February 8, 2010, Exodus 28:1-43, Matthew 25:31-26:13, Psalm 31:9-18, Proverbs 8:12-13

Heavenly Father, Thank you for speaking to us through your word. May your word enrich our lives, bringing us closer together as we respond. Amen.

Response to Exodus 28:1-43

Office of High Priest.

Did you know that before Israel (Jacob) died, he cursed the tribe of Levi? Israel's first 4 sons were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah. (Genesis 29:32-35).  Their Mother, Leah, also had a daughter named Dinah (Genesis 30:21). When Israel returned to Canaan, he bought land from the Hivites and named his settlement El-El'ohe'Israel (God, the God of Israel). Shechem, the prince of the land defiled Dinah. In retribution, Simeon and Levi killed Shechem, his father, and all the men in the city. Israel was incensed, knowing he was now an enemy in the land of the Canaanites and Perizzites. God told him to move to Bethel (Genesis 34-35:1) In Genesis 49:5-7, Israel pronounces his curse on his deathbed. "Simeon and Levi are brothers; weapons of violence are their swords. O my soul, come not into their council; O my spirit, be not joined to their company; for in their anger they slay men, and in their wantonness they hamstring oxen. Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel. (RSV)

As we shall find, the Levites were not given their own territory except the temple grounds. They were scattered throughout the nations of Judah and Israel as priests in the land.

In our reading today, Aaron is set apart as the first High Priest and his sons as priests under him. As with the colors of the curtains within the tabernacle, his priestly garments are to be of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen. There are to be onyx stones on his shoulders bearing the names of the 12 tribes of Israel. These names are also on the breastpiece over his heart. He is to wear a linen turban from which a gold plate will hang over his forehead with the words "Holy To The Lord." There are to be bells on the hem of his robe which is to be worn when he is ministering. Take a look at the following website for a better idea what the priestly garments looked like. http://www.bible-history.com/tabernacle/TAB4The_Priestly_Garments.htm

I have been intrigued in the last few days as I have been reading I Maccabees from the "New American Bible published by the American Bible Society. I feel the stories here are a must read for any of us who wish to know what happened with the High Priestly office following the time of Ezra and Nehemiah until the time of Jesus Christ.

In I Maccabees 11 and 12, we can read of alliances Jonathan Maccabees had with Greeks, Egyptians, and Romans during the 140's BC.  The provinces of Judea and Samaria are exempt from paying taxes as they serve in the High Priestly function of offering sacrifices for the land. (I Maccabees 11:34-35). Listen to this quote from I Maccabees 12:6-7; "Jonathon the high priest, the senate of the nation, the priests, and the rest of the Jewish people send greetings to their brothers the Spartans. Long ago (around 309-290 BC) a letter was sent to the high priest Onias from Arius, who then reigned over you stating that you are our brothers, as the attached copy shows."

It would appear that the High Priestly office in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus Christ may have had much more historical bearing within the Roman Kingdom than at least I had previously been aware of.  This also would have bearing on much of Old Testament prophecy as how nations bring their gifts to Jerusalem and the lands of Judea. As I am reading I Maccabees, I cannot help but wonder whether the religious seat Jerusalem held within the Roman world was not similar to what Rome and Jerusalem hold regarding religious thought today.  If so, pilgrimages would have been common. Also, the consideration that the Israelites had not been allowed back to the promised land from the Babylonian captivity until the afteraffects of World War II would be called into question.  I am anxious to hear your thoughts and knowledge. This piece of history has been largely lost to most of us.

Response to Matthew 25:31-26:13

Our story left off yesterday with the parable of the talents and the one who buried his talent in the ground. We continue today with the nations being gathered before Jesus on judgement day. The people are separated before him and there is a litany of whether men were caring for and helpful to their fellowman. Those who were caring and helpful were allowed into glory, yet those who were not are sent to the eternal fires prepared for the devil and his angels.

Upon a casual reading, this appears to me to be a works based salvation. Second, I find it hard to believe that anyone never lifted a helping hand to his neighbor or had a caring thought.  If you have never given someone something to eat or drink or helped a stranger, or given clothes to someone in need or visited the sick or imprisoned, then may I suggest you start today? My guess is that none of us are so cold that we have never done these things.  My guess is also that there will not be this litany for us all to recite as we go our separate ways on that final day.  I am guessing that this again is a parable and that Jesus is attempting to make a point. The same point as he makes throughout the gospels. Love your neighbor! Do good! This is pleasing to God!

We have now come to the end of what many consider "The Olivet Discourse" from Matthew 24 and 25. Two chapters which have confused and scared people for their very lives for nearly 2000 years.  In summary, if you will honor God by loving your neighbor as yourself, believing that you are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, you will be saved, no worries. Plus, is hostility really all that fun?

We now come to Matthew 26. We are told in verse 2 that it is Tuesday, two days before the passover. (celebration of the night the firstborn in Egypt were killed and the Israelites were released from slavery.) The chief priests and elders of the people assemble in the palace of the high priest, Caiphas, and plot to arrest Jesus. However, they don't plan to do so during the feast fearing a riot.

Jesus is resting in Bethany and a woman annoints his feet with expensive perfume to the frustration of the Disciples - not only Judas.  Perhaps money is a concern of more than just one. In verse 2 and verse 12, Jesus tells them plainly that He is about to be crucified. Yet, as we move on in the story, it would appear they are not paying attention.  The importance of the events of the day do not register until their lives are changed forever - and their worries of the day, meaningless.

Response to Psalm 31:9-18

As we read Matthew 24 and 25, I considered that even Jesus did not have all the answers, but spoke what God told Him to speak. Although he knew his purpose on earth - and had a confidence that he and the Father were one, he knew He was the Father's servant and knew what was coming.

Again, this Psalm reflects not only David's distress or our own, but the distress even Jesus felt as He prepared for the crucifiction.  Read it again considering His perspective during passion week. he knew the religious leaders were preparing to take His life! Psalm 31:13 says "For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life.

You've felt alone and in danger. You can relate to David's emotion in this Psalm. Imagine Jesus. The desciples are barely hearing what he has to say and are worried about finances. The religious leaders are plotting to destroy him, and he knows his Father wants this all to happen. Are you worth it? He thought so.

Response to Proverbs 8:12-13

just listen;

I wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech."

So, that's what God wants; Hate evil and don't think of yourself more highly than you ought to think. He made you and provided your opportunities. He allowed your mistakes and forgave you and claimed you as His own. All He asks is that you share His love with your fellowman. Not bad!

Valentines day is this week, tell someone they're special!

Till Tomorrow;

Rick