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| From another part of the Carolinas - a trip to Charleston - about 4 hours from Mt. Celo Church |
My Reflections, Lessons and Applications from Today's Readings
Moses Sins / Not Allowed to Enter Promised Land (Numbers 20) - Israelites continue their grumbling, that too much is going wrong - no food, now no water - we should have died with our brethren (Korah Dathan, Abirham, their families and the 250 killed by God for rebellion.) Moses and Aaron follow their usual first reaction - they go from the presence of the assembly, and they fall on their faces before God. God tells Moses to take his rod and Aaron, SPEAK (v 8) to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield water for the congregation to drink. The people are gathered before the rock, and Moses says (v. 10), "Must WE bring water for you out of this rock?" Then Moses lifted his hand and STRUCK the rock twice with his rod. Water came out abundantly for the people and flocks, but God punishes Moses and Aaron (v 12) "You did not believe Me to hallow ME in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.
Lesson/Application: Anger, frustration, not giving God the glory...God had called Moses the most humble man on earth (Numbers 12:3), but this moment of sin will have its consequence - as all sin does. Pardon of sin does not mean pardon of consequences. Often those consequences are long in coming - even to God's most beloved servants.
Israelites Not Allowed to Pass Through Edomite Territory (Numbers 20) These are the generations of Esau. The anger and bitterness has been passed down through the years. Again, the consequences for this sin and others against Israel will come but many years down the road. (Ezekiel 35, Jeremiah 49 and others). Lesson/Application: Vengeance belongs to God. (Romans 12:19, Psalm 94:1, Proverbs 20:22) Don't try to manipulate. Stay obedient to God. Let Him work in His timing. He is Sovereign and Providential, and even this was filtered through His Hands for His purposes.
Biblical Joy vs. Worldly Happiness (Psalm 33:1-9) - Rejoice in Him...praise Him...make melody to Him...sing to Him - because - His word is right...His work is done in truth...He loves righteousness and justice...the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. Lesson/Application - Father, open our eyes to see Your goodness, Your glory. Let my focus - my very being and life be totally on You, for You.
Discretion, Motivation, Sharing (Proverbs 11:22-24) Lessons/Applications: Discretion is an essential part of loveliness...From the Matthew Henry Bible commentary on v. 23: "The
wicked desire mischief to others, but it shall return upon themselves." (v 24) more on sowing and reaping...Again, there are consequences to our sins - to our choices in lifestyle and behavior.
Parable of the Vineyard (Mark 12) I love this parable that Jesus speaks to the religious leaders of His day, and there was no misunderstanding of it on their part (v 12). The owner of the vineyard (God) sent servants (the prophets first and then "his one son, his beloved, saying they will respect my son (Jesus Christ.) The thing that struck me this reading with greater impact was the reason these servants were sent - "that he (God) might receive some of the fruit (faithful believers) of the vineyard from the vinedressers" (the religious leaders of Israel). This hearkens back to the fig tree - no fruit from the nation Israel. Again, it has its roots in the OT in Isaiah 5 and Psalm 80. It also has implications for the present (Gentiles receiving inheritance (v. 9.) Lesson/ Application: Jesus said to them, "Have you not even read this Scripture?(v.10)...and He quotes the OT (Psalm 118:22-23) Lesson/Application: It is essential to study the OT in order to more fully understand the NT. For more commentary on the Parable of the Vineyard.
Jesus Corrects Religious Leaders on Truths About Death (Mark 12) Jesus answered the frivolous, debate of the Sadducees regarding death with this eternally-impacting message: (emphases mine) "Are you therefore not mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like angels in heaven. But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying, "I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob"? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken. (Lessons/Applications: A reminder from Jesus of the importance of knowing Scripture and the power of God. Thank you, Father, for this deeply comforting message from Jesus regarding those who have died before us and of our own eternal state.
For
the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged
sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and
marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there
is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open
to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Seeing then that we
have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of
God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a
High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points
tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the
throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of
need. Hebrews 4:12-16
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