Thoughts on the readings for March 30th (Numbers 12, 13, Proverbs 8, 9, Luke 22)

Numbers 12 describes Miriam's and Aaron's outspoken opposition to Moses. Moses emerges as an outstanding example of a servant of God. It was a clear case of jealousy from two older siblings towards their younger brother. Miriam was about 87 years of age, Aaron about 83 years of age and Moses was 80 years old. Miriam had led the Israeli women in song after the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea. Aaron had, sadly, failed in the incident of the golden calf - but this failure was uncharacteristic. As well as jealousy there may have been a degree of racism, since the record says they chose their point of argument to be that Moses had married an Ethiopian woman. The Lord God intervened against their disparaging criticism of Moses. Miriam who failed to understand the role of a sister, even a prophetess and sister of the leader, was smitten with leprosy. Aaron cried out calling upon Moses to heal her. Moses acknowledged and supported God's appointments and said that his sister and brother must support the divine arrangements. Miriam suffered for seven days before her Sovereign removed her affliction. The Almighty commends Moses' meekness and speaks of the superiority of Moses over regular prophets. Moses was more than a servant; he was Yahweh's friend and spoke directly with Him - not through dreams and visions. Moses was one of the greatest men in Old Testament history. Jesus' meekness was incomparable - see Matthew 11:25-30 (this despite our Lord's greatness). The writer to the Hebrews captures the surpassing grandeur of our Lord Jesus Christ in chapter 3:1-6 - read aloud these verses. Pause and ponder the greatness of God's Son. Also Jesus says that he calls his disciples "friends". Greatness is measured, not by esteem from men, but in service to God and those whom our Father has called. Chapter 13 of Numbers describes the choosing of the 12 princes - one representing each of the 12 tribes - to spy out the land of Canaan. The spies were told their task. After 40 days the spies returned and presented their reports. Ten of the spies verified the fruitfulness of the land, however their description of the fortified cities and formidable giants caused them to deem the conquest of the land to be an impossibility. Two of the spies gave a minority report that the land was theirs for the taking since Yahweh was with them. This chapter and Numbers chapter 14 are commented on in Hebrews 3. We will make further comments in the readings for March 31st. Proverbs chapters 8 and 9 complete the first section of the book. Chapter 8 presents Wisdom's appeal. Chapter 9 tells of two feasts to which the young man is invited. He must choose between Wisdom's feast and Folly's feast. Both Wisdom and Folly are personified as women making their respective appeals. Chapter 8:1-3 outlines Wisdom's call. The call is open and fulsome - to all from every place. Verses 4-11 tell of Wisdom's audience and explain why she should be trusted. There is no downside in trusting her. All the blessings and benefits shout out that she must be chosen; it is in our interest to choose her. Verses 12-22 describe Wisdom's House, what she does and the rewards she gives. Those who respond to Wisdom's call will understand the ways of the LORD and will choose to walk in those paths. Without wisdom kings and rulers are doomed to failure. David had so instilled these values into Solomon's mind that when asked by God what Solomon would choose - he chose wisdom. Verses 22-31 are to be understood in two ways. Firstly that Yahweh's wisdom characterised His Creation in the beginning. And, secondly it is a personification of our Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing in creation was made without our Lord God focusing on creation's relationship to Jesus. Jesus is the centre and object of the entire Creation. Both the letters of Colossians and Hebrews emphasise that. Chapter 9 of Proverbs in verses 1-18 describe the rival feasts. Verses 1-6 tell of Wisdom's feast. Wisdom's table is prepared and she speaks of those to whom her appeal is directed. Verses 7-12 calls for an open mind to receive Wisdom's words and the benefits that will flow from a mind open to truth and wisdom. Verses 13-18 by contrast tell of the feast of Folly and of the disastrous consequences to those foolish enough to choose foolishness. It is a matter of life and death for the choice you make. Compare the appeal of Moses in Deuteronomy 30:11-20 - slowly read aloud and ponder the path you will wisely choose. Luke chapter 22 begins with a plot to kill Jesus. The conspirators seek to do this as quietly as possible since the crowds who are filling Jerusalem at Passover were massive and were at this time stirred with patriotic fervour. Judas, overcome with covetousness, agreed to assist the rulers in their plan. Jesus had secretly prearranged the keeping of his Passover, called the Lord's Supper, one day before his death. His death on the stake would coincide exactly with the time of the cutting of the throats of the Passover lambs. Nothing must be allowed to interfere with the time Jesus needs to teach them of his love and the great lessons that would steel them against imminent trouble, as well as ongoing persecution. Jesus next addresses an ongoing discussion that the Apostles had been having behind the Lord's back. "Who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of God?" How petty, and ridiculous when the greatest man who has ever lived was about to lay down his life for them. Greatness is measured, not by esteem, but in service. Peter is told by his Lord of his threefold denial, which would occur before the rooster had crowed twice. The disciples would be confronted by the mob and once their Lord had been taken they would need to fend for themselves. The reference to swords applies more to a dirk, or hunting knife. Peter and another of the Apostles had recently purchased these in expectation of trouble. In the Garden of Gethsemane our Lord thrice prays seeking, if it were possible, that there might be another way. So intense was his prayer that he sweated like it were great drops of blood. There is a known medical condition where the human body under extreme stress exudes blood through the pores of the skin. This condition is known as haematohidrosis. Consequently Christ is strengthened by an angel he yielded his will to that of his Father. Yes, indeed, there were two distinct wills - that is impossible if our Lord is one part of the trinity- but here was the Divine Father and His mortal, submissive son. Judas comes at the head of a heavily armed band of temple thugs. How pathetic is it that the sign of Jesus' betrayal was a feigned affectionate kiss. Peter strikes out with his dirk and cuts off the ear of Malchus, the servant of the high priest. Peter is reprimanded by the Lord who miraculously heals Malchus. This is of course another evidence of Jesus' power as the Son of God. Our Lord meekly submits as a lamb to the slaughter to the vicious mob. Christ is led away to six farcical trials. Verses 54 to 62 record Peter's crumbling under intense and increasing pressure until he eventually caves in totally distraught and weeping in bitter remorse. Jesus is mocked and abused by the temple soldiers. Then he was illegally tried before the council of the 72. They were not allowed to conduct matters carrying a death sentence at night. Jesus quotes to the Council the words of Daniel 7:13-14 and tells them that he will judge them. The other gospel records tell us that even the perjured witnesses could not agree among themselves. The high priest brings the charge of blasphemy against our Lord and against the Law condemns Jesus out of his own mouth. The Law of Moses forbad that. 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-30th-numbers-12-13-proverbs-8-9-luke-22/?feed_id=88858&_unique_id=67e7993932fd8