Leviticus 9:7-10:20 ~ Mark 4:26-5:20 ~ Psalm 37:30-40 ~ Proverbs 10:6-7
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Old Testament - Today in Leviticus chapter 9 we read about Aaron & his sons beginning their priestly ministry. I liked verse 24 as a closing verse to this chapter: "Fire blazed forth from the LORD's presence and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When the people saw all this, they shouted with joy and fell face down on the ground." I think what this verse does for me is to really confirm that all of the Offerings we are reading about in Leviticus were ordained by God at that time and that what we are reading about in Leviticus is truly part of God's story. Not that I ever doubted this fact - but, when you read about God consuming the offering in fire in such a dramatic fashion, you realize that God was fully pleased with the priest's and the people's obedience. The Offerings are part of God's story - and are foreshadowing the final Offering of Jesus on the cross. Do you believe the Offerings are a part of our spiritual history?
In Leviticus chapter 10 we read about the disobedience of Nadab and Abihu. You'll recall 2 days ago that we read in Leviticus Chapter 6 verse 13: "Remember, the fire must be kept burning on the altar at all times. It must never go out." Commentaries state that the fire was never to go out because the fire was started by God. Humans were not to bring man-made fire to the altar, or they would die. I realize that this can seem like a very harsh punishment for disobedience. Commentaries suggest that because Nadab and Abihu were in such high spiritual leadership positions, their disobedience carried the risk of leading many people astray. One commentary at this link suggests that Nadab and Abihu may have been intoxicated on wine, based on God's subsequent instruction for priestly worship in Leviticus 10:9 - "You and your descendants must never drink wine or any other alcoholic drink before going into the Tabernacle. If you do, you will die." It may help to remember that we saw disobedience from others earlier in the Bible - and we'll see disobedience again later in the Bible - without the consequence of immediate death. But, in this case, disobedience brought death. Think about the risk of disobedience in our lives today. Yeah, sure, maybe we can get away with something dangerous/disobedient 9 times out of 10 - but, there is always the risk that perhaps the 10th time could prove lethal. So - why take the risk of disobedience at all? Is it worth it? Ever?
New Testament - I love the parable of the growing seed in Mark chapter 4 verses 26-29. This parable only occurs in the Gospel of Mark. I equate the seed to be the Gospel, which is filled with so much power and truth and life that "the seeds sprouted and grew without the farmer's help, because the earth produces crops on its own." The Gospel message is so powerful on its own that it will produce a bountiful crop. Or - maybe the Bible is another way to look at the seed. Reading and studying the Bible will ultimately produce a bountiful crop in our lives. It can't help but not do so. What do you think the seed represents in this parable? I'll share with you that I have been thinking more and more about farming these days - and the wisdom in how farming works. You plant, you water, you care for the soil, you wait, the plant grows. And this takes time. You reap what you sow. And I contrast this with our society today - or myself - and how everything moves so fast. We want instant gratification. Now! :) We don't like to wait on anything. We don't like the concept of farming... and I'm afraid that this speed of life today can really be unhealthy - or maybe superficial is the word I'm looking for. In any case, I think the patience and process of farming is something that has so much value for us still today. If we are struggling with sins or sadness or whatever, I think we absolutely need to take these things to Jesus for healing - but, we would do well to realize that Jesus may want to do some farming in our hearts. He may want to plant some seeds, and give the seeds some time to grow. Sure, maybe sometimes we'll get an instant gratification healing or answer. But I think more often than not we should be ready for some farming to occur in our hearts. And to thank God for the wisdom of this process!
I think my little tangent on farming and being patient during the process, above, might play in well to Jesus' next parable of the mustard seed in verses 30 through 32: "Jesus asked, "How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed. Though this is one of the smallest of seeds, it grows to become one of the largest of plants, with long branches where birds can come and find shelter."" I think if we can have faith in the seed that Jesus plants in our hearts - be it the Gospel, the Bible, healing, patience, faith - we will see an amazing plant grow that will ultimately bless others. From the tiniest beginnings, with patience and faith, can come the largest of plants. Will you let Jesus plant a needed mustard seed in your heart? And will you be patient and allow the seed time & space to grow?
Commentary from Bob Deffinbaugh at Bible.org on Mark chapter 4 titled "The Meaning of the Miracles" is at this link. Commentary from Bible.org on Jesus healing a demon possessed man in Mark chapter 5 titled the "Gerasene Demoniac" is at this link. Below is an image for the end of chapter 4 where we read about Jesus calming the storm:
Psalms - Psalm 37 verses 30 & 31 read like amazing Proverbs: "The godly offer good counsel; they know what is right from wrong. They fill their hearts with God's law, so they will never slip from his path." Are you filling your heart with God's teachings? Are you doing this so that you will never slip from His path? Are you offering good counsel to those around you? When others around you see you, do they see someone that clearly knows what is right from wrong? Below is a little Right & Wrong sign humor for you :) -
Proverbs - Proverbs 10 verse 7 is so simple but so true... "We all have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away." Who do you have happy memories of? Who have you forgotten? How will you be remembered? What will be your legacy?
Worship Video: Proverbs 10:7 reminds me of the song "Legacy" by Nicole Nordeman:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah1COE39ARs
Do you know your eternal Legacy? Click here to meet your Legacy Maker!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Fire blazed forth from the Lord’s presence and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When the people saw this, they shouted with joy and fell face down on the ground." Leviticus 9:24 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you will shout for joy for the Lord. Pray that you will humble yourself to fall before the Lord face down on the ground.
Comments from You & Question of the Day - What do you think of my farming analogies in the NT reflections above? Has our modern world forgotten about some of the principles of farming the land? Have we forgotten that we reap what we sow? Have we lost our patience, to the point where we will not even wait for the harvest to come in at its appointed time? Are we trying to control things in our modern day life that aren't controllable? Such as the "pace" at which a seed grows into a plant and a plant into a full harvest? In losing some of our knowledge of the principles of farming and growing, are we at risk of losing ourselves? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Love, Trust, and Obey Jesus,
Mike
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February 20th
Ramona, in case you missed my comment on your last post for the 19th, I said:
Thank you for sharing that, Ramona. It was edifying and informative. :)
I just want to highlight a few things from our reading in the NT, today.
Jesus tells two smaller parables about how the Kingdom of God grows from something small into something full and large:
Mark 4: 26 “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. 27 He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.
Mark 4: 30 “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, 32 yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches….
The Kingdom of God starts out small, but grows into a group of the people of God that is innumerable! This is the church, the called-out-ones, the saints; true believers in the their King, the Lord Jesus the Messiah, through faith, throughout all human history, all over the world. The details of the Kingdom are progressively revealed in scripture, by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is good to be part of the Kingdom and its community in Christ- one where He will rule the nations!
Geerhardus Vos writes, “The church is a form which the kingdom assumes in result of the new stage upon which the messiahship of Jesus enters with his death and resurrection.” Also, he states, “The church is that new congregation taking the place of the old congregation of Israel, which is formed by Jesus as the Messiah and stands under his Messianic rule.”
Revelation 7: 9 “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;”
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Jesus casts out the legion of demons from a man that lived among the tombs, cutting himself:
Mark 5: 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. 6 And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. 7 And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” 8 For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” 9 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” 10 And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. 11 Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, 12 and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” 13 So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.
Jesus dealt with a lot of demons! His holy power over them was absolute. Are demons active in our world today? Can people become possessed (literally, demonized) by demons? I tipped my hand earlier and said that I thought that it was true. What do you think?
Maranatha! IC -|- XC
Prayer for Today:
Lord thank You for the example of Your faithful front-line evangelists. Travel with them, giving them words to testify to Your holiness, no matter the price they pay. Amen.
Posted by: Jeffrey | February 19, 2022 at 07:19 PM
We have been reading a lot recently about God's ceremonial laws in the Old Testament. So why are we Christians not bound by these laws today? Great article on this topic here: https://www.gotquestions.org/ceremonial-law.html`
Posted by: John | February 19, 2022 at 07:21 PM
february 20th : In Leviticus 9:7-10:20, it was wrapped around offering: sin offering, burnt offering for Aaron, and his sons and community, but then a special gift "grain" offering offered for peace of the entire community. (Not the priest). The priest were in a high place, anointed. Very special and specific duties to carry out for the people. So, they carried the "spirit" and peace of God with them at all times, that is why they didn't need a grain offering from them, however, they were told to eat what was left of "grain" offering as a special meal, unleavened in front of alter, as their reward.
It is sad when Nadab and Abihu were both possibly intoxicated and burnt the "wrong" kind of offering at the alter. What was even sadder to me, is to have a Father witness 2 of his 4 children disobey so harshly and be killed in front of him and not be able to show remorse. That is hard. However, like in the bible it says: The wages of sin is death. Death comes with a high price. And like you said Mike, you might not die for the first sin, or second, or 9th but watch out..when sin is crouching at your door, if you don't succumb it and repent, turn and follow "The Way" watch out..death or heartache will ensue. Sin never pays well.
Mark 4:26-5:20
An amazing story: We receive parables, real illustrations to His disciples, storm, an intervention, and a healing and animals drowning all in one script. Jesus never spoke without using parables, familiarity and simple real life illustrations to every day people. He would describe it in laymen terms to his disciples. It is interesting..people were fearful of him, his disciples couldn't understand or comprehend him and demons wanted to "out" him. What I always find interesting is His great authority. Like in the storm..he slept so peacefully when the boat was ebbing and flowing, crashing and bumping.. He got up, Peace! Be Still! I hear him in my mind and I think, Man, I wish I had that type of authority in my dailies! I am a school teacher in a middle school sector..and it's hard. Students don't want to focus, want to disrupt. I would love to walk in with that peace, and authority to say Peace! Be Still, and they knew..authority was speaking ..I love the teachings of Jesus!
Psalm 37:30-40 It proves time and time again that good prevails! The godly offer good counsel. They teach right from wrong. They make God's law their own. They never slip from His path. Put hope in the Lord! Travel steadily on His path. He will honor You! Give you land. A wonderful future awaits for those honest and good. Those who love peace! The Lord rescues the godly, He is their fortress in times of trouble. He saves them. They find shelter in Him! Praise God!!
Proverbs: 10:6-7 The godly are showered with blessings! We have happy memories! yes amen.
Posted by: DD | February 20, 2022 at 07:27 AM
The phrase in relating to all the different offerings to the LORD “making them right with the LORD” appears multiple times. It reminds me of what Jesus did on the cross for us to make us right with God if we repent of our sin and put our faith in trust in Jesus.
Posted by: Linda | February 20, 2022 at 07:47 PM