Today's scripture for study is Joshua Chapter 13 verse 14 and Acts Chapter 4 verses 23-31.
Ok so Joshua first:
It's only one verse so I'll post it here as well in the version that seems clearest.
Joshua 13:14
14 Moses did not assign any allotment of land to the tribe of Levi. Instead, as the Lord had promised them, their allotment came from the offerings burned on the altar to the Lord, the God of Israel.
This is a pretty straightforward verse and paraphrasing seems pretty simple.
"Moses didn't give land to the Levites because as the tribe chosen to be God's priests their provision had already been set aside. They were to eat from food offerings brought to them by the other tribes."
I think that's the gist of it anyway. Let's see what Acts has for me.
Here's what stood out to me:
Acts 4:23,24,29-31
23When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord ... 29"And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, 30while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus."
31And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.
Good stuff... Ok so let me paraphrase that...When Peter and John were released they immediately went to the other Christians they were staying with/working with on a daily basis and told them about everything that had happened and the threats spoken by the religious leaders. After hearing their story, all of their fellow Christians joined together to pray to God saying "Lord, you heard the threats of our enemies. Give us the peace and courage to speak Your word confidently and continue to reach out and heal the sick and injured. Continue to show signs, wonders, miracles in the name of your son Jesus."
After they were finished praying the whole building shook and everyone was filled with strength, courage, and wisdom from the Holy Spirit and they continued to go out and speak the word of God boldly.
So what can I take away from these passages...
Honestly I'm not taking a whole lot away from the verse in Joshua... God took care of the full-time priests by having the rest of the community make sure their needs were met, that was part of the reason He had offerings brought to his tabernacle... Good to know but not overly relevant to me right now... However, I do take some comfort in having another reminder that God is the provider for myself and my family, just as He is the provider for everyone.
Acts has some real meat to it though. It is a great reminder of another lesson from this past weekend's church retreat. We are *not* meant to do this thing alone. Peter and John *immediately* went to find other Christians when they were released. I gather from the passage that they were pretty shaken up by the threats leveled at them by the religious leaders at the temple... It seems like their brothers and sisters in Christ were also pretty shaken by it! And what is their response? Turn to eachother and then turn together to God in prayer! Awesome. That is how our life as Christians is meant to be. When troubles come, get back in the Body of Christ and get in prayer. Great reminder!
So that's what my prayer time today is going to focus on.
Father, thank you so much for continuing to reiterate the lessons and reminders you had for me this past weekend. Thank you for putting new men in my life that I can build strong relationships with. I am so grateful to have these brothers in my life to guard by my back and blind spots and to stand against the assaults of the enemy by kneeling with me in prayer to You. You are the provider of all of my needs and I am more grateful than words can express. Praise you, Father God. Amen.
Solid blog post. I don't know what Bible reading plan you follow, but it is an odd selection. Joshua 13:14 is in the middle of 13:8-33. Joshua us allotting the land, even though much of it remain unconquered (vv 1-7). What is the land? Did believing Israelites see it as mere geography? No, like Abraham, they looked through the earthly realities to spiritual ones (Hebrew 11:9-10).
ReplyDeleteThe Levites were the priests, but the whole nation was to think of themselves as priests (Exodus 19:6), just as we are to do (1 Peter 2:9). Priests go to their God for someone else. Our Calling is so that we can introduce others to God. The Levities got no land and neither do we. But we both look forward to the coming of Jesus, when we shall inherit the world (Mt 5:3,5)
Good stuff, Aquatiki.
ReplyDeleteAs to what bible study I'm doing, I'm following along with the annual study plan my church is doing, which means i'm starting it in the middle of the year so the first book is going to be a little rough but I want to be able to talk about this stuff with my brothers/sisters at church as well so I think being 'on the same page' at this point is important.
Your thoughts on our similarities spiritually to the Levites is good stuff too. Thanks!