February 7th One Year Bible Readings

Exodus 26:1-27:21 ~ Matthew 25:1-30 ~ Psalm 31:1-8 ~ Proverbs 8:1-11
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Old Testament - Today in Exodus chapters 26 & 27 we read about God's plans for the Tabernacle, the Altar and the Courtyard.  This is my 8th time reading through the One Year Bible, and I have to admit, I have zoned out a bit when reading these chapters in years past.  But for some reason this year these details were fascinating to me today!   Why the change?  I'm not 100% sure, other than I do think repeated study of the Bible year after year does bear fruit and does grow our interest in every iota of God's Word.  So, if by chance you felt like you were zoning out a bit when reading these chapters today, don't be discouraged.  The interest will definitely come with time and further study of all of God's Word.  Let me recommend to you that you don't skim over chapters like these though.  Please do read each word.  If you skim this year, you'll skim next year and you'll miss out on the fruit that will come from this study.  I have found images really help my understanding of chapters like these, so I'll post up a few images, which will hopefully help you visualize what we've read about today.  Below are a couple of images of the tabernacle and its layout:

A replica of the Altar of Burnt Offering in the outer court:

A replica of the Courtyard, looking toward the tabernacle (you'll see the altar in the foreground and the basin for washing on the left, which we'll read about in chapter 30):

And a replica inside the Tabernacle chamber / Holy Place, looking toward the curtain that cordoned off the Holy of Holies / the Ark of the Covenant.  That's the altar of incense just before the curtain, which we'll read about in Exodus chapter 30.  The lampstand is on the left, and the table for the Bread of the Presence is on the right.  (see replica images in yesterday's post below for more details on these and a replica image of the ark):

New Testament - Today in Matthew chapter 25 we read about the 10 bridesmaids and verse 13 certainly stands out as Jesus teaches: ""So stay awake and be prepared, because you do not know the day or hour of my return."  What do you think it means in our lives today to be "awake" and ready for Jesus' return?  Are you "awake" this very moment and ready for Jesus' return?  One of the most important points of this parable is that when Jesus returns you won't be able to barter or buy your way into the Kingdom.  (as the 5 un-wise bridesmaids tried to do).  You yourself will be ultimately responsible for your own spiritual condition!  Have you owned up to this responsibility?  Below is a watercolor by William Blake from 1822 of the parable of the ten bridesmaids:

Today we read in Matthew chapter 25 verses 14 through 30 Jesus’ “Parable of the Talents.” This story of the three servants has often been a parable I have struggled with.  For a long time I didn't get what was so wrong about the guy who buried the money. "He at least gave back to the master the same amount he was originally given," I thought.  "What's so wrong with that?"  Well, as I read this parable again, the thing that really stands out to me is that this parable is not talking about simply money. . . but I think it is talking about our very lives and our time here on earth.  I read it now as if God gives each of us a certain amount of time to live on this earth and a certain amount of gifts and skills.  And then, we have to ask ourselves - will we simply just go through life very stably & comfortably with those gifts and skills – perhaps even just going through the motions and serving ourselves – to the extent that when God calls us home, we have really not produced much of anything in our lives?  What if we spend our time & gifts in such a way that by the end of it we haven't really blessed or served others?   We simply give back to God at the end of our lives what God gave to us and nothing more.  OR - is it possible that God is calling each of us to do so much more with our lives?  Is God calling us to really use the time, gifts and skills he has given us for something bigger than ourselves?  Is God calling us to produce a great harvest of loving and serving and blessing others in our lives?  So that when we arrive at heaven's gate at the end of our lives we will hear verse 21 from God Himself - "The master was full of praise. `Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!'"  How about your life today?  Are you multiplying the skills and gifts that God has given you in your life?  Are you investing your skills and gifts in loving service of others?  Are you at least "doubling" God's investment in you?

Great commentary on Matthew chapter 25 titled "The Parables in the Olivet Discourse" is online at bible.org at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 31 verse 1 is such a powerful start to this powerful Psalm of David's - "O LORD, I have come to you for protection; don't let me be put to shame.  Rescue me, for you always do what is right."  In your life today, do you need protection from something?  If so, will you run to God for your protection?   Do you believe that God can rescue you?  Do you believe that God can save you from shame?  Do you believe that God always does what is right?  Did you catch that verse 5 from this Psalm were Jesus' last words on the cross.... "Into your hands I commit my spirit." (NIV)  Here it is from Luke 23:46 - "Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last." 

Proverbs - I love the beginning of Proverbs chapter 8 with the imagery of Wisdom calling out to all humankind!  Do you hear the call of wisdom in your life today??

Today we read in Proverbs chapter 8 verses 10 & 11: "Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge over pure gold. For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can be compared with it.”

Worship God:  Today's readings in Matthew today about the Parable of the Talents reminded me of the fantastic Matthew West song called "The Motions." Here are two video versions of this song, below. The first video is a great live version of the song, with Matthew telling a powerful story before the song. The second video is from a documentary shows Matthew going through vocal cord surgery, which is quite a scary thing for any of us to go through, much less a singer..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ7XhUIqoKk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d23mBY0nGY

Are you just going through the motions?  Click here for the eternal Motion!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her." Proverbs 8:10-11 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you would choose wisdom each day in your life, over money. Pray that growing in the wisdom of the Lord would be more important to you than climbing the corporate ladder.

Comments from You and Questions of the Day:  Based on Proverbs 8:10-11 above, Are you seeking God’s instruction in your life above all else? Do you agree with this Proverb that wisdom is far more valuable than riches? Is reading the Bible each day in 2010 adding to your wisdom? Are you seeking to do more than just read the Bible this year? Are you diving into further study of the Bible? Are you allowing your study of the Bible to transform you? Are you allowing the Bible to change how you think, act, and live? Are you allowing the Bible to give you godly wisdom? Will you accept God’s free gift of Biblical wisdom each and every day of your life?  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

[Ramona]

Exodus 26:1-27:21

Upon reading the following,

And you shall make fifty clasps of gold and fasten the curtains together with the clasps; then the tabernacle shall be one whole. (Exodus 26:6 AMP)

The Apostle Paul’s words came to me,

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. (Romans 12:5 KJVR)

I believe the Tabernacle represents not only the Body of Christ, the Church, but Christ’s Body as well. I’m not sure how the construction and the furnishings actually match up to the Body, but I have this strong sense that everything, even the placement of the furniture and utensils is represented in the Church and in the New Jerusalem.

Matthew 25:1-30

The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids/Virgins amazes me that five women would carry lamps and not have oil to light the lamps. To me that is like carrying a purse with nothing in it, which would make the purse/pocketbook a matching accessory holding nothing of value. If the Kingdom of Heaven is like that then the ramifications and illlustration to us are tremendous: are we for show, carrying the illusions of readiness or are we well prepared for the long haul?

The servant who buried his Talent after clearly being told to invest what was given to him (verse 14), gives two reasons for burying what he was given:

1) The “Master” was hard.
2) The “Master” was a thief.
3) Fear.

However, the Master called him plan old lazy after stating that he was wicked. That I believe was the real reason for God taking away what He had. He didn’t understand or refuse to give the proper value to what was given him. Each was given “gold” according to his ability.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

[Frederick Y]

The two Parables

In the ten virgins parables, I can imagine that the five foolish virgins knew that they waited for the bridegroom. Yet they were disobedient. They knew their reason of being there and they observed the five wise virgins. But they did not fulfill their roles.

For the parable of the talents, my hunch is Jesus was talking to we Christians. The Lord in the parable gave each and every servant some money, including the one with 1 talent. The Lord was expecting each of the servant to yield for him. This is a very alarming reminder to us, Christians, that we should use the 'talents' from God in our earthly lives.

[Lesley Pettitt]

The Proverb for today is so true. Wisdom of God's word is the greatest thing of all.

[Raeann]

13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

[John A.]

Exodus 26-27:21

The tabernacle (26:1-37)

Old Testament

The Lord commanded that the tabernacle to be built so that he could "dwell among" the people (Exodus 25:8, 29:45-46).

New Testament

God dwells within Christ (Colossians 2:9), whose body is a temple of God (John 2:19-20).

In Christ, God became flesh and dwells, or, more literally, "tabernacles," among us (John 1:14).

The Spirit of the Father and the Son dwells within each follower of Jesus (1 Corinthians 6:19) and among the followers of Jesus (2 Corinthians 6:16), who together comprise his body (Ephesians 4:12) in whom his Spirit dwells. He will also dwell with his people forever (Revelation 21:3).

The veil (26:31-35)

Old Testament

The veil served as a partition between the most holy place and the holy place, the most holy place being where God dwelt (26:33). Only the high priest could enter into the most holy place, into the presence of God, and even he could enter only once a year to make atonement for the people (Leviticus 16:2, 34; Hebrews 9:7)

New Testament

When Christ was crucified, the veil of the temple was torn (Mark 15:37-38). The veil symbolized Christ's flesh, which was similarly torn, thereby enabling all his followers to enter into the presence of God (Hebrews 10:19-20).

The altar of burnt offering (27:1-8)

Old Testament

The altar is where animals were sacrificed repeatedly for the people's sins.

New Testament

Christ, the Lamb of God (John 1:36), offered himself up as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 7:27, 10:10).

Followers of Jesus are to offer up their bodies to God (Romans 12:1) and, as a sacrifice, offer up praise to him (Hebrews 13:15).
http://www.pbc.org/files/messages/10447/exo025.html

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Due to not wanting this post to be too long :) If you have an interest:

Courtyard
http://www.bible-history.com/tabernacle/TAB4The_Outer_Court.htm

Symbolism of Metals used, colors used, and of oil for the Lampstand:
http://www.bible-history.com/tabernacle/TAB4Preparing_for_the_Tabernacle.htm

[John A.]

Matthew 25

Want to post about the ten virgins. In Matthew 24, Christ ends up talking about the final full end (end of the age/world) when the Son of Man comes.

Next are the parables. What are they talking about? Matthew starts out with "at that time" or "then" - when is that? The final full end - the end of the age/world that Jesus was discoursing on at the end of Chapter 24.

If this is true, then we have a problem with traditional teachings of this parable: talking about the virgins as the Church and the oil as the Holy Spirit.

1) The church is the Bride of Christ. Not virgins (those who do not know Christ).

2) The wedding has occured already, and the groom is returning to the wedding banquet. Church at this point is married to Christ, and the virgins are outsiders to the Church.

3) The Holy Spirit cannot be purchased - it is a gift of God.

4) Once given the Holy Spirit you cannot lose Him. It does not run out.

[Note: Oil as "Saving Grace" could be one solution, but I am not comfortable with it for some reason.]
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Ten Virgins

So who are these people? Remember Matthew was written for the Jewish people. Plenty of OT references that they would understand.

Today in Exodus 27:20-21 - The Hebrew tribes are instructed to put oil in the lamp and always keep it lit.

Perhaps this is a picture of the Jewish nation in end times. The picture of the lamp being lit is perhaps the symbolism of the everlasting belief in the covenant between God and Israel. Some will believe, and be open to accepting Christ at the full final end. Those will enter the Kingdom of heaven. Others will not as they let their belief in God and the covenant die out - and they will be shut out from the kingdom of heaven.
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Look, I know this is a very different way of looking at this parable, and I just put it out there for you to consider. Given Matthews intended audience, and the context of following Jesus' discourse at end of Matt 24 - I am loathe to just throw it out as silly. Quite frankly, I am still praying and thinking about it. The full link to the article that caught my attention is here and it has plenty of OT references and explanations:
http://www.raptureready.com/soap/ten_virgins.html

Not ready to post about the talents in next parable yet - still thinking :)

[m.s.]

i love 1 year bible