Biblical studies

[avatar4321]

Thought it might be a good idea to start a thread discussing the scriptures we are reading and our thoughts on them.

I just spent the afternoon reading through the last ten chapters of Exodus. A lot is in there. Mostly instructions on how to build the tabernacle. But I had noticed a few things:

1) The Lord and Moses mentioned keeping the Sabbath Holy quite a bit. That's something that isn't as common in our current culture. Perhaps it's something that we, as individuals, should start implimenting in our lives.
2) The incident with the Golden Calf was instructive on how much the Lord's grace was present in forgiving Israel. A lot of people percieve God's grace as being something novel in the New Testament, but even Ancient Israel was recieving the Grace of God.
3) I thought it was interesting that after bringing the people out of Egypt, giving commandments, making the covenant, and Calling and authorizing priests for the people, the main thing the Lord focused on for most of Exodus was the construction of the Tabernacle which acted as a mobile Temple for the people. I am not sure I fully understand why the Lord placed His emphasis there. But it struck me as interesting, and likely important.

Any thoughts? Any scriptures you have been reading lately that you want to share some thoughts on?

[KarlMarx]

Thought it might be a good idea to start a thread discussing the scriptures we are reading and our thoughts on them.

I just spent the afternoon reading through the last ten chapters of Exodus. A lot is in there. Mostly instructions on how to build the tabernacle. But I had noticed a few things:

1) The Lord and Moses mentioned keeping the Sabbath Holy quite a bit. That's something that isn't as common in our current culture. Perhaps it's something that we, as individuals, should start implimenting in our lives.

Yes, I think you're right about that. Many of us, myself included, don't observe the Sabbath as we should.... it also is supposed to be a day of rest... something that our breakneck ratrace society is definitely in need of.


.

2) The incident with the Golden Calf was instructive on how much the Lord's grace was present in forgiving Israel. A lot of people percieve God's grace as being something novel in the New Testament, but even Ancient Israel was recieving the Grace of God.
God was pretty gracious and forgiving all throughout the Old Testament up until He just had enough of Israel's "harlotry" with other gods and allowed the Babylonians to take Israel captive


3) I thought it was interesting that after bringing the people out of Egypt, giving commandments, making the covenant, and Calling and authorizing priests for the people, the main thing the Lord focused on for most of Exodus was the construction of the Tabernacle which acted as a mobile Temple for the people. I am not sure I fully understand why the Lord placed His emphasis there. But it struck me as interesting, and likely important.

Any thoughts? Any scriptures you have been reading lately that you want to share some thoughts on?
I think that the Lord emphasized the Law more than the Tabernacle and the consequences to Israel for disobedience (I think though, that's not in Exodus, but it Dueteronomy... in the later chapters...

ALSO... somewhere in the Torah, Moses predicts the rise of a great Prophet who will guide Israel.... in other words, the Messiah Himself...

[avatar4321]

Keeping the Sabbath has been on my mind a lot lately. Probably one of the reasons it stood out to me. Isaiah 58 mentions keeping the Sabbath after a long passage about doing a True Fast:


¶If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 58:13-14)


It's an interesting and powerful promise. What does it mean to "ride upon the high places of the earth?"

[Robert A Whit]

I do not feel qualified to discuss the Bible when it comes to the mastery of the text.

The Constitution is enough for me to deal with.

I plan to learn from you experts on the Bible so don't take my silence as not caring.

Carry on.

[avatar4321]

I do not feel qualified to discuss the Bible when it comes to the mastery of the text.

The Constitution is enough for me to deal with.

I plan to learn from you experts on the Bible so don't take my silence as not caring.

Carry on.

You don't have to be a master to discuss the scriptures. I'd hardly call myself an expert. But it's good to talk about the texts and figure out what the Spirit is trying to tell us.

[avatar4321]

I was reading Leviticus 1 today about the animal sacrifice. One verse stood out:


If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord. (Leviticus 1:3, emphasis added)

I think that it jumped out at me because the Lord makes sure that we understand that any sacrifice we make to Him has to be of our own free will. We can't be forced to come to God. He won't force it and no other man come. If they did, we wouldn't be sacrificing.

Freedom to sacrifice and serve for God is fundamental to the teachings of the Lord. I believe that is why people have a natural yearning to be free.

It's also one of the reasons I dislike the entitlement programs of our government. The politicians have decided to take away our liberty to voluntarily give because they take more and more of our income and resources to do so in the name of helping others. I don't think we as a nation are blessed as we could be when the government takes our money to "give" as when we voluntarily give of our own time, talents, and resources to minister to the needs of others. I think it also effects the gratitude those that recieve have.

[jafar00]

I have a question.

Why is the Christian "Sabbath" on Sunday?

Saturday in Arabic is يوم السبت (Yawm Al Sabat) and in Hebrew it is
שַׁבָּת (Shabat) which anglicised I guess becomes "Sabbath".

Disclaimer: Before I am ridiculed or attacked with some foul language as usual, this is an honest question.

[Marcus Aurelius]

I have a question.

Why is the Christian "Sabbath" on Sunday?

Saturday in Arabic is يوم السبت (Yawm Al Sabat) and in Hebrew it is
שַׁבָּת (Shabat) which anglicised I guess becomes "Sabbath".

Disclaimer: Before I am ridiculed or attacked with some foul language as usual, this is an honest question.

There is no Christian Sabbath.

http://www.bible.ca/ntx-sabbath-sunday.htm

[KarlMarx]

I have a question.

Why is the Christian "Sabbath" on Sunday?

Saturday in Arabic is يوم السبت (Yawm Al Sabat) and in Hebrew it is
שַׁבָּת (Shabat) which anglicised I guess becomes "Sabbath".

Disclaimer: Before I am ridiculed or attacked with some foul language as usual, this is an honest question.

I've heard the reason why the Christian Sabbath falls on a Sunday is because Christ, our Lord, rose from the dead on that day.

P.S. Yawn Al Sabat - Day of Sabbath... Yom means "day" in Hebrew, so I am guessing Yawm means day in Arabic

[Jbird]

I've heard the reason why the Christian Sabbath falls on a Sunday is because Christ, our Lord, rose from the dead on that day.

P.S. Yawn Al Sabat - Day of Sabbath... Yom means "day" in Hebrew, so I am guessing Yawm means day in ArabicOur Sabbath I originaly thaught was because that is the day God rested after creation. He rested on the seventh day. As for Laviticus and Exodus..I'm a dispansationalist. Although there are many good lessons and historical evidence as to our creator, the new testement is for us.

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

Thought it might be a good idea to start a thread discussing the scriptures we are reading and our thoughts on them.

I just spent the afternoon reading through the last ten chapters of Exodus. A lot is in there. Mostly instructions on how to build the tabernacle. But I had noticed a few things:

1) The Lord and Moses mentioned keeping the Sabbath Holy quite a bit. That's something that isn't as common in our current culture. Perhaps it's something that we, as individuals, should start implimenting in our lives.
2) The incident with the Golden Calf was instructive on how much the Lord's grace was present in forgiving Israel. A lot of people percieve God's grace as being something novel in the New Testament, but even Ancient Israel was recieving the Grace of God.
3) I thought it was interesting that after bringing the people out of Egypt, giving commandments, making the covenant, and Calling and authorizing priests for the people, the main thing the Lord focused on for most of Exodus was the construction of the Tabernacle which acted as a mobile Temple for the people. I am not sure I fully understand why the Lord placed His emphasis there. But it struck me as interesting, and likely important.

Any thoughts? Any scriptures you have been reading lately that you want to share some thoughts on?

King Solomon asked for wisdom.. Which clearly revealed that he already had at least enough wisdom to know what truly mattered! What our nation needs now is leaders with wisdom not leaders that have charm and smooth talk to fool the ignorant masses. --Tyr

http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/15-wisdom-quotes-from-the-bible/



15 Wisdom Quotes From The Bible

by David (http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/author/david/) on <ABBR class=published title=2011-05-28>May 28, 2011</ABBR> · 23 comments (http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/15-wisdom-quotes-from-the-bible/#comments) · http://cdn2.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-print/images/print.gif (http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/15-wisdom-quotes-from-the-bible/print/) Print (http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/15-wisdom-quotes-from-the-bible/print/) · http://cdn2.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-email/images/email.gif (http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/15-wisdom-quotes-from-the-bible/email/) Email (http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/15-wisdom-quotes-from-the-bible/email/)

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<IFRAME style="WIDTH: 110px; HEIGHT: 20px" class="twitter-share-button twitter-count-horizontal" title="Twitter Tweet Button" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets/tweet_button.1354093195.html#_=1354205406796&count=horizontal&id=twitter-widget-0&lang=en&original_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.whatchristianswa nttoknow.com%2F15-wisdom-quotes-from-the-bible%2F&size=m&text=15%20Wisdom%20Quotes%20From%20The%20Bible&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.whatchristianswanttoknow.com% 2F15-wisdom-quotes-from-the-bible%2F" frameBorder=0 allowTransparency scrolling=no data-twttr-rendered="true"></IFRAME>There are many gems of wisdom and knowledge (http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/10-bible-verses-about-knowledge/) throughout the Bible. Here are just a few examples of the words of wisdom which can be found in God’s word. If someone wanted to study the concept of wisdom in-depth in the Bible, then starting with the book of Proverbs is recommended. Proverbs was mostly written by Solomon, the man to whom the Bible says God gave great wisdom (http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/words-of-wisdom-22-inspirational-quotes/).
Job 12:12 “With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.”
Job 28:28 “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”
Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth forever.”
Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 3:7 “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.”
Proverbs 4:5-7 “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
Proverbs 11:2 “He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.”
Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”
Proverbs 14:8 “The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.”







Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/15-wisdom-quotes-from-the-bible/#ixzz2Dd2s6w75

[avatar4321]

Those are some good scriptures on the wisdom of the Lord. Thank you. I've been recognizing alot lately that I am not nearly as knowledgible and wise as I like to think. I want to change that and praying for Wisdom is a good start, but those verses have more. I think knowing and understanding as much of the scriptures as possible is a good way to gain wisdom.

I have been reading Leviticus 5-10. I don't think I got that much out of the instructions of the animal sacrifice. It's a foreign practice to me. But I understand the principles God is teaching. He teaching the people to look forward to the ultimate sacrifice and atonement from the Son. He is teaching them the need of a proxy to take their sins from them. Because we cannot do it ourselves.

What I found most interesting was the annointing of Aaron and His sons as Priests. In Hebrews, Paul (or thet writer in question) stated: "And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." (Hewbrews 5:4)

The calling and annointing of Aaron interests me because a lot of people feel inspired teach the scriptures and minister to the people. Some go to school for it, and some just go from the scriptues. But are they really called of God because they felt they were? Or is there a process God established. You don't see Aaron saying that God inspired him to be a priest. You don't see him going to school to become one. What happens it God told Moses to call Aaron. And then Aaron is annointed and consecrated before the Congregation. In fact, it doesn't seem that God told Aaron directly about the call at all. At least not from the scriptures.

Also, I found it interesting that the Lord told Aaron and the priests to refrain from alcoholic drinks that they may be Holy when they teach the Children of Israel the commandments of God. I have to admit, I was not familiar with this command to them. While I think command was specifically towards the Levites, it mades me wonder what is it about alcohol that would make one unholy. Especially considering it's use in the New Testament.

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

Those are some good scriptures on the wisdom of the Lord. Thank you. I've been recognizing alot lately that I am not nearly as knowledgible and wise as I like to think. I want to change that and praying for Wisdom is a good start, but those verses have more. I think knowing and understanding as much of the scriptures as possible is a good way to gain wisdom.

I have been reading Leviticus 5-10. I don't think I got that much out of the instructions of the animal sacrifice. It's a foreign practice to me. But I understand the principles God is teaching. He teaching the people to look forward to the ultimate sacrifice and atonement from the Son. He is teaching them the need of a proxy to take their sins from them. Because we cannot do it ourselves.

What I found most interesting was the annointing of Aaron and His sons as Priests. In Hebrews, Paul (or thet writer in question) stated: "And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." (Hewbrews 5:4)

The calling and annointing of Aaron interests me because a lot of people feel inspired teach the scriptures and minister to the people. Some go to school for it, and some just go from the scriptues. But are they really called of God because they felt they were? Or is there a process God established. You don't see Aaron saying that God inspired him to be a priest. You don't see him going to school to become one. What happens it God told Moses to call Aaron. And then Aaron is annointed and consecrated before the Congregation. In fact, it doesn't seem that God told Aaron directly about the call at all. At least not from the scriptures.

Also, I found it interesting that the Lord told Aaron and the priests to refrain from alcoholic drinks that they may be Holy when they teach the Children of Israel the commandments of God. I have to admit, I was not familiar with this command to them. While I think command was specifically towards the Levites, it mades me wonder what is it about alcohol that would make one unholy. Especially considering it's use in the New Testament.

The priests had to attempt to be Holy. Not that they ever could be without God's anointing hand placed upon them. All examples in the old testament, sacrificing , etc were to teach of the coming Saviour and his sacrifice that would save all of mankind that accepted him as their Saviour. The old testament laws taught the folly of man's striving for perfection without have received the gift/blessing from Jesus of his paying for their sins by sacrificing himself.
Just as the lesson in the book of Job mainly taught that it wasnt enough to greatly fear God as Job so rightly did but that it was EVEN MORE important to --LOVE-- GOD!! And to recognise that love would be returned and already was being returned even before man acted. Job lamented long and hard before he learned that which God taught him by allowing Satan to kill his family and torment him so! After the lesson was learned God replaced bountifully all that Job had lost , even family!! -Tyr

[avatar4321]

I was reading further in Leviticus. A passage in Leviticus 11 stood out. Again about Holiness. Mainly, that the Lord wanted His people to be Holy because He is Holy.

So it lead me to ask myself, what does it mean to be Holy?

The dictionary is giving me definitions like "Sacred" or "Divine." I think that kind of just another way of saying it, but what does it truly mean? Ill have to ponder that.

Is the Lord's command that His people be Holy any less in force today?

[gabosaurus]

Our Sabbath I originaly thaught was because that is the day God rested after creation. He rested on the seventh day.

This is my understanding as well.
I believe that those with minimal understanding of the Bible (such as myself) benefit most from discussions of such. To read is to learn.
I heard a sermon once where the pastor stated he didn't understand why the Bible wasn't more popular. It has as much action, suspense, plot changes, interesting characters, political intrigue and racy sections as any novel ever written.

[KarlMarx]

Our Sabbath I originaly thaught was because that is the day God rested after creation. He rested on the seventh day. As for Laviticus and Exodus..I'm a dispansationalist. Although there are many good lessons and historical evidence as to our creator, the new testement is for us.

You're confusing the Jewish Sabbath with the Christian one. The Jewish Sabbath is Saturday, the 7th day of the week (which reflects the "7th day" in which God rested), while the Christian Sabbath is Sunday.

[KarlMarx]

Those are some good scriptures on the wisdom of the Lord. Thank you. I've been recognizing alot lately that I am not nearly as knowledgible and wise as I like to think. I want to change that and praying for Wisdom is a good start, but those verses have more. I think knowing and understanding as much of the scriptures as possible is a good way to gain wisdom.

I have been reading Leviticus 5-10. I don't think I got that much out of the instructions of the animal sacrifice. It's a foreign practice to me. But I understand the principles God is teaching. He teaching the people to look forward to the ultimate sacrifice and atonement from the Son. He is teaching them the need of a proxy to take their sins from them. Because we cannot do it ourselves.

What I found most interesting was the annointing of Aaron and His sons as Priests. In Hebrews, Paul (or thet writer in question) stated: "And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." (Hewbrews 5:4)

The calling and annointing of Aaron interests me because a lot of people feel inspired teach the scriptures and minister to the people. Some go to school for it, and some just go from the scriptues. But are they really called of God because they felt they were? Or is there a process God established. You don't see Aaron saying that God inspired him to be a priest. You don't see him going to school to become one. What happens it God told Moses to call Aaron. And then Aaron is annointed and consecrated before the Congregation. In fact, it doesn't seem that God told Aaron directly about the call at all. At least not from the scriptures.

Also, I found it interesting that the Lord told Aaron and the priests to refrain from alcoholic drinks that they may be Holy when they teach the Children of Israel the commandments of God. I have to admit, I was not familiar with this command to them. While I think command was specifically towards the Levites, it mades me wonder what is it about alcohol that would make one unholy. Especially considering it's use in the New Testament.

There is a common misconception that Rabbis are the same things as priests. That is wrong. The word "rabbi" means "teacher" in Hebrew. Anyone could be a rabbi (as was Jesus, who was a son of David of the tribe of Judah)... if they had the proper training.

However... only descendant of Aaron could become priests... and since Aaron was of the tribe of Levi, only Levites could be priests... so the priesthood was a hereditary office

Speaking of animal sacrifice. Jews were prohibited from eating anything with blood in it, plus they were prohibited from eating fat. The reasons are that blood was regarded as containing the life force of the animal and thus was reserved for God. Fat was supposed to be part of the sacrifice, thus, the fat was reserved for God.

I believe, also, that certain parts of the sacrificed animal were reserved for the priests to eat (and their families, too, I think).... I'm not entirely sure about this one... but I think if I dug around some, I could find scripture that supports this.

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

I believe, also, that certain parts of the sacrificed animal were reserved for the priests to eat (and their families, too, I think).... I'm not entirely sure about this one... but I think if I dug around some, I could find scripture that supports this.



http://www.bible-history.com/tabernacle/TAB4The_5_Levitical_Offerings.htm





http://www.debatepolicy.com/images/SPB9.gif
also see: Blood Atonement (http://www.debatepolicy.com/TAB4Blood_Atonement.htm) and The Priests (http://www.debatepolicy.com/TAB4The_Priests.htm)
THE FIVE LEVITICAL OFFERINGS
The Sacrifices
http://www.debatepolicy.com/images/T9.gifhe sacrificial system was ordained by God and placed at the very center and heart of Jewish national life. Whatever the Jews may have thought of it at the time, the unceasing sacrifice of animals, and the never-ending glow of fire at the altar of sacrifice, there is no doubt that god was burning into the hearts of every man, an awareness of their own sin. An object lesson that would make your skin crawl was to be an age long picture of the coming sacrifice of Messiah. The sacrifices pointed to Him and they were fulfilled in Him. There are many instructions for sacrifice throughout the Pentateuch, but Leviticus (http://www.debatepolicy.com/TAB4untitled00000139.htm#b10f8498) chapters 1-7 is completely dedicated to the 5 Levitical offerings which were the main sacrifices used in the rituals. They describe 5 kinds of sacrifices: The burnt offering (http://www.debatepolicy.com/TAB4untitled00000089.htm#085d9dea), the meal offering (http://www.debatepolicy.com/TAB4untitled00000142.htm#7a63b468), the peace offering (http://www.debatepolicy.com/TAB4untitled00000158.htm#23b6c0f9), the sin offering (http://www.debatepolicy.com/TAB4untitled00000178.htm#6f6c3683), and the trespass offering (http://www.debatepolicy.com/TAB4untitled00000224.htm#505df816). Each of the sacrifices were uniquely fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

[avatar4321]

There is a common misconception that Rabbis are the same things as priests. That is wrong. The word "rabbi" means "teacher" in Hebrew. Anyone could be a rabbi (as was Jesus, who was a son of David of the tribe of Judah)... if they had the proper training.

However... only descendant of Aaron could become priests... and since Aaron was of the tribe of Levi, only Levites could be priests... so the priesthood was a hereditary office

Speaking of animal sacrifice. Jews were prohibited from eating anything with blood in it, plus they were prohibited from eating fat. The reasons are that blood was regarded as containing the life force of the animal and thus was reserved for God. Fat was supposed to be part of the sacrifice, thus, the fat was reserved for God.

I believe, also, that certain parts of the sacrificed animal were reserved for the priests to eat (and their families, too, I think).... I'm not entirely sure about this one... but I think if I dug around some, I could find scripture that supports this.

You're correct. It's mentioned in Leviticus. I just read about the Priests eating the offering. And Christ mentioned it once in regards to the Sabbath when David ate what was lawful only for the priests to eat. If i remember correctly.

[avatar4321]

Continuing my reading of Leviticus, I found an interesting verse. Im going to quote from the New Living Translation since i think that has the plainest wording:

"Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly." (Leviticus 19:15)

I think this is blatantly disregarded in our current society where the cultural message is to favor the poor over the rich or vice versa. The fact is it shouldnt matter how much money we make. We should all be held to the same standard and the laws should be equally applied regardless of wealth.

[avatar4321]

Finished Leviticus. Leviticus 26 was definitely interesting. It's too long to post it. But I think a good summary is:


If you keep the commandments, The Lord will prosper you in the land. If you break the commandments, you will suffer and struggle and not have the Lord's blessing.

I think it's important to remember that He is refering to the nation. I think the Lord has basically given us the formula for a strong economy. Keep His commandments. We are blessed. In a true capitalist system when we are honest, we are humble, we keep the Ten Commandments, we care about others providing for others, we have a strong economy. It's when we don't do these things that we have economic down turns and corrections.

Take a look at almost every economic collapse. It's come because of pride ("We are too big to fail"; "The market will only ever go up, up, up"), dishonesty (People trying to swindle others, ponzi schemes, etc), Idleness ("Let someone else do it"; "We can do that tomorrow"; "I don't want to work 6 days and rest on one"), Selfishness ("It's all about me and not what I can do to serve and provide good for others").

Keeping God's commandments in our own life, strengthens the economy as a whole. It's when we do that and freely trade with one another that we see the Invisible hand of Divine Providence work in our lives.

[avatar4321]

I just read the first two chapters of Numbers as well. They aren't the most exciting chapters. But I did find two things intersting:

1) The Lord thought it was important to number and organize His people. If it was important then, I don't see why it would be different now.

2) He organized the people primarily by family showing how important family is to the Lord and should be to us. But then again considering at least a third of the 10 commandments focus on family, it shouldnt be a surprise.

[avatar4321]

Oh, and I was kind of hoping others would be sharing what they are reading and their thoughts on their studies. This thread isnt meant to be all about me. You don't have to be a scholar to study the scriptures and make points or ask questions. We all should be doing that, at least if we take our faith seriously.

[KarlMarx]

Just finished reading 1 Timothy. I am reading the whole Bible from cover to cover in a year (the "our daily bread" website that I go to has a "bible in a year" link, you just click on it and it takes you to the part of the bible you read for the day).

I've committed to reading the Bible from cover to cover every year until I'm too old, blind, or dead to read it. This is my 2nd year doing it and it's like this. Have you ever watched a good movie several times, and each time you watch it, you notice something new? That's the Bible. Each time I read it again, I discover something new. I encourage everyone to do read the Bible cover to cover as I have, it's definitely worth it. And make it a lifelong habit to read it each and every day... you never know when you'll find something that will be useful to you.

http://www.odb.org

Oh...... and I should also mention something... Matthew Henry's commentary on the Bible. Matthew Henry wrote a commentary on each and every verse of the Bible... you can get to it online.. or buy it at your local Christian bookstore... I have a copy... haven't really used it yet, but it's definitely worth owning... much like "Decline and fall of the Roman Empire", "Wealth of Nations", and the US Constitution...

[avatar4321]

I am reading in Numbers about when the People believed the report of the Ten wicked scouts and swore that the people would wander the wilderness for forty years instead of leading them into the promised land.

These people saw miracles. They were saved by God. They experienced His glory and presence, and yet they wouldn't listen to His words or accept His counsel. They didn't believe His promises.

It makes me wonder, what blessings does the Lord have for us that we aren't recieving because we have become a wicked society? Especially among those who have made covenants to follow God.

[avatar4321]

Been reading in Numbers and in Proverbs today.

I was reading about Aarons death. I am impressed with how the Lord told Moses and Aaron that Aaron would die, and he accepted it without any indication of hesitation. I hope that when my time comes, I can be ready for it as well.

I've been reading proverbs lately because it has good instruction to obtain wisdom. Im in Proverbs 4 and it talks about obtaining knowledge and wisdom through obedience to God.

I was also impressed with the last few verses:


¶Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. (Proverbs 4:23-27)


It seems that there is alot of wisdom in making sure we are careful about what we say. The language we use can be pleasing to God or profanity. I don't have a general disposition to swear, but I've noticed my language could be improved in other areas. I tend to be sarcastic and I think the Lord would probably prefer if I wasn't.

[revelarts]

Continuing my reading of Leviticus, I found an interesting verse. Im going to quote from the New Living Translation since i think that has the plainest wording:

"Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly." (Leviticus 19:15)

I think this is blatantly disregarded in our current society where the cultural message is to favor the poor over the rich or vice versa. The fact is it shouldnt matter how much money we make. We should all be held to the same standard and the laws should be equally applied regardless of wealth.

I think in general the poor the get shaft more than the rich.
the rich take a hit from the go'vt in taxes no doubt.
but when it come to going to court, the poor get the worse of it.
if your rich and are found with an once of drugs your probably NOT going to jail but if your poor say goodbye to your family for a while. Also look at the Drug money laundering the banks are doing (not to mention what the gov't is doing). They pay fines and NO ONE goes to jail. the kid selling a bag of refer on the corner goes to jail and has a record that will make it hard for him to get a job at the SAME banks that laundered billions of the same drug money.
Take a look at the corrupt banks thread. Billions stolen and conned. Few if any go to jail.
But a poor person steals 100 dollars from a convenience store in - a grab and run- and he's in jail.
that not justice by a long shot.
Some rich have gotten away with murder via corporations AFTER being well informed that their products or factories are killing or making people sick. they are rich in free.

When you go to court do you think the you'll be treated the same if you have a million dollars to spend on your defense as you would be if you have 0 dollars?

It's been the case pretty much always and what the the passages you sight are warning against.

...Favoring the Poor OR being partial to the rich...

both are bad and both are fixtures in our political and judicial systems.

the Laws of the Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy give us how God set up a his 1 chosen nation. the laws are what's needed in a fallen world. the principles are ideal. and God promised to add his blessing on them for obedience. The laws are to be an example/template for world. The Proverbs also gives us the ideals we should shoot for and a lot of the best case outcomes and general promises of reward for best practices.
And if you look a many successful people, families, and companies you'll see the truths born out.

However there's are times when things don't seem to work quite like that,
then i think of Job and the end of Ecclesiastes, 12:13-14. Also a some Psalms come to mind when I hear of some the injustices of the rich/poor that don't seem to fit the outline. Psalm 73 especially, I won't quote it, but the bottom line is. Despite the way things too often are, trust God, It ain't over until it's over.

[avatar4321]

I was reading about Balak and Balaam in Numbers today. It impressed me that even though Balaam is considered a wicked man for going to Balak in the first place, the Lord still spoke with Him and showed him visions.

It seems to me that just because we are blessed to know the Lord, even in intimate ways like Balaam was, that doesn't necessarily make us any less wicked than anyone else.

[avatar4321]

I was reading Deuteronomy tonight. The part where Moses reviews the Ten Commandments again for the Children of Israel. I never realized that the Sabbath was to act as a reminder that they were once slaves in Egypt. I thought that was interesting. I also thought the promises the Lord made the people if they kept His commandments was interesting to say the least.