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Heavenly Father, guide us as we seek to honor you through our thoughts and words as we reflect on your messages to us today. We pray that our response might be acceptable in your sight.
Response to Numbers 6:1-7:89
The choice of an individual to take the vow of a Nazirite is reflected for the first time in Numbers 6:1-21. Verse 2 says "if a man or woman wants to make a special vow." Although it appears this vow was intended to be for a period of time instead of a lifetime, the time was not set for 40 days. Given it's placement, it appears this was a way for men or women who were not born into the tribe of the Levites to dedicate themselves to the Lord. Following the period of separation, there was a celebration and ceremony of sacrifice and fellowship and the newly graduated Nazirite took on the title for life, yet was able to shave and drink and live life within the community. This was an adult profession of faith before the community if you will - stating "I concecrate my life to the Lord."
Following baptism, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness. This does not say He became a Nazirite, but the same ceremonial observance was perhaps taking place in His heart as He prepared for His ministry, being from the tribe of Judah. John the Baptist, Jesus cousin, was from the tribe of Levi, yet he followed a similar time of separation. Neither took on the title of "Nazirite." as far as we know from the books of the Bible.
Although the law of the Nazirite was set to be a vow chosen to be observed by the individual, a couple from the tribe of Dan received the call from God to take on the vow of a Nazirite from the moment of conception for their unborn child. Judges 13:2-16:28 tells of the most well known Nazirite of all time, Samson. I Samuel 1:11-28 also talks of a vow associated with a Nazirite as his mother Hannah devoted Samuel to the Lord all the days of His life. Although she vowed that "no razor shall touch his head" and dedicated him to the Lord for life, Samuel was never referred to as a Nazirite in the Bible.
The difficulty a Nazirite, a child of God if you will - any person who feels called of God to commit their way to the Lord, is the weakness of feeling self righteous in the act. It is difficult to remember that the call is from God. Whether due to parentage or special circumstance, or being in the right place at the right time, the person who chooses to attach him/herself to God through special title must remain holy as God is holy. By abasing oneself through humbling oneself for a period of time, the heart is hopefully prepared for a lifetime of service as such dedication represents.
It is important to honor God through one's commitment, but this Numbers 6:1-21 did not call for a life of separation from the community. It is good for the righteous man to remain focused on God, but not to set themselves on such a pedestal that the world would take notice and attempt to pull them down. The world will try as seen in Amos 2:12: "you made the nazirites drink wine, and commanded the prophets, saying, 'You shall not prophesy.'" For the "child of God," it is good to know that the personal time of dedication may begin again if there has been a falling away. The guilt of the temptation in this verse lies in the community.
However, the "child of God" must attempt to live a life worthy of the title. There is a fear that entire religious communities can turn from following the will of the Lord. Jeremiah 11:15 states ""What is my beloved doing in my temple as she works out her evil schemes with many? Can consecrated meat avert your punishment ? When you engage in your wickedness, then you rejoice." God rejected their show of righteousness as their hearts had turned away from His greater will. Jeremiah 7:29: "Cut off your hair and throw it away; take up a lament on the barren heights, for the Lord has rejected and abandoned this generation that is under his wrath."
There is a call here for those who would call themselves "children of God!" This symbolism of righteousness is tied up in long hair." If our righteousness becomes self righteousness and we forget the Love and Peace required in the will of God toward our fellowmen, our children will suffer. Signs of this may be that our children are losing the faith. We may imagine that this is God's doing and we may wonder where God is, but perhaps He has hid his face from us as our righteousness has become a thing unto ourselves. Again, we are called to humble ourselves before God. Micah 1:16 "Shave your heads in mourning for the children in whom you delight; make yourselves as bald as the vulture, for they will go from you into exile."
Even Paul was called to humble himself before God by the Jerusalem church. He had just boasted of what a wonderful ministry he was having, winning so many of the unclean for Christ. (Up until this time, he had avoided their presence and even written against their self righteousness to his followers) Following their compliments on the things he had done, they chastised him, stating that they too had won thousands of Gentile converts who were dedicated to serving God with honor. Listen to their reply as they called Paul to the vow of the Nazirite in Acts 21:20-26: "When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: "You see, brother, how many thousands of *Jews (*RSV,NASB,ESV there are among the jews of whom) have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everybody will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality." (See Jerusalem council of Acts 15)
This message regarding the vow of the Nazirite (child of God). Devote your life to the Lord for His service. Take 40 days or however long it is to commit your way to him. Live in honor to His law all the days of your life that it may be filled with Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, and all the positive fruits of the Spirit so that you can avoid the hell of separation that life on this earth can be without God. Serve the Lord with gladness and always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. (Psalm 100:2 and I Peter 3:15). Your children will thank you as you will have given them a Hope and a Love to live for.
Let me just quote Numbers 6:24-26 in blessing on all those who read this blog: "The Lord bless you
and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD9KLA4qz3A
What do you think was done with the extra two wagens and four oxen in Leviticus 7:1-11? The erection of the Tablenacle began on the first day of the second year of the Exodus. Numbers began on the first day of the second month of that year. There had been a settling of the people around the Tabernacle during this time as they took a census and gave the people their various allotments and positions. Now, the Tabernacle was reaching completion and the people brought their gifts for it's dedication. 6 covered wagons and 12 oxen were given to the sons of Levi. 2 wagons and 4 oxen per son. However, verse 9 states that none were given to Kohath because they were to carry the tent and it's coverings upon their shoulders. My guess is that these were then used by Moses and Aaron and their sons to use as needed as they supervised the Levites.
Numbers 7:12-29 is pretty simple reading as there are 12 repetitions of gifts given for dedication by the tribes. However, being the blogger that I am, allow me to offer some symbolism that can apply to our lives today.
We read in Leviticus 2 how the people were settled around the Tabernacle. Although the exact diagram is not given, it appears to me it was a bit like a clock or a compass. Now in Numbers 7:12-29, in clockwise order, the people honored the Lord through providing the furnishings for the Temple and the animals to celebrate their ceremony of repentance, atonement, and fellowship.
At 2:00, ENE, Judah honored the Lord who's presence was symbolized in the center of their union
At 3:00, E, Issachar honored the Lord who's presence was symbolized in the center of their union
At 4:00, ESE, Zebulan honored the Lord who's presence was symbolized in the center of their union
At 5:00, SSE, Reuben honored the Lord who's presence was symbolized in the center of their union
At 6:00, S, Simeon honored the Lord who's presence was symbolized in the center of their union
At 7:00, SSW, Gad honored the Lord who's presence was symbolized in the center of their union
At 8:00, WSW, Ephraim honored the Lord who's presence was symbolized in the center of their union
At 9:00, W, Mannassah honored the Lord who's presence was symbolized in the center of their union
At 10:00 WNW, Benjamin honored the Lord who's presence was symbolized in the center of their union
At 11:00 NNW, Dan honored the Lord who's presence was symbolized in the center of their union
AT 12:00 N Asher honored the Lord who's presence was symbolized in the center of their union
At 1:00 NNE Naphtali honored the Lord who's presence was symbolized in the center of their union.
Whatever time of day, wherever we are, He is in the center of our being. Let's honor him and sing His praise.
Response to Mark 12:38-13:13
While blogging through Numbers 6:1-21, we were warned about the dangers of self-righteousness of those who had dedicated themselves to God through special calling. Jesus continued that condemnation in Mark 12:38-40. He spoke of the scribes, "teachers of the law", as they positioned themselves in places of prominence and took advantage of the poor. How many in the world today refuse the Love of God because they think the religious are just out to make a buck? We are all prone to that weakness, but that is not true faith. More than any other person on earth, the child of God is called to humble himself before God. If we attempt to steal His honor, God may very well remove us from before His presence (Leviticus 10:2). Jesus was very careful to continue to point the people to the Father. He alone is the way we have access to God, not through the teachings of any man. He also warned us to not stop and bow at his feet with our honor! His mission and ministry was to bring glory to God the Father from whom all blessings flow.
Jesus contrasts to the pomp and grandeur of the "teachers of the law", to a widow who, out of her poverty quietly gave everything she had. How common is that today. It is our heart that matters to God. I'm sure he is thrilled when his children give out of their abundance with a cheerful heart. However, when pride or self righteousness step in, feeding our own sense of worthiness, even the offering from our abundance cannot save us from ourselves. We must give in such a way that men might find the Love of our Father, our Savior, our Redeemer, and Friend. (Although the warning against the scribes is found in Mark 12:38-40, Matthew 23:1-12, and Luke 20:45-47, this reference to the widow is only found in Mark 12:41-44.)
According to the Gospel of Mark, having come to visit the Temple in Mark 11:27, Jesus now leaves the temple (present day the hill called Mount Moriah) and heads east toward Bethany and the Mount of Olives. As they were leaving the Temple, one of the disciples noted the beautiful stonework, and Jesus prophecied about the destruction of the temple that would occur in 70 AD. Part of the pride of the people had been the preservation of the Temple through the Greek and Roman era's that preceeded Jesus lifetime and were recording in the books of the Maccabees. The Temple was destroyed so completely, that centuries later, the Byzantine pilgrims claimed a hill to the west of the original temple mount to be Mount Zion. The original site of the Temple is now called Mount Moriah
http://www.templemount.org/moriah2.html "Mount Moriah, Site of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem"
http://biblewalks.com/Sites/Gallicantu.html "A Byzantine church was built in 457AD."
After they had crossed the Kidron valley, and sat on the western slope of the Mount of Olives, 4 of the disciples spoke privately with Jesus regarding the prophecy he had just given them regarding the destruction of the Temple. As he spoke to them about wars and rumors, this could have easily been the war of 70AD (more on this tomorrow) and many beyond. This conversation from Mark 13:1-13 is also portrayed in Matthew 24:1-14 and Luke 21:5-19. He speaks of earthquakes and famines and for 2000 years, talk of end times have followed earthquakes and famines. Twice, Jesus prodded them to take heed. First time so that no one would deceive them and second that their lives would meet with peril.
In our passage today, Mark quotes Micah 7:6 about enmity and strife between families. Today, there are hostilities like this worldwide. Matthew 24:12-13 says it this way: "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. Malachi 4:6 moves beyond the passage to a time of peace: "He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse." It would be wise for us to all get this message before it is too late. I believe God can do it. But it's up to us to make the effort to unite in Him, to believe He is in control and believe that God so loved the world.
Jesus spoke of the gospel being preached to all nations, but to date, the story has focused more on Jesus as the redeemer, and who has the right religion, and we have missed the message that God Loves all man and that through His gift and plan of Christ, our worship can find meaning and lead us back to the Loving arms of the Father. Through careful study, we find that this was Jesus message all along - He fulfilled all the law and the prophets and His mission was to bring glory to the Father. (Mark 10:18, Matthew 19:17, Luke 18:19, Isaiah 45:22-23, Philippians 2:8-11, Romans 14:10-12)
Response to Psalm 49:1-20
Psalm 49 is a song written by the Sons of Korah for the choirmaster. It begins by calling to all people on earth and uniting us into one despite our differences. It speaks like a proverb - the word of God - wisdom manifest.
If our trust is in the Lord, what do we have to fear? Although this world may separate us from our loved ones, from wealth and possessions, nothing can separate us from the love of God.
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39
In this, no living man can offer such power. We all face an inevitable death. None of us can save even one life from that end. Our only hope for eternity is the Love of God. In this, we suffer like all of creation - all this shall eventually pass away, regardless of what we make of ourselves on earth. What point then is there for building up treasures on earth? We can provide luxury for our children for a time, but what is it that is really important? If we provide for their earthly tent, but fail to provide for their soul for eternity, what success have we had?
"For whoever wants to save his life (soul) will lose it, but whoever loses his life (soul) for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul (life)? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." Mark 8:35-38
Note the transition of verse 15 in Psalm 49 that we are reflecting on today:
"But God will redeem my life (soul) from the grave; he will surely take me to himself."
Therefore, do not worry about the things of this world...
Matthew 6:25-34 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Psalm 49:12 and Psalm 49:20 close the verses of this song reminding us of the futility of earthly ambitions apart from the redemption of the Creator: " But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish."
(Selah) generally means of great importance. Focus on verse 15 " But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself."
Response to Proverbs 10:27-28
"The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.
The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing."
Fear is more about giving honor, praise, and thanksgiving to our Creator from whom all blessings flow, than it is about being afraid all the time - that will not increase life.
Righteousness brings the hope of Love, Joy, Peace and all those good things, but glorifying earthly passions leads only to decay and despair.
Simply Choose Life!
Enjoy!
Rick
Saturday, March 6, 2010
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