In Numbers we come to the fourth of the five books which are called "The Book of Moses". It is an account of Israel's wanderings in the wilderness following the nation's miraculous deliverance from Egypt; as a necessary punishment for their disobedience and of vital importance in shaping the new generation that would enter into the Promised Land. Numbers chapter 1 is a census of all the men who were twenty years old and above. We are told in verse 46 that the total was 603,550 men. This did not include the Levites who were not numbered. Numbers 26 provides a census for the new generation about to enter into the Promised Land. The new generation numbered 601,730. The second numbering should have seen an increase in the population of Israel. Instead there was a decrease due to the failure of the older members of the nation to take heed to the Word of God. And because of this we are told that they perished in the wilderness due to their evil heart of unbelief; and failure to hear the words of the Living God (Hebrews chapters 3, 4).
Psalm 143 is a prayer of David's in which he tells of his thirst for God's righteousness. It is perhaps the writer's reflection on Psalm 42, which was authored by the sons of Korah. It is of course an insight into the mind of the Messiah - our Lord Jesus Christ, who declares in Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be satisfied". David's spirit had been crushed by persecution. However when the Psalmist, in verses 5-8 reflects on Yahweh's wonderful past deeds his spirit revived within him. The Psalm concludes with David's remembrance of the LORD's steadfastness and loving kindness; and David's own determination to be be taught by these qualities of the Almighty and be both taught and led in the paths of salvation.
Psalm 144 is a companion Psalm to Psalm 8. Both were written by David to celebrate his slaying of the giant Goliath recorded in 1 Samuel 17. Psalm 144 tells of David's aspirations and motivations as he went out to confront this colossus of flesh. It was that the people of the LORD might prosper in peace and walk in the ways of their God. An interesting study can be made by using a concordance to look at the different Hebrew words that are used for "man" in both Psalms. The exercise should prove instructive and provide valuable lessons as to how faithful people need to think.
In Luke 11 we start with a record of, what is termed, the Lord's Prayer. It is a model prayer, not a mantra to be repeated without thought. It commenced with an acknowledgement of the Father's awe inspiring status. The follows petitions for the Almighty's will to be on earth, as it is in heaven. The kingdom will come when Messiah returns in glory. Lastly are personal petitions for forgiveness and for food. The prayer closed with an acclaim for the praise, greatness and glory of our Sovereign. Then followed generosity among friends and our need to be seekers, askers and knockers on doors. Our Father is generous and gives only benefits to His children. Upon curing a deaf mute Jesus is accused of doing it by a demon power Beel-zebul - the Lord of the dung heap. This was equivalent to blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Jesus told them that if he was casting out diseases by a demonic power then he would be a destroyer of the kingdom of the enemy. No, like the magicians of Egypt at the time of Moses were forced to acknowledge- "this was the finger of God". A parable of the need to fill with good after sweeping out evil followed. True happiness lay in hearing and keeping the Word of God. The sign of Jonah was given them. There is more to this sign than would first seem apparent. 1) Jonah from Gath-Hepher was from Galilee (John 7 verses 52 verse 2) Jonah means 'dove' the evident sign at Jesus' baptism; 3) the overwhelming majority of Jesus' disciples were Galilean as Isaiah 9 predicted; 4) Jonah spent three nights in the belly of hell inside the great fish before being symbolically resurrected. Then we are told to be single minded seekers. Woes upon the Pharisees and the Lawyers follow, because of their hypocrisy. Rather than having the effect of curtailing them they sought even more to provoke our Lord.
Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphianvideo.org
See more Thoughts from the Christadelphian Dialy Bible Reading Planner (By R.Roberts) here...
https://christadelphianvideo.org/thoughts-on-the-readings-for-march-20th-numbers-1-psalms-143-144luke-11/?feed_id=88091&_unique_id=67da6f2560713
No comments:
Post a Comment