March 14th readings

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Numbers 21:1-22:20 ~ Luke 1:26-56
Psalm 57:1-11 ~ Proverbs 11:9-11

Old Testament - Today in Numbers chapter 22 we read about Balak sending for Balaam - hoping Balaam will curse the Israelites.   Balak sends messengers the 1st time and Balaam gets a messenge from God to not go with these messengers, as God has blessed the Israelites.  What is interesting to me are verses 15-17 - "Then Balak tried again. This time he sent a larger number of even more distinguished officials than those he had sent the first time. They went to Balaam and gave him this message: "This is what Balak son of Zippor says: Please don't let anything stop you from coming. I will pay you well and do anything you ask of me. Just come and curse these people for me!"  For some reason these verses really reminded me of temptation in our lives today.  Like Balaam with the messengers on their first visit, we may realize something is not what God would want us to do - and we send the temptation away.  But...  then the temptation can come back!  In a bigger way - with more distinguished officials than before... with more allure than before...  the temptation that we resisted once so valiantly can come back.  And then, the question becomes - with the opportunity to be "paid well" by the temptation, will we still resist the temptation?  Can we resist the temptation a 2nd time?  Through Christ, yes we can.

Bible.org commentary on Balaam and Numbers chapter 22 is at this link.

New Testament - In Luke chapter 1 verses 46 through 55 we read an amazing hymn known as Mary’s Song or the Magnificat, which means “glorifies” in the Latin Vulgate translation. This is indeed a song that glorifies God in a beautiful way from the mother of Jesus. As you read through this song, below, please meditate upon its words. And maybe ask yourself this – are there ways in your life that you “sing songs” like this to God? Maybe it’s not through literal song – but maybe you praise God through loving others, through serving others, through art, through prayer, through your church, and this list could go on… What is your unique way of glorifying God? Do you want to glorify God with all you do in your life?  Please take a few moments to mediate upon the glorious words of Mary’s Song –

“My soul glorifies the Lord
      and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
      of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
      for the Mighty One has done great things for me–
      holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
      from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
      he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
      but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
      but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
      remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
      even as he said to our fathers.”

Bible.org Commentary on Luke chapter 1 is at this link, and at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 57 verse 8 is amazing - "Wake up, my soul!"  What 4 great words ...  wake up my soul!  Do you ever feel like you need to say this to your soul?  I know that I have in my past.  There have been times in my life where I have felt spiritually asleep.  Just completely slumbering...  and I have begged my soul to wake up!  Fortunately, I finally learned that I could not wake up my soul on it's own.  I needed the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to wake up my soul...   and the Spirit keeps it awake today.  If you feel that you nned your soul to wake up, will you prayer to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to indwell your soul and to wake it up?

Proverbs chapter 11 verse 11 is a great reminder to each of us to be good citizens - "Upright citizens bless a city and make it prosper."  Are you striving to be an upright citizen blessing your city and helping to make it prosper?

What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings?  Please post up in the Comments section below!

Grace,
Mike

Comments

[Luciano Del Monte (Luch)]

We have talked in previous blogs about 'positive thinking'and some of the abuses of that practice by certain media evangelists. Here in Psalm 57 we have a beautiful example of what it means to be 'positive' or should we read hopeful, "My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises." vs 7 It's in that context of our confidence being founded in WHO God is that we can 'sing' and wake up our soul, and even go on to 'awaken the dawn with my/our songs." I have a sense that David is jumping for joy as he wakes up this particular morning. What a great prayer to pray for all of us today--Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth." vs 11

[Micah Girl]

Luch--It's also amazing that David is praising God so heartily when he is facing such disaster in his life with all the murderous plots against him. He's not pretending that his life is easy, but he is relying on God in the midst of the struggle and even enjoying full-out worship. Pretty cool.

[John]

emberglow,

(responding to a late post last night)

I think, at least I hope, we are talking about two different things.

I have stated before that I have no problem with different interpretations of the Bible. The differing opinions of what the Bible says is the reason for different denominations. I may disagree with the intrepretation, but in almost every case - I respect the interpretation if it is consistent throughout the Bible. If it is not consistent, then the denomination is picking and choosing what "they want to believe" instead of following what God says in his "Word".

That is not the same as contradictions. If the Bible was full of contradictions, than what reason do we have to beleive any of the Book. If there was a contradiction, then one would be true, the other false. Or both false. That would mean the false passage would be a lie. We would have no basis for believing anything God said in his Word. For me, if I thought the Bible was riddled with lies, then I would chunk the book and join the Dhali Lama in exile.

Your example of O.T. believers and the "rich man" is mutually exclusive. Draw two circles and label one - O.T. Believers and label the other one non-believers. Write "rich man" in the non-believer's circle. Based on the belief systems of each circle's inhabitants anything said that is an outcome of their beliefs can not be contradictory as their is no intersection of the circles. That has nothing to do with the Bible - it is one of the major tenets in the study of Philosophy and/or Logic.

If you meant:
'Its so easy to derive two different interpretations from one Bible passage.'

Than I can agree with you. I just can not accept that a book authored by the Holy Spirit would be riddled with contradictions.

And yes, I believe all of us that are covered in the blood of Jesus and granted eternal salvation are (definately) "blessed".

[Ramona]

Numbers 21-22:20

Thoughts from Today’s Old Testament Readings:

1) Reading this blew my mind,
They set out from Mount Hor along the Red Sea Road, a detour around the land of Edom. The people became irritable and cross as they traveled. They spoke out against God and Moses: "Why did you drag us out of Egypt to die in this godforsaken country? No decent food; no water--we can't stomach this stuff any longer." (Numbers 21:4-5 MSG)

Did the people forget? Did they not remember God’s promise that no one over twenty would enter the Promise Land because of their rebellion? Did they forget that the consequence of their believing the “bad” report brought back by the leaders of the tribes, except for Calab and Joshua (Num 14:29-34) was to wander in the desert for forty years? Or, perhaps they were just arrogant and thought the warning didn’t mean “them.” I am reminded of a verse from Proverbs,

The foolishness of man subverts his way [ruins his affairs]; then his heart is resentful and frets against the Lord. (Proverbs 19:3 AMP)
There wondering in the desert came by way of their own behavior yet they constantly practiced blame shifting.

2) I keep seeing myself in these people. Grumbling, complaining and just making a fool of myself, railing and shaking my fist at God for the consequences I produced by my own choices. I keep seeing the people confessing their sins, yet not repenting. I too am quick to point out where I went wrong when confronted with my errors; however, I am extremely slow in changing the lifestyles that produced the sin and Change is not Change, Until it’s Changed! Confession with out repentance or change, well…is just an explosion of words with no substance.

And the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord, that He may take away the serpents from us. So Moses prayed for the people. (Numbers 21:7 AMP)

3) Idols verses God, the True God.
Balak (Chapter 22) knew that he couldn’t defeat Israel so he sent for a prophet, though it was only a false prophet, that Balaam was. People can know God but not follow God. They can hear God and discern His will but only use that knowledge for their personal gain. Balak, was use to idols that could be manipulated looked for a man he thought could manipulate God. We, after giving up our idols when we realize they are without eyes, ears and intellect, often take our controlling behavior and try to “work it” with God.

We love our idols because we can position them to do what we want and hide behind a clock of spirituality. Balaam’s intentions can be discerned in his response to the Balak’s officials in verse 13, And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, Go back to your own land, for the Lord refuses to permit me to go with you. (Numbers 22:13 AMP)

He doesn’t tell them I will not go, but he puts the responsibility on God and not himself as the choice maker. His intent was, “I really want to go because I really want the money, but for God …” Many times like Balaam, we do and say the right thing for all the wrong reasons giving the appearance of “righteousness.” It’s not my fault I can’t go with you, It’s God’s. How often have we done that? Yikes!!

Grace and peace,
Ramona

[John]

Luke

Luke 1:32
"He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,"

Psalm 89:35-36
Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness—
and I will not lie to David-

that his line will continue forever
and his throne endure before me like the sun;

Acts 2:29-30
"Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne."
======================================================
OK, it is a little slow, so I will set this up for further on. In prophecy there are interpretations that spiritualize the millenial kingdom, and those that maintain it will be literally fulfilled.

In Scripture - both in Hebrew and Greek the word for "throne" either refers to God's throne, a king's throne, someone in charge's throne, etc. Here Gabriel, David himself, and Peter all mention a "throne". In each case it is David's throne - a kingship here on earth.

Since Jesus did not sit on the throne on his first trip, then it must be that He will sit on it in the future.

That is unless you spiritualize David's throne. That is why Gabriel's message to Mary is intriguing. Everything from Luke 1:28-31 and half of 32 can be understood literally, so I find it difficult to believe that Gabriel switched gears to a spiritualized message at the end of his greeting.

[NOTE: I said "difficult", but that is my opinion.]

This is just an example so people know where I am coming from later, as I strive to "GET" the consistent message of the scripture.

I certainly recognize that in eschatology (prophecy) there are several viewpoints. Many good Christians disagree, so as we go through the prophets and the rest of the New Testament, I will just be pointing out my interpretaion, and give the reasons for my view - as different passages come up.

As Cory mentioned "let the reader understand" - You need to make up your own mind and attach whatever significance you want to prophecy. I will not be arguing or debating prophecy, because of all the Bible it is the subject most open to differing interpretations. I will present from a straightforward perspective, and others will (I am sure) present different views.

With 2,400+ people signed up, perhaps the presentation of different viewpoints will be helpful - especially to those who have never studied the Bible before this blog.

[Stacey]

I hope that you will take the time to look at the links at Bible.org regarding the Luke readings.
Each Gospel is presented from a different perspective and Luke is using eyewitness testimony to send a thoroughly researched account to the gentile ruler Theophilus. One new thing that I learned from the article was that only Luke shares the thoughts and feelings of people like Mary and Elizabeth as he tells about their roles in Jesus birth. Both articles were worth the read. May God bless you and keep you. May He shine His face upon you and give you peace.

[John]

Numbers 21 - Bronze snake

The symbolism of the bronnze serpent being the foreshadowing of Christ on the cross is better understand, since Christ mentioned it to Nicodemus.

John 3:14-15
"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life"

Bronze is the metal of Judgment, the pole is the cross, snakes doing the biting represent Satan or "the world" (for the nebulous evil people :), the dying person can look to the bronze snake and live - and the implication being "not to look" is to die.

Pretty much what our choice is today - as the wages of sin are death - we can look to the Cross and live (eternally) or not look to the Cross and spiritually die and answer to God at judgment.

[stef stevenson]

good morning everyone..iv been quiet just lately but the frustration is the Bible readings and blog are not coming online as early as they used to with the result that by the time they do come iv had to go off and start my day already..i miss being able to read fist thing inthe morning.i would like to give you all an update on beryl..the hospital has called her back and the news wasnt good she needs another and much larger operation on the 29th march, thank you for your prayers in the last two weeks and i would love to ask you to continue praying for her.God bless you all, stef..

[Roslyn]

I don't know know what you actually mean by joining the Dalai Lama in exile if the bible is full of lies?
Sounds like an insult to the Dalai Lama, a man of peace.

Your explanation on trying to make a Venn diagram
obviously starts out without any point of comparison, so how can you expect to have something in the middle of the diagram----there was no logic to begin with! Nor anything philosophical about it.

[Roslyn]

That was intended for John.

[Ramona]

Let us be gracious and remember that the owner of this Blog and those who post have not signed a contract to "post" for everyone's personal schedule. Mike, the owner, is in the Gulf Cost of the USA helping to rebuild, as he stated in his last update e-mail. In it he let everyone know that he would not be able to maintain the Blog as often and would be constrained by what he is doing and internet/computer access.

Remember everyone has a story, a trail and a hurdle to overcome even if it is not stated on this site.

Go in peace everyone,
Ramona

[John]

Roslyn,

Wish they had spell check on these typepads. The Dalai Lama reference? If the Bible was worthless, then I may as well do something over the top while here on earth. That is what came to mind. It was more about his location (halfway around the world) than any reference to his "works" here on earth.

As to Venn Diagrams:
The point of comparison was supposed to be Believers vs. Non-Believers. They are mutually exclusive or disjoint. I thought I was trying to say: 'if something is said about or done to one group, then it could not be in contradiction to something said about or done to the other disjoint group - by defintition - because there is no intersection of the two groups.'

Ex. Old Testament believers were blessed with riches; A Rich non-believer would find it "hard" to enter the kingdom of heaven.

But since you posted - something is nagging me about that explanation. Probably the reason I only got a "B" in philosophy/logic too many years ago :)

If I am wrong, you can correct me here (again:), or email me. Thanks, you gave me something to "noodle over" in my spare time today.

[Emberglow]

John, I do not believe that Bible wants to lump a group of people together and force ONE TRUTH on them and shut their eyes and ears to anything else. I think lot of information in Bible is metaphorical.For example, World's creation in 7 days (7 earth days?) All we can gather from it is that God created this world and it was an intelligent design and a thoughtful process. God created us and LOVED us. In fact God created other things and saw they WERE GOOD.

So, I can conclude there is a beautiful and loving relationship between the Creator and the creation. But I cannot say that because Bible is ''THE ONLY TRUTH'' so Genesis must be taught in Schools as the supreme text book. Genesis metaphor is a fact told in discernible fashion for finite human beings.

Also, I do believe that God is truly transcendent (Who can know the mind of God) and for this reason I truly belive he reaches us through many other means than the text of Bible. I do not doubt that there are fragments of eternal and universal truth, wisdom in the writings of Shakespeare (who by the way would be very familiar with Bible and in his later years even with KJV) and other philosophers, great musicians, artists etc.
I think God speaks to us, inspires us, shows us His love and presence all around us, all the time.

But it is also true that the nature of God, the story of His relationship with us, His promises, commandments and the covenant are enshrined in the Bible.

[Ramona]

Emberglow,

>> I do not believe that Bible wants to lump a group of people together and force ONE TRUTH on them and shut their eyes and ears to anything else.>>

I know I’m jumping in on something that was not directed toward me but are you saying that there is not ONE TRUTH or do you mean that someone, based on where they are at any given point in life may have a different perspective on the Truth they have?

I don’t want to argue with you but I’m just looking for clarity. This conversation on “Truth” and our understanding of what it is will be tested and challenged when we get to the Gospel of John because the words Truth, Truly, and I tell you the Truth is used in the Book of John very extensively especially when he, John quotes Jesus.

Now, off to work I go, I ho!!

Grace and peace and make it a blessed day,
Ramona

[John]

emberglow,

Certainly there are a lot of metaphors and symbolism (as well as other literary)styles in the Bible. By studying the Bible, we are to learn which is which and attempt to discern what God is saying to us through his "Word".

You are absolutely correct that God is transcendant and we are finite human beings - at times this makes the task of understanding the Bible very difficult. Areas like Genesis and prophecy are very difficult subjects to inerpret.

God's "Word" is truth. I believe when we do not "get it" - the trouble is not with God, but on our end.

Absolutely, there are fragments of truth or elements of truth in many other areas of the World. Most major world relegions have some truth in them. We are made in the image of God, so it is not unreasonable that elements of his image would shine through in ALL mankind and their creative efforts. It is just another testament that there is a God just as the stars in the sky and creation are a testament to his existence.

When there is Truth there is only "one truth" or "absolute truth". In my opinion there are no gradations of Truth.

That being said:
1 thess 5:21
"Test all things; hold fast what is good."

I think there is a misunderstanding amongst some - about me and my posts. I am expressing myself, and what I believe. If someone thinks my logic or thought process is incorrect. I expect them to call me out on it. I expect people like Ramona, chip, anka, cory, roslyn, dwayne, Andrew B., you, or anyone here to step up and say something to me. That is one way to test all things. I expect to see all of you in heaven, so a little earthly head thwacking does not bother me. The discussions can be on here or thru email. I would do the same for any of you, and I pray that that has been my motivation for posting to other people.