Creating, collecting, and sharing thoughts and ideas. And learning along the way.
“… let me count the ways…”
LEVITICUS 1:1-3:17 | MARK 1:29-2:12 | PSALM 35:17-28 | PROVERBS 9:13-18
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We enter the book of Leviticus, the third book of the Pentateuch authored by Moses, and find a long set of very specific instructions on how to present offerings to the Lord. And there are a variety of them: burnt offerings, grain offerings, and fellowship offerings with the herd, the flock, and the fowl. And then they’re all kinds of instructions for the baked or pan-fried grain offerings. There is no dearth to the many rules we will soon learn about.
Turning next to our reading in the book of Mark we continue with observing Jesus’ ministry in and around the region of Galilee. Healing every physical infirmity, and every mental illness such as demon-possession, feeding the people, preaching everywhere he went, Jesus soon attracted the attention of the teachers and elders of the Temple. Blasphemy, they said. They were not so taken aback by the miracles being performed as they were with Jesus’ message.
Next, we turn to the Psalms, and find David, the great Psalmist, crying out in his distress during what must have been a rough time in his life. He is confident that God is mindful of all the injustice and lies that have been levied on him, and he also knows that God will go before him to fight every battle for him. He says:
27 May those who delight in my vindication
shout for joy and gladness;
may they always say, “The LORD be exalted,
who delights in the well-being of his servant.”
28 My tongue will proclaim your righteousness,
your praises all day long.
Finally, turning to Proverbs, we find Solomon, wise king of Israel, speaking of Folly that he calls an “unruly woman,” who cries out these words to passersby:
17 “Stolen water is sweet;
food eaten in secret is delicious!”
18 But little do they know that the dead are there,
that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.
May God bless the reading and reflection of His Word. Amen.
For My Firstborn on Her Birthday: Phenomenal in Every Way
Gupshup Mumphalli: Let the Evening Begin!
“Mommy, I’m never happier than when you’re back!”
February: Flying By!
EXODUS 39:1-40:38 | MARK 1:1-28 | PSALM 35:1-16 | PROVERBS 9:11-12
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The Ark and all the Temple furnishings were completed yesterday; today, the priests’ garments and all their accessories are completed. And finally, the Tabernacle itself is set up. There is apparently great devotion and determination in carrying out this great project which must have taken several months, or perhaps even years to complete.
But it is finally done, and Moses has been a capable foreman all along. He is pleased, and he blesses the people. And so is Yahweh. The sign for God’s presence within the Tabernacle is a cloud above it during the day and a pillar of light during the night. What an awesome sight that must have been!
Having completed the first of the four Gospels, we embark today on the second one: The Gospel according to Mark, one of Jesus’ disciples. Mark opens up his account by citing the ancient prophecy by Isaiah about the coming of the Messiah. We are introduced again to John the Baptist, the wild man who had apparently set up tent on the banks of the river Jordan and baptized people in the river.
And while he does this, he says: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
And so we will now begin the journey yet again of Jesus’ life and ministry. These are the accounts of the three short and amazing years that he spent on this earth in the regions of Palestine. Three years that changed the course of history and led to the opening up of the Kingdom of Heaven to every mere mortal that believes.
The disciples begin to be assembled, and the miracles commence. One of the most astounding stories is that of the man possessed with demons. I would have liked to meet that man– can you imagine the stories this man would have had for the rest of his life?
The Psalm for the day is one in which David is crying out to God during an evidently difficult time in his life. He is dejected from being pursued, and slandered, and mistreated. And yet, he chooses to bless those that curse him. He says of his adversaries:
13 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth
and humbled myself with fasting.
When my prayers returned to me unanswered,
14 I went about mourning
as though for my friend or brother.
I bowed my head in grief
as though weeping for my mother.
15 But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee;
attackers gathered against me when I was unaware.
They slandered me without ceasing.
Finally, many years later, David’s son Solomon, yet another great king of Israel, speaks of the value of doing good to those who might not do the same to you. He offers his exhortation:
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.”
May God bless the reading and reflection of His Word. Amen.
Love on the Floor: Because You Can’t Contain it in a Vase!
