March 5
Numbers 4:1-5:31
Mark 12:18-37
Psalm 48:1-14
Proverbs 10:26
Numbers 4:5 – This may be the first recorded instance of a professional moving company handbook. The Kohathites were given precise instructions on how to move the Tabernacle. Just stepping back to overview the Tabernacle – this is fairly important:
“God created the whole world in six days, but he used forty to instruct Moses about the tabernacle. Little over one chapter was needed to describe the structure of the world, but six were used for the tabernacle.”
Why was the Tabernacle so important? Because it was the dwelling place of the LORD (Exodus 25:8). Interestingly as we look at the New Testament, Joseph was given precise instructions on what to do with the physical presence of the LORD in the baby Jesus (Matthew 2:13). And someday there will be a new Tabernacle where God will dwell with man eternally (Revelation 21:3).
Numbers 5:7 – We see an important principle of the Bible – sin must be met with confession. Admission of guilt – “I was wrong.” This concept of repentance is not limited to 1 John 1:9 – it is declared in Leviticus 5:5, 16:21, 26:40; Joshua 7:19; 1 Kings 8:33, 35; 2 Chronicles 6:24, 26, 30:22; Ezra 10:1,11; Nehemiah 1:6, 9:2, 9:3; Psalm 32:5; Proverbs 28:13; and Daniel 9:4, 20.
Numbers 5:12-31 – This passage is called the “Ordeal of the Bitter Water” or “Sotah.” While it seems unusual today, one observation may be helpful:
Nahmanides points out that of all the 613 commandments, it is only the sotahlaw that requires God’s specific co-operation to make it work. The bitter waters can only be effective miraculously. (Wikipedia)
According to the same Wikipedia article, “According to Mishnah, Sotah, 9:9 the practice was abolished some time during the first century CE under the leadership of Yohanan Ben Zakkai.[5][25]” While they cite that the fall of the Temple led to the abolishment of the sotah, could it be the lack of belief in miracles?
Mark 12:27 – Jesus is talking to the Sad-you-sees (so-called because their rejection of the Resurrection). Could it be that their lack of belief in the Resurrection was related to their lack of belief in God’s miraculous leadership in other areas?
Psalm 48:1-2 – We have a Scripture Memory song for you! Great is the LORD and Greatly to be Praised! (word for word KJV) (This version is sung by the wife of a pastor friend of mine). If you want a second verse, check out this guitar rendition.
Proverbs 10:26 – A warning to the lazy!
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