ commission

14: Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. 15: And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17: And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18: They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

F The Glory of the Servant

Jesus ascends

19: So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20: And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

The sabbath was our Saturday, ‘When it had passed’ In other words it was Sunday the women came to the tomb to complete the task they had not had time to do that is anoint the dead body of Christ. On the way they discussed what they would do to roll away the stone from the tomb, because it was very great in size. To their surprise they found the stone rolled away. When they entered into the tomb they found an angel sitting at the place where Christ had been. The women were very frightened But the angel said, ‘Do not be afraid – he is not here – he has risen, now go and tell the disciples and especially Peter that he will meet them in Galilee. The ending of Marks gospel is disputed as to authenticity; however it would be a shame to miss it. The ending of Mark describes a short summary of some of the post resurrection appearances of Christ and of Christ’s commission to the Apostles and of their supernatural apostolic empowering and of his ascension.

Steve

PM Mar 4th Deu 4

2012-03-04T08:33:00.000Z

March 4th

Deuteronomy, 4

Moses asks for faithfulness

1: Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. 2: Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. 3: Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baal-peor: for all the men that followed Baal-peor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you. 4: But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day. 5: Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. 6: Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. 7: For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? 8: And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? 9: Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons; 10: Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children. 11: And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness. 12: And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. 13: And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone. 14: And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it.

Warning against Idolatry

15: Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: 16: Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, 17: The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air, 18: The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth: 19: And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven. 20: But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day. 21: Furthermore the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, and sware that I should not go over Jordan, and that I should not go in unto that good land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance: 22: But I must die in this land, I must not go over Jordan: but ye shall go over, and possess that good land. 23: Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee. 24: For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God. 25: When thou shalt beget children, and children's children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt yourselves, and make a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, and shall do evil in the sight of the LORD thy God, to provoke him to anger: 26: I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed. 27: And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you. 28: And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell. 29: But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. 30: When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; 31: (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

Remember Gods Acts

32: For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it? 33: Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live? 34: Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? 35: Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him. 36: Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire. 37: And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt; 38: To drive out nations from before thee greater and mightier than thou art, to bring thee in, to give thee their land for an inheritance, as it is this day. 39: Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else. 40: Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.
Three cities of Refuge appointed
41: Then Moses severed three cities on this side Jordan toward the sunrising; 42: That the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his neighbour unawares, and hated him not in times past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live: 43: Namely, Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, of the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, of the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, of the Manassites.

Moses introduces the Law of God

44: And this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel: 45: These are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which Moses spake unto the children of Israel, after they came forth out of Egypt, 46: On this side Jordan, in the valley over against Beth-peor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon, whom Moses and the children of Israel smote, after they were come forth out of Egypt: 47: And they possessed his land, and the land of Og king of Bashan, two kings of the Amorites, which were on this side Jordan toward the sunrising; 48: From Aroer, which is by the bank of the river Arnon, even unto mount Sion, which is Hermon, 49: And all the plain on this side Jordan eastward, even unto the sea of the plain, under the springs of Pisgah.

Deuteronomy, 5

B Restating the Law

The Ten commandments

1: And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them. 2: The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. 3: The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day. 4: The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire, 5: (I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to shew you the work of the LORD: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying, 6: I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. 7: Thou shalt have none other gods before me. 8: Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth: 9: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, 10: And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments. 11: Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 12: Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee. 13: Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work: 14: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou. 15: And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day. 16: Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 17: Thou shalt not kill. 18: Neither shalt thou commit adultery. 19: Neither shalt thou steal. 20: Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour. 21: Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's. 22: These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me. 23: And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, (for the mountain did burn with fire,) that ye came near unto me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders; 24: And ye said, Behold, the LORD our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth. 25: Now therefore why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, then we shall die. 26: For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? 27: Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it. 28: And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the LORD said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken. 29: O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! 30: Go say to them, Get you into your tents again. 31: But as for thee, stand thou here by me, and I will speak unto thee all the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it. 32: Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. 33: Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.

In chapter 4 Moses recalls the works of God in which he has faithfully provided and blessed Israel. He warns Israel of the terrible consequences of Spiritual adultery, if they forsake the Lord to make and worship idols. Then he appoints the cities of refuge and the he reiterates the commandments of the Lord regarding the Mosaic covenant. He calls of Israel to remain faithful to the Lord and to never degenerate into idolatry. But first we come to recalling the blessings of the Lord. How important it is to remind ourselves of former days. The children of Israel did not think of their past as something gone and irrelevant, rather their past was a living present reality. It gave significant to their present relationship with the Lord. They saw their present existence as a direct product of their history. He says, has God ever called a nation to serve him? Has he spoken to this people from the fire? He did this because he loved their fathers. And because he loved their fathers he called their seed after them. He called them to drive out the nations in front of them and to give them the land as an inheritance. So consider this Oh Israel that there is only one God and therefore you are to keep his stautues and commandments. If you do this then life will go well for you and with your children after you are gone. And you will live long to give God all the glory. Next Moses specified the three cities of refuge on the eastern back of Jordan. Then Moses reinstitutes the law of the Lord regarding Israel. He calls them the testimonies, statutes and judgments. The testimonies are the statements that will be repeated, - the affirmations. The statutes are the ordinances Godward. These are the things that are ordained by the lord regarding God. The judgments are the duties and punishments inacted on behalf of God manward. (Often these two concepts are united, but they are distinct). So Moses calls the people to hear the statues and judgments of the LORD God of Israel. He says, listen to them, learn them and do them. He reminds them that the Lord made a covenant with Israel at Horeb. It was not a covenant made with their fathers. He says this came to you; Israel directly from the LORD yet because you were afraid l received it for you. (There are some that say that this law was for all men.) Yet the preamble is very clear, The LORD says, I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. And then the Lord states the Ten Commandments

1. Thou shalt have none other gods before me.

2. Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

3. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

4. Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee. Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou. And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day.

5. Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

6. Thou shalt not kill.

7. Neither shalt thou commit adultery.

8. Neither shalt thou steal.

9. Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.

10. Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Then Moses went on to remind them that these were the words of the LORD. And he reiterates a number of the details of this great event. He reminded them of the fact that the LORD has spoken to them. What a very great honour and responsibility this placed on the children of Israel.

Steve

AM Mar 4th Mark 15

2012-03-03T09:02:00.000Z

March 4th

Jesus crucified

21: And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. 22: And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. 23: And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. 24: And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. 25: And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. 26: And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27: And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. 28: And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors. 29: And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, 30: Save thyself, and come down from the cross. 31: Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. 32: Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.

Jesus dies

33: And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34: And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 35: And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias. 36: And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down. 37: And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. 38: And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. 39: And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God. 40: There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; 41: (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.

Jesus buried

42: And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, 43: Joseph of Arimathaea, and honourable counseller, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. 44: And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. 45: And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. 46: And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. 47: And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.

Why did they pick out Simon to carry the cross? probably because he was dressed or appeared different from the rest of the crowd. He had the greatest privilege any man could ever have - to carry Christ’s cross. The details of this event are too numerous to mention. The soldiers crucify Christ at the place of the skull just outside Jerusalem and they take possession of his clothes casting lots for his coat. He was crucified at the third hour of daylight 9.00 am - the time of the morning sacrifice. The description of his crime is nailed above his head – King of the Jews. The people and the rulers mocked him calling on him to come down from the cross. He could not come down he was suffering for those who mocked at him. At the sixth hour – midday darkness came on the whole land of Israel. And a spiritual darkness came upon Israel that would never be lifted until Christ returns in glory. At 3.00pm Christ cries with a loud voice, ‘My God my God why have you forsaken me?’ This is the only time he addresses his father as God, because he cannot speak on the basis of relationship. He suffered the separation of God against sin. Then he cried with a loud voice and gave up his spirit - he died. In the City - in the Temple, the thick curtain is torn from top to bottom – an act of God showing that there is now access to the presence of God. Because it was the day before the Sabbath – the Friday Christ was going to be hastily removed and put out of sight of Israel. Joseph went to Pilate to ask for the Body of Christ. It was granted and he with Nicodemus buried Christ in his own tomb because it was nearby. The women who followed saw where he was buried. And so ends the most important event in history. God himself in the person of Christ had made atonement for sin.

Steve

PM Mar 3rd Deu 1

2012-03-03T08:57:00.000Z

March 3rd

Deuteronomy, 1

A. Reviewing the journeys

God speaks to Israel at Horeb

1: These are the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red sea, between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab. 2: (There are eleven days' journey from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadesh-barnea.) 3: And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spake unto the children of Israel, according unto all that the LORD had given him in commandment unto them; 4: After he had slain Sihon the king of the Amorites, which dwelt in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, which dwelt at Astaroth in Edrei: 5: On this side Jordan, in the land of Moab, began Moses to declare this law, saying, 6: The LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount: 7: Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates. 8: Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them. 9: And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone: 10: The LORD your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude. 11: (The LORD God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you!) 12: How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife? 13: Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you. 14: And ye answered me, and said, The thing which thou hast spoken is good for us to do. 15: So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes. 16: And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. 17: Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it. 18: And I commanded you at that time all the things which ye should do.

The Spies and Unbelief

19: And when we departed from Horeb, we went through all that great and terrible wilderness, which ye saw by the way of the mountain of the Amorites, as the LORD our God commanded us; and we came to Kadesh-barnea. 20: And I said unto you, Ye are come unto the mountain of the Amorites, which the LORD our God doth give unto us. 21: Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged. 22: And ye came near unto me every one of you, and said, We will send men before us, and they shall search us out the land, and bring us word again by what way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come. 23: And the saying pleased me well: and I took twelve men of you, one of a tribe: 24: And they turned and went up into the mountain, and came unto the valley of Eshcol, and searched it out. 25: And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us, and brought us word again, and said, It is a good land which the LORD our God doth give us. 26: Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God: 27: And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us. 28: Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there. 29: Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them. 30: The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes; 31: And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place. 32: Yet in this thing ye did not believe the LORD your God, 33: Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents in, in fire by night, to shew you by what way ye should go, and in a cloud by day. 34: And the LORD heard the voice of your words, and was wroth, and sware, saying, 35: Surely there shall not one of these men of this evil generation see that good land, which I sware to give unto your fathers, 36: Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him will I give the land that he hath trodden upon, and to his children, because he hath wholly followed the LORD. 37: Also the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, saying, Thou also shalt not go in thither. 38: But Joshua the son of Nun, which standeth before thee, he shall go in thither: encourage him: for he shall cause Israel to inherit it. 39: Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it. 40: But as for you, turn you, and take your journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea. 41: Then ye answered and said unto me, We have sinned against the LORD, we will go up and fight, according to all that the LORD our God commanded us. And when ye had girded on every man his weapons of war, ye were ready to go up into the hill. 42: And the LORD said unto me, Say unto them, Go not up, neither fight; for I am not among you; lest ye be smitten before your enemies. 43: So I spake unto you; and ye would not hear, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD, and went presumptuously up into the hill. 44: And the Amorites, which dwelt in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah. 45: And ye returned and wept before the LORD; but the LORD would not hearken to your voice, nor give ear unto you. 46: So ye abode in Kadesh many days, according unto the days that ye abode there.

Deuteronomy, 2

Israel in the Wilderness

1: Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the LORD spake unto me: and we compassed mount Seir many days. 2: And the LORD spake unto me, saying, 3: Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward. 4: And command thou the people, saying, Ye are to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore: 5: Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession. 6: Ye shall buy meat of them for money, that ye may eat; and ye shall also buy water of them for money, that ye may drink. 7: For the LORD thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the LORD thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing. 8: And when we passed by from our brethren the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, through the way of the plain from Elath, and from Ezion-gaber, we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab. 9: And the LORD said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give thee of their land for a possession; because I have given Ar unto the children of Lot for a possession. 10: The Emims dwelt therein in times past, a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; 11: Which also were accounted giants, as the Anakims; but the Moabites call them Emims. 12: The Horims also dwelt in Seir beforetime; but the children of Esau succeeded them, when they had destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their stead; as Israel did unto the land of his possession, which the LORD gave unto them. 13: Now rise up, said I, and get you over the brook Zered. And we went over the brook Zered. 14: And the space in which we came from Kadesh-barnea, until we were come over the brook Zered, was thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the LORD sware unto them. 15: For indeed the hand of the LORD was against them, to destroy them from among the host, until they were consumed. 16: So it came to pass, when all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people, 17: That the LORD spake unto me, saying, 18: Thou art to pass over through Ar, the coast of Moab, this day: 19: And when thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, distress them not, nor meddle with them: for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon any possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession. 20: (That also was accounted a land of giants: giants dwelt therein in old time; and the Ammonites call them Zamzummims; 21: A people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; but the LORD destroyed them before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead: 22: As he did to the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, when he destroyed the Horims from before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead even unto this day: 23: And the Avims which dwelt in Hazerim, even unto Azzah, the Caphtorims, which came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.) 24: Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle. 25: This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee.

Israel defeats Sihon

26: And I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth unto Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying, 27: Let me pass through thy land: I will go along by the high way, I will neither turn unto the right hand nor to the left. 28: Thou shalt sell me meat for money, that I may eat; and give me water for money, that I may drink: only I will pass through on my feet; 29: (As the children of Esau which dwell in Seir, and the Moabites which dwell in Ar, did unto me;) until I shall pass over Jordan into the land which the LORD our God giveth us. 30: But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day. 31: And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land. 32: Then Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, to fight at Jahaz. 33: And the LORD our God delivered him before us; and we smote him, and his sons, and all his people. 34: And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed the men, and the women, and the little ones, of every city, we left none to remain: 35: Only the cattle we took for a prey unto ourselves, and the spoil of the cities which we took. 36: From Aroer, which is by the brink of the river of Arnon, and from the city that is by the river, even unto Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us: the LORD our God delivered all unto us: 37: Only unto the land of the children of Ammon thou camest not, nor unto any place of the river Jabbok, nor unto the cities in the mountains, nor unto whatsoever the LORD our God forbad us.

Deuteronomy, 3

Israel defeats Og King of Bashan

1: Then we turned, and went up the way to Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei. 2: And the LORD said unto me, Fear him not: for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land, into thy hand; and thou shalt do unto him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon. 3: So the LORD our God delivered into our hands Og also, the king of Bashan, and all his people: and we smote him until none was left to him remaining. 4: And we took all his cities at that time, there was not a city which we took not from them, threescore cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan. 5: All these cities were fenced with high walls, gates, and bars; beside unwalled towns a great many. 6: And we utterly destroyed them, as we did unto Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children, of every city. 7: But all the cattle, and the spoil of the cities, we took for a prey to ourselves. 8: And we took at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites the land that was on this side Jordan, from the river of Arnon unto mount Hermon; 9: (Which Hermon the Sidonians call Sirion; and the Amorites call it Shenir;) 10: All the cities of the plain, and all Gilead, and all Bashan, unto Salchah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan. 11: For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.

Israel inhabits Bashan

12: And this land, which we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, and half mount Gilead, and the cities thereof, gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites. 13: And the rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, being the kingdom of Og, gave I unto the half tribe of Manasseh; all the region of Argob, with all Bashan, which was called the land of giants. 14: Jair the son of Manasseh took all the country of Argob unto the coasts of Geshuri and Maachathi; and called them after his own name, Bashan-havoth-jair, unto this day. 15: And I gave Gilead unto Machir. 16: And unto the Reubenites and unto the Gadites I gave from Gilead even unto the river Arnon half the valley, and the border even unto the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon; 17: The plain also, and Jordan, and the coast thereof, from Chinnereth even unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, under Ashdoth-pisgah eastward. 18: And I commanded you at that time, saying, The LORD your God hath given you this land to possess it: ye shall pass over armed before your brethren the children of Israel, all that are meet for the war. 19: But your wives, and your little ones, and your cattle, (for I know that ye have much cattle,) shall abide in your cities which I have given you; 20: Until the LORD have given rest unto your brethren, as well as unto you, and until they also possess the land which the LORD your God hath given them beyond Jordan: and then shall ye return every man unto his possession, which I have given you. 21: And I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, Thine eyes have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto these two kings: so shall the LORD do unto all the kingdoms whither thou passest. 22: Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you. 23: And I besought the LORD at that time, saying, 24: O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might? 25: I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon. 26: But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter. 27: Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan. 28: But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see. 29: So we abode in the valley over against Beth-peor.

Deuteronomy is a book that describes what it is to be Devoted to God. Moses spoke to God ‘face to face’, that is, person to person. Deuteronomy means ‘second law’. It is not just a repetition of the law but a commentary on the law in the light of new situations and forty years of experience in the wilderness. All of the quotations of Christ during his temptation come from this book. 1. Matt 4v4 – Deu 8v3. 2. Matt 4v7 – Deu 6v16. 3. Matt 4v10 – Deu 6v13. It was written to the people who would enter the land of Canaan. The Key idea is how to ‘Love and Obey God’.

Moses reviews God’s deeds
Moses explains the principles of Holy living
Moses calls Israel to devotion
Moses’ last days

The book of Deuteronomy begins with a long speach by Moses to the Children of Israel. After Moses had secured the land on the eastern back of the Jordan and destroyed opposition to Israel there, he begins the closing speech of his life. Israel’s national existence began on the night of the Passover. But now it is forty years later and it’s the first day of the eleventh month. One of the problems that Moses faced was the bearing of the burdens of all the children of Israel. It had fair worn him down. So now he appointed chiefs from every tribe, men of wisdom, captains over thousands, hundreds and fifties. They were appointed as judges over the people. They were charged with judging righteously. They were not to have prejudice and they were to hear the cases of every level of society. They were not to be afraid of any man only the Lord. Then he reminds them of those who were afraid of the people of the land. Moses describes righteousness as wholly follwing after the Lord and gives the example of Caleb. And he reminded them of the faithfulness of Joshua and commands them to follow his leadership. He tells them simply to follow him or go back into the wilderness. Then he describes their rebellion and of their long wanderings in the wilderness. Next he says the Lord told me to lead you into the land of Esau. He tells them not to get involved with the men of Edom or to battle with them or to take anything from them unless it is paid for. There were giants living there called ‘Emims’ by the Moabities. They were giants as there were in the days of Noah but they would not be destroyed by a flood but by the sword of the Lord – Israel. The Ammorities called them Zamzummims. Moses describes the battles that they had with the peoples that they found there, including Og the king of Bashan who fought with Israel. It was a great campaign including the total destruction of 60 cities. Moses reminds them of the iron bedstead of the King Og (which is available to be seen today in Israel) It was 9 cubits long and 4 cubits wide. (12ft long 5ft 3’ wide) Even though Moses asked to enter the Land the Lord said no you are to encourage Joshua, he will conquer the land.

Steve

AM Mar 3rd Mark 15

2012-03-02T07:05:00.002Z

March 3th

Mark, 15

51: And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: 52: And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

Jesus before Caiaphas

53: And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. 54: And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire. 55: And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. 56: For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together. 57: And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, 58: We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. 59: But neither so did their witness agree together. 60: And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? 61: But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? 62: And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 63: Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses? 64: Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death. 65: And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

Peter denies Jesus

66: And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: 67: And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. 68: But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. 69: And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. 70: And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. 71: But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. 72: And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

Mark 16

Jesus before Pilate

1: And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate. 2: And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it. 3: And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing. 4: And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. 5: But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.

15v6-15 Jesus sentenced

6: Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. 7: And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. 8: And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. 9: But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? 10: For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. 11: But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. 12: And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? 13: And they cried out again, Crucify him. 14: Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. 15: And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

Jesus mocked

16: And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. 17: And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, 18: And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! 19: And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. 20: And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.

It is usually thought that the young man was JohnMark. However this is not certain. The first trial of Christ was before the High Priest. Peter followed afar off and sat with the servants. They tried to find witnesses but found none that could agree in testimony. Christ had nothing to say in response to false testimony. Finally Jesus is asked outright, ‘Are you the Messiah?’ and Christ says. ‘Yes’. At that moment the High Priest rent his clothes and thus brought his ministry to an end. They abuse Christ, spitting on him and beating him up. Down in the court yard Peter denies Christ. Christ is taken to Pilate where the charge of Blaspheme is now changed to Treason against the Roman rulers. This is done to ensure crucifixion. Pilate sought to release him but eventually caved in passing the death sentence. The religious leaders moved the people to demand the death penalty. Pilate was a week man and buckled under pressure to condemn Christ when he knew him to be innocent. Christ was taken away to be brutalised by the Roman guard.

Steve

PM Mar 2nd Num 34

2012-03-02T07:02:00.000Z

March 2nd

Numbers, 34

1: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2: Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land of Canaan; (this is the land that shall fall unto you for an inheritance, even the land of Canaan with the coasts thereof:) 3: Then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the coast of Edom, and your south border shall be the outmost coast of the salt sea eastward: 4: And your border shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass on to Zin: and the going forth thereof shall be from the south to Kadesh-barnea, and shall go on to Hazar-addar, and pass on to Azmon: 5: And the border shall fetch a compass from Azmon unto the river of Egypt, and the goings out of it shall be at the sea. 6: And as for the western border, ye shall even have the great sea for a border: this shall be your west border. 7: And this shall be your north border: from the great sea ye shall point out for you mount Hor: 8: From mount Hor ye shall point out your border unto the entrance of Hamath; and the goings forth of the border shall be to Zedad: 9: And the border shall go on to Ziphron, and the goings out of it shall be at Hazar-enan: this shall be your north border. 10: And ye shall point out your east border from Hazar-enan to Shepham: 11: And the coast shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall descend, and shall reach unto the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward: 12: And the border shall go down to Jordan, and the goings out of it shall be at the salt sea: this shall be your land with the coasts thereof round about. 13: And Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying, This is the land which ye shall inherit by lot, which the LORD commanded to give unto the nine tribes, and to the half tribe: 14: For the tribe of the children of Reuben according to the house of their fathers, and the tribe of the children of Gad according to the house of their fathers, have received their inheritance; and half the tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance: 15: The two tribes and the half tribe have received their inheritance on this side Jordan near Jericho eastward, toward the sunrising. 16: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 17: These are the names of the men which shall divide the land unto you: Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun. 18: And ye shall take one prince of every tribe, to divide the land by inheritance. 19: And the names of the men are these: Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 20: And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud. 21: Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon. 22: And the prince of the tribe of the children of Dan, Bukki the son of Jogli. 23: The prince of the children of Joseph, for the tribe of the children of Manasseh, Hanniel the son of Ephod. 24: And the prince of the tribe of the children of Ephraim, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan. 25: And the prince of the tribe of the children of Zebulun, Elizaphan the son of Parnach. 26: And the prince of the tribe of the children of Issachar, Paltiel the son of Azzan. 27: And the prince of the tribe of the children of Asher, Ahihud the son of Shelomi. 28: And the prince of the tribe of the children of Naphtali, Pedahel the son of Ammihud. 29: These are they whom the LORD commanded to divide the inheritance unto the children of Israel in the land of Canaan.

Numbers, 35

Cites for the Levites

1: And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, 2: Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them. 3: And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts. 4: And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about. 5: And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities. 6: And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities. 7: So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with their suburbs. 8: And the cities which ye shall give shall be of the possession of the children of Israel: from them that have many ye shall give many; but from them that have few ye shall give few: every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites according to his inheritance which he inheriteth.

Cites of refuge

9: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 10: Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan; 11: Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. 12: And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment. 13: And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge. 14: Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge. 15: These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither. 16: And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. 17: And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. 18: Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. 19: The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him. 20: But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die; 21: Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him. 22: But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait, 23: Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm: 24: Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments: 25: And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil. 26: But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled; 27: And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood: 28: Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession. 29: So these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 30: Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die. 31: Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death. 32: And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest. 33: So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. 34: Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.

Numbers, 36

Inheritance

1: And the chief fathers of the families of the children of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near, and spake before Moses, and before the princes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel: 2: And they said, The LORD commanded my lord to give the land for an inheritance by lot to the children of Israel: and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother unto his daughters. 3: And if they be married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the children of Israel, then shall their inheritance be taken from the inheritance of our fathers, and shall be put to the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they are received: so shall it be taken from the lot of our inheritance. 4: And when the jubile of the children of Israel shall be, then shall their inheritance be put unto the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they are received: so shall their inheritance be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers. 5: And Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying, The tribe of the sons of Joseph hath said well. 6: This is the thing which the LORD doth command concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, Let them marry to whom they think best; only to the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry. 7: So shall not the inheritance of the children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe: for every one of the children of Israel shall keep himself to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. 8: And every daughter, that possesseth an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel, shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the children of Israel may enjoy every man the inheritance of his fathers. 9: Neither shall the inheritance remove from one tribe to another tribe; but every one of the tribes of the children of Israel shall keep himself to his own inheritance. 10: Even as the LORD commanded Moses, so did the daughters of Zelophehad: 11: For Mahlal, Tirzah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married unto their father's brothers' sons: 12: And they were married into the families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of the family of their father. 13: These are the commandments and the judgments, which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses unto the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho.

In chapter 35 the Lord through Moses commands the children of Israel to go into the land and possess it. The Lord describes the physical boundries of the land that is theirs to possess. The Lord also explains the cities in which the Levites will have their inheritance and specifies the cities of refuge. And then closes todays reading with the law of inheritance. So first the Lord explains the extent of the land and the borders that were to be secure. Then the Lord explains that the Levites are not to have land but they are to have cites. They were not going to be farmers or herdsmen they were deicated to the Lord for his service they would be separate unto the Lord and they would live in the walled cites. In the suburbs of the cites they would have livestock. The suburbs would extend only a mile beyond the city. Among the cites of the Levites there were six cities called cities of refuge. These cities were appointed as a place of safety for anyone who had accidentally killed another man. As well as these 6 cities they had another 42 cities of the Levites, So they had in all 48 cities. Those families that had many members would have more cities but small famies had fewer cities. Then the Lord names the cities of refuge. These cites were not a permanent solution but they were a temporary place of safety until a trial could be set up. There were three cities on the east of Jordan and three on the west. They were only for the man who slays another by accident. If a man murdered another then the revenger could kill him whenever he met him but not if he was in a city of refuge. The man must stay within the boundry of the city of refuge until the death of the high priest. When the high priest died the revenger of blood must leave the man alone. This prevented the land from being filled with blood. Israel was a safe place to live. Then we find a question regarding the Daughters of Zelophehad and the judgment was, that they were to marry only within the tribe to enable the inheritance to remain in that tribe. This was adopted as the principle throughout all Israel.

Steve

AM Mar 2nd Mark 14

2012-02-29T07:32:00.000Z

March 2nd

Mark, 14

C The Suffering Servant

The Plot

1: After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death. 2: But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.

The Anointing

3: And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. 4: And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? 5: For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. 6: And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. 7: For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. 8: She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. 9: Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

Judas’ plan

10: And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them. 11: And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.

The Passover

12: And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover? 13: And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. 14: And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? 15: And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us. 16: And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. 17: And in the evening he cometh with the twelve. 18: And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me. 19: And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I? 20: And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish. 21: The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.

The Last supper

22: And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. 23: And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. 24: And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. 25: Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. 26: And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

Jesus predicts Peters denial

27: And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. 28: But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. 29: But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. 30: And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. 31: But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.

Jesus in the Garden

32: And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. 33: And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; 34: And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. 35: And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36: And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. 37: And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? 38: Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. 39: And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. 40: And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. 41: And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42: Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

Betrayed and arrested

43: And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44: And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. 45: And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him. 46: And they laid their hands on him, and took him. 47: And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 48: And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? 49: I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled. 50: And they all forsook him, and fled.

In the house of Simon the Leper Christ is anointed with Spikenard on his head by an unknown woman. (This is different to the anointing of the feet of Christ by Mary) There were some that had indignation against her for wasting such a valuable thing. However they were missing the point. Christ is so precious that nothing would be too expensive to spend on him. Her worship is always told in the entire world today but their worship is never mentioned! For Judas this was the last straw. He went out to arrange with Christ’s enemies how he would betray Christ. This was the Wednesday evening. On the Thursday – the first day of unleavened bread Christ arranged secretly to eat the Passover with the disciples in the upper room. Judas and the rest of the disciples are never told the Location. This supper was not to be disturbed. When they were all seated for the Passover Christ told them that one of them would betray him. They were all convicted because they all felt within their hearts that they could be the one Christ spoke of. After the Passover meal Christ instituted the Last supper. In which he gave bread and wine to them and told them to do this together as a memorial of his death and resurrection. Then christ told them that they would all forsake him but Peter said No l will not forsake you But Christ said yes you will in fact you will deny me three times before the morning breaks. Then they set out for Gethsemane, where Jesus often went to Pray. This was a night of great struggle for Christ The struggle was to submit himself to the Fathers will. In the end he said triumphantly ‘Not my will, but thine be done’. The disciple could not stay awake to be with Christ in his greatest hour of need. When Judas arrived with servants of the High Priest to arrest Christ the time for Christ’s suffering was about to commence. Judas pinpointed Christ in the darkness of the Garden by calling him master, master and kissing him. The servants of the High Priest took Christ. One of the disciples took a sword and lashed out at one of the servants but Christ stopped the aggression immediately and healed the man. The Disciples ran away for fear of being caught by the authorities.

Steve

PM Mar 1st Num 31

2012-02-29T07:29:00.002Z

March 1st

Numbers, 31

Conduct in War

1: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2: Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people. 3: And Moses spake unto the people, saying, Arm some of yourselves unto the war, and let them go against the Midianites, and avenge the LORD of Midian. 4: Of every tribe a thousand, throughout all the tribes of Israel, shall ye send to the war. 5: So there were delivered out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand of every tribe, twelve thousand armed for war. 6: And Moses sent them to the war, a thousand of every tribe, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the holy instruments, and the trumpets to blow in his hand. 7: And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males. 8: And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword. 9: And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods. 10: And they burnt all their cities wherein they dwelt, and all their goodly castles, with fire. 11: And they took all the spoil, and all the prey, both of men and of beasts. 12: And they brought the captives, and the prey, and the spoil, unto Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and unto the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the camp at the plains of Moab, which are by Jordan near Jericho. 13: And Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and all the princes of the congregation, went forth to meet them without the camp. 14: And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host, with the captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, which came from the battle. 15: And Moses said unto them, Have ye saved all the women alive? 16: Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD. 17: Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. 18: But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves. 19: And do ye abide without the camp seven days: whosoever hath killed any person, and whosoever hath touched any slain, purify both yourselves and your captives on the third day, and on the seventh day. 20: And purify all your raiment, and all that is made of skins, and all work of goats' hair, and all things made of wood. 21: And Eleazar the priest said unto the men of war which went to the battle, This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD commanded Moses; 22: Only the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead, 23: Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean: nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of separation: and all that abideth not the fire ye shall make go through the water. 24: And ye shall wash your clothes on the seventh day, and ye shall be clean, and afterward ye shall come into the camp. 25: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 26: Take the sum of the prey that was taken, both of man and of beast, thou, and Eleazar the priest, and the chief fathers of the congregation: 27: And divide the prey into two parts; between them that took the war upon them, who went out to battle, and between all the congregation: 28: And levy a tribute unto the LORD of the men of war which went out to battle: one soul of five hundred, both of the persons, and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of the sheep: 29: Take it of their half, and give it unto Eleazar the priest, for an heave offering of the LORD. 30: And of the children of Israel's half, thou shalt take one portion of fifty, of the persons, of the beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks, of all manner of beasts, and give them unto the Levites, which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD. 31: And Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the LORD commanded Moses. 32: And the booty, being the rest of the prey which the men of war had caught, was six hundred thousand and seventy thousand and five thousand sheep, 33: And threescore and twelve thousand beeves, 34: And threescore and one thousand asses, 35: And thirty and two thousand persons in all, of woman that had not known man by lying with him. 36: And the half, which was the portion of them that went out to war, was in number three hundred thousand and seven and thirty thousand and five hundred sheep: 37: And the LORD's tribute of the sheep was six hundred and threescore and fifteen. 38: And the beeves were thirty and six thousand; of which the LORD's tribute was threescore and twelve. 39: And the asses were thirty thousand and five hundred; of which the LORD's tribute was threescore and one. 40: And the persons were sixteen thousand; of which the LORD's tribute was thirty and two persons. 41: And Moses gave the tribute, which was the LORD's heave offering, unto Eleazar the priest, as the LORD commanded Moses. 42: And of the children of Israel's half, which Moses divided from the men that warred, 43: (Now the half that pertained unto the congregation was three hundred thousand and thirty thousand and seven thousand and five hundred sheep, 44: And thirty and six thousand beeves, 45: And thirty thousand asses and five hundred, 46: And sixteen thousand persons;) 47: Even of the children of Israel's half, Moses took one portion of fifty, both of man and of beast, and gave them unto the Levites, which kept the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses. 48: And the officers which were over thousands of the host, the captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds, came near unto Moses: 49: And they said unto Moses, Thy servants have taken the sum of the men of war which are under our charge, and there lacketh not one man of us. 50: We have therefore brought an oblation for the LORD, what every man hath gotten, of jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets, to make an atonement for our souls before the LORD. 51: And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of them, even all wrought jewels. 52: And all the gold of the offering that they offered up to the LORD, of the captains of thousands, and of the captains of hundreds, was sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels. 53: (For the men of war had taken spoil, every man for himself.) 54: And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and brought it into the tabernacle of the congregation, for a memorial for the children of Israel before the LORD.

Numbers, 32

Some Tribes settle east of Jordan

1: Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle; 2: The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying, 3: Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon, 4: Even the country which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle: 5: Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan. 6: And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here? 7: And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them? 8: Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to see the land. 9: For when they went up unto the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which the LORD had given them. 10: And the LORD's anger was kindled the same time, and he sware, saying, 11: Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me: 12: Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD. 13: And the LORD's anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD, was consumed. 14: And, behold, ye are risen up in your fathers' stead, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the LORD toward Israel. 15: For if ye turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye shall destroy all this people. 16: And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones: 17: But we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land. 18: We will not return unto our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance. 19: For we will not inherit with them on yonder side Jordan, or forward; because our inheritance is fallen to us on this side Jordan eastward. 20: And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the LORD to war, 21: And will go all of you armed over Jordan before the LORD, until he hath driven out his enemies from before him, 22: And the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD. 23: But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out. 24: Build you cities for your little ones, and folds for your sheep; and do that which hath proceeded out of your mouth. 25: And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben spake unto Moses, saying, Thy servants will do as my lord commandeth. 26: Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our cattle, shall be there in the cities of Gilead: 27: But thy servants will pass over, every man armed for war, before the LORD to battle, as my lord saith. 28: So concerning them Moses commanded Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the chief fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel: 29: And Moses said unto them, If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben will pass with you over Jordan, every man armed to battle, before the LORD, and the land shall be subdued before you; then ye shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession: 30: But if they will not pass over with you armed, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan. 31: And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying, As the LORD hath said unto thy servants, so will we do. 32: We will pass over armed before the LORD into the land of Canaan, that the possession of our inheritance on this side Jordan may be ours. 33: And Moses gave unto them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, even the cities of the country round about. 34: And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer, 35: And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah, 36: And Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran, fenced cities: and folds for sheep. 37: And the children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kirjathaim, 38: And Nebo, and Baal-meon, (their names being changed,) and Shibmah: and gave other names unto the cities which they builded. 39: And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, and took it, and dispossessed the Amorite which was in it. 40: And Moses gave Gilead unto Machir the son of Manasseh; and he dwelt therein. 41: And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the small towns thereof, and called them Havoth-jair. 42: And Nobah went and took Kenath, and the villages thereof, and called it Nobah, after his own name.

Numbers 33

G Looking back and looking forward

Summary of the wanderings

1: These are the journeys of the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt with their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron. 2: And Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the LORD: and these are their journeys according to their goings out. 3: And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the passover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians. 4: For the Egyptians buried all their firstborn, which the LORD had smitten among them: upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments. 5: And the children of Israel removed from Rameses, and pitched in Succoth. 6: And they departed from Succoth, and pitched in Etham, which is in the edge of the wilderness. 7: And they removed from Etham, and turned again unto Pi-hahiroth, which is before Baal-zephon: and they pitched before Migdol. 8: And they departed from before Pi-hahiroth, and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, and went three days' journey in the wilderness of Etham, and pitched in Marah. 9: And they removed from Marah, and came unto Elim: and in Elim were twelve fountains of water, and threescore and ten palm trees; and they pitched there. 10: And they removed from Elim, and encamped by the Red sea. 11: And they removed from the Red sea, and encamped in the wilderness of Sin. 12: And they took their journey out of the wilderness of Sin, and encamped in Dophkah. 13: And they departed from Dophkah, and encamped in Alush. 14: And they removed from Alush, and encamped at Rephidim, where was no water for the people to drink. 15: And they departed from Rephidim, and pitched in the wilderness of Sinai. 16: And they removed from the desert of Sinai, and pitched at Kibroth-hattaavah. 17: And they departed from Kibroth-hattaavah, and encamped at Hazeroth. 18: And they departed from Hazeroth, and pitched in Rithmah. 19: And they departed from Rithmah, and pitched at Rimmon-parez. 20: And they departed from Rimmon-parez, and pitched in Libnah. 21: And they removed from Libnah, and pitched at Rissah. 22: And they journeyed from Rissah, and pitched in Kehelathah. 23: And they went from Kehelathah, and pitched in mount Shapher. 24: And they removed from mount Shapher, and encamped in Haradah. 25: And they removed from Haradah, and pitched in Makheloth. 26: And they removed from Makheloth, and encamped at Tahath. 27: And they departed from Tahath, and pitched at Tarah. 28: And they removed from Tarah, and pitched in Mithcah. 29: And they went from Mithcah, and pitched in Hashmonah. 30: And they departed from Hashmonah, and encamped at Moseroth. 31: And they departed from Moseroth, and pitched in Bene-jaakan. 32: And they removed from Bene-jaakan, and encamped at Hor-hagidgad. 33: And they went from Hor-hagidgad, and pitched in Jotbathah. 34: And they removed from Jotbathah, and encamped at Ebronah. 35: And they departed from Ebronah, and encamped at Ezion-gaber. 36: And they removed from Ezion-gaber, and pitched in the wilderness of Zin, which is Kadesh. 37: And they removed from Kadesh, and pitched in mount Hor, in the edge of the land of Edom. 38: And Aaron the priest went up into mount Hor at the commandment of the LORD, and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the first day of the fifth month. 39: And Aaron was an hundred and twenty and three years old when he died in mount Hor. 40: And king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the children of Israel. 41: And they departed from mount Hor, and pitched in Zalmonah. 42: And they departed from Zalmonah, and pitched in Punon. 43: And they departed from Punon, and pitched in Oboth. 44: And they departed from Oboth, and pitched in Ije-abarim, in the border of Moab. 45: And they departed from Iim, and pitched in Dibon-gad. 46: And they removed from Dibon-gad, and encamped in Almon-diblathaim. 47: And they removed from Almon-diblathaim, and pitched in the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo. 48: And they departed from the mountains of Abarim, and pitched in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. 49: And they pitched by Jordan, from Beth-jesimoth even unto Abel-shittim in the plains of Moab.

Instructions - conquering the land

50: And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, 51: Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye are passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan; 52: Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places: 53: And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it. 54: And ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: and to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer ye shall give the less inheritance: every man's inheritance shall be in the place where his lot falleth; according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit. 55: But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell. 56: Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them.
The March Bible readings begin with the subject of, how will Israel conduct themselves in the act of war? Then we find that some tribes settle on the eastern side of the Jordan River. The Lord brings the last instruction to Moses. The Lord says avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites and then afterwards you will die and join your fathers. This was not a personal thing for Moses but it was a judgment of God on the wickedness of that people. So Moses gathered the people and said l want you to take arms – one thousand from every tribe of the children of Israel, twelve thousand in all. Then they went to war and they killed all the males and the kings of Midian. Balaam was also killed. They took all the women and children captives with all the herds, flocks and goods. All the cities were burned with the strongholds. When Moses saw all the women he was angry and said wasn’t it the women who caused Israel to sin. So he commanded all the women to be killed with young male children, all apart from the virgin girls. Then the Lord declared that the only spoil to be saved was that which could go through fire – gold, silver etc. And the men of war were not to enter the camp for seven days because they are contaminated by blood. Then half of all the goods were to be devoted to the Lord. This was because everyone had taken what he could carry ‘every man for himself’. The gold was given to the tabernacle as a constant memorial of the victory. The tribes of Reuben and Gad had huge herds of cattle so they asked that they might settled on the east of the Jordan. But Moses replied will your brethren go to battle and you sit here? So they said we will put our cattle and sheep in safety but we will go armed to battle until every one of our brethren has his own land. He said God will hold you to this oath then you will have sinned before the Lord and ‘be sure - your sin will find you out’. They promised faithfully to keep their word. The Lord would hold them to their word. Next we have a complete summary of the wanderings of the children of Israel from Egypt right through the desert to the Promised land.

1. Departed from Rameses in Egypt 15th of first month.
2. pitched in Succoth.
3. pitched in Etham,
4. pitched before Migdol.
Through the Red Sea (In the Gulf of Aquabar)
5. pitched in Marah.
6. pitched at Elim
7. encamped by the Red sea.
8. encamped in the wilderness of Sin.
9. encamped in Dophkah.
10. encamped in Alush.
11. encamped at Rephidim,
12. pitched in the wilderness of Sinai.
13. pitched at Kibroth-hattaavah.
14. encamped at Hazeroth.
15. pitched in Rithmah.
16. pitched at Rimmon-parez.
17. pitched in Libnah.
18. pitched at Rissah.
19. pitched in Kehelathah.
20. pitched in mount Shapher.
21. encamped in Haradah.
22. pitched in Makheloth.
23. encamped at Tahath.
24. pitched at Tarah.
25. pitched in Mithcah.
26. pitched in Hashmonah.
27. encamped at Moseroth.
28. pitched in Bene-jaakan.
29. encamped at Hor-hagidgad.
30. pitched in Jotbathah.
31. encamped at Ebronah.
32. encamped at Ezion-gaber.
33. pitched in Kadesh.
34. pitched in mount Hor,
After 40 years Israel came out of the wilderness in the 1st day of the fifth month. (Aaron died 123yrs old)
35. pitched in Zalmonah.
36. pitched in Punon.
37. pitched in Oboth.
38. pitched in Ije-abarim, in the border of Moab.
39. pitched in Dibon-gad.
40. encamped in Almon-diblathaim.
41. pitched in the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo.
42. pitched in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho.
43. pitched by Jordan, from Beth-jesimoth even unto Abel-shittim in the plains of Moab.

Then the Lord gave specific instructions regarding the conquering of the Promised Land. They were to drive out all the inhabitants of the land in front of them. And they are to destroy all the pictures, images and high places. Contrary to most people perception they did not go into the land to kill everone but to disposses the land and occupy it. Then the land was to be divided by lot for a permenant inheritence for all generations. Those people that are not driven out of the land will be a constant irritation like a thorn in the flesh.

Steve

AM Mar 1st Mark 13

2012-02-28T07:56:00.003Z

March 1st

Mark, 13

13v1-37 The Last days

1: And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! 2: And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 3: And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4: Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled? 5: And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: 6: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 7: And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. 8: For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. 9: But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. 10: And the gospel must first be published among all nations. 11: But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. 12: Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. 13: And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14: But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: 15: And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: 16: And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment. 17: But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 18: And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter. 19: For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. 20: And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. 21: And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: 22: For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. 23: But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. 24: But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 25: And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. 26: And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27: And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. 28: Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: 29: So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. 30: Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. 31: Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 32: But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. 33: Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34: For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35: Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37: And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

The Disciples are very excited to show Christ the buildings of the Temple shining in all their glory in the sunshine. Christ responds by saying you see all these buildings – soon there will not be left one stone upon another. This fantastic prophecy was fulfilled in AD 70 when the Temple was burnt down and as the gold ran into every joint so the Temple was plundered taking every stone of another to find the gold. They ask him, ‘When will this happen and what will be the sign of thy coming?’ Christ begins by saying be careful that you are not deceived by false Christ’s – there will be many. Christ speaks prophetically as if the disciples will personally go through these experiences. It is quite possible that they did live to see the destruction of Jerusalem. In this passage Christ’s prophesy is centred on Israel’s state before God and the Gospel that Christ describes is the gospel of repentance to Israel. Christ goes right on to describe the tribulation period as if the Church era will not occur. It is still a mystery as he speaks. After describing the terrible events of the Tribulation he then describes his coming in great power and Glory. He will come in a way that no man can duplicate. His coming will be in the heaven like lightening which flashes from on end of the heaven to the other. Then Christ will gather the Elect (Israel) from where they are scattered in the earth and will carry them to Israel. Christ says when you see all these things come to pass then you will know that the kingdom is near. He says that this generation (those living in that day) will not be killed until they see the kingdom come. Christ states clearly that NO ONE knows the time of Christ’s coming, so predictions of his coming are worthless. The chief characteristic of those who are waiting for Christ’s coming in glory is watchfulness. Watchfulness is living under the law in a state of spiritual anticipation whereby the righteous live faithfully in obedience to the law. How different to those of us in the church who look for the coming of the Lord to catch us away to glory. We do not watch so that we might be found worthy. Rather we wait because we are already accepted in the beloved. Watchfulness in fear was the Chief characteristic of the Jew under the law. but Anticipatory godliness is the Chief characteristic of the Christian under Grace.

Steve

PM Feb 28th Num 28

2012-02-28T07:53:00.000Z

February 28th

Numbers, 28

Regular Offerings

1: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2: Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, My offering, and my bread for my sacrifices made by fire, for a sweet savour unto me, shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season. 3: And thou shalt say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, for a continual burnt offering. 4: The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even; 5: And a tenth part of an ephah of flour for a meat offering, mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil. 6: It is a continual burnt offering, which was ordained in mount Sinai for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD. 7: And the drink offering thereof shall be the fourth part of an hin for the one lamb: in the holy place shalt thou cause the strong wine to be poured unto the LORD for a drink offering. 8: And the other lamb shalt thou offer at even: as the meat offering of the morning, and as the drink offering thereof, thou shalt offer it, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD. 9: And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof: 10: This is the burnt offering of every sabbath, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering. 11: And in the beginnings of your months ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot; 12: And three tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one bullock; and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one ram; 13: And a several tenth deal of flour mingled with oil for a meat offering unto one lamb; for a burnt offering of a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD. 14: And their drink offerings shall be half an hin of wine unto a bullock, and the third part of an hin unto a ram, and a fourth part of an hin unto a lamb: this is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year. 15: And one kid of the goats for a sin offering unto the LORD shall be offered, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.

Yearly Offerings

16: And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of the LORD. 17: And in the fifteenth day of this month is the feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten. 18: In the first day shall be an holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of servile work therein: 19: But ye shall offer a sacrifice made by fire for a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, and seven lambs of the first year: they shall be unto you without blemish: 20: And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil: three tenth deals shall ye offer for a bullock, and two tenth deals for a ram; 21: A several tenth deal shalt thou offer for every lamb, throughout the seven lambs: 22: And one goat for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you. 23: Ye shall offer these beside the burnt offering in the morning, which is for a continual burnt offering. 24: After this manner ye shall offer daily, throughout the seven days, the meat of the sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD: it shall be offered beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering. 25: And on the seventh day ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work. 26: Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the LORD, after your weeks be out, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: 27: But ye shall offer the burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD; two young bullocks, one ram, seven lambs of the first year; 28: And their meat offering of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals unto one bullock, two tenth deals unto one ram, 29: A several tenth deal unto one lamb, throughout the seven lambs; 30: And one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you. 31: Ye shall offer them beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, (they shall be unto you without blemish) and their drink offerings.

Numbers, 29

1: And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you. 2: And ye shall offer a burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD; one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year without blemish: 3: And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals for a bullock, and two tenth deals for a ram, 4: And one tenth deal for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs: 5: And one kid of the goats for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you: 6: Beside the burnt offering of the month, and his meat offering, and the daily burnt offering, and his meat offering, and their drink offerings, according unto their manner, for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD. 7: And ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an holy convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls: ye shall not do any work therein: 8: But ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD for a sweet savour; one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year; they shall be unto you without blemish: 9: And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals to a bullock, and two tenth deals to one ram, 10: A several tenth deal for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs: 11: One kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the sin offering of atonement, and the continual burnt offering, and the meat offering of it, and their drink offerings. 12: And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: 13: And ye shall offer a burnt offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD; thirteen young bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year; they shall be without blemish: 14: And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals unto every bullock of the thirteen bullocks, two tenth deals to each ram of the two rams, 15: And a several tenth deal to each lamb of the fourteen lambs: 16: And one kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering. 17: And on the second day ye shall offer twelve young bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without spot: 18: And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: 19: And one kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and the meat offering thereof, and their drink offerings. 20: And on the third day eleven bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish; 21: And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: 22: And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering. 23: And on the fourth day ten bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish: 24: Their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: 25: And one kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering. 26: And on the fifth day nine bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without spot: 27: And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: 28: And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering. 29: And on the sixth day eight bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish: 30: And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: 31: And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering. 32: And on the seventh day seven bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish: 33: And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: 34: And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering. 35: On the eighth day ye shall have a solemn assembly: ye shall do no servile work therein: 36: But ye shall offer a burnt offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD: one bullock, one ram, seven lambs of the first year without blemish: 37: Their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullock, for the ram, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: 38: And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering. 39: These things ye shall do unto the LORD in your set feasts, beside your vows, and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your meat offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings. 40: And Moses told the children of Israel according to all that the LORD commanded Moses.

Numbers, 30

Women’s Vows

1: And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded. 2: If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. 3: If a woman also vow a vow unto the LORD, and bind herself by a bond, being in her father's house in her youth; 4: And her father hear her vow, and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father shall hold his peace at her: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand. 5: But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her. 6: And if she had at all an husband, when she vowed, or uttered ought out of her lips, wherewith she bound her soul; 7: And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her in the day that he heard it: then her vows shall stand, and her bonds wherewith she bound her soul shall stand. 8: But if her husband disallowed her on the day that he heard it; then he shall make her vow which she vowed, and that which she uttered with her lips, wherewith she bound her soul, of none effect: and the LORD shall forgive her. 9: But every vow of a widow, and of her that is divorced, wherewith they have bound their souls, shall stand against her. 10: And if she vowed in her husband's house, or bound her soul by a bond with an oath; 11: And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her, and disallowed her not: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she bound her soul shall stand. 12: But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them; then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her. 13: Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void. 14: But if her husband altogether hold his peace at her from day to day; then he establisheth all her vows, or all her bonds, which are upon her: he confirmeth them, because he held his peace at her in the day that he heard them. 15: But if he shall any ways make them void after that he hath heard them; then he shall bear her iniquity. 16: These are the statutes, which the LORD commanded Moses, between a man and his wife, between the father and his daughter, being yet in her youth in her father's house.

In the last Bible reading of this month we read that the Lord specified a number of offerings at various times and the Lord describes the vows peculiar to women. The Lord first outlines the burnt offering. These are to be continually offered to the Lord. One lamb was offered in the morning (Probably 9am) and the other in the evening. (Probably 3pm) It was an offering made by fire and a sweet savour. This was a daily sacrifice. On the Sabbath day two other lambs were offered apart from the daily offerings. This was also a burnt offering made by fire to the Lord. On the first day of each month another burnt offering was to be made but this was to be two young bullocks, one ram and seven lamb ‘yearlings’ perfect specimens plus a meal offering and one kid of the goats for a sin offering. As well as the daily, weekly and monthly offerings there were also annual offerings. The first yearly offering was the Passover. The offerings were similar to the monthly offering except that a goat was offered for a sin offering to make atonement. These offerings were made on top of the daily offerings and they were offered every day of the feast. On the day of the feast of firstfruits a similar set off offerings were made to the Lord. On the feast of trumpets one young bullock, one ram, seven lambs of the first year. Included was a meal offering and one kid of the goats for a sin offering. On the seventh month a holy gathering was to be celebrated. Again the first day there were the same offerings as before but on the second day 12 bullocks, 2 rams, 14 lambs with the meal offerings and drink offerings. On the next day 11 bullocks, 2 rams, 14 lambs with the meal and drink offerings, plus one goat for a sin offering. On the fourth day 10 bullocks, 2 rams, 14 lambs etc etc. On the fifth day 9 bullocks, 2 rams, 14 lambs etc. On the sixth day 8 bullocks 2 rams and 14 lambs. On the seventh day 7 bullocks, 2 rams and 14 lambs. On the eighth day they were to have a solemn assembly and no common work it to be done. Only 1 bullock, 1 ram, 7 lambs plus 1 goat for a sin offering. All these things were over and above the ordinary offerings. In all these things we see a decreasing level of worship. Then the Lord gives to Moses clear instructions regarding the making of oaths. The first thing is that oaths are to be kept not broken. However if a young unmarried woman made a vow and her father hear her, he may absolve her of her oath. The same was true of a wife and widow.

Steve

AM Feb 28th Mark 12

2012-02-27T08:00:00.002Z

February 28th

Mark, 12

The Parable of the Vineyard

1: And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. 2: And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. 3: And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. 4: And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled. 5: And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some. 6: Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. 7: But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours. 8: And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. 9: What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others. 10: And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: 11: This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? 12: And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.

Question –Taxes

13: And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. 14: And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? 15: Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. 16: And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's. 17: And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.

Question – Resurrection

18: Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying, 19: Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 20: Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed. 21: And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise. 22: And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also. 23: In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife. 24: And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? 25: For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven. 26: And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? 27: He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.

Question – First commandment

28: And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29: And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31: And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. 32: And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: 33: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. 34: And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

The Lord’s Question – David

35: And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David? 36: For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. 37: David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.

Jesus warns of the Scribes

38: And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, 39: And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: 40: Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

The Widows mites

41: And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42: And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43: And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

The Lord is bringing his preaching ministry to an end and in doing so he gives the parable of the Vineyard. The owner of the vineyard sends men to the vineyard seeking for fruit but they are badly treated. In the end the owner says to himself l will send my son! When the vinedressers see the son they say let us kill him and take the inheritance to ourselves. The owner of the vineyard comes latter to punish those who have done this wicked thing and he gives the vineyard to those who will give him the fruit in season. This parable describes the History and prophetic course of the Nation of Israel. The Herodias try to catch Christ out politically. But he overcomes their tricky plans by acknowledging the authority of the Romans to extract taxes but points them also to the demands of God on the Jews. The Sadducees come with their most tricky question but again Christ completely overcomes their difficult question. The question is overcome by Christ’s superior understanding of scripture and of the ways of God. Lastly the religious leaders come with their favourite question. Which commandment is the greatest? Christ answers perfectly, that the greatest, commandment is to love God and the second is to love men. So after all the questions were asked – the most difficult questions that the Jews could think of – Christ asks one question. (This question and answer method was the standard form of Jewish learning) Christ asks about the Messiah that David calls his Lord. Then Christ says if the Messiah is David’s son, why does David call his son - his Lord? They are completely stumped. Christ then warned the common people of the perverse teaching of their religious leaders. He describes them as self important, self seeking, self obsessed. Lastly Christ points out where the true religion is - by observing the devotion of a poor widow. What a contrast between the poor widow and the Sadducees.

Steve

PM Feb 27th Num 26

2012-02-27T07:56:00.000Z

February 27th

Numbers, 26

F The new generation prepare to enter Canaan

The Second Census

1: And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying, 2: Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their father's house, all that are able to go to war in Israel. 3: And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, 4: Take the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward; as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt. 5: Reuben, the eldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben; Hanoch, of whom cometh the family of the Hanochites: of Pallu, the family of the Palluites: 6: Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites. 7: These are the families of the Reubenites: and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty. 8: And the sons of Pallu; Eliab. 9: And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD: 10: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign. 11: Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not. 12: The sons of Simeon after their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites: of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites: of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites: 13: Of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites: of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites. 14: These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred. 15: The children of Gad after their families: of Zephon, the family of the Zephonites: of Haggi, the family of the Haggites: of Shuni, the family of the Shunites: 16: Of Ozni, the family of the Oznites: of Eri, the family of the Erites: 17: Of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites. 18: These are the families of the children of Gad according to those that were numbered of them, forty thousand and five hundred. 19: The sons of Judah were Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. 20: And the sons of Judah after their families were; of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites: of Pharez, the family of the Pharzites: of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites. 21: And the sons of Pharez were; of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites. 22: These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred. 23: Of the sons of Issachar after their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites: of Pua, the family of the Punites: 24: Of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites: of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites. 25: These are the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and four thousand and three hundred. 26: Of the sons of Zebulun after their families: of Sered, the family of the Sardites: of Elon, the family of the Elonites: of Jahleel, the family of the Jahleelites. 27: These are the families of the Zebulunites according to those that were numbered of them, threescore thousand and five hundred. 28: The sons of Joseph after their families were Manasseh and Ephraim. 29: Of the sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites: and Machir begat Gilead: of Gilead come the family of the Gileadites. 30: These are the sons of Gilead: of Jeezer, the family of the Jeezerites: of Helek, the family of the Helekites: 31: And of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites: and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites: 32: And of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites: and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites. 33: And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 34: These are the families of Manasseh, and those that were numbered of them, fifty and two thousand and seven hundred. 35: These are the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthalhites: of Becher, the family of the Bachrites: of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites. 36: And these are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites. 37: These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those that were numbered of them, thirty and two thousand and five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph after their families. 38: The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites: of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites: of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites: 39: Of Shupham, the family of the Shuphamites: of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites. 40: And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites: and of Naaman, the family of the Naamites. 41: These are the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and six hundred. 42: These are the sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan after their families. 43: All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were numbered of them, were threescore and four thousand and four hundred. 44: Of the children of Asher after their families: of Jimna, the family of the Jimnites: of Jesui, the family of the Jesuites: of Beriah, the family of the Beriites. 45: Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the family of the Heberites: of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites. 46: And the name of the daughter of Asher was Sarah. 47: These are the families of the sons of Asher according to those that were numbered of them; who were fifty and three thousand and four hundred. 48: Of the sons of Naphtali after their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites: of Guni, the family of the Gunites: 49: Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites. 50: These are the families of Naphtali according to their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and four hundred. 51: These were the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty. 52: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 53: Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names. 54: To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance: to every one shall his inheritance be given according to those that were numbered of him. 55: Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit. 56: According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few. 57: And these are they that were numbered of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites: of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites: of Merari, the family of the Merarites. 58: These are the families of the Levites: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, the family of the Korathites. And Kohath begat Amram. 59: And the name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister. 60: And unto Aaron was born Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 61: And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD. 62: And those that were numbered of them were twenty and three thousand, all males from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel. 63: These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. 64: But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. 65: For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

Numbers, 27

Inheritance law

1: Then came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah. 2: And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, 3: Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons. 4: Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father. 5: And Moses brought their cause before the LORD. 6: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 7: The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them. 8: And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter. 9: And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren. 10: And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father's brethren. 11: And if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Joshua to lead after Moses

12: And the LORD said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel. 13: And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered. 14: For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin. 15: And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying, 16: Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, 17: Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd. 18: And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; 19: And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. 20: And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. 21: And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation. 22: And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation: 23: And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

As the new generation prepare to enter the promised land a number of things are essential. First the children of Israel are to be counted and secondly there needs to be a change of leader. Once the plague had ended the Lord spoke to Eleazar (the new High priest after the death of Aaron) saying take the sum of the children of Israel from 20 years upward.

1. Reuben, 43,730
2. Simeon, 22,200
3. Gad, 40,500
4. Judah, 76,500
5. Issachar, 64,300
6. Zebulun, 60,500
Joseph –
7. Manasseh, 52,700
8. Ephraim, 32,500
9. Benjamin, 45,600
10. Dan, 64,400
11. Asher, 53,400
12. Naphtali, 45.400

The Tribe of Levi were not counted and they had no land given to them.

Total 600,830.

Then the Lord told Moses how the Promised Land was to be divided between the tribes. The actual portioning of the Land was decided by the casting of lots. All this took place in the plains of Moab near to the Jordan River opposite Jericho. All the children of Israel that had rebelled against the Lord were buried in the wilderness except for two men Caleb and Joshua. Having decided the portioning of the Land the Lord next explains how the land is to be kept in its family. The book of Ruth is all about how the land and inheritance is restored to the succeeding generations. Then we have an interesting incident. The daughters of Zelophehad, came to Moses with a complaint. They were of the tribe of Manasseh. They stood before Moses and Eleazar. This must have been a humbling experience for Eleazar who had taken over from his father Aaron. The princes of Israel and all the people of Israel gathered too. They said that their father died in the wilderness without an heir. He was not part of the rebellion of Korah but he dies of his own sin being part of the generation that perished. They said why should our portion of inheritance perish just because our father had no sons. Moses brought this case before the Lord. The Lord replied that what they are saying is right and that they are to have an inheritance along with the other families of Israel. This not only solved a problem for these women but it set a precedent in Israel in which if a husband or son died or if the family had no male heirs then the continuation of the family inheritance continued through the females of the family. This is exactly what happened in the case of Naomi and Ruth both of whose husbands died. The Lord says that a near kinsman can redeem it and posses the land. Then the Lord told Moses to go up the mountain to view the land. The Lord explained that he would not be able to enter the land because of his rebellion at Meribah in Kadesh. Moses asks the Lord to set a man before them as the leader of the Children of Israel – so that they will not be like sheep without a shepherd. The Lord said take Joshua a man in whom is the Spirit and lay hands on him and put him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation and give him a solemn charge in their sight. Moses was to honour him so that the children of Israel might honour him. Eleazar will stand with him using the Urim. He will have complete authority over Israel. And so we see the seriousness of being a leader of Gods people.

Steve

AM Feb 27th Mark 11

2012-02-26T09:17:00.000Z

February 27th

Mark, 11

Jesus enters Jerusalem

1: And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, 2: And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. 3: And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. 4: And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. 5: And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? 6: And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go. 7: And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. 8: And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9: And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: 10: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. 11: And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.

The Barren Fig tree

12: And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: 13: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. 14: And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

Jesus cleanses the Temple

15: And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; 16: And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. 17: And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. 18: And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine. 19: And when even was come, he went out of the city.

Have faith in God

20: And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21: And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. 22: And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23: For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24: Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 25: And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26: But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Objection – Authority

27: And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, 28: And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things? 29: And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30: The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me. 31: And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him? 32: But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. 33: And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

Christ enters into Jerusalem sitting on an ass. He comes in regal glory as Israel’s Messiah. He enters into the Temple and inspects everything he finds there. In the following day he comes in judgment to clean out the temple. He turns over the tables of the money changers and to turns out the men selling animals. The Temple of God had become a market a place to make money. The religious leaders set out to destroy him. During these events Christ had come to a fig tree to be nourished but he found no fruit and had cursed it. The disciples raised this with him and he tells them that this is a very minor miracle and then he encourages them to greater faith. Then Christ gives them the principle in which they will know forgiveness. God will forgive those under the law in perfect justice. If they forgive then god will forgive them. What a contrast grace is. Under Grace God forgives perfectly finding into motive only in the Grace of God. God expects those who are forgiven under Grace to forgive – not in order to be forgiven but because they are forgiven.

Steve

PM Feb 26th Num 24

2012-02-26T09:15:00.002Z

February 26th

Numbers, 24

1: And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. 2: And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him. 3: And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: 4: He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: 5: How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! 6: As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters. 7: He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. 8: God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows. 9: He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.

Balaam’s prophesy

10: And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times. 11: Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour. 12: And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying, 13: If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak? 14: And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days. 15: And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: 16: He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: 17: I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. 18: And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly. 19: Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city. 20: And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever. 21: And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock. 22: Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive. 23: And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this! 24: And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever. 25: And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.

Numbers, 25

Moabite women seduce Israel

1: And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. 2: And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. 3: And Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. 4: And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. 5: And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baal-peor. 6: And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 7: And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; 8: And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. 9: And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand. 10: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 11: Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy. 12: Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace: 13: And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel. 14: Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites. 15: And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian. 16: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 17: Vex the Midianites, and smite them: 18: For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake.

Today’s reading follows on from yesterday’s narrative. First we see that Balaam sets out to find Israel and discovers them living in tents. The Spirit of God comes upon him and he falls into a trance and blesses God. Having described the wonders of God protection and prevision he says ‘Blessed is he that blesses you, and cursed is he that curseth you’. Balak was not pleased with Balaam at all and he rebuked him but Balaam said, ‘what the LORD says to me, that will I speak?’ Then he prophesied again – There will come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre will rise out of Israel, and he will smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. Edom will be occupied and Seir also will be occupied and Israel will fight valiantly. Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, (Christ himself) and he will destroy anyone that remains of the city. Then he turned his attention to Amalek, and said, Amalek was the first nation to be established but his latter end will be that he perish for ever. Then he prophesied concerning the Kenites, he spoke in a parable saying, your homes are strong and you put your trust in a rock. However the Kenite shall be diminished until the Assyrians capture them. And he said, ships will come from the coast of Chittim, and they will injure Asshur, and Eber, and he will perish forever. Then Balaam and Balak went home. So the evil plans of Balak were totally frustrated God turned his plans for cursing Israel into blessing for Israel. While the Children of Israel camped at Shittim the daughters of Moab sold their bodies to the men of Israel. The children of Israel sacrificed to the idols of Moab and they ate and bowed down to their idols. Israel made an alliance with the god Ball-peor. The anger of the Lord was burning against Israel and the Lord told Moses to hang the heads of the tribes so that the Lords anger would be satisfied. Moses commanded that every man that had been involved was to be executed. While Israel wept before the Lord a Midianitish woman went in to lay with a an Israelite. But Phinehas took a javelin and followed after the Israelite man and speared them both through with the javelin. In this way the anger of the Lord was turned away from the people. 24,000 people had died from this plague. (Nearly 5% of all Israel.) The man and the woman were nobles of Israel and Midian. The Lord told Moses to attack the Midianites because they had tempted Israel with their wives.

Steve

AM Feb 26th Mark 10

2012-02-25T08:32:00.000Z

February 26th

Jesus predicts his resurrection

32: And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him, 33: Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: 34: And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

James and John seek position

35: And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. 36: And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? 37: They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. 38: But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? 39: And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: 40: But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. 41: And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. 42: But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43: But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45: For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

The healing of Bartimaeus

46: And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. 47: And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 48: And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 49: And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. 50: And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. 51: And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. 52: And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

Christ is on his last long journey to Jerusalem and so he takes the time to explain exactly what will happen to him there. It is nearly always forgotten that this was an outstanding prophecy. None of these things were able to be orchestrated by Christ and yet in a few days they will all come true. The most difficult prophecy for anyone to fulfil would be their own resurrection. At this time the disciples are still so self focused that they are planning to out manoeuvre each other into positions of power in the kingdom. How little did they understand of what the future held for them. Then when the rest of the disciples heard what these disciples had asked they were very cross indeed. Why would they be cross? Because they wanted to be in charge too. This was all about power over each other. Christ tells then in no uncertain terms that it is the Gentiles who exercise lordship over the common people but that they are not to act in this way among brethren. The one that is greatest is the one that is servant of all. He then describes his whole course in life - For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Christ came not to be served but to serve and to give his life. Christian ministers are not to see themselves in position of power over brethren but they are to see themselves as servants. It’s not their will that’s important it’s the will of those they serve that is important. On the road they pass Bartimaeus who calls out for Christ to heal his blindness. Christ’s simple question is a question that comes to us all. What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? His needs were many but his problem was one single disability. Christ removed the disability and Bartimeasus became a follower of Christ.

Steve

PM Feb 25th Num 21

2012-02-25T08:29:00.000Z

February 25th

Numbers, 21

Canaanites defeated

1: And when king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners. 2: And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities. 3: And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah.

The Fiery Serpents

4: And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. 5: And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. 6: And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. 7: Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. 8: And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. 9: And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

Israel east of Jordan

10: And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in Oboth. 11: And they journeyed from Oboth, and pitched at Ije-abarim, in the wilderness which is before Moab, toward the sunrising. 12: From thence they removed, and pitched in the valley of Zared. 13: From thence they removed, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, which is in the wilderness that cometh out of the coasts of the Amorites: for Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. 14: Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the LORD, What he did in the Red sea, and in the brooks of Arnon, 15: And at the stream of the brooks that goeth down to the dwelling of Ar, and lieth upon the border of Moab. 16: And from thence they went to Beer: that is the well whereof the LORD spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water. 17: Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it: 18: The princes digged the well, the nobles of the people digged it, by the direction of the lawgiver, with their staves. And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah: 19: And from Mattanah to Nahaliel: and from Nahaliel to Bamoth: 20: And from Bamoth in the valley, that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon. 21: And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, 22: Let me pass through thy land: we will not turn into the fields, or into the vineyards; we will not drink of the waters of the well: but we will go along by the king's high way, until we be past thy borders. 23: And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel. 24: And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon was strong. 25: And Israel took all these cities: and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all the villages thereof. 26: For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab, and taken all his land out of his hand, even unto Arnon. 27: Wherefore they that speak in proverbs say, Come into Heshbon, let the city of Sihon be built and prepared: 28: For there is a fire gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon: it hath consumed Ar of Moab, and the lords of the high places of Arnon. 29: Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites. 30: We have shot at them; Heshbon is perished even unto Dibon, and we have laid them waste even unto Nophah, which reacheth unto Medeba. 31: Thus Israel dwelt in the land of the Amorites. 32: And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there. 33: And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei. 34: And the LORD said unto Moses, Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon. 35: So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land.

Numbers, 22

E The Prophet Balaam

Balak sends for Balaam

1: And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho. 2: And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3: And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel. 4: And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. 5: He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me: 6: Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed. 7: And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak. 8: And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam. 9: And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee? 10: And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying, 11: Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out. 12: And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed. 13: And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you. 14: And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us. 15: And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they. 16: And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me: 17: For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people. 18: And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more. 19: Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more. 20: And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.

Balaam’s donkey

21: And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. 22: And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. 23: And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. 24: But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. 25: And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again. 26: And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. 27: And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. 28: And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? 29: And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee. 30: And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay. 31: Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. 32: And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: 33: And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive. 34: And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again. 35: And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

Balaam blesses Israel

36: And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast. 37: And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour? 38: And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak. 39: And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjath-huzoth. 40: And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him. 41: And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people.

Numbers, 23

1: And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams. 2: And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram. 3: And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place. 4: And God met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered upon every altar a bullock and a ram. 5: And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak. 6: And he returned unto him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt sacrifice, he, and all the princes of Moab. 7: And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel. 8: How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied? 9: For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations. 10: Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his! 11: And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether. 12: And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth? 13: And Balak said unto him, Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them: thou shalt see but the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all: and curse me them from thence. 14: And he brought him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar. 15: And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meet the LORD yonder. 16: And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus. 17: And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath the LORD spoken? 18: And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor: 19: God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? 20: Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it. 21: He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them. 22: God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn. 23: Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought! 24: Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain. 25: And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all. 26: But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do? 27: And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence. 28: And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon. 29: And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams. 30: And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.

In chapter 21 we see victory and defeat and then we see opposition and blessing. But first we see that the Canaanites came against Israel and took some prisoners but Israel called on the Lord and entered into a covenant with the Lord to obey the Lord if the Lord gave them victory. Israel was totally victorious and the children of Israel totally destroyed the Canaanites. This incident and others like it troubles many people. Yet we must remember that Israel had been raised up by the Lord to bring righteousness and judgment into the World. And God used them specifically as his instrument of execution to those nations and peoples whose sin had matured into such proportions that immediate and final judgment was God will. However Israel was not immune to judgment themselves and in the very next passage we see that because the children of Israel were forbidden to pass through the land of Edom they had a very long and deserted journey around them. In the exhaustion of the journey they rebelled against the Lord and the Lord sent snakes among them. The people who were bitten died. The people repented of their rebellion and called on Moses who called on the Lord to deliver them. The Lord did deliver them in a very remarkable way. Moses was commanded to make a serpent of brass and put it on a pole. Those that looked at the serpent lived. This is the incident that Christ quotes in John chapter 3. The Children of Israel drew nearer to the promised land and engaged with a few peoples in battle – these battles are recorded in the book (Numbers) - the wars of the Lord. And so their journey continues. Israel made war against the Amorites and fire from the Lord destroyed them and Israel dwelt in their cities. Og the King of Bashan was a huge man. (His bed is still seen today in a museum in Israel) The king and the whole nation were totally destroyed by the Lord. When the children of Israel camped near to Moab on the eastern side of Jordan just above the Dead Sea, Balak was afraid and sought a way to resist or defeat Israel. So he sent for Balaam to come and curse Israel. The Lord spoke to Balaam forbidding him. At first he was afraid of the Lord but when he was promises fame and wealth he went. In the night the Lord spoke to Balaam saying go with the men but do what l say. in the morning Balaam rose and went with the princes of Moab. The Lord was angry that Balaam was going at the bidding of these men and sent an angel to stand in his way. The donkey carrying Balaam saw the angel, but Balaam didn’t. Three times the Lord blocked his path and the donkey crushed Balaam’s foot against a wall. In the end the donkey sat down a refused to go ahead. Balaam hit the donkey for doing this and then the lord did a wonderful thing he enabled the donkey to speak. The donkey said why did you do this three times. Balaam said if l had a sword l would kill you but the donkey replied l am not your donkey? Have you ever seen me do anything like this before. And Balaam said – ‘Nay’. (God is able to make a donkey speak like a man and a man to answer like a donkey!) Then God opened the eyes of Balaam and he saw the angel of the Lord with the drawn sword. He bowed his head and fell on his face. Then the angel explained what the donkey had been doing and how the donkey had saved his life. Then the angel said go with these men but only do what l tell you to do. Balaam went and met Balak who gave him all his bribes. Then the Lord told Balaam exactly what to say. After a long intercourse Balaam explained that he had to bless Israel because God had blessed them. He said as all true prophets say – ‘All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?

Steve

AM Feb 25th Mark 10

2012-02-24T11:26:00.001Z

February 25th

Mark, 10

10v1-12 Divorce

1: And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again. 2: And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. 3: And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? 4: And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. 5: And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6: But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. 7: For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; 8: And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. 9: What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 10: And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter. 11: And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. 12: And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

Childlikeness – Heaven

13: And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14: But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15: Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. 16: And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

The Rich young ruler

17: And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18: And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 19: Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20: And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21: Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22: And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. 23: And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24: And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25: It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26: And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? 27: And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. 28: Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29: And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30: But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. 31: But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

The religious leaders came to Christ asking what the conditions are for Divorce. Christ simply said, ‘What did Moses say?’ Christ always deferred to Scripture to answer a question if scripture gave the answer. They said. ‘Moses allowed a bill of divorcement’. This was correct however Christ goes on to point out that this was not so in the beginning. And so Christ establishes the true teaching of scripture not the teaching of the Scribes. The statement of Christ regarding divorce is much misunderstood. Christ is saying that for a hardhearted man to divorce his young wife gives the impression that she has been unfaithful when in fact she may have been perfectly innocent. The bill of divorcement was a certificate to state that she is pure. The man who might subsequently marry her may be viewed as an adulterer when in fact he is honourable. When children were brought to Christ the disciples sent them away but Christ was very cross that they had done this and insisted that they be allowed to come to him. The next incident is interesting; this young man comes running with a question. ‘What must l do to inherit eternal life?’ Christ points him to the Mosaic Law because he is a Jew. He replies with sincerity, like Paul would, that he has kept the law (in all good conscience) since his youth. Christ does not argue with him. He sees in him a law abiding Jew who really wants to serve God. Now for the Jew obedience to the Law was not all that was required. Charity was seen as mandatory and the height of Jewish righteousness. (See Acts 10) So Christ places before him the height of religious observance as a Jew and he fails the test because his riches are a great feature of his life. Then Christ comments on the fact that those with riches find it hard to enter the kingdom of God. The disciples were very much surprised by Christ’s teaching. Peter says we have left all to follow you! Christ tells the disciples that they will receive a hundredfold more in return from the Lord for the sacrifice they have made.

Steve

PM Feb 24th Num 19

2012-02-24T11:24:00.001Z

February 24th

Numbers, 19

Purifying an unclean person

1: And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 2: This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke: 3: And ye shall give her unto Eleazar the priest, that he may bring her forth without the camp, and one shall slay her before his face: 4: And Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger, and sprinkle of her blood directly before the tabernacle of the congregation seven times: 5: And one shall burn the heifer in his sight; her skin, and her flesh, and her blood, with her dung, shall he burn: 6: And the priest shall take cedar wood, and hyssop, and scarlet, and cast it into the midst of the burning of the heifer. 7: Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the even. 8: And he that burneth her shall wash his clothes in water, and bathe his flesh in water, and shall be unclean until the even. 9: And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up without the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for a water of separation: it is a purification for sin. 10: And he that gathereth the ashes of the heifer shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: and it shall be unto the children of Israel, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among them, for a statute for ever. 11: He that toucheth the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days. 12: He shall purify himself with it on the third day, and on the seventh day he shall be clean: but if he purify not himself the third day, then the seventh day he shall not be clean. 13: Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is yet upon him. 14: This is the law, when a man dieth in a tent: all that come into the tent, and all that is in the tent, shall be unclean seven days. 15: And every open vessel, which hath no covering bound upon it, is unclean. 16: And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days. 17: And for an unclean person they shall take of the ashes of the burnt heifer of purification for sin, and running water shall be put thereto in a vessel: 18: And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave: 19: And the clean person shall sprinkle upon the unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day: and on the seventh day he shall purify himself, and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and shall be clean at even. 20: But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he hath defiled the sanctuary of the LORD: the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him; he is unclean. 21: And it shall be a perpetual statute unto them, that he that sprinkleth the water of separation shall wash his clothes; and he that toucheth the water of separation shall be unclean until even. 22: And whatsoever the unclean person toucheth shall be unclean; and the soul that toucheth it shall be unclean until even.

Numbers, 20

Moses and Aaron sin

1: Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there. 2: And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. 3: And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD! 4: And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there? 5: And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink. 6: And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them. 7: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 8: Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. 9: And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him. 10: And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? 11: And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. 12: And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them. 13: This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.

Edom refuses passage to Israel

14: And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us: 15: How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians vexed us, and our fathers: 16: And when we cried unto the LORD, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border: 17: Let us pass, I pray thee, through thy country: we will not pass through the fields, or through the vineyards, neither will we drink of the water of the wells: we will go by the king's highway, we will not turn to the right hand nor to the left, until we have passed thy borders. 18: And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword. 19: And the children of Israel said unto him, We will go by the high way: and if I and my cattle drink of thy water, then I will pay for it: I will only, without doing any thing else, go through on my feet. 20: And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand. 21: Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.

Aaron dies

22: And the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, journeyed from Kadesh, and came unto mount Hor. 23: And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in mount Hor, by the coast of the land of Edom, saying, 24: Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah. 25: Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up unto mount Hor: 26: And strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son: and Aaron shall be gathered unto his people, and shall die there. 27: And Moses did as the LORD commanded: and they went up into mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation. 28: And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the mount: and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount. 29: And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they mourned for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel.

After describing how the priests are to be purified the Lord then explains how unclean people are purified. There then follows the sobering passage which describes the sin of Moses and Aaron. The tribe of Edom on the far south eastern part of Canaan refuse safe passage of the children of Israel through their territory. And in the end of today’s reading Aaron passes away. But first the Lord provides the ordinance for the cleansing of the unclean. It all centres on the offering of the Red Heifer. This is a female cow that is without blemish and has never worked. It is killed outside the camp and the blood is sprinkled seven times before the Lord. Next the whole animal is burnt completely. After ward the priest washes and puts on clean clothes. He is unclean until evening. Another man a clean man takes the ash and puts them in a clean place. Then this man washes and is unclean till the evening. The ash of the red heifer is used in water as a means of purification. It was this water that was lacking at the marriage in Cana of Galilee. Then we read that when Miriam died the people complained to Moses and Aaron for bringing them into the wilderness. There was no water for the cleansing for those who were to bury her – Moses and Aaron. The Lord appeared to Moses and Aaron saying speak to the rock and you will have water. Moses was stressed out and he gathered the people together and struck the rock twice and water came out in abundance. The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron and rebuked them from striking the rock saying that they would not go into the land. This is the place Meribah. Next we see that Moab the tribe that descended from Lot refused Israel to pass through the land. The request was friendly and polite yet the king of Moab refused rudely and promised war if they came that way. Israel found another way. The children of Israel went by the way of Hor. It the mountain of Hor Aaron was stripped of his high priestly clothes and they were given to his son Eleazar. Then Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. The children of Israel mourned for Aaron for 50 days.

Steve

AM Feb 24th Mark 9

2012-02-23T16:48:00.002Z

February 24th

Mark, 9

1: And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.

The Transfiguration

2: And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. 3: And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. 4: And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. 5: And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 6: For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid. 7: And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. 8: And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves. 9: And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead. 10: And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean. 11: And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come? 12: And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought. 13: But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.

Jesus delivers a boy

14: And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. 15: And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. 16: And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? 17: And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; 18: And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. 19: He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. 20: And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. 21: And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. 22: And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. 23: Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24: And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. 25: When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. 26: And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. 27: But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. 28: And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? 29: And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

Jesus predicts his death

30: And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. 31: For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. 32: But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

Childlikeness – Greatness

33: And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? 34: But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 35: And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. 36: And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, 37: Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

For or against us?

38: And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. 39: But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. 40: For he that is not against us is on our part. 41: For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

Entrapments of Disciples

42: And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. 43: And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45: And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 47: And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: 48: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 49: For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. 50: Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

Many people stumble over the verse where Christ says… That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. However this prophecy was given on the assumption that Israel would accept Christ as Messiah and then Christ would bring in the kingdom in power. It was not certain from a human point of view that Christ would be rejected and that the church age would come in. This may seem strange to our thinking looking back but it would be obvious in that time looking forward. Six days later Christ ascends the mountain and taking the three disciples he goes on further and is transfigured. Something of the glory of God broke forth from him and his body shone in all the glory of a man in perfect obedience under the law. Moses and Elijah appear and they come to discuss the purpose of the Cross which Christ would achieve at Jerusalem. Peter and the disciples are overcome. Peter says a few silly things but a cloud from heaven overshadows him and his attention is refocused on Christ. When Christ mentioned the rising from the dead they had no idea what he was talking about. The disciples raise an objection to Christ that the Scribes had raised. That is that Jesus could not be the Christ because Elijah must come first before the Messiah and as far as they can see Elijah had not come. Christ points out that Elijah has in fact come already. It was John the Baptist who came in the Spirit and power of Elijah. The scribes came with a question. They had a case that they were unable to heal. It was a man possessed with a demon that had rendered him dumb. This meant that the Scribes were unable to make the Demon communicate with them declaring the demons name. This was an important part of the exorcism. They Scribes had also come to the understanding that any man who could deliver a man from a demon that renders him dumb might be the Messiah. Christ did not follow the custom of the scribes but rebuked the demon and he came out of the man. The man was so exhausted that he lay like a dead man but Christ took him by the hand and strengthened him. Later the disciples asked why it was that they could not deliver the man and Christ replied that this type of Demon can only come out by prayer and fasting. Obviously Christ was in such a state and therefore was able to do it. On there journey the disciples like children were discussing which one of them should be in charge. When they got to their lodgings Christ asked them what were you talking about on the way and they were embarrassed to tell him. Christ took one of the children of the household, probably a toddler and used the child as an object lesson. Christ said to them whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. The disciples changed the subject saying we saw someone doing a miracle in your name but because he was not one of us we forbade him. Christ said don’t forbid him If he is not against us then he is part of us. Then Christ returned to the Child and spoke of the horror of offending a little child. Christ was preaching under the law and so he describes the real life a death struggle with sin and the seriousness of the prospect of hell itself. Then he turned to these Jews and said be salt, because if the salt become unsalted it is worthless except to be thrown out a trodden under foot - A warning to Israel of the judgment of God if Israel looses the edge of their relation under covenant.

Steve

PM Feb 23rd Num 16

2012-02-23T16:47:00.002Z

February 23rd

Numbers, 16

D Korah’s Rebellion

Korah’s rebellion

1: Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: 2: And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: 3: And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? 4: And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face: 5: And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him. 6: This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company; 7: And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi. 8: And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi: 9: Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them? 10: And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also? 11: For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him? 12: And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up: 13: Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us? 14: Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up. 15: And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them. 16: And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow: 17: And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer. 18: And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron. 19: And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation. 20: And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 21: Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. 22: And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation? 23: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 24: Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. 25: And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him. 26: And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins. 27: So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children. 28: And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind. 29: If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me. 30: But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. 31: And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: 32: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. 33: They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. 34: And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. 35: And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense. 36: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 37: Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed. 38: The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel. 39: And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar: 40: To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.

Others complain and die too

41: But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD. 42: And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared. 43: And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation. 44: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 45: Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces. 46: And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun. 47: And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people. 48: And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed. 49: Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah. 50: And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.

Numbers, 17

Aaron’s Rod

1: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2: Speak unto the children of Israel, and take of every one of them a rod according to the house of their fathers, of all their princes according to the house of their fathers twelve rods: write thou every man's name upon his rod. 3: And thou shalt write Aaron's name upon the rod of Levi: for one rod shall be for the head of the house of their fathers. 4: And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you. 5: And it shall come to pass, that the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you. 6: And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, and every one of their princes gave him a rod apiece, for each prince one, according to their fathers' houses, even twelve rods: and the rod of Aaron was among their rods. 7: And Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness. 8: And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds. 9: And Moses brought out all the rods from before the LORD unto all the children of Israel: and they looked, and took every man his rod. 10: And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not. 11: And Moses did so: as the LORD commanded him, so did he. 12: And the children of Israel spake unto Moses, saying, Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish. 13: Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of the LORD shall die: shall we be consumed with dying?

Numbers, 18

Priest and Levite duties

1: And the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood. 2: And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou with thee, that they may be joined unto thee, and minister unto thee: but thou and thy sons with thee shall minister before the tabernacle of witness. 3: And they shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die. 4: And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you. 5: And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel. 6: And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the LORD, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. 7: Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest's office for every thing of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest's office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

Priest and Levite portions

8: And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of mine heave offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy sons, by an ordinance for ever. 9: This shall be thine of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every oblation of theirs, every meat offering of theirs, and every sin offering of theirs, and every trespass offering of theirs, which they shall render unto me, shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons. 10: In the most holy place shalt thou eat it; every male shall eat it: it shall be holy unto thee. 11: And this is thine; the heave offering of their gift, with all the wave offerings of the children of Israel: I have given them unto thee, and to thy sons and to thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: every one that is clean in thy house shall eat of it. 12: All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the LORD, them have I given thee. 13: And whatsoever is first ripe in the land, which they shall bring unto the LORD, shall be thine; every one that is clean in thine house shall eat of it. 14: Every thing devoted in Israel shall be thine. 15: Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the LORD, whether it be of men or beasts, shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem. 16: And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shalt thou redeem, according to thine estimation, for the money of five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs. 17: But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they are holy: thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet savour unto the LORD. 18: And the flesh of them shall be thine, as the wave breast and as the right shoulder are thine. 19: All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the LORD, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: it is a covenant of salt for ever before the LORD unto thee and to thy seed with thee. 20: And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel. 21: And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. 22: Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die. 23: But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance. 24: But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. 25: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 26: Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe. 27: And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fullness of the winepress. 28: Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the LORD's heave offering to Aaron the priest. 29: Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering of the LORD, of all the best thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it. 30: Therefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye have heaved the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshingfloor, and as the increase of the winepress. 31: And ye shall eat it in every place, ye and your households: for it is your reward for your service in the tabernacle of the congregation. 32: And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it, when ye have heaved from it the best of it: neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye die.

In chapter 16 we see the very serious issue of the rebellion of Korah and the solution to the problem in chapter 17. Once this is dealt with the children of Israel can get on with the duties of the Priests and Levites. Getting back to Korah we see a man of the Levites who gathered a following together to speak against Moses. 250 princes of Israel – famous men and men of renown also conspired with him to oppose Moses. What they said has become famous words repeated today among the rebellious - You take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy They said. They asked why Moses had exalted himself above the people. Moses fell on his face – not for fear of what might become of him but for fear of what might become of them. The men brought incense to burn before the Lord but Moses was very angry. And he told the Lord not to accept their offerings of incense. Moses told the men not to associate with the rebels because the Lord would deal with them. He said to the people if these men carry on living then l am not Gods anointed but if the ground opens up and swallows them then you will know that l am Gods chosen. The 250 men that offered incense were destroyed by fire from the presence of the Lord. However on the following day others complained against Moses and Aaron sating you have killed the Lords people. The Lord appeared before Moses and said stand aside so that l may kill the whole congregation but Moses but Moses said to Aaron go quickly and offer an atonement for the people. Aaron ran out and stood between the living and the dead and the plague from the Lord ceased. 14,700 died apart from those who died with Korah. Next Moses called the children of Israel to take a staff for every house of Israel and they wrote every mans name on the rod – twelve in all. The Lord said put them near the Tabernacle and the rod that brings forth blossoms. In the following day they found that Aarons rod had buds, blossoms and fruit – almond fruit. Every mans rod was returned to him but Aarons rod was kept in the Ark of the Covenant. In the next passage the Lord outlined more of the duties of the Levites. They were put in charge of everything to do with the Tabernacle of the Lord. Then the Lord explained what was the inheritance and daily portion of the Levites. The best of all the offerings that were allowed to be eaten were given to the Levites for food. The Levites never had land which would divert their attention from serving the Lord.

Steve

AM Feb 23rd Mark 8

2012-02-22T08:39:00.000Z

February 23rd

Jesus heals a blind man

22: And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. 23: And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. 24: And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. 25: After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. 26: And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.

Peters declaration – Christ

27: And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? 28: And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets. 29: And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. 30: And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.

Jesus predicts his death

31: And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32: And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. 33: But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men. 34: And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35: For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. 36: For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37: Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 38: Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Here we have a miracle of Christ in two stages. Spittle in the ancient world was symbolic of the essential essence of man. Christ in using spittle was touching him with the lowest touch of humanity but it was also in the power of the Holy Spirit. What a wonderful thing Christ did for this poor man. The first touch brought sign but it was unclear sign then the Lord asked him what he saw and he said l see man as trees walking. His sight was still very unclear. So the Lord touched him again and he saw clearly. The first touch was grace and second touch was glory. We who have been touched by Grace do not see all things clearly but one day everything will become clear in the presence of Christ. Christ was bringing the discipleship of the disciples to a culmination. He asked them who do men say l am? They answered some say John the Baptist Elijah or one of the prophets. Then Christ homed in but who do you say l am? Peter spoke up for the group. You are the Messiah, he said. At this stage of Christ’s ministry he did not want his Messianic claims to be published aboard. That is why the blind man and the disciples were to keep this to themselves. From this point onward, Christ would reveal for the first time the second stage of his ministry – the cross. All the preaching and teaching up until now had centred on the Messiahs call to Israel to return unto the Lord their God but now having rejected him he turns to face the cross. And so the ministry of Christ had two stages. The Son of Man came to seek and to save them that were lost and to give his life a ransom for many. The first part of Christ’s ministry was left unfinished, (The Apostles would continue this in their ministry recorded in The Acts of the Apostles) The second part of Christ’s ministry was begun and finished on the Cross. All the preaching of the Gospel of the kingdom had no cross element in it. It was not a call to salvation from Sin but that Israel might return from their state of backsliding. Peter took the Lord aside to rebuke him! But Christ rebuked him saying that his thinking was of the Devil and that the cross was his goal. Then Christ called them altogether asking that they might follow him to the cross. At the time of Christ’s suffering they all forsook him, (It was not their time to die) but later they all, except perhaps John, followed him to martyrdom.

Steve

PM Feb 22nd Num 14

2012-02-22T08:37:00.000Z

February 22nd

Numbers, 14

C Rebellion in the wilderness

The People rebel

1: And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. 2: And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! 3: And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? 4: And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt. 5: Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel. 6: And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: 7: And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. 8: If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. 9: Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not. 10: But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel. 11: And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them? 12: I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they. 13: And Moses said unto the LORD, Then the Egyptians shall hear it, (for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from among them;) 14: And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land: for they have heard that thou LORD art among this people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and that thy cloud standeth over them, and that thou goest before them, by day time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night. 15: Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying, 16: Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness. 17: And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying, 18: The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. 19: Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.

Forty years begin

20: And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word: 21: But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD. 22: Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; 23: Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: 24: But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it. 25: (Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwelt in the valley.) To morrow turn you, and get you into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea. 26: And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 27: How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me. 28: Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: 29: Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me, 30: Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. 31: But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised. 32: But as for you, your carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness. 33: And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness. 34: After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise. 35: I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die. 36: And the men, which Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander upon the land, 37: Even those men that did bring up the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the LORD. 38: But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of the men that went to search the land, lived still. 39: And Moses told these sayings unto all the children of Israel: and the people mourned greatly. 40: And they rose up early in the morning, and gat them up into the top of the mountain, saying, Lo, we be here, and will go up unto the place which the LORD hath promised: for we have sinned. 41: And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the LORD? but it shall not prosper. 42: Go not up, for the LORD is not among you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies. 43: For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before you, and ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned away from the LORD, therefore the LORD will not be with you. 44: But they presumed to go up unto the hill top: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and Moses, departed not out of the camp. 45: Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah.

Numbers, 15

The Offerings

1: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2: Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land of your habitations, which I give unto you, 3: And will make an offering by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet savour unto the LORD, of the herd, or of the flock: 4: Then shall he that offereth his offering unto the LORD bring a meat offering of a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of oil. 5: And the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering shalt thou prepare with the burnt offering or sacrifice, for one lamb. 6: Or for a ram, thou shalt prepare for a meat offering two tenth deals of flour mingled with the third part of an hin of oil. 7: And for a drink offering thou shalt offer the third part of an hin of wine, for a sweet savour unto the LORD. 8: And when thou preparest a bullock for a burnt offering, or for a sacrifice in performing a vow, or peace offerings unto the LORD: 9: Then shall he bring with a bullock a meat offering of three tenth deals of flour mingled with half an hin of oil. 10: And thou shalt bring for a drink offering half an hin of wine, for an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD. 11: Thus shall it be done for one bullock, or for one ram, or for a lamb, or a kid. 12: According to the number that ye shall prepare, so shall ye do to every one according to their number. 13: All that are born of the country shall do these things after this manner, in offering an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD. 14: And if a stranger sojourn with you, or whosoever be among you in your generations, and will offer an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD; as ye do, so he shall do. 15: One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD. 16: One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you. 17: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 18: Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land whither I bring you, 19: Then it shall be, that, when ye eat of the bread of the land, ye shall offer up an heave offering unto the LORD. 20: Ye shall offer up a cake of the first of your dough for an heave offering: as ye do the heave offering of the threshingfloor, so shall ye heave it. 21: Of the first of your dough ye shall give unto the LORD an heave offering in your generations. 22: And if ye have erred, and not observed all these commandments, which the LORD hath spoken unto Moses, 23: Even all that the LORD hath commanded you by the hand of Moses, from the day that the LORD commanded Moses, and henceforward among your generations; 24: Then it shall be, if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour unto the LORD, with his meat offering, and his drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering. 25: And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them; for it is ignorance: and they shall bring their offering, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD, and their sin offering before the LORD, for their ignorance: 26: And it shall be forgiven all the congregation of the children of Israel, and the stranger that sojourneth among them; seeing all the people were in ignorance. 27: And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering. 28: And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him. 29: Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them. 30: But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 31: Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.

The Sabbath broken

32: And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. 33: And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. 34: And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. 35: And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. 36: And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Tassels

37: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 38: Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: 39: And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring: 40: That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God. 41: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD your God.

Today’s Bible reading tells the sad story of the rebellion in the wilderness when the Children of Israel turned against the Lord and therefore the Lord was unable to take them into the land. The entrance into the land needed faith and obedience and therefore the Lord would only be leading them to their destruction. The Lord had to wait for all the people who rebelled to die and for a whole new generation to be born and grow up to be fit to be led into the Land. The Children of Israel were deeply distressed and they wept all night and they complained at the leadership of Moses and Aaron. They insulted them by asking why they had been brought into the wilderness to die. They even suggested returning to Egypt – which was impossible and unthinkable. They even suggested that Joshua might be their captain to lead them back. Little did they realise that 40 years later Joshua would lead Israel into the land. Joshua told the people clearly that they must not rebel against the Lord. The children of Israel considered murdering Moses and Joshua. The Lord appeared to Moses promising that he would destroy the nation and raise up a nation from the sons of Moses. However Moses refused the idea and pleaded for deliverance for Israel. Moses reminds the Lord of his character saying, The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now. The Lord spared the people and the forty years of wandering began. I sometimes think that men and women have moments in which they come to decisions that last for a long time. The Children of Israel had tempted the Lord ten times yet he still forgave them for Moses sake.

1. At the Red Sea
2. At Marah
3. At Wilderness of Sin
4. Twice regarding the Manna
5. Manna – 2
6. At Rephadin
7. At Horeb
8. At Taberah
9. At Kibroth
10. At Kedesh

[Its interesting that in Matthews Gospel the Lord tests Israel over exactly the same points]

Caleb is declared as a faithful man he followed the Lord fully. The Lord explained to the People that only Joshua and Caleb would enter the land. They wandered for forty years – one year for every day that they rebelled against the Lord. In the next few verses the Lord outlines the importance of the offerings made to the Lord. One day the children of Israel found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. They brought him to Moses. They arrested him and asked the Lord concerning the case. The Lord answered that he was to be executed. The people stoned him outside the camp. And the fear of breaking the Sabbath came upon the people. Next the Lord described the importance of every man having a border of blue with tassels on it. It was a constant reminder of the commandments of the Lord.

Steve

AM Feb 22nd Mark 8

2012-02-21T08:36:00.002Z

February 22nd

Mark, 8

The 4,000 fed

1: In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, 2: I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: 3: And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. 4: And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? 5: And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. 6: And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. 7: And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. 8: So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. 9: And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away. 10: And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.

Objection – Give us a sign

11: And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. 12: And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation. 13: And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.

Jesus – Pharisees & Herod

14: Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf. 15: And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. 16: And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread. 17: And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened? 18: Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember? 19: When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve. 20: And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven. 21: And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?

In those days Christ fed another multitude of people. On this occasion there were four thousand. Christ the Messiah of Israel is the great provider for his people. The Pharisees came asking for a sign from heaven but Christ refuses to give them one. When Christ spoke of the corrupting influence of the Pharisaic teaching the disciple misunderstood him, thinking that he was talking about the bread of the feeding of the multitudes.

Steve

PM Feb 21st Num 11

2012-02-21T08:35:00.000Z

February 21st

Numbers, 11

B Forward march

God sends fire

1: And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. 2: And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the LORD, the fire was quenched. 3: And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the LORD burnt among them.

God sends quail

4: And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? 5: We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: 6: But our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes. 7: And the manna was as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium. 8: And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil. 9: And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it. 10: Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased. 11: And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? 12: Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers? 13: Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat. 14: I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. 15: And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness. 16: And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. 17: And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone. 18: And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat. 19: Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days; 20: But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt? 21: And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month. 22: Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them? 23: And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD's hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not. 24: And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the LORD, and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the tabernacle. 25: And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. 26: But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp. 27: And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. 28: And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. 29: And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them! 30: And Moses gat him into the camp, he and the elders of Israel. 31: And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth. 32: And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp. 33: And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague. 34: And he called the name of that place Kibroth-hattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted. 35: And the people journeyed from Kibroth-hattaavah unto Hazeroth; and abode at Hazeroth.

Numbers, 12

Miriam is punished

1: And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. 2: And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it. 3: (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) 4: And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. 5: And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. 6: And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. 7: My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. 8: With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? 9: And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed. 10: And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous. 11: And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned. 12: Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother's womb. 13: And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee. 14: And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again. 15: And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again. 16: And afterward the people removed from Hazeroth, and pitched in the wilderness of Paran.

Numbers, 13

The Spies sent out

1: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2: Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them. 3: And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel. 4: And these were their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur. 5: Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori. 6: Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 7: Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph. 8: Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun. 9: Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu. 10: Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi. 11: Of the tribe of Joseph, namely, of the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi. 12: Of the tribe of 4!dkW8e son of Gemalli. 13: Of the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael. 14: Of the tribe of Naphtali, ! Z Vophsi. 15: Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi. 16: These are the names of the men whicaK 2Z| T py out the land. And Moses called Oshea the son of Nun Jehoshua. 17: And Moses sent them to spy out the lan=X}Ky_{ und said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain: 18: And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; 19: And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds; 20: And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes. 21: So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath. 22: And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) 23: And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs. 24: The place was called the brook Eshcol, because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence. 25: And they returned from searching of the land after forty days. 26: And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land. 27: And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. 28: Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. 29: The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan. 30: And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. 31: But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. 32: And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. 33: And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

The Children of Israel set out on their journeying in the wilderness and first they find that the Lord is displeased by their complaining so the fire of the Lord burns among them and consumes those who are rebelling, even to the farthest part of the camp. The Lord will not have disunity among his people. Then we find that the people longed for meat. They wanted flesh to eat. And they complained to the Lord. The Manna was ok but they wanted something to chew on. Moses was constantly in the firing line from the people. Moses was finding the pressure of being the leader alone so the Lord told him to gather seventy leaders of the people. And the Lord put spirit on these men that he had given to Moses. And they bore the burden of leadership. When the Spirit of the Lord rested on them they prophesied and no one was able to stop them. Then the Lord gave them meat until they were sick of eating it, day after day. The Lord sent a wind and brought Quails from the east. The quails fell up to 1 meter high. The people gathered the birds and ate them but while the meat was in their mouths the wrath of God fell on them and they died of plague. The next crisis is a crisis that came to the family of Moses. His elder sister Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because Moses has married an Ethiopian woman. She questioned his calling and ability to lead Gods people. Previously Moses had demonstrated a temper but the Spirit of God had made Moses the meekest man n earth. Meekness of the ability to control temper in a dispute. The Lord called Moses Aaron and Miriam to come and speak to him outside the camp, and the Lord told them that he would appear to prophets in dreams by Moses he would speak him mouth to mouth. (He was the first inspired man.) When the cloud departed Miriam was found to be a leper. Moses pleaded for Miriam and the Lord healed her and she was out of the camp for seven days. As the children of Israel came near to the land of promise the Lord said to Moses send spies into the land to see the land.

1. Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.
2. Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori.
3. Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
4. Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph.
5. Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun.
6. Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu.
7. Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi.
8. Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi.
9. Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli.
10. Asher, Sethur the son of Michael.
11. Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi.
12. Gad, Geuel the son of Machi.

13. Oshea Joshua the son of Nun

They were told to inspect the land, the people, the strength of the military force, the quality of the fields, the cities, tents and strongholds, the quality of the livestock, the extent of the forestry, the morale of the enemy. They went right through the land and they collected a single bunch of grapes that could only be carried by two men. And they carried pomegranates and figs. They were in the land for 40 days. They reported back that the fruit of the land was indeed very lush. However they saw the sons of Anak. (They were Giants like in the time of Noah) The Amalekities, Hittites, Jebusities, Amorities and Canaanites. Caleb calmed the people saying that they should go up straightaway because we are well able to conquer them. As the childrens song goes… ‘Some saw giants strong and tall - some saw God was in it all.’

Steve

AM Feb 21st Mark 7

2012-02-21T08:33:00.000Z

February 21st

Mark, 7

Objection – Tradition / God’s Law

1: Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. 2: And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. 3: For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. 4: And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. 5: Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? 6: He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7: Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8: For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9: And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. 10: For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: 11: But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. 12: And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; 13: Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Sin comes from within

14: And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: 15: There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. 16: If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. 17: And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. 18: And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; 19: Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? 20: And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21: For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22: Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

The Syrophoenician’s faith

24: And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid. 25: For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet: 26: The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. 27: But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. 28: And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs. 29: And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. 30: And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.

Jesus heals a deaf & dumb man

31: And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. 32: And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. 33: And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; 34: And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. 35: And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. 36: And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it; 37: And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

The Pharisees had made up over the years lots of traditions which proscribed every detail of daily life. They discussed endlessly how to wash your hands and how many times it should be done. Christ did not submit himself to their petty rules. When Christ was asked about why he did not wash his hands like they did He pointed out that it is not dirty hands that makes a man a sinner but a dirty heart. Then Christ showed that the Pharisees had made up rules that actually contradicted the law and in fact if a person kept the traditions of the elders they would be breaking the law. When Christ arrived at Tyre and Sidon he met a woman whose daughter was demon possessed and she pleaded that Christ would deliver her. Christ said it is not right to take what has been provided for Israel and use it for Gentiles. She responded bravely that even the Gentiles can benefit from the surplus of Christ’s provision. Christ marvelled at her faith. Later he healed a deaf and dumb man and told him not to tell anyone but he went out and told everyone.

Steve

PM Feb 20th Num 9

2012-02-20T08:50:00.002Z

February 20th

Numbers, 9

The Passover

1: And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 2: Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season. 3: In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season: according to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it. 4: And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, that they should keep the passover. 5: And they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel. 6: And there were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body of a man, that they could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day: 7: And those men said unto him, We are defiled by the dead body of a man: wherefore are we kept back, that we may not offer an offering of the LORD in his appointed season among the children of Israel? 8: And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the LORD will command concerning you. 9: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 10: Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto the LORD. 11: The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 12: They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it. 13: But the man that is clean, and is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering of the LORD in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin. 14: And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the LORD; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land.

The Cloud over the Tabernacle

15: And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning. 16: So it was always: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night. 17: And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents. 18: At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents. 19: And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not. 20: And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the LORD they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed. 21: And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed. 22: Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed. 23: At the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

Numbers, 10

The Silver trumpets

1: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2: Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps. 3: And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 4: And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee. 5: When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward. 6: When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys. 7: But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm. 8: And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations. 9: And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies. 10: Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.

The Israelites move forward

11: And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony. 12: And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran. 13: And they first took their journey according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses. 14: In the first place went the standard of the camp of the children of Judah according to their armies: and over his host was Nahshon the son of Amminadab. 15: And over the host of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethaneel the son of Zuar. 16: And over the host of the tribe of the children of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon. 17: And the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set forward, bearing the tabernacle. 18: And the standard of the camp of Reuben set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elizur the son of Shedeur. 19: And over the host of the tribe of the children of Simeon was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. 20: And over the host of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel. 21: And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came. 22: And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elishama the son of Ammihud. 23: And over the host of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. 24: And over the host of the tribe of the children of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni. 25: And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward, which was the rereward of all the camps throughout their hosts: and over his host was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. 26: And over the host of the tribe of the children of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ocran. 27: And over the host of the tribe of the children of Naphtali was Ahira the son of Enan. 28: Thus were the journeyings of the children of Israel according to their armies, when they set forward. 29: And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel. 30: And he said unto him, I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred. 31: And he said, Leave us not, I pray thee; forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes. 32: And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the LORD shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee. 33: And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them. 34: And the cloud of the LORD was upon them by day, when they went out of the camp. 35: And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee. 36: And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel.

In today’s Bible reading we read of the institution of the Passover and the cloud of the Lord which came over the Tabernacle. The children of Israel moved forward at the sound of the silver trumpets and so they were made and in this way the Children of Israel did go forward. First however we read of the institution of the Passover. It was the first of the feasts and when Israel fell away into backsliding it was the first to be abandoned. On one occasion certain men found that they were unclean because of contact with a dead body. Moses enquired of the Lord. The Lord pointed out that there might be cases in which men are caught on a journey or found unwittingly in an unclean state and if that is so then they are to celebrate the Passover but if men are clean and they refuse to celebrate the Passover then they are to be cut off from the people of God. On the day that the Tabernacle was set up the cloud of witness covered the tent of testimony. It was like a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire at night. The cloud was the visible means of knowing the presence of the LORD among them. Moses was instructed to make two silver trumpets from one piece of silver. These were used to give the signal to the whole company of Israel that they were to go forward. There were different sounds given by the trumpets. A single blast summoned the princes of the tribes but a double blow indicated that the tribes were to walk forward. The trumpets were also sounded over the offering that were made to the LORD. On the 20th day of the second month the cloud rose from the Tabernacle and the children of Israel went forward together. The children of Israel moved north following the cloud and rested in the wilderness of Paran. Moses invited Hobab the son of Raguel the Midianite – Moses father in law to come with them Moses wanted his knowledge of the wilderness.

Steve

AM Feb 20th Mark 6

2012-02-19T08:02:00.002Z

February 20th

The 5,000 fed

30: And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. 31: And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 32: And they departed into a desert place by ship privately. 33: And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him. 34: And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. 35: And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: 36: Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat. 37: He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? 38: He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. 39: And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. 40: And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. 41: And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. 42: And they did all eat, and were filled. 43: And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. 44: And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.

Jesus returns to his own

45: And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. 46: And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. 47: And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. 48: And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. 49: But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 50: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. 51: And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. 52: For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.

Jesus heals in Galilee

53: And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. 54: And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, 55: And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. 56: And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

After hearing the news of John’s dead the Lord takes the disciples aside so that they might rest at the end of their labours and so that they might report what God had been doing through them. The people followed them seeking Christ out and Christ had great compassion on the common people because they were like sheep having no shepherd and he began to teach them. We might ask why? Because sheep need food and more than any other thing, the sheep need to be fed. After quite a while of teaching, the Lord feeds them. This event is recorded by every Gospel writer and in this way they demonstrate the Messiahs ability to feed men to provide for all their needs. At the end Christ sends the Disciples away and then he dismisses the people. In Johns Gospel this constitutes the centre of the Gospel and the heart of the signs of Christ. It describes a period in which Christ is absent from his people and they are on Gentiles waters and the wind is against them. The next event in Israel’s history is that Christ will come to them in their troubles and when he is welcomed into the boat he will calm the storm and bring universal peace. On their arrival the cities and villages are greatly stirred when they hear of Christ’s coming and they bring their sick and Christ heals them. The narrative gives the impression that there is sickness everywhere and of course there was. This sickness was a discipline of God on Israel and of course wherever Christ went he reversed the effect of their backslidings.

Steve

PM Feb 19th Num 6

2012-02-19T07:59:00.000Z

February 19th

Numbers, 6

The Nazarite

1: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2: Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD: 3: He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried. 4: All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk. 5: All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no rasor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the LORD, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow. 6: All the days that he separateth himself unto the LORD he shall come at no dead body. 7: He shall not make himself unclean for his father, or for his mother, for his brother, or for his sister, when they die: because the consecration of his God is upon his head. 8: All the days of his separation he is holy unto the LORD. 9: And if any man die very suddenly by him, and he hath defiled the head of his consecration; then he shall shave his head in the day of his cleansing, on the seventh day shall he shave it. 10: And on the eighth day he shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons, to the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: 11: And the priest shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, and make an atonement for him, for that he sinned by the dead, and shall hallow his head that same day. 12: And he shall consecrate unto the LORD the days of his separation, and shall bring a lamb of the first year for a trespass offering: but the days that were before shall be lost, because his separation was defiled. 13: And this is the law of the Nazarite, when the days of his separation are fulfilled: he shall be brought unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: 14: And he shall offer his offering unto the LORD, one he lamb of the first year without blemish for a burnt offering, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish for a sin offering, and one ram without blemish for peace offerings, 15: And a basket of unleavened bread, cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, and wafers of unleavened bread anointed with oil, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings. 16: And the priest shall bring them before the LORD, and shall offer his sin offering, and his burnt offering: 17: And he shall offer the ram for a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD, with the basket of unleavened bread: the priest shall offer also his meat offering, and his drink offering. 18: And the Nazarite shall shave the head of his separation at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall take the hair of the head of his separation, and put it in the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace offerings. 19: And the priest shall take the sodden shoulder of the ram, and one unleavened cake out of the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and shall put them upon the hands of the Nazarite, after the hair of his separation is shaven: 20: And the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD: this is holy for the priest, with the wave breast and heave shoulder: and after that the Nazarite may drink wine. 21: This is the law of the Nazarite who hath vowed, and of his offering unto the LORD for his separation, beside that that his hand shall get: according to the vow which he vowed, so he must do after the law of his separation.

The Priests blessing

22: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 23: Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, 24: The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: 25: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. 27: And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.

Numbers, 7

The Dedication of the Tabernacle

1: And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them; 2: That the princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers, who were the princes of the tribes, and were over them that were numbered, offered: 3: And they brought their offering before the LORD, six covered wagons, and twelve oxen; a wagon for two of the princes, and for each one an ox: and they brought them before the tabernacle. 4: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 5: Take it of them, that they may be to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; and thou shalt give them unto the Levites, to every man according to his service. 6: And Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and gave them unto the Levites. 7: Two wagons and four oxen he gave unto the sons of Gershon, according to their service: 8: And four wagons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of Merari, according unto their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. 9: But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them was that they should bear upon their shoulders. 10: And the princes offered for dedicating of the altar in the day that it was anointed, even the princes offered their offering before the altar. 11: And the LORD said unto Moses, They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedicating of the altar. 12: And he that offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah: 13: And his offering was one silver charger, the weight thereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them were full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering: 14: One spoon of ten shekels of gold, full of incense: 15: One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: 16: One kid of the goats for a sin offering: 17: And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab. 18: On the second day Nethaneel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, did offer: 19: He offered for his offering one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering: 20: One spoon of gold of ten shekels, full of incense: 21: One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: 22: One kid of the goats for a sin offering: 23: And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Nethaneel the son of Zuar. 24: On the third day Eliab the son of Helon, prince of the children of Zebulun, did offer: 25: His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering: 26: One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense: 27: One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: 28: One kid of the goats for a sin offering: 29: And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Eliab the son of Helon. 30: On the fourth day Elizur the son of Shedeur, prince of the children of Reuben, did offer: 31: His offering was one silver charger of the weight of an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering: 32: One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense: 33: One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: 34: One kid of the goats for a sin offering: 35: And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Elizur the son of Shedeur. 36: On the fifth day Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, prince of the children of Simeon, did offer: 37: His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering: 38: One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense: 39: One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: 40: One kid of the goats for a sin offering: 41: And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. 42: On the sixth day Eliasaph the son of Deuel, prince of the children of Gad, offered: 43: His offering was one silver charger of the weight of an hundred and thirty shekels, a silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering: 44: One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense: 45: One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: 46: One kid of the goats for a sin offering: 47: And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Eliasaph the son of Deuel. 48: On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, prince of the children of Ephraim, offered: 49: His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering: 50: One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense: 51: One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: 52: one kid of the goats for a sin offering: 53: And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Elishama the son of Ammihud. 54: On the eighth day offered Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh: 55: His offering was one silver charger of the weight of an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering: 56: One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense: 57: One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: 58: One kid of the goats for a sin offering: 59: And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. 60: On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin, offered: 61: His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering: 62: One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense: 63: One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: 64: One kid of the goats for a sin offering: 65: And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Abidan the son of Gideoni. 66: On the tenth day Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, prince of the children of Dan, offered: 67: His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering: 68: One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense: 69: One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: 70: One kid of the goats for a sin offering: 71: And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. 72: On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of Ocran, prince of the children of Asher, offered: 73: His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering: 74: One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense: 75: One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: 76: One kid of the goats for a sin offering: 77: And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Pagiel the son of Ocran. 78: On the twelfth day Ahira the son of Enan, prince of the children of Naphtali, offered: 79: His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering: 80: One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense: 81: One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: 82: One kid of the goats for a sin offering: 83: And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Ahira the son of Enan. 84: This was the dedication of the altar, in the day when it was anointed, by the princes of Israel: twelve chargers of silver, twelve silver bowls, twelve spoons of gold: 85: Each charger of silver weighing an hundred and thirty shekels, each bowl seventy: all the silver vessels weighed two thousand and four hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary: 86: The golden spoons were twelve, full of incense, weighing ten shekels apiece, after the shekel of the sanctuary: all the gold of the spoons was an hundred and twenty shekels. 87: All the oxen for the burnt offering were twelve bullocks, the rams twelve, the lambs of the first year twelve, with their meat offering: and the kids of the goats for sin offering twelve. 88: And all the oxen for the sacrifice of the peace offerings were twenty and four bullocks, the rams sixty, the he goats sixty, the lambs of the first year sixty. This was the dedication of the altar, after that it was anointed. 89: And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him.

Numbers, 8

The Lighting of the Lamps

1: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2: Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick. 3: And Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps thereof over against the candlestick, as the LORD commanded Moses. 4: And this work of the candlestick was of beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, was beaten work: according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick.

The Levites purified

5: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 6: Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them. 7: And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean. 8: Then let them take a young bullock with his meat offering, even fine flour mingled with oil, and another young bullock shalt thou take for a sin offering. 9: And thou shalt bring the Levites before the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt gather the whole assembly of the children of Israel together: 10: And thou shalt bring the Levites before the LORD: and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites: 11: And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the LORD for an offering of the children of Israel, that they may execute the service of the LORD. 12: And the Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bullocks: and thou shalt offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, unto the LORD, to make an atonement for the Levites. 13: And thou shalt set the Levites before Aaron, and before his sons, and offer them for an offering unto the LORD. 14: Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be mine. 15: And after that shall the Levites go in to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt cleanse them, and offer them for an offering. 16: For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel; instead of such as open every womb, even instead of the firstborn of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me. 17: For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both man and beast: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself. 18: And I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of Israel. 19: And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation, and to make an atonement for the children of Israel: that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come nigh unto the sanctuary. 20: And Moses, and Aaron, and all the congregation of the children of Israel, did to the Levites according unto all that the LORD commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did the children of Israel unto them. 21: And the Levites were purified, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them as an offering before the LORD; and Aaron made an atonement for them to cleanse them. 22: And after that went the Levites in to do their service in the tabernacle of the congregation before Aaron, and before his sons: as the LORD had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did they unto them. 23: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 24: This is it that belongeth unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: 25: And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof, and shall serve no more: 26: But shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation, to keep the charge, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charge.

In the next three chapters we have a number of interesting passages. First we have the case of a Nazarite vow. Second we have the blessing of the priests and the dedication of the Tabernacle. This includes the lighting of the lamps and finally the Levites are purified for the service of the Lord. First we find that the Lord makes a special provision for the dedication of men who have upon them the Nazarite Vow. This can be on both men or women and it involves a number of specific rituals and practises that were quite unique. The first thing is that the person is separated unto the Lord or dedicated to the Lord for his use and service. It was a voluntary dedication of complete abstinence to alcohol and even from grapes fresh or dried. During the time of his dedication he or she is not to cut their hair. During this time of the vow the person must not come near a dead body. He must not touch a dead body even if his family die. If however he finds that he has inadvertently touched a dead body then he is to shave his head. (The shaving of the head was forbidden in the Law normally) And then after eight day he is to offer a sin offering and a burnt offering. Later when the time of the vow is completed he is to bring a lamb, a ewe, a ram and a meal offering and the priest is to offer this because his holiness was defiled. The hair that is shaved off is to be burnt on the fire. We see these things worked out in the Life of Samson the judge of Israel who are a Nazarite from birth all his life. And we also see that Paul shaved his head because he had had a vow. Next the Lord describes the blessing that Aaron was the state over Israel.

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

When the Tabernacle was completed the Lord told Moses to dedicate the whole thing to the LORD. the heads of the tribes came one by one and gave the animals for offerings and the money that was collected according to the number of the tribes. It took many days for all the offerings to be made and when everything was finished Moses went into the Tabernacle and the LORD spoke to him from the Mercy seat. Next the Lord told Moses to tell Aaron to light the seven lamps. Next the Lord turned his attention to the tribe of the Levites. Their special responsibility was to minister in the Tabernacle. The Levites were washed, shaved all over and offerings were offered for their cleansing. The Levites were taken by the Lord instead of the first born who were redeemed from Egypt. All men from 30 – 50 were eligible to serve the Lord. those over 50 were not required to serve but they took a responsibility to see that things were done correctly in the Tabernacle.

Steve

AM Feb 19th Mark 6

2012-02-18T10:13:00.000Z

February 19th

Mark, 6

Jesus at home

1: And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. 2: And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? 3: Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. 4: But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. 5: And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. 6: And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

The Mission of the Twelve

7: And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; 8: And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: 9: But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. 10: And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. 11: And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. 12: And they went out, and preached that men should repent. 13: And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

Herod is worried

14: And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. 15: Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. 16: But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead. 17: For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her. 18: For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. 19: Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not: 20: For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. 21: And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee; 22: And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. 23: And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. 24: And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. 25: And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist. 26: And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. 27: And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, 28: And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother. 29: And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

When Christ taught in his own town the people could not understand how he had put this teaching together having not been anywhere except the carpenters workshop. In his own town he could do very little because the people could not see beyond their memory of his childhood. The little phrase ‘he went about the villages teaching’ describes such a wonderful ministry of Christ. And it was at this time that he sent out the Apostles preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. We see that their ministries had a number of features. First they were to work in pairs. This is because in the Law every word is confirmed in the mouth of two witnesses. Next we see that they were empowered specifically so that they can cast out demons. Next we see that they were to follow the Jewish custom of depending on the hospitality of the villages in which they visited. Therefore they did not need to take any food or money. The welcome they expected was to be based on two principles. The first is being welcomed the second is being heard. If they are not welcomed and if they are not heard then WHEN they leave. They are to shake off the dust of their shoes as a testimony against them. The significance may be they remove all trace of contamination of the place that they leave. There ministry was characterised by Preaching Demon deliverance and healing (Notice that the anointing with oil was used as part of the Apostolic ministry of healing) Herod suffering from a bad conscience assumed that John had risen from the dead when he heard of their ministry. Herod’s murder of John was one of the travesties of History.

Steve

PM Feb 18th Num 4

2012-02-18T10:11:00.000Z

February 18th

Numbers, 4

The Levi Duties

1: And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 2: Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, after their families, by the house of their fathers, 3: From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation. 4: This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation, about the most holy things: 5: And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the ark of testimony with it: 6: And shall put thereon the covering of badgers' skins, and shall spread over it a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof. 7: And upon the table of shewbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers to cover withal: and the continual bread shall be thereon: 8: And they shall spread upon them a cloth of scarlet, and cover the same with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put in the staves thereof. 9: And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the candlestick of the light, and his lamps, and his tongs, and his snuffdishes, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they minister unto it: 10: And they shall put it and all the vessels thereof within a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put it upon a bar. 11: And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue, and cover it with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put to the staves thereof: 12: And they shall take all the instruments of ministry, wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put them on a bar: 13: And they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth thereon: 14: And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it, even the censers, the fleshhooks, and the shovels, and the basons, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers' skins, and put to the staves of it. 15: And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation. 16: And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest pertaineth the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil, and the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein is, in the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof. 17: And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 18: Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites: 19: But thus do unto them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach unto the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in, and appoint them every one to his service and to his burden: 20: But they shall not go in to see when the holy things are covered, lest they die. 21: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 22: Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon, hroughout the houses of their fathers, by their families; 23: From thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shalt thou number them; all that enter in to perform the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation. 24: This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, to serve, and for burdens: 25: And they shall bear the curtains of the tabernacle, and the tabernacle of the congregation, his covering, and the covering of the badgers' skins that is above upon it, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, 26: And the hangings of the court, and the hanging for the door of the gate of the court, which is by the tabernacle and by the altar round about, and their cords, and all the instruments of their service, and all that is made for them: so shall they serve. 27: At the appointment of Aaron and his sons shall be all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, in all their burdens, and in all their service: and ye shall appoint unto them in charge all their burdens. 28: This is the service of the families of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation: and their charge shall be under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. 29: As for the sons of Merari, thou shalt number them after their families, by the house of their fathers; 30: From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation. 31: And this is the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation; the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and sockets thereof, 32: And the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords, with all their instruments, and with all their service: and by name ye shall reckon the instruments of the charge of their burden. 33: This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari, according to all their service, in the tabernacle of the congregation, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

The Levites counted again

34: And Moses and Aaron and the chief of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites after their families, and after the house of their fathers, 35: From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation: 36: And those that were numbered of them by their families were two thousand seven hundred and fifty. 37: These were they that were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, which Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses. 38: And those that were numbered of the sons of Gershon, throughout their families, and by the house of their fathers, 39: From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation, 40: Even those that were numbered of them, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers, were two thousand and six hundred and thirty. 41: These are they that were numbered of the families of the sons of Gershon, of all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, whom Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the LORD. 42: And those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers, 43: From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation, 44: Even those that were numbered of them after their families, were three thousand and two hundred. 45: These be those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses. 46: All those that were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron and the chief of Israel numbered, after their families, and after the house of their fathers, 47: From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that came to do the service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation, 48: Even those that were numbered of them, were eight thousand and five hundred and fourscore. 49: According to the commandment of the LORD they were numbered by the hand of Moses, every one according to his service, and according to his burden: thus were they numbered of him, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Numbers, 5

Unclean people

1: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2: Command the children of Israel, that they put out of the camp every leper, and every one that hath an issue, and whosoever is defiled by the dead: 3: Both male and female shall ye put out, without the camp shall ye put them; that they defile not their camps, in the midst whereof I dwell. 4: And the children of Israel did so, and put them out without the camp: as the LORD spake unto Moses, so did the children of Israel.

Restitution

5: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 6: Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the LORD, and that person be guilty; 7: Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed. 8: But if the man have no kinsman to recompense the trespass unto, let the trespass be recompensed unto the LORD, even to the priest; beside the ram of the atonement, whereby an atonement shall be made for him. 9: And every offering of all the holy things of the children of Israel, which they bring unto the priest, shall be his. 10: And every man's hallowed things shall be his: whatsoever any man giveth the priest, it shall be his.

Adultery

11: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 12: Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man's wife go aside, and commit a trespass against him, 13: And a man lie with her carnally, and it be hid from the eyes of her husband, and be kept close, and she be defiled, and there be no witness against her, neither she be taken with the manner; 4: And the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled: 15: Then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest, and he shall bring her offering for her, the tenth part of an ephah of barley meal; he shall pour no oil upon it, nor put frankincense thereon; for it is an offering of jealousy, an offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance. 16: And the priest shall bring her near, and set her before the LORD: 17: And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is in the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water: 18: And the priest shall set the woman before the LORD, and uncover the woman's head, and put the offering of memorial in her hands, which is the jealousy offering: and the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that causeth the curse: 19: And the priest shall charge her by an oath, and say unto the woman, If no man have lain with thee, and if thou hast not gone aside to uncleanness with another instead of thy husband, be thou free from this bitter water that causeth the curse: 20: But if thou hast gone aside to another instead of thy husband, and if thou be defiled, and some man have lain with thee beside thine husband: 21: Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say unto the woman, The LORD make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when the LORD doth make thy thigh to rot, and thy belly to swell; 22: And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to rot: And the woman shall say, Amen, amen. 23: And the priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall blot them out with the bitter water: 24: And he shall cause the woman to drink the bitter water that causeth the curse: and the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter. 25: Then the priest shall take the jealousy offering out of the woman's hand, and shall wave the offering before the LORD, and offer it upon the altar: 26: And the priest shall take an handful of the offering, even the memorial thereof, and burn it upon the altar, and afterward shall cause the woman to drink the water. 27: And when he hath made her to drink the water, then it shall come to pass, that, if she be defiled, and have done trespass against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall rot: and the woman shall be a curse among her people. 28: And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive seed. 29: This is the law of jealousies, when a wife goeth aside to another instead of her husband, and is defiled; 30: Or when the spirit of jealousy cometh upon him, and he be jealous over his wife, and shall set the woman before the LORD, and the priest shall execute upon her all this law. 31: Then shall the man be guiltless from iniquity, and this woman shall bear her iniquity.

In chapter 4 Moses spells out the duties of the tribe of Levi and the Levites are counted again. Then in chapter 5 we have three subjects the regulations regarding unclean people, the restitution or compensation rules and the law of adultery. The men of the Levites were accounted as mature enough between 30 - 50 years of age. Then we have a list of the duties and responsibilities of the Levites. The work was often mundane and yet it was essential to enable Israel to approach the Lord. Their work was not at all glamorous. It was hard work and sometimes dirty work. it was a burden in other words everything was carried by hand. Next Moses was instructed to command Israel to put out of the camp any person that was a leper, or had an open weeping sore, or who had come into contact with a dead body. This applied to men or women. Then the Lord told Moses to tell the people that if they had injured any other person then they were to pay the sum back plus 20%. And they were to offer a trespass offering. Next the Lord turns to the matter of Adultery. If a man had an inward awareness that his wife had been unfaithful then he took her to the priest who made a drink of barley, oil and frankincense. Water was placed in the vessel with dust from the earth. The woman drank the liquid and if she was guilty then she was told to swear with an oath that if she was guilty then she would die from within. Then some of the ingredients were burnt before the Lord. If she belly swelled up and her thigh rotted then she was guilty before the Lord. However if she was innocent then she remained healthy and bore children. This brought about justice and the fear of the Lord on Israel.

Steve

AM Feb 18th Mark 5

2012-02-17T08:22:00.000Z

February 18th

Mark, 5

Jesus delivers a Demoniac

1: And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. 2: And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3: Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: 4: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. 5: And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. 6: But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, 7: And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. 8: For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. 9: And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. 10: And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. 11: Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. 12: And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. 13: And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea. 14: And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. 15: And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. 16: And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. 17: And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. 18: And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. 19: Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. 20: And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

Jarius’s daughter & a woman

21: And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. 22: And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, 23: And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. 24: And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. 25: And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26: And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27: When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28: For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. 29: And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. 30: And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? 31: And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32: And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 33: But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34: And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. 35: While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? 36: As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. 37: And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. 38: And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. 39: And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. 40: And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. 41: And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. 42: And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. 43: And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

Christ meets the homeless man of Gadara. He is out of control. He lives near to death. He lives outside of society, outside of family and out on the streets – in the cemetery. People have tried to help him. But nothing can cure him except Christ. People had tried to control him by binding him with chains but nothing had worked. He is crying out and is self harming. Christ speaks the word of command and he delivered. And 2,000 pigs drown in the lake. Can anyone imagine what was going on in this mans mind? This man wanted to become a disciple but Christ told him to go home and tell them what god had done. Here was a family restored. Next we have the touching story of a young girl who had died. Christ calls her back and delivers her to her Father – Jairus the leader of the Synagogue. This young girl of twelve never entered into the congregation of Israel because she died before 12 yrs. Next we have a woman who also cannot enter in because she is unclean. And she had tried everything and everyone and yet she got worse. However she had heard of Christ and she believed that he could heal her because he was Israel’s Messiah. She came in the crowd and touched the tassels of his garment. (The tassels were symbolic of his Jewishness) She was healed and she could feel it in her body. Christ spoke to her to encourage her and to explain her miracle. For this woman and the young girl who were unclean to touch Christ ot to be touched by him would normally render him unclean however in this case his ‘virtue’ is transferred to them. It says simply ‘He took her by the hand.’ He did not become unclean – she came back to life. All of these cases were the ‘untouchables’ of Israel.

Steve

PM Feb 17th Num 1

2012-02-17T08:19:00.000Z

February 17th

Numbers, 1

A The getting ready to march

The Census at Sinai

1: And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 2: Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; 3: From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies. 4: And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers. 5: And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur. 6: Of Simeon; Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. 7: Of Judah; Nahshon the son of Amminadab. 8: Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar. 9: Of Zebulun; Eliab the son of Helon. 10: Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; lishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. 11: Of Benjamin; Abidan the son of Gideoni. 12: Of Dan; Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. 13: Of Asher; Pagiel the son of Ocran. 14: Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel. 15: Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan. 16: These were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel. 17: And Moses and Aaron took these men which are expressed by their names: 18: And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls. 19: As the LORD commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai. 20: And the children of Reuben, Israel's eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 21: Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Reuben, were forty and six thousand and five hundred. 22: Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 23: Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred. 24: Of the children of Gad, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 25: Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Gad, were forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty. 26: Of the children of Judah, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 27: Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Judah, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred. 28: Of the children of Issachar, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 29: Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred. 30: Of the children of Zebulun, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 31: Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred. 32: Of the children of Joseph, namely, of the children of Ephraim, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 33: Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand and five hundred. 34: Of the children of Manasseh, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 35: Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred. 36: Of the children of Benjamin, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 37: Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred. 38: Of the children of Dan, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 39: Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Dan, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred. 40: Of the children of Asher, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 41: Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Asher, were forty and one thousand and five hundred. 42: Of the children of Naphtali, throughout their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 43: Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred. 44: These are those that were numbered, which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men: each one was for the house of his fathers. 45: So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel; 46: Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty. 47: But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them. 48: For the LORD had spoken unto Moses, saying, 49: Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel: 50: But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle. 51: And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. 52: And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts. 53: But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony. 54: And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.

Numbers, 2

The arrangement of the camp

1: And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 2: Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father's house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch. 3: And on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies: and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be captain of the children of Judah. 4: And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred. 5: And those that do pitch next unto him shall be the tribe of Issachar: and Nethaneel the son of Zuar shall be captain of the children of Issachar. 6: And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred. 7: Then the tribe of Zebulun: and Eliab the son of Helon shall be captain of the children of Zebulun. 8: And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred. 9: All that were numbered in the camp of Judah were an hundred thousand and fourscore thousand and six thousand and four hundred, throughout their armies. These shall first set forth. 10: On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their armies: and the captain of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur the son of Shedeur. 11: And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were forty and six thousand and five hundred. 12: And those which pitch by him shall be the tribe of Simeon: and the captain of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. 13: And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred. 14: Then the tribe of Gad: and the captain of the sons of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel. 15: And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and five thousand and six hundred and fifty. 16: All that were numbered in the camp of Reuben were an hundred thousand and fifty and one thousand and four hundred and fifty, throughout their armies. And they shall set forth in the second rank. 17: Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camp: as they encamp, so shall they set forward, every man in his place by their standards. 18: On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their armies: and the captain of the sons of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud. 19: And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty thousand and five hundred. 20: And by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the captain of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. 21: And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred. 22: Then the tribe of Benjamin: and the captain of the sons of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni. 23: And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred. 24: All that were numbered of the camp of Ephraim were an hundred thousand and eight thousand and an hundred, throughout their armies. And they shall go forward in the third rank. 25: The standard of the camp of Dan shall be on the north side by their armies: and the captain of the children of Dan shall be Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. 26: And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred. 27: And those that encamp by him shall be the tribe of Asher: and the captain of the children of Asher shall be Pagiel the son of Ocran. 28: And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and one thousand and five hundred. 29: Then the tribe of Naphtali: and the captain of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan. 30: And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred. 31: All they that were numbered in the camp of Dan were an hundred thousand and fifty and seven thousand and six hundred. They shall go hindmost with their standards. 32: These are those which were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers: all those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty. 33: But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses. 34: And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses: so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers.

Numbers, 3

The Levites counted separately

1: These also are the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that the LORD spake with Moses in mount Sinai. 2: And these are the names of the sons of Aaron; Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 3: These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest's office. 4: And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD, when they offered strange fire before the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children: and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest's office in the sight of Aaron their father. 5: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 6: Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him. 7: And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle. 8: And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle. 9: And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons: they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel. 10: And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest's office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. 11: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 12: And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine; 13: Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the LORD. 14: And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying, 15: Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them. 16: And Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded. 17: And these were the sons of Levi by their names; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari. 18: And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families; Libni, and Shimei. 19: And the sons of Kohath by their families; Amram, and Izehar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 20: And the sons of Merari by their families; Mahli, and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to the house of their fathers. 21: Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these are the families of the Gershonites. 22: Those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, even those that were numbered of them were seven thousand and five hundred. 23: The families of the Gershonites shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward. 24: And the chief of the house of the father of the Gershonites shall be Eliasaph the son of Lael. 25: And the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation shall be the tabernacle, and the tent, the covering thereof, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, 26: And the hangings of the court, and the curtain for the door of the court, which is by the tabernacle, and by the altar round about, and the cords of it for all the service thereof. 27: And of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izeharites, and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites: these are the families of the Kohathites. 28: In the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary. 29: The families of the sons of Kohath shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle southward. 30: And the chief of the house of the father of the families of the Kohathites shall be Elizaphan the son of Uzziel. 31: And their charge shall be the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith they minister, and the hanging, and all the service thereof. 32: And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be chief over the chief of the Levites, and have the oversight of them that keep the charge of the sanctuary. 33: Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the Mushites: these are the families of Merari. 34: And those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were six thousand and two hundred. 35: And the chief of the house of the father of the families of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail: these shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle northward. 36: And under the custody and charge of the sons of Merari shall be the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof, and all the vessels thereof, and all that serveth thereto, 37: And the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords. 38: But those that encamp before the tabernacle toward the east, even before the tabernacle of the congregation eastward, shall be Moses, and Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. 39: All that were numbered of the Levites, which Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the LORD, throughout their families, all the males from a month old and upward, were twenty and two thousand. 40: And the LORD said unto Moses, Number all the firstborn of the males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names. 41: And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am the LORD) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel. 42: And Moses numbered, as the LORD commanded him, all the firstborn among the children of Israel. 43: And all the firstborn males by the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those that were numbered of them, were twenty and two thousand two hundred and threescore and thirteen. 44: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 45: Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and the Levites shall be mine: I am the LORD. 46: And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the firstborn of the children of Israel, which are more than the Levites; 47: Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them: (the shekel is twenty gerahs:) 48: And thou shalt give the money, wherewith the odd number of them is to be redeemed, unto Aaron and to his sons. 49: And Moses took the redemption money of them that were over and above them that were redeemed by the Levites: 50: Of the firstborn of the children of Israel took he the money; a thousand three hundred and threescore and five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary: 51: And Moses gave the money of them that were redeemed unto Aaron and to his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Today we begin the book of Numbers which describes the Census & Rebellion of Israel is her wilderness journey. This book was written by Moses between 1450–1410 BC. It is called Arithmoi in the Septuagint, meaning ‘Arithmetic’. Numbers is a book for Pilgrims. It tells the story of how Israel prepared to enter Canaan, but sinned against the Lord, of how they wandered in the wilderness, how the next generation repented and prepared to enter the land of Cannan. Numbers tells the journey from Mt Sinai to Kadesh-Barnea. At Kadesh-Barnea their unbelief turned into disobedience and they were refused entrance into the land. Only Joshua and Caleb - the faithful spies, entered Canaan. A journey of between 150-200 miles, that could have taken 40 days, took 40 years. After 40 years they came back to the same place Kadesh-Barnea. At the first census they had 603,550 fighting men but only 601,730 at the second census.

In Hebrews we have a commentary regarding this period…Hebrews 3:8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. 16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

The First Census
The First approach to Canaan
The Desert Wandering
The Second approach to Canaan
The Second Census

So the children of Israel get ready to march but they march in order, but before they set out the whole nation is counted. Then the Lord specifies the arrangement in which they are to go forward together. And lastly today we will see that the Levites are counted separately. The Lord instructs Moses to count the children of Israel according to the tribes, their house - only males above 20 years of age. One man was chosen head of each tribe.

Reuben, 46,000
Simeon, 59,300
Gad, 45,650
Judah, 74,600
Issachar, 54,400
Zebulun, 57,400
Joseph, Ephraim, 40,500
Manasseh, 32,200
Benjamin, 35,400
Dan, 62,700
Asher, 41,500
Naphtali, 53,400

603,550

The Levites were not numbered because they were not to be men of war but were to be servants at the tabernacle. Next the Lord specified the arrangement of the camp.

On the east Judah Issachar Zebulun
On the south Reuben Simeon Gad
On the west Ephraim Manasseh Benjamin
On the north Dan Asher Naphtali

The Levites surrounded the Tabernacle. Then the Lord told Moses to number the children of Levi from one month old and upward – 22,000. Then Moses numbered all the first born of all Israel that belonged exclusively to the Lord – 22, 273.

Steve

AM Feb 17th Mark 4

2012-02-16T18:53:00.002Z

February 17th

Light hidden!

21: And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? 22: For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. 23: If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. 24: And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. 25: For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

Parable of the Growing seed

26: And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27: And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28: For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29: But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

Parable of the Mustard seed

30: And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? 31: It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: 32: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

Jesus’ use of Parables

33: And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. 34: But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

Jesus calms the storm

35: And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36: And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37: And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38: And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39: And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40: And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41: And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

First Christ says that everything will one day be revealed. Nobody buys a candle to put it in a bucket! No its put on the candlestick to give light to everyone in the house. Then Christ says take care how you measure out because how you measure out will be how blessing from God is measured out to you. Could there be a more meritorious system as this? This is Law not Grace. Under Law God blesses those who are righteous. But under Grace God blesses the unrighteous on the basis of the righteousness of Christ given to those who have faith in him. The Kingdom of God says Christ, is like a rewarding harvest to those who sow and patiently wait. The Kingdom of God, says Christ, is like a grain of mustard seed which though it is very small, when it is sown, becomes a huge tree big enough to support the birds of the air it its branches. Only in Parables did Christ teach the crowds but he revealed what the parables meant to his disciples in private. In the evening Christ set out with the disciples to go to the other side of Galilee. A great storm arose but Christ stilled the storm and there was a great calm. The Disciples were very afraid of the power of Christ and said to each other what sort of man is this?

Steve

PM Feb 16th Lev 26

2012-02-16T18:51:00.000Z

February 16th

Leviticus, 26

Blessings for Obedience

1: Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God. 2: Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD. 3: If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; 4: Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. 5: And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. 6: And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. 7: And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. 8: And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword. 9: For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you. 10: And ye shall eat old store, and bring forth the old because of the new. 11: And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you. 12: And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people. 13: I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.

Punishment for Disobedience

14: But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; 15: And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: 16: I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. 17: And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you. 18: And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. 19: And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass: 20: And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits. 21: And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins. 22: I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your highways shall be desolate. 23: And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me; 24: Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins. 25: And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. 26: And when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied. 27: And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me; 28: Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. 29: And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat. 30: And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you. 31: And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours. 32: And I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it. 33: And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. 34: Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths. 35: As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it. 36: And upon them that are left alive of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth. 37: And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies. 38: And ye shall perish among the heathen, and the land of your enemies shall eat you up. 39: And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them. 40: If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; 41: And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity: 42: Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land. 43: The land also shall be left of them, and shall enjoy her sabbaths, while she lieth desolate without them: and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity: because, even because they despised my judgments, and because their soul abhorred my statutes. 44: And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them: for I am the LORD their God. 45: But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the heathen, that I might be their God: I am the LORD. 46: These are the statutes and judgments and laws, which the LORD made between him and the children of Israel in mount Sinai by the hand of Moses.

Leviticus, 27

F Dedication and devotion

Rules for Dedication

1: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2: Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a man shall make a singular vow, the persons shall be for the LORD by thy estimation. 3: And thy estimation shall be of the male from twenty years old even unto sixty years old, even thy estimation shall be fifty shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary. 4: And if it be a female, then thy estimation shall be thirty shekels. 5: And if it be from five years old even unto twenty years old, then thy estimation shall be of the male twenty shekels, and for the female ten shekels. 6: And if it be from a month old even unto five years old, then thy estimation shall be of the male five shekels of silver, and for the female thy estimation shall be three shekels of silver. 7: And if it be from sixty years old and above; if it be a male, then thy estimation shall be fifteen shekels, and for the female ten shekels. 8: But if he be poorer than thy estimation, then he shall present himself before the priest, and the priest shall value him; according to his ability that vowed shall the priest value him. 9: And if it be a beast, whereof men bring an offering unto the LORD, all that any man giveth of such unto the LORD shall be holy. 10: He shall not alter it, nor change it, a good for a bad, or a bad for a good: and if he shall at all change beast for beast, then it and the exchange thereof shall be holy. 11: And if it be any unclean beast, of which they do not offer a sacrifice unto the LORD, then he shall present the beast before the priest: 12: And the priest shall value it, whether it be good or bad: as thou valuest it, who art the priest, so shall it be. 13: But if he will at all redeem it, then he shall add a fifth part thereof unto thy estimation. 14: And when a man shall sanctify his house to be holy unto the LORD, then the priest shall estimate it, whether it be good or bad: as the priest shall estimate it, so shall it stand. 15: And if he that sanctified it will redeem his house, then he shall add the fifth part of the money of thy estimation unto it, and it shall be his. 16: And if a man shall sanctify unto the LORD some part of a field of his possession, then thy estimation shall be according to the seed thereof: an homer of barley seed shall be valued at fifty shekels of silver. 17: If he sanctify his field from the year of jubile, according to thy estimation it shall stand. 18: But if he sanctify his field after the jubile, then the priest shall reckon unto him the money according to the years that remain, even unto the year of the jubile, and it shall be abated from thy estimation. 19: And if he that sanctified the field will in any wise redeem it, then he shall add the fifth part of the money of thy estimation unto it, and it shall be assured to him. 20: And if he will not redeem the field, or if he have sold the field to another man, it shall not be redeemed any more. 21: But the field, when it goeth out in the jubile, shall be holy unto the LORD, as a field devoted; the possession thereof shall be the priest's. 22: And if a man sanctify unto the LORD a field which he hath bought, which is not of the fields of his possession; 23: Then the priest shall reckon unto him the worth of thy estimation, even unto the year of the jubile: and he shall give thine estimation in that day, as a holy thing unto the LORD. 24: In the year of the jubile the field shall return unto him of whom it was bought, even to him to whom the possession of the land did belong. 25: And all thy estimations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs shall be the shekel. 26: Only the firstling of the beasts, which should be the LORD's firstling, no man shall sanctify it; whether it be ox, or sheep: it is the LORD's. 27: And if it be of an unclean beast, then he shall redeem it according to thine estimation, and shall add a fifth part of it thereto: or if it be not redeemed, then it shall be sold according to thy estimation. 28: Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing is most holy unto the LORD. 29: None devoted, which shall be devoted of men, shall be redeemed; but shall surely be put to death. 30: And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD's: it is holy unto the LORD. 31: And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof. 32: And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD. 33: He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed. 34: These are the commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel in mount Sinai.

In Chapter 26 the LORD spells out the blessings on Israel for Obedience and the punishment for Disobedience. The Mosaic Law was a covenant of law and God promised to bless them if they kept the Law and cursed them if they broke it. When Israel broke the Mosaic Law judgement followed but there was always an opportunity for Israel to come and offer a sin offering. If Israel kept short accounts with the Lord and offered animals for their sins then the judgments of God could be avoided. How different christians are in their relationship with the Lord. When a person hears and believes the Gospel and trusts God to bless them completely on the basis of grace then no sin is ever held against them. And god never brings up questions regarding their sin ever again. They are completely forgiven. Israel’s sins were only covered and their was a continual remembrance of their sin but of the believer in the new covenant Christ says your sins and inequities l will remember no more. So the believer is not punished for his sins. He is in a state in which he is ‘just as if I’d - never sinned’ – he is justified. But let’s look at the covenant Israel was in. Immediately we see that the covenant was two sided. God had a part and Israel had a part. God said ‘IF’ you live according to my laws and keep the commandment ‘THEN’ I will give you rain, the land will bear fruit, the fruit trees will have fruit, there will be so much harvest that the threshing time will last until it time to gather grapes, The gathering of grapes will last so long that when you have finished it will be time to sow your grain. You will eat your bread until you are completely full, you will live in safety from any enemy, The Lord will give peace in the land and you will sleep with undisturbed nights, there will be no evil beasts in the land, no army will pass through the land, you will chase your enemies and you will destroy they in battle, five men will chase a hundred and a hundred will put a thousand to flight, I the Lord will respect you and make you fruitful and multiply you and establish my covenant with you. You will have so much that you will never finish eating your stored food. I will set my tabernacle in the middle of you and I will not find you abhorrent, I will live among you and l will be your God and you will be my people. If that were all that the Lord had to say then that would have been wonderful but God does not end there. He says… IF you will not listen and obey me THEN…you will be terrorised, you will be consumed and a burning will burn your eyes and you will have sorrow of heart. You will sow but your enemies will eat it. I will be against you and your enemies will kill you, those that hate you will reign over you. You will be afraid of your own shadow. If you refuse to hear me then I will punish you seven times harder than anyone else. The Lord said he would make the heaven like iron (He will not hear their prayers) the earth will be like brass (it will be barren, dry and burnt) All your strength will be spent for no return. The fields will not bear crops, the trees will have no fruit, there will be wild beasts among you that will eat your children, your population will be cut down. The enemy will wage war against you. Ten women will share an oven, you will not have enough to eat. If you still will not hear me then l will cause you to eat your children for famine. Even your enemies will be astonished by your destruction. I will scatter you among the heathen. Those that are left behind will be skittish. But if you confess your sins l will remember the covenant. This is both wonderful in its blessings and fearful in its warnings. It is not the covenant that Christians are in. Next the Lord gives the regulations regarding the dedications. A man from 20 -60 must pay 50 shekels of silver and a woman 30. A 5-20 year old boy was 20 and for a girl 10. 60 years and above male – 15 and a woman 10. However if a man was poor then the priest would estimate the value appropriate. When animals were valued by the priest no exchange of animals was allowed. And the rules of valuation go on and on. In all of these valuations we see that the Lord placed an appropriate value on the offerings made to the Lord.

Steve

AM Feb 16th Mark 4

2012-02-15T06:38:00.003Z

February 16th

Mark, 4

The Parable of The Sower

1: And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. 2: And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, 3: Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: 4: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. 5: And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: 6: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 7: And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 8: And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. 9: And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Why Parables?

10: And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. 11: And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

Explanation – The Sower

13: And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? 14: The sower soweth the word. 15: And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16: And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17: And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. 18: And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19: And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. 20: And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

Christ teaches again and again he teaches from a boat just off the beach. Christ begins to teach in Parables. These parables illustrated his teaching to those who were willing to accept his Messiahship but it obscured his teaching to those who rejected him. – ‘He said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. Christ here is describing the preaching of the Message of the Kingdom and it seems that it fell on four types of soil. These four types are typically four stages in the preaching of the kingdom. The seed that fell on the wayside was the preaching of John the Baptist. There was fruit but the activity of Satan is so powerful that much of the seed is destroyed. Next Christ describes his own ministry. The seed falls on shallow ground which springs up quickly yet it has no depth and when persecution arises it withers. Christ’s ministry was welcomed everywhere and Christ specifically overcame the Satanic influence which marred Johns Ministry. However even the disciples when faced with persecution faded away. The third type of soil was good soil but it also had thorns buried deep which sprang up when the seed was sown. This describes the ongoing ministry of Christ which was carried out by his Apostles and is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. Wherever the Apostles went they found the soil was very fruitful however as soon as the seed began to grow so there grew up a host of false teaching. Paul’s ministry was surrounded by False teachers from Judaisers to libertines from legalists to the openly wanton. However Christ spoke of a fourth type of soil. The Good soil. This is prophetic and refers to the seed sowing of the 12 thousand Jewish evangelists from every tribe, during the 70th week. In that time there will be varying degrees of success but there will be a very great harvest of souls.

Steve

PM Feb 15th Lev 24

2012-02-15T06:35:00.000Z

February 15th

Leviticus, 24

E The Laws & Prophesies for the future

The Lamp of God

1: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2: Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually. 3: Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually: it shall be a statute for ever in your generations. 4: He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD continually.

The Showbread

5: And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake. 6: And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the LORD. 7: And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD. 8: Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant. 9: And it shall be Aaron's and his sons'; and they shall eat it in the holy place: for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute.

Stoning to death - Blasphemy

10: And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel: and this son of the Israelitish woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp; 11: And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name of the LORD, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:) 12: And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them. 13: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 14: Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him. 15: And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin. 16: And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death. 17: And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death. 18: And he that killeth a beast shall make it good; beast for beast. 19: And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him; 20: Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him again. 21: And he that killeth a beast, he shall restore it: and he that killeth a man, he shall be put to death. 22: Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God. 23: And Moses spake to the children of Israel, that they should bring forth him that had cursed out of the camp, and stone him with stones. And the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses.

Leviticus, 25

Sabbath years and the Jubilee

1: And the LORD spake unto Moses in mount Sinai, saying, 2: Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto the LORD. 3: Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof; 4: But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the LORD: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard. 5: That which groweth of its own accord of thy harvest thou shalt not reap, neither gather the grapes of thy vine undressed: for it is a year of rest unto the land. 6: And the sabbath of the land shall be meat for you; for thee, and for thy servant, and for thy maid, and for thy hired servant, and for thy stranger that sojourneth with thee, 7: And for thy cattle, and for the beast that are in thy land, shall all the increase thereof be meat. 8: And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years. 9: Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. 10: And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family. 11: A jubilee shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of thy vine undressed. 12: For it is the jubilee; it shall be holy unto you: ye shall eat the increase thereof out of the field. 13: In the year of this jubilee ye shall return every man unto his possession. 14: And if thou sell ought unto thy neighbour, or buyest ought of thy neighbour's hand, ye shall not oppress one another: 15: According to the number of years after the jubilee thou shalt buy of thy neighbour, and according unto the number of years of the fruits he shall sell unto thee: 16: According to the multitude of years thou shalt increase the price thereof, and according to the fewness of years thou shalt diminish the price of it: for according to the number of the years of the fruits doth he sell unto thee. 17: Ye shall not therefore oppress one another; but thou shalt fear thy God: for I am the LORD your God. 18: Wherefore ye shall do my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; and ye shall dwell in the land in safety. 19: And the land shall yield her fruit, and he shall eat your fill, and dwell therein in safety. 20: And if ye shall say, What shall we eat the seventh year? behold, we shall not sow, nor gather in our increase: 21: Then I will command my blessing upon you in the sixth year, and it shall bring forth fruit for three years. 22: And ye shall sow the eighth year, and eat yet of old fruit until the ninth year; until her fruits come in ye shall eat of the old store. 23: The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me. 24: And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land. 25: If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold away some of his possession, and if any of his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold. 26: And if the man have none to redeem it, and himself be able to redeem it; 27: Then let him count the years of the sale thereof, and restore the overplus unto the man to whom he sold it; that he may return unto his possession. 28: But if he be not able to restore it to him, then that which is sold shall remain in the hand of him that hath bought it until the year of jubilee: and in the jubilee it shall go out, and he shall return unto his possession. 29: And if a man sell a dwelling house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it is sold; within a full year may he redeem it. 30: And if it be not redeemed within the space of a full year, then the house that is in the walled city shall be established for ever to him that bought it throughout his generations: it shall not go out in the jubilee. 31: But the houses of the villages which have no wall round about them shall be counted as the fields of the country: they may be redeemed, and they shall go out in the jubilee. 32: Notwithstanding the cities of the Levites, and the houses of the cities of their possession, may the Levites redeem at any time. 33: And if a man purchase of the Levites, then the house that was sold, and the city of his possession, shall go out in the year of jubilee: for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession among the children of Israel. 34: But the field of the suburbs of their cities may not be sold; for it is their perpetual possession. 35: And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. 36: Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee. 37: Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase. 38: I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, and to be your God. 39: And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant: 40: But as an hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto the year of jubilee: 41: And then shall he depart from thee, both he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return. 42: For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen. 43: Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God. 44: Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids. 45: Moreover of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land: and they shall be your possession. 46: And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession; they shall be your bondmen for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigour. 47: And if a sojourner or stranger wax rich by thee, and thy brother that dwelleth by him wax poor, and sell himself unto the stranger or sojourner by thee, or to the stock of the stranger's family: 48: After that he is sold he may be redeemed again; one of his brethren may redeem him: 49: Either his uncle, or his uncle's son, may redeem him, or any that is nigh of kin unto him of his family may redeem him; or if he be able, he may redeem himself. 50: And he shall reckon with him that bought him from the year that he was sold to him unto the year of jubilee: and the price of his sale shall be according unto the number of years, according to the time of an hired servant shall it be with him. 51: If there be yet many years behind, according unto them he shall give again the price of his redemption out of the money that he was bought for. 52: And if there remain but few years unto the year of jubilee, then he shall count with him, and according unto his years shall he give him again the price of his redemption. 53: And as a yearly hired servant shall he be with him: and the other shall not rule with rigour over him in thy sight. 54: And if he be not redeemed in these years, then he shall go out in the year of jubilee, both he, and his children with him. 55: For unto me the children of Israel are servants; they are my servants whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

In today’s Bible reading the Lord gives further laws regarding the lamp of God and the showbread and specifies the method of execution that Israel is to have for blaspheme. And then the Lord explains how the sabbath years will be performed and the Jubilees. But first we will look at the Lamp of God. This lamp is the Menorah which was to be kept lit forever in the Tabernacle. It was situated in the tabernacle outside the most holy place but in the holy place. It was fuelled by pure olive oil. The lamps are to be kept burning with constant oil and trimming. In the days of Eli the light was about to go out and Eli being nearly blind was unable to know if the light had gone out, at this moment the Lord called on Samuel. Next the Lord speaks concerning the showbread. This consisted of twelve loaves made from fine flour. Each loaf was made of 2/10 of a deal. (about 4 pints-dry in volume). The twelve loaves sat on the table in two rows of six. Pure frankincense was put on each row. This incense was burnt before the Lord. It burned with a pure white steady flame and produced a beautiful scent. We see pictures of Christ in these items. His life was food for the soul and light and a sweet aroma to men and to God. The bread was renewed ever Sabbath day continually. It was made by the children of Israel for the priests to eat before the Lord. It was only eaten in the holy place. We see from this that those who serve the Lord are to be fed by the people of God. In the following passage we have a altercation that occurs within the company of the children of Israel. There was a fight between one Israelite (whose father was Egyptian) and another Israelite. However the first man blasphemed the name of the LORD and cursed. He was brought to Moses and they put him under guard until the LORD directed them what to do. Then the LORD directed Moses as to what to do. They took him outside the camp and they that heard him blaspheme put their hands on his head and all the people stoned him to death. The Lord also further commanded that any murderer was to be executed in this manner. Other damage inflicted on other people was to be judged fairly without any increase of severity. Animals were to be restored if they were caused to die. There was no double standard all men Israelite or stranger lived under the same law. The LORD spoke to Moses to outline the law of the Sabbaths of the Land. There were to be sabbatical years in which the land was rested from cultivation and it applied to crops and vineyards. After seven Sabbatical years there was to be a year of Jubilee. The Jubilee will begin on the Day of Atonement. In that year every man that is a slave is to be liberated and all land that is sold will return to its original owner. Any land sold was on the understanding that it was sold only until the following jubilee. This is what we call today lease-hold. As the jubilee got nearer so the land diminished in price. On the sixth year the LORD promised a threefold increase of fruitfulness. On the eighth year the land will be re-sown and the ninth year will produce a harvest. The land will not be permanently sold forever because it belongs to the Lord. If a family becomes poor then they may sell the land but if a near kin come that may purchase that which his brother has sold. However if a man has none that will redeem it but he is able to redeem it then he is to give the price according to the years left on the lease and it will return to his family. But if he is too poor to redeem it then he is to wait until the year of jubilee when it will return to his possession. If a man sells a house in a walled city then he may compulsorily purchase it for one year but if it is not redeemed then it remains his property forever. It is not returned to its owner at the jubilee. The houses of un-walled cities or villages are treated as land and are never permanently sold. However the cites of the Levites and their houses may be redeemed at any time. The fields of the Levites may never be sold it is their permanent possession forever. Those who are poor are to be supported by their families even if they are strangers. No man is to charge his brother interest on the borrowing of money. No Israelite that becomes poor is to be enslaved by his brother but he is to be employed as a hired man. No employer is to treat his workers will hard labour because that is what the Lord delivered them from in Egypt. If a stranger (a Non-Israelite becomes rich and an Israelite becomes poor and if the poor man sells himself to the rich man then his brethren are to redeem him or if he is able he may purchase his own freedom. The price will be according to the years left until the Jubilee.

Steve

AM Feb 15th Mark 3

2012-02-14T08:07:00.002Z

February 15th

Mark, 3

Jesus heals on the Sabbath day

1: And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. 2: And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. 3: And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. 4: And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. 5: And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. 6: And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

Multitudes follow Jesus

7: But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea, 8: And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him. 9: And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him. 10: For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues. 11: And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. 12: And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.

Jesus chooses the Twelve

13: And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. 14: And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, 15: And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: 16: And Simon he surnamed Peter; 17: And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: 18: And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite, 19: And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.

Objection – Beelzebub / God

20: And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. 21: And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself. 22: And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. 23: And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? 24: And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25: And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26: And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. 27: No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. 28: Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 29: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: 30: Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.

Jesus’ family

31: There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. 32: And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. 33: And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? 34: And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 35: For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

Now Christ is a marked man. As Christ enters the Synagogue and finds a man with a withered hand and they watch Christ so that they can accuse him of breaking the Sabbath observance. Christ stands and proposes a question. ‘Is it lawful to do good, on the Sabbath days, or do evil? to save life or to kill?’ But they said nothing. There was no answer! And Christ was angry. They were not humbled by his word they were stubborn in their rejection of anything he said. They were hard hearted. Christ healed the man and they went out to plot his murder. This is the stark contrast of Christ and the Jewish leaders. The Jews of today might ask why did their leaders reject Christ? The answer is they were murderous at heart. While the religious rejected him the common people thronged him. So much that he has to sit in a ship preaching to the crowds on the beach. Unclean spirits came out of men at his word be he forbad them from speaking. Christ took these twelve disciples and made them Apostles and he gave them power to heal and over unclean spirits. The family of Christ thought that he had lost his mind. The religious leaders blasphemed the Holy Spirits ministry in the life of Christ. Christ explained that this proposition is just plain silly. If Satan destroyed his own kingdom then it would not last long!

Steve

PM Feb 14th Lev 21

2012-02-14T08:04:00.000Z

February 14th

Leviticus, 21

The holiness of priests

1: And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people: 2: But for his kin, that is near unto him, that is, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother, 3: And for his sister a virgin, that is nigh unto him, which hath had no husband; for her may he be defiled. 4: But he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself. 5: They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh. 6: They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy. 7: They shall not take a wife that is a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy unto his God. 8: Thou shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offereth the bread of thy God: he shall be holy unto thee: for I the LORD, which sanctify you, am holy. 9: And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire. 10: And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes; 11: Neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother; 12: Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD. 13: And he shall take a wife in her virginity. 14: A widow, or a divorced woman, or profane, or an harlot, these shall he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife. 15: Neither shall he profane his seed among his people: for I the LORD do sanctify him. 16: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 17: Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God. 18: For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous, 19: Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded, 20: Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken; 21: No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God. 22: He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy. 23: Only he shall not go in unto the vail, nor come nigh unto the altar, because he hath a blemish; that he profane not my sanctuaries: for I the LORD do sanctify them. 24: And Moses told it unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel.

Leviticus, 22

The holiness of the offerings

1: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2: Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, and that they profane not my holy name in those things which they hallow unto me: I am the LORD. 3: Say unto them, Whosoever he be of all your seed among your generations, that goeth unto the holy things, which the children of Israel hallow unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from my presence: I am the LORD. 4: What man soever of the seed of Aaron is a leper, or hath a running issue; he shall not eat of the holy things, until he be clean. And whoso toucheth any thing that is unclean by the dead, or a man whose seed goeth from him; 5: Or whosoever toucheth any creeping thing, whereby he may be made unclean, or a man of whom he may take uncleanness, whatsoever uncleanness he hath; 6: The soul which hath touched any such shall be unclean until even, and shall not eat of the holy things, unless he wash his flesh with water. 7: And when the sun is down, he shall be clean, and shall afterward eat of the holy things; because it is his food. 8: That which dieth of itself, or is torn with beasts, he shall not eat to defile himself therewith: I am the LORD. 9: They shall therefore keep mine ordinance, lest they bear sin for it, and die therefore, if they profane it: I the LORD do sanctify them. 10: There shall no stranger eat of the holy thing: a sojourner of the priest, or an hired servant, shall not eat of the holy thing. 11: But if the priest buy any soul with his money, he shall eat of it, and he that is born in his house: they shall eat of his meat. 12: If the priest's daughter also be married unto a stranger, she may not eat of an offering of the holy things. 13: But if the priest's daughter be a widow, or divorced, and have no child, and is returned unto her father's house, as in her youth, she shall eat of her father's meat: but there shall no stranger eat thereof. 14: And if a man eat of the holy thing unwittingly, then he shall put the fifth part thereof unto it, and shall give it unto the priest with the holy thing. 15: And they shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, which they offer unto the LORD; 16: Or suffer them to bear the iniquity of trespass, when they eat their holy things: for I the LORD do sanctify them. 17: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 18: Speak unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them, Whatsoever he be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers in Israel, that will offer his oblation for all his vows, and for all his freewill offerings, which they will offer unto the LORD for a burnt offering; 19: Ye shall offer at your own will a male without blemish, of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats. 20: But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you. 21: And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD to accomplish his vow, or a freewill offering in beeves or sheep, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein. 22: Blind, or broken, or maimed, or having a wen, or scurvy, or scabbed, ye shall not offer these unto the LORD, nor make an offering by fire of them upon the altar unto the LORD. 23: Either a bullock or a lamb that hath any thing superfluous or lacking in his parts, that mayest thou offer for a freewill offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted. 24: Ye shall not offer unto the LORD that which is bruised, or crushed, or broken, or cut; neither shall ye make any offering thereof in your land. 25: Neither from a stranger's hand shall ye offer the bread of your God of any of these; because their corruption is in them, and blemishes be in them: they shall not be accepted for you. 26: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 27: When a bullock, or a sheep, or a goat, is brought forth, then it shall be seven days under the dam; and from the eighth day and thenceforth it shall be accepted for an offering made by fire unto the LORD. 28: And whether it be cow or ewe, ye shall not kill it and her young both in one day. 29: And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will. 30: On the same day it shall be eaten up; ye shall leave none of it until the morrow: I am the LORD. 31: Therefore shall ye keep my commandments, and do them: I am the LORD. 32: Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I am the LORD which hallow you, 33: That brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD.

Leviticus, 23

D Holy days

The Feasts of the Lord

1: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2: Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts. 3: Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings. 4: These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. 5: In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD's passover. 6: And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. 7: In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. 8: But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. 9: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 10: Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: 11: And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. 12: And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the LORD. 13: And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the LORD for a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin. 14: And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your God: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 15: And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: 16: Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD. 17: Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD. 18: And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and two rams: they shall be for a burnt offering unto the LORD, with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of sweet savour unto the LORD. 19: Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings. 20: And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits for a wave offering before the LORD, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to the LORD for the priest. 21: And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations. 22: And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God. 23: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 24: Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. 25: Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. 26: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 27: Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. 28: And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God. 29: For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. 30: And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people. 31: Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 32: It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath. 33: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 34: Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD. 35: On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. 36: Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein. 37: These are the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day: 38: Beside the sabbaths of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offerings, which ye give unto the LORD. 39: Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath. 40: And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days. 41: And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month. 42: Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths: 43: That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. 44: And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of the LORD.

In these chapters the Lord outlines the way in which the priests and the offerings were kept holy. Then in chapter 23 we have the beginning of a section which describes the feasts of the Lord but first let’s get back to chapter 21. The Lord specifies that none of the priests are to be unclean among the people. The priest is only bound to take care of the death of close family. He is not to defile himself with contact with the dead because he is a chief man among the people. Priests are not to shave their heads or cut the corner of their beards. And they are not to make cuts in their flesh. They are to be holy devoted to their God in the flesh and they are not to offer sacrifices that are an abomination to the Lord’s name. The priests are not to marry a prostitute, or an unholy person, or a divorcee. If a daughter of a priest became profane by becoming a prostitute then she is to be executed by fire. The high priest who has on him the anointing oil and holy garments must never have his head uncovered and he must not tear his clothes. (When Caiaphas was questioning Christ and Christ claimed deity, the high priest rent his clothes and thus ended his ministry) He must not defile himself by ordinary contact with men – even his parents and he must remain holy to serve the Lord within the Tabernacle. If he takes a wife she is to be a virgin. His seed is to be kept holy throughout generations. A man that has a deformity is not to be a priest. This includes a blemish on his body, blindness, lameness, flat nose, or any growth. A priest must not have a broken foot, or broken hand, or a crooked spine, or a dwarf, or something wrong with his eye, or scurvy, or scabbed, or deformed testicles. Next the Lord describes the holiness of the offerings. And the holiness of the people. The leper is to be cut off from the people. He is not allowed to eat of the holy things of the Tabernacle. The children of Israel are not to touch anything that is dead. If he does then he must wash under running water and not touch anyone until the evening. These things caused many of the Jewish doctors to refrain from examining women after being in contact with the dead and thus prevented the large number of deaths in the hospitals. The Lord continues to explain the regulations regarding holiness and he explains that all offerings are to be animals that are without blemish or fault. Now although none of these rituals and principles are obligatory for christians we can learn a lesson in the holiness that these men had in the flesh. Can NT believers not have a holiness in their soul from keeping from those things that defile a christian man. Next Moses describes the importance of keeping the Sabbath for the Israelite. Next he describes the feast of Passover and Pentecost. The Passover celebrated their deliverance from bondage but Pentecost celebrated the institution of the Mosaic covenant. The Lord describes the feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement. All Israel was to fast on the Day of atonement and if any man refused to fast then he was executed. Then the Lord describes the feast of Tabernacles. All these feasts were obligatory for the Children of Israel.

Steve

AM Feb 14th Mark 2

2012-02-13T08:37:00.002Z

February 14th

Jesus teaches – Fasting

18: And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? 19: And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20: But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days. 21: No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse. 22: And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

Jesus teaches – Sabbath day

23: And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn. 24: And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful? 25: And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him? 26: How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him? 27: And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: 28: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

In Israel fasting was a common practise in which the worshipper would deprive the body for the purpose of humbling oneself before the Lord. Both John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast often. The Pharisees fasted once every week. But those who were very serious in the religious observance fasted twice. Both groups noticed that Christ’s disciples did not practise fasting. So they come to ask why this is so. Christ explains that at a marriage feast nobody fasts when they sit down to celebrate the marriage but when the Bridegroom leaves then they become sad and go off eating. Then Christ goes on to contrast the religion of the disciples with the religion of the old covenant. He says his teaching is not a patch sewn on to Judaism to cover its embarrassing holes! He says the old priest takes his coat to put it on but finds there is a hold due to its age. So he takes a piece of unshrunk cloth to cover the hole. However in the first shower of rain the new cloth shrinks and pulls the old cloth causing a huge hole. Now Christ says nobody would do this. It’s crazy. This plan ruins the old garment rather than mending it. And he also says nobody takes an old wrinkly wine skin that is empty and brittle and fills it with new wine. Because the new wine will carry on fermenting and will burst the old wine skin and render it useless. And the wine will be lost too. Nobody would do this its crazy! Christ says simply new wine needs to be put into new skins. And then both the skin and the wine will be saved. Christ will not put his disciples under John’s or the Pharisees teaching. Their religion is of a different order altogether. Later the disciples went through the corn fields and as was the custom they being poor were allowed to take corn from the corners of the field to eat breakfast. (It broke their fast) The Pharisees had added lots of extra rules to the simple observance of the Sabbath law. For example they said a man must not walk on the grass unless his coat happens to disturb a single stalk of wheat, growing out of place. They reasoned that this might knock some ripe grains out of the stalk and thus they would be reaping on the Sabbath day. And of course they might step on a grain and in this way be milling it. And a bird might see the grain and eat it and so they would be guilty of storing on the Sabbath day. These rules went on and on. The Pharisees had made up to 1500 extra rules for this single commandment. Christ took no notice of their petty legalism and allowed the disciples who were poor to eat on the Sabbath day. Christ cites David who took of the Shewbread which was reserved for the priests because his men were hungry. Then Christ encapsulates his teaching on the Sabbath observance he says that the Law was made to benefit man but not man for the Sabbath. This contradicted the Pharisees who said that man was created to obey this law.

Steve

PM Feb 13th Lev 19

2012-02-13T08:36:00.000Z

February 13th

Leviticus, 19

Holiness and Justice

1: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2: Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy. 3: Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God. 4: Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God. 5: And if ye offer a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD, ye shall offer it at your own will. 6: It shall be eaten the same day ye offer it, and on the morrow: and if ought remain until the third day, it shall be burnt in the fire. 7: And if it be eaten at all on the third day, it is abominable; it shall not be accepted. 8: Therefore every one that eateth it shall bear his iniquity, because he hath profaned the hallowed thing of the LORD: and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 9: And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. 10: And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God. 11: Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. 12: And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD. 13: Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. 14: Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD. 15: Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. 16: Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD. 17: Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. 18: Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD. 19: Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee. 20: And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free. 21: And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, even a ram for a trespass offering. 22: And the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering before the LORD for his sin which he hath done: and the sin which he hath done shall be forgiven him. 23: And when ye shall come into the land, and shall have planted all manner of trees for food, then ye shall count the fruit thereof as uncircumcised: three years shall it be as uncircumcised unto you: it shall not be eaten of. 24: But in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall be holy to praise the LORD withal. 25: And in the fifth year shall ye eat of the fruit thereof, that it may yield unto you the increase thereof: I am the LORD your God. 26: Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times. 27: Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard. 28: Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD. 29: Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness. 30: Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD. 31: Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. 32: Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD. 33: And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. 34: But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. 35: Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure. 36: Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt. 37: Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I am the LORD.

Leviticus, 20

Penalties for sin

1: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2: Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones. 3: And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name. 4: And if the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man, when he giveth of his seed unto Molech, and kill him not: 5: Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people. 6: And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people. 7: Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. 8: And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you. 9: For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him. 10: And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. 11: And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. 12: And if a man lie with his daughter in law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have wrought confusion; their blood shall be upon them. 13: If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. 14: And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you. 15: And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast. 16: And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. 17: And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity. 18: And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness; he hath discovered her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood: and both of them shall be cut off from among their people. 19: And thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister, nor of thy father's sister: for he uncovereth his near kin: they shall bear their iniquity. 20: And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife, he hath uncovered his uncle's nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless. 21: And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless. 22: Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spue you not out. 23: And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them. 24: But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am the LORD your God, which have separated you from other people. 25: Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean. 26: And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine. 27: A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.

In chapter 19 the Lord pleads with Israel to live lives of holiness before him and to practise justice. Then in chapter 20 the lord outlines what is appropriate punishment on evil doers. The lord says first of all Be Holy because l the LORD your God am holy. The children of Israel are to fear their parents and keep the Sabbaths of the Lord. They are to keep well away from idols and the peace offerings are to be freewill offerings. None of the peace offering is to be left over till another day. What is left is to be burnt up completely. Christians can learn from this that their devotion is to be a daily excersize and yesterdays devotion is no good today. For Israel this was a very serious matter because anything left till the third day was an abomination. (The word abomination comes from the foul smell of a rotting corpse. It is disgusting and reprehensible.) The Lord said that at harvest the land owner is not to reap the corners of his field but to leave it for the poor and the stranger. The poor must work but their must be work for them to do. Even the vines were not to be gathered completely and food must be left for the poor. No Israelite is to steal or deal unfairly or dishonestly or to deceive each other. No Israelite is to use Gods name to confirm a lie. No man is to defraud him neighbour or take anything by force or to delay payment for wages. Every working man must be paid before the sun set. There must be no cursing of the deaf (Or speaking about someone that cannot hear it and give an answer) or deliberately placing of a stumbling block in front of a blind man. The men of Israel are to fear the Lord and the Lord will repay the sins against those who cannot fight for themselves. in law there must be no bribery of the judge. Nor must there be an undue respect of dignitaries or despising of the poor. The men of Israel are not to be gossips, telling stories of other people. No man it to hate his brother in his heart, nor must a man rebuke his neighbour. No man must seek revenge or bear a grudge against the Lord’s people. Men are to love their neighbour as they would love themselves. The cattle are not to be bred across the species. The seed is not to be sown as a mixed crop. Even the clothes that are worn are to be either wool or linen, but not to be mixed. If a slave woman lies with a man that is not her husband she is to be scourged but not executed because she was not completely free to do her own will. When Israel came into the promised land the fruit trees were not allowed to be eaten for three years. In the forth year the fruit is the Lords and in the fifth year it may be eaten. Israel must never eat anything with blood in it and they must not make spells as witches do, nor use horoscopes. They must not use methods to change the shape of their skulls or cut the corners of their beards. The children of Israel must not have tattoos. They must not turn their daughters into prostitutes, because if they do the whole land would become full of wickedness. Israel is to keep the Sabbaths and show reverence to the sanctuary. They are not to have regard to those who are possessed with demons nor to seek the actions of wizards that will defile them. Old while haired men are to be respected. If a stranger lives in your land you are to show kindness to them because you were strangers in the land of Egypt. There must be absolute honesty in justice, trade and commerce. Israel was obliged to keep the commandments of the Lord. Then the Lord turned his attention to the punishment of evil. The first great evil was the ritual sacrifice of children to the heathen god Molech. Those who did this abomination were to be executed by stoning. Those who allow them to live will be executed with them. Those who are demon possessed and use it for profit are to be executed along with the wizards. Those who curse their parents will be executed. Those who commit adultery are to be stoned to death, both parties. Those who are incestuous are to be stoned. The man who has the mother and her daughter is to be burned by fire. If a man lies with a beast both will be killed. A man who lies with a woman in the time of her month is to be executed. Then the Lord describes a number of other cases of incest. The Land will vomit out of it those who do these abominations. The Lord warns Israel not to be like the nations that will be turned out of the promised land. It will be a land of excessive milk and honey production. The hills will literally flow with milk and honey. They are to respect the difference between clean and unclean animals and fowls. The children of Israel are to be holy to the LORD because the LORD is holy.

Steve

AM Feb 13th Mark 2

2012-02-12T08:52:00.002Z

February 13th

Mark, 2

Jesus heals a cripple

1: And again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 2: And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. 3: And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 4: And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. 5: When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 6: But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7: Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? 8: And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? 9: Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 10: But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 11: I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. 12: And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

Jesus calls Levi

13: And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. 14: And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. 15: And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. 16: And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? 17: When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Now we have a very interesting occasion. Christ is in Capernaum, his centre of ministry in the north. The News goes out that Christ is in the house and straight away a huge crowd gathers together. When we turn to Luke’s record we find that – there were Pharisees and teachers of the Law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee Judea and Jerusalem. The Jewish Authorities had arrived to begin their ten day investigation! According to their custom they had not come to speak but to listen, so Christ engages them in discussion without them having to speak. Christ turns to the man let down through the roof and says to him, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven’. Now they began to think what! Who does he think he is? Who can forgive sins but God only? Now Christ knew what they were thinking and so he proceeds to answer their unspoken question. Christ says why are you thinking these things! Then he proposes a question. He says, which is it easier to say, your sins are forgiven or to say Get up and walk? Well obviously its easier to say Your sins are forgiven because nobody can see it. Its an invisible thing. However if Christ says get up and walk that is much harder to say, because within a few minutes it will be obvious to everyone whether your words are true or false. Now Christ is going to prove for ever that he can forgive sins by doing something that is much harder to achieve. If he can do the harder thing then the easier thing is obviously able to be done. So Christ takes him by the hand and cures his lameness and everyone was completely amazed and went out Praising God. The Religious leaders went back to Jerusalem with the news that this pretender to the Messiahship was very significant. Christ’s ministry was not carried out in a corner away, from prying eyes.

Steve