Numbers 26

WEEK   13                                        Numbers 26

TUESDAY  Reflections

Once again we come to a chapter that some might like to skip. Yet even here there are gems for those who aren’t fascinated by how large Israel was. The gem for me was found in verses 8-11.

 

Korah leads a rebellion against Moses and Aaron. From what you read, you could assume all of his family was destroyed (Numbers 16). The rest of the story is some of the sons of Korah didn’t participate in their father’s rebellion. They survived because they separated themselves from the actions of their father.

 

This brings hope to those whose families have been less than honorable. Not only were they saved but even in this study, we have heard from them again. In Psalms, the sons of Korah are part of the Levitical choir. Some of their songs are some of our favorites (Psalms 42.44-49, 84, 85, 87, 88).

 

This also is a reminder not to discount the children of scoundrels. Contrary to what many say, sometimes the apple really does fall a long way from the tree.

Num 26:1-65
(1)  And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,
(2)  Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers' house, all that are able to go to war in Israel.
(3)  And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,
(4)  Take the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward; as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt.
(5)  Reuben, the eldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben; Hanoch, of whom cometh the family of the Hanochites: of Pallu, the family of the Palluites:
(6)  Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites.
(7)  These are the families of the Reubenites: and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty.
(8)  And the sons of Pallu; Eliab.
(9)  And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD:
(10)  And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign.
(11)  Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not.
(12)  The sons of Simeon after their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites: of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites: of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites:
(13)  Of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites: of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites.
(14)  These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred.
(15)  The children of Gad after their families: of Zephon, the family of the Zephonites: of Haggi, the family of the Haggites: of Shuni, the family of the Shunites:
(16)  Of Ozni, the family of the Oznites: of Eri, the family of the Erites:
(17)  Of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites.
(18)  These are the families of the children of Gad according to those that were numbered of them, forty thousand and five hundred.
(19)  The sons of Judah were Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan.
(20)  And the sons of Judah after their families were; of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites: of Pharez, the family of the Pharzites: of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites.
(21)  And the sons of Pharez were; of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites.
(22)  These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred.
(23)  Of the sons of Issachar after their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites: of Pua, the family of the Punites:
(24)  Of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites: of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites.
(25)  These are the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and four thousand and three hundred.
(26)  Of the sons of Zebulun after their families: of Sered, the family of the Sardites: of Elon, the family of the Elonites: of Jahleel, the family of the Jahleelites.
(27)  These are the families of the Zebulunites according to those that were numbered of them, threescore thousand and five hundred.
(28)  The sons of Joseph after their families were Manasseh and Ephraim.
(29)  Of the sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites: and Machir begat Gilead: of Gilead come the family of the Gileadites.
(30)  These are the sons of Gilead: of Jeezer, the family of the Jeezerites: of Helek, the family of the Helekites:
(31)  And of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites: and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites:
(32)  And of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites: and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites.
(33)  And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
(34)  These are the families of Manasseh, and those that were numbered of them, fifty and two thousand and seven hundred.
(35)  These are the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthalhites: of Becher, the family of the Bachrites: of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites.
(36)  And these are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites.
(37)  These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those that were numbered of them, thirty and two thousand and five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph after their families.
(38)  The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites: of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites: of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites:
(39)  Of Shupham, the family of the Shuphamites: of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites.
(40)  And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites: and of Naaman, the family of the Naamites.
(41)  These are the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and six hundred.
(42)  These are the sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan after their families.
(43)  All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were numbered of them, were threescore and four thousand and four hundred.
(44)  Of the children of Asher after their families: of Jimna, the family of the Jimnites: of Jesui, the family of the Jesuites: of Beriah, the family of the Beriites.
(45)  Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the family of the Heberites: of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites.
(46)  And the name of the daughter of Asher was Sarah.
(47)  These are the families of the sons of Asher according to those that were numbered of them; who were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.
(48)  Of the sons of Naphtali after their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites: of Guni, the family of the Gunites:
(49)  Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites.
(50)  These are the families of Naphtali according to their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and four hundred.
(51)  These were the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.
(52)  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
(53)  Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names.
(54)  To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance: to every one shall his inheritance be given according to those that were numbered of him.
(55)  Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.
(56)  According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few.
(57)  And these are they that were numbered of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites: of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites: of Merari, the family of the Merarites.
(58)  These are the families of the Levites: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, the family of the Korathites. And Kohath begat Amram.
(59)  And the name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.
(60)  And unto Aaron was born Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
(61)  And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD.
(62)  And those that were numbered of them were twenty and three thousand, all males from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel.
(63)  These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho.
(64)  But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.
(65)  For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

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Numbers 25

WEEK   13                                      Numbers 25   

MONDAY  Reflections

Balaam’s work is done in Chapter 24, yet as we read in Revelations 2:14 the idea to have the daughters of Moab entice the people of Israel came from Balaam. Many scholars believe that though it is not recorded here in Numbers (though there are non-Biblical references to it) Balaam gave to King Balak exactly what he wanted, a way to destroy Israel. The way was to cause the people of Israel to sin.

 

The rest of the story is amazing. Someone continues to sin, even in the middle of God's plague and Moses killing the disobedient. They didn't only sin, they were doing it in a way to make it clear to everyone what was happening. What was he thinking? I have no idea, but the blatant act shows no hint of repentance so it is hard to feel pity for them.

 

However, we see Balaam choosing to help Israel's enemies in spite of all that God did, and here in this story, a man choosing to do what he knew was wrong even as others were being punished for it. It is a reminder that people who should see the truth can still choose wrong. 

My prayer is that we always see the truth and obey it.

Num 25:1-18

(1)  And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.

(2)  And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.

(3)  And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.

(4)  And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel.

(5)  And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.

(6)  And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

(7)  And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand;

(8)  And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.

(9)  And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.

(10)  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

(11)  Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy.

(12)  Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:

(13)  And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.

(14)  Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites.

(15)  And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian.

(16)  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

(17)  Vex the Midianites, and smite them:

(18)  For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake.

Isaiah 63

WEEK   12                                           Isaiah 63

SATURDAY  Reflections

The beginning of this chapter is another promise that God will cause his enemies to fall. However, verse 17 might seem hard to understand.. I like what Barns Notes of the Bible says “O Lord, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways? - Lowth and Noyes render this, 'Why dost thou suffer us to wander from thy way?' Calvin (John Calvin) remarks on the passage, 'The prophet uses a common form of speaking, for it is usual in the Scriptures to say that God gives the wicked over to a reprobate mind, and hardens their hearts. But when the pious thus speak, they do not intend to make God the author of error or sin, as if they were innocent… or to take away their own blameworthiness. But they rather look deeper, and confess themselves, by their own fault, to be alienated from God, and destitute of his Spirit; and hence it happens that they are precipitated into all manner of evils. God is said to harden and blind when He delivers those who are to be blinded to Satan … who is the minister and the executor of His wrath. This seems to be a fair account of this difficult subject.” (Barnes, 2019) I agree with Banes, Calvin has this one right. 

Isa 63:1-19
(1)  Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
(2)  Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?
(3)  I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
(4)  For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.
(5)  And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.
(6)  And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.
(7)  I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.
(8)  For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.
(9)  In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.
(10)  But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.
(11)  Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?
(12)  That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?
(13)  That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble?
(14)  As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.
(15)  Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?
(16)  Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.
(17)  O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.
(18)  The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.
(19)  We are thine: thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy name.

Numbers 24

WEEK   12                                          Numbers 24

FRIDAY  Reflections

"If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?"(verse 13). If these would have been Balaam's final words then all would have ended well for him, but as we will see in the next chapter they weren't.

These words are correct. If Balak had really listened to all that Balaam had prophesied, but he didn't. In the prophecy, God told Balaam how he could be blessed. God through Balaam told Balak if he would bless Israel God would bless him. Balak either didn't hear it or refused to consider it. The answer for him was right there in the middle of Balaam's words Balak's determination to see Israel cursed refused to allow him to find a blessing for him and his people. When we consider history, hate has always blinded people from better options.

Num 24:1-25
(1)  And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
(2)  And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.
(3)  And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
(4)  He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:
(5)  How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!
(6)  As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.
(7)  He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.
(8)  God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.
(9)  He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.
(10)  And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.
(11)  Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.
(12)  And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,
(13)  If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?
(14)  And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.
(15)  And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
(16)  He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:
(17)  I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
(18)  And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.
(19)  Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.
(20)  And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.
(21)  And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.
(22)  Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.
(23)  And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!
(24)  And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.
(25)  And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.

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Mark 12

WEEK   12                                            Mark 12

THURSDAY  Reflections

One honest question and one honest response.

At the end of the teaching of Jesus and the religious leaders attempts to entrap him comes one honest question. "And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?"(verse 28).

This scribe from what we read didn't have any ulterior motive, he sees Jesus answered well and asked an honest question. It was a good one. There were so many regulations in the Law of Moses and additions made by the religious leaders over the years one could easily get distracted.

What I find so interesting is the scribe's response. It reads as if he had an epiphany when he says the commands Jesus mentioned "is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." What makes this so amazing was they were standing in Jerusalem the home of the temple and of all the Jewish sacrificial system. At this place he recognizes they aren't that important, obedience is what matters not trying to make up for it after being disobedient. Jesus encourages the man and tells him he's almost got it all.

I think there is much we can learn here. Yes, forgiveness is important and vital since we all have sinned, but what comes after that is also important. God doesn't want us just to live from sin to sin asking forgiveness on the way, but He wants us to live in love and by living there we will keep the law.

Mar 12:1-44
(1)  And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.
(2)  And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.
(3)  And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.
(4)  And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled.
(5)  And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.
(6)  Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.
(7)  But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.
(8)  And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.
(9)  What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.
(10)  And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:
(11)  This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
(12)  And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.
(13)  And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.
(14)  And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
(15)  Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.
(16)  And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's.
(17)  And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.
(18)  Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,
(19)  Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
(20)  Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.
(21)  And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.
(22)  And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.
(23)  In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.
(24)  And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?
(25)  For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.
(26)  And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
(27)  He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.
(28)  And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
(29)  And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
(30)  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
(31)  And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
(32)  And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
(33)  And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
(34)  And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
(35)  And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David?
(36)  For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
(37)  David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.
(38)  And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
(39)  And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
(40)  Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
(41)  And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
(42)  And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
(43)  And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
(44)  For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Psalm 49

WEEK   13                                             Psalm 49

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

The sons of Korah recognize that riches can’t give you life forever. Even with the best healthcare money can buy, death comes for everyone. The very thing which can usually give some security in this life, wealth, can do nothing when life is over.

Death is also the fate of everyone who trusts in themselves. It is also the fate for their followers. This reminds us people can’t save us.

There is hope. The sons of Korah acknowledge this in verse 15. “But God will redeem my life from the grave; He will surely take me to himself” (NIV). So don’t be impressed with these people or those who are wealthy. There is hope and that hope is found in God alone.

Side note: I did not plan for a Psalm from the sons of Korah to follow yesterday’s devotion. I will place this as a happy coincidence, or maybe God?

Psa 49:1-20

(1)  To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:

(2)  Both low and high, rich and poor, together.

(3)  My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

(4)  I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.

(5)  Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?

(6)  They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

(7)  None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:

(8)  (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)

(9)  That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.

(10)  For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.

(11)  Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.

(12)  Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.

(13)  This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.

(14)  Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.

(15)  But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.

(16)  Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;

(17)  For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.

(18)  Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.

(19)  He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.

(20)  Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.

Photo by eddie howell on Unsplash