Leviticus 9:7-10:20 + Mark 4:26-5:20 + Psalm 37:30-40 + Proverbs 10:6-7
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Old Testament – Today in Leviticus chapter 9 we read about Aaron & his sons beginning their priestly ministry. I liked verse 24 as a closing verse to this chapter: “Fire blazed forth from the LORD’s presence and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When the people saw all this, they shouted with joy and fell face down on the ground.” I think what this verse does for me is to really confirm that all of the Offerings we are reading about in Leviticus were ordained by God at that time and that what we are reading about in Leviticus is truly part of God’s story. Not that I ever doubted this fact – but, when you read about God consuming the offering in fire in such a dramatic fashion, you realize that God was fully pleased with the priest’s and the people’s obedience. The Offerings are part of God’s story – and are foreshadowing the final Offering of Jesus on the cross. Do you believe the Offerings are a part of our spiritual history?
In Leviticus chapter 10 we read about the disobedience of Nadab and Abihu. You’ll recall 2 days ago that we read in Leviticus Chapter 6 verse 13: “Remember, the fire must be kept burning on the altar at all times. It must never go out.” Commentaries state that the fire was never to go out because the fire was started by God. Humans were not to bring man-made fire to the altar, or they would die. I realize that this can seem like a very harsh punishment for disobedience. Commentaries suggest that because Nadab and Abihu were in such high spiritual leadership positions, their disobedience carried the risk of leading many people astray. One commentary at this link suggests that Nadab and Abihu may have been intoxicated on wine, based on God’s subsequent instruction for priestly worship in Leviticus 10:9 – “You and your descendants must never drink wine or any other alcoholic drink before going into the Tabernacle. If you do, you will die.” It may help to remember that we saw disobedience from others earlier in the Bible – and we’ll see disobedience again later in the Bible – without the consequence of immediate death. But, in this case, disobedience brought death. Think about the risk of disobedience in our lives today. Yeah, sure, maybe we can get away with something dangerous/disobedient 9 times out of 10 – but, there is always the risk that perhaps the 10th time could prove lethal. So – why take the risk of disobedience at all? Is it worth it? Ever?
New Testament – I love the parable of the growing seed in Mark chapter 4 verses 26-29. This parable only occurs in the Gospel of Mark. I equate the seed to be the Gospel, which is filled with so much power and truth and life that “the seeds sprouted and grew without the farmer’s help, because the earth produces crops on its own.” The Gospel message is so powerful on its own that it will produce a bountiful crop. Or – maybe the Bible is another way to look at the seed. Reading and studying the Bible will ultimately produce a bountiful crop in our lives. It can’t help but not do so. What do you think the seed represents in this parable? I’ll share with you that I have been thinking more and more about farming these days – and the wisdom in how farming works. You plant, you water, you care for the soil, you wait, the plant grows. And this takes time. You reap what you sow. And I contrast this with our society today – or myself – and how everything moves so fast. We want instant gratification. Now! 🙂 We don’t like to wait on anything. We don’t like the concept of farming… and I’m afraid that this speed of life today can really be unhealthy – or maybe superficial is the word I’m looking for. In any case, I think the patience and process of farming is something that has so much value for us still today. If we are struggling with sins or sadness or whatever, I think we absolutely need to take these things to Jesus for healing – but, we would do well to realize that Jesus may want to do some farming in our hearts. He may want to plant some seeds, and give the seeds some time to grow. Sure, maybe sometimes we’ll get an instant gratification healing or answer. But I think more often than not we should be ready for some farming to occur in our hearts. And to thank God for the wisdom of this process!
I think my little tangent on farming and being patient during the process, above, might play in well to Jesus’ next parable of the mustard seed in verses 30 through 32: “Jesus asked, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed. Though this is one of the smallest of seeds, it grows to become one of the largest of plants, with long branches where birds can come and find shelter.”” I think if we can have faith in the seed that Jesus plants in our hearts – be it the Gospel, the Bible, healing, patience, faith – we will see an amazing plant grow that will ultimately bless others. From the tiniest beginnings, with patience and faith, can come the largest of plants. Will you let Jesus plant a needed mustard seed in your heart? And will you be patient and allow the seed time & space to grow?
Commentary from Bob Deffinbaugh at Bible.org on Mark chapter 4 titled “The Meaning of the Miracles” is at this link. Commentary from Bible.org on Jesus healing a demon possessed man in Mark chapter 5 titled the “Gerasene Demoniac” is at this link. Below is an image for the end of chapter 4 where we read about Jesus calming the storm:
Psalms – Psalm 37 verses 30 & 31 read like amazing Proverbs: “The godly offer good counsel; they know what is right from wrong. They fill their hearts with God’s law, so they will never slip from his path.” Are you filling your heart with God’s teachings? Are you doing this so that you will never slip from His path? Are you offering good counsel to those around you? When others around you see you, do they see someone that clearly knows what is right from wrong? Below is a little Right & Wrong sign humor for you 🙂 –
Proverbs – Proverbs 10 verse 7 is so simple but so true… “We all have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away.” Who do you have happy memories of? Who have you forgotten? How will you be remembered? What will be your legacy?
Worship Video: Proverbs 10:7 reminds me of the song “Legacy” by Nicole Nordeman:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah1COE39ARs
Do you know your eternal Legacy? Click here to meet your Legacy Maker!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Fire blazed forth from the Lord’s presence and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When the people saw this, they shouted with joy and fell face down on the ground.” Leviticus 9:24 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you will shout for joy for the Lord. Pray that you will humble yourself to fall before the Lord face down on the ground.
Comments from You & Question of the Day – What do you think of my farming analogies in the NT reflections above? Has our modern world forgotten about some of the principles of farming the land? Have we forgotten that we reap what we sow? Have we lost our patience, to the point where we will not even wait for the harvest to come in at its appointed time? Are we trying to control things in our modern day life that aren’t controllable? Such as the “pace” at which a seed grows into a plant and a plant into a full harvest? In losing some of our knowledge of the principles of farming and growing, are we at risk of losing ourselves? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
Love, Trust, and Obey Jesus,
Mike
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
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======= Ramona:
Leviticus 9:7-10:20
Today’s reading has me thinking about some situations that I know from first-hand experience. This reading opens up with Moses, doing what he has heard God tell him to do, giving instructions to Aaron to approach the alter and present first his sin offering for himself and then the whole burnt offering making atonement also for himself. After doing that he could then present the offerings for the people.
This order was not a suggestion but a commandment. Each and everything done in the Tabernacle and for the service of the priests, the people and the nation was not done by consensus nor by group decision, but by the command of God. So many of us today, Christians, believers, think that they can worship God, come before God in a way that pleases them. They have stepped in and decided to call the shots. I have heard statements like this, “God knows my heart.” “God and I,” or precisely, “Me and God, putting themselves first, “have an agreement, an understanding.” What they are really saying is that they are rejecting God’s order and placing their order of worship above anything else.
Because they say this is the New Covenant not based on Bulls and Goats they only have to worship in “spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23) Yet Jesus said He was the Way, the Truth and the Life. (John 14:6) Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Folks are trying to make up their own “truth;” however, it doesn’t work that way. So what we have are people making up their own way, their own truth and their own life and then wail out to God when things don’t go their way.
People who play in the center divider of the highway, sooner or later, will get run over by either a Mini-Cooper or a Sixteen-wheeler, I’m speaking metaphorically. When that happens how often do we hear the cry of, “Well, God took them,” or, “It was their time.” No, it wasn’t their time they went against the laws of nature and the Word of God. In these readings we see the two boys of Aaron get wiped out because they failed to listen to God’s command and these guys were anointed priests of God. Their position didn’t save them; their sincerity didn’t save them. They took a chance and gambled, they lost.
We also see here that God did not stop the process because Aaron was still required to carry out his duties. I have taken great notice in how the bodies of Nadab and Abihu were carried out by their cousins. The other brothers couldn’t carry them out because they were not to be around anything dead which would have disqualified them from participating in the process. The cousins carried them out by their tunics as Moses had commanded (10:5) Hmm, very interesting.
Also, I believe the order of the sacrifices, sin, burnt and then peace/fellowship gives us a window into our approach God. We cannot come in peace to His alter, whatever and wherever that may be today, without dealing with the “sin” issue, then offering ourselves up as a “living” sacrifice. God is a God of order, not of chaos and confusion.
During my years that I professed my hatred of God, if he did exist (I was judging God by the disciples I met in His church and at home.), some people would ask me questions about my anger and rage juxtaposed to the issue of Jesus and God. I would flippantly say, “Well, if there is a God then He knows what happened to me so he would forgive me,” and/or “If there is a God and as you say He is merciful, then He would show me mercy.” What I know realize is that confession of sin and becoming a living sacrifice has nothing to do with God’s mercy as much as it had everything to do with Identification with Christ. It is being under that “cover: that protects us from a Holy God and the only way to be protected by that is through the Gift of Salvation. Nadab and Abihu walked out from under that cover of protection by trying to do it “Their Way.”
Mark 4:26-5:20
I know in reading this passage Mike noticed that the seeds took hold in the soil and grew without the action of the farmer. The seeds interact with the soil, water and sunlight or warmth from the sun. Mike looked at this from the perspective of the Word of God in our own hearts. And if we take what was read yesterday about the Sower or Farmer who sowed seeds that landed on four different soil types, we understand that the soil represents the condition of our hearts, soft and workable, or hard like a well-trodden path. I see this as a means to not “sweet” the process as we minister to people, a stance I learned from my son when he was about fifteen.
As my son went to a NYC Public High School that he chose and I was feeling the pressure of having him not be in a good “Christian School” forgetting that there are dedicated Christian Educators in the public school system. Well anyway, I was trying to subtly, not so subtly ask him about his “evangelistic” endeavors at school, and if there were any. Now it wasn’t as if we had discussed this possibility, I was just trying to calm my guilty feelings, which were in reality, false guilt. I was blown away by his response. He said, and I quote, “My job is to plant the seeds, it’s someone else’s job to water.” That was it. All he made was a short statement and I realized that he understood something that I didn’t or hadn’t come to terms with. He knew the power of the Word of God, He knew that growth depended on the soil of the heart, which is the person’s own responsibility to maintain (Jeremiah 4:3; Hosea 10:11-12). He knew that it was God who brought the increase, not us. And he knew the scriptures. Jesus is speaking, 36 The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! 37 You know the saying, `One person plants and someone else harvests.’ And it’s true. 38 I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and you will gather the harvest.” See also 1 Corinthians 3: 6-7
Psalm 37:30-40
My struggle with “what’s right is seen throughout this Psalm. Everywhere I turn in this Psalm I see God maintaining His justice, I see God extracting His own vengeance.
34 Don’t be impatient for the LORD to act!
Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you, giving you the land.
You will see the wicked destroyed.
I must learn to wait on the Lord and believe in my heart totally that He will and is my Advocate and my Protector.
Proverbs 10:6-7
And if I haven’t gotten the message in Psalm 37, these two verses in Proverbs provide reinforcement for my hard head and heart.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======== Mick:
I found this on the Bible.org website, and it follows along nicely with Mike’s tangent on farming (which I am enjoying very much by the way!
The Change in Planting Corn
When the pilgrims settled in the United States, they brought their tools from Europe and learned to grow corn from the Indians. Their technology was limited. They dug a hole in the ground, planted an ear of corn, and added fish for fertilizer. By working hard with his hoe, a colonist could grow the equivalent of four bushels of corn a year, or about one bushel for each month in the growing season. By the time of the Civil War, farmers used mules and developed plows and other tools enabling a man to grow the equivalent of a bushel of corn a week or 16 bushels of corn a year. But today, with advanced technology, petrochemical fertilizer, soil analysis, and four-wheel drive tractors, a farmer can grow the equivalent of a bushel of corn for each 10 minutes of the growing season. American farmers grow more corn than the other farmers of the world because of better technology and better tools. The miracle of life in the seed has not changed; farmers can do nothing to change what God has ordered in the growth cycle. But tools and technology can improve the harvest.
154 Steps to Revitalize Your Sunday School, by Elmer Towns (USA: Scripture Press Publ., 1988), pp. 11-12
In Christ,
Mick
======== Lisa:
A few things that I found interesting in our readings today:
1) When Nadab and Abihu were struck down, Leviticus 9:4 states that “Aaron was silent.” He must have known there was no defense or excuse for their actions. Later, when Moses confronts the other two sons in v. 16 – 18 for how they handled the meat of the sin offering, Aaron answers Moses and defends his remaining two sons and 9:20 says that “he (Moses) was satisfied.” While I do believe that “sin is sin”, I have often wondered about gradations of sin – is one sin worse than another in God’s eyes, or does He see all sin the same way? Both sets of sons were disobedient, yet some are struck down and the others are forgiven. Does anyone have any thoughts or ideas on this?
2) Leviticus 10:10-11 – “You must distinguish between what is sacred and what is common.” (NASB uses the words “holy” and “profane”.) In v. 11, we read “you must teach the Isrealites all the decrees that the Lord has given through Moses.” This reminded me of Matthew 28:20, where Jesus says “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.”
Both of these passages remind me of my responsibility to study God’s Word daily, to be able to discern between the “sacred and the common” and to go out and teach others with my life, my actions and my words.
3) Finally, I would encourage everyone (who has the time) to read Mike’s links to the bible.org commentaries. I am in an in-depth study of Leviticus right now and have found those commentaries to be really helpful in understanding Leviticus, as well as the foreshadowing and how it all plays out in the New Testament. I have found my study of Leviticus has given me a much richer understanding of the New Testament, and especially the book of Hebrews.
Lisa
======= Pat:
Lisa, what Nadab and Abihu did was an act of deliberate sin made because they felt they could either rely on their own ability to start the fire or that their power from being a priest would enhance the power of God. Either they saw no reason to keep the altar fire burning as instructed in 6:12-13 because they knew they could easily relight it themselves which is probably what happened – or – the fire was still as burning as instructed but they decided that their priestly positions gave them power equal to the power of God which they demonstrated by adding their own additional fire to the altar. In either case God punished them by consuming them with fire.
Aaron had just seen his two oldest sons and his two remaining sons Elezar and Ithamar had just seen their brothers burned to ashes. Moses instructed the three of them not to leave the tabernacle to grieve with the people or to tear their clothes or let their hair go uncombed as a sign of mourning because they were to continue performing their priestly duty of offering sin sacrifices to God on behalf of the people and they did as were instructed. They did not turn their backs on God or refuse to perform their duties. However, after they burned the sin offering for their own sin and the sins of the people, they did not eat the meat as instructed. Moses approached them angrily demanding to know why they didn’t eat the meat. Aaron basically explained to Moses that they had done all they were suppose to do except they were to upset to eat after just watching Nadab and Abihu having been burned to a crisp, and then Moses understood and had compassion on them.
This is comforting to me because just as Moses had compassion when he realized how much Aaron, Elezar and Ithamar were hurting, Christ has compassion for us when we are deeply upset or hurting. God knows and considers what is taking place in our hearts. There are times when we hurt too deeply to pray and the Holy Spirit intervenes for us during those times. There are times when we have such pressing matters going on in our lives that even though we read the Scripture we are not aware of what we read, but God knows we are doing the best that we can do at that time. There are times when for some reason or another we cannot make ourselves enter the door of the church, but God still loves us and stays with us.
God bless!
Pat
======= John:
Lisa,
As far as the severity of punishment, I can only think of the phrase: ‘to whom much is given, much is expected’. They apparently as priests did actions “contrary to his command” Lev 10:1, and paid a price.
When we get to Leviticus 16, we will see that they violated not just the manner of coming to the Lord, but the time and place as well.
I also think of the recount of Annanias and Saphira in Acts. It seems that when the Lord is setting up something (worship in the wilderness,the early church,etc.), an early “wrong” act can be severely punished to make an “example of” and to say ‘take this stuff seriously’. There may be other examples I can not think of at this moment.
As far as the later sin of not eating the offering in the Tent. I think the difference is: Aaron because of what happened was thinking he and his sons were not worthy to be in fellowship with God. He was too embarassed or felt guilty. However, that is exactly the point – do your offering, atone for the sin, and rejoin God in fellowship.
In other words, the second one was not a sin of willful defiance, but one of human feelings of guilt and shame over the previous screw-up. And apparently Moses was satisfied that it was not a continuing pattern of willful disobediance.
[I certainly defer to other opinions on your question – these are just my off-thecuff responses].
John
======= Jim:
With regards to Lisa’s commment on the gradations of sin… I have to agree with Mike’s analysis, that Aaron’s sons were in such a high leadership position and their sin was so obvious that the Lord made an example of them. Another example would be in the Acts of the Apostles when a husband and wife (I can’t remember their names) were struck down by God for holding back a portion of an offering they gave. They sold property and said they gave all the money to the Church, however they held back a portion for themselves in secret. Again, I have to believe this was to show the “wages of sin”, which is death. I have noticed that both of these instances occurred in the beginning of new ministries (the beginning of the Tabernacle of the Lord and the beginning of the Christian Church).
As for farming and it’s similarities in the Christian life… I can agree that faith is like the smallest of seeds and grows ten times to hundred thousand times from which it started. As for whether today’s world no longer can handle a ‘farming’ analogy? All I can say is that God moves at His own pace no matter what. We have our time frames for doing things and God has His. We cannot speed up growth just like we cannot speedup the sunrise or sunset. You can think your growing quicker, but often at times we just end up deceiving our selves.
Stay safe and God Bless,
Jim
======= Anka:
The verse that stood out to me in today’s old testament reading…to wash the inner parts of the offerings and the legs even if they were going to be burnt completely.I kind of thought of the bible verse,”present your body a living sacrifice”and thought about the heart(inner part)for the sacrifice to be pleasing…we need to be wash every part.
As I chewed on the “He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything”in mark 4:34..I wondered why Jesus didn’t explain everything to everyone..to give them all a chance.Maybe because he wanted them to seek him,he wanted to be sure he didn’t give pearls to pigs…maybe he wanted to separate those who only came for the”show” from those who wanted to hear the truth….
sorry I meant for the sacrifice to be pleasing to God we have to wash the inner part…renewing our mind with the word…the word does clean up our inner parts….
Anka
======= John:
Anka,
I believe J. Vernon McGee in his bible commentary has it correct. The Pharisees had begun to plot for Jesus’ demise. But it was not His time yet. Some (maybe many) of the crowds came for the miracles, but not the spiritual applications. Those were indifferent to spiritual truths.
This “necessitated a change to the use of parables so that those who hungered and thirsted after righteousness would be filled and those that wanted spiritual truth could have their eyes opened.”
While the others had hardened hearts that made them unable to see and hear the Truth of God’s Word as spoken by Jesus. They were just confused.
The application today:
“Now it is your reaction and reception to the Word of God that is going to determine whether you will be saved or not.” – Mcgee again
Does the non-believer search for God with an open honest heart? Do they truly want to know the Truth? Are they playing games, or do they really want to understand God’s message?
If they have a heart with no guile, want the Truth, want to understand – then God will reveal it to them. Otherwise, they will just be confused.
Once revealed, it is just a matter of a Choice.
WHOMSOEVER WILL
P.S. Then why were the apostle’s spoon-fed? Because they were “chosen” and they followed, and Jesus chose to teach them separately to prepare them for when he was gone. {my conjecture here}
John
======== Oriane:
Hi guys
I am reading this book called “Winning Words” It’s about making sure that we know what God says about us by readind the bible daily and applying it to our lives. I agree totally that the Bible is like a seed. Once it’s sown we will reap the rewards as we are transformed from the inside out. The parables about the seeds have come up a lot in the last week. A friend of mine talked about it and referred me to the first two lines in John! The power of the Word of God will change our lives as we make it become a part of our being! Just thought I’d share this with you!
Bye
Oriane
======= Mae:
Are you offering good counsel to those around you? When others around you see you, do they see someone that clearly knows what is right from wrong? ~ Funny you ask this question, our friends are going through a hard time right now in their marriage. They turned to us for some sort of ‘counselling’. I straight out told them that I will listen to them but I refused to give them advice, I’m not a proffessional counsellor and I don’t want to mess it up even worse. I don’t want them to say “But you told us …”. I can share my experiences, I can share feelings, I can comfort them … but I won’t give advice. Anyway, they said they turned to us for help because they saw so many changes in us since I was saved, we seemed so much happier then before, they knew Rene and I always had a good marriage, but it seemed different now. I instantly knew they had to see the Holy Spirit in us. My friend told me she knows we can help them through this, because we life out of God’s word. I told her they can do that themselves to … and she’s going to join me to church tomorrow. Praise the Lord!
Will you let Jesus plant a needed mustard seed in your heart? And will you be patient and allow the seed time & space to grow? ~ Patient/Patience is a new word in my dictionary since 6 months LOL I’ve come to learn what patience is all about since I’m saved. I was a terrible person who always wanted things NOW or yesterday. Jesus defenitly planted a needed mustard seed in my heart … I know He did. I’m patient and little by little I see it grow. I know I need to be patient, it needs time, space and good care. It’s not easy, because I really want to see what it looks like full grown, but it needs time. Till that time comes, I’ll enjoy taking care of it. It’s exciting taking care of something so beautiful … planted with great care and love …
Who do you have happy memories of? Who have you forgotten? How will you be remembered? ~ How will I be remembered? It depends who you ask … The reborn version of Mae is so much nicer than ‘the old one’. There are people I had a HUGE terrible fight with before I got saved. We went seperate ways and I never bothered looking back. I hurt them and they hurt me. They’ll remember me as a psycho, seriously, they will. We had our differences and at that time the best thing to do, for me, was to turn around and don’t look back. They let me down and I let them let me down, does that make sense? I still hope they will see me and see the changed person in me someday. I do know they will never let me explain what happened back then and something inside of me tells me it’s better this way. Anyway … I’m not really sure how I will be remembered … I hope people remember my laughter. I laugh a lot … A LOT!!! LOL I have happy memories of my grandfather, he passed away when I was 9 years old. I still remember how sweet he was for me, I remember his voice so clearly and his smell. He always called me “Mabellina” … Who have I forgotten? I gave this question a lot of thought, and I think I didn’t forget about someone … Especially people who had a big part in my life. There are people that I didn’t treat right, I don’t have them in my life anymore, but that doesn’t necerally mean that I forgot about them. ( I keep having problems with the word necerally LOL … spellcheck!!!)
Mae
======= Jenny:
Concerning the farmer analogy, God sure has made me wait for just about everything. Tho when at last it comes, its well worth the wait. It can be frustrating…not just because this is the age of instant info, instant everything! i was just listening to a radio sermon about Joseph, all he went through, like being in prison for those 2 yrs…God was preparing his heart, he was giving him “iron in his soul” for what lie ahead. I’m currently in the midst of a very stressful, painful situation and all i can do is wait on God. i’m at His mercy, totally dependent on Him, tho I always am anyway. Instead of saying, ‘all i can do is wait’ i long to really say, ‘God is blessing me by having me wait, shaping me, molding me’. ‘God is producing something greater in my suffering and trials’.
Its very hard to rejoice in, but if I am righteous before Him (which i dont feel i am, save for the righteousness of Jesus imparted to me), He promises to be with me n produce a harvest in me. Is He preparing me for something more? Spiritually yes, but in my situations i’m in now…I just dont know now. i’m very confused. Here come that verse, ‘lean not to your own understanding, trust in Him, and He shalll direct your path,’
I’m counting on this now. I just dont know what to do, what my next step will be, i feel so helpless. But in the midst of all the tears, i know God loves me and His thoughts of me are constant and good. I feel very alone in this regarding other ppl, but not alone regarding God the Father. i’m so desperate for Him, like that song, “i’m lost without you’. I need His help so bad, this next week is going be very tough on me. sometimes, i just dont know if He is saying no or wait regarding normal life decisions.
I know God has the power to stop the storm, but He has the power to see me through the storm too. Sometimes He wont calm the storm, but calm the child.
I love these verses in psalms: 39 “The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD;
he is their stronghold in time of trouble. 40 The LORD helps them and delivers them…”
I think this proverb, v.7 is concerning more the spiritual realm. Certainly the most ‘wicked’ people in history aren’t forgotten, Hitler, Hussein, Stalin, Dauhmer, Bundy, etc. These people will be forgotten when the eternal begins of course.
People who shock us or make any impact on our lives, I don’t think are forgotten this side of heaven. I have lost many people in my life, godly and ungodly and my love for them isn’t determined by their godliness/ungodlinesst. My happy memories live on in those who were ungodly as well. the one I miss the most is my best friend who died unsaved. Certainly I wont forget her while I live on earth…but God promises to wipe away all our tears in heaven. Concerning loved ones who “perish”, I believe God will erase our memory of them. In heaven, I don’t think we will not think of the lost…which actually breaks my heart. I’m sure this is very painful for all of us.
I probly sound like a real downer today, but hey, thats life. I’m clinging to Christ n hanging in there, thats all I can do…or God is blessing me by allowing me to go through this (ok, i cant honestly say i feel this way). but God help me through this next week. waaaaah. prayers are sure appreciated!
Jenny
======= Mae:
Jenny … first of all I want to let you know that I’m defenitly praying for you! God will help you through this …
Second I want to respond on what you wrote “but God promises to wipe away all our tears in heaven. Concerning loved ones who “perish”, I believe God will erase our memory of them. In heaven, I don’t think we will not think of the lost…which actually breaks my heart. I’m sure this is very painful for all of us”. Do you know that I think about this al lot? I have so many unsaved relatives and friends, and it’s like you said, so painful for me to know that they will be erased out of my memories. I do believe that God will erase them from our memories, to be sure that we won’t be broken by thinking about them while we are in heaven and they’re on earth. Going through terrible times. I really do think about it a lot … I can say daily. I hope I can get my loved ones to be saved … Like before Rene was saved, I have had many many times sitting on the coutch praying to the Lord and asking Him to bring Rene home save. Rene practicly lives in his car during the week, and while we had stroms going on in Holland, I was praying and asking Him to bring Rene home save. The thought of something happening to Rene and being unsaved, stressed me out! It’s so hard! Gina has a little video on her blog, from the rapture, I cried watching it! I really hope I’ll find a good way to life with this thought, give it a good place in my Christian life … it’s not going to be easy.
Mae
======= Birdie:
I like the idea of the seed being the Word or the Bible. I had another thought about that when I was reading it this morning. I am a leader of a fairly new Bible study. I have become discouraged that not many are coming to it. But then I thought about it, (perhaps the Lord led me to think about it) that one of those persons used the same Bible study as the Sunday School lesson on Sunday mornings, and another one wants to use the Bible study with some friends that she meets regularly with. So I guess it’s growing even when I don’t see it.
Birdie
======= John:
Amen Birdie,
We need to share our thoughts and insights. We need to witness and testify – we have no idea how God will use our sharing of His word and its effects on our lives, but He knows. It is when we sit in silence that we make the mistake. We need to be constantly “sowing”.
Great post!!!!
John
======= Laverne:
Leviticus 10;1-2 -really blew me away and made me so THANKFUL for God’s grace and mercy. Nadab & Abihu did what we all do EVERY day sin; in one of many ways. I am so grateful for His grace. Its funny how this sin caused God to send immediate judgement like with Anaias and Sapphire lying about the amount of money they received for goods, and Adam and Eve. I wonder if this had anything to do with the fact that God was instituting something new and b4 it could get started they almost ruined it.
I so enjoy getting to know Him and His nature and realizing that the O.T God is very different from the N.T God.
Laverne
======= Phil:
The calming of the sea:
A good friend of mine pointed out to me several years ago that the bigger miracle in this story is not that Jesus calmed the sea but rather that the God of the universe was hanging out in a boat with a bunch of lowly fishermen. Wow.
Phil
======= Briggs:
Thanks for the various links to the commentaries on Leviticus, particularly Bible.org. They’ve been very insightful in gleaning truth and context from among these outwardly seeming grotesque sacrifices. I completely understand now Moses’ argument to Pharaoh that the Israelites had to go into the wilderness to worship because their worship would have been abhorring to the Egyptians.
All the symbolism rings with truth when linked to the New Testament but it’s hard to imagine how I would have responded to these sacrifices without the benefit of the New Testament and the wisdom and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I grew up on a farm and I’ve helped with the butchering of large animals and I still remember some of the noxious sights, and particularly the odors, of all the blood and guts. Some of the smells linger with you for days. It’s hard to imagine a Holy place with the sights and smells of blood, guts, and burnt flesh; particularly when Solomon dedicated the temple and sacrificed thousands. It’s Interesting that there is no mention of how to clean up after these sacrifices. Were the priests allowed to wash off the blood from their ears, thumbs, and toes; their priestly garments; the alter itself? Without the benefit of context, it’s terribly difficult to imagine how the LORD was pleased with the “sweet smelling aroma” of these sacrifices. Thank God for the incense that was also burned on the altar. From an outsider’s perspective, where is God in the midst of all this public killing? Surely to any outsider this would seem appalling.
Briggs
======= Jennifer:
I find the need to remind myself to wait for God. I thik of Psalm 37:7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him:…
I think the analogy of farming is appropriate. We have to be willing to work long hours, to sacrifice for the crop and know that in Gods time we will reap what has been sown.
I am reading “A Walk Across the Room” by Hiebel and it is a great book about personal evangelism. The point of it is to take chances, build relationships with everyone for they are Gods children, pray for the Holy Spirit to use your life to the benefit of others walk. We do not know the impact on another persons life of a kind word, a helping hand, or any simple act, but if we are available to God his will and path for us will be done.
We may never see the crop, but if we are faithful then it will be more abundant than we can imagine.
Jennifer
======= Roaline:
Thank u for the comment on Moses compassion on Aaron et el.Sometimes we hurt and we do not even realise it.Only the fruit of that pain is evidenced in other areas of our lives.But God comes and through a simple teaching like this brings light on the the root of our actions.Which he has done for me tonight.
Thank you so much for helping me see that.
God bless you.
Roaline
======= Steve:
Mark 4:26-32 The parables of the growing seed and the mustard seed
Jesus speaks of the parable of the growing seed followed by yet another parable, the mustard seed. He spoke in farming terms because most of them understood farming. It’s interesting that Jesus spoke to them in terms they understood (farming) but spoke in parables they couldn’t understand. When you think about it, it makes sense and isn’t a contradiction. The parable which they didn’t understand is like the seed (we don’t understand how it works) no one really understands how a tiny acorn becomes a mighty oak tree.
Jesus spoke in parables sometimes because He knew that would not be able is accept what he was saying at the time He was saying it and like the seed it would germinate in their minds over time, kind of like the subconscious mind mulling it over without really thinking about it. The growing seed is like this, we do nothing but plant it and as we sleep it continues to work developing just as it was created to do. The mustard seed caught my eye regarding the birds lodging in its branches, our property has lots of mustard seed growing on it around the avocado grove and it never gets much bigger than waist high and never strong enough to support a bird or a nest.
I read several commentaries on the mustard seed and though it speaks of what develops from a small amount of faith into something very large (speaking of the church) the birds lodging in the branches is unnatural and symbolizes something that has grown beyond the size it was suppose to grow and has been infiltrated by evil. What started as a small home fellowship in some cases has grown to mega status churches that have lost their way and are not what God intended when planted.
Steve
======== Duane:
The death of the two sons of AAron,reminds me of the disobedience of Moses at striking the rock twice. Moses lifted himself as God to the people. His temper got the best of him,which I can relate to,and cause him to respond the way he did. Moses didnot intentionally intend to dishonor God, but God still chose to punish him. The disobedience of Arron’s sons could have been willful therefore calling for the wrath of God. I like what you said about the parbles of sowing. I don’t like to wait. I just recently started growing tomatoes. Watching the process unfold has been amazing. I would go out everyday to see how my vines were doing. I was the caretaker of this garden. The fruit from these vines were in my hands. Watching my father in law grow tomatoes taught me the principles of caring for the vine. If I take this knowledge and applied to what the Holy Spirit is doing in my life and into the lives that he leads me, then God will supply the needed ingredients to make it grow.
Duane
======= Jeff:
Do the Levitical laws apply today? Or are they voided by the New Covenant? I thought of this question as I was reading Lev 10:8,9 today: “Then the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying: “Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations”
Jeff
======= Ginny:
I would say that Levitical laws were mainly for the priests and I would say that we would not get much inspiration out of an inebriated Pastor/Priest/Rabbi! So it probably still stands today! : )
As for most of the other laws – the old covenant was replaced by the sacrifice and blood of Christ who atoned for our sins on the cross.
Ginny
======= Antonietta:
city people have no idea about farming techniques, we are about instant gratifications.We can’t wait one minute for any thing that is why we can buy flowers and plants that are fully matured. we need not wait. we pass that down to our children who have no patience and want it now, now now.I have to work on being more patience especially when it comes to my relationship with my family. It seem i can be more patient with people out side my immediate family and no patience when it comes to family. I loved the reading in psalms today. verse 35-36 stood out to me today.
Antonietta
======= Russ:
I find that sometimes in the midst of a storm, like the death of a loved one or even one caused by my own disobedience. Once on the other side of that storm ,
I find out God was there with me even though I didn’t pray
Russ
====== Bob:
Mark 5: 1-20 Deliverance of the Demonic. This story brings up a very interesting question in today’s world about people that display abnormal behavior. I would just like to add my experience with a possible cause that we have experienced in our family. Soon after my son arrived from Haiti my wife and I noticed a lot of similar traits Bob Deffinbaugh refers to in his commentary: anti-social behavior, super strength, torment, etc.
After years of therapy, psychologists, special education, Doctors and books we discovered a simple parasite,neurocysticercosis that is prevalent in 3’rd world countries and produces brain injury. After my son experienced a mild seizure, a South African Doctor ordered a CT Scan and from her experience cited the possibility of this parasite. He was immediately air lifted to a Children’s Hospital in Vancouver and a MRI was done to confirm this diagnosis. Our son had the equivalent of a brain injury, hence the bizarre behaviors over the years. I can’t say how often we felt this was the result of a demon in him and repeatedly asked the Lord what to do? His answer came through and now we have a very physical workable situation and somewhat relief knowing what the problem is. I suppose my comment is to be careful when we judge people’s actions. (It may not be a demon). Since they didn’t have MRI’s in Jesus time, this parasite may have been the cause of many “possessions” although in Mark’s story I truly believe we are looking at Demons and given a look at the Spiritual Warfare we must face sometimes. The ironic thing is that this parasite is often found in pork!
Bob
======= Joyce:
Mark 4:26-34
The parable of the growing seed is so encouraging.
Mike, thank you for point out that:
“Reading and studying the Bible will ultimately produce a bountiful crop in our lives. It can’t help but not do so,” because “The Gospel message is so powerful on its own.” Indeed, indeed.
May we have faith, may we have patience, may we have hope – in the seed that God plants in our hearts, and in the faith seeds that we have the privilege to plant in others’ hearts.
Sincerely,
Joyce
======= Jeffrey:
After Jesus healed the demon-possessed man, Mark 5:17 says: “And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.”
Normally, Jesus’ miracles caused people to flock to Him. So why in this instance did they want Jesus to leave?
I like the linked commentary’s explanation of this:
“The typical explanation for the petition of the residents that Christ leave their country is that they were motivated by materialistic considerations. In other words, Jesus had caused a loss to them of 2,000 swine already; what else would His presence cost?
In both the accounts of Mark and Luke, the primary motivation is described as that of fear. Luke seems to base this fear solely upon what happened to the demoniac, not on the loss of their pigs.
“And the people went out to see what happened; and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened. And those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was demon-possessed had been made well. And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district asked Him to depart from them; for they were gripped with great fear; and He got into a boat, and returned” (Luke 8:35-37).
As these people began to piece together the previous events, not only of the destruction of the pigs, but also the deliverance of Legion, they began to sense that there was One far more awesome, much more to be feared, than Legion. They had dealt with Legion (I suspect) by forcing him from their presence. Now they would deal with this One greater than he by doing likewise. It is ironic that while the demons didn’t want to leave the country, the dwellers of that land didn’t want the Messiah to stay. Here is one of the few times that a miracle drove people away, rather than to draw them to Jesus. It would seem that these people had no Messianic expectations, and therefore wanted nothing to do with One Who had such awesome power, a power over which they had no control.”
Also, we have been reading a lot recently about God’s ceremonial laws in the Old Testament. So why are we Christians not bound by these laws today?
Great article here: https://www.gotquestions.org/ceremonial-law.html
Godspeed,
Jeffrey
======= Robert:
Thanks Jeffrey that is a great article. Historical too because it tackles how we got to to where we are today.
My interest is demons today and especially Jesus encounter and the commentary at “Gerasene Demoniac” by Bob Deffinbaugh.
One thing that I thought was interesting was why Jesus told parables. Good answer by Bob D. in The Setting, ” From this point on, Jesus began to speak to the crowds in parables in order to veil or conceal the gospel from those who had blasphemed the Holy Spirit (Mark 4:lff)”.
Also The residence asking Jesus to leave? Another good answer by Bob D. “The typical explanation for the petition of the residents that Christ leave their country is that they were motivated by materialistic considerations. In other words, Jesus had caused a loss to them of 2,000 swine already; what else would His presence cost?”
Robert
======= Joe:
I think a key point discussed today was the “God Speed” in which a plant grows. We are a nation who no longer waits, takes control, and puts the power in the hands of our government, in hopes to make the our cultural sickness better. Today, I am reminded to enjoy the speed in which God works and that he does so for his own purpose. What he plants, we grow, and he harvests. Thank you Jesus, and please let myself remember that your speed is the speed I want to live.
Joe
======= Judie:
I like your comment about farming, and the wisdom in how farming works and the time it takes.
Growing up in the church, I always thought the farm families were a little different than the rest of us: like they were calmer, not caught up in the fast-paced life the rest of us lived. But most of all, that they were closer to God in that they knew him better because they had to rely on him and trust in him for whatever He sent their way, especially the weather.
One farm family did no farm work on Sunday. I would think of them a lot especially when the weather would be perfect on a Sunday for planting or harvesting. But I knew they would be observing the Sabbath. They had one of the most successful farms around, and then their children also became successful farmers. They put God first in their lives and he certainly blessed them.
Judie
======= Linda:
The phrase in relating to all the different offerings to the LORD “making them right with the LORD” appears multiple times. It reminds me of what Jesus did on the cross for us to make us right with God if we repent of our sin and put our faith in trust in Jesus.
Linda
======= Mitch:
Was at church and teaching most of yesterday:
But wanted to mention OT – (right side is side of strength in Judaism) anointing on right ear, right thumb, and right big toe of priests indicates: priests are to hear the word of God, work the word of God, and walk in the Word of God in strength. We as believers (priests) – do we do that consistently?
OT – deaths of Nadab and Abihu seem harsh. Note three things about God. He was very strict at the beginning of instruction on worship AND at the beginning of church in Acts. To those given much, much is expected (like obedience), and if God commands, then violating command is sin AND God takes sin very seriously (if a non- believer you should heed that warning and cut a deal with the judge while you can).
NT: so many references to Jesus as Deity so far in readings. Today more demons (before being sent into pigs) attest to the deity of Christ. In addition, during the storm disciples asked – ‘who is this man – even the winds and waves obey Him’? Huh???? Did they go to synagogue as youth – that man would be God – Psalm 107:29.
Mitch
======= Dee:
february 20th : In Leviticus 9:7-10:20, it was wrapped around offering: sin offering, burnt offering for Aaron, and his sons and community, but then a special gift “grain” offering offered for peace of the entire community. (Not the priest). The priest were in a high place, anointed. Very special and specific duties to carry out for the people. So, they carried the “spirit” and peace of God with them at all times, that is why they didn’t need a grain offering from them, however, they were told to eat what was left of “grain” offering as a special meal, unleavened in front of alter, as their reward.
It is sad when Nadab and Abihu were both possibly intoxicated and burnt the “wrong” kind of offering at the alter. What was even sadder to me, is to have a Father witness 2 of his 4 children disobey so harshly and be killed in front of him and not be able to show remorse. That is hard. However, like in the bible it says: The wages of sin is death. Death comes with a high price. And like you said Mike, you might not die for the first sin, or second, or 9th but watch out..when sin is crouching at your door, if you don’t succumb it and repent, turn and follow “The Way” watch out..death or heartache will ensue. Sin never pays well.
Mark 4:26-5:20
An amazing story: We receive parables, real illustrations to His disciples, storm, an intervention, and a healing and animals drowning all in one script. Jesus never spoke without using parables, familiarity and simple real life illustrations to every day people. He would describe it in laymen terms to his disciples. It is interesting..people were fearful of him, his disciples couldn’t understand or comprehend him and demons wanted to “out” him. What I always find interesting is His great authority. Like in the storm..he slept so peacefully when the boat was ebbing and flowing, crashing and bumping.. He got up, Peace! Be Still! I hear him in my mind and I think, Man, I wish I had that type of authority in my dailies! I am a school teacher in a middle school sector..and it’s hard. Students don’t want to focus, want to disrupt. I would love to walk in with that peace, and authority to say Peace! Be Still, and they knew..authority was speaking ..I love the teachings of Jesus!
Psalm 37:30-40 It proves time and time again that good prevails! The godly offer good counsel. They teach right from wrong. They make God’s law their own. They never slip from His path. Put hope in the Lord! Travel steadily on His path. He will honor You! Give you land. A wonderful future awaits for those honest and good. Those who love peace! The Lord rescues the godly, He is their fortress in times of trouble. He saves them. They find shelter in Him! Praise God!!
Proverbs: 10:6-7 The godly are showered with blessings! We have happy memories! yes amen.
Dee
