Thursday, February 10, 2011

Numbers 17-19

Thanks to those of you who post comments to the blog.  It is such an encouragement to be doing this work and know that you are doing it with me.  Blogging makes me think about what we are reading together.  I think I would like to have a party at the end of the year to celebrate all of you who are on this journey with me.  What do you think of that idea?

This is interesting reading.  Remember in the 23rd Psalm we are told that God's rod and staff comfort us.  The rod is a symbol of authority and God is going to remind the tribal leaders who he has appointed to lead them in their spiritual journey.  The rod has already been an important part of the trip from Egypt.  The rod became a serpent, was used to turn the water of the Nile into blood, called in God's plagues upon Pharaoh and his people, parted the waters of the Red Sea and later it will be used to get water from the Rock (kind of a sad part of the story for Moses).  Certainly for a dead piece of wood to flower, bloom and bear fruit would be another miracle of God and maybe this one would cause the people to cease their grumbling.  Later this Rod of Aaron's would be placed in the Ark of the Covenant along with the stone tablets containing the 10 commandments and some of the Manna from the wilderness.  When the people see the miracle of the Rod of Aaron they are again convicted of their sin and mourn their sinfulness.  How often are we like these stiff necked people who must continually be reminded of God's greatness and majesty.  We are often more concerned about our physical well being than our spiritual well being and the pursuit of earthly treasure causes us to grumble and complain even though we have seen God's work all around us. 

chapter 18 is a reinforcement of the biblical tithe and a reminder that even the Levites and the Priests are not exempt from the tithe.  This offering belongs to God.

Chapter 19 is sometimes referred to in end times theology in the discussion of the Red Heifer.  In this case the red heifer is used to ceremonially cleanse some one who has touched a dead body.  This is important because death is caused by sin (remember we were intended to live forever before Adam and Eve ate that darned apple).  Death reminds us that we are sinners and have fallen short of the glory of God.  A red heifer would be a rarity.....it is to be without blemish (remind you of the perfect lamb?).  The color red is reminiscent of the blood that covers sin.  The ashes are mixed with water and sprinkled on those who have become unclean because of touching a dead body.  We Methodist use this text as one of the supports for our use of sprinkling as a form of Baptism.  The cleansing is ceremonial just as in baptism the real work is done in the heart and the sprinkling, pouring or immersing does not save us from our sin, but is a sign of what God has done in our hearts.

It is Thursday, the sun is out, the promise of warmer weather is all around us.  Spring is coming!!  God is good!!!  Hope you are having a great God Blessed week.  See you Sunday.

No comments:

Post a Comment