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Monday, March 3, 2008

Leviticus 27:14-34; Numbers 1:1-54; Mark 11:1-26; Psalm 46:1-11; Proverbs 10:23 (New Living Translation)

Old Testament

1. Valuations and redemptions of property

2."You may not dedicate a firstborn animal to the Lord, for the firstborn of your cattle, sheep, and goats already belong to him."

3. "...anything specially set apart for the Lord—whether a person, an animal, or family property—must never be sold or bought back. Anything devoted in this way has been set apart as holy, and it belongs to the Lord."

- Are you set apart for the Lord?

4. Another landmark...we end Leviticus, and begin Numbers.

5. Numbers

- This book may be divided into three parts:

-- The numbering of the people (census) at Sinai, and preparations for resuming their march (1-10:10). The sixth chapter gives an account of the vow of a Nazirite.
-- An account of the journey from Sinai to Moab, the sending out of the spies and the report they brought back, and the murmurings (eight times) of the people at the hardships by the way (10:11-21:20).
-- The transactions in the plain of Moab before crossing the Jordan River (21:21-36).


6. The period comprehended in the history extends from the second month of the second year after the Exodus to the beginning of the eleventh month of the fortieth year, in all about thirty-eight years and ten months; a dreary period of wanderings. They were fewer in number at the end of their wanderings than when they left the land of Egypt.

7. Levites separated for duty to the Tabernacle of the Covenent.

New Testament

8. Jesus enters Jerusalem as a hero.

9. The next morning Jesus curses a fig tree. A tree which appears to be full of life, but is bearing no fruit.

- What Jesus is trying to say here, I think , is that we must fully embrace our life our mission, not just put on the garment or appearance of being holy. This is what the Pharisees have been doing. They have been so busy dressing up and following the rituals that they have lost the "heart" of God, the spirit of the lawa given to them. The pure simplicity of giving yourself... your heart, to God. It's not meant to be complicated. We make it that way.

10. The second trip to Jerusalem jesus clears the Temple, which is now is full of traders and money-changers. Why is Jesus doingthis? What's the crime? well, the crime is that the authorities were pronouncing animals and sacrifices as unclean only to sell the people replacements,...to make money. The "old" money was being exchanged, at a premium, for "temple" money which would be more pleasing to God.

- The Temple is obviously made for worship, and it's been turned into a storefront. The priests are angered by this and plot to kill Jesus...He's being such a pain!

11. "I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”

- There are two parts to this...They never seem to mention that on TV.

- God will give you what you ask. In His own way. In His own time. But...we have work to do. Forgive any and all grudges...Feeling convicted yet?

Psalm

12. "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble."

13. "Be still, and know that I am God!"

- Sometimes I can't think of anything to add to David's words...

Proverbs

14. "Doing wrong is fun for a fool..."

See you next post...

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