Numbers 26:1-51 + Luke 2:36-52 + Psalm 60:1-12 + Proverbs 11:15
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~
Old Testament – Today in Numbers chapter 26 we read about Israel’s second census, which was commanded by God. (We’ll read later in the Bible a census conducted by David that was not commanded by God, which was a sin.) This 2nd census in numbers was taken approximately 38 years after the first census. The first census in Numbers chapters 1 & 2 was taken after Israel had left Egypt. This second census is being taken just before the conquest of the Promised Land. In verse 51 today we read: “So the total number of Israelite men counted in the census numbered 601,730.” This total of the second census compares to 603,550 from the first census, so is very comparable. These second census numbers obviously reflect the 24,000 deaths we read about in chapter 25 – so this number would have been higher. To me, overall, to see the numbers so similar over 38 years in the wilderness shows that God’s hand of blessing was so clearly upon the Israelites. They were flourishing in the desert. Hopefully this is encouraging to us today. If we are in right relationship with God, I believe our lives will clearly flourish in whatever circumstances we might find ourselves in – even if we are in the desert!
New Testament – In Luke chapter 2 today we read about Jesus’ wisdom at the young age of 12. How’s this for a profound statement from Jesus to Mary & Joseph when they found him in the Temple in verse 49 – “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “You should have known that I would be in my Father’s house.” I like that! And I like that Jesus was paying such respect for the Temple as well – essentially calling it the house of God. I do believe this can be carried forward today to Jesus’ love for his body, the church. I often think to myself, when I’m on my way to church, that “I’m going to the house of God.” Do you believe that we can find Jesus today in his Father’s house? Or are you searching elsewhere? I do believe of course Jesus can be found outside of church… but I also know that I oftentimes experience his presence so profoundly at church – and Communion in church clearly being one such a time & place where I cannot help but find Jesus in a profound way. Below is “Jesus in the Temple at Twelve” by Duccio di Buoninsegna from the early 14th century:
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Luke titled “The Day Jesus went AWOL” 🙂 is at this link..
Psalms – I like the imagery of Psalm 60 verse 4 a lot – “But you have raised a banner for those who honor you — a rallying point in the face of attack.” I do believe that if we honor God, he will in some profound way “raise up a banner” for us. A banner that will rally and encourage us in the face of attack – in the face of doubt or despair or sickness or just plain old fashioned attack from the Enemy – I believe God will give us a banner of hope. This banner could end up being one of a million different things I think, depending on the circumstances. For me, certainly a banner that rallies me each and every day is God’s very Word, the Bible. I believe the Bible is indeed a banner that rallies us in the face of attack… What are some banners in your life that God is providing to rally you in the face of attack? Uh-oh, this whole banner imagery has reminded me of an old childhood song… 🙂 Remember that children’s song that goes something like this (over and over and over again…) – “Peter built the church on the rock of our faith. HIS banner over me is love.”? What a great simple song! God’s love very well should be a banner in our lives!
Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 11 verse 15 is saying one thing – which I get – but for some reason today, something else is being said to my heart. Here’s the verse: “Guaranteeing a loan for a stranger is dangerous; it is better to refuse than to suffer later.” It’s that last half of this verse that is jumping out at me – and in a way unrelated to loan guarantees. 🙂 Here’s the tangent this verse brought to mind for me today. I am someone who does not do a very good job of “refusing” much of anything. I say yes to way too much and take on way too much. And part of me really enjoys this – I feel wanted, loved, invited, needed, busy, etc. But then… I suffer later. I then feel overbooked, stretched thin, and just plain tired and grouchy. So, for me, the second half of this verse tonight is a good verse on boundaries – it’s better to refuse than suffer later…. I like that…. I need that!
Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Zach Williams song “Old Church Choir:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOEviTLJOqo
Do you have an old church choir in your soul? Click here and Sing!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Luke 2:49 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you will look for Jesus today in his Father’s house, heaven, seated at His Father’s right hand side in glory. Pray that you won’t ever need to search for Jesus, but know that He is with you always, even to the very end of the age.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Based on my Proverb reflections above, how are you with setting boundaries? Do you know when to say No and when to say Yes? What are some disciplines you practice to make sure you set appropriate boundaries? Has anyone read the “Boundaries” book I show above by Henry Cloud? I hear it is fantastic from friends of mine that have read it! In fact, I heard it’s great for small groups too. May be just what the doctor ordered for me… 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.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= Ramona:
Numbers 26:1-51
For some reason the following verses came to me as I read the chapter,
While Israel was living in that land, Reuben had sexual relations with Bilhah, his father’s concubine, and Israel heard about it. Jacob had twelve sons: The sons of Leah were Reuben… (Genesis 35:22-23 NET.)
I had never paid attention before to where and what tribe the rebellious Dathan and Abiram descended from. These were the same men who joined with Korah to rebel against the leadership of Moses back in the 16th chapter of Numbers. Their ancestor, Ruben, in sleeping with his father’s concubine, although he did not break the commandments because the Law had not been given, tried to take the authority and leadership of his father, Jacob, by his actions. Here we have his descendents trying to do the same thing to Moses. Is this a clear example of the following verses?
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:5-6 KJVR)
Although most modern translation don’t use “visiting the iniquity,” in the Hebrew the word is visiting. For me this is a very sobering statement because that means my sins will knock on my two son’s door asking for access and prayerfully they will not let Mr Sin and his children into their homes and lives.
Based on Strong’s Numbering system:
H6485 (Visiting)
פּקד
pâqad
paw-kad’
A primitive root; to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
Luke 2:36-52
My “hit and run” comment on the New Testament Reading is based on the following passage:
After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Jesus were astonished at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were overwhelmed. His mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” But he replied, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Yet his parents did not understand the remark he made to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. But his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and with people. (Luke 2:46-52 NET.)
This says several things to me, the first being: Jesus was operating in the Wisdom that came with Him being God while he walked the earth because the “teachers” of the Law was amazed and astonished at his insight. However, He did not operate as God but as a man, and here as a young, but wise, boy, or soon to be young adult, Jesus could not grow or increase in wisdom if he was operating out of His position of God. Growth means you have not reached your maximum potential.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======= Luch:
I write this from Canada. I don’t know what it’s like in the U.S or other parts of the world but in Canada ‘evangelical Christians’ are not looked upon favourably. In fact, I think people are afraid of ‘us’. At times I don’t blame them. I’m afraid of people who always seem to have all ‘the right answers’ and have no room for thoughtful dialogue. So I found Luke 2:52 an encouragment as we see Jesus growing ‘both in height and in wisdom, and he was loved by God and by all who knew him.” Jesus was loved BY ALL WHO KNEW HIM. What a wonderful example Jesus is for me/us. Sure there were those who wanted to do Jesus’ harm, religious bigots that they were, but later in Luke 4:22 we’ll see the outworking of Luke 2:52 where it says, “all who were there spoke well of him and were amazed by the gracious words that fell from his lips.” The predominant core value of Jesus seemed to be love, and so that’s what He was known for.
These causes me to wonder how am I perceived by the people around me? Not just those who follow the same practices and beliefs I do but how about those who don’t buy into my faith, am I still loved or even liked by them? I think I have a long way to go. Having all the ‘right answers’ has not helped me to draw to many to the Way the Truth and the Life, but when I have sought to build authentic friendship with people and engage in spiritual dialgoue it’s amazing how He has seen fit to move people towards Himself.
Thank You Jesus for always showing us a much better way to lovingly engage our unbelieving world.
Luch
======= Stacey:
It was apparently necessary for Jesus to dialog with the teachers of the law at this time. The first thing it reminds me of is really how humble Jesus was. He waited until He was accepted into the group of “men” at the temple to discuss what Passover represents. Did He really need to know their beliefs? Or was He showing His wisdom and increasing in wisdom by how he engaged them? I think that here in this environment as a young and humble student, He was both charming and disarming by the way He opened up the discussion. And the text then says that all who heard Him were amazed by His understanding and His answers. I think what amazed them was that He knew the heart issues and they were always about the externals of religiousity. At the first opportunity, when the timing was right, He started His ministry by saying amazing things about the “whys” of Passover and the Lamb that had to be slain.
It also reminds me of how important it is to discuss God’s ways with your kids and listen to them. So often, they share beautiful insights from the Holy Spirit. As they grow older and start to “rebel” spiritually do we listen to them and hear from them, or are we just interested in defending our position or doctrine? I just spent 2 years teaching a Bible study with 9-12 year olds. They had amazing insight into the Word when they were in their Father’s house. The times we had together were safe times where they could explore the Word with help and guidance. I learned a lot from them because I discovered that they had pure hearts that would receive easily with faith. Often, I was amazed as they would share insights that could only have come from the Holy Spirit. They didn’t hold back and it was quite comfortable and natural for them to love the Lord and want to discuss Him in amazing ways.
Stacey
======= Laura:
I attended a bible study Friday night the 17th, St Patricks Day and found out some interesting facts. One of the students who actually did a sermon before the study and said a prayer is Irish. He gave some interesting facts and information about the history of St Patrick. One thing mentioned is that the shamrock three leafed clover, which is a symbol of St Patrick actually represents the trinity. I never knew that myself until today. Just thought I’d share that with you all. I hope you had a blessed St Patricks day.
Laura
======= Sammy:
Even though the numbers between the first and second census are close, we must remember that of the 603,550 men above the age of 20 counted in the first census only 2 men (Joshua and Caleb) were among the later census. God, because of His anger over the fact that they would not go in and take the land, declared in Deuteronomy 1 that none of the men, except these 2, would see the promised land. So 603,548 men were buried in the wilderness while children were born and grew to make up the 601,730 men in the second census…this, to me, shows the blessing of God.
Sammy
======= Ian:
51Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them; and his mother stored all these things in her heart (NLT)
51Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. (NKJV)
51Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. (NIV)
51And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart. (NASB)
Part B of this verse is interesting to me; mostly because I have no idea what it means. Then when I try to gleen more information about it by looking in other translations it gets worse. The King James and NIV say “but” where the NASB and NLT say “and”. Any Greek scholars out there? It would seem to make a difference in the meaning: If Jesus lived in obediance, “and” his mother treasured these things, then she’s grateful that he’s living in obediance.
The two others here that use “but” don’t even use it in the same way. The King James says “but she kept” where the NIV says “but she treasured”. Kept to me is less emotional, and almost resentful (like keeping it to herself).
Usually when it comes down to specific words that change the meaning, I go with the NASB because it’s a word-for-word translation rather than a verse-by-verse. What do you all think?
Ian
======= Ramona:
Ian
Hi! Just read your post right before I posted you might want to check out Crosswalk.com and use their Study Bible where you can click on the Word (King James and/or NAS, with Strong’s Numbers and research the Greek Words used.
Numbers 26:1-51
Mike you said, “They were flourishing in the desert. Hopefully this is encouraging to us today. If we are in right relationship with God, I believe our lives will clearly flourish in whatever circumstances we might find ourselves in – even if we are in the desert.”
After reading your statement I was reminded of a verse in Isaiah,
18 Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
20 The beasts of the field honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen, (43:18-20 Amp)
Throughout history it has always been under severe hardships when men rise to greatness. Maybe its because we are forced to look outside of ourselves after having tried everything in our own strength and failed, that we turn our focus to God and then and only then He makes “streams in the desert.”
I’ve heard it said that we are always looking for that mountain top experience, that-knock-you-off-your feet high that comes when we have an encounter with God. That feeling is indescribable and incredible, but it is in the valley where the fruit grows. It is in the valley where we get the sustenance to sustain us as we journey up to the mountain ‘cause food doesn’t grow up there. It is in the valley where we learn to live the full life God has planned for us so we can hang out on the mountaintop above the frost line, for a season.
Thanks Mike for giving that original image of flourishing in dry places. Come to think of it when there is no surface water we must send our roots way down into the earth, into God, the Father, where we will find Living Water but where our roots will attach themselves to the bedrock of faith.
Luke 2:36-52
The last two verses in this passage, fifty-one and fifty two, give us a clue about Jesus’ humanity.
Jesus was God but God had set aside His royalty and walked this earth as a man. I know that because of these two verses.
51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
1) Jesus subjected Himself to his mother and father, God doesn’t do that: they would subject themselves to Him if He walked this earth as God.
2) God doesn’t increase in wisdom because all Wisdom belongs to Him and came from Him. But this verse says that He increased.
3) Increasing in stature can refer to many things: physical growth, community standing, and importance. God is a “grown” as He is going to get and without Him this universe would not exist so He is already important.
4) God would not grow in favor with God and it wouldn’t matter if God grew in favor with man because whether or not God’s reputation grew with man God is still God.
I am not saying that Jesus is not God because clearly the scripture states, “In the beginning was the Word (Jesus) and the Word was God and Word was with God. (John 1:1) But He did set-aside His Identity, His power, His Divinity to become our Redemptive Lamb of God.
Psalm 60:1-12
This is an important Psalm and I just found that out because I read the note at the beginning before the 1st verse,
“For the choir director: A psalm of David useful for teaching, regarding …” The emphasis should be on the word “teaching.” This note goes on to say,
“…regarding the time David fought Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and killed twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.”
There must be some great nuggets of “Truth” in these twelve verses that will yield some very valuable lessons in life and there probably needs to be some studying of the history of this battle Joab, David’s nephew and General, commanded and fought. Hmmm!
Proverbs 11:15
Guaranteeing a loan for someone you know is dangerous, much less a stranger. When you do this, especially when you don’t have the amount in question just lying around, you set yourself up to serve someone else’s choices. Ouch! It’s hard enough serving our own bad choices let alone a stranger’s.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
=======. Pat:
Luke 2:41-52 (Jesus at the temple at age 12) = There is a first and a last recorded in this Scripture. It is the first time that Jesus recognizes God as being his true Father and the last time that his earthly father Joseph was mentioned in the NT. It is believed, but not documented in Scripture, that during the missing recorded years of Jesus life between the age of 12 and 30 that Joseph dies during this period and, instead of remarrying as was the custom, Mary devotes herself to her children, especially to Jesus during his three years of ministry. Those missing 18 years have always intrigued me, and I’ve often wondered why nothing about them is mentioned in the Scripture.
God Bless!
Pat
======= Jenny:
sorry i’m a bit behind, weekends are busy for me. Anyhow, honestly reading about Anna was so random for me, i dont remember ever reading about her. I must have once, but it was just random.
Man, that book Boundaries….wow, memories!! I’ve just seen it so much cause my mom had it. I’m sure its still around somewhere in her book collection, we kept some. I remember in my early teens when she started telling me she was gonna start setting boundaries, I hated that word!!! haha. I do set boundaries on things. When we dont have a set of boundaries, we may be more prone to fall, we get ourselves in trouble. One for me is concerning the opposite sex, guys I’m dating, seeing whatever, I set boundaries on the of physical aspect. there has to be a place we draw the line. my dad has been dating a girl over a year n they dont even hold hands! ok, my boundaries are a little broader, but I think its important we set boundaries for areas in our life we can be tempted…also, to let the other person know: ‘these are my boundaries.’. haha, i know a couple guys who learned to hate that word.
Wow, I’m having a senior moment, i cant even think of what the word banner means, or else I would discuss that, but i’m drawing a blank right now…
Jenny
======= Lou:
The best thought I am learning about boundaries is to practice consistently the teaching in Matthew 5:37 where JESUS said, “Simply let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no’….” And then the question, “What part of my yes or no did you NOT understand?”
Lou
======= Lisa:
I learned to say “no” and went too far that way. Setting boundaries can become a control issue. I say love the best you know how and be willing to learn from the Master how to love more like Him. This wisdom from the Word is really about love and relationships. Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say Rejoice! Did I miss our Bible Verse for the Week?
Lisa
======= Hal:
Going to a church building I don’t view as going to the house of God like the O.T.Temple was, as I see it as we as Christians are being built up as Living Stones, Jesus being the most important stone. . . I still meet other Christians at a church building though
Hal
======= Sharlene:
Oh…. setting boundaries, A few minutes ago I was annoyed about an issue that my husband and I seem to allow to take control over us, so, while at my desk here in the office I asked God to help me, I need to chat to someone about how I feel, and YIPP I got this…. Setting boundaries….Oh so much has opened up to me regarding just that WORD boundaries and it triggered me that that is what I must do. I pray that my husband will get the same revelation when I give him a copy of this.
THANKS THIS BLESSED ME SO MUCH. (NOW TO DO IT)
Sharlene
======= Art:
I found Proverbs 11:15 to be absolutely amazing this morning as I watch the headlines out of Wall Street unfold. So much of what got “built up” over the last few years there involved “putting up security” through multiple layers. Almost literally a house of cards (or sand — I saw that exact term used in an analyst report from a big bank just last week!) But God’s word is the rock that will weather this (and any) storm.
Re. boundaries, I had just such an issue these past few days. My first reaction was to set them up (boundaries — saying ‘no’). God told me otherwise.
The shepherds and the owner of the sheep get to set and move the boundaries. The sheep do not.
Art
======= Jim:
Mike,
Cloud and Townsend are simply IMHO the most important modern Christian authors (with degrees to back up their opinions). I cannot recommend Boundaries (as well as How People Grow) strong enough. The book was first recommended by my sister based on how it helped her deal with many of her relational issues. I happened to take the book off the shelf just yesterday to talk with my nine-year old son about building godly relationships with other kids as well as his teachers.
Chapter 6 deals in the text with common boundary myths… 1) If I set boundaries, I’m being selfish, 2) Boundaries are a sign of disobedience, 3) If I begin setting boundaries, I will be hurt by others, 4) If I set boundaries, I will hurt others, 5) Boundaries mean that I am angry, 6) When others set boundaries, it injuries me, 7) Boundaries cause feelings of guilt, and 8) Boundaries are permanent, and I’m afraid of burning my bridges.
This book can greatly help one’s emotional and spiritual growth… Art, I honestly don’t think you understand what boundaries are (or why Jacob, meaning deceiver, was renamed Israel, meaning fights with God, after besting both man and God). If someone told you that boundaries are bad over the past few days… it wasn’t likely God. The one true God demonstrates the value of boundaries and saying “no” all the time. And, to be a grace dispenser also means being a boundary dispenser.
Let me quote (as a teaser to encourage all to read this book) the two pages on Myth #2: Boundaries are a sign of disobedience…
“Many Christians fear that setting and keeping limits signals rebellion, or disobedience. In religious circles you’ll often hear statements such as ‘Your unwillingness to go along with our program shows an unresponsive heart.’ Because of this myth, countless individuals remain trapped in endless activities of no genuine spiritual and emotional value.
The truth is life-changing: a lack of boundaries is often a sign of disobedience. People who have shaky limits are often compliant on the outside, but rebellious and resentful on the inside. They would like to be able to say no, but are afraid. So they cover their fear with a half-hearted yes, as Barry did.
Barry has almost made it to his car after church when Ken caught up with him. Here goes, Barry thought. Maybe i can still get out of this one.
‘Barry!’ Ken boomed. ‘Glad I caught you!’
The singles class officer in charge of Bible studies, Ken was a dedicated recruiter to the studies he presided over; however, he was often insensitive to the fact that not everyone wanted to attend his meetings.
‘So which study can I put you down for, Barry? The one on prophecy, evangelism, or Mark?’
Barry thought desperately to himself. I could say, “None of the above interest me. Don’t call me – I’ll call you.’ But he’s a ranking officer in the singles class. He could jeopardize my relationships with others in the group. I wonder which class will be the shortest?
‘How about the one on prophecy?” Barry guesses. He was wrong.
‘Great! We’ll be studying end times for the next 18 months! See you Monday.’ Ken walked off triumphantly.
Let’s take a look at what just happened. Barry avoided saying no to Ken. At first glance, it looks like he made a choice for obedience. He committed himself to a Bible study. That’s a good thing right? Absolutely.
But take a second look. What were Barry’s motives for not saying no to Ken. What were the ‘thoughts and attitudes of the heart’ (Heb 4:12)? Fear. Barry was afraid of Ken’s political clout in the singles group. He feared that he would lose other relationships if he disappointed Ken.
Why is this important? Because it illustrates a biblical principal: an internal no nullifies an external yes. God is more concerned with our hearts than he is with our outward compliance. ‘For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings’ (Hos. 6:6).
In other words, if we say yes to God or anyone else when we really mean no, we move into a position of compliance. And that is the same as lying. Out lips say yes, but our hearts (and often our half-hearted actions) say no. Do you really thing Barry will finish out his year and a half with Ken’s Bible study? The odds are that some priority will arise to sabotage Barry’s commitment, and he’ll leave – but without telling Ken the real reason why.
Here’s a good way to look at this myth that boundaries are a sign of disobedience: if we can’t say no, we can’t say yes. Why is this? It has to do with our motivation to obey, to love, or to be responsible. We must always say yes out of a heart of love. When our motive is fear, we love not.
The Bible tells us how to be obedient: ‘Each of you must give as you have reluctantly or under compulsion, for God love a cheerful giver’ (2 Cor. 9-7).
Look at the first two ways of giving: ‘reluctantly’ and ‘under compulsion.’ They both involve fear – either of a real person or a guilty conscience. These motives can’t exist side by side with love, because ‘there is no fear in love; but perfect love cast out fear’ (1 John 4:18). Each of us must give as we have made up our minds. When we are afraid to say no, our yes is compromised.
God has no interest in our obeying our of fear ‘because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made in perfect love’ (1 John 4:18). God wants a response of love.
Are boundaries a sign of disobedience? The can be. We can say no to good tings for wrongs reasons. But having a ‘no’ helps us to clarify, to be honest, to tell the truth about our motives; then we can allow God to work in us. This process cannot be accomplished in a fearful heart.”
Jim
======= James:
Sweet! I was googling the passage out of Numbers looking for how long it was after the first census the second one was taken and stumbled upon your blog. I’m doing the same schedule you’re doing, except I’m doing it on facebook. I’m gonna bookmark your site though and check in every day.
James
======= Amrita:
I also agree that setting boundaries wisely and in a spirit of LOVE is a good thing.We have to ask God for wisdom in this.
I would love to read this book and others by these authors but they are not available in my country.Wish someone could send me an old used copy.
Amrita
======= Caroline:
Thank you Mike for all your eforts…
May God richly bless you
Your blog became an important part of our daily routine.
Caroline
======= Wendy:
The book “Boundaries” is an excellent book for raising teenagers. Now, it is a great book for everyday living for me. Setting boundaries, not what we are used to but it is vital to not becoming a “slave” to those things which we stretch ourselves to do.
Wendy
======= Bobbie:
Num.1 &2
Its reminds me that for 38 yrs. God’s hands is always at the Israelite. But inspite of all the blessings they have from God they are still stiffed necked people. It is shameful that upon all the blessings that I have I’m still hard headed. Getting nervous,fret and worried when God assured me that He is always at my side. Thank you for your life you make me awake for all what God has done for me.Thank you so much for the sharing.
Bobbie
======= Billy:
Just wanted to say one of my Banners is the “oneyearbibleblog.” Thanks Mike !!
Billy
======= Lizzy:
Hi Mike!
Thank you for your faithfulness in writing this blog every day. It is such an encouragement to me, and I have learned so much from you and from the links you include.
I have learned from the readers’ comments too, and from Ramona’s comments in particular.
I have one thought about Ramona’s comments from today (above). When she writes that Jesus “set-aside His Identity, His power, His Divinity to become our Redemptive Lamb of God,” I think she over-states her case. Many Scriptures prove that Jesus was fully God, as well as fully man.
Concerning the book Boundaries, I have read it and studied it with a group. There is much to be learned from it, but though it is a Christian book and contains much Scripture, it does not always perfectly line up with Scripture. For example, in Chapter 11 and elsewhere, the book advocates cutting unhealthy relationships out of our lives, but the Bible tells us a different way to handle unhealthy relationships. If someone causes us to fall into sin, we should run away because we are like sheep. But when someone sins against us, we are not just to “cut them out of our lives.” Instead, we are to follow the instructions that Jesus gave us in Matthew 18. Jesus is all about redeeming sinners, not “cutting them out.”
So Boundaries, just like any book or teaching other than the Bible, contains error. Take the good, and sift out the bad!
Lizzy
======= Jill:
Boundaries. That should have been one of the fruits of the spirit? At what age does boundaries begin? That’s one of those things a child watches and observes from parents. The cycle begins. Parent has no boundaries. Children learn no boundaries. Submissive mother, submissive chikdren. Now as an adult I shoukd have set boundaries a long time ago. But I didn’t know how. So now my young adult chikdren set boundaries. And how do I respond? They are learning from my mistake.
Secondly Jesus told his parents. “Don’t you know I would be at my Fathers house?” We are called to serve like Jesus. I think it means our priority csn be so much on our biological families we miss His calling to serve community and church family. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ.
Jill
======= Imja:
Greetings!
My favorite story of Jesus in the temple, Mary and Joseph found Him three days later? (verse 46) That is not a coincidence! I love what verse 51 says: Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
RE: Boundaries. I was overextending myself constantly because, people kept asking me to “do” more. Then, the Lord stopped me. I needed to discern the motives of my heart. The word “No” became much easier to say and it is freeing
Imja
======= Robert:
Luke 2:41-52
Jesus the Teen.
How many times has this scripture given me comfort! Here I see the slightly rebellious nature of Jesus as a teenager that has been an attribute of all my kids growing up. I love this human side of Jesus where the age of thinking begins to take independence. I think it is embedded in all of our human nature. Not necessarily a bad thing but can be a real challenge to parents. I have used this scripture as a teaching example because that rebellion is in us, especially at that age but look at what Jesus does. He is still subject to his parents and shows obedience to them.
My wife and I have reminisced of our children’s behavior in their teens. It brings back many emotions but mostly good ones. We laugh. Sometimes cry. It is similar to Mary’s memories and you can’t help but cherish them in your heart.
Robert
======= Mitch:
OT – Mike and Ramona – have a different take on flourishing in Wilderness.
Flourishing should indicate a growth in numbers from last census. This census was around 2,000 light from previous count. We will see tomorrow that only Joshua and Caleb were in both body counts. Why? Because of the lack of faith on original try to enter Canaan, sin, disobedience and the death of all who originally left Egypt with Moses.
Siooo…what I see is God maintaining a viable Israelite contingent – establishing a new creation and getting rid of the old. (See a picture of Salvation here?) – God will monitor, provide and is faithful to His word to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
NT – From my first year as a Christian (age 49) have wondered in these passages – Did Jesus ever run into these teachers, from the temple, in his adult ministry? Did He recognize them? Did they remember that precocious boy? Wonder if any were in his disciple group, or were any in the early group of converts in Acts?
Mitch
======= Nancy:
On Facebook is a blog titled Bible Love Notes. In this blog she raises valid concerns about some of the teaching in the Boundries book. I urge you to consider checking it out.
Nancy
======= Dee:
Pertaining to Mike’s question: boundary setting. I am terrible at setting boundaries. I go go go, and then want to crash. My home, car, carat school, everything suffers, my pets not getting bathed. Too tired. I pray that I will learn to say no more often so later it doesn’t become..I wish I had declined. Amen!
Dee
======= John:
Luke
Two things:
1)I do not know how may people here have taught, coached or raised a child prodigy. From the few brief encounters I have had – while it may be challenging and rewarding to deal with a normal child, and more so with a handicapped child – it is special to be around a prodigy. Especially if the learning is not being forced upon the child by his parents. It is just exciting to see a “gifted” child who has a natural hunger for his “gift”.
I say this, because I wonder how wonderful the scene at the temple really was for the teachers (Pharisees?). Here they had a child, Jesus, who was hungry for the teachings of Scripture. Did most children have this hunger? Probably not. If so were they as bright? Definately not. The Teachers must have been delighted at his rapt attention and probing questions. Such attention might have given way to glazed eyes on other youths. I can see both parties, teachers and Jesus, losing track of time as they discussed the intricacies of Scripture. They must have developed a fondness for the boy (who wouldn’t?), and Jesus (I would imagine) enjoyed this time of being about his Father’s business.
It only makes me wonder, how much this increased the sadness of Jesus when the teacher’s turned on him during his ministry. I can only imagine how it felt when (probably) some of the very same men that met with him at twelve later plotted to kill him.
It makes me harken back to “Mark’s Gospel” where the implication was not that the Pharisees grieved Jesus internally, but he grieved “for” them as a relative at a funeral. Was he recalling better days of communication and understanding from when he was twelve?????
2)While Luke in original Greek never referred to Joseph using the word “father”. Here he quotes Mary using the term – “father” for Joseph. Jesus as he always does when people cite scripture incorrectly or make a mistake of “fact” corrects Mary.
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
They did not understand, but Jesus, through Luke, got it on the record in this Gospel with words from our Savior as a pre-teen. Jesus was the “Son of God”.
John
======= Vance:
NUMBERS 26 (NKJV)
Note from Matthew Henry’s concise commentary:
Notice is here taken of the children of Korah; they died not, as the children of Dathan and Abiram; they seem not to have joined even their own father in rebellion. If we partake not of the sins of sinners, we shall not partake of their plagues.
** MAY WE THINK BEFORE WE, AS MEN AND WOMEN, ACT. Our actions affect our children to the 3rd and 4th generations.
** MAY WE be people of purity, so that we will not be compromised, weakened, or judged.
** MAY WE EMBODY, by God’s grace, God’s will for us in Isaiah 54:17 (Amplified):
17
But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong.
==> THIS[peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition]
IS THE HERITAGE OF THE SERVANTS OF THE LORD [THOSE IN WHOM THE IDEAL SERVANT OF THE LORD IS REPRODUCED];
THIS IS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OR THE VINDICATION WHICH THEY OBTAIN FROM ME
[this is that which I impart to them as their justification], says the Lord.
~~~
Vance
P.S.
Since this is St. Patrick’s day, take a moment and thank God for a soldier for the Lord — Patrick.
Also, here is a joke, that might be an ice breaker today as you build bridges to people so you can touch them with Jesus’ love as you relate to them:
Why do leprecauns carry shamrocks?
Because real rocks are too heavy!
Vance
