Thoughts on the readings for March 24th (Numbers 5, Proverbs 2, Luke 16)

Numbers 5 tells of regulations for dealing with diseased and ceremonially unclean people. It also tells of the rules for these "unclean" people to re-enter the Holy Camp, where the LORD dwelt. The chapter finishes with a test for when a jealous husband suspects his wife has committed adultery. The underlying reason for the offerings that accompanied the restoration of the "unclean" person and the wife who was now clear from the suspicion of her jealous husband was that faithfulness was not accidental, but was an essential part of being the Yahweh's covenant people. It placed upon the Israelites the responsibility of holiness. Hence for the restoration of the ceremonially unclean and the vindicated wife the offering associated with restored fellowship was the guilt offering. Whilst outside the camp the ceremonially guilty parties had not been able to give their reasonable service. For the wife of the jealous husband the acquittal from guilt, or the proving of guilt, was a process that was divinely made. Hence the use of dust from the Tabernacle's floor. Proverbs 2 tells of the value in a life of wisdom. The opening verse speaks of a faithful father's advice to his son. As Solomon is the author he would be recollecting David's advice to him. Verses 1-22 present wisdom as a precious treasure and a safeguard against choosing bad company, or acting against the commandments of the LORD. Wisdom will not be gained without wholehearted effort. But the effort expended will be richly compensated. God will grant wisdom to the diligent seekers. These seekers will develop characteristics that will be pleasing to their Father. The other side of the coin describes the avoidance of traps that we lay for ourselves when we trust in ourselves. We will shun the wicked woman whose heart is set upon capturing and destroying the upright. She is the other woman in Proverbs. The evil, lurking woman is described in detail in chapter 5. Verses 20 to 22 tell us that those who choose to walk in wisdom's way will inherit the eternal kingdom of Christ on earth. At the same time of the inheritance of the unfaithful - the wicked - will, verse 22, be rooted from the earth. Those thoughts are the same as those found in Psalm 37. Luke 16 verses 1 to13 speaks of the parable of the dishonest manager. That lazy and double dealing manager's behaviour is thoroughly unscrupulous. However, in view of his reluctance to work this corrupt steward has secured a temporary safeguard by unjustly favouring future "friends" who will take care of him. When that servant is dismissed from his job he hopes that his newly acquired friends will look after him. Jesus does not in any way commend dishonest behaviour, but, our Lord says that utilising resources for future outcomes is a behaviour in which 'the children of this age' outshine the 'children of light'. The parable can be explained that we hope to receive of our Lord "the true riches" ie eternal life. We are also taught that we must use what we have ie any material wealth in Christ's service. How we have used it is likely to be an index of our faithfulness. All we have God has richly given us. Are we bountiful in bestowing it to help others? Or are we selfish? The Law and the Prophets belonged to an era until John the Baptist came. Now believers must seize the initiative and press into the Kingdom of God. Jesus teaches us that divorce is to be abhorred and that a divorced person should not remarry. The chapter then outlines the parable of the rich man - who is called by some Dives - and Lazarus (the beggar). Note it is a parable addressed to the Pharisees and is not in any way a literal story. It was a derisive taunt against the Pharisees, who had adopted the Grecian mythology about 'immortal souls'. The parable also has a strong message to the high priest Caiaphas and the priestly Sadducean class. Caiaphas had five brothers each of whom succeeded to the rank of high priest. The Sadducees did not believe in resurrection (Acts 23 verses 7 and 8). Within a short time of our giving this parable our Lord Jesus would raise Lazarus from the dead (John 11). And that miracle would result in the Sadducees plotting to kill Jesus. The Sadducees also sought to kill Lazarus because he was a living proof of what they would not believe. Again the parable can be explained at a number of levels. Even in Jesus' derisive taunt punctuation can make the world of difference. The rich man died and was buried in hell - this is universally true for all all of us. Then in the words of the parable followed the resurrection which will be for those who having known better rejected to behave in a Godly way. After resurrection there will be a time of torment - weeping and gnashing of teeth - for the rejected (Matthew 25). Note Jesus tells that the import of the parable is to teach resurrection (verses 30-31). Both classes of leaders (Pharisees and Sadducees) stood condemned because of their failure to "hear the Law and the Prophets". Another clear import of the parable is that a failure to show mercy in our lives today will guarantee our failure to receive from God entry into the kingdom soon to be established. 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-24th-numbers-5-proverbs-2-luke-16/?feed_id=88300&_unique_id=67dfdde3398cd