Numbers 8:2 — Ever wonder where the Menorah came from? Not just for Hanukkah, the Menorah was designed to light the Temple. The seven lamps from one candlestick make up the Menorah. This Menorah is made for the coming Third Temple that will be built someday on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. On my trips to Israel, I’ve seen it, but it’s hard to miss. It sits in view of the Temple Mount near the headquarters of the Temple Mount Institute.
Numbers 8:12 — Do you think sin is important and offensive to God?
Numbers 8:25-26 — An interesting take on retirement. You may need to change your field of service, but you can’t check out from service.
Numbers 9:8 — Great words of wisdom when we don’t know what to do. Unfortunately, others did not always follow.
Mark 13:35 — Are you watching and ready for the return of the Lord?
Psalm 50:10 — Does God need our sacrifices? We merely offer to God a portion of what He has given us.
Psalm 50:15 — Very similar to the verse that has been called “God’s Telephone Number” (Jeremiah 33:3).
Proverbs 10:30 — Are you living for this century or the next century?
Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.
_____ Image Credit: ariely, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Numbers 6 — According to John MacArthur, there were three people in the Bible who were lifelong Nazirites: Samuel, Samson, and John the Baptist. So, what is the purpose of the Nazirite vow? John MacArthur preached a great message on this subject:
Now, let’s look at Numbers chapter 6 and I’ll show you that not only the kings and the princes and the priests and the high priests but there were certain people in the congregation of Israel who chose this standard, too. Anybody could choose to step up to this standard – this was the highest standard. And you’ll remember in Numbers chapter 6 verse 1, the Lord spoke to Moses saying, “Speak to the children of Israel and say unto them, when either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazirite, to separate themselves unto the Lord.”
Numbers 7:3-5 — God is blessing them with the gift of technology for the use of the ministry, but in vs. 9 we find that there is some technology that can’t be used in ministry. There are times I am unable to be at my church, and I appreciate the livestream that lets me watch it online. But if I can be at church, I shouldn’t use the livestream as an excuse to avoid Hebrews 10:25.
Numbers 7:89 — The inventory of the offering is over, now Moses enters into the tabernacle, and the LORD God of Heaven has chosen to locate His presence in a human creation.
Mark 13:1 — If you’ve been to Jerusalem, you’ve seen the ruins of the Temple’s foundation, but the Temple is no more. All that’s left is a model outside of the Israel Museum.
Model of the Temple
Psalm 49:3 — The opening structure of this psalm is similar to the Book of Proverbs: the calling for attention to wisdom. Roughly 3,000 years ago, the psalmist had to warn his people that trust in wealth and riches cannot save a soul from death. But God can redeem me! I’ll never be on the Forbes Real-Time List of the Richest People in the World. I may be poor for the next 50 years or so, but I can be rich for the next million years!
Proverbs 10:27-28 — Interesting how this passage matches up with the psalm passage. Long days and gladness are the results of following God.
Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.
_____ Image Credit: FOTLbill, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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 as the baby Jesus (Matthew 2:13). 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, i.e. the 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 and 35; 2 Chronicles 6:24 and 26, 30:22; Ezra 10:1 and 11; Nehemiah 1:6, 9:2, 9:3; Psalm 32:5; Proverbs 28:13; and Daniel 9:4 and 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 sotah law that requires God’s specific co-operation to make it work. The bitter waters can only be effective miraculously.
In the same Wikipedia article, “According to Mishnah, Sotah 9:9, the practice was abolished sometime during the first century CE under the leadership of Yohanan Ben Zakkai.” 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 of 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?
Numbers 2:2 — What was the configuration of the tribes? Some say it was in the shape of a cross …
Configuration of the Tribes1
While others say it was more of a circle …
Configuration of the Tribes2
Numbers 3:39, 43, 46, 47, and 50 — Throughout history, God has used people of various professions. Even accountants can be used for precise work in God’s service!
Mark 12:12 — Everything works for God’s plan, even fear of the crowds!
Psalm 47 — We see a repetition format of synonymous parallelism:
clap/shout
terrible*/great
people/nations
inheritance/excellency
shout/trumpet
God/King
(no easily discernible parallelism)
reigneth/sitteth
princes/people
*Most people associate terrible with “extremely or distressingly bad,” but it also is “causing or likely to cause terror.” There is a healthy fear of the Lord that is the beginning of wisdom!
Proverbs 10:24 — In contrast to the fear of the Lord, Proverbs warns about the fear of the wicked.
Leviticus 27:15 — Some people dedicate their house to the Lord today, and they invite their church family and the pastor over to pray that their new house can be used for the Lord’s glory. That’s an admirable thing to do. Showing hospitality is often mentioned in the Bible (Isaiah 58:7, 1 Timothy 5:10, Titus 1:8, 1 Peter 4:9), but sanctifying and redeeming your house was a lot more expensive under the Age of Law.
Congratulations on finishing your fourth book of the Bible! Great job and welcome to Numbers!
Numbers 1:2 — A census! We read about the census in Exodus 30:11-16. We can assume that they paid the census tax. So, as you read this list, it seems rather dull, but what is amazing is the precision to detail!
Map of Jerusalem
Mark 11:6 — Often we poke fun at the disciples, but in spite of their failings, sometimes they did obey. And when they did, they saw His plan.
Leviticus 26:1-4 — As a follower of the historical-grammatical method, I want to know what the biblical authors meant when they wrote the text. To do that, I need to understand what their challenges and situations were. Moses is warning the Israelites how they are to behave in the land.
The Israelites are:
Prohibited from making idols
Mandated to keep the sabbaths, and
Promised that God would bless with rain, increase, and fruit.
They had a choice (Joshua 24:15) between Baal and the LORD. Interestingly, Baal was the god of fertility and rain. The Israelites would be tempted to worship Baal for fertile crops, but God would withhold the rains creating a famine until the prophets of Baal were slain (I Kings 18).
Interestingly, Baal’s fertility came in seven-year cycles. But the LORD says if you trust Him with observing the Sabbaths (both the seventh day of rest and the seventh year of rest), He will give you rain, increase, and fruit, so much that “you shall eat your bread to the full.” Not only will they have physical blessing, but “I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you shall be my people.”
Leviticus 26:14, 18, 21, and 27 — Obedience brings blessing, disobedience brings judgment. As the old hymn goes:
When we walk with the Lord, In the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way; While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, For there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey.
Mark 10:34-41 — Jesus unveils His master plan – His trial, death, and resurrection. But His disciples are busy planning where they’re sitting when the Kingdom comes, and they get upset with each other for not asking first.
Mark 10:46 — Another gospel song is based on this verse:
One sat alone beside the highway begging His eyes were blind the light he could not see He clutched his rags and shivered in the shadows Then Jesus came and bade his darkness flee
When Jesus comes the tempter’s power is broken When Jesus comes the tears are wiped away He takes the gloom and fills the life with glory For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay
Psalm 45:6 — This verse is quoted in Hebrews 1:8 as applying to the Son. In verse 2 of this psalm, God is referred to in the 3rd person, while in verse 6 He is referred to in the 2nd person.
Proverbs 10:22 — A great comfort to those who need comfort and provision.
Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.
Leviticus 24:11 — Reading this verse reminded me of a scene from the movie “Time Changer” … amazing how few Christians are bothered to see the name of the Lord blasphemed.
Leviticus 25:10 — “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” Does this sound familiar? The 1752 Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, contains this phrase around the top of the bell.
Leviticus 25:23 — As we discussed earlier, the land is the Lord’s, and He governs its use.
Two months in! Great work staying faithful in God’s Word!
Leviticus 22:20 — Why the concern about blemishes? 61 times in the Old Testament it talks about blemishes.
35 verses of sacrifices being without blemish in the Pentateuch
5 verses of priests without blemish in Leviticus 21
8 verses on the Millennial Temple sacrifices without blemish in Ezekiel
1 verse in the New Testament explaining (1 Peter 1:19) that Christ was without blemish
1 verse in the New Testament telling (Ephesians 5:27) that the church will be without blemish
Biblical Holidays
Leviticus 23 — Welcome to the festivals! This is the Holiday Calendar, rather the Holy Day Calendar of the Israelite nation! Jimmy DeYoung discusses these feasts:
Each of the feasts has at least a historic and/or prophetic significance. These first three “spring feasts” are related to Israel’s past. The “Passover” is to remember the Exodus from Egypt and the journey to the Promised Land.
The second feast, the “Feast of Unleavened Bread”, is also associated with Passover. For seven days, the Children of Israel were to stop eating the “sourdough bread” to eat “unleavened bread” for the purpose of “separating” the bondage and the journey into the Promised Land. The third feast, the “Feast of First Fruits”, was to be the celebration and thanksgiving of the very first of the “barley harvest”. These thoughts cover the historic aspect of the first three Jewish feast days. These feasts also have a prophetic significance.
The “Passover” was a prophecy of the “Crucifixion” or sacrifice of Jesus. “Unleavened Bread” was to honor the “burial” of Jesus Christ. Then on the first day after the Sabbath, after Unleavened Bread begins, or Sunday, would be the celebration of “First Fruits”, and that pictures the day of the “resurrection” of Jesus.
The historic record indicates that Jesus was indeed crucified on Passover, buried on Unleavened Bread, and did, in fact, resurrect from the dead on First Fruits, thus Jesus fulfilled the first three of the Jewish Feasts, in the proper day sequences.
There are three “Fall Feasts” when Jesus will come back, enter into the Temple, and set up His Kingdom on these three Jewish feast days. In our next devotional from the book of Leviticus, we will look more in depth into these future events, which are foretold in these feasts that God has given the Jewish people.
Leviticus 23:22 — Bible Trivia: Who would be a beneficiary of this Levitical command? The young Moabitess who would fall in love with the owner of the fields she came to glean (Ruth 2:3)!
Mark 9:42 — If Jesus is advocating the death penalty for those who offend the little ones from their faith in Him, what would He say about the secular education systems today? Ray Moore of Exodus Mandate and Jeff Keaton of Renewanation.org are encouraging pastors and church leaders to commit to Christian Education.
Mark 10:11 — Notice how Jesus reproves the fastidious legal observers for their neglect of the importance of marriage. Jesus is teaching about the true meaning of adultery in connection with the Pharisees. Luke 16:14-18 reiterates this teaching.
Psalm 44:1, 4, 5, and 8 — Notice the changes in the verb tense. Testimonies of God’s past actions prompt current faith, and hope in future victory.
“We have heard” – past perfect
“What work thou didst” – past
“Thou art my King” – present
“We will push down” – future
“Praise thy name forever” – eternal
Proverbs 10:19 — Or as our modern proverb says, “Silence is golden.”
Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.
_____ Image Credit: John Henry/Landmark Bible Baptist
Leviticus 20:24 — God will give the Israelites another nation’s land, flowing with milk and honey, and in return He asks obedience (Leviticus 20:22). God is in the middle of teaching His people that the land will be a gift (Exodus 6:4, 6:8, 12:25, 13:5, 13:11, 33:1; Leviticus 14:34, 23:10, 25:2, 25:38). So, when He asks for the firstfruits (Exodus 22:29), it is the product of the land that He gave them.
Similarly, when God asked for an offering of gold and silver (Exodus 35:5) – where did a band of former slaves get their gold and silver? From their former masters, the Egyptians (Exodus 12:35). Why would the Egyptians give gold and silver to their slaves? The LORD changed their heart (Exodus 12:36). Even more amazing – the LORD told Moses He would give them gold and silver earlier (Exodus 3:22). So, when God asked for the gold and silver, He was merely asking for some of what He had given them.
Which is part of why God was angry with His people over the golden calf. This was not their personal property that they had labored for and deserved. He had given gold and silver to them, and just asked for part, but they used His gift to make an idol (Exodus 32:2-4).
The gold and silver was not the Israelite’s, it was God’s. He took it from another and gave it to them, and He only asked for a portion back. The land was not the Israelite’s, it was God’s. He took it from another and gave it to them, and all He asked was for the firstfruits to be given back to Him. So, when the LORD asks you to give of your time, talent, and treasure to accomplish the Great Commission, all He is asking for is a portion of what He has already given to you.
To be fair, the gold, silver, and land were not the Egyptians or the Canaanites – Psalm 24:1 tells us that the earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof.
Leviticus 21:9 — There are only two Mosaic statutes that contain as a penalty human immolation, and both are sexual crimes. In Revelation 18:8, Babylon the harlot will also be burned with fire.
Leviticus 22:10 — We have been told who can eat of the holy thing and who can’t eat of the holy thing. However, there was a “loophole” that allowed David’s men to eat of it (1 Samuel 21:3-6). Jesus used this action (while not lawful, was not totally illegal – there wasn’t a corporal or capital punishment assigned) as a proof for His actions (Matthew 12:3-4).
Mark 9:6 — If you don’t know what to say, you’re better off saying nothing!
Psalm 43:5 — More promises for the hurting soul. Sometimes you need to give a “pep talk” to yourself: Hope in God!
Proverbs 10:18 — More warnings about the fool – may we avoid hatred, lying, and slander!
Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.
Leviticus 19:2 — The theme of the Book of Leviticus is stated – if it sounds familiar, we’ve seen it often. “Holy” is used 95 times in Leviticus, and this is the second time we’ve seen the phrase, “You shall be holy.”
Leviticus 19:28 — In debates about whether it is appropriate for Christians to get tattoos, this verse comes up often. The KJV does not use the word “tattoo” because the word was not invented until 1769 when Captain Cook landed in Tahiti (the KJV was translated in 1611, 150 years earlier). Interestingly, almost all Bible versions in recent years translate “qaaqa” (Strong’s Hebrew #7085) as “tattoo”. By the way, this is the only time this word is used in the Bible.
Leviticus 19:37 — Forty-five times in Leviticus you will find the phrase “I am the LORD.” In many cases, it seems to be the answer to “Why?” If you don’t like God’s answer to “Why?”, Joshua 24:15 deals with that.
Moloch1
Leviticus 20:2-5 — Rarely in the Bible do we see commands that have the death penalty. Only 60 times in the Old Testament do we find the phrase “put to death.” This chapter contains more “death penalty” judgments than any other chapter in the Bible. Not only is the worship of Molech one of the few death penalty commands, but this is one of the few commands to “stone him” (in contrast to burning, beheading, or strangulation according to the Mishnah). “The people – many – shall stone him. Israel must unite to eliminate this plague.” By the way, we read about Molech yesterday in Leviticus 18:21, and we’ll read about Molech again when Solomon builds an altar for Molech (possibly on the Mount of Olives in 1 Kings 11:7). The worship of Molech seems to have been moved to the Hinnom Valley when 300 years later (in 2 Kings 23:10), Josiah finally destroys the altar. So why would people sacrifice to Molech?
A couple sacrificed their firstborn by burning the child on a metal idol of Molech, believing that Molech would ensure financial prosperity for the family and future children … Today’s Molech is the abortion industry, sacrificing babies for the idol of financial greed, veiled in the hopes of the development of new cures through biomedical research.
CHARLES PATRICK, SWBTS
Offering to Molech2
Mark 8:25 — Why did it take two steps for Jesus to heal the blind man? The best explanation I’ve found comes from ChedSpellman.com. Dr. Spellman is a professor at Cedarville University:
[Jesus] says “Do you not yet see or understand? Having eyes do you not see? and having ears do you not hear?” (Mark 8:17-18). Jesus is saying, Open your eyes and see what is right in front of you! His point is that, though they have physical eyes, they still are in some sense blind to who Jesus really is.
Seen in this context, Mark’s placement and record of this miracle is brilliant. They see a blind man, who Jesus then leads by the hand out of the city where Jesus heals him. The first time, the man can only see slightly, his vision is blurred. Then Jesus did it again, and the “man looked intently” and was healed and could then “see everything clearly”. This is essentially a parable that Jesus is acting out for his disciples….His point is that his disciples are blinded to who he really is though he is demonstrating his power to them day by day right in front of their eyes. Their understanding is coming, but it is coming in stages.
The passage following confirms Mark’s textual strategy. Right after this healing, Peter finally “sees” and confesses Jesus’ identity, that Jesus is “the Christ.” But then, Jesus begins to tell them that the Messiah must suffer, which they don’t fully understand. They see, but not clearly.
Psalm 42:1 — This verse inspired the song, “As the Deer.”
Proverbs 10:17 — A great verse to teach your students and anyone that needs to be corrected.
Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.
_____ Image1 Credit: Louvre Museum, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons Image2 Credit: Charles Foster, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Image3 Credit: https://vincentlyn.medium.com/is-money-the-purpose-of-life-f681243eb9c7
