Leviticus 13:1-59 + Mark 6:1-29 + Psalm 39:1-13 + Proverbs 10:10
~ 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 Leviticus chapter 13 we read about contagious skin diseases and mildew. Quite a chapter! It does make sense to me that this level of detail is given by God on these topics. These instructions were health instructions for the community of Israel as a whole. The NIV Study Bible notes that “the ceremonially unclean were excluded from the camp (the area around the tabernacle and courtyard), where the Israelites lived in tents. Later, no unclean persons were allowed in the temple area, where they could mingle with others.” I look at this from the standpoint that they did not have medicines back then to heal people of these contagious diseases – and as such, the only way to keep the diseases from spreading to the entire population was to isolate the sick. I know this doesn’t sound compassionate on the surface… but was there a better option at that time? In the New Testament we read about Jesus curing people of leprosy, which was a couple of thousand of years later. It’s obvious that skin diseases were a major issue in Moses’ day and through Jesus’ day – as was mildew during Israel’s rainy season of October through March – particularly along the coast and by the Sea of Galilee where it is very humid. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on Leviticus chapter 13 begins at this link and you’ll see a few “Next Commentary” links at the bottom of each page to take you through the chapter.
On a side note, leprosy, or Hansen’s disease, is still in existence in our world today, though at much lower incidence rates than ever before. It is a sad disease to learn about… I did a google image search on the word leprosy and was pretty shocked by the pictures. The World Health Organization’s website says this – “Today, diagnosis and treatment of leprosy is easy. Essential work is being carried out to integrate leprosy services into existing, general health services. This is especially important for communities at risk for leprosy, which are often the poorest of the poor and under-served. Full control of leprosy has eluded mainly in some parts of Angola, Brazil, India, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nepal, and United Republic of Tanzania.” More info on leprosy in our world today is at the World Health Organization’s website at this link.
All of a sudden now these 3 verses about Jesus and leprosy in Matthew chapter 8 verses 1 through 3 really stand out to me… – “When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.”
New Testament – Today we read in Mark Chapter 6 verse 4– “Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” This verse reminds me that sometimes when we really move forward in our faith, our friends (“hometown” from the verse above) and our relatives can sometimes not understand what is going on with us. I think there are phases of our walk with God where really it becomes very personal – between us and God – and through that process God will transform us. And our friends and relatives sometimes may not appreciate our change for various reasons – just as Jesus’ friends and relatives did not appreciate his ministry in this verse. I hope that this verse can be of comfort to you if by chance you are having challenges reconciling your faith and your changed heart with your friends & relatives expectations of who you were in the past. Know that you are on the right path. As long as you are staying focused on God and his will for your life, you may have to accept some loss of “honor” (per the verse above) in your status with your friends and relatives. You may not seem to be as “cool” or “fun” as you once were in your friends’ eyes. But – if in God’s eyes you are loving Him with all of your heart and you are loving your neighbors as yourself, then you are eternally cool and fun in the Kingdom of Heaven. And that’s where it really counts. Where are you seeking “honor” in your life today? In the eyes of your friends and relatives – or in God’s eyes?
An image for verses 18 & 19: “John kept telling Herod, “It is illegal for you to marry your brother’s wife.” Herodias was enraged and wanted John killed in revenge, but without Herod’s approval she was powerless.” –
Psalms – Today we read in Psalm 39 verse 5 – “My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath.” This verse is a powerful verse for each of us to meditate upon.
I love verse 7 of this Psalm – “And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.” Is this true of your life today? Are you putting your hope anywhere else?
Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 10 verse 10 today teaches us – “People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace.” This is a great reminder that in the long run it is so much better – more peaceful – to stand up to an injustice or wrong. We should not let things slide. I think this can apply to our own lives as well. If we know we ourselves are doing something wrong, we should not just “wink” at our wrong. But we must reproof it and confess it and let Jesus heal it.
Worship Video: Based on our Leviticus on clean and un-clean, and how Jesus is our only hope and salvation for eternal cleanliness, I’m reminded of Brandon Heath’s great song about being changed by Christ called “I’m not Who I Was”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1ZgtCRO-KY
Are you who you were? Click here to be made clean!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered — how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” Psalm 39:4-5 NLT
Prayer Point: Pray that God will remind you daily of how brief your time on earth is. Pray that you would live each day fully for the Lord in light of the brevity of your life.
Comments from you & Questions of the Day: Back to Psalm 39 verse 5 above – how does this verse speak to you? Do you feel like life moves fast sometimes? If so, how are you spending your time? Are you being intentional about how you invest your time? Are you being intentional about your work? Your friends? Your finances? Volunteering? Serving others? Loving others? Watching TV – or not watching TV? (Have I gone off on my “Kill Your Television” soap-box yet this year? 🙂 I’ll save it for a future post…) Do you think life really is “but a breath”? Are you spending your breath wisely? With your breath are you constantly loving God with all your heart and loving your neighbor as yourself? 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
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:
Leviticus 13:1-59
The Hebrew word translated in the NLT text, “appears,” appears ten times in the thirteenth chapter,
4758
מראה
mar’eh
BDB Definition:
1) sight, appearance, vision
1a) sight, phenomenon, spectacle, appearance, vision
1b) what is seen
1c) a vision (supernatural)
1d) sight, vision (power of seeing)
Each of the ten times this word appears it has to do with discerning the truth about a “skin” disease or “sin.” Something can “appear” to be something but upon close examination, and not just over a short period of time, and with stated guidelines, the dis-ease is identified. Appearance and actuality are two separate things.
In this passage, the focus is something that “breaks out” on the skin, on the surface, looking like a “skin” disease and to insure that no one is tagged wrongly, close observation is needful. But there is another type of appearance, that of one that seems healthy and holy, but in actuality the disease, though not on the surface, has permeated the inside where the eyes of the priests cannot see.
Be honest in your judgment and do not decide at a glance (superficially and by appearances); but judge fairly and righteously. (John 7:24 AMP)
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. (Matthew 23:27-28 KJV)
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======= Rob:
mike, i found todays section on leprosy quite challenging. part of my work is to help people with skin problems overcome associated psychological difficulties – in fact i have just finished a six week group. two of the big issues are how other people perceive them (scabby, dirty) and the social isolation they can impose on themselves / others impose on them. i must say i found matthew henry’s commentatary particularly unhelpful as it seems to reduce skin conditions to just something visited on people by God and then tries to bring Jesus into it by the back door when he was never hinted at in the pasasge – i am happier with your ideas about ‘better the exclusion of one than the illness of the whole nation’. the bible is after all inherently practical.
it strikes me that a better response from christians is to do what they can to help people with leprosy today (and other skin conditions too as it probably wasn’t just what we know today to be leprosy that moses was talking about) – i like the links to the WHO. People may also want to know about Lepra – the UK charity who coordinate some extremely valuable work:
http://www.lepra.org.uk/lepra.shtml
Rob
======= Ramona:
One of the things that we must be careful of is dismissing things as irrelevant or unnecessarily out of date and out of touch with “modern times,” everyone thinks, whatever the time period is, they are in modern and sophisticated times.
May I ask Rob to hold off on any judgment of what this “isolation” meant to the community of Israel and the people involved. “Leprosy” (as per King James) of the skin, clothe, walls of the house (to be read at a later date) represented “sin,” which not only causes someone to be isolated from the community, if known about, but isolates and isolated us from God. Remember God’s way is not our way nor are His thoughts the same as our thoughts. God provided in His covenant with His people, Israel, healing; and because we have not all taken hold of that healing doesn’t mean we are any worse off then any other believer.
What I’m afraid of is that we are in danger of shaping the Word to fit our perspective of life when we read something that either doesn’t make sense to us or doesn’t fit our vocation, job or chosen life style, molding and shaping the Word based on a personal perspective.
Father God I ask that the veil of misunderstanding be lifted from our spiritual eyes and ears so that we will see the way You look at life, that we will see life from Your point of view. In Jesus’ might and glorious name, Amen and Amen.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======= Micah Girl:
The whole managing skin disease aspect of the priestly duties made me think that as the pastors of God’s people they were responsible for so much more than just the spiritual. As we minister to people today (lay or clergy) we should be involved in healing of physical, spiritual, social, and emotional needs… This aspect of our calling as the priesthood of believers is not just on a spiritual dimension. God cares for whole people and whole nations. That is why he has provided such minute detail for us in Leviiticus. (I am, by the way, for the first time, learning to LOVE Leviticus:-)
Micah Girl
======= Betty:
Lots going on in today’s readings! First, I am not a doctor, but I have been in the healthcare profession for 27 years and considering the fact there was no medicine in those days except herbs (which I’m sure were not plentiful in the desert), the instructions God gives the Israelites is remarkably ahead of the times. Contagious skin diseases did spread rapidly, and the quarentine prevented wholesale infection, unfortunately, the Pharisees and other legalists added many of their own laws to these basic instructions-the basis behind all of Jesus’ rebukes to this group. Of course, we have our own Pharisees today doing exactly the same thing-but that is a discussion for another time. Two things jumped out at me today. The first is the story of the death of John the Baptist. I am doing a women’s study by Beth Moore called Believing God, and the lesson last week was talking about having faith even when we don’t understand what God is doing. She used John the Baptist in a way that really convicted me. To summarize, she asked us to try to imagine what John the Baptist was thinking as he was in jail. He knew that Jesus was the Messiah, and he knew he was the forerunner to Him, can you imagine what he must have thought-wondering why, if Jesus was the Messiah, he was still in prison. He probably had the same expectations that most of the Israelites held for the Messiah and so wondered why Jesus wasn’t saving him. This really convicted me because so many times I want God to reveal His purpose to me so that I might understand; and yet, here was a prophet who loved God and was diligent in his obedience whose great faith was even further tested by not understanding the meaning of the Kingdom of God. And I think God will reveal to me-a sinner, a rebel,the proverbial black sheep He has to keep bringing back to the fold? As Beth points out, the wonderful thing about this is that the second the sword hit the rock, God was telling John come sit with me and watch this play out. How wonderful and mysterious are the ways of the LORD.
The second thing that jumped out at me was David’s psalm today…especially verses 6&7. “6 We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth for someone else to spend. 7 And so, LORD, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.” Does this not sum up our current life experience, or what? Thank you, O Father God, that because of your precious Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ, we can approach You and put all of our hope in You-and You will continue to perfect us until we meet face to face. Amen!
Betty
======= Mark:
I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on television, but I believe that the separation mentioned in Leviticus in our reading today has sound medical reasons, not social ones. It helps to remember that there is a difference between the Law that God gave Moses, and the legalism that the Pharisees of Jesus’ day practiced.
Ramona, I’d like to offer my observation that Moses in this passage is not talking about sin, he is writing down the distinctive hygiene and medical directives that God handed to his people Israel. These were way ahead of their time in other cultures and in marked contrast to the gentiles surrounding the Jews at that time. There may be some underlying principles beneath the verses in this passage, but I would hesitate to spiritualize the text and miss what God was actually saying.
Rob, I agree with your concern about people simplifying these diseases by declaring that they were a “punishment” from God on certain people. My God is a God who heals and who protects his people. That’s who I see in Leviticus, not a God who inflicts disease on his people and then castigates them, throwing them out of the fellowship of the congregation.
I read very specific medical descriptions of the sores, the skin and the hair surrounding it. I read the diagnosis and the treatment prescribed. I read almost as much about being pronounced “clean” as being pronounced “unclean”. This sounds like a program for health, not for condemnation.
Mark 6:12,13 Then they were on the road. They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different; right and left they sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their bodies, healing their spirits. — This is the heart of God, this is the message of God’s kingdom, this is the mission of God’s church.
Mark 6:18-20 For John had provoked Herod by naming his relationship with Herodias “adultery.” Herodias, smoldering with hate, wanted to kill him, but didn’t dare because Herod was in awe of John. Convinced that he was a holy man, he gave him special treatment. Whenever he listened to him he was miserable with guilt–and yet he couldn’t stay away. Something in John kept pulling him back. — That “something” in John is the same something that lives in all who name the name of Jesus. That something is the Holy Spirit who lives and works in us. Praise God!! What would I have on my own merit that could keep the attention of a king?
Psalm 39:4-11 Tell me, what’s going on, GOD?
How long do I have to live?
Give me the bad news!
You’ve kept me on pretty short rations;
my life is string too short to be saved.
Oh! we’re all puffs of air.
Oh! we’re all shadows in a campfire.
Oh! we’re just spit in the wind.
We make our pile, and then we leave it.
What am I doing in the meantime, Lord?
Hoping, that’s what I’m doing–hoping
You’ll save me from a rebel life,
save me from the contempt of dunces.
I’ll say no more, I’ll shut my mouth,
since you, Lord, are behind all this.
But I can’t take it much longer.
When you put us through the fire
to purge us from our sin,
our dearest idols go up in smoke.
Are we also nothing but smoke?
Amen Mike! God is on the throne. He has lifted me from the pit of a “rebel life”, but because he did it – not me, I shut my mouth before him except to thank him and bring my offering of praise and worship.
Bless you Yahweh!
Mark
======= Mick:
I was moved by the verses in today’s Psalms regarding the brevity of life. This is mentioned in other books in our Bibles as well, it just touched me today. Am I using my brief time here well? I shall close for now and pray about that.
In Christ,
Mick
======= Anka:
Still meditating on lev 12:I wonder if women and men truly are equal before God.Women are separated monthly from God’s presence during their period,called unclean and shut out for a longer period after child birth esp if the baby’s female.Now if we trace the part Eve played in the fall of man we see Adam was told before Eve appeared not to eat of the forbidden fruit and was with her when the serpent spoke.The curse of tilling the ground…women also till the ground but men don’t ever give birth..The curse seems harder on women…Wonder why.Today’s reading on Leventicus really out of my league,there are infectious skin diseases that don’t fit the description of the unclean sores…and Lev 13:12 “If the disease breaks out all over his skin and, so far as the priest can see, it covers all the skin of the infected person from head to foot, 13 the priest is to examine him, and if the disease has covered his whole body, he shall pronounce that person clean. Since it has all turned white, he is clean…just doesn’t make sense to me…the whole body’s diseased and he’s clean?Does any one have any insight on why this is so?
Mark 6:13..annointing with oil.I often wondered about annointing oil,there are people who feel any prayers for the sick should be accompanied by annointing with oil.Jesus from what I searched didn’t use oil,he didn’t even say the disciples should (or shouldn’t),it just says they did it.Some people told me the Holy Spirit works through the oil but I found no scripture backing that up
{Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.
James 5:14-15}it says the prayer(not the oil)offered in faith..so what’s the point of the oil…Jesus didn’t use it,other miracles by the disciples were done without the oil..
“I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence.”Hmmm,my mouth seems to behave better when I’m with believers cos most times we’re talking about the things of the Lord…at other times,I find my self struggling not to join in criticising,gossiping along with unbelievers..for example,it’s so easy to say how corrupt the authorities are,the boss etc when that’s all you hear in the office all day(and I really need a muzzle then)compared to when I meet with my prayer partners and instead of using words that certainly don’t have any good report in them,we pray about the authorities…I have to admit though it’s so much easier for me to criticise…the verse really reminded me to zip:)
God bless you all
Anka
======= Micah Girl:
Hi, Anka
It’s important to keep any issue in a larger biblical contexts. In the bible, men and women are both equal in God’s sight and have been since the beginning. Together, man & woman, reflect the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27),and God makes no distinction and shows no preference between male and female in Christ (Galatians 3:26-28), the priesthood of believers includes both genders(1 Peter 2:5,9), and both women and men have access to God through our high priest, Jesus, (1 Timothy 2:5).
That said, I do wonder at the whys and hows of the Levitical regulations. But then I remember that Jesus Himself ministered to unclean women, such as the one we read about yesterday who had been bleeding and considered unclean for years.
Also, the pain of childbirth is physically harder on the woman, and yet she also has the privilege of birthing the baby, which to me, as a mom, seems fair. Also, Jesus Himself entered the world through a woman’s womb. Pretty cool.
Micah Girl
======= Anka:
Hi Micah Girl, maybe I’ll get a different perspective on child birth after I’ve gone through it:)but I’ve watched a lot of mothers go through the process and it truly is labour:)We all have an equal chance to God through Jesus…but in view of our own share of the curse,alot of forced breaks from God’s presence cos of the very things that mark our feminity and also,in 1cor 14:34 it says we are to remain silent in church as well!
I recently saw a video with Nick Vujicic,a young man born without limbs to a couple who’ve been christians all their lives.He has a site-lifewithoutlimbs.org,he talked alot about how uses everything for our good and honestly,(coming from a guy without limbs who realises he’ll never be able to hold his wife’s hand or embrace his kids who’s 21years old and dreams of life the way anyone his age would)hearing him say that really struck a cord.He said God gave him the strength to go on each day and he’s actually a motivational speaker now.
Anka
======= John:
Anka,
A pastor had a great answer to the issue of women’s curse in Genesis three in one of his college session Q&A’s. A women had started reading the Bible, got to Genesis 3, and quit. She wanted no part of a Gode “like that”.
First off – pastor said what other options are there?
Atheism – Gives no value to the life. It just is, and then it is over.
Other religions (non-Christian or non-judaic) – upon examination – all are very harsh, denigrating toward women, or at best non-commital towards women.
Go back to Bible, pastor said, and keep reading, and notice not only what “Micah Girl” mentioned, but how God used women of the Bible greatly. Pharoah’s daughter, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Esther, Rahab, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Martha and Mary, wealthy wives of rulers who may have financed Jesus’ ministry, and others I am sure I forgot. Woman play an integral part in God’s Plan. Women in no ohter belief system have integral parts in the scope of life and hereafter like these women had in the Bible.
A man is to love his wife as Christ loves his Church (the Body). What higher command can there be for a man as a way to perceive his mate?
They are equals, but there is an order to things. Being silent in church, at that time because of the way seating was arranged, did not mean they did not express opinions.
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lifts up the role of a woman more than any other belief system.
That is pastor’s answer and I am paraphrasing. It got a standing ovation, and I left out some details – as it was 9 minutes long. I have found nothing in my readings that contradict his answer.
======================================================
I am not sure of the “monthly period” as I don’t think we have gotten to that yet. But the 40 or 80 days separation, back in those days was focused mainly on not going to the sanctuary. It was not banishment from camp like leprosy. Maybe the depression (post-partem???) needed to be gotten over , or the attitude for worship may not have been the best. [I am just speculating here so forgive me.] I guess we just have to trust God that He had his reasons.
Leviticus 13 is not about cures for disease, but about recognition and measures to keep it from spreading in the camp.
The White was not disease, the “raw flesh” around white indicated the disease.
On a spiritual note, in O.T. and New, the diseases represent “sin”. there is great patience in determining if person is unclean. Just like God has patience with sinners.
If it ends up being clean, it is like mankind reduced to “bottom” and comes to Christ. He is cleansed.
If not he is banished, and says “unclean”, just like mankind will be banished and separated from God if he does not repent.
The garments fine or cheap, must be taken care of because “sin” contaminates everything it touches. Our raiment is nothing but filthy rags in God’s sight. (paraphrased from Zech. 3) If garment is cleansed (by Christ) then it is “clean ( a righteous garment).
This is really rough and quick from reading commentaries by J. Vernon Mcgee and David Jeremiah. So if anyone wants to add, correct, or comment please do so. : )
I realize it is pretty sketchy.
John
======= Cory:
Anka,
A Jewish blogger, the Velveteen Rabbi (Rachel), shared some good thoughts on this portion of Torah (Lev. 12).
Cory
======= John:
Cory,
It is fine to point out a different viewpoint, especiallly from a person whose religion is the source and reason we have the Old Testament.
However, people need to be aware of the traditional Jewish (religion) view of Genesis.
The Jewish religion, and Rachel can correct me if I am wrong, differs from most Christian perspectives, regarding the story of Adam and Eve.
They believe the story in Eden was given as an example of what not to do in life. That Adam and Eve screwed up, and don’t you do the same. They do not believe in the “fall of man”, “original sin”, “doctrine of deparavity”, or whatever your doctrinal name for Apple, serpent, Adam and Eve experiance in Eden.
“Judaism completely rejects the doctrine of original sin.”
http://www.jewfaq.org/cgi-bin/search.cgi?Keywords=SIN
“The yetzer tov is the moral conscience….The yetzer ra is usually conceived as the selfish nature, the desire to satisfy personal needs (food, shelter, sex, etc.) without regard for the moral consequences of fulfilling those desires…. People have the ability to choose which impulse to follow: the yetzer tov or the yetzer ra. That is the heart of the Jewish understanding of free will. The Talmud notes that all people are descended from Adam, so no one can blame his own wickedness on his ancestry. On the contrary, we all have the ability to make our own choices, and we will all be held responsible for the choices we make.”
http://www.jewfaq.org/human.htm#Yetzer
This site jives with my study of Genesis from a “torah commentary”.
Bottom Line: This doctrinal difference makes a difference in viewing Leviticus which is clear if you read bible.org and compare the comments to Rachel’s blog entry.
I have no problem with the reference, but I believe this should be made clear for those not familiar with Judaism’s view of the Garden.
John
======= Cory:
John,
Fair point… but then we should probably also go so far as to say that not all Christians hold to the doctrine known as “original sin.”
Cory
======= Stef:
yes : ) the older i get the faster life seems to go..as a child days were warm and endless you could spend an entire afternon sitting in the sun stroking the cat but now one seems to scarcely catch your breath and youre on to the next thing….my aim for this year is to learn to discern Gods real purpose for my life, to learn how to say no when asked to do something that might appear to be a good thing but id really just be cluttering and filling my life with deeds that might be taking the time i should be using for something else God wants me to do as a priority…im finding this really hard as it feels wrong to say no to someone.
Stef
======= Luch:
What does Psalm 39:4 mean to me? A LOT. “LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away.” Just yesterday I accompanied my wife to her third of 8 chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer. Walking through the chemo waiting room I was overwhelmed by the number of women 10 to 20 years younger than my wife who were wearing little caps or ‘coverings’ over their heads, as my wife does due to the radical loss of hair. This experience everytime we go for treatments reminds my wife and I to keep investing ourselves in the values and relationships that will go beyond our brief lifetime. Psalm 39:5 says, “Human existence is but a breath.” I was so overwhelmed I left the building and walked around the hospital praying and was reminded again of James 4:14 “How do youi know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog–it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”
I’m sure there are other OYB readers who have experienced something similar to us,or are presently experiencing, and you could affirm how horrible life without God and His perspective could be!!!
Luch
======= Beryl:
to Luch and wife,
u are where God wants u 2 b. U can live life 2 the max doing something 4 those other patients. May the Lord grant u healing.
I have breast cancer right now, I am going 4 an op. Praying about what tracts 2 take, knowing there will be people there that don’t know yet that God loves them or what to do about it if they do know. I have a good chance against cancer but death is inevitable, todays psalm is right on track. The death of Gods children is precious in His sight. He also sends healing. God is in control. Praise Him 4 being merciful. god bless u
Beryl
====== Stacey:
Mike’s questions remind me of Psalm 90 “teach us to number our days aright” and Lamentations 3:21-25 about how God’s compassion and mercy on us is new every day. Enjoy it! No matter what happened yesterday, today is a day of full and complete grace and hope.
With regards to the dietary and health laws, keep in mind that these people lived a simpler life. There were far less people than there are now and thousands of years have passed. There are so many more germs and variants now. Many of the diseases that we encounter are do to the effects of pollution. Many are even self inflicted that have to do with us polluting our own bodies through sinful practices. But God has not left us just with the treatments of thousands of years ago. He has given skilled craftsman in the health industry. He has given so many cures and treatments and laid on the hearts of so many of His own people answers to some of the worst of diseases.
Yet we all know that death is 100%. We are only made completely whole in the next life. He does have an exact day where He will take us home to heaven. Until that day, we are to live each day here on earth to the max. My heart does go out to Luch and his wife as their days are filled with treatments. Days like these do not seem to be living life to the max. However, these are truly the kinds of days that do teach us how precious is the gift of life… how precious our Lord and Savior… and how much we need and depend on Him. May God bless you, and your dear wife, and keep you. May His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. And from Heb 13:20: May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Stacey
======= Luch:
stacey and beryl
thanks so much for your kind and caring words. Women have come ‘out of the wood work’ so to speak just to encourage and identify with us. I think for us 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 are appropriate and applicable. “All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts ohers. When others are troubled we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” Selah!!
Have a good night!!!
Luch
======= Nicole:
We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. Psalm 39:6
Isn’t it interesting to see that even back then people get busy with things that are not important? That sure was a verse that spoke to me today! And that is something I need to work on. : )
As for Jesus not being accepted in Nazareth, this has happened to me. I had some great friends before I became a Christian. They just didn’t believe in the importance of Jesus, our Savior. Now that I am very involved with church and became a believer, they have stepped back from me. They say that respect what I believe and are open to listen to it, but do not respond. But on the bright side, I have made new friends. So God never leaves us alone.
Luch and Beryl, you are in my prayers. Your strength is amazing and know that God never gives you more than you can handle. : )
Nicole
======= Doug:
Brother, let me just say ewwwwwwwww! I tried to eat breakfast with this morning’s readings. Try reading about spreading puss-filled infections with white hairs and then looking down at some milky cheerios!
On a serious note, I really feel like the heart of the Psalm calls me to get off my seat and into action. Most of us are created to do one really extraordinary thing through our life. Not just do it once, but to do it as God designed us, for our entire hand’s breadth.
In my own life, I’ve seen what that one thing is, and I’m pursuing it. And I have seen the honor that prophets do not have at home. I don’t think it has to do with becoming less fun. I think it has everything to do with the authority that we have in the Gospel. It says the people Jesus was teaching took offense at him. We all run into that, especially the people who try to share the Gospel with unsaved parents. Try and figure that chain of command out, a child who has an authority, not posessed by the parents, who have a commanded authority over their righteous children.
And don’t worry… if you’re worried about making your calendar too busy and you want to say “no” but find that difficult, try this. You will never feel like a jerk if you just remember, when you are saying “no” to extra business, you are saying “yes” to more time with your God and more time with your commitments already in place, to do one thing really well, just as you were designed.
Doug
====== Jenny:
um…Levit is kinda gross today with hairs and boils. yeck. sorry, these verses made me laugh: “If a man loses his hair and his head becomes bald, he is still ceremonially clean. And if he loses hair on his forehead, he simply has a bald forehead; he is still clean.”
In Mark, reading about ppl rejecting Jesus made me sad. Its still going on today. some ppl say, well if God performed a miracle, i would believe. well, they didnt believe it back wen they had Jesus’ miracles before their eyes. this verse made me sad: “And he was amazed at their unbelief.”
Herodias made me so mad! grrr. how evil!
i love psalm 39. I’m tyring to live all for Him, put Him first in all areas…and He is my onlyyyy hope!! i am nothing without Him…i’m so helpless! i need His touch every second of every minute.
concerning the brevity of life, it actually seems rather long to me. everyone says, life is short, which in comparision to eternity it is. but my life has been soooo long! am i the only one that feels like this? i feel like i have lived enough…like its time to retire and get ready to go ‘home’. unfortunetly its been a long life of heartache, but if it brought me to the Lord, i am beyond grateful for the pain! I feel young and hopeful on one side, on the other i think, man…how much longer i got? 45 more yrs? yikes.
LOL! gotta love v 10 “But please stop striking me! I am exhausted by the blows from your hand.”
Prov is funny too, “People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace.” haha, i never trust ppl who winnk, i dont know what it is…seems shady.
(forgive me, i’ve been stuck at home studying for a state exam for days, actually weeks, n i’m just a lil burnt out on life… emotionally drained, hence my negativity and insane outbursts of laughter while reading the Bible…i think its cause i’m so happy to read the bible rather then to read Becker CPA review, lol.)
Jenny
======= Mae:
Oh Jenny Jenny Jenny … you’re on fire for the past days, girl!!!! “everyone says, life is short, which in comparision to eternity it is. but my life has been soooo long! am i the only one that feels like this? i feel like i have lived enough…like its time to retire and get ready to go ‘home’”. I recognize this when I have my days of being burned out, drained, negativity, struggles … then I feel like “Well, you know what, Jesus? Today would be a good day … please get me out of here!”. But that’s only when I’m emotionally exhausted, because for me personally it feels like my life here on earth, is going FASSSSSSSSSSSST! When I look at my little boy, who’s 4 years old now, I wonder if I haven’t been fooled for the past 4 years and somebody made a year 200 days. It’s not that life feels short or anything, because I’m enjoying EVERY minute with Jaden and Rene. Want to hear something typical? When I’m at work, 4 hours feel like 10 hours, but when I’m at the playground going crazy on the swings with my boys 1 hour seems like only 10 minutes! How about that, eh? I do not hate my job, not at all, I have a wonderful job. But, yes, I rather spend my time being with my boys. So … where was I going with my story? I don’t know …. I was thinking, Jen, you go ahead and vent here about being burned out on life … this is the right place. I love you, you know that and I’m happy you share this here. That way you give me exact directions on how to pray for you. Things will be fine …
So while I’m here …
The most important verse in todays readings is for me Mark 6:4 “Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” I think I’ve told you before that I’m slowly losing my old ‘friends’ .. or I don’t know what they have been LOL They think I join a ‘weird community’ … oh well, than so be it. I don’t care anymore. If they can’t respect me for who I am, then fine. I pray for them and hope they will find Jesus some day. I still forward emails to them, cause we didn’t officially ‘divorce’, but we aren’t really talking anymore. So I still forward emails to them about Jesus Christ and about Christianity. I refuse to change myself into a quiet Christian, because I’m a proud Christian and I want to preach the Gospel! I want to share with everybody why there’s a big smile on my face 24/7!!!!!!! I want to shout it out that the Lord Jesus Christ saved me! I’m happy! I’m free and they can be to, if they wouldn’t shut me out! You know … I heard that someone said “Mae’s fake happiness makes me physicly ill”. Ha ha ha ha!!! Well, actually I shouldn’t laugh, I should cry for this person, I mean, how bitter and sad is this persons heart when you get sick over someone that is happy? This is pure jealousy, I know they want what have! But sadly they think they can’t have it, but it’s so close! Eternity is so close, they don’t even realize it! So okay, they hate me, they refuse to listen to my words, which are actually God’s words. But hey … I’m fake, so what do I know? So now I’m also wondering what’s going to happen at work, slowly people getting to know that I’m a Christian ( and a proud one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), one woman decided not to speak with me anymore. She has a second job which is reading tarot-cards, for herself and for others. Not to long ago I was talking to one of my clients over the phone, this client was totally unreasonable, but I didn’t want to end the conversation with a fight, so I apologized for everything. Which wasn’t my fault in the first place, but I chosed to keeping my client and put my ‘pride’ aside. So my co-worker (the tarot-reader) said “If it were me talking to Mr Janssen, I’d tell him to take the d*mn contracts and shuff them up in his *ss”. So I told her “Oh no, I’m not going to say that. I don’t talk to people like that, I’m a Christian”. Her answer was “Well, I’m a Christian too. But no one talks to me like that!”. So I looked her in the eyes and said “Interesting … a Christian who reads tarot-cards”. She turned away from me and didn’t talk to me ever since. I didn’t want to offend her in any way, I just wanted to know who she trusted more: the cards or the Lord. But I never got a chance to ask her that. Before I’d go into some weird discussion with Mr Janssen, I’d make sure he’d had to shuff the contracts some place … but I don’t feel the need now. I want people to feel good about themselves, and yes … me apologizing to Mr Janssen made him think that he was right about the whole thing. That’s okay, If I made his day I’m happy for him. “You may not seem to be as “cool” or “fun” as you once were in your friends’ eyes. But – if in God’s eyes you are loving Him with all of your heart and you are loving your neighbors as yourself, then you are eternally cool and fun in the Kingdom of Heaven”. I choose to be cool and fun in the Kingdom of Heaven any time!!! But hey … you think I’m cool and fun, don’t you???? LOL!!!!!
Mae
======= Elizabeth:
Hello All,
Just catching up from Friday–we’ve all been sick with strep here! Our kids just fly through it, but it’s harder as an adult….
I enjoyed this comment on yesterday’s reading about why women were “unclean” after childbirth:
“It may seem strange that uncleanness is connected with the birth of a baby, since marriage was instituted before sin entered the world, since the Scriptures teach that marriage is holy, and since God commanded men to reproduce. The uncleanness is probably a reminder that, with the exception of our Lord, we are all brought forth in iniquity and conceived in sin (Psa_51:5). The extended time of uncleanness in the case of a baby girl was perhaps an intended reminder that man was created before woman, that the woman was created for the man, that the woman is given a place of positional submission (not intrinsic inferiority) to the man, and that the woman was the first to sin.
Williams sees in this legislation the tender care of God in protecting the mother from visitors during a time when her weakness and the danger of infection were greatest.”
-Believer’s Bible Commentary
Elizabeth
======== Sean:
“Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.”
I am in no sense a prophet but very recently have let God back into my life,I mention this once to a group of friends and was teased,I mentioned it once to my wife and she was dismissive.
I now keep things to myself,not because I was hurt,I believe in God and prayer,nothing now will ever change that and everyday my belief grows stronger,no I am ashamed to say I was a little embarassed and do not want to be drawn into a “there is no such thing as God” argument,my belief does not include a deep knowledge of bible scriptures,history etc.
At this time my faith is very much a personal and discrete relationship with God.
Sean
======= Jessica:
Sean,
Many of us have felt unsure of ourselves when beginning a relationship with the Lord. That is a tool of the enemy to make you feel unworthy. Just know that you do not have to know all of the answers, you only have to believe. Find yourself a place to learn, a small group bible study, or a church, either one that teaches the Word of God. And keep reading on this blog, there is much wisdom shared here. He promises in His Word to teach you all things if you ask, and He will also help you remember the scriptures. His Word is so powerful because He is the Word.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 NIV
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5 NLT
But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. John 14:26 Amplified
May God continue to guide you and bless you, Jessica
Jessica
======= Steve:
Leviticus 13:1-59
This chapter discusses skin disease and the protocol the priest was to follow concerning it. If someone was diagnosed with an infectious skin disease, they were put outside the camp until it was healed and no longer infectious. For some reason this triggered thoughts of the way sin also puts us outside the camp, isolated from the body of Christ. Leprosy was a dreaded and feared disease in the time of Leviticus; the symptoms of leprosy and sin have similar properties. Sin isolates us; it spreads throughout the whole body and causes a deadening of sensitivity which disables our warning light.
Another scripture that stood out was Psalm 39:5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.
Life is oh so short. When I was a teenager I never really thought about how short life is but now that I am older this has really sunk in. My third grade summer vacation seemed to last an eternity, probably because I was having such a great time living every moment to the fullest. Everyone’s life is but a mere breath. We should meditate on this startling reality instead of deadening it with distractions. Life is a vapor trail. The best way to slow life down is enter into the presence of the Lord walking with God.
As I study God’s word and my priorities shift, my perspective on how short life is changes. I don’t worry about the shortness of life anymore and yet I feel an increased urgency to focus on what’s really important, my relationship with God and the way I relate with people. The closer I move towards Him, the clearer this all becomes.
Steve
======= Duane:
I remember the early days of my salvation,when I first came to know the Lord. Oh, the joy that was in my soul. I would tell everyone who would listen about how great our God was. One day while delivering the mail, a patron stop me and converse me in conversation. I began sharing about Pat Roberson and The 700 Club. She respnded by saying,”Oh we do not own a Television.” Wow, I thought, this woman is really radical.Years have now past and I look back on that event and realized she had more wisdom and a closer walk with God than me. I’m just beginning to see how addicting T.V. can be. It robs us of so much more time we could be spending with our Lord.
Duane
======= Bob:
I think Ramona is on to something here. How often do we judge on the appearance of an issue? How do we go about investigating for the truth? Here we see that there seems to be some examination, isolation, healing time, depth of the infection, and procedures for contamination. Do we take the time to determine someone elses “disease” and care for their outcome? This sort of gives me a new perspective on judging people too quickly. The hermenutics of this is worth studying some more.
http://www.gotquestions.org/Biblical-hermeneutics.html
Bob
======= Jill:
So many rules and regulations in Leviticus! It’s a wonder the people and leaders can remember them. All I know is I wouldn’t Today we have free choice with the new covenant. Oh how free it is! Other than the Ten Commandments which people struggle with following to this day! Without the Holy Spirit living in us there is no conscience or conviction. There is no compassion or remorse for our sin and wrongdoing. I really believe we need to bring everything back to that. Teach our children when they are young. Oh God have mercy on us all! But thank God for his redeeming Grace for each time we do mess up. Only one day we will be completely clean and that’s when we see Jesus face to face.
Jill
======== Joyce:
Mike and everyone,
I treasure the reminder in Psalm 39:5 today –
“My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath.”
May God give us wisdom to see what are the truly important priorities in life,
and to live our lives each day according to our priorities.
“And now, Lord, for what do I wait?
My hope is in You. (Psalm 39:7 NASB)
May we set our hope in God each day!
God bless!
Joyce
======= Robert:
Leviticus
In my study bible it asks the question. “Suppose sin were visible – small green spots that break out on the skin. Do you think it would help people to take sin more seriously?” Its one of those questions that brings up all sorts of other matters. It can take all sorts of paths. We would probably get really good at hiding them. We would love the fact we could judge people very easily. I’d definitely be jealous of those that had no green spots. Would we have to go see a priest to get rid of them? We could give trophies to those that had the fewest the longest period of time. Social media would thrive on this, of course. I wonder if there would be people that would be totally green?
Mark 6: 6-13
When Jesus sends out the 12, I am so impressed by the simple instructions that make me realize when we are working for God, He will provide, encourage, guide and enliven. (Try that on your next mission trip!)
Psalm 39
An important read when we are suffering and there are no answers, no happy ending, and we are in a dark place. Mike asks, “Do you think life really is “but a breath”? “. I really think we can feel this and it shows us our insignificant part of life. How to deal with it is another question but I do believe we need to involve Jesus. Prayer, trust, time, the Word are just a few of the factors but the reality is someone put our feelings down on paper so we are not the only ones to experience this.
Robert
======= Mitch:
OT – Isolation is prescribed when someone is sick to keep others from being infected. Quarantine is the practice of separating people who have been exposed or have an initial symptom to see if they get full blown sick.
Isolation was practiced in ancient times including here in Leviticus. Quarantining (after research) other than in Leviticus became an accepted practice in the 1300’s (some 2,500+ years after being noted in Leviticus). Medicine could have benefitted by paying more attention to the Bible!
So quarantining and treatment of mold/mildew seemed to be God’s way of keeping His people from being wiped out (from plague, pandemic or bad living conditions) in the early stages of their growth as His people. God’s instructions are always for our benefit so we can flourish. Here the instructions are from God to His people so they could remain healthy going into the promised land.
NT – reminded of saying “familiarity breeds contempt”. Just because Nazarenes were around Jesus doesn’t mean they “got” Jesus. Today you can be around Church and believing Christians but that does not make you a believer.
Mitch
======= Dee:
Good morning!
Life does move so quick, Mike , yes looking at this verse, we are but a vapor..here today, gone tomorrow,
How am I spending my time? Well l, love the Word and learning all over again this year..the Word constantly is new and exciting. I rest on Saturdays..alot! Go 90 miles an hour through the week. I go to church. Love hearing the Word and help in children’s church.
Leviticus, learning to love the laws and see more wisdom in them daily.
Mark was interesting, teaches us..family doesn’t always support your beliefs, go where God calls u, leave it to him for the provision, and learn to save your soul not gain the world.
We are but a vapor, a width of a hand , a grain of sand in the beaches of life..cherish each moment!
Be blessed!
There are areas I could learn and no, I’m not perfect..I enjoy TV time some too..but I pray I draw closer each day to God’s Word
Dee
