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Lord, thank you for your word. As we respond with our thoughts and words shared with one another, we pray that you would use our efforts to your show forth your glory and build your Kingdom.
Response to Numbers 26:1-51
Following the loss of 24000 of the people due to their sexual relations with the natives, Moses takes a second census in the 40th year of the Exodus before they cross the Jordan. Numbers 26:2 has the same stipulations as the first census in the wilderness of Sinai found in Numbers 1:2-3; "Take a census of the whole Israelite community by families - all those twenty years old or more who are able to serve in the army of Israel." This second census is taken along the east side of the Jordan across from Jericho.
Reuben had 46,500 in Sinai and is now 43,730 (down 2770) 1st son of Leah,
Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father's bed, onto my couch and defiled it." Genesis 49:4
(note on Dathan and Abiram in verse 11 states that the line of Korah did not die out - leading to Samuel and the sons of Korah of the Psalms.)
Simeon had 59,300 in Sinai and is now 22,200 (down 37,100) 2nd son of Leah,
"Cursed be their anger, so fierce, and their fury, so cruel! I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel." Genesis 49:7
Gad had 45,650 in Sinai and is now 40,500 (down 5150) 1st son of Zilpah of Leah
"Gad will be attacked by a band of raiders, but he will attack them at their heels." Genesis 49:19
Judah had 74,600 in Sinai and is now 76,500 (up 1900) 3rd son of Leah,
"The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his." Genesis 49:10
Issachar had 54,400 in Sinai and is now 64,300 (up 9900) 5th son of Leah,
"When he sees how good is his resting place and how pleasant is his land, he will bend his shoulder to the burden and submit to forced labor." Genesis 49:15
Zebulun had 57,400 in Sinai and is now 60,500 (up 3100) 6th son of Leah
"Zebulun will live by the seashore and become a haven for ships; his border will extend toward Sidon." Genesis 49:13.
In Numbers 1, Ephraim had been mentioned before Manasseh, but the order is switched in Numbers 26.
Manasseh had 32,200 in Sinai and is now 52,700 (up 20,500) 1st of Joseph's twins (Rachel's 1st son's)
Your father's blessings are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains, than the bounty of the age-old hills. Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among his brothers Genesis 49:26
(vs 33) note on the daughters of Zelophehad is a story to be shared March 18th from Numbers 27.
Ephraim had 40,500 in Sinai and is now 32,500 (down 8000) 2nd of Joseph's twins (Rachel's 1st son's)
"But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel," Genesis 49:24
Benjamin had 35,400 in Sinai and is now 45,600 (up 10,200) 2nd son of Rachel,
"Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder." Genesis 49:27
Dan had 62,700 in Sinai and is now 64,400 (up 1700) all Shuhamite! 1st son of Bilhah of Rachel, 18
"I look for your deliverance, O Lord." Genesis 49:18
Asher had 41,500 in Sinai and is now 53,400 (up 11,900) 2nd son of Zilpah of Leah,
"Asher's food will be rich;" he will provide delicacies fit for a king. Genesis 49:20
Naphtali had 53,400 in Sinai and is now 45,400 (down 8000) 2nd son of Bilhah of Rachel
"Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns." Genesis 49;21
The total had been 603,550 in Sinai and is now 601,730 (down 1820)
Response to Luke 2:36-52
Luke 1:1 began by stating "Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled(Or been surely believed) among us," It has become quite obvious that Luke has put much thought and organization into his writings. Regarding the birth of Christ, it would appear he spent a fair bit of time interviewing Mary. Some have said he copied Josephus and that the book was written after the fall of Jerusalem, but it would seem to me Luke is working amongst contemporary individuals of sound mind who have documented accounts of Jesus life. It is always possible that he borrowed writings from someone elses interview with Mary, but he appears to be the only one among the gospel writers who have this information. One thing is clear - Luke focusses on Mary's memory of these events while Matthew focused on Joseph's memories. A clear focal statement of his source of information is recorded in Luke 2:19; "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."
With that in mind, it is clear where these two stories of Simeon and Anna came from in Luke 2:25-40. Did you catch that she had been married seven years? Perhaps not a big deal except that this number is a common sign of purification and divinity. As a widow for nearly 60 years, she lived and worshipped in the temple and was considered a prophetess, speaking the word and the will of God. She too bore witness to the power and promise of this child, Jesus, to all who passed them by.
(vs. 39) According to Luke's account, they returned to Galilee on the seventh day. For those who wish to believe Jesus stayed in Bethlehem for a longer period, they must realize that Luke discounts that understanding. To take these two stories literally, the wise men may have visited the house of Joseph in Nazareth of Galilee before Joseph and the family fled to Egypt. This flight to Egypt certainly may have represented little of their history as reflected in verse 40.
(vs. 40) Again, as Luke recounts this story, no mention is made of the flight to Egypt. Jesus grew and became strong in 'their own city' filled with Wisdom from His youth. In modern day demonology, it is recommended that when you pray, you give the demon a name - be it hatred, jelousy, envy, strife... (see Galatians 5:19-21, Colossians 3:5-9, I Corinthians 6:9-10, Ephesians 5:3-6)! However, if you do not fill your life with spirituality, thereby purifying yourself with the Love of God, the demons are bound to return. Luke 2:40 shows the type of child Jesus was. He purified Himself in the word and with the favor of God from early childhood. Wisdom is that gift of the Spirit noted in Proverbs 8:22-31. He, no doubt memorized Psalm 119 and was enraptured with the things of God. As a good Israeli student, he certainly studied the things of God according to the customs of the law. He devoted body and soul to the Lord from His earliest day and the glory and favor of God rested upon Him. He doubtless walked the path of a Nazirite (spiritually speaking) from infancy.
(vs. 41-52) This discipline, attitude, and resulting blessing continues to be reflected in Luke 2 verse 41-52 as Jesus loves to be in the Temple. He knew enough of scripture and came to a point of hearing the voice of God by the age of 12. (another common number of coming of age (12) tribes, (12) disciples). Another common theme and sign is "After 3 days" as found in verse 46. By the age of 12, Jesus personal Devotion, Love, and Dedication to the Kingdom of God had built him up to be a young man who could discuss the things of God and the meaning of the word with the Pharisees and Scribes within the Temple. He would indeed argue with them throughout his ministry about appropriate understanding of the Jewish Writings and He would come to realize that He was the fulfillment of the Prophets, the Son of God in the flesh! Jesus desire was to be as Anna was - within the House of God, immersing Himself in the things of God. However, in obedience, He returned with Joseph and Mary to their Home.
Through the blessings of His divine Father - and the stories of his birth as told by His Mother, Jesus Christ made a conscious effort to be filled with the Spirit of the Knowledge and the Wisdom of God. His quest continued, both in prayer and devotion until the day of His death. You also can be filled with the Spirit of the Knowledge and the Wisdom of God through prayer and devotion! You also can banish the demons within! It is a choice and a habit and it will be blessed by God. However, do not rely on your own understanding - you must walk with Him every day of your life just as Jesus did.
Response to Psalm 60:1-12
Here is another man of prayer, focused on His relationship with God above all things. David and Jesus followed that first commandment, and it made so much difference! As Jesus understood it, The greatest law was this: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'(Matthew 37 reflecting Deuteronomy 6:5) yet, having studied David and applying the scripture and songs available to Him for worship, he also realized (Matthew 37:39-40) "the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'(as Moses reflected in Leviticus 19:18) His summary (Mat.37:40) "All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Certainly, David's life experienced a bit more hostility than Jesus life did (before His ultimate death) and this concept of loving your fellow man did not come easy as Saul sought his death through so much of this period he was writing the Psalms. However, his outlook on life reflects our own as we fight the demons within our world. David's faith was one that had to believe that salvation would come. Our faith is one that has to believe that salvation has come! Without Christ - without the Love of God - our defenses are broken - we have no hope. Our plight today is not unlike Psalm 60:1; "You have rejected us, O God, and burst forth upon us; you have been angry-now restore us!
(vs. 4) It is time to raise the banner of our Everlasting Father - our Prince of Peace! It is time to Love our neighbor as ourself (Leviticus 19:18 for all those who discount the New Testament)!
(vs. 5) Hebrews 10:12 states; "But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God." David wrote in Psalm 60:5 "Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered." A summary of John 3:16-18 may be "God so loved the world - not willing that any should perish - that the condemned might be saved!" Certainly God could fail in His plan to redeem all of creation! However, when He says that one day every tongue will confess (Isaiah 45:23-24) and in Joel 2:32 He says that "everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved, I think his plan is clear and I have complete confidence He will get the job done. I don't know about you, but I am overjoyed that He chose me to help serve that purpose! I choose to serve as His right hand everyday for the rest of my life!
(vs 6-8) "He shall rule over all the nations for they are his! Psalm 24:1 "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;"
(vs 9-12) Have you rejected the Prince of Peace? Do you know the Everlasting Father or Jesus Christ as anything but the Prince of Peace? If so, it is not He who has rejected you, but you who have rejected Him. Our belief must be filled with His Spirit of Love, Joy, Peace, and all these wonderful things - and Truth! He does not go forth with our armies! He is our helper against the foe - our adversary - hatred, envy, strife and all those evil things! Whether you choose our Everlasting Father - whether you choose Jesus Christ - chose to follow this Prince of Peace and we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our adversaries.
Response to Proverbs 11:15
Proverbs 3:5-6; "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Today's Proverb is a great financial seminar! Trust not in the things of this world. Don't place yourself in bondage! How many of us learned this lesson the hard way the past few years as the security of the world's finances crumbled. And yet, the physical creation - the things of God - His word marches on.
Thanks for listening!
Until Tomorrow
Rick
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
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