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Heavenly Father; We come before you to honor your Name. Make us Holy we pray as we study your word together. Accept our praise and worship we pray! May our reflections and response be pleasing in your sight and show love to our fellowman.
Response to Numbers 10:1-11:23
Following the making and instructions for use, the two silver trumpets were introduced to the congregation of Israel. They would be used for notification of sacrifices, for calling sacred assembly, for bringing the people together and for sending them out. The call of the trumpets became a service of the priests so that their message could be spread to all the people. For many in that culture, this became the audible word of God. For many in the world today, the sound of the Trumpet remains the call to worship. For others, it may be the church bells, for others - the alarm clock. How are you called to set aside a time for worship and prayer?
In Numbers 9:15-23, we read of a period of time that the people of Israel were roaming the desert going from place to place as the Spirit of God led. Today in numbers 10:11, we are told of the first time they are called to leave the Desert of Sinai. This leaves two options - either the book was written years later, or separate writings of Moses were put together in book form years later. To consider that the Bible was written as it was happening is not necessary.
Although it is not mentioned until verse 33, the ark of the covenant went before them, followed by the standard of Judah (vs. 14). They then followed tribe by tribe according to the order we first saw in Numbers chapter 2 and again in Numbers 7. A similar organization was noted in the census of chapter 1, but the tribes there started with the tribes south of the tabernacle, then east, then west, and finally north. Beginning with Numbers 2, Judah was generally the first tribe listed instead of Reuben. As Jesus Christ came from the tribe of Judah, there may be some symbolism in the fact the Ark of the Covenant led the congregation followed by the standard of Judah.
In attempting to find a good map of the exodus, I found there is still wide disagreement of where this route was. Therefore, I will allow that the exact location was not of primary importance to our story. However, I will share the following map as a possibility and welcome your thoughts. In my blog on Psalm 48 on March 5, I considered a crossing of the Red Sea much farther North with Mount Zaphron being a focal point. This map and the position of the Red Sea on current maps would place the crossing much further south. Even the map of todays reading calls into question the position of Mount Sinai from what I have known before.
http://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-exodus-route-migdol.htm (see notes above)
This map makes sense as the land of Midian lies east of the gulf of Arabia. Moses had fled to the land of Midian in Exodus 2:15. Moses was at Mount Horeb on the west side of the wilderness when He experienced the burning bush. When Moses had crossed the Red Sea, he went through the wilderness of Shur and camped in Marah in Exodus 15:22-23. Following encampment at Rephidim and the battle with the Amalekites, Moses was visited by his father in law, Jethro, High Priest of Midian (Exodus 17-18). This visit took place at the mountain of God ( perhaps Mt. Horeb Exodus 18:5). Exodus 19 then speaks of leaving Rephidim and entering the wilderness of Sinai and camped at the mountain of God. Whether this is where Jethro visited him or whether there was another mountain at Rephidim is unclear as we know this may not be a chronological reading.
From Exodus 19, three new moons after leaving Egypt until Numbers 10:11, the twentieth day after the second new moon of the second year, Moses and the people have been encamped in the wilderness of Sinai before the Mountain of God. Upon their departure, Moses father in law or brother in Law, (Jethro in Exodus 18, Hobab in Numbers 10:11 and Joshua 1:16, 4:11) informs Moses he will not be staying with him, but will return to his people. It would appear he has been with Moses for the better part of the past year and a half as an mentor.
What a great prayer Moses prayed each day before the people set out and when they set down to rest. Keep evil from hindering our path. Live with us, and be our strength and our shield as we honor you.
Of course, the people did not honor God's presence when times got tough. They act just like us when we are faced with change. The older I get, the toughter it is to handle change - I hate to move! My comfort zone is gone and I stress out over God's providence. Everything always settles down and my needs are met.
I am betting God moves away just a bit at those times also as it is clear from scripture he does not appreciate our complaining and our lack of faith. When we lose our joy and fall prey to negative emotions, it's time to stop and pray, offering praise and thanksgiving to God for all his gifts to us - thereby finding our strength again.
How easy it is to get depressed when those under our care are restless and rebellious. How often do we imagine God's emotions are in line with our own? Moses has lost his mentor and is left to deal with an angry horde of what apparently felt like adopted children. "Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their forefathers? Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, 'Give us meat to eat!' I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. If this is how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now - if I have found favor in your eyes - and do not let me face my own ruin." (Numbers 11:12-15). Supervision or Parenting is a task not to be taken lightly! Moses too cried out to God in complaint!
Moses mentor had recommended to Moses to raise up leaders among the people to assist him in Exodus 18:13-27. He chose 70 of these elders to accompany him in worship on the mountain in Exodus 24:1-9. In answer to his prayer for deliverance in Numbers 11:10-15, God reminds him to rely on the leaders among the people who will come to his aid. These men were consecrated and shared in Moses duties of leadership. Beyond the leadership of Aaron and his sons and the Levites who served within the temple, God promised to bless these men with His Spirit to help lead the people. "I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone." (Numbers 11:17).
Feeling led by a God of love, I sometimes question how much of God's personality in these first five books is Moses own interpretation. Can I do that? Did God really get angry with these people and make them sick? Why didn't they slaughter their flocks and herds? The law and customs set down throughout Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers seem to imply that there was plenty of animals and grain available! Perhaps this too is a misunderstanding and these writings were prophetic in understanding what life would be after they had entered the promised land. Perhaps given the sacrificial obligations, these animals were treated as sacred and were only to be used for milk and clothing! Needless to say, the message is that God heard their prayer and would bless them to overflowing.
In preparation for tomorrow, we leave with words of anticipation from Numbers 11:23. Hear them in answer to your prayer of need today; "Is the Lord's arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you."
Response to Mark 14:1-21
As we found in our study of Numbers yesterday, we know that Passover happened at the first full moon of Spring. During this year, that full moon happened to land on Thursday evening. Therefore, we know that Mark 14 takes place on Tuesday. Mark 14:1-2 combined with verse 11 and 12 is also witnessed by Matthew 26:1-5 and 14-16 plus Luke 22:1-6. I feel quite certain, knowing the whole story, that Judas did not know the chief priests and scribes were plotting Jesus death when he set up the meeting for Thursday night. However, it is also quite possible the Spirit of God himself was at work within the decisions he made. I find it interesting to note also that the chief priests and scribes were attempting to avoid the death over the Passover weekend, but God had other plans as this death fulfilled the symbolism associated with this feast.
The gospel writers were not in agreement regarding the story of Mark 14:3-9. However, each of them used the incident to give inspiration and testimony to the event of a woman who anointed Jesus with perfume. It appears it was in the house of Simon the leper, who was probably also Pharisee. The story is related in Matthew 26:6-13, Luke 7:37-39, and John 12:1-8. It would appear that those who were in the house, both Pharisee's and disciples were concerned that Jesus would be allowing a woman of ill repute to be treating the Messiah, their teacher, in such a way, not to mention that such a woman would be in the Pharisee's home in the first place. Jesus was not holding any of them in judgement except for their judgement of others, was He. It is possible, given that Mark sandwiches this incident between the Pharisee's plot and Judas' betrayal, that the conversation and setup took place at this very dinner. If any of the other disciples had been involved in such a discussion and slander of their master, they would never want to admit it. Perhaps this is why the story is listed in all four gospels, but in such different portrayals. This is all circumstancial, and I am not implying to know anything beyond our reading. Just blogging out loud. Note of all the sins going on that evening, Jesus specifically forgave the woman who honored and served Him.
The Passover observance of Mark 14;12-37 is reflected in Matthew 26:17-46 and Luke 22:7-46. This meal was the observance of the Passover, the first of seven days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread which was instituted by by Moses in Exodus 12:15-20. Reservations were made and dinner was prepared. Christians today often celebrate a Sader dinner or observe Thursday of holy week as Maundy Thursday in celebration of this last Supper. As Passover is observed on the first full moon of Spring, it does not always land on a Thursday.
http://www.bibleplaces.com/mtzion.htm The Upper Room...visited by tourists today is a Crusader structure as evidenced by the architecture.
In Marks account, Jesus alludes to Judas betrayal during dinner and expresses concern for him. Judas is not mentioned again from verse 26-43. Each of the disciples experienced some guilt at Jesus comment as they were indeed human and suffered human frailty and doubt just as we do. Although the Christ must follow God's plan through the crucifiction, when Judas would realize what He had done, he surely imagined how he would be hated by all men. Wouldn't you have reacted the same if you found your purpose on earth had been contributory to the death of someone you knew to be so close to God? What if you found out today that you had been contributory to hatred or even the death of a child of God? WORD OF CAUTION!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me7X6zYZopE Is it I Lord?
Response to Psalm 51:1-9
Note the headline, this is "A psalm of David, when the prophet nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. (II Samuel 11-12)
I've been where David is! When I stand guilty before man, I lose access to God. I not only need the forgiveness of my fellowman, but forgiveness from God and from myself. I question, however, how often I have been so hurt to truly compensate for such injury. What can I do to redeem myself. My understanding is that Jesus Christ has paid for my sin, so I am right with God! Therefore, my need is to make things right within and with my fellowman. This, perhaps is the reason for penance - the outward performance of penitence. For Israel, they may have sacrificed an animal on the altar, but that didn't work. For David, he prayed and opened His heart up to God. Psalm 51, for David, was therapeutic - given his pain. What will you do to heal your heart from guilt? Don't ignore the pain, you will become cold.
We hear David's broken heart as found in Psalm 22:1 "My God, My God, why has thou forsaken me"
(uttered also by Christ in Mark 15:34) in the words of Psalm 51. Give me wisdom and help me to grow from this weakness! In sincerity and truth, I repent! Remove my guilt and release me from my sinful ways. Renew my Spirit with your Spirit of joy and gladness. Mend me, for I am broken without you. Fill me and I will sing your praise all the days of my life - for in thee is life!
I question whether the final verse was added as verses 18-19 do not match verses 15-17. Yet, it is difficult to blog on this Psalm as the words of the Psalm itself say it all! Allow me to quote Psalm 51:10-14:
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.
Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness."
God answers this prayer of ours in Isaiah 43:25; "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for My own sake, and remembers your sins no more."
Psalm 130:3-4 reflects this relationship of love between man and God: " If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.
Now it's our turn! It's time to honor God, confessing our sins before Him and praying for peace in our world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7d2GFbp-pc&feature=related Lindell Cooley - Lord, Have Mercy (Kyrie)
Response to Proverbs 10:31-32
Proverbs 10:31-32 "The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.
The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse."
Psalm 37:30-34: "The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip.
The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking their very lives; but the LORD will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned when brought to trial.
Wait for the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.
Matthew recorded Jesus words in Matthew 12:33-36 as follows: "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
So ends our Proverbs from Proverbs chapter 10.
Thanks for stopping by;
Until Tomorrow!
Rick
Monday, March 8, 2010
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