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2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 154 & 155

Jun3

    Day 154 & 155—We are in the 6th month of Bible reading. Praise God! Today, we are also reading in the 16th book in the Bible: Proverbs. 

(Note: SUNDAY’s and MONDAY’s readings are combined.)

    Day 154 – Proverbs 1 – 3 (Solomon’s proverbs, many written by him or in his style, but all perhaps “compiled” by him.)

The purpose of Proverbs: 1. To KNOW wisdom and instruction, 2. to UNDERSTAND words of insight, 3. to RECEIVE instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity, 4. to GIVE prudence to the simple, and knowledge and discretion to the youth.

The theme of Proverbs is “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” (Verse 1:7, and also concluding the book in verse 31:30)  “Wisdom” is more about practical skills in living well in the fear (reverence and awe) of God in a way that honors both Him and others.

There are several speeches from a father to his son in these chapters. 

1:6. “Hear, my son, your father’s instructions, and forsake not your mother’s teaching….”

1:10. “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.”

2:1. “My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you…”

3:1. “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.” 

3:11. “My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of His reproof…”

3:21. “My son, do not lose sight of these – keep sound wisdom and discretion and they will be life for your soul…”

In several sections, “wisdom” speaks as a person, sounding very much like God. (See 1 Corinthians 1:30).

1:23. “If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.”

1:28-29. “Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD…..”

1:22. “But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”

A favorite and often repeated wisdom is in 3:5-6. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

I all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”

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    Day 148 – Proverbs 4 – 6 (These chapters continue with a father’s warnings and instructions to his son.)

Chapter 4.  The father urges his son to “Get wisdom; get insight…”  “Keep hold of instruction; do not let her go; guard her, for she is your life….”    “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”   “The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.”

Chapter 5.  Here, the father begins to warn and caution his son about adultery and the temptress.  “For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end, she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death…..”

He advises his son to be true to his own wife. “Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well.”   “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe.”

Chapter 6. Now, the father offers practical warnings and advice about co-signing for someone, about working hard for your own needs, and not being lazy, for then, poverty will surely come. 

A list of SEVEN things that the LORD hates is given. Consider what the opposite would be: WHAT GOD LOVES.

  1. Haughty eyes — HUMILITY
  2. A lying tongue — TRUTH-TELLING
  3. Hands that shed innocent blood — COMPASSION
  4. A heart that devises wicked plans — GOODNESS
  5. feet that make haste to run to evil — EAGERNESS TO HELP
  6. a false witness who breaths out lies — HONESTY
  7. One who sows discord among brothers — UNITY.

The father again urges his son to keep his commandments and mother’s teachings. “Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. when you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.”   “For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light.” (See Psalm 119:105)

And, for a third time, the father warns his son about the evil woman, this time another man’s wife… and, in the end, the rightfully jealous husband.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 149

May28

   Day 149—We are in our FIFTH month of Bible reading and we have begun our 13th book – 1 Kings.  Are you loving God more each day? What are you learning about Him?  Share in the comments section.

   Day 149 –  1 Kings 1 – 2, Psalms 37, 71, 94. (David dies, but first stops a coup)

1 Kings 1.  David is old and frail and can’t get warm. The court brings a young and beautiful woman to care for him and keep him warm at night. (No hanky-panky, however.)  

Taking advantage of his father’s advanced age, Adonijah, next in line to be king, claims himself the heir to the throne by collecting chariots, and soldiers, one of the high priests, and even the aging Commander of David’s army, Joab. They hold a huge festival with loads of sacrifices.  

But when the prophet Nathan hears of it, he enlists Bathsheba in a plan to officially crown the LORD’s choice, Solomon, as king after David.  The old king musters enough strength to do just that, authorizing them to have Solomon ride through town on his royal donkey, the priests to anoint him king in front of all the people, encourage them to shout, “Long live King Solomon” and to sit him on his father’s throne.

Adonijah hears the commotion and knows what it means. He makes a wild dash for the horns of the altar at the Tabernacle (a place he can claim clemency). Solomon grants him that… IF HE WILL SHOW HIMSELF A WORTHY MAN.”  (We’ll see about that in a bit.)

By the way, verse 6 points out a fault of David with ALL his sons and probably the reason so many went wrong. It’s a warning to parents today. “His father had never at any time displeased him by asking, ‘Why have you done thus and so?“ Not only was Adonijah handsome like Absalom, he was spoiled rotten.

1 Kings 2. Like all Jewish patriarchs, King David calls for Solomon when he knows he is dying. He blesses Solomon and encourages him in the LORD. “Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in His ways and keeping His statutes, His commandments, His rules, and His testimonies…. that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever your turn, that the LORD may establish His Word that He spoke to me…. ‘you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel’.”

HOWEVER, the old king then instructs Solomon to assassinate two men “according to your wisdom, for you are a wise man.”

  1. He is to kill Joab for revenge-killing the commanders of Saul’s and Absalom’s armies (Abner & Amasa) IN TIME OF PEACE.
  2. He is also to kill Shimei, the Benjamite, who cursed David as he fled from Absalom. David had sworn that HE himself would not kill the man but now instructs Solomon to do it.

Then David dies – after reigning for 40 years as king. He was buried in Jerusalem, the City of David. And Solomon’s kingdom is firmly established…almost.

Next, that slippery Adonijah comes to Bathsheba and asks HER to ask SOLOMON to pretty please give him Abishai as his wife. TWO THINGS TO REMEMBER:  1. Abishai was the beautiful woman given to David to keep him warm and was considered a concubine.. 2. Someone who wanted to claim the kingdom for himself would sleep with the former king’s wife/concubine.

ADONIJAH WAS ATTEMPTING A SNEAKY COUP TO STEAL THE CROWN FROM SOLOMON!!

Solomon sends his commander, Benaiah. to kill Adonijah. 

Solomon sends Benaiah to kill Joab.

After giving Shimei a narrow place to live, and the man leaves it, Solomon sends Benaiah to kill him. 

His oaths to his father accomplished, the kingdom was now established in the hand of Solomon.

Psalm 37.  “Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the LORD and do good…”   “Delight yourself in the LORD…”   “Commit your way to the LORD…”   “Be still before the LORD….”

“The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in His way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.”

“I have young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.”

Psalm 71. “For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth.”    “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.”    “Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Psalm 94. “He who planted the ear, does He not hear? He who formed the eye, does He not see? He who disciplines the nations, does He not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge – the LORD – knows the thoughts of man, that they are but breath.”

“Blessed is the man whom You discipline, O LORD, and whom You teach out of your law, to give him REST from the days of trouble…”     “If the LORD had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. When I thought, ‘My foot slips,’ your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.”

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 117

Apr26

    Day 117—We have been reading the Bible daily for a third of the year.   What have you learned about God? About yourself?

Day 117 – 1 Chronicles 6 – (the genealogies of the priestly tribe of Levi)

Reading all these unusual-sounding names may be difficult and boring, but the lists were crucial to Israel. After they were exiled to Babylon for 70 years (verse 15) and returned, they needed to know where their portion of land was located. They needed to keep track of the kingly line in Judah, through which the Messiah would come. And the Levites needed to know their portion of work in the newly built temple.

The three priestly clans of Levi are listed: Kohath, Gershom, and Merari. From Numbers 4, we read about each having their work in the Tabernacle service and in the packing up and carrying of the parts of it when they “wandered in the wilderness.”

It’s interesting to see that the prophet Samuel was a Kohathite. By God’s specific choice, he was able to offer sacrifices even though he was not a descendant of Aaron. (Verses 22-28)

Also interesting are the men David chose to be in charge of “the service of song” in the house of the LORD after the Ark rested there. He chose one from each of the Levite clans: Herman, a Kohathite, Asaph, of Gershom, and Ethan of Merari. (Verses 31-48) Yesterday we read three of the songs written by Asaph. Asaph wrote twelve in all (Psalms 50, 73-80).  Herman wrote Psalm 88, and Ethan wrote Psalm 89.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 77 & 78

Mar18

    Day 77 & 78—  Now that we’ve passed Day 66, we have established a “habit.” So CELEBRATE our habit of daily Bible reading! We are in the THIRD month so far! Praise God!  (Note: SUNDAY’s reading is combined with MONDAY’s)

   Day 77 – Deuteronomy 21 – 23 (Unsolved murders, Captives, Firstborns, Rebellious sons, Hangings, Neighborliness, Exclusions, Andy Gump,  )

Wow! Moses gives a list of eclectic rules and laws for community life in Israel in the Promised land (like tying up loose ends). Chapter 21 tells how to atone for an unsolved murder, the kindnesses required in marrying captive women, the undeniable birthright (double portion) of the firstborn son, no matter from loved or unloved wives, and then how to deal (very harshly) with a rebellious, unrepentant son – by stoning.

Lastly in this chapter, Moses mentions putting a criminal to death and then hanging him on a tree as a public display of the consequences of sin. Hanging on a tree is considered “a curse” by God, and their body cannot stay there over night.   Paul mentions this in regard to the death of Jesus in Galatians 3:13. “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a cruse for us, for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.”

Chapter 22, list the sorts of things that are “neighborly” – helping someone out, finding a animal or possession and returning or keeping it safe for a neighbor, building a parapet around your roof so no one falls off.  He also mentions unequally yoked animals together (ox & donkey) for they would just go round in circles, with the ox pulling hardest.  Paul, in 2 Corinthians 6:14 urges believers in Jesus, “do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship has light with darkness.”

Chapter 23 looks at some hard things, such as the exclusion from gathering before the presence of the Lord to worship Him, and participation in the religious rites at the Tabernacle and later the Temple. They were to exclude those with crushed testicles or cut off male organs, any man born of a forbidden union, no Ammonite or Moabite. Why?  Often frenzied pagan worship rituals would involve male mutilations. And Moses explained that these two nations did not help Israel, but instead hired Balaam to CURSE them.

And finally, he told Israel that the LORD “walked in the midst of their camp to deliver them,” so the camp must be holy and “decent.”  Therefore they were to go outside the camp, take a trowel, and dig a hole for their “poop” and cover it up when they were done. God is so practical!

 

Day 78 – Deuteronomy 24 -27  (More miscellaneous laws, Levite marriage, offerings, and the curses from Mt. Ebal)

In Chapter 24, Moses gives more eclectic laws that show the goodness and kindness of God and also His holiness and  justice. There is protection for a woman divorced, leniency for a newlywed man, mercy for poor debtors, and safety for the parents of a murderous son. God, through Moses’ words, promotes generosity for the “sojourner, the fatherless and the widow, and even a prodding ox.

In Chapter 25, he lays out the special rules for marriage among the Levites, the rightness of fair weights, and a sworn duty to annihilate the Amalekites.

In Chapter 26, Moses reviews the required offerings and tithes, and ends with a glorious promise for Israel if they will be faithful. “And the LORD has declared today that you are a people for His treasured possession, as He has promised you, and that you are to keep all his commandments, and that He will set you in praise and in fame and in honor high above all nations that He has made, and that you shall be a people holy to the LORD your God as he promised.”

Chapter 27 begins the explanation and command of the dual pledge of God and Israel together once they cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. He names half of the Twelve tribes that are to go up on Mt. Ebal and then names the other half that will go up on Mt. Gerizim, with the Levites standing between and calling out curses and blessings.  All the tribes, first on the North, then those on the South are to respond with “AMEN” (so be it).  In this chapter, Moses lists TWELVE curses that are to be called out.  TWELVE “Amens” are to be the answers.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 68

Mar8

    Day 68—  Now that we’ve passed Day 66, it’s 100% likely that we have established a “habit.” So CELEBRATE our habit of daily Bible reading! We are in the THIRD month so far! Praise God!

   Day 68 – Numbers 33 – 34 (Israel’s journey, Tribal boundaries)

Before entering the Promised Land, Moses takes time to document Israel’s journey so for, since they left Egypt, and to review what they are to do once they cross the boarder. (Chapter 33)

Many of the places he mentions are familiar, but quite a few are not, especially in the final 38 years of just wandering around the desert until all the older generation dies. Forty times, Moses writes of Israel, “they set out from” and “they camped at.”  What a tedious journey of packing up and setting up, all resulting from their disobedience.  (How often have I also endured long trials as a result of deciding MY way instead of GOD’s way?)

At the end of the chapter the LORD reminds Moses to repeat His instructions about entering the land of Canaan.  “You shall DRIVE OUT ALL the inhabitants of the land from before you, and DESTROY ALL their figures and images, and DEMOLISH ALL their high places.” And then they could enjoy the Land that God promised them.

BUT “If you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those of them whom you let remain shall be as BARBS IN YOUR EYES and THORNS IN YOUR SIDES, and will trouble you.  (Let’s see how that works out when we get to the book of Joshua.)

Next, in Chapter 34, God tells Moses the boundaries of the Land He has Promised them – South, West (Mediterranean Sea), North, and East (the shoulder of the Sea of Galilee, Jordan River, Dead Sea). God also allows the 2.5 tribes to inherit the hill country of Gilead, and the lands of Ammon and Moab on the East of the Jordan River.

The LORD also names  Eleazar the priest, and Joshua as the two who will divide the land up by lot according to the size of each tribe.  A head man from each tribe is also named to help in the allotments.

It sounds so exciting!  They will soon enter and conquer their Promised Land and find where they all will live! (And no longer camp & move.)  But first, a lot of work, lessons, and refinement must be endured. Are they up for it?

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 66

Mar6

    Day 66—  TODAY, Day 66, is a day to celebrate. Studies have shown that if you perform a new action for 66 days, it’s 100% likely that you will have established a “habit.” So CELEBRATE your habit of daily Bible reading! Hooray!  We are in the THIRD month so far! Praise God!

   Day 66 – Numbers 28 – 30 (Reviewing celebrations & offerings, Vows)

In Chapter 28 & 29, Moses reviews, summarizes, and strengthens the instructions for honoring Sabbaths, Celebration Feasts (Holidays), and the various offerings for each, as Israel is about to enter the Promised Land and a lot of things will change.

(Remember the food, grain, peace, and other offerings are many times given as support to the Priests and Levites after being donated or “waved” before God.  This was very important because 22,000 Levites were depending on this.)

Chapter 30 reviews the taking of vows. Moses clarifies and reinforces the laws as they apply to married women and under age girls.  In one case, the woman’s husband has “veto” rights if his wife makes a “thoughtless” vow. In the case of a young girl still living at home, her father can annual the vow. Neither of these women will be guilty before the LORD for not following through.  In the case of widowed or divorced women however, there is no one to veto the vow. It stands before God.

Instead of thinking of this as a limitation, see it as a protection for women.  I like it that my Hubby has the ultimate responsibility before God.  Whew!

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 65

Mar5

    Day 65—  We have begun the THIRD month of Bible reading! We’ve been reading for over a 1/6 of a year! Praise God! I hope it’s become a GOOD habit that we will continue.

   Day 65 – Numbers 26 – 27 (A new census, Passing the baton)

Chapter 26 is maybe a bit tedious to read with all its names and numbers. But it was very important to Israel. They are now about to conquer the Promised Land, and it will be divided up among the 12 tribes according to their number; bigger areas to bigger tribes, etc.

This census was also to determine that ALL of those who rebelled against God 38 years earlier and refused to go into the Land were dead. Remember at this point, only Joshua and Caleb (in their 80’s now), and their families, plus Moses remained. (26:64-65)

In the count of tribes, SEVEN had grown in size, while FIVE had decreased. The total number of Israelites 20 years of age and older (suitable for the army) was 1,820 fewer than the tally in chapter one. The Levites, who would receive no land as inheritance since the LORD Himself was their inheritance, had increased in number by 1,000.

Chapter 27 begins with a new problem. Five women, daughters of one man, came to Moses saying that their father had no sons and had died in the wilderness.  Was their family to lose the rightful inheritance because there was no sons?  Moses inquired of the LORD, Who said that the daughters were correct and they were given their father’s inheritance.

Then a NEW LAW was written for Israel about the Land and the absence of male heirs. The inheritance would first be given to the daughters, or, if none, to the diseased man’s the brothers, and then uncles. If none of these were alive, the “nearest kinsmen” of the tribe would possess it.  (This very law will come up in the book of Ruth.)

Then, THAT time comes. God tells Moses to set apart Joshua to lead Israel in his place – because of his sin of “failing to uphold God as holy in the people’s eyes” at the waters of Meribah.  So Moses takes Joshua before the high priest, Eleazar in the presence of all the people, and lays his hands on him as a symbol of passing his authority and leadership. And so, in the eyes of God and the people, Joshua is officially commissioned to lead the people into the Land when the time came.

Moses was not to die yet, but the people had confidence that they would not be left without a leader when he did.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 62

Mar2

    Day 62—  Today we begin the THIRD month of Bible reading! We’ve been reading for over a 1/6 of a year! Praise God! I hope that it’s become a GOOD habit that we will continue.

   Day 62 – Numbers 18 – 20 (Reviewing Levitical duties & purification, Miriam, Aaron, Moses)

After the last few days of Levite rebellion and God’s swift punishment & affirmation of Aaron & Moses, it’s suitable in Chapter 18 for God to review the duties of Priests and Levites, and their compensation for service. The LORD reminds them that in the Promised Land, they will get no real inheritance of property, but will have Himself as their inheritance and provider.

Chapter 19 reviews the laws of purification after touching a dead body. (Remember in chapter 16, how God’s plague killed 14,700 rebels. Lots of handling and burying!)

Chapter 20, (as the end of the 40 wilderness years approaches) lists several SAD, but necessary, things. First, Miriam, Moses’ oldest sibling, dies and is buried in the Wilderness of Zin.

Next, at the “Waters of Meribah (“questioning”), the people – yes, this newer generation – again grumble about not having water for themselves and their animals, and yearn for the figs, grapes, and pomegranates of Egypt. (YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING, how can they even remember that?)  And Moses loses it.

God tells him to take the staff (Aaron’s rod that budded?), assemble the people before a rock, and SPEAK to the rock, which will yield abundant water for them all.  Moses is so fed up with these people (he’s 120 years old and has been with the grumblers for 40 years), that he, 1) gets the staff, 2) takes the people to the forementioned rock, and 3) speaks…. but NO! Moses STRIKES the rock, not once, but TWICE!!

God is faithful. Water flows to the ingrate people, but Moses’ fate is sealed. He WILL NOT lead the people into the Promised Land, but die at its boarder. Wow.  Seems harsh, right?  I mean, which of us wouldn’t be as frustrated at those millions of “babies” and lose our cool?  Why would God condemn him for this ONE little human mistake?

Well, it is abject disobedience, of course, before the Priest and all the people. Punishable for a leader.

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But I’d like to consider a few other possible things. I’m thinking that in striking the rock this time, Moses “ruined” the “picture” or “type” of Christ’s work on the cross. Jesus our Lord is often called our ROCK of our salvation.  He’s referred to as the corner stone.  Jesus died for sin and experienced the wrath of God ONCE, on the cross. God approved and raised Him to life again.  After that, Jesus told His disciples they could pray to God for anything in his name. They could (and should) confess their sin and ASK for forgiveness, and God would hear and answer (for Christ’s sake). 

Jesus did NOT have to be crucified (sacrificed) again and again, like the bulls and rams in Moses’ time.  He – once and for all time – took the wrath of God for sin, and whoever believes in Him can have eternal life (rivers of living water).

Picture Jesus as that rock at Mt. Horeb, struck once, and yielding abundant water for Israel. Then, Moses was just to SPEAK to the rock (ask, if you will) and water would flow.  But he STRUCK the rock. It could be seen as having to crucify Jesus again to receive that eternal life. 

This is how I see Moses’ sin. It does not say specifically in God’s Word that this is so, so take it as a possible suggestion.  And also remember direct disobedience of a leader of God is very serious in it’s own right.

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After this incident, Moses continues to lead Israel toward the Promised Land.  They are taking the route to the East of the Jordan River Valley/Dead Sea, which will take them right through the land of Edom. These people are descendants of Isaac. Esau/Edom was Jacob’s brother, so these would be their closest relatives. Moses asks permission to move through the land – NOT march forward as against enemies – and Edom refuses twice, and then brings out their army.

God had told Moses (Deut. 2:5) NOT to wage war on their “brothers” or even take any food or water from them, so Moses leads Israel the long way, around Edom and Mt. Seir, the land God had given to the descendants of Esau.

But before they start, at Mt. Hor, on the boarder of Edom, God tells Moses to take Aaron and his son Eleazar to the top of the mountain, remove the priestly vestige from Aaron and put it on his son, for Aaron will die there. It seems he was involved in some way in striking that rock, so he also could NOT enter the Land. Moses obeys, and when the people see him coming back with only Eleazar in priestly garb they know Aaron is dead, and they weep for him 30 days.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 55

Feb24

    Day 55 —  We are still in the second month, but we’ve begun a new book! We’ve been reading for over a 1/12 of a year! Praise God! I hope that it’s become a GOOD habit that will continue.

   Day 55 – Numbers 3 – 4 (Counting Levites for service, delegating duties)

Yesterday, only the other twelve tribes of Israel were counted (20 years and up) for military service. Today the Levites will be counted in two ways.

Numbers 3. First, every male Levite from 1 month up was to be counted and dedicated to God in place of all of Israel’s first born sons. The slight overage in number of first born sons from the other tribes would each pay the “redemption money” of five sanctuary shekels to Aaron and his sons. In this way the whole of Israel would have a part in the religious activities and service to God.

Chapter 4.  Secondly, the Levites were to be counted according to their clans (the three sons of Levi), all of the men from 30 years old to 50 years old, and be given specific duties in the care and service and transport of the Tabernacle.

The Kohathites were to be in charge of the Most Holy things – all the “furniture” in the Tabernacle itself and the courtyard.  When the camp set out, Aaron and his two sons would go into the Tabernacle and cover the holy pieces with different colored cloths and goat skins. When this all was done. The Kohathites would carry these things by their poles (taking extreme care not to touch them themselves).

       Aaron’s son, Eleazar the priest, would be in charge of the holy oil for light and for anointing, and the holy incense, as well as have oversight of the packing of all that is in the Sanctuary and its vessels.

The Gershonites would be in charge of packing up and carrying all the curtains and coverings and cords of the Tabernacle as well as all the hangings of the outer court.

The Merarites (largest of the three clans) would be in charge of packing and carrying the frames, bars, pillars, bases, and pegs of the Tabernacle and outer courtyard.

       Aaron’s son, Ithamar, the priest would oversee the Gershonites and Merarites in packing up & carrying of the curtains, linens & skin coverings, as well as the frames, pillars, bases, etc.

All would be done “decently and in order” according to the exact instructions of the LORD to Moses.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 51

Feb20

    Day 51 —  We are in the second month! We’ve been reading for over a 1/12 of a year! Praise God! I hope that it’s become a GOOD habit that will continue.

   Day 51 – Leviticus 22 – 23  (priesthood holiness, the LORD’s festivals)

As in the previous chapter, Leviticus 22 emphasizes how holy and “clean” the priests are to be before the LORD in relationships, bodily & spiritual living, and even in eating the “holy” offerings that they are allowed to eat.

God says to them, “So you shall keep my commandments and do them: I am the LORD, and you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the LORD who sanctifies you…”  

(There is great responsibility in leadership, especially in His service.)

In chapter 23, God tells Moses to instruct the people about seven festivals.  “These are appointed feasts of the LORD that you shall proclaim as holy convocations: they are my appointed feasts.”  The Sabbath was to be a continuing weekly time of rest.  Passover and Unleavened Bread, were events that they had already begun to celebrate. It was a time to remember how their God had delivered them from Egypt with great power.

Firstfruits was to be celebrated when they were in the land. It was to come shortly after Unleavened Bread. In it, they would dedicate the very first fruits of their agriculture labor by “waving” grain, flour with oil as a food offering before the LORD (as part of the Priest’s sustenance). They were to eat NONE of their harvests before this was first offered to God.

Weeks (or called Pentecost) came 50 days after Unleavened Bread, and would be another offering from the harvest they’d planted in the Promised Land.  First to God, then to themselves. (And as a side note, they were to leave the “corners” of their fields unharvested, so the poor in the land could glean food for their families.)

Trumpets (Rosh HaShana) would come in the fall as a SOLEMN day of rest. It would precede and prepare the people by confession and making thing “right” with their fellows, for the Most Holy Day of Atonement, the one day when the High Priest would carry the blood of the sacrificial goat into the Holy of Holies before the LORD to atone for the sins of the people of Israel. It would be a time of mourning for the people for their sins, confessing sins, and accepting the forgiveness and cleansing that only God can give.

Booths would be a joyous, fun time when the people recalled how God cared for them in the Wilderness. They would erect and live in booths, or make-shift shelters made out of branches and palm fronds, staying outdoors (like camping out for kids) for seven days. And they would also offer food offerings to the LORD (and priests).

These were happy and solemn celebrations, to remember God their deliverer and provider and the One alone who can cover/forgive their sins.

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(Oh, that my heart would so remember, honor, and thank God throughout the year, weekly, daily, and even minute by minute. He truly is all I need for life and godliness.)