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Numbers 4

Kohathites between ages thirty to fifty to workverses 1-4

 And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron   saying

Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi

            after their families by the house of their fathers

From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old

            all that enter into the host – to do the work in the

tabernacle of the congregation

This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath in the

 tabernacle of the congregation about the most holy things 

Priests are to prepare holy of holies for travelverses 5-14

And when the camp set forward – Aaron shall come – and his sons

and they shall take down the covering veil

and cover the ark of testimony with it

and shall put thereon the covering of badgers’ skins

and shall spread over it a cloth wholly of blue

and shall put in the staves thereof

And on the table of showbread they shall spread a cloth of blue

and put thereon the dishes – and the spoons and the bowls

and covers to cover withal

and the continual bread shall be thereon

                        and they shall spread on them a cloth of scarlet

            and cover the same with a covering of badgers’ skins

                        and shall put in the staves thereof

And they shall take a cloth of blue – and cover the candlestick of the light

            and his lamps – and his tongs – and his snuffdishes

            and all the oil vessels thereof – wherewith they minister to it

            and they shall put it and all the vessels thereof within a

                        covering of badgers’ skins and shall put it on a bar

And on the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue

            and cover it with a covering of badgers’ skins

                        and shall put to the staves thereof

And they shall take all the instruments of ministry

            wherewith they minister in the sanctuary

                        and put them in a cloth of blue

and cover them with a covering of badgers’ skins

and shall put them on a bar

And they shall take away the ashes from the altar

            and spread a purple cloth thereon

                        and they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof

                                    wherewith they minister about it – even the

censers – fleshhooks – shovels – basins

all the vessels of the altar

And they shall spread on it a covering of badgers’ skins

            and put to the staves of it

Priests prepare items for sons of Kohathverse 15

And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary

and all the vessels of the sanctuary – as the camp is to set forward

After that – the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it

            BUT they shall not touch any holy thing lest they die

THESE things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the

tabernacle of the congregation

Eleazar responsibleverse 16

And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest pertains the

oil for the light – sweet incense – daily meat offering – anointing oil

and the oversight of all the tabernacle

and of all that therein is – in the sanctuary

and in the vessels thereof

Kohathites are not to see holy thingsverses 17-20

 And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron

saying

Cut you not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites

from among the Levites – BUT thus do to them

that they may live – and not die

                  when they approach unto the most holy things

Aaron and his sons shall go in

and appoint them every one to his service and to his burden

BUT they shall not go in to SEE when the holy things are covered

lest they die 

Gershonites between ages thirty to fiftyverses 21-23

And the LORD spoke to Moses   saying

Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon

throughout the houses of their fathers – by their families

      from thirty years old and upward until fifty years old

                  shall you number them

All that enter in to perform the service

to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation 

Gershonites responsibilityverses 24-28

This is the service of the families of the Gershonites – to serve

and for burdens – and they shall bear the curtains of the tabernacle

                        and the tabernacle of the congregation – his covering

and the covering of the badgers’ skins that is

above upon it

            and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation

                        and the hangings of the court

                                    and the hanging for the door of the gate of the court

                                                which is by the tabernacle and by the altar

round about – and their cords

            and all the instruments of their service and all that is made for them

                        so shall they serve

At the appointment of Aaron and his sons shall be all the service of

            the sons of Gershonites – in all their burdens – and in all their service

                        and you shall appoint to them in the charge all their burdens

This is the service of the families of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of

the congregation – and their charge shall be under the hand of

Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest 

Merarites between ages thirty to fiftyverses 29-30

As for the sons of Merari – you shall number them after their families by the house of their fathers

From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shall you

number them every one that enters into the service

      to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation 

Merarites responsibilitiesverses 31-33

And this is the charge of their burden

according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation

      the boards of the tabernacle and the bars thereof

and the pillars thereof – and sockets thereof

      and the pillars of the court round about

                  and their sockets – and their pins – and their cords

                              with all their instruments

                                          with all their service

and by name you shall reckon the instruments of the

      charge of their burden

This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari

according to their service in the tabernacle of the congregation

      under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest 

Kohathites’ totalsverses 34-37

And Moses and Aaron and the chief of the congregation numbered

the sons of the Kohathites  – after their families

and after the house of their fathers

From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old

every one that enters into the service

for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation

And those that were numbered of them by their families were

two thousand seven hundred and fifty

These were they that were numbered of the families of the Kohathites

all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation

which Moses and Aaron did number according to the

commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses

Gershonites’ totalsverses 38-41

And those that were numbered of the sons of Gershon

throughout their families – and by the house of their fathers

From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old

every one that enters into the service

for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation

Even those that were numbered of them – throughout their families

by the house of their fathers

were two thousand and six hundred and thirty

These are they that were numbered of the families of the sons of Gershon

            of all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation

                        whom Moses and Aaron did number according to the

commandment of the LORD

Merarites’ totalsverses 42-45

And those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari

throughout their families  – by the house of their fathers

From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old

every one that enters into the service

for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation

Even those that were numbered of them after their families

were three thousand and two hundred

These be those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merrari

whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the

word of the LORD by the hand of Moses 

Total of all Levites between thirty and fifty givenverses 46-49

All those that were numbered of the Levites

whom Moses and Aaron and the chief of Israel numbered

      after their families – and after the house of their fathers

from thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old

      every one that came to do the service of the ministry

                  and the service of the burden in the

tabernacle of the congregation

Even those that were numbered of them

were eight thousand and five hundred and fourscore

According to the commandment of the LORD they were numbered

by the hand of Moses every one according

to his service – his burden

            thus were they numbered of him as the LORD

                        commanded Moses

COMMENTARY:

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers

: 3        From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation. (6633 “host” [tsaba’] means campaign, military service, troops, an act of help or assistance, large group, mustered, or warriors)

DEVOTION:  Can you imagine working for twenty years and then retiring? That is what happened during the wilderness wanderings of the children of Israel regarding the priests and the rest of the Levities.

They were only allowed to start working when they were thirty years old. That was when they were considered to be old enough to understand their service to the LORD.

Jesus Christ started HIS public ministry when HE was thirty years old. HE was an apprentice to his step-father Joseph until that age. HE worked in the carpenter shop to help support the family. At thirty HE went out on HIS own.

At the age of fifty the priest and the Levities retired. They had twenty years of hard work as they traveled through the wilderness. They didn’t have all the health benefits that we have today. They didn’t have vacation benefits either. We are so spoiled and yet we complain about our jobs.

There was not to be any complaining or rebellion against their time of service to the LORD. Remember that there is little difference between complaining and rebellion against what God expects of us.

CHALLENGE:  Serve the LORD with GLADNESS!!!!

DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers

: 15      And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation. (5060 “touch” [naga] means reach, strike, draw nigh, extend to, or to be striken).

DEVOTION:  Moses was told to have the men to be numbered from the age of thirty to fifty. Each of the men in this age group were given special assignments regarding the care of the tabernacle.

The priests were to cover all of the articles in the holy of holies and in the holy place. The only ones who were allowed to see these articles uncovered. Each of the articles in both places had to be covered before the children of Levi could come into the areas to carry them out.

The Kohathites were responsible for the articles from the holy of holies and holy place. The priests prepared the articles and then they carried them out.

This word seems to mean that the sons of Kohath were not to reach over and make contact with the holy accessories of the tabernacle. The priests were the only ones who could have contact with them.

There are some people who think that they have been given gifts better than others. There are all kinds of gifts given by God to those whom HE has chosen to receive them. Each family of the Levites was given a responsibility. The family had to perform their responsibility according to the commandments of the LORD.  The priests had the responsibility to wrap up all the holy things before the children of Levi could come in to carry them away. If the children of Levi saw the holy things they were to be put to death.

Later in the history of the journey through the wilderness this would cause a problem. Many times people are not satisfied with the responsibility that God has given them. They seemed to think that they have a gift that the LORD has never given them. They seem to think that they can do a better job than those who were given that responsibility.

We need to be satisfied with the gift that the LORD has given us and not try to say we have a gift that God has not given us. We need to pray concerning our gifts and not try to covet others gifts. There are many who want the gift of pastor/teacher that cause more problems than they solve. Keep this before the LORD in prayer. HE will reveal how HE wants to use each of us in HIS church for HIS glory.

CHALLENGE: Contentment is a characteristic that all servants of the LORD need to have in their service. It is hard to be content and stay content sometimes. The temptation is to try walk ahead of the LORD. Sometimes we just want to peek at another gift. In this instant, that would mean death.


: 24      “This is the service (5656) of the families of the Gershonites, in serving (5647) and carrying: 5647 עָבַד [ʿabad /aw·bad/] A primitive root; AV translates as “serve” 227 times, “do” 15 times, “till” nine times, “servant” five times, “work” five times, “worshippers” five times, “service” four times, “dress” twice, “labour” twice, “ear” twice, and translated miscellaneously 14 times. 1 to work, serve. 1a (Qal). 1a1 to labour, work, do work. 1a2 to work for another, serve another by labour. 1a3 to serve as subjects. 1a4 to serve (God). 1a5 to serve (with Levitical service). 5656 עֲבֹדָה [ʿabodah, ʿabowdah /ab·o·daw/] From 5647; 141 occurrences; AV translates as “service” 96 times, “servile” 12 times, “work” 10 times, “bondage” eight times, “act” twice, “serve” twice, “servitude” twice, “tillage” twice, “effect” once, “labour” once, and translated miscellaneously five times. 1 labour, service. 1a labour, work. 1b labour (of servant or slave). 1c labour, service (of captives or subjects). 1d service (of God). (Strong’s Concordance)

DEVOTION: Why do we serve, work and submit ourselves to the daily occupations that we do?  Is it for the money, the prestige or the power that we garner from these daily activities?  I would submit that those reasons are insufficient for believers and can lead to improper attitudes concerning the labor we are asked to accomplish!

There are at least seven different Hebrew words translated as serve or service in this chapter.  While there are subtle differences with each word the basic thought is to work for someone, serve as a subject, or be a servant.

Throughout the chapter the Levites are given duties they are to perform in the service to God. Many of those tasks were monotonous and probably quite boring.  While they were handling the tabernacle of God and the awesome power of God was daily displayed, they still had to tear down and reassemble this tabernacle every time they moved.  Their jobs were essential but it required them to do the same tasks over and over again.  The Levitical families were assigned different responsibilities in and around the Tabernacle and they all were to serve the Lord under the supervision of Aaron and his sons.

Everyday as we go to work, we are faced with a decision, who are we working for? The fact, for the believer, is that the Lord is the ultimate employer and the tasks we are being asked to complete is for His glory.  Our service becomes one that is for Him (God) and not the attainment of the “dream job” or financial success.  Paul reminded us, in the New Testament, that as believers we are to be bond slaves to Christ.  “Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, …” (Colossians 3:22-23)

Challenge:  As you go about the routine responsibilities remember who you are serving.  May our work reflect our submission to the Master as stated in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “…whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (Pastor Brian Miller)

DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers

: 45      These be those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses. (6485 “numbered” [paqad] means to visit, inspect, look at, see, command, summons appoint, muster, appoint, or hunt up)

DEVOTION:  In the New King James Version you have for the two tribes that Moses obeyed the commands of the LORD. Here we have Moses obeyed the word of the LORD. Is there a difference between the two statements?

There seems to be little different between stating that he obeyed the commandments of the LORD or the Word of the LORD. They are treated as the same. We are to do the same in our life.

If there is a command found in the New Testament, we are to remember that the Bible is the Word of the LORD. It is inerrant in its original writings. We have enough proof that our Bible is accurate in the statements it makes consistently. We should trust the Bible.

Now there are many new translations that paraphrase what is said and sometimes they are not accurate.  There are some that try to put it in their own words and that is not accurate. There are even some that try to change it to fit their way of thinking. We need to watch what translation we follow.

Comparing verses helps us understand what God is saying about a certain subject. That is where a good concordance helps us to see the original language and where the word is used in other places to get the meaning of what God is saying.

Some statements are so plain that we shouldn’t have to question what HE is saying for us to do.

Moses instructs the priest and the people so that they are not questioning their responsibility to God. Good Biblical pastor should do the same.

CHALLENGE:  There should be no gray areas with God or HIS Word.


: 49      According to the commandment of the LORD they were numbered by the hand of the Moses, every one according to his service, and according to his burden: thus were they numbered of him, as the LORD commanded Moses. (4853 “burden” [massa] means load, lifting, carry, had charge of transport, or porterage)

DEVOTION:  The tribe of Levi except for the descendants of Aaron had to lift parts of the Tabernacle and carry them from one location to another. It was their assigned duty in their service for the LORD. They were not allowed to be involved in covering the articles that were found in the holy place and the holy of holies.

The sons of Aaron had to prepare these articles for transport. They had special covering. If any of the other Levities touched or saw these articles they would die.

So each family had their area of work regarding the Tabernacle. It might have seemed like menial work but it was holy work. It was their way of serving the LORD.

There are some menial tasks that need to be done in the local church and it is the duty of those who attend to help with the load. They are not to watch while others work. They are to do what they are able to do to help in any project that needs to be done.

In one of the churches in which I minister there is a secretary whose husband is in a wheel chair and has other health issues but when his wife needs help doing a church project he comes over and helps. It is not easy but he still does it.

This is what is necessary for the work of the LORD to move forward. If everyone does something the lifting gets easier for the rest. Many times, it is found that only ten percent of the people in the local church do ninety percent of the work. That is not a good testimony.

If you are part of the ten percent don’t give up the LORD will bless you if your attitude and actions are done with the right motive

CHALLENGE: If you are part of the ninety percent ask what you can do to help the church move forward. Remember it is what the LORD expects of HIS servants.


DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:

BODY

Chastity (Purity in living)

Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)

Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)

Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)

Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)

SOUL

Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)

Frugality (wise use of resources)

Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)

Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)

Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)

SPIRIT

Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)

Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)

Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)

Tabernacle of the congregationverses 3, 4, 15, 16, 23, 25, 28, 30, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 43, 47

Covering veilverse 5

Ark of the testimonyverses 5-10

Table of showbreadverse 7

Golden altarverses 11-14

Sanctuaryverses 15, 16

Appointed dutyverses 19, 27

Chargeverses 28, 31-33


DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)

Commandment of the LORDverses 37, 41, 49

Word of the LORDverse 45

God the Father (First person of the Godhead)

LORD (Jehovah) verses 1, 17, 21, 37, 41, 45, 49

God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man, Messiah)

God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)

Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)

Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)

Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)

Ministerverses 12, 14

Serviceverses 23, 26-28, 30, 35, 37, 39, 41, 49

Burdenverse 49

Service of the ministryverse 47

Service of the burdenverse 47

Israel (Old Testament people of God)

Mosesverses 1, 21, 37, 41, 45, 46, 49

Aaronverses 1, 5, 15, 19, 27, 28, 33, 37, 41, 45, 46

Sons of Kohathverses 2, 15, 18, 34

Sons of Leviverses 2, 15, 46, 48

30- 50 years old: work in tabernacle

8,580

Office of Eleazarverse 16

Oil for light

Sweet incense

Daily meal offering

Anointing oil

Oversight of all

Sons of Gershonverses 22-28, 38-41

Thirty to fifty

Curtains of the tabernacle

Hand of Ithamar

Sons of Merariverses 29-33, 42-45

Thirty to fifty

Boards of the tabernacle

Numbers of families of Levitesverse 36

2,750

Church (New Testament people of God)

Last Things (Future Events)

Touching holy things: dieverses 15, 19

See holy things: dieverse 20


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QUOTES regarding passage

As in other instances of this sort, we may observe that the underlying reason on God’s part may well have been mercy. It was a mercy of God that he had made himself known to anyone; it was the continuing mercy of God that he does not destroy more persons more quickly because of their wickedness; and it is a condescending mercy of God that he presents himself in their midst. The revelation of God’s word brings with it demands, some of which seem harsh and difficult. But God is near. Some seem to be so judgmental; yet God has not destroyed all. Some seem to be so threatening; yet God by his mercy allows some sense of his presence to remain known in the camp. His manifestation is based on his mercy; his strictures allow his mercy to continue to be realized. (Allen, R. B. (1990). Numbers. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers (Vol. 2, p. 735). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)


20. to see when the holy things are covered] Render: to see the holy things for an instant. The expression means literally “as a gulp,” i.e. for the instant it takes to swallow. (Barnes, A. (1879). Notes on the Old Testament: Exodus to Ruth. (F. C. Cook & J. M. Fuller, Eds.) (p. 190). London: John Murray.)


Ver. 20. When the holy things are covered “Literally, כְּבַלַּע Keballa, when they are swallowed down; which shows the promptitude with which everything belonging to the holy of holies was put out of sight, for these mysteries must ever be treated with the deepest reverence.”—A. Clarke. “Render: to see the holy things for an instant. The expression means literally, ‘as a gulp,’ i.e., for the instant it takes to swallow.”—Speaker’s Comm. (Jones, W. (1892). Numbers (p. 63). New York; London; Toronto: Funk & Wagnalls Company.)


Ver. 20. But they shall not go in to see when the holy things are covered, &c.] They were not to be present whilst they were packing up, lest they should see any of them with their eyes; they were not to go in until they were quite covered out of sight; which may signify the hiding of the mysteries of grace in those things under the former dispensation, when even the Levites themselves were not admitted to a sight of them; see Eph. 3:4, 5: lest they die; by the immediate hand of God. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 1, p. 722). London: Mathews and Leigh.)


3. Great care must be taken to preserve the lives of these Levites, by preventing their unseasonable irreverent approach to the most holy things: Cut you not off the Kohathites, v. 18. Note, Those who do not what they can to keep others from sin do what they can to cut them off. [1.] The Kohathites must not see the holy things till the priests had covered them, v. 20. Even those that bore the vessels of the Lord saw not what they bore, so much were even those in the dark concerning the gospel whose office it was to expound the law. And, [2.] When the holy things were covered, they might not touch them, at least not the ark, called here the holy thing, upon pain of death, v. 15. Uzza was struck dead for the breach of this law. Thus were the Lord’s ministers themselves then kept in fear, and that was a dispensation of terror, as well as darkness; but now, through Christ, the case is altered; we have seen with our eyes, and our hands have handles, the word of life (1 Jn. 1:1), and we are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace. (Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (pp. 190–191). Peabody: Hendrickson.)


FROM MY READING: 

(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)


 NO OTHER PERSON

There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 4:12
The New Testament says that the most important question that we must face is that of Jesus Christ; for, it tells us, our life in this world here and now, the whole meaning of death, and indeed our life throughout eternity depends entirely and solely upon our answer to this question: “Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” The New Testament does not hesitate to say that. Listen to the apostle Peter saying it unequivocally in one of his first recorded sermons: There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12) “this name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Now that is a dogmatic assertion, I agree, but there is no more dogmatic book in the world than the New Testament. It never comes and says, You have read many other books and been interested in their theories now read me and see what you make of me. Perhaps you will find me more interesting than the others. No; rather, it makes a definite pronouncement. Here, it tells us, is the only way for men and women to know God and to be reconciled to Him. Here is the only way whereby they can be delivered from the thralldom and the serfdom of life in this world and from its sin and its evil. Here is the only way whereby they can be delivered forever from the fear of death and the grave. And here, says the New Testament, is the one and only way in which men and women can avoid spending eternity in a state of misery and wretchedness and torment. That is its statement, nothing less. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life ; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). It is one or the other; everything is dependent upon this person.
A Thought to Ponder
There is no more dogmatic book in the world than the New Testament. From The Heart of the Gospel, pp. 12-13 by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. 


2 Corinthians 1
The Lord comforts us in our affliction so we may comfort others.
INSIGHT

There is a fellowship of suffering. Someone who has suffered the same things we have suffered is better able to minister to us. And if we have been comforted in our suffering, we are better able to comfort someone else who experiences the same difficulties. Suffering can make us compassionate toward others. As the sufferings of Christ overflow into our lives, so can the compassion of Christ overflow from our lives into the lives of others.

                           (Quiet Walk)


Have you ever fought a dragon? If you answered no, author Eugene Peterson disagrees with you. In A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, he wrote, “Dragons are projections of our fears, horrible constructions of all that might hurt us. . . . A peasant confronted by a magnificent dragon is completely outclassed.” Peterson’s point? Life is filled with dragons: the life-threatening health crisis, the sudden job loss, the failed marriage, the estranged prodigal child. These “dragons” are the supersized dangers and frailties of life that we’re inadequate to fight alone.

But in those battles, we have a Champion. Not a fairy tale champion—the ultimate Champion who has fought on our behalf and conquered the dragons that seek to destroy us. Whether they’re dragons of our own failures or the spiritual enemy who desires our destruction, our Champion is greater, allowing Paul to write of Jesus, “Having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:15). The destructive forces of this broken world are no match for Him!

The moment we realize that the dragons of life are too big for us is the moment we can begin to rest in Christ’s rescue. We can confidently say, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).

            By Bill Crowder  (Our Daily Bread)


ALL THINGS

…the same anointing teacheth you of all things…1 John 2:27

John does not teach here that a Christian knows everything. “But surely,” says someone, “when it says ‘ye know all things’ (verse 20), doesn’t ‘all things’ mean just that?” But if you think that, then you must mean that every Christian knows everything—astronomy, geometry, the classics, and everything else that is in the realm of knowledge—which is patently and obviously ridiculous! No; we must take these statements within their context. John obviously does not mean secular knowledge.
Does he then mean spiritual knowledge? No, he does not mean spiritual knowledge in every sense either, for this good reason: If John is here saying that every man or woman who receives the Holy Spirit automatically knows the whole of spiritual truth, how can you apply the New Testament teaching about growing in grace and in knowledge? How can there then be any development in our knowledge and understanding? Not only that, I think we can say that if that were true, then there would be no need for the New Testament epistles. Clearly that is not the case. John’s reference to “all things” here is a reference to the particular subject with which he is dealing.It is not an all-inclusive, all-comprehensive statement.
John does not teach here that because of this knowledge every Christian is infallible. For if the unction of the Holy Spirit means that every Christian knows everything, it would follow that every Christian would have to agree with every other Christian about every aspect of Christian doctrine. But that is not the case. There are divergences and differences among Christians who manifest the Holy Spirit in their lives—about the question of baptism, about the prophetic teaching, about church order, and many other subjects. Added to that, Christians—good Christians—have from time to time fallen into error.
A Thought to Ponder: John does not teach here that because of this knowledge every Christian is infallible.
    (From Walking with God, p. 125, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)


The Great Physician
“But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.” (Matthew 9:12)
It almost goes without saying that a person who is seriously ill would do anything to regain health. But the sad fact is, few people really pay attention to their health until they are threatened with its loss.
On the other hand, testimonies without number have been chronicled that relate an individual’s refusal to acknowledge the claims of Christ until he or she had been stricken with personal problems or physical illness. “You’ve got to be on your back before you will look up,” so the saying goes. But what does the Great Physician have to offer the one whose health seems to be strong from an outward perspective?
Instead of being well, however, the Bible says that everyone is born into this world with a dreadful disease in our souls called sin. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), “and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:15). The sin disease is most tragic when we do not feel it and do not know we have it. “Because thou sayest, I… have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17). Jesus Christ is the only One who can heal us: “Neither is there salvation in any other” (Acts 4:12). And just as He never sent anyone away who came to Him on Earth for physical healing (Matthew 12:15), so “him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37) when he comes seeking salvation.
Certainly one of the most important steps in this process of being healed of our sin sickness is recognizing our desperate need for healing. When we say, “Be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee” (Psalm 41:4), He will respond with forgiveness, grace, and healing. (JDM, The Institute for Creation Research)


Michael writes (NY): What I am about to say is not aimed at any of my Facebook friends or acquaintances or any other of my social circles. I am a Christian. And that is why I am not posting inflammatory comments about any politicians. Christians are forbidden to do such (Acts 23:5). I do not judge you for your religion (or no religion). Christians are called to be salt of the earth and light. Their words are to be seasoned with grace (Colossians 4:6). We are to be different (Romans 12:1-2). Therefore, you will not see me posting inflammatory comments about others, especially politicians, not that I am superior but Christians are called to walk a different walk. God Bless You and may God bless our country. 


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