December 18

Journey-through-the-Bible-with-us

READING FOR DECEMBER 18, 2024: DEUTERONOMY 33, REVELATION 11, PSALM 124 DEUTERONOMY 33  Moses’s blessings are the last part of his long goodbye to the people. The blessings are tailored to each tribe as were Jacob’s final blessings upon his 12 sons in Genesis 49. As was mentioned then in our reading guide, the concept of pronouncing a blessing specific to each child/grandchild is an intriguing idea that would be a fitting parting spiritual gift for all of us to give. Consider the tribes’ blessings in connection with their location.

Reuben: Descendents of the firstborn son. Moses blesses them with sustainability and pop. Growth. Judah: Moses asks that the Lord “bring him to his people.” John 1:11 states this about Jesus, a descendant of Judah: “He came to his own people.”  Levi: Moses, a member of this tribe, recounts his life as a godly man but also tested by God. He blesses Levi with the task of teaching and leadership in worship. They have no homeland but live throughout.                Benjamin: This tribe has the honor of living by God’s presence, located in Jerusalem’s Temple.           Ephraim and Manasseh: These two tribes descend from Joseph, called “prince among his brothers.” They are blessed with the choice land. Zebulun and Issachar: Near the Sea of Galilee, they were blessed with abundance they can extract.     Gad: Blessed with the ferociousness of a lion, as described in 1 Chon. 12: 14: “The weakest among them could take on a hundred regular troops, and the strongest could take on a thousand!”                       Dan: Moses mysteriously says Dan “leaps out from Basham.” Judges 18 describes how Dan did not settle in their allotted land near Judah but migrated (leapt out) to the extreme north (see map).               Naphtali:Perhaps “favor and full blessing” came when Jesus lived and ministered in this region.Asher: They receive a promise we all value: strength throughout their lifetimes. (Note: Simeon is left out.)

REVELATION 11: Chapter 11 begins with the story of God sending 2 men who will witness in the holy city. After 1260 days of witnessing, the beast from the abyss kills them. But God resurrects them 3 ½ days later. Following this story, the seventh trumpet sounds with a declaration that the reign of Christ will now begin on the earth. This will fulfill what had been spoken for generations:                                                                                                                                                                    

  • The LORD will reign for ever and ever. (Exodus 15:18) 
  • You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end. (Luke 1:31-33).

READING FOR DECEMBER 18, 2024 CONTINUED: REVELATION 11, PSALM 124  

  • You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end. (Luke 1:31-33)
  • Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. (Isaiah 9:7)
  • The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. (Jeremiah 23:5)

When the trumpet sounds, the 24 elders fall on their faces and begin to worship. (Five times in Revelation it tells of them falling before the throne…5:8, 5:14, 7:11, 11:16, 19:4). Many people in the Bible fell on their face including Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Job, Daniel, David, Solomon, Ezekiel, Peter, James, John, Paul and even Jesus. This is genuine humility before a holy God. 

The song the elders sing offers thanks to God for the beginning of Christ’s reign. Their song makes it clear that Christ’s reign will mean a day for judgement on the earth. However, it will also be a day for rewards for God’s servants and saints. (11:18) These rewards will come to “both small and great.” God is a generous God and he will reward generously. In his book, “A Life God Rewards,” Bruce Wilkinson lists seven things that God will reward us for. Look over the list and read the accompanying scriptures. Consider one thing you could do this week that might lead to a reward on the day God rewards his saints:                                                                              

  • God will reward you for SEEKING Him.                                                                      Matthew 6:6, 18 Hebrews 11:6
  • God will reward you for SUBMITTING to your employer.                            Ephesians 6:7-8
  • God will reward you for SELF-DENIAL in his service.                                       Matthew 16:24-27
  • God will reward you for SERVING those in need.                                               Proverbs 19:17, Matt. 10:41-42
  • God will reward you for SUFFERING for his name.                                           Luke 6:22-23
  • God will reward you for SACRIFICES you make for him.                               Matthew 19:29, Luke 6:35
  • God will reward you for SHARING your time, talent and treasure.      Matthew 6:3-4, 1 Timothy 6:18-19 

PSALM 124 David is so intent on communicating this particular truth that he asks all of Israel to repeat after Him: “What if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us?" The answer is that their enemies would have swallowed them in their anger. In this Christmas season, let’s not forget where we would be if Jesus had not come to earth to offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins: “You were dead in your offenses and sins, in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience” (Eph. 2:1-2).  Our status as having God on our side is totally by God’s grace once we place our complete faith in Jesus: “By grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves” (Eph. 2:8-9). Jesus said, “The one who is not with Me is against Me; and the one who does not gather with Me scatters” (Matt. 12:30). Which side are we and our children on?