Deuteronomy 33:1-29 + Luke 13:1-21 + Psalm 78:65-72 + Proverbs 12:25
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Old Testament – Allright, I don’t know about you, but I’m getting a little teary eyed reading about Moses’ final blessings of the tribes today! It reminded me of Jacob’s blessings of his sons in Genesis Chapter 49 – though, it seems to me that Moses’ blessings were a bit more positive overall than Jacob’s, no? Jacob’s were a bit more realistic though perhaps… as we’ll read later this year in the One Year Bible. The other thing about reading Moses’ final blessings of the tribes today that makes me sad is the realization that we are in the 2nd to last chapter of the Pentateuch! (The first five books of the Bible – the books of the Law.) Tomorrow we’ll read about the death of Moses in Deuteronomy chapter 34 and then it’s onto the Promised Land with Joshua!
An image is below for Moses’ blessing of the tribe of Joseph in verse 17: “Joseph has the strength and majesty of a young bull; his power is like the horns of a wild ox. He will gore distant nations, driving them to the ends of the earth. This is my blessing for the multitudes of Ephraim and the thousands of Manasseh.”” (I’m not sure why the image below says “unicorn” – it doesn’t look like a unicorn to me! 🙂
New Testament – I love Jesus’ teachings in Luke chapter 13 verses 18 & 19: “Then Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds come and find shelter among its branches.” I think if we can have faith in the seed that Jesus plants in our hearts – the Gospel – 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 mustard seed in your heart? And will you be patient and allow the seed time & space to grow? And will you water and care for the seed of the Gospel planted in your heart so that one day it will be a beautiful tree of life for yourself and others you come in contact with?
Bible.org’s commentary on Luke chapter 13’s readings today titled “A Problem of Perspective” is at this link.
Psalms – Psalm 78 verse 71 is awesome – “He took David from tending the ewes and lambs and made him the shepherd of Jacob’s descendants–God’s own people, Israel.” This verse reminds me that we’ll be reading about David later this year in the One Year Bible! It is interesting that the Psalmist refers to David as a shepherd and not king of Israel in this verse. The shepherd analogy seems like it might be foreshadowing Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Here’s an image below of a young David as a shepherd – perhaps singing some Psalms?? 🙂
Proverbs – Today in Proverbs chapter 12 verse 25 we read – “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” How is the state of your heart today? Is it anxious? Might I cheer you up with a kind word? 🙂 You are amazing for reading the One Year Bible this year! Not many people take on this significant holy endeavor to learn more about God’s very Word and to allow themselves to be transformed by it.
Worship Video: Luke 13:18-19 reminded me of the Sanctus Real song “Whatever You’re Doing:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN9J8eqKovY
Is God doing something inside of you? Click here for inner transformation!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches.” Luke 13:18-19 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that your faith is like a mustard seed. Small perhaps at first, but ever growing and expanding as your heart grows and expands for love of Jesus, is filled with the Spirit, and is full in the Kingdom of God.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Based on our Proverb, are there others in your life that you know are being weighed down with an anxious heart? Will you reach out to them today and tomorrow and the next day with a kind word to cheer them up? Never underestimate the power of a kind word toward others. It is life-giving. Please never fail to pass along life & joy to others through kind words as you journey through this life. And please accept kind words when they are given to you. 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:
Deuteronomy 33:1-29
As I read this passage on the blessings bestowed on the tribe of Levi,
9 The Levites obeyed your word
and guarded your covenant. They were more loyal to you
than to their parents, relatives, and children.
I immediately thought of the Words of Jesus we read recently, like yesterday,
Luke 12:
49″I have come to bring fire to the earth, and I wish that my task were already completed! 50There is a terrible baptism ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. 51 Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to bring strife and division! 52 From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against–or the other way around. 53 There will be a division between father and son, mother and daughter, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.”
When you chose to follow God you will be at odds with your friends and family members even those who go to “church.” But in Moses’ blessing to the tribe of Levi it is clear there is a reward for choosing God and obeying His covenant, His Word.
Deut. 33:12 …”The people of Benjamin are loved by the LORD
and live in safety beside him. He surrounds them continuously
and preserves them from every harm.”
The tribe of Benjamin would give Israel her first king, Saul, and although, rejected by God because of disobedience, they would remain faithful to the tribe of Judah once Israel is torn in two after the death of Solomon.
Deut. 33:7 …O LORD, hear the cry of Judah
and bring them again to their people. Give them strength to defend their cause;
help them against their enemies!”
Judah would give birth to Israel’s second and greatest earthly king, David and be the line Jesus the Messiah, would enter the world. Genesis 49: 10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, [Or until tribute is brought to him and the peoples obey; traditionally rendered until Shiloh comes.] the one whom all nations will obey
Luke 13:1-21
Mike to “repent” means to change direction, to turn 180 degrees in lifestyle, thinking and beliefs. Your other question, “Have you repented?” Based on lifestyle choices, yes; based on my way of thinking, yes; based on my beliefs, as well as values, yes! Today, while doing my laundry in the Laundromat a woman I just know by face said something to me that has not yet sank in she said, I’ve been seeing you for years and I know that God has blessed you because your face, hair and entire body reflect that you have changed and given yourself over to God.” I was speechless.
My desire for everyone on this site to be so infused with the Love of Christ, to be so infused with God’s Word that everyone around you will know that you have been with Jesus. They may all not like it but the evidence will demand that Jesus’ name will be evoked when they see you.
I read Bob Deffinbaugh’s linked article, A Problem of Perspective, and found it wonderful.
Today’s passage has one of my favorite Parables, the Unproductive Fig Tree (Luke 13:6-9). In fact I wrote a Bible Study on this parable that caused a big commotion. It seems that a lot of the guys (I lead a study where the majority of members of the group were homeless, drug/alcohol addicted men) became convicted, no ashamed, of their behavior and began calling the owner (God) of the vineyard, mean, cruel and impatient. They clearly identified themselves with the non-producing fig tree that was about to be cut down. Some of these guys had been attending this study for years and years and never were challenged to look at their lives and make changes. When I began teaching, and I was only there for four years, I began to hold them accountable for their behavior and stop accepting their justifications for their behavior as excuses. I was even accused of bringing “Holy” things into the study, which momentarily stunned me; however, after I recovered I said, “Well, this is a church.
When you fertilize the ground, forgive my lack of expertise as a city dweller, it seems to me that you do violent things to the ground: soil is turned over by sticking sharp implements into the soil to loosen it. You disturb all the little critters living in the soil and disrupt their tiny homes. I’m not sure about this but the roots might be disturbed as you give them a wake up call by all the movement of the soil. The status quo of the soil is shaken up and that is what I saw with these guys as they clearly became agitated with the study. This is the same agitation that Jesus caused as we went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil (Acts 10:38) I made no apologies for the study and I told all those with hurt feelings that I was not sorry that they felt uncomfortable and I hoped they would rethink their life. Although my words were firm and unrelenting, inside doubts ran through my mind as I thought, “Was this the right thing?”
A year to eighteen months latter, I was getting on a Subway train on a line I don’t normally ride. A man I didn’t recognize called my name. As I puzzled over who this could be, he said, “I’m Mario from All Angels.” I was stunned. Here was the man that was the most agitated, the one who said, “How dare you teach a lesson on Holy Things!” standing before me in his right mind. I had not seen him ever since that ‘lively” night in the church and my how he had changed. He was clean-shaven, well dressed and had a glow about him. He thanked me over and over again. Even-though he had walked out of that study he had been confronted by the parable and had made a decision to change his life. He was clean and sober and he stated proudly that he had reconnected with a daughter who was now fourteen after ten years with no contact. Here was a fig tree that had begun producing fruit.
Any doubts I had that night after teaching this parable all disappeared from the recesses of my mind. God is good and His mercy endures forever.
That is why I will always have a special place in my heart for this Parable of the Unproductive Fig Tree. I know that everyone will not produce because even in this story nothing is said of the state of the tree. But even when a tree is cut down, from the stump a productive plant can still rise.
I also have another perspective of the saying, “Let Go and Let God.”
Psalm 78:65-72
This Psalm is talking about a leadership change in Israel, Joseph to Judeah. And continues to mirror the Old Testament reading, Hmmm!
Proverbs 12:25
“25Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.”
Worrying will take you out (kill you). It doesn’t add anything to the situation but negativity. Worrying is a substitution for prayer and a sorry one at that. And even when we pray and give things over to God, when we get up off of our knees, back, face or whatever position is used, we go back to the alter where we just laid down our problem and take it back up again. STOP THAT! What we fail to take into account is God’s solution, which is better than ours may not be what we thought of. One of the very best things that has ever happened to me, I got laid off of a job. God began dealing with me and I wound up in college. I was a high school drop-out without even a GED. But God worked out favor as I took a chance from a Word I heard in my spirit to take a placement exam on the way back from the unemployment office. The rest is history. The answer I had figured out in my own head for the prayer I prayed was not the one I received.
By the way I graduated from the Jr. College as Valedictorian (that was a big surprise to me) was awarded my GED by the State of NY under a program called 24 credits, which I latter found out that 85% of the people who went that route failed; then when on to a four year college. If I had had those numbers before my journey, I would have been to afraid to try. Sort of like the 10 spies who brought back the bad report and the two who believed. I would have been with the 10 spies.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======= Chris:
Don’t ever stop posting Ramona. You are such an encouragement!
Chris
======= Bob:
Ramona has brought up a crucial point in our Christian walk. Like Chris, I encourage her and all of us to bring testimony to our fellow readers. This is one of three things Satan tries very hard to destroy when it comes to spiritual warfare. Ramona has done a very courageous thing by telling us how Jesus gave her the insight on how to fight man’s futility with one of Jesus’ parables. I think it is so phenomenal how she used it with just the right bent to change someone’s direction in life and lead them to Christ. Testimony can’t be any stronger than when we use what the Bible says to restore people to God. I can only imagine the difficulties she has had in telling this story. (ie. Guilt, pride, disillusionment, anger, etc.) By the way the other two things Satan hates are the unity of the Christian family and the ministry of Christian churches, especially pastors and leaders. I guess we know a little more about what to pray for.
Bob
======= Kelly:
Loved reading your amazing testimony, Ramona. Mike, what makes me sad every time I read it is the fact that Moses was not allowed to enter the promised land. Only to see it from a mountain. It just brings tears to my eyes when remembering all those years and how badly he was treated by the people. But he doesn’t complain to God about not being allowed to enter, but continues to teach the people what God says and gives instruction to Joshua, who will now lead the new generation into the land. I love the word of God, and each time I read it, I receive new knowledge and understanding that I missed before, or perhaps, wasn’t ready to receive. Thanks for all the sharing and God Bless You Mike for all your work in keeping this blog going for us. Love In Christ! HUGS!!
Kelly
======= Alan:
What a testimony Ramona. This has helped me along with Mike’s blog. This morning I went for the regular reading and blog as I usually read the Chronological this year. I’ve been reading this for nearly 10 years and usually read your comments. I’m so blessed. My wife is home in Hospice care. They left me alone to care for Pat on my own through this next phase. She wouldn’t eat, drink, or take any of her meds. I was concerned through the evening. Went to bed, She slept all night and is still sleeping this morning. Our God is an amazing God.i prayed and He answered and the Holy Spirit is giving me peace
Alan
======= Shane:
I loved Deutero 33:29. As the “Israel of God” we can say with Moses that we are “a people saved by the Lord.” And isn’t it wonderful that our Lord is both a shield, to ward off our enemies, and a sword to conquer them.
Shane
======= Roslyn:
Then Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds come and find shelter among its branches.”
How true!!! When one is filled with God’s Word, one bubbles with joy and the Spirit. People naturally and freely gravitate toward us like the birds of the air finding shelter on the branches of the mustard tree! We don’t have to “force” people to listen to the Word, they’ll come to “discover” the Word…
Mike—
That looks more like the water buffaloes that we have in Asia. They’re called carabaos in the Philippines.
Roslyn
======= Jan:
Roslyn, oh how I wish this were true all the time,”How true!!! When one is filled with God’s Word, one bubbles with joy and the Spirit. People naturally and freely gravitate toward us like the birds of the air finding shelter on the branches of the mustard tree! We don’t have to “force” people to listen to the Word, they’ll come to “discover” the Word…”
Sometimes we are the stench of death to some & the beautiful aroma/fragance of life/Christ to others. I used to think that being a Christian meant that everyone would love me…wrong again. Most of the time we/Christians are a thorn in the side of the world (which is what Christ said, that we would bring division & a sword). The world is the enemy of Christ anyway (per His Word, not mine).
When you are an intercessor, there is sorrow & grief to bear; you wake up at all hours of the night praying in the Spirit & you don’t even know for who or what you are praying…but it is not joy, it is deep intercession & grieving of the Spirit that you are experiencing. I wish that the world was turned on by discovering what He has to offer, but not so (in general). The “world” is at enmity with God & satan is the ruler of this world but not the ultimate Ruler.
The only “force” that will woo people to the Word made flesh/Jesus is the Holy Spirit & none come to Him/God the Father except through the Son/Jesus.
Rosalyn, I do understand your joy & zeal this morning, but there is another side to living for Christ & counting it all joy that the trying of our faith produces patience & endurance; the joy of the Lord is our strength.
Jan
p.s. The Lord just confirmed something to me in regard to my post above:
Psalm 126:5-6 – 5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
======= Roslyn:
Jan,
I do understand the other side of being a Christian—bearing sorrows and bearing them deeply for others…
And you’re right again on some Christians being very unChristian, unloving. We have them walking around on the face of this earth seemingly “proclaiming” The Word and then turn around and behave in abominable ways.
But they should not come in the way of expressing our own joy and love, of being alive in Christ and the Spirit.
Roslyn
======= Emily:
Repentance before God is a powerful gesture from our end. It is not only admitting that we are sinful but it also glorifies God as we totally submit before him with all vulnerability.
Not everyone chooses to repent or accept God. There were two thieves crucified by Jesus’ side. Even as one of them was in agony he cursed Jesus. But the other one showed faith and Asked Jesus to remember him in His kingdom. Jesus’ acceptance of that thief was almost instantaneous, ”Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43(ESV)
But on the other hand many Roman soldeirs and those responsible for Christ’s crucifixion and those who saw a huge curtain torn into two (Mark:15:38) did not believe in Jesus. Even many kept ridiculing Jesus until he breathed his last.
Compare this to Jacob who some say, wrestled with God! It was God, angel or some saint is left for speculation. But Jacob’s will and persistence to win favour is notable:
”When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, ‘Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’… Then he said to him, ”Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel.’ ” Genesis 32:25-28 (ESV)
I hope the lord also healed Jacob’s hip right after this blessing!
Emily
======= John:
Luke 13 1-21
Today is my two year anniversary of accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. While reading through Luke’s passages today, it struck me how often I ingored God’s warnings to me of “Repent or Perish”. Just as Jesus was warning the Jewish nation in these verses.
I thought I was invincible: Good genes, good education, always enough money, work hard, play hard, etc. Looking back, there were miraculous warnings that I was NOT invincible.
In the Navy, I fell from near the top of a Carrier hangar deck to the steel deck below, and once passed out in a secluded space from leaking freon – only to be pulled out by the hourly “watch” who happened to be passing by at 3:00 a.m.
There were Car wrecks (in the days before air bags) where the vehicle was completely totaled, muggings and assaults in NYC, partying in the wrong parts of town in various foreign countries, etc. In all eight or nine times I came close to death or being very seriously injured.
Often the police or passers-by said “You are the Luckiest guy I ever met.” Never had a broken bone, never seriously hurt, never cared about the implications of my mortality and what came next. The odds of coming through unscathed in ALL these instances are astronomical.
It seems I was preserved for a point in time when I would accept His Son, despite my careless approach to life.
Maybe that is why I am so careful now in trying to understand God’s Word. I had heard differing interpretations of the mustard seed and leaven parables, and never really thought about the “fig tree” parable. Bob’s commentary is worth reading, in that it may be different from what one would think on the surface.
“The kingdom of God is like this, Jesus says. The Jews who think they are righteous will reject Christ and will refuse to repent, and thus they will be judged as a nation. The fig tree will be cut down. And in its place will be a mustard tree, as it were, the church. By trying to conceal the truth from the Gentiles, the nation has only proven to have unwittingly spread it abroad—God’s unfaithful and uncooperative evangelists.”
http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=1114
(link same as Mike’s above)
John
======= Brian:
I have a HUGE prayer request for my family and I. We have been attending a church for the past 5 years. My wife and I have a daughter who will be 6 soon and going into the “big girl” church. The teachers in there are not good in controlling the kids. The youth pastor does not have good control of the teens. My wife and I do not feel challenged by the sermons. We want to move to a new church but that is scary. Please pray that the Lord will give us the right church to attend. I have a HUGE praise. I am almost finished with my first year of nursing school. I feel the Lord working in me each day when I am taking care of my patients. The Lord opened up the right doors for me to do this even wehn he closed the door of being a teacher for 10 years.
Brian
======== Daniel:
“An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” so true are those words. sometimes my heart is always down, especially when i see people fight over nothing. but the little things in life really cheers me up, like i bought 2 button down shirts for 16 bucks today.
Daniel
======= Kate:
thanks Mike for your word of encouragement to us today. thank you to you too for all the work you put into the Bible blog. i have tried one year Bible reading before, but never actualy managed it until this year – and the encouragement is having the blog as my home page -there every time I switch on the computer. I find the pictures really helpful, even if some are a little odd (the unicorn!, and we used some in our Good Friday meditation at church this year. I also find it so encouraging to note that I am sharing this endeavour with Christians around the world. a Happy Easter to everyone – keep blogging!
Kate
======= Kim:
Good word today, isn’t it awesome how the Lord speaks to us exactly where we are?!
Yesterday I spoke an “unkind word” to someone already dealing with an anxious heart. Okay, I will make things right with that person today.
…like the picture above says, Transformed by the renewing of our mind….
Kim
======= Laura:
Kim: I agree with your thoughts on being transformed by a renewed mind which we know comes from todays readings in Romans 12:2. I have felt conviction by they very thing you spoke of in regards to saying an unkind word. One of the things that I struggle with often is gossip. I have asked the Lord to deliver me from that sin. I tend to put up walls so that I won’t be hurt by others and sometimes those walls include unkind words and gossip. The world can be very unkind, but as Christians we have a standard to uphold.
Last night at church on Easter Sunday, our pastor didn’t give the typical Easter message but instead spoke on the subject of being transformed. The service was very spiritual and touched all who were there. Many folks came to the alter weeping in repentance and were washed by the Spirit and healed. It was truely a unique and differant but beautiful Easter message. I felt very convicted of my own sins. I am stuggling at work and trying to get along with a very difficult supervisor. Yesterday I saw her in a very different light. She broke down in tears on her cell phone during her break and I walked in during her conversation. After she hung up we were able to share and have a good conversation. I didn’t give her the gospel message but tried to be encouraging and friendly as a Christian would be. She is not a Christian and I can see the pain and struggles which many non-Christians go through especially during holidays such as Easter, when expectations as the world sees them are not met. I am glad that I can now view people in a differant light and have more of a heart of compassion. We has Christians have to set aside our selfishness and see sin as it is. A am very greatfull for the Ressurection of Christ and the newing of our minds in Christ.
Laura
========= Ashley:
I will have to say I totally agree with the picture of Romans 12:2 picture b/c if u let your life show that u let the son live in your heart u will stand out and when others hear u give kind words u know that it might just make there day.. I know when people used to give me compliments i wouldn’t totally agree with them but look at it this way if u are being blessed just take the blessing because u know its from god and u wouldn’t deny him giving u a kind word.. well that’s all that i have on my heart to share………
Ashley
======= Jean:
Luke13:8-9
Noticed that previously nothing is mentioned about the upkeep of the tree before the master says it has to be cut down, but the man who took care of the vineyard said for next one year he will take note to dig around it and put fertilizer on it. That is to say the man will get personal with the fig tree but if it doesn’t produce then the man will let it be cut down. God works the same way he will increase more one on one time, digging around and adding more fertilizer just to keep us from dying in sin. At the end of the day it will still be upto us to utilize all what He has done for us and bare fruits. So look around and if it seems that there is more time, better technology and resources to study the word of God maybe He is doing some pesonal digging around and fertilizing just to save you from a sinful death. Just like the man in the parable who took it upon himself to take extra care of the fig tree lets us be more attentive to realize when the Lord God is doing extra digging for us.
Jean
======= Kathy:
Mike, I just had to say that I was feeling a little sad too, but mostly because Moses, after all he went thru leading the people of Israel, didn’t get to even go into the promised land for just a little while. SAD!!
Kathy
======= Bill:
Speaking a kind work to others is like speaking life into that soul.
We may never know what that person’s background is, where they come from, what internal and spiritual struggles are going on in that person, etc… a kind word, a smile, a friendly “Hello” may be all it takes.
God said we are to build each other up, not tear each other down.
It is my humble plea and prayer for others to see Jesus in me, His love, His compassion, His mercy, His grace, and His Holy Spirit. To be able to hear the voice of the Lord and walk in the Spirit is what i am striving for.
Thank you and praise God for your ministry, may He continue to bless you and others through this journey of faith and knowledge.
Wisdom is knowledge applied, and God does speak to us through His word.
May God open our Spiritual ears, hearts, minds, eyes, and soul to all that He wants for our lives. in Jesus name
Bill
======= Luch:
Reading the Torah this time around helped as I also used Rabbi Russell Resnik’s (messianic Jew) Gateways to Torah. A fascinating commentary on the first five books.
Luch
======= Art:
The ‘anxious heart’ thing really hit me today. I’ve got way too much going on in my business life right now that I’m anxious about — even though I know it is also God’s blessing. I know God will handle it all in His time in His way and so I’m convicted for worrying so much about it (implying that sometimes, despite wanting to, I don’t fully trust Him to do so).
Re. Deuteronomy, I found it interesting how Moses blessed Levi and how the directive for that OT priesthood resonates with the stance of our ultimate high priest in Jesus. Specifically, Moses says, in verses 8-10 here in chapter 33(NIV):
“…the man you favored… said of his father and mother, ‘I have no regard for them.’ He did not recognize his brothers or acknowledge his own children, but he watched over your word and guarded your covenant. He teaches your precepts to Jacob and your law to Israel.”
That seemed to ‘echo’ quite strongly with Jesus talking about who his real mother and brothers were in Luke 8:19-21, Mark 3:31-35 and Matthew 12:46-50, which reads, in part:
“‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ Pointing to his disciples, [Jesus] said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’”
The point, as I read it seems to be that being true to God and His word means putting that above all else, including (with the utmost gentleness and love) our own family in the world. It’s a really tough one, but with many family members being unbelievers, I’ve had to come to grips with it.
Art
======= Jim:
Speaking of unicorns… The unicorn signifies Christ and the defeated ram symbolized Rome and the teachings of all other religions that would fall to the teachings of Christ. The unicorn’s fierce wildness is to show the inability of hell to hold Christ and the single horn represents the unity of God and Christ as one. The 72 Jewish scholars that wrote the Septuagint had no idea which animal the Hebrew writers had in mind when speaking of the re’em (below), only that it was described as being fast, fierce, and indomitable, with a horned brow. They called it a unicorn (later translators called it a rhinoceros and today is mostly called a wild ox).
God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of the unicorn.
— Numbers 23:22
His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of the unicorn: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth.
— Deuteronomy 33:17
Be not thou far from me, O Lord. Deliver my soul from the sword. My darling from the power of the dog. Save me from the lion’s mouth. For thou hast heard me from the horns of the nicorns.
— Psalm 22:20-22
The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars; yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon. He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.
— Psalms 29:1-6
But my horn shall thou exalt like the horn of the unicorn; I shall be anointed with fresh oil.
— Psalm 92:10
And the unicorn shall come down with them, and the bullocks with their bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.
— Isaiah 34:6-7
Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee or abide in thy crib? Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee? Will thou trust him because his strength is great? Or will thou leave thy labour to him? Will thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?
— Job 39:9-12
Jim
======= Elizabeth:
Hello All,
Regarding Proverbs 12:25,
“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”
I appreciated this verse this morning because I am prone to seasons of acute anxiety and am currently working my way through one. I had a Christian friend send me several scriptures on anxiety just yesterday–what great balm for my heart. A good word IS soothing and makes the heart glad–especially biblical truth. Thank God for friends! : )
Here are the verses she sent if you are curious:
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:41-42)
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. (Psalm 55:22)
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. (Psalm 94:19)
Search me, 0 God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24)
Elizabeth
======= Amy:
Thank you Elizabeth, those scriptures are a blessing!
Amy
======= Teriann:
I too was touched by Moses’ final words. After all the dire predictions, Moses ends on a positive note of encouragement, and then his last words are praise to God. I pray that my final words in this world will be like that.
There was so much in Luke today. Jesus starts by asking some pointed questions about suffering. I know that personally when I hear of some great suffering my first reaction is to look for some reason why they might deserve it. That way I can then tell myself that it won’t happen to me. Jesus explodes this line of thinking by pointing out that we all deserve the penalty of sin which is death. The parable of the fig tree shows the patience of God which is not to be confused with God winking at sin. Un-repented of and un-attoned for sin always causes death.
Then there is the healing of the woman on the sabbath. Jesus rebukes the rulers for putting their religion before people. The point of the sabbath was to worship God who is loving and compassionate. How can we truly worship God and not have a love for His people?
I love how this sweeping historic psalm 78 ends with David shepherding the people. What a beautiful picture of Jesus!
We all know that worry is a lack of faith and it is sin but I was admonished today by our proverb to be gentle with those who are in this place. Kindness and encouragement are sometimes what is called for.
Teriann
======= Debbie:
I just want to say Thank you Mike for the Bible Blog! It is a blessing to us each morning and gets us started with God’s Word in our heart. My husband and I enjoy together. Our neighbor was joining us for a while and is now using the blog on his own too. God bless you!
Debbie
======= Max:
It seems that matter how hard I try not to sin that I always slip up in some way or another but my walk with Christ is a dedicated one and I thank him for his abundant grace and unfaltering forgiveness. He picks me up dusts off my knees and helps me move forward. A friend introduced me to this website and the spiritual manna I receive from it helps me forgive myself. Thank you so much and may God bless.
Max
======= Joyce:
Mike and everyone,
Today in the New Testament, I am reminded to repent my sins often, turn away from wicked ways, follow God’s Truth, and bear fruit for Him. Don’t want to be lost eternally …
“I tell you, No; but unless you repent (change your mind for the better and heartily amend your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins), you will all likewise perish and be lost eternally.” (Luke 13:5 Amplified Bible)
pray that as believers wholehearted follow Him —
“… that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:3 Amplified Bible)
God bless!
Joyce
======= Jill:
Talk about anxiety! It’s hard not to feel the weight on your shoulder when you have a disease called PD. Every day you have challenges. How can one rise above it? I was always a carefree person loving ppl but now my life is changing. Any ideas?
Jill
======= Sandra:
I’m truly grateful for the One Year Bible and this blog. The OYB is the first Bible that enabled me to read through the entire text, and this marks my fourth year of doing so. Last year, I explored the Chronological OYB, but in April, I returned to this version. Ramona, I always appreciate your comments and eagerly anticipate them each day. Thank you, Mike, for maintaining the blog, and a special thanks to Ramona for your continuous engagement!
Sandra
======= Dee:
A KIND HEART and laughter is like medicine to the soul. I pray for the anxious! I pray my Teacher will grade kindly to my paper. I pray for my husband’s new ministry help starting at church tomorrow. Lord keep us safe. I thank u for covenants! I thank u for mustard like faith and I can’t wait to read again about David’s life!
Dee
