March 7th readings

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Numbers 8:1-9:23 ~ Mark 13:14-37
Psalm 50:1-23 ~ Proverbs 10:29-30

Old Testament - Today in Numbers chapter 8 we read about the dedication of the Levites and in Numbers chapter 9 we read about the Second Passover -

In chapter 9 we read about the fiery cloud over the tabernacle.  Verses 22 & 23 stood out to me in today's readings - "Whether the cloud stayed above the Tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, the people of Israel stayed in camp and did not move on. But as soon as it lifted, they broke camp and moved on. So they camped or traveled at the LORD's command, and they did whatever the LORD told them through Moses."  An image of the Israelites camp at rest -

New Testament - In Mark chapter 13 today we read about the signs of the end of the age. For me personally, Jesus’ words in verses 32 & 33 have always been so powerful when it comes to end-times considerations – “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.” I think this teaching from Jesus is so important for each of us to keep in mind. No one knows the day or the hour of the end of times. Only God the Father. I have some friends who are very into speculating and discussing end-times prophecies and events. For me personally, these verses above make me realize that we truly do not know when the end of time will come – but, yes, we know it will come. And therefore I believe we should live every day loving God and loving people around us – and not get so focused on speculation of end times that we forget about these 2 great commandments. . .  :) My other thought on these verses is this – not only do we not know when the end of the age will come, but we do not know when the end of each of our lives will come. Hopefully we will live long lives. But it’s not guaranteed. You know how life is – there is cancer and there are accidents and the list could go on. So, I guess I’d recommend this – don’t worry about when the end of the age will be. Don’t worry about when the end of your life will be. Instead, be on guard and be alert each and every day to make sure you are loving God and loving people – as if each day might be your last day.  Bible.org's commentary on Mark chapter 13 is at this link. 

Psalms - Psalm 50 verses 14 & 15 are beautiful words from God to Israel - "What I want instead is your true thanks to God; I want you to fulfill your vows to the Most High. Trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory." Do you believe these words can apply to us today as well?  Are you giving true thanks to God each day?  Are you trusting in God in your times of trouble?  Are you giving God glory for all that he has done for you?  How often do you say "thank you" to God? 

Proverbs - Proverbs chapter 10 verse 29 is a great teaching that those who trust in God are covered with a hedge of protection.  Thank God for this protection!  I know I need it.  And I believe that God oftentimes protects us in ways that we do not even consciously realize...  As we pray in the Lord's prayer - "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."  Amen.

Comments from You & Question of the Day - Based on my reflections above on Mark 13:32-33, I am reminded of something I read on another Christian blog recently and it really did make me think. Here’s how this blog put it, and I think this relates well to these Mark verses – “breaking news: mortality rate is STILL 100%! You are not guaranteed all the days you believe you have coming to you. What would you do differently if today was your last day alive?”  Powerful question for each of us to consider, no?  What would you do differently if today was your last day alive?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

Grace,
Mike

Comments

[Anka]

Mark13:30 I tell you the truth, this generation[e] will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
I've often wondered about this passage because the generation Jesus was talking about couldn't have been those he was actually talking to since many more generations have come and gone since then...Does anyone have an idea what he meant in that verse?
God bless you all

[Vance Brown]

ALL VERSES IN NEW KING JAMES VERSION (NKJV)

Numbers 8
14
Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the children of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine.

16
For they are wholly given to Me from among the children of Israel; I have taken them for Myself instead of all who open the womb, the firstborn of all the children of Israel.
17
For all the firstborn among the children of Israel are Mine, both man and beast; on the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them to Myself.
18
I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn of the children of Israel.

MY NOTES:
Romans 12
1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

I Corinthians 6
20
For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

~~~
The Levites were taken IN PLACE of the firstborn of Israel whose lives were literally spared by the Passover lamb offering in Egypt. The Levites were called as belonging to the Lord.

In addition, a monetary offering was taken as REDEMPTION money IN PLACE of all the rest of the firstborn children of the Israelites. (See verses from Numbers 3 below)

** Just like the firstborn of Israel (and all of Israel), WE LITERALLY OWE OUR LIVES to the Lord. Giving, then, is only the legitimate and natural form of worship and submission to the Lord.

** WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE OF OFFERING OURSELVES AS A LIVING SACRIFICE (the only reasonable worship) and OFFERING the firstfruits of OUR MONEY to the Lord in joyful obedient worship!

Numbers 3
44
Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
45
“TAKE THE LEVITES INSTEAD OF ALL THE FIRSTBORN AMONG THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND THE LIVESTOCK OF THE LEVITES INSTEAD OF THEIR LIVESTOCK. THE LEVITES SHALL BE MINE: I AM THE LORD.
46
And for the redemption of the two hundred and seventy-three of the firstborn of the children of Israel, who are more than the number of the Levites,
47
you shall take five shekels for each one individually; you shall take them in the currency of the shekel of the sanctuary, the shekel of twenty gerahs.

49
SO MOSES TOOK THE REDEMPTION MONEY FROM THOSE WHO WERE OVER AND ABOVE THOSE WHO WERE REDEEMED BY THE LEVITES.
50
From the firstborn of the children of Israel he took the money, one thousand three hundred and sixty-five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary.
51
And Moses gave their redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.

~~~

Numbers 9
4
So Moses told the children of Israel that they should keep the Passover.
12
They shall leave none of it until morning, nor break one of its bones. According to all the ordinances of the Passover they shall keep it.

MY NOTES:
** JESUS IS THE PASSOVER SACRIFICE, of which the OT Passover sacrifice was a shadow

John 19
17
And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha,
18
where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. 19
Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
20
Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.

** No part of JESUS, THE PASSOVER SACRIFICE, was left until morning

31
Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
32
Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him.

** THE FATHER GOD CONTROLS HISTORY to fulfill prophecy: NO LEGS BROKEN !!

33
But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.
34
But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35
And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe.
36
For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” [Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12]
37
And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.” [Zechariah 12:10]

Mark 13
26
Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
27
And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.

33
Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.
34
It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.

***
There will be NO DOUBT when the Lord Jesus returns. May there be NO DOUBT about that we follow the Lord.

MAY WE NOT BE DISTRACTED BY THE SO CALLED “GODS”, NOR THE PRACTICES OF THIS AGE. May we be yielded, ready, pure, and obedient in the FIRE and LOVE of the Lord.

Vance

[Ramona]

Anka,

I looked up the Greek word translated "generation" in this verse and the word (Greek) can be applied to man, time, or nation. I'm inclined to think, based on the context, that in this passage it is referring to a period of time or dispensation. From the time of Jesus' death, we have been in what is known as the "last days." And many think we are in the last of the "last days."

As per Thayer’s dictionary:

G1074
γενεά
genea
Thayer Definition:
1) fathered, birth, nativity
2) that which has been begotten, men of the same stock, a family
2a) the several ranks of natural descent, the successive members of a genealogy
2b) metaphorically a group of men very like each other in endowments, pursuits, character
2b1) especially in a bad sense, a perverse nation
3) the whole multitude of men living at the same time
4) an age (i.e. the time ordinarily occupied be each successive generation), a space of 30 - 33 years
Part of Speech: noun feminine

Hope this helps,
Ramona

[Ramona]

Numbers 8:1-9:23

Today’s reading in the Old Testament brought to mind things from the New as well as some from the Prophets. The first being,

1 ) Say to Aaron, When you set up and light the lamps, the seven lamps shall be made to give light in front of the lampstand. And Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps of the lampstand to give light in front of it …. (Numbers 8:2-3 AMP)

The Light of the Word is for our steps going forward not backwards. We are to examine our mistakes and our past so that we will understand and identify the “traps” of the sins that has so easily beset us (Hebrews 12:1) when we see them coming, but I believe we are not to so closely examine the past by use of God’s Word at the exclusion of what is up ahead.

Jesus said to him, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back [to the things behind] is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:62 AMP)

2 ) The tribe of Levi pointed to the time when each of us (Believers) would be asked to be a “Living Sacrifice” by presenting their bodies (Romans 12:1)

For they are wholly given to Me from among the Israelites; instead of all who open the womb, the firstborn of all the Israelites, I have taken the Levites for Myself. For all the firstborn of the Israelites are Mine, both of man and beast; on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt [not of Israel], I consecrated them and set them apart for Myself. (Numbers 8:16-17 AMP)

The Tribe of Levi was offered up as an exchange for the “first born” of all the other eleven tribes. This to me was clearly a type of Christ.

3 ) God is a God that allows us to “reason” with Him (Isaiah 1:18) He wants us to come top Him to get an explanation of His laws and rules, and when we have faith enough to ask He will honor us so that we receive what we have asked (Matthew 7:7).

Those men said to [Moses], We are defiled by touching the dead body. Why are we prevented from offering the Lord's offering at its appointed time among the Israelites? And Moses said to them, Stand still, and I will hear what the Lord will command concerning you. And the Lord said to Moses … (Numbers 9:7-9 AMP)

4 ) And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning. So it was always: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night. And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents. (Numbers 9:15-17 KJV)

If the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night represents the Holy Spirit guiding and leading us, may we all yield to the leading of the Spirit as He directs our path so we will know when to “pitch” our tents and when to take them up and move. This I pray in Jesus’ glorious name, Amen.

In order to do this we must travel lightly and have made the decision to leave behind the things that cannot be carried.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

[mark]

Hi Everyone, I really love the old Testement verses today. The imagery of God being right in the middle. The focal point of their lives, very visible. The Israelites trusted and obeyed God. The were truly following Him. Where do we stand i our lives? Are we following after God? Are we moving when He moves, staying where He stays? I pray that our Lord will develop that passion and desire in my life to seek Him and His kindgom first.

[Betty]

What great imagery in today's readings! God, the Almighty in the midst of His people, a cloud or fire, His obvious presence to lead the nation of Israel. Question for myself: Do I look upward everyday with my heart to see where God is? Without looking for Him, how do I know what He wants for me today, tomorrow, moment to moment? Truely, God is our God forever and our guide through life. I just have to remember always to acknowledge His presence with me and His desire to guide me with His word, and the Holy Spirit. Isn't God good that He seeks us out in relationship and reveals Himself to us everywhere. We just need to be tuned in.

[Oriane]

Hi Beryl

I'm running behind by a couple of days with my reading. Just wanted to say welcome back. Glad to see you're ok!

[John]

Cory,

2Tim 3:16
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,"

God-breathed is "given by inspiration of God" in NKJ. Greek is "theopneustos" literally "God-breathed".

In the case of the Gospels, yes, Matthew and Mark were written to particular audiences. However Luke wrote of Jesus as "Man" and his perspective was one of writing a "history". John wrote of Jesus as "Deity", and his perspective was "evangelical". The last two gospels transcend any particular audience or setting. Taken together the whole Gospel picture unfolds.

To be clear, I believe the bible is inspired (God-breathed), men wrote it, but the author was God (or the Holy Spirit).

[John]

Anka,
Matt 24:3
"...when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"

Matthew adds this perspective - "sign of your coming" - which would have been of interest to the Jewish audience of his gospel. Mark has no need to include this to his Gentile audience.

To answer your question on "this generation", you need to look at the lesson or parable of fig tree. The events that unfold will be like the leaves starting to bud on a tree. Soon the tree will be in full foliage. (similar imagery using "birth pains").

"I tell you the Truth" (or "verily" or "amen") is what a witness said in a Jewish court to indicate he is speaking the Truth.

So Jesus is saying - 'I am speaking the truth' - "this generation will certainly not pass". Jesus is summing up his lesson(parable): the generation that sees these events (signs) unfold (tree budding, beginning of birth pains) will not pass away away before it all happens, culminating in the "Son of Man" coming (second coming).

He ends the lesson by empasizing his "Word" is more durable than the "heavens and earth".

A genearation of thirty or so years would certainly see things to the conclusion if you view the whole discouse as regarding the "tribulation". Tribulation lasts "seven years".

People argue whether the "church" will be there or not, and there are certainly other interpretations on "this generation" as Chip pointed out. In my straightforward interpretation of the Bible, the explanation I gave fits best with my outline of the Bible.

Of course, I could be wrong, and in that case I will have to apologize to you in heaven :)

[Anka]

Thanks Ramona and John for your explanations...I'm sure John I'll be too awed by heaven to remember the question anyway:)...do you know any site I can do a larger study on that.I know that verse has been a tool for many to discredit the words of Jesus and I want to be able to fully explain it.God bless you all

[Anka]

I just found a website that really explains the "fig tree+this generation"...quite a long read but worth it.
http://www.parentalguide.com/Documents/Bible_Prophecy/Parable_fig_tree.htm