When the Moses sent spies to scout out the promised land, we are told they brought back an immense cluster of grapes--so large it took two men to carry it--along with figs and pomegranates, as proof that Canaan fulfilled God's promise:
"We came to the land to which you sent us, it flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. . ." Numbers Ch. 13, vs. 27.
What a curious expression! We understand it to mean a land of plenty, where cattle could graze, and wine (and honey) ferment in peace. One commentator, given to a literal reading of scripture found himself stopped short here, saying: "If Canaan really flowed with milk and honey, it would have been a very sticky place."
A similar poetic metaphor is found in Psalm 65:
"The tracks of thy chariot drip with fatness, The pastures of the wilderness drip." C.S. Lewis called it a vegetable's eye view of the world. But we get the picture. Who of us hasn't a hope and dream of prosperity and peace, waiting for us through all the turmoil of life? Like the pilgrims of old, but in modern dress, we set out to cross the Jordon, and find milk and honey on the other side.
What does milk and honey mean to you?
Friday, February 28, 2014
Monday, February 24, 2014
Making Vows
In Scripture, the making of vows is taken seriously:
"And the Lord said to Moses, 'Say to the people of Israel, When either a man or a woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the Lord, he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink.'" Numbers Ch. 6, vs. 2.
Vows are voluntary, but once made, they are regarded as binding, and are to be fulfilled promptly, even if our preference may have changed, Numbers Ch. 30, vs. 2, Proverbs Ch. 20, vs. 25.
There is nothing in Scripture to indicate that a vow made in good faith, but later discovered to be wrong or sinful, is still to be fulfilled.
To refrain from making a vow is not sinful, Deuteronomy Ch. 23, vs. 22.
In the Old Testament certain restriction were in place to prevent the misuse of vows. The vows of children required the consent of their parents, and the vows of wives required the consent of their husbands, but the vows of widows and divorced women were binding upon them. Numbers Ch. 30, vss. 3 to 13.
Consider the example of these people who made vows in Scripture:
Jephthah, in Judges Ch. 11. vs.30-1,
Hannah, in Samuel Ch. 1, vs. 11,
David, in Psalm 132, vs. 2-5,
Paul, in Acts Ch. 18, vs. 18,
The Jews sponsored by Paul, in Acts Ch. 21, vs. 23-6.
If vows are so serious, why do people make them?
"And the Lord said to Moses, 'Say to the people of Israel, When either a man or a woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the Lord, he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink.'" Numbers Ch. 6, vs. 2.
Vows are voluntary, but once made, they are regarded as binding, and are to be fulfilled promptly, even if our preference may have changed, Numbers Ch. 30, vs. 2, Proverbs Ch. 20, vs. 25.
There is nothing in Scripture to indicate that a vow made in good faith, but later discovered to be wrong or sinful, is still to be fulfilled.
To refrain from making a vow is not sinful, Deuteronomy Ch. 23, vs. 22.
In the Old Testament certain restriction were in place to prevent the misuse of vows. The vows of children required the consent of their parents, and the vows of wives required the consent of their husbands, but the vows of widows and divorced women were binding upon them. Numbers Ch. 30, vss. 3 to 13.
Consider the example of these people who made vows in Scripture:
Jephthah, in Judges Ch. 11. vs.30-1,
Hannah, in Samuel Ch. 1, vs. 11,
David, in Psalm 132, vs. 2-5,
Paul, in Acts Ch. 18, vs. 18,
The Jews sponsored by Paul, in Acts Ch. 21, vs. 23-6.
If vows are so serious, why do people make them?
Numbers
We are now in the book of Numbers, perhaps not such a peculiar title for a book about Moses' census taking of the people of Israel, according to God's instruction:
"Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, by families, by father's houses according to the number of names, every male, head by head; from twenty years old and upward ... you shall number them." Numbers Ch. 1, vs. 2.
Why number the people?
Here in the United Sates the Federal Government has taken a census of the population every ten years, since 1790. Governments like to know who and where people are, and how many.
Moses numbered 603,550 adult males, and each was assigned a place within the vast, movable camp.
The Levites however, were counted differently:
"Number the sons of Levi, by father's houses and by families, every male from a month upward you shall number." Ch. 3, vs. 15, -- a total of over 22,000.
Again, they were numbered by serviceable age, from thirty years old up to fifty years "to do the work of the tent of meeting." Ch.4, vs. 3. --a number of 8,580.
Are you glad that God counts you?
The Lord bless you and keep you:
The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
"Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, by families, by father's houses according to the number of names, every male, head by head; from twenty years old and upward ... you shall number them." Numbers Ch. 1, vs. 2.
Why number the people?
Here in the United Sates the Federal Government has taken a census of the population every ten years, since 1790. Governments like to know who and where people are, and how many.
Moses numbered 603,550 adult males, and each was assigned a place within the vast, movable camp.
The Levites however, were counted differently:
"Number the sons of Levi, by father's houses and by families, every male from a month upward you shall number." Ch. 3, vs. 15, -- a total of over 22,000.
Again, they were numbered by serviceable age, from thirty years old up to fifty years "to do the work of the tent of meeting." Ch.4, vs. 3. --a number of 8,580.
Are you glad that God counts you?
The Lord bless you and keep you:
The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Readings Feb 23 to March 2
We are at the end of February already! This week we finish another book, 1 Corinthians, and start Paul's second letter to the Corinthians. In these final chapters of 1 Corinthians we have Paul writing to deal with a number of issues of orderly worship and conduct in the Corinthian church as well as giving some insightful teaching on the resurrection in Chapter 15. But all his exhortations and teaching are underpinned by the passage on love in Chapter 13. In the first two chapters of 2 Corinthians we have Paul writing in more conciliatory tones to the church and his fatherly concern and love for them shows through.
Our Old Testament readings continue in Numbers with the journey of the Israelites under Moses towards the Promised Land. All does not go smoothly though as the people rebel against Moses, enemies attack them, and snakes plague them but eventually they arrive on the banks of the River Jordan within sight of their goal. Quite a journey!
Feb
23 Numbers 12 1 Corinthians 11 Numbers 13
24 Numbers 14 1 Corinthians 12 Numbers 15
25 Numbers 16 1 Corinthians 13 Numbers 17 Psalm 7
26 Numbers 18 1 Corinthians 14 Numbers 19
27 Numbers 20 1 Corinthians 15 Numbers 21
28 Numbers 22 1 Corinthians 16 Numbers 23
Our Old Testament readings continue in Numbers with the journey of the Israelites under Moses towards the Promised Land. All does not go smoothly though as the people rebel against Moses, enemies attack them, and snakes plague them but eventually they arrive on the banks of the River Jordan within sight of their goal. Quite a journey!
Feb
23 Numbers 12 1 Corinthians 11 Numbers 13
24 Numbers 14 1 Corinthians 12 Numbers 15
25 Numbers 16 1 Corinthians 13 Numbers 17 Psalm 7
26 Numbers 18 1 Corinthians 14 Numbers 19
27 Numbers 20 1 Corinthians 15 Numbers 21
28 Numbers 22 1 Corinthians 16 Numbers 23
Mar
1 Numbers 24 2 Corinthians 1 Numbers 25 Psalm 8
2 Numbers 26 2 Corinthians 2 Numbers 27
Don't forget to post any comments or questions on the readings!
Friday, February 21, 2014
Chastity
Writing to the Corinthians in chapters 6 and 7 about chastity and marriage, celibacy and divorce, bondage and freedom, Paul applies the principles of the Law to their particular circumstances in a way that speaks clearly today.
Conybeare and Howsen, in their study of the Life and Epistles of St. Paul, suggest that the motto of this First Epistle could be Chapter 7, verses 29-31:
"I mean brethren, the appointed time has grown very short; from now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with this world as though they had no dealings with it. For the form of this world is passing away."
In Paul's answers to questions of transitory interest, he lays down principles of eternal obligation.
Has God ever spoken to you through your concerns about temporal things?
Conybeare and Howsen, in their study of the Life and Epistles of St. Paul, suggest that the motto of this First Epistle could be Chapter 7, verses 29-31:
"I mean brethren, the appointed time has grown very short; from now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with this world as though they had no dealings with it. For the form of this world is passing away."
In Paul's answers to questions of transitory interest, he lays down principles of eternal obligation.
Has God ever spoken to you through your concerns about temporal things?
Thursday, February 20, 2014
A Time To Sing
The Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes reminds us that "There is a time for every matter under heaven."
This Sunday afternoon, March 25th, there will be a time to sing at the County-Wide Hymn Sing, held in the Marshfield Congregational Meetinghouse, beside Route 192, just beyond Machias, at 2:30 p.m.
Come, request your favorite "psalms, hymns and spiritual songs", and sing your heart out!
We will also take time to talk about this Bible blog, for your thoughts, questions, and any suggestions. How are we doing?
Join us, and let us know!
This Sunday afternoon, March 25th, there will be a time to sing at the County-Wide Hymn Sing, held in the Marshfield Congregational Meetinghouse, beside Route 192, just beyond Machias, at 2:30 p.m.
Come, request your favorite "psalms, hymns and spiritual songs", and sing your heart out!
We will also take time to talk about this Bible blog, for your thoughts, questions, and any suggestions. How are we doing?
Join us, and let us know!
The Tent of Meeting
In Exodus, Chapter 29, God commands Moses to make a tent of meeting, as a place for worship, "where I will meet with you, to speak to you there.", vs. 42
Here in New England, our spiritual ancestors called their places of worship "meetinghouses", because here, too, they gathered so that God might meet with them.
The tent of meeting was moveable; as a constant reminder that God was moving with the Israelites as they journeyed through the wilderness. So we meet with God here in Washington County, Maine, and for the same reason:
"And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them; I am the Lord their God." vs. 46.
Here in New England, our spiritual ancestors called their places of worship "meetinghouses", because here, too, they gathered so that God might meet with them.
The tent of meeting was moveable; as a constant reminder that God was moving with the Israelites as they journeyed through the wilderness. So we meet with God here in Washington County, Maine, and for the same reason:
"And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them; I am the Lord their God." vs. 46.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Love and Wisdom
Welcome to Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, home of the famous chapter on love, 1 Corinthians 13.
On this St. Valentines Day we may do well to remember that Paul begins his famous epistle not on the subject of love, but wisdom: ""For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God," 1 Cor. 1:18.
Don't we sometimes speak of being "fools for love"? Isn't there something delightful foolish about being in love--as in "Kiss me, you fool!"?
Here, Paul shows us that God, out of His great love for us, indeed the whole world, was willing on the cross to do something that would seem foolish to some, to fulfill His purpose of uniting us with Himself. In so doing, he has turned our notions of wisdom on their head: " For the wisdom of this world is folly with God." 1Cor 3:19
Do you ever feel a little foolish about your love for God? So did Paul.
"We are fools for Christ's sake . . . . When reviled, we bless, when persecuted, we endure, when slandered, we try to conciliate, we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world. 1 Cor. 4:10 -14.
In this season of love, consider being a fool for Christ's sake.
On this St. Valentines Day we may do well to remember that Paul begins his famous epistle not on the subject of love, but wisdom: ""For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God," 1 Cor. 1:18.
Don't we sometimes speak of being "fools for love"? Isn't there something delightful foolish about being in love--as in "Kiss me, you fool!"?
Here, Paul shows us that God, out of His great love for us, indeed the whole world, was willing on the cross to do something that would seem foolish to some, to fulfill His purpose of uniting us with Himself. In so doing, he has turned our notions of wisdom on their head: " For the wisdom of this world is folly with God." 1Cor 3:19
Do you ever feel a little foolish about your love for God? So did Paul.
"We are fools for Christ's sake . . . . When reviled, we bless, when persecuted, we endure, when slandered, we try to conciliate, we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world. 1 Cor. 4:10 -14.
In this season of love, consider being a fool for Christ's sake.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Readings for February 15th to 22nd
The readings for this week are given below. We finish the last few chapters of Exodus which are all about the Tabernacle and in chapter 40 God comes to live in the Tabernacle amongst the people of Israel.
Then we start on Numbers. (We will come back to Leviticus later on) In the first 10 chapters of Numbers the Israelites are still at Mount Sinai, but in chapter 11 they continue their journey towards the Promised Land. We also have a couple of chapters from the Psalms.
In the New Testament we are continuing to read Paul's first letter to the Corinthians.
I hope you are enjoying the readings and don't forget if you have questions put them as a comment here on the blog. I am sure someone will reply with some answers. That way we can all learn!
15 Exodus 36 1 Corinthians 3 Exodus 37
16 Exodus 38 1 Corinthians 4 Exodus 39
17 Exodus 40 1 Corinthians 5 Numbers 1 Psalm 5
18 Numbers 2 1 Corinthians 6 Numbers 3
19 Numbers 4 1 Corinthians 7 Numbers 5
20 Numbers 6 1 Corinthians 8 Numbers 7
21 Numbers 8 1 Corinthians 9 Numbers 9 Psalm 6
22 Numbers 10 1 Corinthians 10 Numbers 11
Then we start on Numbers. (We will come back to Leviticus later on) In the first 10 chapters of Numbers the Israelites are still at Mount Sinai, but in chapter 11 they continue their journey towards the Promised Land. We also have a couple of chapters from the Psalms.
In the New Testament we are continuing to read Paul's first letter to the Corinthians.
I hope you are enjoying the readings and don't forget if you have questions put them as a comment here on the blog. I am sure someone will reply with some answers. That way we can all learn!
15 Exodus 36 1 Corinthians 3 Exodus 37
16 Exodus 38 1 Corinthians 4 Exodus 39
17 Exodus 40 1 Corinthians 5 Numbers 1 Psalm 5
18 Numbers 2 1 Corinthians 6 Numbers 3
19 Numbers 4 1 Corinthians 7 Numbers 5
20 Numbers 6 1 Corinthians 8 Numbers 7
21 Numbers 8 1 Corinthians 9 Numbers 9 Psalm 6
22 Numbers 10 1 Corinthians 10 Numbers 11
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Oxen
What have we to learn from oxen? Dumb as an ox, goes the old saying.
We are reading in Exodus, Ch. 23, vs. 4, about the law of God:
"When you meet your enemy's ox or his ass going astray, you shall bring it back to him. If you see the ass of one who hates you lying under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it, but shall help him lift it up.""
We have also been reading in Romans, Ch. 5, vs. 8, about grace:
"God showed his love for us in that, while we yet sinners Christ died for us."
Is God's concern only about animals, or us as well?
Which raises the questions: " Whose is the ox? Who is the enemy? Who is doing the heavy lifting? Who is the ass?"
Enough said.
Who says God can't use dumb animals?
We are reading in Exodus, Ch. 23, vs. 4, about the law of God:
"When you meet your enemy's ox or his ass going astray, you shall bring it back to him. If you see the ass of one who hates you lying under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it, but shall help him lift it up.""
We have also been reading in Romans, Ch. 5, vs. 8, about grace:
"God showed his love for us in that, while we yet sinners Christ died for us."
Is God's concern only about animals, or us as well?
Which raises the questions: " Whose is the ox? Who is the enemy? Who is doing the heavy lifting? Who is the ass?"
Enough said.
Who says God can't use dumb animals?
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Hardness of Heart
"The Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart." Exodus 11:10.
Moses records not only that God hardened Pharaoh's heart, (Ex 4:21, 10:20) but that Pharaoh hardened his own heart (8:15, 32.) Nowhere are we told that God forced Pharaoh contrary to his own free choices. Rather, it seems that God sent circumstances into Pharaoh's life which caused him to harden his own heart, and reject the claims of God. Hard heartedness always separates us from God.
Ironically, the circumstances that harden some people's hearts, can be the same circumstances that soften other people's hearts towards God.
As one Christian wrote:
"Motions of grace--hardneess of heart--external circumstances."
What has been your experience?
Moses records not only that God hardened Pharaoh's heart, (Ex 4:21, 10:20) but that Pharaoh hardened his own heart (8:15, 32.) Nowhere are we told that God forced Pharaoh contrary to his own free choices. Rather, it seems that God sent circumstances into Pharaoh's life which caused him to harden his own heart, and reject the claims of God. Hard heartedness always separates us from God.
Ironically, the circumstances that harden some people's hearts, can be the same circumstances that soften other people's hearts towards God.
As one Christian wrote:
"Motions of grace--hardneess of heart--external circumstances."
What has been your experience?
Go Down, Moses!
". . . And he was put in a coffin in Egypt." What a finale to the story of Genesis, the book of beginnings!
It also provides a link to the book of Exodus, which begins, (in Hebrew) "And these are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his own household." The name Exodus means "going out" or "departure," and without the background account in Genesis the story would be puzzling indeed!
How do we see the sixty-six books of the Bible? As so many separate stories, or one Big Story? The scale is cosmic. Even on the human level it dwarfs the longest Russian novel, yet each book always provides links, or clues, to its predecessors.
Here, in Exodus, we find the family of faith on the move. Can we follow them?
Go down, Moses!
It also provides a link to the book of Exodus, which begins, (in Hebrew) "And these are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his own household." The name Exodus means "going out" or "departure," and without the background account in Genesis the story would be puzzling indeed!
How do we see the sixty-six books of the Bible? As so many separate stories, or one Big Story? The scale is cosmic. Even on the human level it dwarfs the longest Russian novel, yet each book always provides links, or clues, to its predecessors.
Here, in Exodus, we find the family of faith on the move. Can we follow them?
Go down, Moses!
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