Leviticus 24:1-25:46 + Mark 10:13-31 + Psalm 44:9-26 + Proverbs 10:20-21
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Old Testament – We begin month 3 of our One Year Bible readings today! Whoo-hoo! Congratulations! Today in Leviticus chapter 24 we read the well known law of retaliation from verses 19 & 20: “Anyone who injures another person must be dealt with according to the injury inflicted– fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. Whatever anyone does to hurt another person must be paid back in kind.” I’ve read commentaries that say that this law of retaliation was actually compassionate for its time – in that it limited what one person could to another person in a very lawless age. If you lost an eye, you could take an eye – but you could not kill in return, for example. So, I see the logic behind saying that the law of retaliation limited punishments…. but, I also think we would do well to remember Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount where he quotes from Leviticus 24 verse 20 in Matthew chapter 5 verse 38 & 39: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Jesus teaches that there is a higher law of love that is better than the law of retaliation. Commentary on Leviticus chapter 24 titled “The Lamp, the Loaves and The Loudmouth” 🙂 is at Bible.org at this link. Commentary on Leviticus chapter 25 is at this link and at this link.
Well, I learned something new! This is pretty awesome – the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is so named because this statement from Leviticus chapter 25 verse 10 is written on the bell: “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” (which you won’t be able to see well in this photo below – I believe the inscription is around the top of the bell, where you’ll see 2 lines near the top and can make out the word “Proclaim.”)
In Leviticus 25 verses 9 & 10 today we read: “Then on the Day of Atonement of the fiftieth year, blow the trumpets loud and long throughout the land. This year will be set apart as holy, a time to proclaim release for all who live there. It will be a jubilee year for you, when each of you returns to the lands that belonged to your ancestors and rejoins your clan.”
New Testament – Today in Mark chapter 10 we read about the Rich Man. I have heard plenty of sermons on this passage of scripture and read a bunch of commentaries. The message is probably not that every Christian needs to sell all they have, give to the poor, and you’ll have treasure in heaven. However… this could be the message for some of us. Basically, the message is more along the lines of what in your life are you holding on so tight to, that you need to let go of? What are you worshiping? What are you letting stand in the way of your relationship with Jesus? And what must you let go of? What’s your “camel” that’s holding you back? It might be money or material possessions. It could be an addiction. It could be status. It could be anger. It could be lust. I don’t know what it is for you – that’s between you and Jesus. But, can you let your “camel” go, so that you won’t be like this camel here trying to get through the eye of a needle… 🙂
Psalms – Every time I read Psalm 44 verse 23 it reminds me of one of the amazing aspects of the Psalms – that the Psalms are people like us speaking to God – and in all sorts of emotional ways: “Wake up, O Lord! Why do you sleep? Get up! Do not reject us forever.” This type of verse reminds me that it’s okay for us to not always talk to God in our “church voice.” It’s okay to get a little bit passionate in our prayers to God. I think God would prefer us to be real with him – where we are right now or at any given moment – rather than try to put on any special facades for God. If ever you feel like you are at a loss for words for what you might want to say to God – how you might be needing to pray to God – surf through the Psalms… you’ll very likely find voice for what you are trying to say.
Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 10 verses 20 & 21 are interesting – they are both about the words that come out of the mouths of the godly – “sterling silver” & “good advice”. I pray that each one of us would grow more and more in our relationship with the God, so that our words are indeed like sterling silver and that we give good advice.
Worship Video: My Leviticus reflections above, and particularly that eye photo, reminded me of the song “Open the Eyes of My Heart.” Here’s Michael W. Smith’s live version.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxq_6prPABs
Are the eyes of your heart opened? Click here and open your eyes!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on three verses of Scripture today: “Jesus said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.” Mark 10:14-16 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you will have faith like a child. Pray that you will always bless and serve and teach children in your life.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: What is your take on the Rich Man / Rich Young Ruler? Why do you think Jesus said he should sell all he had and give to the poor? Are there areas in your life where Jesus has asked you to give up something? Maybe something material or maybe something more like an addiction or obsession, etc.? Have you obeyed Jesus in this regard? Was it a blessing to obey Jesus? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= Ramona:
Leviticus 24:1-25:46
“Command the people of Israel to provide you with pure olive oil for the lampstand, …” Just noticed that there is a big difference here from when the people voluntarily offered (Exodus 25: 2) whatever was on their heart to give back in Exodus. I don’t have time to look up the Hebrew word that this English word, “Command,” sites on but when I have time I will look it up.
I think it would also be interesting to chart out what type and under what circumstances God asks for a “freewill” offering as opposed to ones that are commanded.
Mike I’m not sure that the “Just Punishment” section is really about retaliation as much as it is about the priests matting out just and righteous punishment. If Leviticus was written as guidelines for the priests, then the entire book needs to be looked at from that perspective. The problem lay folks have is that we can run off on a tangent (your favorite word) when we have information without training. Information is great when we become partners with our Doctors, Lawyers, Accountants, etc, however, when we try to do their job and usurp their “authority” in dealing with them because we have information, then we get into trouble. Either we need to change professionals, if they are unaware or ignorant of the basics and new information that comes out daily, or we need to support them with the information they have.
One of the things I have taken note of in chapter 25 in dealing with the Sabbath Year (seven), the Year of Jubilee (50) and the return of property, that is not in walled cities, to the original owners is that this is suppose to be a celebratory event. However, in order to be ecstatic about this if you are not the party being released, one must practice love for your neighbor as a lifestyle! There is also a type or element of restoration and redemption from sin as one would be rescued from either bad choices or environmental circumstances that would have caused selling oneself into slavery, or selling off the family home. Looking at the Hebrew or Greek root of the work translated “sin” you would see that it means “to miss the mark.” So one can be aiming for the bulls eye but miss the mark, which is what sin really is. In a careful reading of the first few chapters of Leviticus you will see that the sacrifices first mentioned are for “unintentional” sins.
Because we are so adverse to the word “sin” we shy away from it not realizing that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and it is not big sins or little sins that merit the death penalty, it is SIN (singular) PERIOD, intentional and unintentional. Although the penalty for sin, big, little or medium, is death the gift of God is life, eternal life.
Mark 10:13-31
“Good Teacher/Master …” begins the Rich Young Man begins his address to Jesus. There is more to his statement to Jesus then meets the eye. By calling Jesus good he was stating that Jesus had “worked out his salvation/redemption” and he, the Rich Young Man was looking to join him. In Judaism (I hope there are Jewish scholars on this Blog to either confirm or refute what I’m about to state), especially in Hasidim, redemption is worked out be “good works,” so by calling Jesus “Good” he was either validating that Jesus, like him, was a good guy (Only one greater than you can validate someone lesser—now that can be a whole discussion See Hebrews 7:7)) or he was seeking validation himself. If this man was seeking to validate Jesus, thus placing himself above God, then Jesus’ remarks to him, at least for me, carry greater weight and conviction then I’ve ever thought about. Yes, I know that he ran to Jesus, yes I know that he bowed down, but I also know that we participate in “false” humility all the time to “justify ourselves.” And if we are justifying ourselves, we are not doing it for ourselves we are doing it for those around us so that they know how great and wonderful we are. We are already thinking that we are great (large and in charge) and we want others to know that we are.
I really have to rethink the entire dynamic of this little scene, even the conversation Jesus has with his thoroughly confused disciples afterwards. And if you notice the commandments that Jesus gave to him were the ones dealing with outwardly behavior toward man, those were the ones this guy kept; however what wasn’t mentioned were the commandments that dealt with the “heart.” The first four commandments can be outwardly demonstrated; however inwardly, in the heart without anyone knowing them, you can break them. Jesus didn’t mention those four, I wonder why? (The question is rhetorical)
Psalm 44:9-26
Although the writer is speaking in the plural, we and us, this Psalm seems to really speaking about the Messiah. Only the Messiah, the sinless one, can make with any kind of certainty, the bold statements of being without sin.
17 All this has happened despite our loyalty to you.
We have not violated your covenant.
18 Our hearts have not deserted you.
We have not strayed from your path
Hmmm!
Proverbs 10:20-21
There are a lot of fools out here in the world because Common Sense, is not so common. The question for is, “Do I lack some of this uncommon Common Sense?”
21 …but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======= Mark:
… easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye…
Mark 10:26 That set the disciples back on their heels. “Then who has any chance at all?” they asked.
27Jesus was blunt: “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it.”
In the vernacular of AA’s 12 steps: “Let go and let God!” As my faith grows, I see more clearly how my salvation has very little to do with me, but is almost entirely about God! I really love Ephesians 2:8,9, which tells me that I am saved by grace (God’s gift) through faith (life-changing belief) and that the very faith I use to receive God’s grace hppens to be a gift from God as well – not of works (any amount of self-effort) so that I have not even a speck of room to boast.
Jesus, you are more than I need, more than enough!!
Mark
======= Ann:
This is something I have always wanted to know:
Law of retaliation.
‘Turn the other cheek.’ Did Jesus refute God’s words; ‘an eye for an eye; or was the ‘law of retaliation’ misinterpretated?
Ann.
======= Becky:
A worthwhile commentary on this question, this seeming conradiction: Pink writes that the law of retaliation was for the use and guidance of magistrates– not for ordinary people to take the law into their own hands. This whole issue is one that has often puzzled me. Jesus said to turn the other cheek, but when Jesus was struck during the phony trial, He rebuked them, asking why they were hitting him for speaking the truth. So, it seems that there should be different responses for different situations, and we need wisdom to guide us.Sometimes it’s right to confront evil, especially to protect others. Read the sermon and let me know what you think!
Becky
========= Anka:
My take on eye for eye,during the time this law was given,the world system was pretty brutal.If people thought it ok to sacrifice their children to a god,then I don’t think that they would have spared a person who struck them or given a chance for any explanation.God gave Israel laws to set them apart from other nations and to bring about justice.An eye for an eye not a life for an eye.
Jesus was arrested and tortured by the very people he came to save.He could have struck them all dead but he didn’t.He also however asked his disciples to equip themselves after his departure,he also told them to have swords(see Luke 22:36)which my thinking is was for their self defence.When he was arrested he however rebuked Peter for using the sword to defend Him saying it was the Father’s will that He be arrested.
My conclusion,God’s laws were given to protect and guide us here on earth also to reveal Himself to us…Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfil it as well as explain it because alot was added to God’s law by the time Jesus came as is the case today.Today we have the Holy Spirit to guide us as to what to do in situations we face in life as well as explain God’s word to us since He is our teacher.
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29Jesus said, Truly I tell you, there is no one who has given up and left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for My sake and for the Gospel’s
30Who will not receive a hundred times as much now in this time–houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions–and in the age to come, eternal life.
31But many [who are now] first will be last [then], and many [who are now] last will be first [then].
I have read this passage often yet never saw that along with receiving family and houses in return for giving up everything for Jesus,we will also receive PERSECUTIONS in this age.God is love and nothing can change that,if we get sick,loose loved ones,face financial distress,God is still Love.When our prayers go unanswered and our troubles never seem to end,God is still Love.I have to admit I may not be able to thank God when I’m walking through the Valley but I can still call out through my tears,”I’ll worship You alone Lord with all that I have”.He gives us joy,He gives us gifts but never guarantees a smooth ride through life.
There are times in our lives He is silent,there are times in our lives He seems uncaring…but He’s always by us guiding our steps and His nature is Love,His ways,thoughts,much higher than ours.
God bless you all
Anka
========= John:
Ann,
I agree with Becky. God does not want man taking revenge. However, here and in the NT, society in its structure can judge and take a life. (My opinion in reading of Scripture).
We are to turn the other cheek and forgive – but it does not say that we cannot have the person arrested and let a societal system decide judgment. In that sense God desires order over anarchy. However, He never wants us taking the matter into our own hands.
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Spiritually?????
“But he prescribes immediate death because this sentence is designed to teach a truth. The truth is that a man who curses God, who rejects God, has denied himself the very basis of life. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God,” {cf, Matt 4:4}. And if a professed believer denies God, he has denied the basis of his life, the only way he can live. So God makes it obvious, makes it clear. He says that the man has lost the right to live, has denied himself that right. And his life was taken away so that the truth might be vividly demonstrated to all.
Thus we know that this is what happens to us, spiritually. We don’t need to point the finger at this young man, do we? How often do we do this very thing! We get angry with God and we shake our fists at him, just as Martha did with Jesus. She blamed the whole thing on him, and we do it, too. We say, “It’s your fault! Get lost, God, I don’t need you anymore.” And when we take that attitude, God says, our life is ended. Our spiritual life is stopped right there. We are not lost. This doesn’t mean that we have lost our salvation; it means that his supply of life to us to live by day by day is ended — until we see what is wrong — and his grace restores us. Then we can begin again.” – Ray Stedman
John
======== Katie:
Mark 10:26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
27Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
These verses really are a blessing straight from Jesus to me. There is no way in the world I should be allowed into the kingdom of Heaven, I have way too many “camels” holding me back! : ) (Every once in a while I seem to even climb on another camel to prevent my entering the presence of God! )
But Jesus is awesome, because although it is IMPOSSIBLE for me to be saved, through His mercy and grace, “all things are possible with God”
Hallelujah!
Katie
======== Gina:
A bit of a continuation from yesterday…Lev 24:15-16 – “If anyone curses his God, he will be held responsible; anyone who blasphemes the name of the LORD must be put to death.” After reading all the comments from yesterday, it seems we have all had an issue with cussing and swearing at one point in our lives…I know I was right there not that long ago! – and thank goodness they don’t stone us for cursing now…we’d all be dead already! My husband couldn’t believe the things that came out of my mouth! But like you said Jenny, I tried to change this on my own for many years….even gave it up for Lent each year….I usually lasted about 4 hours or so….I just couldn’t do it. (Notice I say “I” couldn’t do it!) After I got saved, I didn’t even ask God to take that away…it was literlly the first thing that went! I just realized one day (as did my husband) that I just didn’t swear like that anymore! Now do I slip up from time to time? Of course…but again like you said Jenny, the conviction is right there and I know that when I do it, it is definitely NOT pleasing to God! I will be praying for all of us in this area that God will help us clean up our speech! Anyone want to join in that prayer with me? Maybe we can check back in a month or so to see how we all are doing….just a thought…
Thanks for the info on the Liberty Bell! I had no idea! That is really cool!
Ok Can we have a Year of Jubilee now!!! One that will make all our debt go away??? LOL!!!
In Mark today with the rich man, I don’t think Jesus was telling him to “sell” everything he owned to make him poor…I think Jesus was showing this man that his heart was not quite right. I think we tend to get like the Pharisees…all righteous in the good things we do…and forget that the bible says that none of us are good….I know there are areas in my life that I have not totally surrendered to Jesus….like a saftey net to the world….afraid to give it all…I might miss something or lose something. Again, in my head I know this is not true, but in my heart there is fear! It’s always about the heart with Jesus – never our heads or our outward appearance…Jesus sees our hearts. Probably the biggest thing in my life that Jesus asked me to give up was the relationship I was in while separated from my husband. I KNEW Jesus was calling me to run fast from that relationship and go back to my husband! The choice came down to this 1) will I choose Jesus or 2) will I choose self. At that time I bet I felt exactly like the rich man…asking God “you want me to do what???” then going at God full force with my excuses…”but God, I love this man”, “God, I know it’s wrong but you can forgive me, right?” “God please don’t make me go back” etc…. Well, here I am almost 6 years later…and you ask “was it a blessing to obey Jesus?” – It has been MORE than a blessing! It was thee best decision I’ve ever made! God is soooo faithful and He has blessed our marriage more than I can ever say! The trust is back, the love is back and only God was able to do that! Ok – I’m done with my tangent…hehehehe….but maybe this will help someone out there who is reading this to trust Jesus and not go down the same road I did…I pray that is does.
Psalms – yes I agree that we need to be ourselves when we talk to Jesus…we can’t fool Him, He knows everything anyway. So why try to lie to Him – even the tone of our voice could be lying to God – we just have to be real with Him – He doesn’t want us all fake, tell Him like it is…remember He sees our hearts anyway – no use hiding it from Him!
On a side note…if you feel lead…would you all please say a prayer for me today. I’m having a minor outpatient procedure at the hospital and I’m very nervous about it. Thanks so much!!!
Gina
======== Mae:
I love Mark 10:14 “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children”. ~ Wonderful! Beautiful! I love the innocence of children! Jaden is 4 years now, he knows now what’s wrong or right. Slowly I start to teach him about sins and how God doesn’t like it when we lie and that God wants us to be kind to all people, even when people aren’t kind to us. Jaden does lie from time to time, you know little kids lies “Jaden, did you take a cookie from the cookiejar?”, “No mommy, Spiderman did”. But still, it’s a lie and he does know he’s not suppose to lie. So now we decided to slowly teach Jaden that God sees what we do and that God doesn’t want us to lie. It’s not easy, because we don’t want to make God some sort of boogyman, you know what I mean? So we tell Jaden that God loves us sooooooooooooooo much and that He really wants us to do the right things.
I also love Mark 10:15 “I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it”. ~ With the innocence of a child we have to accept the Kingdom of God. See it and experience it. I love to experience this all throughout the eyes of a child. My Pastor tells me this every time “Don’t think too deep … take it as a child would take it”. For me this really works!
Are there areas in your life where Jesus has asked you to give up something? Maybe something material or maybe something more like an addiction or obsession, etc.? ~ Yes, Jesus asked me to give up our vacation to Bali this year. Instead we entered this European Childrens Organisation (I’m sure I told you all about this) and we’re going to take care of a child, out of a poor family from the UK. It feels good! You know, it doesn’t really feel like “giving something up”. The thought of having that child in our house and taking her places, it makes my heart warm. It’s a true blessing!
Mae
======== Angie:
Mae, even though we didn’t get talk on the phone today cuz of some sort crazy messed up phone lines or whatever, i want to tell you now and here that i think its absolutely WONDERFUL what you and rene are doing this summer by taking that little girl in! when i first read that you were doing that, it also warmed my heart. and it made me think about christmas, i get that same feeling at christmas time but what about the rest of the year? why should we only have that feeling one time a year? its crazy! but there is still a HUGE part of me that is still selfish and i just don’t want to give things up at this time of my life. i’ve put off traveling the last 10 years cuz of my husband and his kids. i thought at the time it was worth it but i look back and wished i had done it anyhow if i knew things would have turned out the way the they have. but i can’t change that. i’ve put so much of me aside that i want to think about me. so i guess this is where the camel comes in huh? and its hard to let go. and i’m trying. i’m trying not to be so selfish. so maybe when i do start traveling next year, that i can do something like mae is doing. but thats still a little over a year away and i know i will grow so much more and will be less selfish. but for once in my life, i just want to be a little selfish. and yet i know thats wrong. so thats one thing i really need to work on too. i just felt like i had come such a longs ways so far, but i see myself as though i haven’t. and yes, there is something (someone) i need to let go of, my head tells me to let go, but my heart is telling me not to cuz i honestly do love him. so i guess if i’m never allowed in the kingdom of heaven cuz of this, then i guess so be it. cuz i just can’t see myself ever letting go of him.
i loved psalms again. i’m always real with god. maybe a little too real at times. and yes, i do feel like at times i’m at a loss for words. but i always seem to find them.
Angie
======== Jenny:
I love how Jesus just loves children so much. they are so precious, God has a special place in His heart for them, tho i know He means we should become like them. As a child, i had faith, i never questioned it. then i grew up n the world hardened me, and i fell into rebellion. Children have an innocence and a genuine trust. children have to be taught not to believe in God. I believe unrepentant people who harm children, by destroying their faith or doing something despicable to them, these people have a special place reserved for them in the lower parts.
Yes, the rich young ruler professed to have kept the commandments from his youth (i highly doubt that) but one commandment, tho shall not have any other gods besides Me, sounds like he broke that by having money be his god. he trusted in his riches. we all have something we cling to that God tells us to put away. For me, one of my gods when i was a teen was music and musicians. as i came back to Christ, God told me, put these idols away! my god was also myself. i didnt want to submit, i wanted to do my thing, tho deep down i was so empty and i knew it. whatever we put before Christ, no matter what, money, loved ones, relationships, our family, it all has to be second. If say, i put a boyfriend before Him (unintentionally) God will lovingly rebuke me first. if i dont heed this, He will chasten me. When i get caught up in things i know i shouldnt, He tells me i need to lay these things aside. Though I have eternal life, we still struggle. God pretty much took away everything and everyone i had til I had nothing left, it was a very lonely place til I learned to love Him with all my heart, He filled the void. all He allowed to be taken from me, He replaced with something much better!!
I wonder, wat did the rich young ruler do. He walked away sad we know. He must have went home and thought it over….
Honestly when I talk to God, i do reverence Him, but i am totally honest. God wants us to be, He knows my heart anyway. sometimes i have my pity parties, God this isnt fair! Why??
If i am mad, sad, etc i tell Him…He wants to communicate with us. He listens to me, He lets me finish, then He reveals wat He has to say to me. But do I always let Him finish? not always. I know I need to improve my listening to God skills, i need to wait on Him more.
Jenny
======= Laverne:
Our minister of music taught us this cute song sung by children:even though we are adults, we love singing it. It goes like this “Jubilee oh Jubilee alleluia we’ve been set free. Jubilee oh Jubilee sing a song of victory” This song really puts the congregation in such an angelic mood and is a wonderful song to begin praise service….The main theme I like about the jubilee is a CLEAN SLATE.
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The Book of Psalm – has increasingly become one of my most favorite books of the bible. I am learning many words from the pastor, choir and ministers come directly from this book..
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Umm the rich man claimed he kept all the but what he forgot or was confused about was one simple rule its not about his works but his heart. He had a heart filled with the love of things…(Look at verse 20 – “all these I have kept since I was a boy”)Also the rich man had no clue of his sin or guilt.This meant he would continue sinning while walking in the midst of the Gospel.
Laverne
======== Lisa:
Our “camels” are basically our desire for control-our lack of faith. Can you see Jesus trying to drag a camel(undecided one) through the eye of a needle (One door and only One)when he said “hot or cold or I’ll spit you out.” We want it both ways, and chaos reigns, the seas are rough. We must trust in the One who says “Peace be still” and even the wind and the seas obey. Why do we so deceive ourselves?
Lisa
======== Nick:
There is an ancient law that relates to the ‘law of retaliation’. In Genesis 9:6, God said to Noah and his sons, “Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.” As a reference, we could refer to that as the ‘law of bloodshed’. From there, we could refer back to Genesis 4:10, where God asked Cain, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.”
Nick
======== Romayne:
What struck me when listening to the Levitical laws was that as a society in general, we tend to hold to most of these today either legally or sinfully in the sense that revenge is still a dish served up hot for many people who think nothing of it. However, when it comes to the sin of homosexuality, suddenly everybody is against the Law, i.e. they accept 99% of it as being wise or moral, but not this particular one – I find that interesting. I think it’s again a case of selective reasoning where scripture is concerned, yet if you’re going to pick and choose those parts of scripture to hold to, you may as well dump the lot. That’s not to say that we practice all of the Law any longer because we don’t, being under Grace, however, the essence of it still holds forever, because Jesus said nothing would pass away from the Law before He returned.
Blessings,
Romayne
========= Julie:
Today is my 43rd B-day and I feel so blessed that I’ve found this blog. I have never made it through the entire bible – but feel confident that I will with the help of Jesus and this site.
The comments regarding what are we holding onto is addressed in a wonderful bible study by Beth Moore called, “Breaking Free” that I highly recommend.
Julie
========== Patty:
i guess, the law was just about justice and what’s fair. I need to reread it though didn’t get all of it in a first sitting. I got the rich young ruler, the issue wasn’t his ‘stuff’ it was his heart/ he loved things and his way of life more than God. I can understand this. this is hard if you have been given alot of stuff, and you don’t understand the goodness of God. You think He’s hard and just wants you to be miserable. It’s easy when you have nothing, because you only stand to gain. but when you wealthy sometimes you ‘lose’ and have to pick up sufferings you didn’t have before. Although ‘what does it profit a man’ usually ease makes you wicked and you end up losing everything anyway. so it’s a better trade off to give wht you have for God.
Patty
======= Steve:
Mark 10:25
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
After reading some commentaries on this verse I learned that this is probably the only man in the bible that kneeled before Jesus that went away worst than he came. Riches truly are a blessing and a curse. The story of this man approaching Jesus is told in the Gospel of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Matthew describes him as a young man, Mark calls him a rich man and Luke describes him as being a ruler.
So if we put all three accounts of this man together we find that he is the perfect picture of success by worldly standards, he’s rich, young and powerful. That’s a combination that’s hard to give up for anyone but he was missing something, he was bankrupt and needy on the inside. It’s not uncommon for someone who has everything, youth, riches and power to also be the most miserable of all, keenly aware of their own emptiness.
Jesus didn’t disagree with him when he told Jesus that he was a good man who kept the laws and was moral and religious. So we add that to his resume and he really looks good but he is missing the one thing that is required of us, we are to have no other gods, we are to put nothing before God. How different if would have been for him had he not been hung up on all the glitter he was blessed with.
Steve
======== Jennifer:
What struck me today is Aaron tending the light in the Temple. In modern terms I think we all have the same responsiblity and I hope I have the same reverance for the act. I must tend my light and let it spread so that all can feel and see the light of God. How well Christ has said the 1st will be last and last will be first. Love God, love others, and serve.
Another area of this Leviticus chapter that hit me is the idea that we stop harvesting on the 7th year–how can we you might ask–God will provide. This is so important that when we are asked to stop and go or do that we know that God will provide.
Jennifer
========= Frederick:
Leviticus 24:5-9
5 “Take the finest flour and bake twelve loaves of bread, using two-tenths of an ephah for each loaf. 6 Arrange them in two stacks, six in each stack, on the table of pure gold before the LORD. 7 By each stack put some pure incense as a memorial portion to represent the bread and to be a food offering presented to the LORD. 8 This bread is to be set out before the LORD regularly, Sabbath after Sabbath, on behalf of the Israelites, as a lasting covenant. 9 It belongs to Aaron and his sons, who are to eat it in the sanctuary area, because it is a most holy part of their perpetual share of the food offerings presented to the LORD.”
I remember about the story in 1 Samuel when David fled from Saul and ate the bread in the temple. Were the breads that David and his companions ate the kind of breads that God commanded Moses and Aaron to prepare in the temple?
1 Samuel 21:3-6
3 Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever you can find.”
4 But the priest answered David, “I don’t have any ordinary bread on hand; however, there is some consecrated bread here—provided the men have kept themselves from women.”
5 David replied, “Indeed women have been kept from us, as usual whenever[b] I set out. The men’s bodies are holy even on missions that are not holy. How much more so today!” 6 So the priest gave him the consecrated bread, since there was no bread there except the bread of the Presence that had been removed from before the LORD and replaced by hot bread on the day it was taken away.
Frederick
========= Bob:
The 50th jubilee year really intrigues me! Imagine giving your property back to the original owners. Ouch…… Or is that the wrong attitude? Even though I don’t think this concept was ever practiced, it is a great reminder of the trust we might endeavor to place on our God to take care of us. Would we, could we love our neighbor to that degree? Imagine you being the recipient? How would you handle that? Even though John was of the secular world and even thought he was more popular than Jesus, he saw the concept.
Bob
========= Frank:
I had learned previously that there was a gate in Jerusalem called the Eye of the Needle. The camel had to go through it stooped down and it also had to have its baggage removed prior to going through the gate. This may be a wrong interpretation but I have found a site in Biblical Hebrew that also explains another path that it could be. Here is an excerpt:
Mangled Greek maybe?
There are some differences in the transmitted Greek. The needle in Matthew and Mark is a rafic. In Luke it is a belone. But both are synonyms for needles used in sewing, but Luke’s is more likely to be used by a surgeon than a seamstress.
Another possible solution comes from the possibility of a Greek misprint. The suggestion is that the Greek word kamilos (‘camel’) should really be kamêlos, meaning ‘cable, rope’, as some late New Testament manuscripts1 actually have here. Hence it is easier to thread a needle with a rope rather than a strand of cotton than for a rich man to enter the kingdom. A neat but unnecessary solution!
A variation on all of the above is that the needle was a 6 inch carpet needle and the rope was made of camel hair- but this is again clutching at straws or camel hair, and is an unnecessary emendation.
Frank
========= Jeff:
Today is the first time I really felt convicted. When I read Jesus’ saying: “it is harder for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” And in earlier verses when the rich man asked what he must do to obtain the Kingdom of Heaven and Jesus told him to go sell all that he had and give to the poor.
Sadly, I must admit: I don’t think I can do that.
Sadly,
Jeff
========= Jack:
When living in Israel, I wondered about Mark 10:25. My pastor, Dr. Robert Lindsey, was a Greek and Hebrew scholar, and we would discuss such difficult to understand passages of Scripture. In Greek it doesn’t make sense but when translated into Hebrew, it is a Hebrew Talmudic saying. In Jerusalem, there is a gate called appropriately enough “eye of the needle”, and it was the passageway for camels to pass through in ancient times when the main gates were closed after dark. The camel could not pass through this “needle” unless all of its baggage was removed from its back and it crawled on its knees. Now this is a complete myth, but my pastor knew that the image created by Yeshua was to show His Talmidim (followers) that they had to surrender everything to G-D and follow Him! The L-RD will provide and care for us.
Jack
========= Robert:
Ramona have you ever come across anything that suggest the year of the jubilee (50) was ever practiced? I also like your thoughts on the word “good”. I would of just skimmed by that thinking it was like a nice salutation.
Psalms 44, 48 and 88
These 3 in particular lament the past and show us a place where there may not be any answers. That is what I feel during Covid but I also know many others feel this too. It says in my commentary, “Prayers and faith in God have not produced any results. Is God asleep?” No, I have to look at the bigger picture and remember nothing can separate me from the love of Christ. (Romans 8:36). I especially like to read these aloud when I feel darkness is my closest friend
Robert
======== Dee:
Leviticus 24:3b *Aaron must keep the lamps burning continually. This is a permanent law for you and it should be kept from generation to generation. Are we keeping our light shining for Jesus! Are we teaching others, our family, children and children’s children about the gospel and redeeming grace? Are we anchoring on to the Word of God and letting that Lamp unto my Feet and Light unto my path guide the way for the Way, the Truth, and the Life?
Mark 10:17-25 was preached on recently at our church, and this thought was sprung or mentioned by one of our beautiful men of God. Through research and inquiry, there actually is an “eye of a needle” in Israel, it was like a narrow archway to enter through. If any scholars or philosophers are on here and want to elaborate please do, because I didn’t take detailed notes, just remembering vividly. The archway or needle so to speak, made the masters camels have to kneal down and squeeze through their so to speak. Another thought and notion that comes to mind and was referenced at church is, Are we getting on our knees enough? Are we humbling ourselves before God and giving Him the glory and honor He deserves? Like Mike said above and really what Jesus was saying was its not what you have that will send you to Hell, its how you care about it, where your thoughts are at, what you place as of high importance..is it Christ, the Son of the Living God, or materials, food, clothing, manna. God provides it all. But that’s just it, God would have given that young man all that he had and more! If he just submitted to God. God gives us blessings and things so we can use them for His kingdom..feed the hungry, clothe the poor, provide the Gospel to the ends of the earth, pray for the destitute, broken hearted, nurture the widows and orphans. How is your love walk these days??
Proverbs 10:20-21, esp verse 21, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense..parrelel to Hosea 4:6, my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Get knowledge, Get wisdom,get truth, the truth of Christ and of His Word will Make You Free!! God bless, cast cares unto the Lord!!
~~Dee
