Do You Have This Promise?

 

Today's Verse is Numbers 10:34

And the cloud of the LORD was upon them by day, when they went out of the camp.

    Israel had a constant proof of God’s presence in their midst, yet did they often complain that He was only leading them to their death, even to the point God granted them their desire. Yet, the Three that defied Nebuchadnezzar, were willing to suffer the death of the fire to remain Loyal to the One True God, and being found with them in the fire, they were delivered. So, too, now, we have this promise: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Therefore, will you walk with Him wherever He leads, till you have finished your course? Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Numbers 8-10

Tomorrow’s reading will be Numbers 11-13

Emphasizing God's Holiness

 

Today's Verse is Numbers 7:1

  And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them; 

    Such is the Holiness of God, that even those things that were dedicated to Him, even before they were made, needed to be sanctified. Lately, I have looked at God’s Holiness, and seen His Grace in allowing us who have been made spotless by the Blood of the Lamb to enter into His Presence boldly. Yet, at no time should we be flippant, nor lacking in Godly Fear, nor without Reverence. Still, though by virtue of what Christ did for us we can call him Abba, Father. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Numbers 7

Tomorrow’s reading will be Numbers 8-10

Restitution!

 

Today's Verse is Numbers 5:7

Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed. 

    I must note, that just preceding this, we have a consequence of God’s Holiness, and I do believe this also stems from that. For true and complete forgiveness, we must consider the injured party and seek to make it right, whatever the price may be. Did not Jesus Christ command: Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Just as God has shown His love to thee [singular for you] so also has he shewn His love for your neighbour. Therefore, even as you seek His forgiveness, seek the forgiveness of any that you may have wronged, that God may be glorified in you, and you in Him, and perhaps also God in your neighbour. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Numbers 5-6

Tomorrow’s reading will be Numbers 7

Looking Again At God's Holiness!

 

Today's Verse is Numbers 3:10

And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest’s office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. 

    Truly, at this point, I am wondering how many times during this time through the Bible, I will be called upon to point out the Holiness of God! I do know though that it cannot be emphasized enough. From the giving of the Law, until Jesus Christ died upon the Cross, only a Priest could enter into the tabernacle, and only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and that only once a year. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Making it so even the stranger (one who previously did not know God) can come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. All of this only by Jesus for some, and others through Jesus, that all that will, can be spared from the Judgment to come. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Numbers 3-4

Monday’s reading will be Numbers 3-4

Looking For And Finding Jesus In God's Word.

 

Today's Verse is Numbers 2:2

Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father’s house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch.

    Some might consider this a stretch, but when I consider how God called His Son out of Egypt, it just might not be. However, about 1500 years after this Caesar Augustus decrees that all the world should be taxed, and all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. Just as Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard. So, we have a picture that Caesar Augustus did not even know he was copying. So, on this Christmas day, let us remember that our God has the heart of every man in his Hands, even as The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water; He turneth it whithersoever he will. And that our God is not willing that any should perish, hating even the death of the Wicked, and the tax that Augustus decreed, heralded the coming of the True King in his role of Redeemer, so that there could be peace and good will toward men from God. So, on this day, will you hear, will you Rejoice, that today we Celebrate the coming of The Lamb of God the First Time, so that all men might find Redemption in Him. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Numbers 1-2

Tomorrow’s reading will be Numbers 3-4

Looking At The Carrot(s) Rather Than The Stick.

 

Today's Verse is Leviticus 26:12

And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people. 

    Often scoffers when considering the redemption that God offers, they only look at the stick they are seeking to escape, mocking God’s offer even because of that stick, never considering the carrots, yes carrots, and not carrot. First obeying God’s command have merit on their own, for they are given for our benefit and not for our hurt. Just as not touching a hot stove, avoids being burnt. Then beyond that, God gives additional benefits, such as our labours not being in vain, but He will provide abundance and safety and valor. Then to top it off, the greatest carrot of them all, we shall have fellowship with God Himself, and He with us. But since it has already been proved that we have strayed, attempted to go our own way, He has given us a path to all these benefits through Jesus Christ. Will you, therefore, Repent and accept His gift of redemption that you may Know the Joy of walking with Him?

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Leviticus 26-27

Tomorrow’s reading will be Numbers 1-2

Personal Property?

 

Today's Verse is Leviticus 25:23

The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me. 

    Whether you are aware of it or not, there is a debate about whether one should have the right to personal property. In the verse above, we see a core principle which gives an answer to this question. Whatsoever you have gained by legitimate means, that is by Godly means, you have been received from God, and you owe him the stewardship thereof. For consider the land that Israel (at the time this writing, was to receive) possessed. Each family was to retain the possession of it, they were not to sale it, but provision was made that they could rent or lease it. So that they were to WORK the land, and from it reap the rewards of their labour, and from that they were to first give back to the Lord, provide for their families, and then if they so choose, they could then help their neighbour. Not to forget the law of the gleanings. So, being content with what God has given you, what will you do with it? Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Leviticus 24-25

Tomorrow’s reading will be Leviticus 26-27

Remember, GOD IS HOLY!

 

Today's Verse is Leviticus 22:2

Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, and that they profane not my holy name in those things which they hallow unto me: I am the LORD. 

    Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. While I am not speaking of the things Peter is emphasizing here. [Search them out.] The need to emphasize what God is telling Aaron and remember it, never to neglect it cannot be stressed enough. GOD IS HOLY, and as we come to Him, we must always be mindful of this. In fact, he is so HOLY, that we must come to Him by the means that He has prepared, and not by any means of our own merits. But if you come by and though Jesus Christ, we have an invitation to come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. So, will you come? Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Leviticus 22-23

Tomorrow’s reading will be Leviticus 24-25

Give No Respect Of Persons In Judgment.

 

Today's Verse is Leviticus 19:15

Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. 

    Consider this, whether one is poor or rich, oppressed or the oppressor, none this makes them right! But we know God the Judge, and has he not already pronounced us all condemned? Therefore, when a matter is put before us, make no Judgment until we have received all the evidence we can, knowing that all lie, but in God we can know the Truth. And in Him we can also find both Grace and Mercy, even as He has taken our sin upon Himself, that we in Him might be declared Righteous, even as He is Righteous. Amen

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Leviticus 19-21

Monday’s reading will be Leviticus 22-23

The Place Of Sacrifice.

 

Today's Verse is Leviticus 17:9

And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer it unto the LORD; even that man shall be cut off from among his people.

    First, we must acknowledge that today, we are to worship God in spirit and in truth, and there be some who would take this to say that they need not assemble with the Church, but they can go off on their own to worship God. Yet, the principle of that Idea is here condemned. While it is true that we are to worship God always, neither are we to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, for here we find that our sacrifices are not to be private but public, and today we are to present ourselves a living sacrifice. Do we not shortly after that find we all have been given gifts according to our office in the body, even the body of Christ the Church? And in another place, we find we are to use these gifts to the edification of the Church and not ourselves. Therefore, let us that are faithful, who have found God Faithful met with the brethren that we might encourage them, even as we see that day approaching. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Leviticus 16-18

Tomorrow’s reading will be Leviticus 19-21

The Cleansing Process

 

Today's Verse is Leviticus 14:2

This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought unto the priest: 

    Today, we are speaking of types. Leprosy, by God has been set as the example of how vile sin is to him, and how it damages everything it touches. However, regardless, he has set up a ceremony to picture the Work Christ has done on the Cross for the sinner who has come to him for cleansing. Not speaking in particulars, the redemption is not costless, nor does it happen overnight, but it is a process. Even as we have learned that once we come to Jesus Christ, he begins His work in us and does not finish until the day of Jesus Christ. Therefore, as Vile as the Lord has seen each of us in our sin, yet he sent his Son Jesus to take our place, that if we confess our sin unto him, he will cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Recently I looked at a Prayer by Moses confessing the sin of Israel with no apparent repentance associated with it. But when we come to God about our sin, we must expect that when he receives us, he will deal with our sin and begin to change us that we will then be pleasing unto him. And so, being pronounced Clean, we shall be clean indeed. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Leviticus 14-15

Tomorrow’s reading will be Leviticus 16-18

Be Holy, For God Is Holy

 

Today's Verse is Leviticus 11:44

For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 

    Since we have been cleared of this portion of the Law, both by Leadership: Wherefore my [James, Pastor at Jerusalem] sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: . . . and again by Divine Pronouncement through Paul: Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; . . . Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days[.] what can we take away from this passage knowing that All scripture is given by God, and is profitable for doctrine . . . In the verse above we find the Key. Has not Peter repeated the command: Be ye holy; for I am holy? That is be separate from the world even as God is. Take care in the things that you allow to influence you, as John put it Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world, have we not been told that they will perish? Therefore, let us seek out the things of God, and draw closer to Him, regardless of our neighbor, for did He not promise that if we draw nigh to Him, He will draw nigh to us? Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Leviticus 11-13

Tomorrow’s reading will be Leviticus 14-15

The Necessity Of God's Action In Redemption.

 

Today's Verse is Leviticus 9:24

And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

    God had commanded the Children of Israel to prepare a sacrifice in a particular way, (which they did) so that they might have the presence of the Lord. This they did and as God had promised he made himself known. But take note, it was God that started the fire of this sacrifice that was to please him. (Later Elijah would take note of this for his demonstration on Mt. Carmel. This is also a clue toward understanding what this meaneth: I would rather have Mercy rather than sacrifice.) For without God’s help, it is impossible that we should please him, therefore we must come to him on his terms and not our own. And now, as always, we must come to him through Jesus Christ and his Cross believing that God had raised him from the dead, even as this sacrifice pictures in part. Will you come to him that he might mold you into an image of his Son, even as he has promised? Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Leviticus 8-10

Tomorrow’s reading will be Leviticus 11-13

The Necessity Of Bearing Witness.

 

Today's Verse is Leviticus 5:1

And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity. 

    It is amazing how the morality of man can so contradict that which God has ordained. As we see here, staying quiet and refusing to give testimony, we can be found guilty as an accomplice. Whereas often today it is counted a transgression to speak of another’s wrongdoing. Now, one might say, this is only in regard to one speaking an oath. Yet, in another place we are admonished: Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. Again, one might say, charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Does not James tell us how? Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. Therefore, let us seek first repentance in ourselves, and then in our neighbour, paying restitution where necessary, that all that will, may be clear in the Day we must give an account of all. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Leviticus 5-7

Monday’s reading will be Leviticus 8-10

Presenting The Best

 

Today's Verse is Leviticus 3:1

If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD. 

    Before I begin, it must be noted that the sacrifices mentioned here are not compulsory, but must be made of devotion, and of a willing heart. But what we bring must meet the requirements of a Holy God, and what we bring must be not just our best but without blemish. This is but just one reason why God would rather have mercy than sacrifice, because more often than not our best is not good enough. Yet, even so, now we that have received God’s Gift through Jesus Christ, have also received his Spirit who works in us, and all that he does through us is always pleasing to a Righteous and Holy God. So when you come to God, will you bring the Best His Spirit has to offer? Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Leviticus 1-4

Tomorrow’s reading will be Leviticus 5-7

God Takes Up Residence!

 

Today's Verse is Exodus 40:34

Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 

    The Lord God has accepted the invitation of the children of Israel (after much prompting from him) and has chosen a place where His Name would be known. He did again when Solomon completed the Temple and will again in Heaven as he completes His claim of Sovereignty over the earth, but now He has chosen to dwell with those that worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. For every one who confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord, and believes in his heart that Christ has risen from the dead will receive from God the Spirit of Christ to dwell within him with this promise: In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise; Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Does His Spirit even now testify to you that you are His, and that you have the Son of God? Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Exodus 39-40

Tomorrow’s reading will be Leviticus 1-4

Endeavor To Be Excellent To God's Glory

 

Today's Verse is Exodus 36:1

Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD had commanded. 

    In the following account ending with Moses examination: And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the Lord had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them. We find a detailed description of the work that was done to build the Tabernacle and the furniture contained in it. And I have no doubt, that one that has knowledge of such things could even add further detail, yet what was given, was given to shew the attention to detail needed when we put our hand to a task, whether it is for the Lord, or even when it is not. For have we not later received the command: Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; and again, whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; and again, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Exodus 36-38

Tomorrow’s reading will be Exodus 39-40

Are You God's Treasure?

 

Today's Verse is Exodus 34:9

And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance. 

    Throughout the Old Testament we see God accuse the Children of Israel of being Stiff-necked. That is to say: Stubborn. Here I see Moses confess this very thing, yet is there Repentance here? If there is, I personally do not see it, yet Moses asks to be pardoned, and takes a step further and asks God to receive Israel has his special treasure. And the testimony throughout Scripture is that he has. Now, he has expanded his offer to include all that will come to him through Jesus Christ our Lord, and for each of us that does to meditate on the significance on what it is to be God’s inheritance (Treasure:) and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints[.] Will you, as Israel did, accept his invitation? Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Exodus 33-35

Tomorrow’s reading will be Exodus 36-38

A Personal Relationship.

 

Today's Verse is Exodus 30:6

And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee. 

    This is the second, Yea, even the third time that God told Moses that he would speak to him, at a specific place, the second allows for all the congregation to join in. Is this a reference to Moses being special? Only in part, because the primary focus is not on Moses, but the exclusive way we are to come to God. Then we were to come to God through the mercy seat (a type of Christ) and so even now are we to come to God through an exclusive means, even by Christ through belief in the Work He did on the Cross, and His Resurrection which sealed his authority to do so. Now, notice God when speaking to Moses said not “you” but “thee” speaking of Moses in particular, the same when speaking of the congregation of which God had given the conditions by which He would meet them [you,] to speak there unto thee. Notice the personal communication. So too now, God wants a personal relationship with you [thee.] Will you come and learn of Him now? Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Exodus 30-32

Monday’s reading will be Exodus 33-35

Discerning When Not To Push.

 

Today's Verse is Exodus 29:33

And they shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat thereof, because they are holy. 

    Paul has taught us that the command, “Thou shalt not muzzle the ox,” is given as a picture for us to understand that the labour is worthy of his hire. Allow me to apply the same method of understanding here. We know that the sacrifice for the atonement is a picture of the Sacrifice Christ made for us, and that as the Priests were to eat of this, even so has Christ invited us to “eat of his flesh, and to drink of his blood” Of which we are to understand these things are a picture of reading with diligence his Word, but not just reading, but taking those things which we understand and again with diligence apply them to our lives. And lastly allow me to define a stranger as one that has no desire to know him who died for us. Do we not have an understanding of why Jesus Christ spoke in parables? That it was to hide the Truth from those who would not receive it. And does not Paul explain to us that it is only by the Spirit of God that we can understand the Word of God? Therefore, even as we must Preach the Gospel to every creature, so also must we discern when it is time to refrain. For even as Christ drew all men unto himself by the Crucifixion, so has he given all men the responsibility to choose for themselves life or death. So, let each to his choice. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Exodus 28-29

Tomorrow’s reading will be Exodus 30-32

The Promise Of Personal Access To God.

 

Today's Verse is Exodus 25:22

And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

    God has here promised Moses access to the mercy seat, where once a year the shed blood of a lamb is placed for the atonement of Israel, that Moses may receive the commandments that he was to pass on to the people. This promise is shortly extended to the Congregation which meets before the Lord, where he will speak to each present personally (some would say that only applied to Moses.) But now that when Christ suffered the death of the Cross, he tore the Veil from the top to the bottom, allowing each of us who have found redemption in him Access to the Father, so that we can come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in the time of need. Will you accept this invitation? Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Exodus 25-27

Tomorrow’s reading will be Exodus 28-29

Growing Or Stumbling?

 

Today's Verse is Exodus 23:29

I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee. 

    Mercy takes it form in many different ways. Here we see God purposing to sparing some of the current inhabitants of the land, that they many labour (even for their own benefit) to keep the land tame (Those that worship the earth: Take Note.) However, later we see God slaying (by Israel’s hand) Sihon, and Og and the nations they rule of which it is said, For his mercy endureth for ever. But later, this same forbearance was changed because of Israel’s disobedience from a blessing to a curse, and these that knew not God became a snare unto Israel to see whether or not Israel would remain faithful. They did not! So, what can we learn from this? Those things that God winked at when we first believed but later gave us grace to overcome as we grow both in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, lest we build again those things which we destroyed and frustrate the grace of God. For what fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? Therefore, let us, that Know Jesus Christ yield ourselves to him, that he might be seen in us, to the Glory of God the Father. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Exodus 22-24

Tomorrow’s reading will be Exodus 25-27

Seeing God Keep His Promise

 

Today's Verse is Exodus 19:4

Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. 

    As we have seen in Psalms, so too here we have a call to remember what God has done. For the Israelites, we have an example of what Paul has described in Romans: And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And Patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearth by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. And so, Israel readily agreed to God’s invitation, even though many times afterward we have seen them stumble, and seeing God deal with each of those we can take what Paul further proclaimed to heart: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. For what we have seen God promise, time and again we see he has kept those promises faithfully that we can conclude that by two immutable things we have hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began[.] Will you take God at his Word, and receive the Gift he has prepared through Jesus Christ, to Repent of your sin and be changed by the Power of his Spirit? Amen.

To God be the Glory

Scott

Today’s reading is Exodus 19-21

Tomorrow’s reading will be Exodus 22-24