In Mark’s Chapter 12, ‘one of the Scribes’ asks Jesus, “Which was the first commandment?”

“The first commandment of all is, ‘Hear O Israel! The Lord our God is one God; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind, and with thy whole strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second is like it, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.’ There is no other commandment greater than theses.”

And ‘the Scribe,’ said to him, Well answered Master, thou hast said truly that he is one and that there is no other besides him; and that he should be loved with the whole heart, and with the whole understanding, and with the whole soul, and with one’s whole strength; and that to love one’s neighbor as oneself is a greater thing than all holocausts and sacrifices.”

And Jesus, seeing that he had answered wisely, said to him, “Thou are not far from the kingdom of God.”

Doesn’t this challenges our all-or-nothing thinking in the All-or-Nothing Old Testament… where Scribes and Pharisees are all doing bad things and Jesus and the Twelve Disciples all doing good things?

Well, Jesus and the Twelve Disciples are all doing good things…

Well, well, Jesus is always doing good things… one disciple was not so good and another denounced Jesus three times and others were at times the subject matter of Jesus’ clarifying statements above love, friendship and true discipleship.

 

Didn’t the Scribes and Pharisees have Sabbath School for the children?

I don’t know if they did or didn’t have Sabbath School for the children.

Let’s not see the Old Testament as ‘old’ and ‘outdated,’ and the New Testament as ‘new’ and ‘enlightened.’

Our hearts do not see in all-or-nothing, love only one type of person, or love some only so far. Why then should we limit our love of neighbors or of Christ himself?

Why not be completely open-hearted as well as open-minded when it comes to our relationships and our world of the 21^st century?

This section of Matthew has more to say about then and now—the parable of the vine-dressers.

“What therefore will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vine-dressers, and will give the vineyard to others. And have you not read the Scriptures: “The stone which the builders rejected, has become the cornerstone; by the Lord this has been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes’?”

The vine-dressers are the Pharisees, Sadducees and the Scribes, those in power in the Jewish synagogue of Old Testament Law, and the owner is God who sends some prophets and John the Baptist whom they seize and beat and kill. Finally God sends His Only Son Jesus Christ and they kill him too. Then God destroys the vine-dressers and begins a New Covenant with the disciples, apostles, and believers in Christ and His resurrection.

Another parable so that they may trap him in his talk

Master, we know that thou are truthful… dost teach the way of God in truth…

“Render, therefore, to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Then yet another parable—the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection… asked a trick question about seven brothers and one woman who became the wife of all by successive deaths…

At the resurrection (which they did not believe in), therefore, when they rise, of which of them will she be wife? For the seven had her as a wife.

“Is not this why you err—because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?

“For when they rise from the dead, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage, but are as angels in heaven.”

“He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are therefore entirely wrong.”

I didn’t realize that the resurrection was written in the Scriptures, the Old Testament, at that time? I will look for it in the days ahead.

Open-minded and open-hearted and not pre-judgmental in terms of all-or-nothing thinking. Nor do I need to be the perfect biblical scholar or completely in control of my life or the lives of others. This is TROML and the defining search for my Splendid Spiritual Self.

Perhaps, being now single, I should avoid future marriages and focus on being and being with ‘Angels of God in Heaven?’

Where is my Splendid Spiritual Self to be found? When will Christ come again?

For in those days will be tribulations, such as have not been from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, nor will be.

“And then, if anyone say to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ; behold, there he is,’ do not believe it.”

“After that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give her light, and the stars of heaven will be failing, and the powers that are in heaven will be shaken.”

“And then they will see the Son of Man coming upon the clouds with great power and majesty. And he will send forth his angels, and will gather his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost parts of the earth to the uttermost parts of heaven.”

“This generation will not pass away till all these things have been accomplished. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

“But of that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. Take heed, watch and pray, for you do not know when the time is. And what I say to you, I say to all, ‘Watch.’”

I remember, but can’t find the reference now, that God promised to never again destroy all the people like he did with the flood that Noh survived. The earth will pass away indicates all people, except the ones gathered by Jesus, will pass away with the earth?

I need to stay open-minded, open-hearted, and watchful.

One of the Scribes was not far from the Kingdom of God

Challenges our all-or-nothing thinking in the All-or-Nothing Old Testament…

Day 46: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; One of the Scribes was not far from the Kingdom of God.

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Gospel of Saint Mark Chapters 12-13.

Bible Notes:

The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark

Saint Mark, a convert of Saint Peter, was the son of a certain Mary, whose house in Jerusalem was a gathering place for Christians.

His Gospel, based on Saint Peter’s preaching, aims to prove to the Gentiles the divinity of Christ, be recounting His numerous miracles and examples of His power over devils.

 

Matthew Chapter 12: Parable of the vine-dressers; The vine-dressers kill the owner’s son; Tribute to Caesar; The Sadducees and the resurrection; Christ’s response; The great commandment; The Son of David; Hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees; The widow’s mite.

And he began to speak to them in parables.

Then he let it out to vine-dressers, and went abroad

He sent a servant, they seized him, and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed.

He sent another servant, they wounded him in the head and treated shamefully

He sent another servant and him they killed

He sent many others, beating some and killing some

He sent a beloved son, saying “They will respect my son.”

This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.

So they seized him and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard

What therefore will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vine-dressers, and will give the vineyard to others.

And have you not read the Scriptures: “The stone which the builders rejected, has become the cornerstone; by the Lord this has been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes.

That they may trap him in his talk

Master, we know that thou are truthful… dost teach the way of God in truth…

“Render, therefore, to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection… There are seven brothers…

At the resurrection, therefore, when they rise, of which of them will she be wife? For the seven had her as a wife.

“Is not this why you err—because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?

“For when they rise from the dead, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage, but are as angels in heaven.”

“He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are therefore entirely wrong.”

Which was the first commandment?

“The first commandment of all is, ‘Hear O Israel! The Lord our God is one God; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind, and with thy whole strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second is like it, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

One of the Scribes, the Scribe- Well answered Master

And Jesus, seeing that he had answered wisely, said to him, “Thou are not far from the kingdom of God.”

“Beware of the Scribes, who like to walk about in long robes, and to be greeted In the market place, and to have the front seats in the synagogues and the first place at suppers; who devour the houses of widows, making pretense of long prayers. These shall receive a heavier sentence.”

And many rich people were putting in large sums

And there came one poor widow

“Amen I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who have been putting money into the treasury. For they all have put in out of their abundance; but she out of her want has put in all that she had—all that she had to live on.

Matthew Chapter 13: Destruction of Jerusalem foretold; Some question Christ; His answer; Warning to be on guard; Destruction of Jerusalem; The signs of the last day; Jerusalem’s impending destruction; The need for watchfulness.

“Dost thou see all these great buildings? There will not be one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

“Take care that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he’; and they will lead many astray.”

“But be on your guard… and you wills stand before governors and kings for my sake, for a witness to them… and the gospel must first be preached to all the nations… do not be anxious beforehand what you are to speak; but speak whatever is given you in that hour. For it is not you that is speaking, but The Holy Spirit… And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake; but he who has persevered to the end will be saved.”

The abomination of desolation

Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains…

For in those days will be tribulations, such as have not been from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, nor will be.

“And then, if anyone say to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ; behold, there he is,’ do not believe it.

After that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give her light, and the stars of heaven will be failing, and the powers that are in heaven will be shaken.

And then they will see the Son of Man coming upon the clouds with great power and majesty. And he will send forth his angels, and will gather his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost parts of the earth to the uttermost parts of heaven.

This generation will not pass away till all these things have been accomplished. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

But of that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.

Take heed, watch and pray, for you do not know when the time is.

And what I say to you, I say to all, “Watch.”

“The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord show His face to thee, and have mercy on thee. The Lord turn his countenance to thee, and give thee peace.”

A prayer, a blessing, compassion in the Old Testament—Numbers, Chapter 6!

Sometimes in life when we do the work, challenge our thinking patterns and trust God, approach old material with an open mind, an open heart and with a sense of presence, that this is our only and only life here on earth, the words, the facts penetrate us with a new story, a new opportunity!

The Lord’s countenance—approval or favor; encouragement; moral support; appearance, especially the look or expression of the face: a sad countenance; the face; visage; calm facial expression; composure.

I see a compassionate God, don’t you?

Yes, evil things happen in the world but God doesn’t orchestrate them to torture us, the Devil does and God is always there to give us comfort and peace of mind if we so believe in the resurrection of Christ and ourselves.

Numbers tell the story of the Exodus and Leviticus in more quantifiable terms.

All twelve princes of the twelve tribes of Israel basically gave the same offering at the dedication of the tabernacle in the day when it was consecrated—according to the weight of the sanctuary; a little mortar of gold weighing ten sicles full of incense—among the gifts. These things were offered in the dedication of the altar, when it was anointed.

Expectations and procedures are more clearly defined in Numbers.

Take the Levites out of the midst of the children of Israel, and thou shall purify them, according to this rite:

And when the Levites are before the Lord, the children of Israel shall put their hands upon them.

For all the firstborn of the children of Israel, both of men and of beasts, are mine.

What does that mean? Are the first born of each family called to be a minister?

That being purified they might go into the tabernacle of the covenant to do their services before Aaron and his sons.

This is the law of the Levites

And when they shall have accomplished the fiftieth year of their age, they shall cease to serve and they shall be the ministers of the brethren in the tabernacle of the covenant, to keep the things that are committed to their care, but not to do the works.

Early retirement of Levite priests? Much different today!

 

Let the children of Israel make the phase (Passover) in its due time.

But if any man is clean, and was not on a journey, and did not make the phase (Passover), that soul shall be cut off from among his people, because he offered not the sacrifice to the Lord in due season: he shall bear his sin.

So now, in Numbers, the children of Israel, having received God’s blessing and commandments through Moses at Mount Sanai are ready, actually being told by God, that it is time to move onward to the Promise Land with their portable tabernacle.

So it was always: by day the cloud covered it, and by night as it were the appearance of fire. By the word of the Lord they pitched their tents, and by his word they marched: and kept the watches of the Lord according to his commandment by the hand of Moses.

If you go forth to war out of your land against the enemies that fight against you, you shall sound aloud with trumpets, and there shall be a remembrance of you before the Lord your God, that you may be delivered out of the hands of your enemies.

That they may be a remembrance of your God.

We are going towards the place which the Lord will give us; come with us, that we may do thee good; for the Lord hath promised good things to Israel.

I will not go with thee, but I will return to my country, wherein I was born.

So they marched from the mount of the Lord three days’ journey, and the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them.

Arise, O Lord, and let thy enemies be scattered, and let them that hate thee, flee from before thy face. And when it was set down, he said: Retune, O Lord, to the multitude of the host of Israel.

With a prayer, God is Leading His Children Home to the Promise Land.

Day 47: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; With a Prayer, God is Leading His Children Home to the Promise Land.

Read and inspired by the Old Testament, The Book of Numbers Chapters 6-10

Bible Notes:

This Book is so called, because it begins with a census of the Hebrew nations.

It describes their departure from Mount Sinai, their journey to Moab, and gives various rules for distribution of the Promised Land.

Numbers Chapter 6: Duties of the Nazarites; Consecration of Nazarites; Formula of the priestly blessing.

When a man, or a woman, shall make a vow to be sanctified, and will consecrate themselves to the Lord, they shall abstain from wine, and from every thing that may make a man drunk.

Nor shall they eat grapes either fresh or dried.

They shall eat nothing that cometh of the vineyard, from the raisin even to the kernel.

He shall be holy, and let the hair of his head grow,

This is the law of consecration. When the days which he had determined by vow shall be expired.

Then shall the hair of the consecration of the Nazarite, be shaven off before the door of the tabernacle of the covenant: and he shall take his hair, and lay it upon the fire, which is under the sacrifice of the peace offerings.

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord show His face to thee, and have mercy on thee. The Lord turn his countenance to thee, and give thee peace.

Countenance—approval or favor; encouragement; moral support; appearance, especially the look or expression of the face: a sad countenance; the face; visage; calm facial expression; composure.

Numbers Chapter 7: Dedication of the tabernacle; Offering of Nahasson, Nathanael, Eliab, Elisar, Salamiel, Eliasaph, Elisama, Gamaliel, Abidan, Ahiezer, Phegiel, Ahira; Totals of the offerings of the princes (12); God speaks to Moses from the propitiatory.

The princes of Israel and the heads of the families, in every tribe, who were the rulers of them who had been numbered, offered their gifts before the Lord…

And thou shalt deliver them to the Levites according to the order of their ministry

According to their necessity

According to their offices and service

But to the sons of Caath he gave no wagons or oxen because they serve in the sanctuary and carry their burdens upon their own shoulders.

Let each of the princes one day after another offer their gifts for the dedication of the altar.

Nahasson, the son of Aminadab of the tribe of Juda

Nathanael, the son of Suar, prince of the tribe of Issachar

Eliab, the prince of the sons of Zabulon, Eliab the son of Helon

Elisur, the prince of the sons of Ruben, Elisur the son of Sedeur

Salamiel, the prince of the sons of Simeon, Salamiel the son of Surisaddai

Eliasaph, the prince of the sons of Gad, Eliasaph the son of Duel

Elisama, the prince of the sons of Ephraim, Elisama the son of Ammiud

Gamaliel, the prince of the sons of Manasses, Gamaliel the son of Phadassur

Abidan, the prince of the sons of Benjamin, Abidan the son of Gedeon

Ahiezar, the prince of the sons of Dan, Ahiezar the son of Ammisaddai

Phegiel, the prince of the sons of Aser, Phegiel the son of Ochran

Ahira, the prince of the sons of Nephtali, Ahiraa the sons of Enan

According to the weight of the sanctuary

A little mortar of gold weighing ten sicles full of incense

All twelve princes of the twelve tribes of Israel basically gave the same offering at the dedication of the tabernacle In the day when it was consecrated—according to the weight of the sanctuary; a little mortar of gold weighing ten sicles full of incense—among the gifts.

In the day when it was consecrated

These things were offered in the dedication of the altar, when it was anointed.

Numbers Chapter 8: The golden candlestick; Ordination of the Levites; Age required for Levitical service.

Take the Levites out of the midst of the children of Israel, and thou shall purify them, according to this rite:

And let them shave all the hairs of their flesh

And when the Levites are before the Lord, the children of Israel shall put their hands upon them.

For all the firstborn of the children of Israel, both of men and of beasts, are mine.

First born of family are God’s, called to ministry?

That being purified they might go into the tabernacle of the covenant to do their services before Aaron and his sons.

This is the law of the Levites

And when they shall have accomplished the fiftieth year of their age, they shall cease to serve and they shall be the ministers of the brethren in the tabernacle of the covenant, to keep the things that are committed to their care, but not to do the works.

Numbers Chapter 9: Commandment to celebrate the Pasch; An alternate Pasch is permitted; A cloud and a fire over the tabernacle.

Let the children of Israel make the phase in its due time.

We are unclean by the occasion of the soul of man.

But if any man is clean, and was not on a journey, and did not make the phase, that soul shall be cut off from among his people, because he offered not the sacrifice to the Lord in due season: he shall bear his sin.

So it was always: by day the cloud covered it, and by night as it were the appearance of fire.

The children of Israel kept the watches of the Lord

By the word of the Lord they pitched their tents, and by his word they marched: and kept the watches of the Lord according to his commandment by the hand of Moses.

Pasch—the Jewish festival of Passover; Easter

Numbers Chapter 10: The silver trumpets; Israelites move from Sinai to Pharan; Moses asks Hobab to be the guide; Moses’ prayer.

When the trumpets shall sound for a march

The sons of Aaron the priest shall sound the trumpets

If you go forth to war out of your land against the enemies that fight against you, you shall sound aloud with trumpets, and there shall be a remembrance of you before the Lord your God, that you may be delivered out of the hands of your enemies.

That they may be a remembrance of your God.

And the children of Israel marched by their troops from the desert of Sinai, and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Pharan.

And the tabernacle was taken down, and the sons of Gerson and Merari set forward, bearing it.

Then the Caathites also marched carrying the sanctuary.

We are going towards the place which the Lord will give us; come with us, that we may do thee good; for the Lord hath promised good things to Israel.

I will not go with thee, but I will return to my country, wherein I was born.

So they marched from the mount of the Lord three days’ journey, and the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them…

Arise, O Lord, and let thy enemies be scattered, and let them that hate thee, flee from before thy face. And when it was set down, he said: Retune, O Lord, to the multitude of the host of Israel.

 “For the poor you have always with you, and whenever you want you can do good to them; but you do not always have me.”

Timing is everything in life, isn’t it.

I once heard that people never regret the things they did, only the things they didn’t do.

Unless of course they are extreme sins that ruin our life. Then we are either happy we did not partake or happy we did not do whatever it was that we shouldn’t be doing anyway.

Who will you not always have in your life?

I was inspired to move back to New York from California in the mid-1980s mainly because I, or we at the time, wanted our children to grow up knowing their grandparents. In reality it was a Godsend for me to get to know my father before he passed away less than seven years later. As fathers we connected and soberly celebrated most of all the good things in life during that short period of time. I will never forget him dancing with Mom and us on the pier in Southold on his 70^th birthday for no particular reason other than we heard music playing and our family, all our family loved life. I am going to incorporate one of his patented golf swing dance moves in my upcoming Dancing With The Stars competition.

Life is too short and we can’t buy another minute, can we?

How many times I have I made pledges to God, myself, and others and within 24 hours broken those promises?

Not often I would say and then hope that is true.

Otherwise I am in denial, justification, and rationalization.

I would be going in the wrong direction, going farther away from Jesus and God and The Holy Spirit within me and not even be aware of it.

Our subconscious minds. Satan and evil are very powerful and deceitful too.

If we are honest with ourselves and God we are all sinners.

Just think, even Peter, close to Christ did the same thing denying he knew Jesus three times.

Thou also was with Jesus of Nazareth. This is one of them. Surely thou art one of them, for thou art also a Galilean.

No, No, No. Then Peter began to curse and swear and said “I do not know this man you are talking about.” And at that moment a cock crowed a second time. And he began to weep.

Sometimes all we can do is cry and feel our raw emotions. No need to react. No need to fix. Just time for self-care and seeking the support and love of other human beings. Or sometimes we cry alone with our God maybe as Jesus did that night like he did for Lazarus.

“Take, this is my body.”

“This is my blood of the new covenant, which is being shed for many.”

And after reciting a hymn…

As a good Jew, at the Last Supper, Jesus would have sung the following words:

The snares of death encompassed me, the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the LORD; “O LORD, I beg you, save my life!”… For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; I walk before the LORD in the land of the living…

What shall I render to the LORD for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD… O LORD, I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your handmaid. You have loosed my bonds. I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving…

…they went out to the Mount of Olives

“You will all be scandalized this night for it is written.”

“Amen I say to thee, today, this very night, before a cock crows twice, thou will deny me three times.”

Even if I should have to die with thee, I will not deny thee! And they all said the same thing.

And they came to a country place called Gethsemani.

And Jesus began to feel dread and to be exceedingly troubled.

“My soul is sad, even unto death. Wait here and watch.”

“Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee. Remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what thou willest.”

Returning to the disciples, “couldst thou not watch one hour? Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

But it is so the Scriptures could be fulfilled.

My flesh is weak at times. My self-will, discipline and self-control limited at times.

And a certain young man was following him, having a linen cloth wrapped about his naked body, and they seized him. But leaving the linen cloth behind, he fled away from them naked.

Note this passage about a naked young man was included after the statement that the Scriptures were fulfilled.

Nobody knows who he was yet his brief story was included and for what reason?

Was he afraid? Then when was he following Jesus and taking the risk of being assumed to be with Jesus and being seized? He was afraid enough to run away.

Maybe that is us just being curious. When the bells at the fire station went off I used to run up there and read the ticker tape to find out where the fire was. I was interested and curious about fires since my Dad was a city fireman. Once I wanted to include a charred out building on my HO train landscape and nearly burned the house down.

Maybe if we just share our fears or curiosities with Christ we won’t have to run away from them or towards them.

Now the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin were seeking witness against Jesus, that they night put him to death, but they found none. For while many bore false witness against him, their evidence did not agree.

But he kept silence, and made no answer.

Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?

“I am. And you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

I believe that.

Day 48: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; Naked & Afraid in the Garden of Gethsemani, Singing with Jesus!

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Gospel of Saint Mark Chapter 14.

Bible Notes:

The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark

Saint Mark, a convert of Saint Peter, was the son of a certain Mary, whose house in Jerusalem was a gathering place for Christians.

His Gospel, based on Saint Peter’s preaching, aims to prove to the Gentiles the divinity of Christ, be recounting His numerous miracles and examples of His power over devils.

 

Matthew Chapter 14:  The council; The anointing at Bethany; Jesus defends the woman; The betrayal; Preparation for the Passover; The betrayer; The Holy Eucharist; Peter’s denials predicted; The agony in the garden; Jesus finds three sleeping; Jesus arrested; Peter draws his sword; All His disciples flee; Jesus before the Sanhedrin; The high priest questions Christ; Jesus s condemned and abused; Peter’s denial.

How they might seize him by stealth and put him to death.

“For the poor you have always with you, and whenever you want you can do good to them; but you do not always have me.”

And Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the high priests to betray him (Jesus) to them.

“Where is my guest chamber, that I may eat the Passover there with my disciples? And he will show you a large upper room furnished; there make ready for us (to eat the Passover).”

“But woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It were better for that man if he had not been born.”

“Take, this is my body.”

“This is my blood of the new covenant, which is being shed for many.”

And after reciting a hymn…

As a good Jew, at the Last Supper, Jesus would have sung the following words:

The snares of death encompassed me, the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the LORD; “O LORD, I beg you, save my life!”… For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; I walk before the LORD in the land of the living…

What shall I render to the LORD for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD… O LORD, I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your handmaid. You have loosed my bonds. I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving… (Psalm 116:3-4, 8-9, 12-13, 16-17)

Reference: The Sacred Page

They went out to the Mount of Olives

“You will all be scandalized this night for it is written.”

“Amen I say to thee, today, this very night, before a cock crows twice, thou will deny me three times.”

Even if I should have to die with thee, I will not deny thee! And they all said the same thing.

And they came to a country place called Gethsemani

And he (Jesus) began to feel dread and to be exceedingly troubled.

“My soul is sad, even unto death. Wait here and watch.”

“Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee. Remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what thou willest.”

“Couldst thou not watch one hour? Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

But it is so the Scriptures could be fulfilled.

And a certain young man was following him, having a linen cloth wrapped about his naked body, and they seized him. But leaving the linen cloth behind, he fled away from them naked.

Now the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin were seeking witness against Jesus, that they night put him to death, but they found none. For while many bore false witness against him, their evidence did not agree.

But he kept silence, and made no answer.

Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?

“I am. And you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

And they all condemned him as liable to death.

Thou also was with Jesus of Nazareth

This is one of them.

Surely thou art one of them, for thou art also a Galilean.

But he (Peter) began to curse and swear. I do not know this man you are talking about. And at that moment a cock crowed a second time. And he began to weep.

The Old Testament is difficult at times to read yet isn’t that where the learning comes from? Through hardships and difficulties in life?

The New Testament is easier to understand and takes my Splendid Spiritual Self to higher levels. But the groundwork, the refinement of the underlying spiritual principles, through struggle, is to be found in the Old Testament.

The Old prepares us for the New just like TROML extracts the inspiration from our past and allows us to format the world, to keep the world in check, while the New lifts us higher and higher and ultimately transforms us and transitions us to the New World ahead called the Kingdom of Heaven!

“What, are ye of the Old Testament?” will be my challenge to those who try to format me with a law-and-order, no heart perspective.

“What, are ye of the New Testament? will be my rejoice to those with an open and loving heart but no sense of discipline or rules or boundaries.

In reality, we are of both the Old and New Testament so let’s get on with our journey in life!

And the Lord came down in a cloud, and spoke to him, taking away of the spirit that was in Moses, and giving it to the seventy men. And when the spirit had raised on them they prophesized, nor did they cease afterwards.

Prophesy means to foretell or predict; to indicate beforehand; to declare or foretell by or as if by divine inspiration; to utter in prophecy or as a prophet.

O that all the people might prophesy, and that the Lord would give them his spirit!

Moses had had enough and had reached his human limitations dealing with all the children of Israel who were acting like children. So God saw he needed help and transferred some of Moses’ leadership spirit and responsibilities to seventy men known as ancients of Israel.

So even Moses, so close to God’s direction and power can get overwhelmed. So can I and so can you too!

Now God started going through the sins—jealousy, envy, pride—to give us some practical insights to their evil and how they do not help us prosper in life, Though remember that God is open that He is jealous and revengeful God. Cross him or step out of line and there will be consequences. And in the Old Testament, pre-Jesus’ human love and heart, they were severe.

Are ye of the Old Testament? Don’t be. Be both Old and New extracting spiritual principles and applying them to your life.

Mary and Aaron were jealous and spoke against Moses.

Hath the Lord spoken by Moses only? Hath he not also spoken to us in like manner?

But God knew Moses was a man exceeding meek above all men that dwelt upon the earth and challenged Mary and Aaron of their denial, justification, and rationalization.

Why then were you not afraid to speak ill of my servant Moses?

And being angry with them he went away and Mary appeared white as snow with a leprosy.

Aaron repented and prayed for Mary: “I beseech thee, my Lord, lay not upon us this sin, which we have foolishly committed.”

Moses prayed for Mary too: “O God, I beseech thee heal her.”

God relented and healed Mary. A foretelling of Jesus’ healing in the New Testament?

God’s details of lust were not given but killed many that had lusted before giving orders to move forward to the Promise Land.

The wrath of the Lord being provoked against the people, struck them with an exceeding great plague. And that place was called The Graves of lust” for there they buried the people that had lusted. And departing from the graves of lust, they came unto Haseroth, and abode there.

God’s example of pride was a bit more complicated as the children of Israel came close the Promise Land.

And the Lord spoke to Moses saying: Send men as spies to view the land of Chanaan, which I will give to the children of Israel, one of every tribe, of the rulers—Sammua, Saphat, Caleb, Igal, Osee, Phalti, Geddiel, Gaddi, Ammiel, Sthur, Nahabi, and Guel.

View the land of what sort it is; and the people that are the inhabitants thereof.

Be, of good courage, and bring us of the fruits of the land. Now it was the time when the first ripe grapes are fit to be eaten.

And they that went to spy out the land returned after forty days, having gone round all the country.

Telling everyone when they returned that the land “in very deed floweth with milk and honey.” But it hath very strong inhabitants, and the cities are great and walled.

But one of the twelve spies named Caleb said: “Let us go up and possess the land, for we shall be able to conquer it.”

Josue agreed but the ten others disagreed: “No, we are not able to go up to this people, because they are stronger than we. The people are of a tall statue. We saw certain monsters of the giant kind; in comparison of whom, we seemed like locusts.”

Upon hearing this the children of Israel wanted mutiny against Moses: “Is it not better to return to Egypt? Let us appoint a captain, and let us return into Egypt.”

But Celeb and Josue argued: “The land which we have gone round is very good. If the Lord be favorable, he will bring us into it, and give us a land flowing with milk and honey. Be not rebellious against the Lord: and fear ye not the people of this land, for we are able to eat them up as bread. All aid is gone from them: the Lord is with us, fear ye not.”

God was not amused of their pride and cowardice of the children of Israel: “How long will they not believe me for all the signs that I have wrought before them?”

Moses pleaded” “The Lord is patient and full of mercy, taking away iniquity and wickedness, and leaving no man clear, who visitest the sins of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. Forgive, I beseech thee, the sins of this people, according to the greatness of thy mercy, as thou hast been merciful to them from their going out of Egypt unto this place.”

God did not relent: “I have forgiven according to thy word. But yet all the men that have tempted me now ten times, and have not obeyed my voice, shall not see the land for which I swore to their fathers, neither shall any one of them that hath detracted from me behold it.”

He affirmed Caleb: “My servant Caleb, who being full of another spirit hath followed me, I will bring into this land which he hath gone round: and his seed shall possess it.”

But rendered harsh judgment on the children of Israel: “Tomorrow remove the camp, and return into the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea. In the wilderness shall your carcasses lie. But your children…will I bring in: that they may see the land which you have despised. Your children shall wander in the desert forty years, and shall bear your fornication, until the carcasses of their father be consumed in the desert. You shall receive your iniquities and know my revenge… in this wilderness shall it faint away and die.”

And the people mourned exceedingly, changed their minds and pleaded to God for mercy: “We are ready to go up to the place, of which the Lord hath spoken: for we have sinned.”

But Moses told them the truth: “Go not up, for the Lord is not with you: lest you fall before your enemies. Because you would not consent to the Lord, neither will the Lord be with you. But the soul that committeth anything through pride… for he had contemned the word of the Lord, and made void his precept: therefore shall be destroyed and shall bear his iniquity.”

God reaffirmed that he is God: “They may remember all the commandments of the Lord, and not follow their own thoughts and eyes going astray after divers things, but rather being mindful of the precepts of the Lord, may do them and be holy to their God. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that I might be your God.”

He might be our God, he is my God for sure.

An Old Testament story whose message is that if God gives you a vision, you better have the courage to act on it or risk withering away in the desert of life.

Through our human jealousy, envy and pride; listen to God and do as He says!

Day 49: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; Through Jealousy, Envy & Pride; Listen to God and Do as He Says!

Read and inspired by the Old Testament, The Book of Numbers Chapters 11-15

Bible Notes:

This Book is so called, because it begins with a census of the Hebrew nations.

It describes their departure from Mount Sinai, their journey to Moab, and gives various rules for distribution of the Promised Land.

Numbers Chapter 11: The people murmur and are punished by fire; The people desire flesh to eat; Moses complains to the Lord; The Lord promises ample food; Seventy ancients appointed; The Lord provides quail; The People are punished for lust.

In the meantime there arose a murmuring of the people against the Lord, as it were repining at their fatigue

Repining—to be fretfully discontented; fret; complain.

And the fire of the Lord being kindled against them, devoured them that were at the uttermost part of the camp.

Kindled—to start (a fire); cause (a flame, blaze, etc.) to begin burning.

Who shall give us flesh to eat?

Our soul is dry, our eyes behold nothing else but manna.

Why hast thou afflicted thy servant? Wherefore do I not find favor before thee?

I am not able alone to bear all this people, because it is too heavy for me.

Gather unto me seventy men of the ancients of Israel

And thou mayest not be burdened alone.

Is the hand of the Lord unable? Thou shalt presently see whether my word shall come to pass or no.

And the Lord came down in a cloud, and spoke to him, taking away of the spirit that was in Moses, and giving it to the seventy men. And when the spirit had raised on them they prophesized, nor did they cease afterwards.

Prophesy—to foretell or predict; to indicate beforehand; to declare or foretell by or as if by divine inspiration; to utter in prophecy or as a prophet.

O that all the people might prophesy, and that the Lord would give them his spirit!

And a wind going out from the Lord, taking quails up beyond the sea brought them, and cast them into the camp…

The wrath of the Lord being provoked against the people, struck them with an exceeding great plague. And that place was called The Graves of lust” for there they buried the people that had lusted. And departing from the graves of lust, they came unto Haseroth, and abode there.

Numbers Chapter 12: Mary and Aaron rebuked for jealousy; Mary becomes leprous; Mary cured through prayer of Moses.

And Mary and Aaron spoke against Moses

Hath the Lord spoken by Moses only?

Hath he not also spoken to us in like manner?

For Moses was a man exceeding meek above all men that dwelt upon the earth

Why then were you not afraid to speak ill of my servant Moses?

And being angry with them he went away.

Mary appeared white as snow with a leprosy.

Aaron:  I beseech thee, my Lord, lay not upon us this sin, which we have foolishly committed.

Moses: O God, I beseech thee heal her.

Numbers Chapter 13: Twelve spies sent into Chanaan; Moses instructs the spies; The acts of the spies; Report of the spies.

And the people marched from Haseroth, and pitched their tents in the desert of Pharan.

And the Lord spoke to Moses saying: Send men to view the land of Chanaan, which I will give to the children of Israel, one of every tribe, of the rulers—Sammua, Saphat, Caleb, Igal, Osee, Phalti, Geddiel, Gaddi, Ammiel, Sthur, Nahabi, and Guel.

View the land of what sort it is; and the people that are the inhabitants thereof.

Be, of good courage, and bring us of the fruits of the land. Now it was the time when the first ripe grapes are fit to be eaten.

And they that went to spy out the land returned after forty days, having gone round all the country.

Which in very deed floweth with milk and honey

But it hath very strong inhabitants, and the cities are great and walled

Caleb:  Let us go up and possess the land, for we shall be able to conquer it.

No, we are not able to go up to this people, because they are stronger than we.

The people are of a tall statue

We saw certain monsters of the giant kind; in comparison of whom, we seemed like locusts.

Numbers Chapter 14: The people complain; Josue and Celeb encourage the people; The Lord threatens the people; Moses prays for the people; The Lord forgives the people; The Lord decrees forty years of wandering; Death of ten of the spies; Defeat by Amalecites and Chanaanites.

Is it not better to return to Egypt? And they said one to another: Let us appoint a captain, and let us return into Egypt.

Josue & Celeb: The land which we have gone round is very good. If the Lord be favorable, he will bring us into it, and give us a land flowing with milk and honey. Be not rebellious against the Lord: and fear ye not the people of this land, for we are able to eat them up as bread. All aid is gone from them: the Lord is with us, fear ye not.

How long will they not believe me for all the signs that I have wrought before them?

The Lord is patient and full of mercy, taking away iniquity and wickedness, and leaving no man clear, who visitest the sins of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. Forgive, I beseech thee, the sins of this people, according to the greatness of thy mercy, as thou hast been merciful to them from their going out of Egypt unto this place.

I have forgiven according to thy word.

But yet all the men that have tempted me now ten times, and have not obeyed my voice, shall not see the land for which I swore to their fathers, neither shall any one of them that hath detracted from me behold it.

My servant Caleb, who being full of another spirit hath followed me, I will bring into this land which he hath gone round: and his seed shall possess it.

Tomorrow remove the camp, and return into the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea.

In the wilderness shall your carcasses lie.

Except Caleb and Josue

But your children…will I bring in: that they may see the land which you have despised.

Your children shall wander in the desert forty years, and shall bear your fornication, until the carcasses of their father be consumed in the desert.

You shall receive your iniquities and know my revenge… in this wilderness shall it faint away and die.

And the people mourned exceedingly

We are ready to go up to the place, of which the Lord hath spoken: for we have sinned.

Go not up, for the Lord is not with you: lest you fall before your enemies.

Because you would not consent to the Lord, neither will the Lord be with you.

Numbers Chapter 15: Laws concerning sacrifices; Offerings of firstfruit; Offering for sins through ignorance; Punishment for pride; Punishment for violating the Sabbath; Fringes on garments.

There shall be all one law and judgment both for you and for them who are strangers in the land.

And if through ignorance you omit any of these things…

But the soul that committeth anything through pride.. for he had contemned the word of the Lord, and made void his precept: therefore shall be destroyed and shall bear his iniquity.

Contemned—to treat or regard with disdain, scorn, or contempt.

Had found a man gathering sticks, violating the Sabbath. And the Lord said to Moses: Let that man die let all the multitude stone him without the camp.

They may remember all the commandments of the Lord, and not follow their own thoughts and eyes going astray after divers things, but rather being mindful of the precepts of the Lord, may do them and be holy to their God. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that I might be your God.

The last two chapters of Mark: Horror, then God’s Divine Inspiration.

With Christ dying on the cross, the chief priests with the scribes said in mockery with one another, “He saved others, himself he cannot save!”

How often is it that we cannot save ourselves, control ourselves or do the right thing in our own best interest?

Why did God do this to Jesus, His only son?

Jesus was divine yet human and had emotions and feelings and experienced the pain and suffering while on earth the same as you or I would have.

Why didn’t He ride a big old white horse into Jerusalem a week earlier and take over the Kingdom of the World?

My thought is to teach us that we can’t continue to win, that we can’t continue to dominate, that winning isn’t everything and that we can lose our self, our heart, our soul in selfish, self-centered pursuits.

If whatever you are doing benefits another, a friend, your family or a stranger and doesn’t harm you to any long lasting great extent then it’s okay to pursue winning.

Jesus wants us to develop our hearts, our character, and our humanness.

With 7.5 billion people on Planet Home and a limited time here, to try to dominate others without fully developing yourself is an insane mission in life.

Save yourself so you can save others!

“My God. My God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

Jesus cried out in a loud voice, and expired.

But on entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were amazed.

“Do not be terrified. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he goes before you into Galilee; there you shall see him, as he told you.”

He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

After this he was manifested in another form to two of them (disciples), as they were walking on their way into the country.

At length he appeared to the Eleven as they were at table; and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and hardness of heart, in that they had not believed those who had seen him after he had risen.

“Go into the whole world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who does not believe shall be condemned. And these signs shall attend those who believe in my name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak in new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands upon the sick and they shall get well.”

So then the Lord, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the preaching by the signs that followed. Amen.

He who believes and is baptized shall be saved

The horror is over, God’s Divine Inspiration is ahead!

Day 50: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; The Last Two Chapters of Mark: One is Horrific, the other God’s Divine Inspiration.

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Gospel of Saint Mark Chapters 15-16.

Bible Notes:

The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark

Saint Mark, a convert of Saint Peter, was the son of a certain Mary, whose house in Jerusalem was a gathering place for Christians.

His Gospel, based on Saint Peter’s preaching, aims to prove to the Gentiles the divinity of Christ, be recounting His numerous miracles and examples of His power over devils.

 

Matthew Chapter 15:  Jesus before Pilate; Crowd prefers Barabbas to Christ; The scourging and crowning; The way of the cross; The crucifixion; Two thieves; The death of Jesus; Effects of His death; The burial.

And they bound Jesus and led him away, and delivered him to Pilate

Art thou the king of the Jews?

“Thou sayest it”

But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate wondered.

Now there was a man called Barabbas imprisoned with some rioters, one who in the riot had committed murder.

Do you wish that I release to you the king of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him up out of envy.

Crucify him!

So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released to them Barabbas; but Jesus he scourged and delivered to be crucified.

Hail King of the Jews

And they forced a certain passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country… to take up his cross. And they brought him to the place called Golgotha, which translated, is the Place of the Skull.

Now it was the third hour and they crucified him. And the inscription bearing the charge against him was, “The King of the Jews.”

And he was reckoned among the wicked.

The chief priests with the scribes said in mockery with one another, “He saved others, himself he cannot save!”

“My God. My God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

Behold he is calling Elias.

Jesus cried out in a loud voice, and expired.

Truly this was the Son of God

And some women were also there, looking on from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joseph, and Salome. These used to accompany him and minister to him when he was in Galilee—besides many other women who had come with him to Jerusalem.

There came Joseph of Arimathea, a councillor of high rank, who was himself looking for the kingdom of God. And he went in boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

Then he rolled a stone to the entrance of the tomb. But Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph were looking on and saw where he was laid.

Matthew Chapter 16:  The women at the grave; Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene; Jesus appears to two disciples; Commission of the Apostles; The Ascension.

And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, brought spices, that they might go and anoint him.

But on entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were amazed.

“Do not be terrified. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he goes before you into Galilee; there you shall see him, as he told you.”

For trembling and fear had seized them

He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

And they (the disciples), hearing that he was alive and had been seen by her, did not believe it.

After this he was manifested in another form to two of them (disciples), as they were walking on their way into the country. And they went and brought word to the rest, and even then they did not believe.

At length he appeared to the Eleven as they were at table; and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and hardness of heart, in that they had not believed those who had seen him after he had risen.

“Go into the whole world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who does not believe shall be condemned. And these signs shall attend those who believe in my name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak in new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands upon the sick and they shall get well.”

So then the Lord, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the preaching by the signs that followed. Amen.

‘Why did Moses lifted himself up above the children of Israel people before the Lord’ was the chant of mutiny by Core, Dathan, and Abiron who rose up against Moses, and with them two hundred and fifty others of the children of Israel.

And when they had stood up against Moses and Aaron, they said: Let it be enough for you, that all the multitude consisteth of holy ones, and the Lord is among them: Take every man of you your censers, thou Core, and all thy company

They challenged the priesthood too. We are just like Aaron and the priests. We should be priests too and burn incense in our censers.

Moses and Aaron prayed for the rebellions sinners: “O most mighty, the God of the spirits of all flesh, for one man’s sin shall thy wrath rage against all?”

The Three Musketeers did not realize how far their denial, justification, and rationalization had taken them from their path with the Lord.

Moses didn’t lift himself above anyone. God chose and put him in a leadership position.

Aaron didn’t self-proclaim that he and his family were to be priests and their descendants the only priests. God stipulated that and chose Aaron.

What was God’s response to Moses and Aaron?

“Separate yourself from among this congregation, that I may presently destroy them.” Let Aaron also hold his censer and let the seditionists hold theirs too.

Moses gave his opponents the challenge: “By this you shall know that the Lord hath sent me to do all things that you see and that I have not forged them of my own head.” And they took it hook, line and sinker!

The earth broke asunder under their feet and, opening her mouth, devoured them with their tents and all their substance. And they went down alive into hell, the ground closing upon them, and they perished from among the people.

And a fire coming out from the Lord, destroyed the two hundred and fifty men that offered the incense.

That the children of Israel may see them for a sign and a memorial

That no stranger or any one that is not of the seed of Aaron should come near to offer incense to the Lord

Now some of the others chose to rise in mutiny against Moses and Aaron: “You have killed the people of the Lord.” And when there arose a sedition, and the tumult increased, Moses and Aaron fled to the tabernacle of the covenant. Perhaps this was the first time in history one took refuge in a church?

God’s answer came this time before Moses and Aaron could pray for the challengers For already wrath is gone out from the Lord, and the plague rageth.

So what does Aaron do? Standing between the dead and the living, he prayed for the people, and the plague ceased. And the number of them that were slain was fourteen thousand and seven hundred men, besides them that had perished in the sedition of Core.

 

Nearly fifteen thousand men dead for not challenging Moses and Aaron but the Lord Himself.

Good to think of our own motives and those of people who oppose us. The one that is most out of denial, justification, and rationalization; the one that is clear and present and can see the truth in relationship to the Word of God will be the winner!

Those free of self, pride and silly ego are free indeed and very powerful when aligned with God’s Will and God’s Power.

God gave another sign as to who were his chosen priests.

He requested one rod with the name of Aaron shall be for the tribe of Levi, and one rod from each of the twelve tribes of Israel that shall contain all their families.

Whomsoever of these I shall choose, his rod shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, where with they murmur against you.

And there were twelve rods besides the rod of Aaron

And found that the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi, was budded; budded with almonds in fact.

So know the majority of the children of Israel in the twelve tribes were scared and they pleaded to Moses: “Behold we are consumed, we all perish. Are we all to a man to be utterly destroyed?”

Before answer those pleads God made a sweet deal for Aaron and his descendants. Basically he took care of him and insured that his descendants would be taken care of forever. The origin of nepotism? Probably not give the Pharaoh and the wealthy civilization in Egypt. Nepotism forever? Remember this is the Old Testament, the Old Covenant.

And the Lord said to Aaron: Behold I have given thee the charge of my firstfruits. All things sanctified by the children of Israel, I have delivered to thee and thy sons for the priestly office, by everlasting ordinances.

Every offering, and sacrifice, and whatsoever is rendered to me for sin and for trespass, and becometh holy of holies, shall be for thee and thy sons… by a perpetual law.

 

You shall possess nothing in their land, neither shall you have a portion among them: I am thy portion and inheritance in the midst of the children of Israel.

But only the sons of Levi may serve me in the tabernacle, and bear the sins of the people. It shall be an everlasting ordinance in your generations. They shall not possess any other thing, but be content with the oblation or tithes, which I have separated for their uses and necessities.

And the children of Israel and all the multitude came into the desert of Sin

And Mary (assuming Mary the wife of Aaron) died there and was buried in the same place.

And the people wanting water, came together against Moses and Aaron, and making a sedition

Moses prayed again: “O Lord God, hear the cry of this people, and open to them thy treasure, a fountain of living water, that being satisfied, they may cease to murmur.”

God’s response: “And speak to the rock before them, and it shall yield waters.”

Can we bring forth water out of this rock?

There came forth water in great abundance.

This is the Water of contradiction, where the children of Israel strove with words against the Lord, and he was sanctified in them.

Why didn’t God strike them down for another sedition by the children of Israel?

Why this contradiction?

Perhaps because it was a vital need; water is a basic element of life; it’s consumption is not optional for the body to survive?

Perhaps this was God’s message; his first use of water as a living entity; it in us and He in us and we in Him? In the Old Testament John the Baptist is yet to come.

Perhaps a sort of internal, digestive sort of early baptism?

Another step in purifying the Israelites and partnering with them to free them from sin through the forgiveness of God?

 

Yet another obstacle to the will of the children of Israel arose out of the desert—Edom the kingdom of the Edomites.

And he heard us, and sent an angel, who hath brought us out of Egypt. Lo, we are now in the city of Cades, which is the uttermost of thy borders, and we beseech these that we may have leave to pass through thy country.

Edom’s response: “Thou shall not pass by me: if thou dost I will come out armed against thee.”

Wherefore Israel turned another way from him (Edom).

Because he was incredulous to my words, at the waters of contradiction. Take Aaron and his son with him and not bring them up into mount Hor.

Aaron was incredulous to the words of God?

I had to reread the passage about the waters of contradiction: Because you have not believed me, to sanctify me before the children of Israel, you shall not bring these people into the land, which I will give them.

I thought Aaron and Moses had prayed together and did as the Lord requested lifting up their hand, and striking the rock twice with the rod. But it seems both prayed but only Moses struck the rock with the rod? Maybe Aaron was skeptical of God’s ability to bring water out of a rock? Maybe he was old and tired and bitter about losing his wife Mary?

God is God and we are not. Better to be continuously open-minded and believing in Him and ourselves as directed and powered by Him than be a skeptic in life.

The power of thought and words manifested in our abilities.

God’s Will: Aaron shall be gathered to his people, and die there.

And all the multitude seeing that Aaron was dead, mourned for him thirty days throughout all their families.

 

Today’s Bible message to Andy: The Power of Prayer & Being Humbly Aligned with God’s Will!

Day 51: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; The Power of Prayer & Being Humbly Aligned with God’s Will.

Read and inspired by the Old Testament, The Book of Numbers Chapters 16-20

Bible Notes:

This Book is so called, because it begins with a census of the Hebrew nations.

It describes their departure from Mount Sinai, their journey to Moab, and gives various rules for distribution of the Promised Land.

Numbers Chapter 16: Rebellion of Core, Dathan, and Abiron; The Lord threatens punishment; The people forsake Core, Dathan, and Abiron; Punishment of the rebels; The rebels’ censers become a memorial; The people criticize Moses and Aaron; Aaron stays a plague.

Core… and Dathan and Abrion rose up against Moses, and with them two hundred and fifty others of the children of Israel.

And when they had stood up against Moses and Aaron, they said: Let it be enough for you, that all the multitude consisteth of holy ones, and the Lord is among them: Why life you up yourselves above the people of the Lord?

Take every man of you your censers, thou Core, and all thy company

Censers—a container, usually covered, in which incense is burned, especially during religious services; thurible.

You take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi

That you should challenge to yourselves the priesthood also?

We will not come. We will not come.

Let Aaron also hold his censer

Separate yourself from among this congregation, that I may presently destroy them.

O most mighty, the God of the spirits of all flesh, for one man’s sin shall thy wrath rage against all?

Depart from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs lest you be involved in their sins.

By this you shall know that the Lord hath sent me to do all things that you see and that I have not forged them of my own head.

The earth broke asunder under their feet and, opening her mouth, devoured them with their tents and all their substance. And they went down alive into hell, the ground closing upon them, and they perished from among the people.

And a fire coming out from the Lord, destroyed the two hundred and fifty men that offered the incense.

That the children of Israel may see them for a sign and a memorial

That no stranger or any one that is not of the seed of Aaron should come near to offer incense to the Lord

You have killed the people of the Lord. And when there arose a sedition, and the tumult increased, Moses and Aaron fled to the tabernacle of the covenant (took refuge in church).

For already wrath is gone out from the Lord, and the plague rageth

And standing between the dead and the living, he prayed for the people, and the plague ceased. And the number of them that were slain was fourteen thousand and seven hundred men, besides them that had perished in the sedition of Core

Sedition—incitement of discontent or rebellion against a government; any action, especially in speech or writing, promoting such discontent or rebellion; Archaic. rebellious disorder.

Numbers Chapter 17: Rods of the people put in the tabernacle; Aaron’s rod blooms; Aaron’s rod as a token.

And the name of Aaron shall be for the tribe of Levi, and one rod shall contain all their families.

Whomsoever of these I shall choose, his rod shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, where with they murmur against you.

And there were twelve rods besides the rod of Aaron

And found that the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi, was budded.

Almonds

And the children of Israel said to Moses: Behold we are consumed, we all perish.

Are we all to a man to be utterly destroyed?

Numbers Chapter 18: Duties of the priests and Levites; Portions for the priests; Portions for the Levites; Offerings of Levites.

And the Lord said to Aaron: Behold I have given thee the charge of my firstfruits. All things sanctified by the children of Israel, I have delivered to thee and thy sons for the priestly office, by everlasting ordinances.

Every offering, and sacrifice, and whatsoever is rendered to me for sin and for trespass, and becometh holy of holies, shall be for thee and thy sons… by a perpetual law.

A sicle hath twenty obols.

You shall possess nothing in their land, neither shall you have a portion among them: I am thy portion and inheritance in the midst of the children of Israel.

But only the sons of Levi may serve me in the tabernacle, and bear the sins of the people. It shall be an everlasting ordinance in your generations. They shall not possess any other thing, but be content with the oblation or tithes, which I have separated for their uses and necessities.

The tenth part of the tenth

Because it is your reward for the ministry, wherewith you serve in the tabernacle of the testimony.

Numbers Chapter 19: Water of expiation; Use of water of expiation.

This is the observance of the victim, which the Lord hath ordained.

And which hath not carried the yoke

And for a water of aspersion

Aspersion—the act of sprinkling, as in baptism; Archaic. a shower or spray.

He that toucheth the corpse of a man and is therefore unclean seven days

And shall perish out of Israel

This is the law of a man that dieth in a tent: All that go into his tent and all the vessels that are there, shall be unclean seven days.

And shall pour living waters upon them into a vessel

Numbers Chapter 20: Death of Mary; The people complain for lack of water; Moses and Aaron pray for water; God gives water out of a rock; Edomites refuse passage to the Israelites; Death of Aaron.

And the children of Israel and all the multitude came into the desert of Sin

And Mary (assuming Mary the wife of Aaron) died there and was buried in the same place.

And the people wanting water, came together against Moses and Aaron, and making a sedition

O Lord God, hear the cry of this people, and open to them thy treasure, a fountain of living water, that being satisfied, they may cease to murmur.

And speak to the rock before them, and it shall yield waters

Can we bring forth water out of this rock?

There came forth water in great abundance.

Because you have not believed me, to sanctify me before the children of Israel, you shall not bring these people into the land, which I will give them.

This is the Water of contradiction, where the children of Israel strove with words against the Lord, and he was sanctified in them.

Contradiction—the act of contradicting; gainsaying or opposition; assertion of the contrary or opposite; denial; a statement or proposition that contradicts or denies another or itself and is logically incongruous; direct opposition between things compared; inconsistency; a contradictory act, fact, etc.

Strove—simple past tense of strive; to exert oneself vigorously; try hard; to contend in opposition, battle, or any conflict; compete; to struggle vigorously, as in opposition or resistance; to rival; vie.

Sanctify—to make holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate; to purify or free from sin; to impart religious sanction to; render legitimate or binding; to entitle to reverence or respect; to make productive of or conducive to spiritual blessing.

And he heard us, and sent an angel, who hath brought us out of Egypt. Lo, we are now in the city of Cades, which is the uttermost of thy borders, and we beseech these that we may have leave to pass through thy country.

But we will go by the common highway

Thou shall not pass by me: if thou dost I will come out armed against thee.

There shall be no difficulty in the price, only let us pass speedily.

Wherefore Israel turned another way from him.

Because he was incredulous to my words, at the waters of contradiction. Take Aaron and his son with him and not bring them up into mount Hor.

Incredulous—not credulous; disinclined or indisposed to believe; skeptical; indicating or showing unbelief.

Aaron shall be gathered to his people, and die there.

And all the multitude seeing that Aaron was dead, mourned for him thirty days throughout all their families.

Starting the third of four gospels in The Bible—The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke.

Saint Luke, a pagan by birth and a physician by profession, had never seen our Lord. An early convert, he became a companion and co-worker of Saint Paul.

Paul’s doctrine that salvation is for all, not for Jesus alone, is the theme of Saint Luke’s Gospel.

Luke’s Gospel starts off with the conception of John the Baptist—to Zachary and Elizabeth—and Jesus to Mary and Joseph.

It is indeed Good News!

If I read it right, John the Baptist was only fifteen months older than Jesus. While I don’t know how long John’s ministry was it dovetailed with Jesus’ ministry of only three years.

The start of the Christmas story…

In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a certain priest named Zachary… and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

But they had no son, for Elizabeth was barren; and they were both advanced in years.

And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right hand of the altar of incense and Zachary, seeing him, was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

“Thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son and thou shalt call his name John,” was the message from then angel Gabriel. “For he shall be great before the Lord, and shall be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb. And he shall himself go before him in the spirit and the power of Elias, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the incredulous to the wisdom of the just; to prepare for the Lord a perfect people.

Zachary said to the angel: “How shall I know this?”

“I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God; and I have been sent to speak to thee and to bring to thee this good news. And behold, thou shalt be dumb and unable to speak until the day when these things come to pass, because thou hast not believed my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”

Lesson learned, better to believe in God and/or an angel’s words no matter their content.

But when he did come out from the altar he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them, but he remained dumb.

Now after these days, Elizabeth his wife conceived, and she secluded herself for five months, saying “Thus has the Lord dealt with me in the days when he deigned to take away my reproach among men.”

Translated to mean “God was able to make me fertile!”

Meanwhile back in Galilee…

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And when the angel had come to her, he said “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among woman.” When she had heard him she was troubled at his word, and kept pondering what manner of greeting this might be.

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for thou has found grace with God. Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he shall be king over the house of Jacob (Israel) forever; and of his kingdom, there shall be no end.”

But Mary said to the angel, “How shall this happen, since I do not know men?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee; and therefore the Holy One to be born shall be called the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth thy kinswoman also has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month; for nothing shall be impossible with God.”

But Mary said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word.”

And she entered the house of Zachary and saluted Elizabeth.

That the babe in her (Elizabeth) womb leapt. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and cried out with a loud voice (to Mary), saying “Blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb!”

Mary: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior: because he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaid; for behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name; and his mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him… he has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart… He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of his mercy—even as he spoke to our fathers—to Abraham and to his posterity forever.” And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her own house.

Zachary: “John is his name.” And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosened, and he began to speak, blessing God.

And all who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.

And Zachary his father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and wrought redemption for his people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us, in the house of David his servant, as he promised through the mouth of his holy ones, the prophets from of old; salvation for their enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us, to show mercy to our forefathers and to be mindful of his holy covenant, of the oath that he swore to Abraham our father, that he would grant us, that, delivered from the hand of our enemies, we should serve him without feat, in holiness and justice before him all our days.

To give to his people knowledge of salvation through forgiveness of their sins, because of the loving-kindness of our God wherewith the Orient from on high has visited us, to shine on those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

The Good News: Salvation is for All!

Day 52: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; The Good News: Salvation is for All!

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Gospel of Saint Luke Chapter 1.

Bible Notes:

The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke

Saint Luke, a pagan by birth and a physician by profession, had never seen our Lord. An early convert, he became a companion and co-worker of Saint Paul.

In the first four verses of his Gospel he explains why he wrote it. Paul’s doctrine that salvation is for all, not for Jesus alone, is the theme of Saint Luke’s Gospel.

 

Luke Chapter 1:   Prologue; Zachary and Elizabeth are childless; An angel appears to Zachary; The Annunciation of the Baptist; Zachary doubts and is struck dumb; The people wait for Zachary; Elizabeth conceives; Gabriel speaks to Mary; Annunciation of the Savior; Mary’s question; the angel’s answer; Mary’s acceptance; The visitation; The Magnificat; Birth of the Baptist; Naming the child; The Benedictus.

In as much as many have undertaken to draw up a narrative concerning the things that have been fulfilled among us, even as they who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I have also determined, after following up all things carefully from the very first, to write for thee, most excellent Theophilus, an orderly account, that thou mayest understand the certainty of the words in which thou hast been instructed.

In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a certain priest named Zachary… and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

But they had no son, for Elizabeth was barren; and they were both advanced in years.

At the hour of incense

And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right hand of the altar of incense/ And Zachary, seeing him, was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

Thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son and thou shalt call his name John.

For he shall be great before the Lord, and shall be filled with the Holy spirit even from his mother’s womb.

And he shall himself go before him in the spirit and the power of Elias, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the incredulous to the wisdom of the just; to prepare for the Lord a perfect people.

Zachary said to the angel: How shall I know this?

I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God; and I have been sent to speak to thee and to bring to thee this good news. And behold, thou shalt be dumb and unable to speak until the day when these things come to pass, because thou hast not believed my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.

But when he did come out he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them, but he remained dumb.

Now after these days, Elizabeth his wife conceived, and she secluded herself for five months, saying “Thus has the Lord dealt with me in the days when he deigned to take away my reproach among men.”

Deigned—to think fit or in accordance with one’s dignity; condescend: He would not deign to discuss the matter with us; to condescend to give or grant: He deigned no reply; Obsolete: to condescend to accept.

Reproach—to find fault with (a person, group, etc.); blame; censure; to upbraid; to be a cause of blame or discredit to.

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And when the angel had come to her, he said “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among woman.” When she had heard him she was troubled at his word, and kept pondering what manner of greeting this might be.

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for thou has found grace with God. Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he shall be king over the house of Jacob (Israel) forever; and of his kingdom, there shall be no end.”

But Mary said to the angel, “How shall this happen, since I do not know men?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee; and therefore the Holy One to be born shall be called the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth thy kinswoman also has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month; for nothing shall be impossible with God.”

But Mary said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word.”

And she entered the house of Zachary and saluted Elizabeth.

That the babe in her (Elizabeth) womb leapt. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and cried out with a loud voice (to Mary), saying “Blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb!”

Mary: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior: because he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaid; for behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name; and his mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him… he has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart… He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of his mercy—even as he spoke to our fathers—to Abraham and to his posterity forever.” And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her own house.

Heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they rejoiced with her.

“Not so, but he shall be called John

“There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.”

Zachary: “John is his name.” And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosened, and he began to speak, blessing God.

The hill country of Judea.

And all who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.

And Zachary his father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and wrought redemption for his people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us, in the house of David his servant, as he promised through the mouth of his holy ones, the prophets from of old; salvation for their enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us, to show mercy to our forefathers and to be mindful of his holy covenant, of the oath that he swore to Abraham our father, that he would grant us, that, delivered from the hand of our enemies, we should serve him without feat, in holiness and justice before him all our days.

To give to his people knowledge of salvation through forgiveness of their sins, because of the loving-kindness of our God wherewith the Orient from on high has visited us, to shine on those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

So the Book of Numbers is so called, because it begins with a census of the Hebrew nations. After that it describes their departure from Mount Sinai, their journey to Moab, and gives various rules for distribution of the Promised Land. Maybe it should have just been called Journey?

King Arad the Chanaanite… heard this, to wit, that Israel was come by the way of the spies, he fought against them, and overcoming them he carried off their spoils.

But Israel binding himself by vow to the Lord, said: If thou wilt deliver this people into my hand, I will utterly destroy their cities. And the Lord heard the prayers of Israel, and delivered up the Chanaanite… and they called the name of that place Horma

Aren’t we done, isn’t the Land of Chanaan the Promise Land?

I guess not since they marched from mount Hor, by the way that leadeth to the Red Sea, to compass the land of Edom. They went around Edom because he would not let them pass through his land.

Once again the Israelites question God, pay the price, and repent.

And the people began to be weary of their journey and labor, and speaking against God and Moses they said: Why didst thou bring us out of Egypt, to die in the wilderness? There is no bread, nor have we any waters; our soul now loatheth this very light food.

Wherefore the Lord sent among the people fiery serpents, which bit them and killed many of them.

We have sinned, because we have spoken against the Lord and thee: pray that he may take away these serpents from us.

Isn’t this the cycle of addiction?

What breaks the cycle of addiction?

Moses prayed for the people.

And the Lord said to Moses: Make a brazen serpent, and set it up for a sign; whosoever being struck shall look on it, shall live. Moses therefore made a brazen serpent, and set it up for a sign: which when they that were bitten looked upon, they were healed.

Okay I get that prayer and a Higher Power—God—can free us from our repeated habits of behavior but what is the difference between a golden idol to worship and a brazen serpent sign to look upon and be healed?

Even though the Israelites were victorious in Chanaan they were on the move again: And departing thence they pitched their tents in Jeabarim, in the wilderness, that faceth Moab toward the east. And removing from thence, they came to the torrent Zared, which they left and encamped over against Arnon, which is in the desert and standeth out on the borders of the Amorrhites.

For Arnon is the border of Moab, dividing the Moabites and the Amorrhites. Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the Lord: As he did in the Red Sea, so will he do in the streams of Arnon.

Then Israel sung this song: Let the well spring up.

The book of wars of the Lord?

Israelites singing?

Once again the Israelites were looking for a free pass to cut through the land of Amorrhite on their way back to the Red Sea and Egypt or who knows where?

I beseech thee that I may have leave to pass through thy land… we will go the king’s highway, till we pass thy borders.

And he would not grant that Israel should pass by his borders: but rather gathering an army, went fourth to meet them in the desert… and he was slain by them with the edge of a sword, and they possessed his land from the Arnon unto the Jeboc, and to the confines of the children of Ammon: for the borders of the Ammonites, were kept with a strong garrison.

Are the Amorrhites different than Ammonites?

So Israel dwelt in the land of the Amorrhite.

Victory Number Two but Challenge Number Three coming up!

Og the king of Basan came against them with all his people, to fight in Edrai.

And the Lord said to Moses: Fear him not, for I have delivered him and all his people, and his country into thy hand: and thou shalt do to him as thou did to Sehon the king of the Amorrhites, the inhabitant of Hesebon. So they slew him also with his sons, and all his people, not letting anyone escape, and they possessed his land.

So the Israelites are three-for-three in battle and possessed three lands at one time—Chanaan, Amorrhite, Basan but apparently none were the Promised Land where God was leading them.

Now the next country in the sights of the Israelites was Moab and its leader Balac was frightened: So will this people destroy all that dwell in our borders, as the ox is wont to eat the grass to the very roots. Behold a people is come out of Egypt, that hath covered the face of the earth, sitting over against me.

He asks a soothsayer named Balaam to help him: For I know that he whom thou shalt bless is blessed, and he whom thou shall curse is cursed.

Balaam’s response to Balac: Tarry here this night and I will answer whatsoever the Lord shall say to me. Thou shalt not go with them, nor shalt thou curse the people; because it is blessed.

Not what Balac wanted to hear so he pressed Balaam to curse the Israelites: Delay not to come to me, for I am ready to honor thee, and will give thee whatsoever thou wilt; come and curse this people.

Balaam’s second response reaffirmed the first that the Israelites were blessed by God and not to be harmed: I cannot alter the word of the Lord my God, to speak either more or less.

And here is where we have the talking ass. Mr. Ed’s equivalent in biblical times.

Balaam arose in the morning, and saddling his ass went with them and God was angry. And an angel of the Lord stood in the way against Balaam.

And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said: What have I done to thee? Why strikest thou me, lo, now this third time?

Balaam answered: Because thou hast deserved it, and hast served me ill…

Am not I thy beast, on which thou hast been always accustomed to ride until this present day? Tell me if I ever did the like thing to thee. But he said: Never.

Forthwith, the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam…

Why beatest thou thy ass these three times?

Balaam said: I have sinned, not knowing that thou didst stand against me: and now if it displease thee that I go, I will return.

Lo, here I am: shall I have power to speak any other thing but that which God shall put in my mouth?

Balac and Balaam go back and forth; Balac asking soothsayer to curse Israel for him and the protection of his nation Moab but Balaas speaking with God would not go against God’s Will.

Balac: I sent thee to curse my enemies: and thou contrariwise blesses them.

Balaam: Can I speak anything else but what the Lord commandeth? There is no idol in Jacob (Israel), neither is there an image god to be seen in Israel. The Lord his God is with him, and the sound of the victory of the king in him.

And Balac said to Balaam: Neither curse, not bless them.

Compromise City here but then one more go around to make sure there is no Balac-Balaam deal.

Balac: I called thee to curse my enemies, and thou on the contrary hast blessed them three times.

Balaam: I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to utter any thing of my own head either good or evil: but whatsoever the Lord shall say, that I will speak…

A prophecy from God: A star shall rise out of Jacob (Israel) and a scepter shall spring up from Israel. Out of Jacob (Israel) shall he come that shall rule, and shall destroy the remains of the city. Assur shall take thee captive.

Balaam rose, and returned to his place: Balac also returned the way that he came.

Day 53: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; A Talking Ass and Israel is Victorious Three Times in Battle.

Read and inspired by the Old Testament, The Book of Numbers Chapters 21-25

Bible Notes:

This Book is so called, because it begins with a census of the Hebrew nations.

It describes their departure from Mount Sinai, their journey to Moab, and gives various rules for distribution of the Promised Land.

Numbers Chapter 21: King Arad is overcome; Plague of fiery serpents; People healed by a brazen serpent; The Israelites reach the Arnon; They find a well; The Israelites defeat the Amorrhites; Israel dwells in the land of the Amorrhites; King Og is destroyed.

King Arad the Chanaanite… heard this, to wit, that Israel was come by the way of the spies, he fought against them, and overcoming them he carried off their spoils.

But Israel binding himself by vow to the Lord, said: If thou wilt deliver this people into my hand, I will utterly destroy their cities. And the Lord heard the prayers of Israel, and delivered up the Chanaanite… and they called the name of that place Horma

Land of Chanaan, the Promise Land?

And they marched from mount Hor, by the way that leadeth to the Red Sea, to compass the land of Edom.

And the people began to be weary of their journey and labor, and speaking against God and Moses they said: Why didst thou bring us out of Egypt, to die in the wilderness? There is no bread, nor have we any waters; our soul now loatheth this very light food. Wherefore the Lord sent among the people fiery serpents, which bit them and killed many of them.

We have sinned, because we have spoken against the Lord and thee: pray that he may take away these serpents from us.

And Moses prayed for the people.

And the Lord said to Moses: Make a brazen serpent, and set it up for a sign; whoseever being struck shall look on it, shall live. Moses therefore made a brazen serpent, and set it up for a sign: which when they that were bitten looked upon, they were healed.

Difference between an idol to worship and a brazen serpent sign to be healed?

Brazen—shameless or impudent: brazen presumption; made of brass; like brass, as in sound, color, or strength; to make brazen or bold; brazen out /through, to face boldly or shamelessly: He prefers to brazen it out rather than admit defeat.

And departing thence they pitched their tents in Jeabarim, in the wilderness, that faceth Moab toward the east. And removing from thence, they came to the torrent Zared, which they left and encamped over against Arnon, which is in the desert and standeth out on the borders of the Amorrhites.

For Arnon is the border of Moab, dividing the Moabites and the Amorrhites. Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the Lord: As he did in the Red Sea, so will he do in the streams of Arnon.

Then Israel sung this song: Let the well spring up.

I beseech thee that I may have leave to pass through thy land… we will go the king’s highway, till we pass thy borders.

And he would not grant that Israel should pass by his borders: but rather gathering an army, went fourth to meet them in the desert… and he was slain by them with the edge of a sword, and they possessed his land from the Arnon unto the Jeboc, and to the confines of the children of Ammon: for the borders of the Ammonites, were kept with a strong garrison.

Amorrhites different than Ammonites.

So Israel dwelt in the land of the Amorrhite.

Og the king of Basan came against them with all his people, to fight in Edrai.

And the Lord said to Moses: Fear him not, for I have delivered him and all his people, and his country into thy hand: and thou shalt do to him as thou did to Sehon the king of the Amorrhites, the inhabitant of Hesebon. So they slew him also with his sons, and all his people, not letting anyone escape, and they possessed his land.

Three-for-three: Chanaan, Amorrhite, Basan

Numbers Chapter 22: Balac asks Balaam to curse the Israelites; Balaam refuses to curse the Israelites; Balac’s second message to Balaam; An angel stands in Balaam’s way; Balaam’s ass speaks; The angel rebukes Balaam; Balac shows Balaam the camp of the Israelites.

So will this people destroy all that dwell in our borders, as the ox is wont to eat the grass to the very roots.

Behold a people is come out of Egypt, that hath covered the face of the earth, sitting over against me.

For I know that he whom thou shalt bless is blessed, and he whom thou shall curse is cursed.

Tarry here this night and I will answer whatsoever the Lord shall say to me.

Thou shalt not go with them, nor shalt thou curse the people; because it is blessed.

Delay not to come to me, for I am ready to honor thee, and will give thee whatsoever thou wilt; come and curse this people.

I cannot alter the word of the Lord my God, to speak either more or less.

Balaam arose in the morning, and saddling his ass went with them.

And God was angry. And an angel of the Lord stood in the way against Balaam.

And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said: What have I done to thee? Why strikest thou me, lo, now this third time? Balaam answered: Because thou hast deserved it, and hast served me ill…

Am not I thy beast, on which thou hast been always accustomed to ride until this present day? Tell me if I ever did the like thing to thee. But he said: Never.

Forthwith, the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam…

Why beatest thou thy ass these three times?

Balaam said: I have sinned, not knowing that thou didst stand against me: and now if it displease thee that I go, I will return.

Lo, here I am: shall I have power to speak any other thing but that which God shall put in my mouth?

Numbers Chapter 23: Balac’s Sacrifice; Balaam talks with God; Balaam blesses the Israelites; Balac again asks Balaam to curse Israel; Balaam again blesses Israel; Balac asks Balaam neither to bless nor curse Israel.

And Balaam said to Balac:

Return to Balac, and thus shalt thou speak

And taking up his parable

How shall I curse him, whom God hath not cursed? By what means should I detest hi, whom the Lord detesteth not?

This people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.

Balac: I sent thee to curse my enemies: and thou contrariwise blesses them.

Balaam: Can I speak anything else but what the Lord commandeth?

And when the Lord had met him, and had put the word in his mouth.

God is not a man, that he should lie, nor as the son of man, that he should be changed.

There is no idol in Jacob, neither is there an image god to be seen in Israel. The Lord his God is with him, and the sound of the victory of the king in him.

And Balac said to Balaam: Neither curse, not bless them.’

Numbers Chapter 24: Balaam prophesies prosperity for Israel; Balac’s anger against Balaam; The star of Jacob (Israel); Balaam’s prophecies of doom.

He saw Israel abiding in their tents by their tribes: and the spirit of God rushing upon him, he took up his parable…

For Agag his king shall be removed, and his kingdom shall be taken away.

He that blesseth thee, shall also himself be blessed: he that curseth thee shall be reckoned accursed.

Accursed—under a curse; doomed; ill-fated; damnable; detestable.

I called thee to curse my enemies, and thou on the contrary hast blessed them three times.

I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to utter any thing of my own head either good or evil: but whatsoever the Lord shall say, that I will speak…

A star shall rise out of Jacob (Israel) and a scepter shall spring up from Israel

Out of Jacob (Israel) shall he come that shall rule, and shall destroy the remains of the city

Assur shall take thee captive.

Balaam rose, and returned to his place: Blaca also returned the way that he came.

Sin erupts again in the children of Israel and this time twenty-four thousand pay the price.

And Israel at that time abode in Settin, and the people committed fornication with the daughters of Moab.

Upon which the Lord being angry.

Phinees, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from the midst of the multitude, and taking a dagger, went in after the Israelite into the brothel house, and thrust both of them through together, to wit, the man (Zambri) and the woman (Cozbi) in the genital parts. And the scourge ceased from the children of Israel. And there were slain four and twenty thousand men.

Behold I give him (Phinees) the peace of my covenant, and the covenant on the priesthood for ever shall be both to him and his see, because he hath been zealous for his God, and hath made atonement for the wickedness of the children of Israel.

Let the Madianites find you their enemy, and slay you them, if because they have acted like enemies against you, and have guilefully deceived you by the idol Phogor.

 

Numbers Chapter 25: Immorality and idolatry of Israel; Twenty-four thousand die for their sins; Priesthood given to the seed of Phinees; Zambri and Cozbi; God tells Moses to slay the Madianites.

And Israel at that time abode in Settin, and the people committed fornication with the daughters of Moab.

Upon which the Lord being angry.

Phinees, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from the midst of the multitude, and taking a dagger, went in after the Israelite into the brothel house, and thrust both of them through together, to wit, the man (Zambri) and the woman (Cozbi) in the genital parts. And the scourge ceased from the children of Israel. And there were slain four and twenty thousand men.

Behold I give him (Phinees) the peace of my covenant, and the covenant on the priesthood for ever shall be both to him and his see, because he hath been zealous for his God, and hath made atonement for the wickedness of the children of Israel.

Let the Madianites find you their enemy, and slay you them, if because they have acted like enemies against you, and have guilefully deceived you by the idol Phogor.

Luke’s Gospel is very familiar to me as I am now liking in the sixth decade of my life…

A decree went forth from Cesar Augustus that a census of the whole world should be taken…

And Joseph went from Galilee out of the town of Nazareth into Judea to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem…

Angel said to the shepherds in the fields keeping watch over their flock by night:  “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which shall be to all the people; for today in the town of David a Savior, has been born to you, who is Christ the Lord… Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men of good will.”

The shepherds were saying to one another: “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”

So they went with haste, and they found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. And when they had seen, they understood what had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard marveled at the things told them by the shepherds.

His name was called Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

And his father and mother were marveling at the things spoken concerning him…

And the child grew and became strong. He was full of wisdom and the grace of God was upon him.

And his parents were wont to go every year to Jerusalem at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old… when they were returning, the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem, and his parents did not know…

And it came to pass after three days, that they had found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

“Son, why hast thou done so to us? Behold, in sorrow thy father and I have been seeking thee.”

And the boy Jesus said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?”

And they did not understand the word that he spoke to them.

And neither did I, as every time I read or hear the Word of God, my intellect finds a slightly different or entirely new meaning of it or application to my life—past, present or future.

Christmas songs like ‘What Child is This,’ ‘Silent Night,’ and ‘Hark the Heralded Angels Sing’ come to my mind as I sing “Glory to the Newborn King… and warmth fills my heart not as the excitement of a child waking up on Christmas morning to expectations of toys beneath the tree rather as someone a bit past the midpoint of life knowing for sure that it isn’t about chasing and acquiring anymore but simply being and loving as much as one can in this hectic world.

New passages reveal themselves to me with new meanings as they did to the man named Simeon in Jerusalem: “And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord and he came by inspiration of the Spirit into the temple.”

And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he also received him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word, in peace; because my eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and a glory for thy people Israel.”

And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother: “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and the rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that shall be contradicted. And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Simon was he the prophet and there was also Anna, a prophetess and a widow who never left the temple, with fastings and prayers worshipping night and day. And coming up at that very hour, she began to give praise to the Lord, and spoke of him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

The wait was over for the Babe has been born and is alive today.

I am grateful to have known Christ in my lifetime, to have realized and witnessed His work in me through my parents and His work in them from visiting the home countries of our ancestors. There is a generation growth to the family in terms of spiritual, emotional, mental and physical while being manifested geographically both in the Old Country and the Newest of Countries in the world.

Intertwined in Chapter Two of Luke is Jesus’ mother Mary quietly and humbling taking in this extraordinary experience. Not only of giving birth to a child while still a virgin but to see that baby turn into a child turn into a boy turn into a man.

“But Mary kept in mind all these things, pondering them in her heart…”

“And his mother kept all these things carefully in her heart.”

And Jesus advance in wisdom and age and grace before God and men.

May the love of Jesus advance in me and in you that we grow in wisdom and grace before each other and God.

Do not be afraid… He goes before us always… let’s follow Him and find eternal life.

Jesus, Christ the Lord: A Child Prodigy like None Before or Any After.

Day 54: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; Jesus, Christ the Lord: A Child Prodigy like None Before or Any After.

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Gospel of Saint Luke Chapter 2.

Bible Notes:

The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke

Saint Luke, a pagan by birth and a physician by profession, had never seen our Lord. An early convert, he became a companion and co-worker of Saint Paul.

In the first four verses of his Gospel he explains why he wrote it. Paul’s doctrine that salvation is for all, not for Jesus alone, is the theme of Saint Luke’s Gospel.

 

Luke Chapter 2:  The census decree; The birth of Jesus; An angel appears to the shepherds; The shepherds at the crib; The Circumcision; The Presentation; Simeon’s song; Simeon’s prophecy; Anna, the prophetess; The return to Nazareth; Journey to Jerusalem for the Passover; Jesus found after three days; The return to Nazareth.

A decree went forth from Cesar Augustus that a census of the whole world should be taken…

And Joseph went from Galilee out of the town of Nazareth into Judea to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem…

That the days for her to be delivered were fulfilled

“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which shall be to all the people; for today in the town of David a Savior, has been born to you, who is Christ the Lord… Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men of good will.”

“Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”

But Mary kept in mind all these things, pondering them in her heart…

His name was called Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

According to the Law of Moses

“Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”—and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord and he came by inspiration of the Spirit into the temple.

“Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word, in peace; because my eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and a glory for thy people Israel.”

And his father and mother were marveling at the things spoken concerning him…

“Behold, this child is destined for the fall and the rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that shall be contradicted. And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Anna, a prophetess

And the child grew and became strong. He was full of wisdom and the grace of God was upon him.

And his parents were wont to go every year to Jerusalem at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old… when they returning, the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem, and his parents did not know…

And it came to pass after three days, that they had found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

“Son, why hast thou done so to us? Behold, in sorrow thy father and I have been seeking thee.” And he sad to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?” And they did not understand the word that h spoke to them.

And his mother kept all these things carefully in her heart. And Jesus advance in wisdom and age and grace before God and men.