February 25th readings

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Leviticus 16:29-18:30 ~ Mark 7:24-8:10
Psalm 41:1-13 ~ Proverbs 10:15-16

Old Testament - Today we finish up Leviticus chapter 16 with a very simple but powerful statement in verse 34 - "Moses followed all these instructions that the LORD had given to him."  Moses followed all of the instructions...  That sounds so simple, but think about really how amazing it is.  Moses did not veer to the left or the right.  He stayed on the narrow path.  He followed the instructions.  The Sermon on the Mount in Matthews 5-7 is a nice summary of some instructions to us from Jesus.  Can what was said of Moses be said of us today?  Are we following all of the instructions Jesus has given us?  Don't beat yourself up over this if the answer is no.  Not one of us is perfect this side of heaven - except for Jesus.  Moses was not perfect either. But, I think we can hopefully learn something from Moses' obedience to God's instructions.  I do believe that each of us today can walk along the narrow path to follow Jesus in faith, follow his teachings in faith, and become more and more like Him as we go.  Even if we trip or stumble along the Way, if we continue in our faith in Jesus and who he truly is, we will indeed become more like Him as we follow Him.  How well are you doing at following Jesus' instructions in your life today?

Bob Deffinbaugh at bible.org's commentary on Leviticus chapter 17, "The Preciousness of Blood," is at this link.   A quote from Bob from this link - "The Israelite of old learned from Leviticus, as nowhere else up to that point in time, the preciousness of blood to God. How much greater value does blood take on for the New Testament saint, whose blessings are all a result of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. As Harrison summarizes the matter, "The blood is the life of the flesh (Lev. 17:11), and it is through the atoning blood of Christ that the believer receives redemption (I Pet. 1:18-19), forgiveness (Eph. 1:7), justification (Rom. 5:9), spiritual peace (Col. 1:20), and sanctification (Heb. 13:12)."

Leviticus 18 is primarily a chapter about forbidden sexual practices.  However - before we get to those - I think verses 1-5 are incredibly powerful as God reminds the Israelites that he is their God - and that he has set them apart from the pagans surrounding them - and that his laws must be obeyed by the Israelites - "Then the LORD said to Moses, "Say this to your people, the Israelites: I, the LORD, am your God. So do not act like the people in Egypt, where you used to live, or like the people of Canaan, where I am taking you. You must not imitate their way of life. You must obey all my regulations and be careful to keep my laws, for I, the LORD, am your God. If you obey my laws and regulations, you will find life through them. I am the LORD."  As I read this I see the compassionate nature of God throughout history.  The laws were so much better than the pagan ways of the nations surrounding Israel.  The laws were better.  More compassionate than immorality to be sure.  Check out again Bob Deffinbaugh on Leviticus chapter 18 verses 1-5 titled "Obedience—The Obligation of Being Owned" at this link.  And below is one of my favorite obedience cartoons... :)

For the rest of Leviticus chapter 18 I'm going to punt once again over to Bob Deffinbaugh at bible.org at this link.   Here's a quote from Bob at this link - "Leviticus 18:6-29 has a very simple structure and message. Its intent is to define the boundaries of godly human sexual relationships. There are three of them, which I call the inner, middle, and outer boundaries of godly sexuality. Verses 6 through 18 define the “inner boundary,” prohibiting sexual relationships with close relatives. Verses 19 and 20 define the “middle boundary,” which limits sexual relations within marriage and prohibits them outside marriage. Verses 21 through 23 define the “outer boundary” of unnatural sexual relations. Verses 24 through 29 tell us about God’s judgment upon a nation that crosses these boundaries. They clearly tell us that God’s judgment for sexual sin is all nations, not just the covenant nation of Israel."

New Testament - Mark chapter 7 opens up with a gentile woman begging Jesus to release her daughter from the control of a demon.  Verses 27 through 29 are a fascinating look at Jesus' ministry -  "Jesus told her, "First I should help my own family, the Jews. It isn't right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs." She replied, "That's true, Lord, but even the dogs under the table are given some crumbs from the children's plates." "Good answer!" he said. "And because you have answered so well, I have healed your daughter."  Here we see that Jesus' ministry was initially to the Jews, but here he heals a gentile woman's daughter because of her humility and faith.  And of course as we get to the Great Commission at the end of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus' ministry is clearly for "all nations".  In fact, Mark's Gospel is a good indicator of how Jesus' ministry quickly expanded beyond the Jews as Mark likely wrote this Gospel in Rome and to a primarily Roman gentile believer audience.  Jeff Miller from Bible.org's commentary on Mark chapter 7 is at this link.

Today in chapter 7 verses 32 through 34 we read - "A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to him, and the people begged Jesus to lay his hands on the man to heal him. Jesus led him to a private place away from the crowd. He put his fingers into the man's ears. Then, spitting onto his own fingers, he touched the man's tongue with the spittle. And looking up to heaven, he sighed and commanded, "Be opened!" Instantly the man could hear perfectly and speak plainly!" I love this image below based on these verses... please meditate on this image for a few moments...  What do you think is going through this man's mind at this moment?  What is he experiencing?

Psalms - Today we read in Psalm 41 verse 1 – “Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble.” For some reason this verse really opens up my heart. Something about the word “weak.” Maybe this verse really speaks to me because I myself feel weak at times. And yet, I am so blessed in so many ways. And I realize that there are so many others out there in this world who may not have the blessings that I have, and who are struggling through an extremely tough cycle of weakness. And I wonder – what am I doing to help those who are weak? Do I really have regard for the weak? Do you? What in our life really demonstrates that we have regard for the weak? Are we investing time or finances into the weak? Are we praying for the weak? Are we loving the weak?

Proverbs - Proverbs chapter 10 verse 16 is powerful stuff! "The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin."  This is so true.  I know there have been times in my life in the past where I was not walking with the Lord and I absolutely squandered my money on sin - and my life was certainly not enhanced in the process. For some reason this verse also makes me think about how sometimes we pursue big salaries and big jobs or careers so that we can spend big bucks on a lavish lifestyle.  And I wonder... at the end of the day what that game buys us?  I don't think much.  I have been thinking more and more lately about how much wisdom there is in living a simple godly life.  Maybe take a job that pays less.... but where you work less... you are less stressed... but you can do things like spend more time with God, your family, your friends, and serving others....  where you can read more good books... exercise more.... sleep a full 8 hours a night....  enjoy each day and not be so worried all the time about the future...    Sure - with a job that pays less you won't be able to be out and about on the town each night living the "high life".  But is this really living?  Really?    In my own life, I do think about how much "earnings" do I really need - and if maybe.... perhaps.... somehow less is actually more?

Comments from You & Question of the Day - Based on these Proverbs reflections above, do you think living with less can somehow actually add more to our lives?  Is there value in living a simple life?  What are some simple life habits that you are practicing these days? 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

[John]

Psalm 41
This is considered a messianic psalm, but the first four verses speak so emphatically to me:

"1Blessed is he who has regard for the weak;
the LORD delivers him in times of trouble.

2 The LORD will protect him and preserve his life;
he will bless him in the land
and not surrender him to the desire of his foes.

3 The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed
and restore him from his bed of illness.

4 I said, "O LORD, have mercy on me;
heal me, for I have sinned against you.""

I oftened wondered right after my salvation why God drew me to him so I could make a choice for Salvation, or chose me for salvation (depending on your doctrine). Why me? Why?

Maybe the clue is in this psalm. As bad as I was - and I was very bad in an extremely self-centered way. I always had a soft heart for the weak. Financially or capability wise. The only thing that could break my revelry of self-indulgence was a pitiful situation, and I felt the need to do something. I did, but lest one think that this made me a good person - I did it to make myself feel better, and went right back to my hedonistic life. Thus it was a decent act rooted in iniquity.

Yet it fulfills the first verse. I did have regard for the weak, and the Lord did deliver me from the worst of troubles - damnation.

Half a dozen times I should have been seriously injured or killed. In the military, during drinking bouts, assaulted and robbed, etc. Often police or co-workers commented on how "lucky I was". I was blessed, even though I was not a believer. God delivered me from the desire of his foe - Satan. I am sure Satan wanted to collect the life that would be damned with him. God would not allow it, until I had the chance for salvation (or until he saved me - again a doctrine issue).

In the end - I had a crippling mental illness. It was getting worse at an increasing pace. Yet at salvation, I was restored, mentally better than in my youth.

My prayers at salvation included the thoughts of verse four, along with a complete submission to God's Will.

I had read thru this psalm briefly and quickly a few times in the past. It wasn't until tonight, I saw myself in the Psalm.

God is good! :)

[John]

Psalm 41

"9Even my close friend, whom I trusted,
he who shared my bread,
has lifted up his heel against me."

Foreshadowing Judas, confirmed by Peter in Acts 1:16

"and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus—" (NIV)

[Micah Girl]

Simplicity has been my goal for this year, and already my life seems clearer and more focused. Rather than filling up every hour with commitments from the moment I wake up I have been reading the bible and exercising. I am next going to be working on extended prayer time which has been eluding me. The materialism of our culture is constantly urging me to work more, spend more, and sacrifice for stuff rather than people. I am going to continue to keep as my priorities (thought not perfectly) God & people.

[Roslyn]

This is for Laura Jones from yesterday's comments.

Thank you for your kind words. Indeed I feel blessed to have been gifted with a beautiful marriage and a wonderful daughter. My late husband's passing left treasured memories of unconditional love, love that is patient, kind, understanding, never jealous...

[Pat K.]

I have made simplicity my goal for this year. I use to work long hours and didn't have time for anything. I was miserable. I spent time with God in prayer and boy did he give me a nice part time job and I make more on this job than on the one I spent hours working. He really has blessed me. I have time for my personal life. I was more concerened about having time for things like church and spending more time with family and he just has really blessed me. Isn't that just like our God????

In reading Leviticus, It reveals how precise and exact our God is to things and though it might not make sense to us, it draws my attention to how awesome God is. He covers every minute detail and leaves nothing undone. This should speak to us about how thorough God is in seeing to it that we are taken care of. It also makes me Grateful and thankful that Jesus fulfilled all this through His dying on the cross and accounting for all sin and became the Supreme Sacrifice and escape goat that we not have the consequences of our sins fall on us but, our sin fell instead on Him who died and rose again just for us so we might be set free from all these year to year sacrifices for sins and being unclean.

It should make every person with deep respect to God for all that He has done for us and all he asks is simple obedience to Him. He already prepared, and provided all, A-L-L- for us and Just wants us to simply Believe and accept.

Why we make it so complex is because of the finite ways that we as yet are growing daily out of and as the Holy Spirit of God does what Philippians 1:6 says we are being conformed in to the image of His dear Son.

May every one as we approach Easter in another month, begin to meditate on these things that God gave for us to be having continual fellowship with Him as If they had never sinned. Now we must learn to let Him change us within through our prayers, reading of His Word and letting His Holy Spirit work in our lives.

[Ramona]

Leviticus 16:29-18:30

I don’t have much to say about this particular passage that hasn’t been covered by either me or someone on the site; however, there is something very interesting that caught my eye, the Sabbath. When we were in Exodus we had a discussion on our designated day of rest, Saturday or Sunday, and should we adhere to the whatever day was the true Sabbath.

In verses 29 through 31 of chapter 16, the Sabbath is presented as a designated day and not an actual set day of the week. I’m not sure how many days the Jewish Religious and or Secular calendar has (Some Mid-Eastern Religious Calendars have 360 days), but my birthday is celebrated in the same month, November, and the same day, the 15th, however, the day of the week is never the same from year to year.

God gives Moses a command to celebrate the Day of Atonement on a set date in a specific month and He calls it a Sabbath day. That day then could fall on the first day of the week, the middle day or on the last day of the week from year to year.

"On the appointed day in early autumn, you must spend the day fasting and not do any work. This is a permanent law for you, and it applies to those who are Israelites by birth, as well as to the foreigners living among you. On this day, atonement will be made for you, and you will be cleansed from all your sins in the LORD's presence. It will be a Sabbath day of total rest, and you will spend the day in fasting. This is a permanent law for you. (Leviticus 16:29-31 NLT)

In the Message, it reads like this:

"This is standard practice for you, a perpetual ordinance. On the tenth day of the seventh month, both the citizen and the foreigner living with you are to enter into a solemn fast and refrain from all work, because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. In the presence of GOD you will be made clean of all your sins. It is a Sabbath of all Sabbaths. You must fast. It is a perpetual ordinance. (Leviticus 16:29-31 MSG)

Grace and peace,
Ramona

[John]

Mark

From Feb 23rd:
"Note twelve baskets. As if to say, 'I am the God that can (spiritually) feed all twelve tribes of Israel.' Remember this."

Now Jesus is back in Decaopolis again and feeding 4,000. I used to wonder why repeat basically the same story in the same gospel.

This is different because these people are gentiles.

"Many people in New Testament times believed that the inhabitants of the Decapolis were those whom Joshua had driven from the Promised Land—the seven pagan nations (Josh. 3:10; Acts 13:19). They viewed the land as the place of the “expelled ones,” the worshipers of Baal."

http://www.spring.arbor.edu/printable_template.jsp?show_print=no&backPageID=1557&smpl_sakey=4591

After the feeding there were seven baskets of leftovers. The symbolism before was:

'I am the God that can (spiritually) feed all twelve tribes of Israel.'

Now add:
'AND I am the God that can (spiritually) feed the Seven nations (gentiles).'

Jesus may have been sent originally to the Jews, and certainly He commanded the Apostles to concentrate on Jewish ministry up to this point. However from various examples we have seen up to this point Jesus himself ministered to Both Jews and Gentiles.

John 1:12
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—"

"all" - whomsoever will

[Bald Man]

Mike,
Simplicity goes to perspective. For example, do we compare ourselves to the rich or the poor? With hat and whom do we surround ourselves, thus setting the context by which we view our own lives? In order to set a proper perspective it's becoming my practice to begin any economic discussion or deliberation with this thought: "Every three seconds a person dies of AIDS or poverty." (http://one.org )