Resource Manager Posted February 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2011 26 February 2011 Exodus 39; 40Psalms 1021 Corinthians 10 “ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE FIRST MONTH” Today’s final chapters in Exodus state the climax of all the work in building a place of worship according to the exact design and specifications that Moses had received on Mount Sinai. What a solemn moment it is as Moses carries out the instructions of the LORD. “The LORD spoke to Moses, saying ‘On the first day of the first month you shall erect the tabernacle …’” [Exodus 40:1]. So God had appointed a specific day! That very special time came when all its parts are assembled. First the curtains enclosing the entire tabernacle, then the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place are curtained off and covered. Imagine the solemn moment as the Ark itself is placed there! Yahweh can now take his abode between the cherubim above the Mercy Seat. Finally the altars and other furniture were put in their place and fragrant incense is burnt. “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle” [Exodus 40:34]. The months and years are counted from when they escaped from Egypt. On that occasion “The LORD said to Moses and Aaron … this month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you.” [Exodus 12:2]. Now, exactly one year later, they are about to begin worship in this very special tabernacle. The cloud by day and the fire by night is seen again as it had been seen and experienced as they came out of Egypt exactly a year earlier [Exodus 13:21, 22]. God had appointed the day! Just as he appointed the time for his son to come the first time! Just as has also appointed the day for his Second Coming. As we turned to our Psalms reading the words jumped out that read, “But you O LORD … will arise and have pity on Zion; it is the time to favour her; the appointed time has come … Nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory. For the LORD builds up Zion …” [Psalm 102:13,15,16]. Just as the people of Israel were in awe of the glory of the Lord as they were delivered from Egypt and were then at Sinai - so we are told here of “an appointed time” coming. This will be when the nations, the leaders and all people, will see clear evidence of the glory and power of the LORD, “that they may declare in Zion the name of the LORD, and in Jerusalem his praise when the peoples gather together; and kingdoms, to worship the LORD.” [Psalm 102:21,22]. What a wonder to experience! Do we believe it? If not, what do we believe?-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted February 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2011 27 February 2011 Leviticus 1; 2Psalms 1031 Corinthians 11 “THOSE WHO FEAR HIM” The phrase “those who fear him” meaning who fear God, occurs three times in today’s Psalm. The sense of “fear” is having a heartfelt awe in sensing what God must be. This Psalm should reach into our hearts; it can be most meaningful to any who think that God has cut off their contact with him because of their behaviour. This Psalm tells us to “Bless the LORD, O my soul and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases … who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy” [Psalm 103:2-4] Then David adds, “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love … he does not deal with us according to our sins” [Psalm 103:8,10] Verse 11 has the first reference to fear, it says, “For as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him.” Two verses further on we read, “As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.” The point is made yet a third time, “the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him” [Psalm 103:17]. God’s steadfast love, compassion, mercy and forgiveness is not for everybody and anybody – it is for those who have the right attitude toward him. The Apostle John writes, “We love because he first loved us.” [1 John 4:19] God has always had this attitude to us, who are made in the image of God [Genesis 9:6], but sadly, and today this is more true than ever, do most who say they believe in God really fear him? How many take his benefits, forgiveness, mercy and love for granted! Our Corinthians reading shows the wrong attitudes many in Corinth had: they came together to remember Christ in the way he requested at the last supper. But Paul tells them, “any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgement on himself, that is why many of you are weak and ill … when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.” [1 Corinthians 11:29,30,32] Many in Corinth had no awe of God and therefore had a wrong attitude. These are all lessons for us to appreciate as we seek “all his benefits” in trying to be true children of God. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted February 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 28 February 2011 Leviticus 3; 4Psalms 1041 Corinthians 12; 13 "I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND" There were several things that the believers in Corinth were confused about. In our chapters today [1 Corinthians 12; 13] Paul seeks to straighten out their understanding over the ‘gifts’ that operated among them. A most interesting point is Paul’s observation that when they had in the past worshipped idols they had had some kind of emotional experience, or ecstasy. Paul says, “when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led” [1 Corinthians 12:2]. But that kind of human emotional experience, “I want you to understand,” must never be confused by those “speaking in the Spirit of God.” [1 Corinthians 12:3] Paul then details how this “manifestation of the Spirit” is “for the common good” of all believers. [1 Corinthians 12:7] The power of God moved largely unseen amongst them motivating them in some things which in some cases might appear natural. The first matter mentioned is “the utterance of wisdom” next “the utterance of knowledge” [1 Corinthians 12:8] “to another faith … to another gifts of healing” [1 Corinthians 12:9] and so on. Verse 11 sums up the situation, “All these are empowered as the Spirit wills.” So God’s Spirit retained a guiding control. We must remember that this first generation of new believers did not have access to Bibles like we do – so God, through His spirit saw that, for that generation, they had special help. The situation was a lesson in teamwork and Paul uses the example of all parts of the body working together, verses 14-26 – with Christ as the head (see Ephesians 4:15). We noted how the chapter ended (1 Corinthians 12:31) “But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.” 1 Corinthians 13 shows the more excellent way was a ‘gift’ they should all aim to develop – it was “love.” Paul says he could even have “all faith” but if I “have not love, I am nothing” [1 Corinthians 13:2] Gifts like prophecy “will pass away” and “tongues … will cease” [1 Corinthians 13:8] It is only “faith, hope and love” [1 Corinthians 13:13] that will last. We might add, and when the kingdom is established, faith and hope will be fulfilled – and love will be the never ending guiding principle for those blessed to live in God’s Kingdom. Let us all continue to pray, “Thy Kingdom come.”-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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