Day 122
Joshua 21:10-22:34, John 3:1-21, Psalm 55:1-11
What can you say about the people of Israel. It has been seeming to go so well for so long and then it all nearly falls apart. It is perhaps also a good testament to how jumping to conclusions can really upset the apple cart. The tribes of Gad, Reuben and (half) Manasseh set up an altar with one intention and then the whole assembly of Israel nearly wipe them out because they didn't stop to ask and listen. A salutary tale in that one.
But their intentions are good. They want to worship God and they want to ensure that they do not forget about it. It must have been difficult for the most distant tribes with just the one altar in the Holy of Holies, and yet this new altar could never be used for the full on sacrifice.
It was in Jerusalem that the really full on sacrifice was made. I found the language today interesting. We have just heard about the possible destruction of Israel, and that if the new altar was for the wrong reason, the blame would be spread across the entire nation, and then this: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life". This altar, this sacrifice meant that the blame would never be shared in the same way ever again, condemnation would end.
Are not these some of the most beautiful words in scripture. Meditate on them a while and meditate on the love that they speak of:
What can you say about the people of Israel. It has been seeming to go so well for so long and then it all nearly falls apart. It is perhaps also a good testament to how jumping to conclusions can really upset the apple cart. The tribes of Gad, Reuben and (half) Manasseh set up an altar with one intention and then the whole assembly of Israel nearly wipe them out because they didn't stop to ask and listen. A salutary tale in that one.
But their intentions are good. They want to worship God and they want to ensure that they do not forget about it. It must have been difficult for the most distant tribes with just the one altar in the Holy of Holies, and yet this new altar could never be used for the full on sacrifice.
It was in Jerusalem that the really full on sacrifice was made. I found the language today interesting. We have just heard about the possible destruction of Israel, and that if the new altar was for the wrong reason, the blame would be spread across the entire nation, and then this: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life". This altar, this sacrifice meant that the blame would never be shared in the same way ever again, condemnation would end.
Are not these some of the most beautiful words in scripture. Meditate on them a while and meditate on the love that they speak of:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life"The Psalm today speaks of some real fear and mental anguish. If you are in that place or know anyone who is, note that the above passage of love sits right next to these words of pain. Mental illness is difficult, but the love that brought Christ from heaven to earth to save and not to condemn, that is the love that overcomes all things.
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