Skip to main content

February 11 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 42

Here's another great video that summarizes the book of Numbers well.  I can't recommend these video enough to you.  They are helpful in understanding not just what you're reading, but why what you're reading is important.




DAILY READINGS

Numbers 8-10 & Psalm 42

DAILY NOTES

Numbers 8:2
  • This doesn't seem like a direct command, but the implication of the placement of the lamps is understood.
Numbers 8:5-26
  • The Levites are consecrated for their work.  
  • Levites served up to 25 years.  They retire at 50. After that, they are allowed to help with priestly duties, but not act as overseers.  
Numbers 9:2
  • "Let them" really means "Make them."
Numbers 9:7
  • Doesn't their question resemble questions we modern readers have about some of these laws?
Numbers 9:10
  • Modern Jews don't sacrifice any more because there is no appropriate place to do so.  They do, however, observe the passover.  The verse gives direction to do so.
Numbers `10:1-10
  • Silver trumpets are used to gather the congregation or leaders.  
  • An alarm must have been a different kind of sound from the trumpet.  
Numbers 10:13
  • This is the first time they will move as a new, organized people.
Numbers 10:29
  • Moses' father-in-law once helped him.  Now, Moses convinces him to be helped.
Psalm 42
  • The psalmist is able to trust in God, even as he suffers, because he knows who God is.  
  • Adversaries may tempt him to question who and where God is, but the psalmist knows that Creation remind him that God is worthy of praise.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

The Numbers video highlights the placement of God's presence within the camp of the Israelites.  It's right in the center.  And, as they travel, it goes before them.  Both of those are great illustrations of where we should keep God.  At the center of our shared life and ahead of us.

I remember with one of our youth groups we had a 7-foot cross we used to keep in the center of the room at all our activities.  It was impressive and people always noticed it.  Still, there were plenty of times people wanted to move the cross because it was "in the way."  Of course, Mr. Preacher used that as a chance to remind said people that it's too easy to move God out of the way.  And that's when we get sidetracked.  

Imagine the scene.  Your tribe couldn't view other tribes without being reminded of God's presence.  

What reminds do we keep among us today of God's presence?  We haven't moved too many things around, have we?

Stay blessed...john

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

March 24 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 83 The relationship between Saul and David worsens.  David is now Saul's enemy.   DAILY READINGS 1 Samuel 18-20 & Psalm 83 DAILY NOTES 1 Samuel 18 Saul's delight for David quickly turns.  Saul is jealous of David's success and the fact that everyone else seems to like David more than him. Of course, we have to think about what this evil spirit from the Lord might mean. Saul tries to kill David.  He even devises a plan to have him married into the royal family so that he can create a snare for him. What does it say about David that, even after Saul has tried to kill him, he still finds it an honor to be married to the family? David escapes Saul's traps.  So, from here on out, the text says that Saul considered David an enemy.  Think he knows what it means to love your enemies? 1 Samuel 19 Verse 5 reminds us of David's fight with Goliath.  At this point, David has fought other times.  What makes that ...
Post a Comment
Read more

May 14 + Daily readings & notes

DAY 134 We're reading another prophet today.  Here's t he Bible Project video that describes what the book is about. DAILY READINGS Jonah 1-4 & Psalm 129 DAILY NOTES Jonah 1 Notice the simple, direct message God gave Jonah.  There's no explanation for why Jonah doesn't follow through (yet).  As quickly as the word from God comes, he goes away. The mariners have their own god to cry out to for help.  They ask Jonah to cry out to his God.  Did you notice he never did?  He only told them that he worships the Lord.   The mariners feared the Lord after this.   Jonah 2 When he and the others were in trouble, Jonah didn't cry out to God.  Now that he's sitting inside a big fish, he offers a prayer to God.   And notice even the fish listens to God! Jonah 3 The word of God comes to Jonah again.  This time Jonah responds.  And the people of Nineveh respond with faith in God. Up to this p...
Post a Comment
Read more

June 19 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 170 DAILY READINGS Jeremiah 7-9 & Psalm 15 DAILY NOTES Jeremiah 7 Notice the emphasis of God's house having God's name.  It belongs to God, but the people, through their unrighteous actions, have made it theirs.  God's house has been turned into a "den of robbers" (vs. 11).  Remember when Jesus said that (Matthew 21:13)? According to Jesus, what was the Temple supposed to be called? Remember when the people tried to use the ark of the covenant as a weapon against the Philistines (1 Samuel 4)?  That was at Shiloh.  Jeremiah brings that event to our minds again as a sign (vs. 14).  God says that human sacrifice was not his command, nor did it come to his mind.  You'll have to do some wrestling with the story of Abraham almost sacrificing Isaac (Genesis 22). Jeremiah 8 Jeremiah (God) says to unearth the kings' bones and lay them before the sun and moon and all the other gods they served and worshiped.  Ouch. Even animals ...
Post a Comment
Read more