March 6th One Year Bible Readings

~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
Numbers 6:1-7:89 ~ Mark 12:38-13:13 ~ Psalm 49:1-20 ~ Proverbs 10:27-28
~ Click here to listen to today's Scripture on BibleOnRadio.com ~

Old Testament - Today in Numbers chapter 6 we read about the Nazirite laws!  The Nazirite vows could be taken for as little as 30 days or as long as a lifetime.  It was voluntary - except parents could take the vow for their children, making them Nazirites for life.  Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist are all thought to have been Nazirites for life.  More info on the Nazirites is at this link.  Below is a painting by C.E. Brock of Samson and the lion from Judges 14:6 -

Today in Numbers chapter 6 verses 22-27 we will read the well known “Aaronic Blessing”, which I’ve underlined in the verses (and is in the image below) – “The LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: "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." "So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them."” How does this blessing speak to you today? Have you heard this blessing prayed aloud before? Can you imagine this ancient blessing that has been prayed innumerable times in history being prayed over you today? Take a few moments to really meditate upon the 3 sections of the blessing. Do you notice that each section begins with God’s name? Do you believe that God can indeed bless you and keep you (favor & protect you)? That he can indeed make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you (be pleased & be merciful and compassionate to you)? And do you believe that God can indeed turn his face toward you and give you peace (give approval & peace to you)? It is also of note that this blessing “put God’s name on the Israelites and they were blessed.” Do you believe that God’s name is upon you today? Do you want God’s name to be upon you today?

Chapter 7 is the longest chapter in the book of Numbers, and certainly an amazing one.  It is awesome to read about the presentation of offerings for the dedication of the altar over 12 days.  At the end of this chapter we read in verse 89: "Whenever Moses went into the Tabernacle to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the Ark's cover--the place of atonement--that rests on the Ark of the Covenant. The LORD spoke to him from there."

New Testament - In Mark chapter 12 verses 41 through 43 today we read the powerful narrative of the Widow's Mite - "Jesus went over to the collection box in the Temple and sat and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two pennies. He called his disciples to him and said, "I assure you, this poor widow has given more than all the others have given. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.""  How does this narrative speak to you?  When it comes to your time, treasure, and talents, do you give to God out of your surplus?  Or do you give to God all that you have?  What should we learn today from the widow about giving?

Psalms - Psalm 49 verses 1-3 are a fantastic teaching that the Word of God, the Bible, is for everyone, no matter what our lots in life may be - "Listen to this, all you people! Pay attention, everyone in the world! High and low, rich and poor--listen! For my words are wise, and my thoughts are filled with insight." Are you listening today?  Are you paying attention to the wise words and insights of the Bible?  Are you truly studying the Bible and then applying the Bible's teachings to your life?  Then, verse 15 in this Psalm is beautiful: "But as for me, God will redeem my life.  He will snatch me from the power of death."  How about for you?  Will God redeem your life?  Like the parable of the lost sheep that we read about in Luke 15:3-7, has Jesus saved you from being snatched from the power of death?

Proverbs - Proverbs chapter 10 verse 27 teaches us - "Fear of the LORD lengthens one's life, but the years of the wicked are cut short."

Worship God: Based on reading the Aaronic blessing today in Numbers, here's the blessing sung by St. Paul's Cathedral choir in London.  Beautiful!

Has the Lord blessed you?  Click here to be kept forever!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Based on Proverbs 10:27 above, do you agree that the fear of the Lord lengthens your life?  Why or why not?  Do you think fear of the Lord is a good thing?  Why or why not?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

Comments

[Helen]

Thanks for these continued devotions Mike.
By the Numbers and Mark readings I was just reminded how God knows all that we give Him.
Blessings, Helen.

[Julie R]

MercyMe also has a song with this blessing. I love it when musicians old (hymns) & new put God's word into their songs for those of us that are newer Christians but the best part is recognizing it from my studies! Same here with the photos you post when I reread the scriptures those photos remind me & I remember God's word.
Thanks for your blog.

[Margaret]

In Numbers, I am reminded that God is the "God of details". God details for Moses exactly how Nazarites should act and how Moses should judge Nazarites who disobey. I was particularly amazed when God added what to do if a person dies beside a Nazarite.
In response to your question, I don't think obedience to God necessarily gives us a long life on earth. That would mean that a baby who dies, had disobeyed God and I don't believe that. BUT obedience to God gives us eternal life.

[Jim]

Margaret makes a very good point but talks about life on this earth from only a chronological point of view. Alas, most people grow older but not up - becoming adults while still reacting to the world as small children. The "trick" to living a long life in wisdom and maturity is the fear of God. As such, any child that truly loves their parents will fear them more than any slave. This is both a physically real fear as well as great respect. If I had ever talked to my mother even on her death bed the way that children commonly get away with talking to their parents today I would have rightly feared what she would have paid someone to do to me. People always like to suggest that working out a compromise is better than such "win-lose" situations in daily relationships, but top negotiators and psychiatrists (like Dr. Schnarch, the most respected relationship counselor) all say, "Compromise is the tyranny of the lowest common denominator." Fear (and respect) is a two way street and anything else is tyranny (so says science).

Moreover, an infant cannot express a belief, a confession, a sorrow, call on the Lord, make a decision to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, or demonstrate an outpouring of the Holy Spirit... and so we all see a different path (or loop hole) to salvation for them... and most of us see a different story that the Catholic suggestion that an infant can be “freed from the power of darkness” only through infant baptism... and so, it is not valuable to speak of infants when discussing the only path to righteousness (that includes fear) available to the rest of us - today, here and now. Spirituality is wholly about a dynamic interconnected life-affirming approach to LIVING IN THE MOMENT (Trott, 1996)... while religion is about doctrines, rituals, and creeds. So, fear is a godly relationship characteristic only valuable to our here and now. We don't fear God to get into heaven, we fear God to get closer to Him now.

[Anka]

The difference I believe about God and gods is that our God is not one we can manipulate but one that we have to submit to...Fearing God is accepting Him as God...not just another god in our lives that can just appear when we need him...then disappear when we can make it on our own...The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom

[Lisa J.]

The verse that stands out to me today is:

Former
Numbers 7:89 (NLT 2nd Edition)
Whenever Moses went into the Tabernacle to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—that rests on the Ark of the Covenant. The Lord spoke to him from there.

Which now brings me to the next few verses:

Latter
Hebrews 1:1-2a (Amplified Bible)
1-IN MANY separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the Truth] and in different ways God spoke of old to [our] forefathers in and by the prophets,
2-[But] in the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, ...

John 1:14 (Amplified Bible)
14-And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth.

Isn't it amazing how the S'hekinah of God tabernacled (dwelt) in the Ark of the Covenant.
Now he tabernacles with us through His Holy Spirit, by the blood of the Lamb.

Hebrews 4:16 (NLT 2nd Edition)
16-So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Rejoice in the Lord Always!
Lisa K.

[Rakesh]

hi thanx for ur blog...its awesome....yes the fear of the Lord increases life...we will live eternally......and tht pic of the lost sheep touched me deep inside.....I was reminded of the song by casting crowns....and now my lifesong sings