MARCH 7— Numbers 8-9:23; Mark 13:14-37; Psalm 50:1-23; Proverbs 10:29-30
The results of recent surveys on the lack of Biblical literacy are alarming.
“The Christian body in America is immersed in a crisis of biblical illiteracy,” according to the Barna Research Organization. George Barna writes, “In many ways we are living in an age of theological anarchy. The church is rotting from the inside out crippled by a non-biblical theology”
When given 13 basic teachings of the Bible, only 1% of adult believers firmly embraced all 13 as being Biblical perspectives.
Spirituality is being built upon private emotional attachments rather than the Rock of Revelation.
A survey taken of evangelical pastors in Brazil (Abba Press and Ibero-American Bible Society) reveal that half of the pastors 50.68% (of 1255 respondents from different evangelical denominations) said that they have never read through the entire Bible one time. The reason, they say, is a lack of time. Yet the leaders of the church in the Book of Acts devoted themselves to the Word of God and prayer (Acts 6:4).
It is true that we are all pressed for time in our busy schedules. But without giving adequate time to reading and reflecting upon the Bible leaves us at a great disadvantage.
The apostles of the early church followed the example of Jesus and preached the gospel from all of the Scriptures.
JESUS
44 Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses AND the Prophets AND the Psalms must be fulfilled." (Luke 24:44, NASB)
27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. (Luke 24:27, NASB)
27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. (Luke 24:27, NASB)
THE APOSTLE PAUL
20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
Acts 20:20-21 (NIV)
27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. (Acts 20:27, NIV)
Acts 20:20-21 (NIV)
27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. (Acts 20:27, NIV)
The Bible is not meant for thumping. It is meant for reading and being taken to the heart. May the Holy Spirit illuminate our understanding as we read through the Bible together!
TODAY’S OLD TESTAMENT READING— Numbers 8-9:23;
THE SEVEN LAMPS OF THE LAMPSTAND
It is wonderful to read through the Bible and see how the symbols that will appear throughout the Scriptures are first introduced.
We first encountered the lampstand (menorah) when the Lord gave instruction to Moses as to its design and purpose in the Tabernacle that was to be built (Exodus 25:31). It was to be made of one piece of beaten gold with a base and a perpendicular shaft with six extending branches upwards to bear light, three on each side. The six cups for the flames are shaped like almond blossoms. There are an ornamental bulb and flower on each branch. There were four cups with ornamental bulbs and flowers on the vertical shaft itself.
In Numbers Chapter 8 we learn about THE DIRECTION of THE LIGHT.
The priests are to ensure that the light is shining in front of the lampstand.
The lampstand must provide adequate illumination for what was to be done in the Holy Place. The light was to shine on the Table of Showbread and the Altar of Incense.
The Table of Showbread is where the twelve loaves of unleavened bread were stacked, representing DIVINE FELLOWSHIP WITH THE PEOPLE OF GOD (the twelve tribes). The Altar of Incense is where DIVINE FELLOWSHIP IN PRAYER BEFORE GOD took place. Without the illumination of the Lampstand, the priests would be in darkness and participation in fellowship would be impossible.
We need the DIVINE ILLUMINATION, the Light of the Word (Psalm 119:130) and Word made flesh, Jesus, the Light of the World (John 8:12), for DIVINE FELLOWSHIP. As the Psalmist said, “In Your light, we shall see light.” (Psalm 36:9)
It is in the light of Christ that the service in the tabernacle found its meaning. It is in the light of God’s provision in the gospel that we can have fellowship with one another.
7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7; NASB)
In the light of God’s word we see what the offerings looked forward to. We see by the illumination of the Holy Spirit what we have of righteousness, peace and joy in the perfect offering of Jesus Christ. (Romans 14:17)
THE DEDICATION OF THE LEVITES
There was a public commissioning of the Levites for the service of tabernacle. It was not as elaborate as the ordination of the priests described in Leviticus 8.
The priests would be ritually cleansed with a full body shave, wash and three offerings— a burnt offering, sin offering and grain offering. Then the whole congregation would lay hands on them, affirming their standing in as their representatives, as priests before the Lord.
Without the Levites standing in as substitutes for the firstborn sons of Israel there would be no warding off possible punitive plagues if the Laws of the Sanctuary were violated (plagues similar to the angel of death that claimed the firstborn sons of Egypt at the first Passover). The fact that a Levite was standing in place of every firstborn son of Israel would ensure that not all the people would be killed if one person came violated the Law and came too near the Sanctuary.
The Levites served from ages 25 to 50. Great strength and stamina was required for this work. Lighter jobs apart from the daily service of the Tabernacle and mentoring (keeping guard) roles were appointed to those who were over fifty.
THE FIRST COMMEMORATION OF THE PASSOVER
This is the first Passover celebrated in the Wilderness. It happened in the second year after the Exodus on the 14th day of the first month as commanded in Exodus 12. (There is no record that they celebrated the Passover one year after the Exodus event).
If people failed to keep the Passover they would be cut off from the people. This brought great concern to those who were ‘ceremonially unclean’ at the time. They approached Moses and Moses went to the Lord who spoke to him from the Holiest of All over the mercyseat between to the two cherubim.
The Lord graciously gave a provision for those who wanted to keep the Passover but could not due to uncleanness (such as from touching a dead body) or being on a long journey. Those people exempted from celebrating the Passover on the appointed time, could do so one month later, according to the regulations given for the ceremony.
THE PRINCIPLE OF FOLLOWING THE CLOUD
The church in the wilderness was not left to its own devices for guidance. They were not to chart their own course.
“At the command of the Lord they camped, and at the command of the Lord they set out.” (Numbers 9:23)
The nation had learned that they were to obey “according to all the commandments that the LORD had given to Moses”.
(The Painting on the left is by Pat Marvenko Smith c. 2000. Prints are available at revelationillustrated.com)
Now we read of the people moving directly “at the command of the Lord”. Moses was God’s appointed man, but he was a man under authority. He was publically accountable to authority and that authority would be recognized by the written Word and the cloud. The cloud was visible to all by day or night. Even in the darkest hour the cloud would be visible because of the fire that was in it. The cloud would lift and move when it was time for the children of Israel to pull up stakes and continue their journey. When the cloud descended and settled down, the Israelites would set up camp and abide until the cloud signaled their next move.
This must have cultivated a habit of watchfulness and readiness among the people of God. It is a habit that is encouraged throughout the Old and the New Testament.
34 "Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my doorposts. Proverbs 8:34 (NASB)
In our “12 Habits of Healthy Discipleship” course we realize as we meditate upon this proverb the benefits of 1) A Listening Ear; 2) A Watchful Eye; and 3) A Waiting Heart.
Questions: 1. What is God saying to you? 2. How are you seeing the Lord at work ? and 3. What are you trusting God for?
We must continually be yielded to the government of God, submitting our plans and our schedules to His guidance.
13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit." 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. James 4:13-14 (NASB)
We are to be obedient to the objectively revealed will of God, the written Word, the commandments of the Lord given through the authors of Scripture. We are also to be yielded to the subjective witness of the Holy Spirit who, like the cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, is able to prompt the redeemed people of God in a walk by faith with the Spirit setting the pace.
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25 (NIV)
The leaders of the early church publically witnessed to their accountability to the Holy Spirit in leadership decisions.
28 "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us” Acts 15:28 (NASB)
NEW TESTAMENT READING: Mark 13:14-37
Mark is giving his account of Jesus’ teaching on the Mount of Olives overlooking the city of Jerusalem. It is called the “Olivet Discourse” and concludes with the “Olivet Parables”.
After Jesus predicts the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem (which actually occured within the generation in 70 AD) Peter, James, John and Andrew privately ask Jesus about future events. Jesus began by warning them not to be led astray (13:5) and to be on their guard (13:9). The gospel must be preached to all nations (13:10) and there will be great persecution of the church before Christ’s return.
The abomination of desolation (Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11) is again prophesied. Some thought that this prophecy had been fulfilled when Antiochus Epiphanies (meaning ‘God manifest’) set up the image of Zeus in the Jerusalem temple in the second century BC.
(The picture above is of the Mount of Olives from the Kidron Valley and is courtesy of Bibleplaces.com)
The Encyclopedia Britannica reports:
When Antiochus returned from Egypt in 167 he took Jerusalem by storm and enforced its Hellenization.
But Jesus refers to this prophecy again as something to happen in the future, the ultimate desecration of the temple by the Antichrist.
Then will come a period of unprecedented tribulation. This is something unlike what we have seen to date.
19 because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now--and never to be equaled again. (Mark 13:19;NIV)
This statement discounts the belief that this event has already taken place.
A warning is given that there will be insidious works of deception involving false Anointed Ones (Christs), false prophets, who will perform signs and wonders to lead people astray. Jesus clarifies that signs and wonders are not clear indicators of God’s presence. The fact that Jesus said that the character of the deception and delusion will be so strong that if possible, even the elect would be deceived into denying the true gospel.
THE OLIVET PARABLES
The Lesson of the Fig Tree
Jesus says that we can learn from the fig tree. Whereas the fig tree is often associated as a symbol for Israel (Deut 8:8; 1 Kings 4:25; Luke 13:6) the Gospel of Luke warns us of taking the fig tree as representing Israel in this case:
29 He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
Luke 21:29-31 (NIV)
Luke 21:29-31 (NIV)
Jesus is simply saying that when you see these things taking place (most likely verse 5-23) know that the return of Christ is near. He is at the door!
I often think of these powerful words. Put on the lips of any other human being and they don’t ring true.
31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Mark 13:31 (NIV)
THE PARABLE OF THE RETURNING HOUSE OWNER
Whereas Matthew records five parables (the fig tree, the house owner and the thief, the good and wicked servants, the wise and foolish virgins, and the talents) Mark only gives two. The first, the parable of the fig tree, encourages us to be aware of the season. The second is a short version of the parable of servants in charge of a household while their Master is on a trip when his return date is not known. Be ready!
If Jesus is God why did He say that He did not know the day or the hour of His return? The gospels tell us that Jesus, though He was God, put aside His divine attributes for His earthly ministry in order to identify with the human experience. To be our perfect Redeemer he had to do things that God could not do unless He became fully man- learning (God is all-knowing), growing strong (God is all powerful) being tempted (God is not tempted) and, of course, suffering death (God is eternal). In emptying Himself of these divine prerogatives for the mission, He submitted to the will of the Father.
No one can predict the day of the Lord’s return, so Jesus says, “Stay awake and be ready”!
PRAY FOR THE NATIONS: BELGIUM
According to “Operation World” (p. 141-144), although confined to a small part of the population, the evangelical faith in Belgium has never been stronger.
Belgium is a deeply divided nation. For 2,000 years, its territory has straddled the cultural divide between the Latin/Romance and Germanic worlds. Walloon-Flemish rivalry and resentments color the use of language, the economy, politics, religious life and worldviews of both communities. The growing immigrant population adds a third angle to this dynamic. An eventual breakup of Belgium is within the realm of possibility; this defining issue has paralyzed political progress. Pray that national leaders at every level may have wisdom regarding this complex challenge. Pray that the Church might be a profound example of unity to the wider society, and that real reconciliation and peace might be shaped in Belgium.
May the Lord bless you as you devote time to meditating on His Word and praying for His world.
Pastor David
So, naturally, we proclaim Christ! We warn everyone we meet, and we teach everyone we can, all that we know about him, so that, if possible, we may bring every man up to his full maturity in Christ. (Colossians 1:28, J.B. Phillips paraphrase)
New Life Community Church, Concord, MA 10742
Meeting Sundays at 10:30 AM at the Emerson Umbrella for the Arts, 40 Stow Street, Concord MA
Mailing Address: Post Office Box Five, Concord, MA 01742
Church Offices: 35 Bypass Rd. Lincoln, MA 01773 978-369-0061
Home Office: 978-371-3176
New Life Fine Arts
"Theater you can believe in."
