I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. In order to make that possible I read the passages and write my thoughts a day, or more. in advance. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.
The path which God has laid out for us will provide us with protection and safety if we do what is righteous, but if we do evil that path will lead us to destruction. The godly will rest comfortably in God’s care, but the wicked will have their lives disrupted time and again.
God praises those who are righteous for the offerings and sacrifices which they give to Him and to His service. However, He reminds them that He does not need their material possessions, all of earth belongs to Him. What God desires from us is our thankfulness and for us to keep the vows which we have made to Him. Then He asks the wicked why they bother to pretend to honour Him. They may offer sacrifices, but the rest of their behavior demonstrates that it is just for show. Offering out of our material possessions to God serves no purpose if we do not live a life of thankfulness to God and walk the path of righteousness.
Jesus tells His disciples that a time of terrible trials are coming. In those days, many will need to flee without taking time to gather their possessions. During that time false Messiahs and false prophets will arise, but we are to be careful not to be fooled by them. When Jesus returns, everyone will see Him. He will not be hidden away, but will come on the clouds so that everyone will know of His arrival. Let us keep watch because the day of His return is coming. No one knows the day when He will return, so we need to take care that He finds us doing His work when He returns and does not find us sleeping. Jesus’ return will be soon, I pray that He finds me doing His work when He arrives.
God had Moses set apart the Levites to His service. As part of this process God reminded the people of Israel that He had claimed the first-born sons of all of Israel as His when He struck down the first-born sons of the Egyptians. The Levites would be dedicated to Him in place of the first-born sons of the rest of Israel. The passage describing the dedication of the Levites to God is a description of the second Passover. What I find insightful are the men who came to Moses because they were unable to take part in the Passover at the prescribed time. They wanted to know how they could still celebrate this pivotal and meaningful ceremony. Do we have a similar desire to take part in ceremonies designed to worship and praise God?