March 6th One Year Bible Readings

Numbers 6:1-7:89 ~ Mark 12:38-13:13 ~ Psalm 49:1-20 ~ Proverbs 10:27-28
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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." Below is a great image for Proverbs 10:28 from today's readings:

Worship God: Based on reading the Aaronic blessing today in Numbers, here's the blessing sung as a duet.  Beautiful!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQNZs7preGw

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

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on three verses of Scripture today: ""The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that God will bless you and keep you. Pray that Jesus will give you peace. Pray Numbers 6:24-46 for your family and neighbors today.

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

[Ramona]

Numbers 6-7:89

In the dedication of oneself to the Lord as a Nazirite (note in the Hebrew text, the English translation in the Tanakh, Nazirite is not capitalized), if someone defiles you by dying in your presence, you are required to present a “sin” offering as well as a guilt offering. This shows us how insidious sin is even when we are not participating in sin ourselves. The sin that is committed around us by others brings guilt upon us. So sin is not an individual thing, like yeast it spreads to those around us just because it is sin.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). Every time the people gathered to hear what the Lord had spoken the people heard, 24 The Lord bless you and protect you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace. God, because He made us, knows that it takes us hearing something over and over again before we believe it and this would “train” His people to understand His relationship with them. 27 In this way they will put My name on the Israelites, and I will bless them."

I was wondering why every tribe brought the exact same gift as they presented their gift to Moses after the Tabernacle was anointed and consecrated. But it makes perfect sense because God is not a respecter of persons so as long as everyone’s gift was the same, no one could claim a higher or lesser place in God’s sight based on what they gave.
Which leads into today’s Gospel reading.
Mark 12:38-13:13

Folks not only jockey for power and position by the number of alphabets they have behind their names (degrees), but in a great many churches, including mine, people parade their counterfeit-power by the colorfulness and the high-powered labels on their clothes. This is a very easy trap to fall into and Jesus address his disciples and those he taught to watch out for these trappings from people who behind close doors or out of the light of day manipulate people to gather up money and property that don’t belong to them and cover it up by pretending to be holy.

One of the things I find interesting about the widow that Jesus observed, it doesn’t say that Jesus ran or called after her so he could give her back her money. Jesus knew that there is a blessing in giving and He would have deprived her of that blessing if he had told her a) not to give, or b) given her money back to her. We need to encourage those who think they are poor because they lack monetary wealth to give to God because no one can out give God and it is in our giving that we receive.

Jesus foretelling of the end times is both a blessing and a stumbling block to people. There are those who know that the injustices they see will not last forever and they will be given an opportunity to proclaim Jesus’ name to the nations or ethnos. This will user in opportunities to spread the Good News or Gospel, which is our primary purpose however uncomfortable the situation may be. Then there are those who sit around talking amongst themselves trying to figure out how long or short His return will be based on how they read the political and environmental climate. The problem with that is there is so much time being spent doing this they are not following the command of Jesus, which is to “occupy until I return.” Talents are being buried and are not being put to good use because we are talking about the wrong things.

We use fear to try to get people into the Kingdom when they are suppose to come by faith (Hebrews 11:6)

Psalm 49:

This is a Psalm that tells it like it is. It seems to be something one would find in the Book of Proverbs, but here it sits in Psalms. If ever anyone needs to be reminded of the fragility of wealth, the frailty of intimidation and brute force, and the foolishness of human knowledge, one only need to turn to the Forty-ninth Psalm to get the straight deal.

And as we go into the reading of today’s Proverb we see that our love affair with the human trappings of man’s power, wealth, might and human knowledge comes with defense.

Proverbs 10:27-28

27 Fear of the LORD lengthens one's life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.
28 The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked are all in vain.

I think where we go wrong in this affair when we think that life is confined to breathing and walking on this planet earth in our earth suits. We forget that we are spiritual beings trying to master the human experience. Our longevity is not in question, what is in question is at what location we are going to spend the rest of our spiritual lives: Like real estate its, location, location, location.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

[E]

I just wanted to share with everyone the goodness of the Lord and testify to His Power - over the past few days I have been struggling with feelings of hurt and anger with the leadership of my church about the way in which they handled something with me. I knew the devil was trying to plant a root of bitterness in me to destroy the love I have for my brothers and sisters, and I knew I did not want this to happen. I cried out to the Lord to help me, because in my natural self I was hurt and unable to forgive. When I read the Aaronic blessing in todays reading I knew the Lord was telling me to say this for the people who hurt me. (We always say this blessing in our church each Sunday and as I said it I pictured all those people) - as I pronounced the blessing, all my feelings of anger and hurt just melted away, and I was deeply aware of the SPirit of GOd working in me in power and I just want to Give glory to God for this, I know it was his power by the Holy Spirit working this in me as I obeyed his teaching. I want to give encouragement to all, that the Lord is a very present help in times of danger, and when we submit to his will me really does transform us into his likeness - what a victory! Thank you Jesus xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx His work is living and active! Praise His NAme.

[Raeann]

Why was EVERYTHING so repetative in our OT reading in chapter 7? 10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

[Tom Hester]

The year was 1955 and I became part of a Choir at the High School I was attending and the "Aaronic Blessing" became a significant part of my life. This was a signature piece of music for our choir. It has been a valuable part of my life and in how I serve the Lord. How often we forget to offer a blessing on all those around us. May the Lord Bless you and keep you, is all that need be said and your world will change.
In His service,
Tom

[Dee]

There is so much good comments today, I don't know where to begin! Numbers Aaronic Blessing is indeed a beautiful one: I think the only thing we can add to it that others didn't really say above is: when you pray and speak these words into others lives, don't forget that God is speaking to YOU also, so when you are praying in the mornings, remember to ask the Lord to Bless You, Protect You, and His face to smile upon You, and be gracious to You today, The Lords favor be on You, and give You peace. You can replace the you with your direct name. God likes personal prayers as well as praying for others. Always remember You are loved and needed in the Fathers work and He isn't a respector of persons so whether, rich, or poor, short or tall, big or small, Come one, Call all, for the Harvest is Ripe, Fields are plentiful and ready for harvesting and entering that precious seed of the Word of God into the Lost and dying world!!

Be Blessed~~DeeDee

[Sheena]

I have to agree, because I believe every word of the bible is true, although I'm not sure how would lengthen your physical life. Maybe it's referring to our eternal life - if we fear God, we will spend our eternity in life with him. I think fear of the Lord is a good thing, something not taught well today. We don't fear God just for being God - being a great, powerful, omniscient God. We live like there are no consequences for our actions, or as if we're only worried about the human, earthly consequences (is there a law against it? will so and so be mad at me?). I also think we have lost our awe and wonder of God. It's good that we can come to him as our Father, but again, we've lost that feeling of smallness and reverance.