It has been a long while since I last updated my blog. Since our church started on the Daily Bible reading plan in March 2009, I was thinking : "Why don't I just blog on my daily readings with the objective of sharing what I see about Jesus in all my readings ?". For the week 1st March through 7th March, we were supposed to have read Leviticus 24 - 27 Numbers 1 - 9, Mark 10 - 13, Psalm 44 - 50 : 23 and Proverbs 10 : 20 - 30.
In Leviticus, the final chapters deal, among others, on the topic of "Resting With God." The Jewish religious establishment developed complicated and rigid rules about Sabbath observance. Jesus also encountered legalistic attitudes from people who devoted much of their energy to strict adherence to rules. Instead of allowing Himself to become buried in sorting through the technicalities of religious life, Jesus defended doing good deeds on Sabbath as he stated, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too am working" (John 5 : 17). The Bible makes it clear that attitude and heart are much more important to God than keeping religious traditions.
Chapter 25 also talks about the Year of jubilee i.e. to consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. The verse which appeals to me in Chapter 26 is verse 8 : "Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you." The final cahpter of Leviticus emphasizes the importance of paying vows and tithes when they are due. Leviticus reminds us that there is always a price to pay when buying back somoeone or something. It is said to have been redeemed. That is exactly what Jesus did for us as his death is referred to as "a ransom for many" (Mark 10 : 45).
Moving on to the book of Numbers, we see a God of mercy who even in Old Testament times held His arms open wide for those who would turn back to Him. Jesus' sacrificial deathwould later personify that mercy and would also fully satisfy God's demand for justice. Consider that just as God promised to lead the Israelites into their promised land, Jesus has promised to be with us in our journey toward our own. Numbers 1 begin with the taking of a census. God knew that as His people made their way out of Egypt in search of the promised land, they would need a "map".
God's map included travel instructions. Each individual knew his position with relation to his tribe (Numbers 2 : 3 - 33). Also, each tribe knew its position with relation to the larger community. Finally, the whole community knew its position in relation to God. In the very centre of the community, the people set up the Tent of Meeting, ensuring that God will remain the central focus of all activity. Every Christian is also on a journey, and it is vital on that journey to have a proper relationship both with God and with each other. As we travel along, Jesus is whom we have to imitate as we learn what He desires.
Numbers 3 considers the family of Levites. Levi's descendants constituted the priestly line and were also a part of the Messiah's lineage through Jacob and Leah (Numbers 3). Numbers 4 talks about the Levites' clans and families whilst Numbers 5 talks about purity in the camp, restitution of wrongs and the introduction of the law of jealousy. Chapter 6 gives a definition of a Nazarite being a man or woman who wants to make a special vow of separation to the Lord. The most intersting passage for the week's reading is in Numbers 6 : 24 - 26 which is the Priestly Blessing or often called "A Blessing of All Time" : "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace."
Chapter 7 continues with "Offerings at the Dedication of the Tabernacle" and chapter 8 on "Setting up the Lamps" and the "Setting Apart of the Levites". Chapter 9 deals with how the Israelites are to celebrate the Passover and the presence of God expressed as a cloud above the Tabernacle. When the cloud of His Glory settled down to cover the Tent of Meeting, the people stopped, set up camp and stayed put until further notice. When the cloud lifted from the Tent of Meeting, the people pulled up stakes and follow wherever it led them.
Over to the New testament, for the week we considered Mark 10 - 13. The most significant part of chapter 10 which spoke to me is in verse 36 : "What do you want me to do for you ?". If Jesus were to appear before us this very moment and asked this same straightforward question, how would we respond ? In order for us to experience all that Jesus has for us, it is imperative that we first of all realise that we lack something and blind Bartimaeus knew that he needed his sight. The greatest commandment was given in Mark 12 : 30 - 31 : "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this : "Love your neighbour as yourself". There is no commandment greater than these." The latter part talks about the secret of giving when Jesus pay tribute to a widow's offering which to Him is more than all the others. Chapter 13 of Mark deals with the "Signs of the End of the Age". Reading these makes one think and know that indeed the Lord is coming very soon.
In Psalm 45, this psalm was written to commemorate a wedding day. It is a picture of Jesus and His bride - the Church. This psalm ultimately points to Jesus, God's promised One - to Jesus the ultimate King who will reign for all eternity. Psalm 46 : 1 - 3 makes a good memory verse. Psalm 46 is one of the many psalms that refer to the "city of God". The author cleraly intended to remind us that wherever God is present, there is abundant reason for unwavering confidence. Psalm 47 - 48 are psalms of praise and exultation and Psalm 49 reminds us that no amount of money can ransom anyone from death. Psalm 50 is a psalm of Asaph on the soverignity of God.
Lastly, in Proverbs 10 : 20 - 30, we read about living our lives by "God's way". God's way is perfect - which makes sense because he is pefect. We all need help getting through life and God's Word provides all of the direction and correction we require. God's perfect instruction offers us the hope of a long and satisfying life, while ignoring God's Word and living life on our own terms eventually result in destruction and grief.
In summary :
The verses that impacted me are :
- Lev. 26 verse 8 : "Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you."
- Numbers 6 : 24 - 26 which is the Priestly Blessing or often called "A Blessing of All Time" : "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace."
- Mark 12 : 30 - 31 : "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this : "Love your neighbour as yourself". There is no commandment greater than these."
What I learnt about God is that He is a Holy God and yet He is One who cares for His creation and especially us, the crowning glory of His creation. He is ever willing to bless us and keep us if only we continue to trust and obey. Even when we fail Him, He is faithful and true to His word because He cannot deny Himself.
How I have been inspired this week is to continually look to Jesus, the author and perfector of my faith that I may aspire to live a life holy and pleasing unto him.
My application is as per various exegesis of the passages above. This is the end of week 1 of my journaling for the Daily Bible reading. To God be all the Glory !
On 13th November 2009 (yes Friday the 13th), my employer Maybank held our Finance Sector's "Glitz & Glam" night for which one of the key highlights was the MBB Idol contest for which I took part in. I was last to perform among the 7 contestants competing and as the saying goes : "The last shall become first". I sang a very familiar song i.e. Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up" which I have sung in many outings previously but never in a competition as this. Even when I started my first verse, the cheers from my colleagues were overwhelming and it was indeed a wonderful experience for me.
