Psalm 55

WEEK  17                                               Psalm 55

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

This psalm cries out to God for deliverance and ends with faith that God is a God of justice. Along with a good many other Psalms, this carries the heart cry of those in trouble. I have especially related to verse six where David says, "Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." Yet, as the Psalm unfolds David's complaint is replaced by faith in his God.

 

This psalm reminds me again that God is not disturbed by our cries for help. He doesn't chide David nor any of the psalmists for their moments of doubt and times of complaints. Yet as we remember who God is our complaints are replaced with faith.

Psa 55:1-23
(1)  To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.
(2)  Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;
(3)  Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.
(4)  My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
(5)  Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
(6)  And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
(7)  Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
(8)  I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.
(9)  Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
(10)  Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
(11)  Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.
(12)  For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
(13)  But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
(14)  We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
(15)  Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
(16)  As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
(17)  Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
(18)  He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
(19)  God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.
(20)  He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.
(21)  The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
(22)  Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
(23)  But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

Numbers 35

WEEK    16                                        Numbers 35

TUESDAY  Reflections

I have often noted that people look at the Old Testament Law as being overly harsh. In the New Testament, the religious leaders had in fact added quite a number of new regulations to what God intended. So much so that almost no one could even come close to obeying them. However, in its day the Law was one of the most revolutionary methods of organizing a society. It offered methods to resolve debts, gave opportunities for the poor to survive, and had a way to reset wealth (the year of Jubilee). There was the religious side, which called for those who refused to serve God to be cast out of the nation or put to death (this is the area most have trouble with today) but considering they were supposed to represent God's people it was understandable (a church member who is a reprobate or an atheist is just as out of place, though we wouldn't kill them we would remove them from the membership role). However, today I want to look at one of God's unique methods of justice, the cities of refuge.

The city of refuge offers a place for those who had accidentally killed a person to go and receive protection. There were several scattered across the nation giving the accused a greater chance of being saved. The city was a place of safety from the family who lost their loved one. The congregation would judge the case and if they found the person had committed murder then the person was killed, but if not the person was not put to death. The one caveat was the person had to stay in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest.

One can try to guess, why an innocent person had to stay in the city and not allow to go home. However, my own guess is there was a two-fold reason. The first is for the family who realizes that the person did commit murder but there wasn't enough evidence to convict the person. This would give the family a sense of justice. The second is to acknowledge that human life is worth something, and even a life take accidentally costs society. There is a price that society pays when a human is lost before its time. In other situations, God required even accidental losses to be reimbursed but how do you do that in the case of human life? The answer is what He did, requiring they stay in the city of refuge. There is a feeling of fairness about it, though I will have to admit if you were the person having to live out possible the rest of your life there, it may not seem so. However, at that place, you did have the freedom and you couldn't be killed.  

I think it shows the justice and, if I could use the term, fairness of God. It's something to think about.

Num 35:1-34
(1)  And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,
(2)  Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.
(3)  And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts.
(4)  And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about.
(5)  And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.
(6)  And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities.
(7)  So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with their suburbs.
(8)  And the cities which ye shall give shall be of the possession of the children of Israel: from them that have many ye shall give many; but from them that have few ye shall give few: every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites according to his inheritance which he inheriteth.
(9)  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
(10)  Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan;
(11)  Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.
(12)  And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.
(13)  And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge.
(14)  Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.
(15)  These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.
(16)  And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
(17)  And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
(18)  Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
(19)  The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.
(20)  But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;
(21)  Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.
(22)  But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait,
(23)  Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm:
(24)  Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments:
(25)  And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.
(26)  But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled;
(27)  And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood:
(28)  Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession.
(29)  So these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
(30)  Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.
(31)  Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.
(32)  And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest.
(33)  So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.
(34)  Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.

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Proverbs 13

WEEK  16                                             

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

In the New Testament James says that the tongue is the thing that gets people into all kinds of trouble (James 3:1-12). However, we find this truth first pointed out here in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 13:2-3 is one of several places where the writer of Proverbs points out the dangers of the mouth (tongue/lips). Our words are powerful things if controlled they bring life, misused brings disaster.

To put it another way, be mindful of the words you speak because you never know which words you might have to eat.

Pro 13:1-25
(1)  A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
(2)  A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
(3)  He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
(4)  The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
(5)  A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
(6)  Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
(7)  There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
(8)  The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
(9)  The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
(10)  Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
(11)  Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
(12)  Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
(13)  Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
(14)  The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
(15)  Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
(16)  Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
(17)  A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
(18)  Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
(19)  The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
(20)  He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
(21)  Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.
(22)  A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
(23)  Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
(24)  He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
(25)  The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.

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Numbers 34

WEEK  16                                            Numbers 34

MONDAY  Reflections

In the back of many Bibles you can often find maps that may give you a picture of how people dispersed across the land. This is another portion of scripture many Christians just glance over. However, as I have said before, they are vital for a deeper study of scripture. Think of it as studying the revolutionary war, you can have a written history of the battlegrounds, but when you see it on a map and who surrounded them, it can add real depth to your study. It can also explain why some tribes worked closer together than others. 

 

God gave the large tracks of land to the tribes. I notice the land the families in the tribes received was not commanded by God but entrusted to the leaders of the tribes. God often lets men assist in His work. God has given men intelligence, abilities, and imagination to be used in His plan. God gave the detail work to responsible men. Could God have listed the locations for every tribe? Yes, but God allowed men to join Him in His work. What an awesome privilege. It is a privilege we enjoy even today.

Num 34:1-29
(1)  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
(2)  Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land of Canaan; (this is the land that shall fall unto you for an inheritance, even the land of Canaan with the coasts thereof:)
(3)  Then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the coast of Edom, and your south border shall be the outmost coast of the salt sea eastward:
(4)  And your border shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass on to Zin: and the going forth thereof shall be from the south to Kadeshbarnea, and shall go on to Hazaraddar, and pass on to Azmon:
(5)  And the border shall fetch a compass from Azmon unto the river of Egypt, and the goings out of it shall be at the sea.
(6)  And as for the western border, ye shall even have the great sea for a border: this shall be your west border.
(7)  And this shall be your north border: from the great sea ye shall point out for you mount Hor:
(8)  From mount Hor ye shall point out your border unto the entrance of Hamath; and the goings forth of the border shall be to Zedad:
(9)  And the border shall go on to Ziphron, and the goings out of it shall be at Hazarenan: this shall be your north border.
(10)  And ye shall point out your east border from Hazarenan to Shepham:
(11)  And the coast shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall descend, and shall reach unto the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward:
(12)  And the border shall go down to Jordan, and the goings out of it shall be at the salt sea: this shall be your land with the coasts thereof round about.
(13)  And Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying, This is the land which ye shall inherit by lot, which the LORD commanded to give unto the nine tribes, and to the half tribe:
(14)  For the tribe of the children of Reuben according to the house of their fathers, and the tribe of the children of Gad according to the house of their fathers, have received their inheritance; and half the tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance:
(15)  The two tribes and the half tribe have received their inheritance on this side Jordan near Jericho eastward, toward the sunrising.
(16)  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
(17)  These are the names of the men which shall divide the land unto you: Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun.
(18)  And ye shall take one prince of every tribe, to divide the land by inheritance.
(19)  And the names of the men are these: Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
(20)  And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud.
(21)  Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon.
(22)  And the prince of the tribe of the children of Dan, Bukki the son of Jogli.
(23)  The prince of the children of Joseph, for the tribe of the children of Manasseh, Hanniel the son of Ephod.
(24)  And the prince of the tribe of the children of Ephraim, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan.
(25)  And the prince of the tribe of the children of Zebulun, Elizaphan the son of Parnach.
(26)  And the prince of the tribe of the children of Issachar, Paltiel the son of Azzan.
(27)  And the prince of the tribe of the children of Asher, Ahihud the son of Shelomi.
(28)  And the prince of the tribe of the children of Naphtali, Pedahel the son of Ammihud.
(29)  These are they whom the LORD commanded to divide the inheritance unto the children of Israel in the land of Canaan.

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Isaiah 66

WEEK  15                                          Isaiah 66 

SATURDAY  Reflections

I find it amazing that in many ways Isaiah ends the same way Revelations ends: God enthroned with His people from every nation in a new heaven and earth and the rebellious in torment and judgment. It reminds me as one preacher said, "There's heaven and hell and you can't miss both of them."

Coming to the end Isaiah we are reminded the old preacher was right. We might not like it. We might not think it is fair. We might wish it just wasn't so, but it is. There are only two choices right or wrong, God or yourself, heaven or hell.

Choose wisely.


Isa 66:1-24
(1)  Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
(2)  For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
(3)  He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
(4)  I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.
(5)  Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
(6)  A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies.
(7)  Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.
(8)  Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
(9)  Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.
(10)  Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:
(11)  That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.
(12)  For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.
(13)  As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
(14)  And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.
(15)  For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
(16)  For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
(17)  They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.
(18)  For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
(19)  And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
(20)  And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.
(21)  And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.
(22)  For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.
(23)  And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.

(24)  And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.