Thoughts on the readings for April 3rd (Numbers 17, Proverbs 13, Galatians 3, 4)

Once again in Numbers 17 the LORD demonstrates that He has chosen Aaron to be the divinely appointed High Priest - see Hebrews 5 verses 4-10. The sign of our Sovereign's choice was the resurrection from the dead. Twelve rods were placed before the presence of God, which the ark of the covenant symbolised. One rod with the name of the prince of each tribe enscribed and Aaron's name on his dead almond rod. Aaron's Rod had been used in many of the miracles, wonders and signs that were demonstrated in Israel's deliverance from Egypt. On the next morning 11 of the rods remained unaffected, just the same as when they had been placed; but Aaron's Rod had come to life and showed all 3 stages of the almonds life cycle - buds, flowers and fruits - all present at the same time. The almond tree is called in the Hebrew language "the awakener" as it is one of the first trees to bloom speaking of impending Spring. It is a symbol of Israel's national restoration - see Matthew 24 verses 32-35; Romans 11 verses15-23, 26-27. Our Lord Jesus Christ was proven to be God's chosen High Priest by his resurrection from the dead - Romans 1 verses1-4. Aaron's Rod was now placed inside the ark of the covenant together with the two tables of stone and a golden pot filled with the incorruptible Manna - these emblems spoke of our Lord Jesus Christ as "the way, the truth and the life" John 14 verses 6-7. The grumbling of the rebels had been temporarily stilled. Numbers 18 covers the rules for the priests and their brothers the Levites. The early verses tell of the priest's' responsibilities to guard the Tabernacle. The LORD gave the Levites to aid the priests in their duties. Any outsider who attempted to usurp the authority of the priests, or Levites, would do so at the cost of their life. King Uzziah learnt this lesson by being struck with leprosy by his God. Verses 8-20 outline the duties of the priests in receiving the offerings of Israel and the responsibility to stay ceremonially clean in order to eat of the allowed offerings. The offering of the first fruits and the rules around devoted offerings are stated; as are the duties of redemption. Verse 20 tells us that the priests were to have no allotted land as their inheritance since Yahweh and His ways were their heritage. Verses 21-31 speak of the nation's responsibility to support the priests and the Levites by paying their tithes. From Proverbs 13:1-15:19 addresses the theme that "A wise son accepts his father's discipline, but fools take no heed to rebuke". Verses 2-25 of chapter 13 deals with the benefits of faithful fruitful words. Verses 2-6 tell of the preservation that comes from wise speech contrasted with the wastefulness of sloth. Verses 7-11 address the wealth of true wisdom contrasted with the deceitfulness of wealth not used in service to our Sovereign. Verses 12-18 speak of the blessings bestowed by wise counsel as opposed to the folly of false hope experienced by those who scorn wisdom and embrace foolishness. Verses 19-25 teach us that the companion of the wise will be blessed in many ways, but the foolish will fall into error and will end up with nothing. In Galatians 3 Paul says that his readers must have been bewitched to turn from the evidence, seen in himself, of Christ placarded before them as a crucified one. He asks the Galatians if had they received the spirit gifts through works of law, or by the hearing of faith. Verses 6-9 cite the Scripture from Genesis 15:6 - Abraham could DO nothing but believe and trust God. What Abraham did was believe to God. And our Heavenly Father counted that belief to him Abraham as righteousness. The gospel, says Paul, was taught to Abraham in Genesis 12 verse3, when he was told "In you shall nations of the earth be blessed" - see Romans 4 verse 13. All the Law of Moses could do was curse those who were subject to it and prove to them the utter sinfulness of human nature. The other thing that the Law did was to curse a sinless man who was hung on a tree in crucifixion - that was our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore the Law had to annulled. Any law that brought condemnation on a righteous man, must be revoked. Verse 16 says that the promise was about one specific seed alone, the Christ. To be saved the one requirement is faith and the acknowledging of one's belief by becoming one with Christ through baptism. Whoever is baptised becomes clothed with Christ and receives by imputation Christ's righteousness. Verses 26-29 establish that in Christ there are no gender distinctions, no social strata differences and no racial discrimination. All equally receive the salvation offered in Christ Jesus and are each one an heir of what the Almighty promised to in His Son. Chapter 4 tells us that to attain to sonship we must as children first go through training, whose appointments are of the father until the time determined. Christ came in the fulness of time for the purpose of redemption in general; and particularly for those under the Law to liberate them from the curse. From verses 8-20 Paul expresses his concern for the Galatians servile adherence to days and rituals, which have only a negative effect on spirituality. The chapter concludes with an allegory about the freedom in Christ in contrast to the slavish servitude to law. 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-april-3rd-numbers-17-proverbs-13-galatians-3-4/?feed_id=88973&_unique_id=67eb92709ad8b