READING FOR SEPTEMBER 20, 2024: NUMBERS 6, ACTS 10, PSALM 101 NUMBERS 6 Our culture comes at us in waves, but most overtly through the media. One can understand why certain Amish sects seek to shield themselves from unwholesome stimuli. Does this influx ever cause any of us to do something to highlight or safeguard our devotion to God? Since we have the Spirit, His Word, and His body, we have the resources to live in the world but not be of the world (John 17:14-15). Those in Israel who longed for an extra close relationship with God were encouraged to enter into a Nazarite vow to the Lord:
· Don’t drink wine, grape juice, vinegar, or other strong drinks.
· Don’t eat grapes or grape products.
· Let hair grow uncut during the vow period.
· Don’t go near a dead body, even a close relative, during the vow period. If he does, he must restart.
· When the days of the vow are completed, the Nazarite brings a male lamb, ewe lamb, one ram, a basket of unleavened loaves, a grain offering, and drink offering to the priest, how presents them to God. The Nazarite shaves off his/her hair and places it in the fire.
· The priest then waves a boiled shoulder ram, and one thick loaf and one thin loaf from the basket before the Lord as a wave offering.
Well known Jews who took this vow include Samson (Judges 13:5), John the Baptist (Luke 1:15), and the mother of Samson (Manoah’s wife), who took the vow of a Nazarite during her pregnancy (Judges 13:4). Samson unfortunately violated his vow by touching a dead animal and by allowing his hair to be cut off via Delilah. Even Paul, who argued vociferously against needing to follow Mosaic law, took a Nazarite vow (Acts. 18:18). The reason this was not being subject to the law is that it was a voluntary act of devotion. Today we obviously cannot take such a vow due to the destruction of the temple, the place of burnt offerings. We should seriously consider, however, the practice of fasting that seems to be connected with seeking closeness with God and His special blessing: “When they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord” (Acts 14:23).
In the last five verses, God gives Moses a blessing to give to Aaron and his sons to pronounce over all of Israel. Receive this blessing today as a child of God, Who loves you completely.
ACTS 10 Cornelius was a leader of 100 soldiers from Italy that were part of an occupying Roman force stationed in Casarea, a city named for Caesar Augustus the Roman Emperor. That’s pretty far removed from traditional Judaism. Cornelius and his family, however, were wonderfully devout and God-fearing. He prayed and gave to those in need. In fact, he was praying at 3:00 p.m., which seems to be a set time of prayer, when God sent him a vision. Here is an example of a man outside the covenant who is faithful to that knowledge given to
READING FOR SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 CONTINUED: ACTS 10, PSALM 101 him and to whom God provided sufficient knowledge for him to have faith and be saved. If God did this with Cornelius, can’t he do it with people today who may not have as much access to God’s special revelation (the Bible) as we do? In fact, this is happening where Muslim governments don’t permit Christians to preach the Gospel. Jesus is the only way (John 14:6), but He is also merciful enough to give everyone from anywhere enough knowledge to come to faith in Him. God is not unfair. His character defines fairness. He’s also creative. Look outside.
After Cornelius received instructions from the angel to fetch Peter, Peter was praying the next day at an apparent set time, noon. (Get the feeling it is a good thing to have regular prayer times?) Jesus received the startling vision, almost a nightmare, to eat from a picnic spread of unclean animals. Peter, being an observant Jew, refused. The second time, this vision was accompanied with the comment, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” After the third time, the men from Cornelius arrived where Peter was staying.
The Spirit told Peter to go with these men to meet Cornelius. Peter, along with some believers from Joppa, arrived to find Cornelius and a little gathering waiting for him. Although the law forbade a Jew to enter a Gentile house, Peter, remembering the lesson of his vision, knew times had changed. Peter entered and simply shared the Gospel with the group. As Peter spoke, the Holy Spirit descended on the Gentile group, and they began speaking in tongues. Now Peter realized how much times had really changed and directed that they be baptized.
PSALM 101 Some scholars believe David wrote this as he began his reign as King. Thus, David’s statement is similar to presidents at their inaugurations promising to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. It is a statement calling for the highest standard of behavior from David, which is no less than God deserves. Does God deserve anything less from us? Singing of God’s justice is lifting up the highest standard of justice that exists. It’s a pity that leaders settle for much less. Committing to integrity guarantees that undue influence is not gained by those without the best interests of the people at heart. Here are documented prices paid by the military to suppliers in 1986: “a $285 screwdriver, a $7,622 coffee maker, a $387 flat washer, a $469 wrench, a $214 flashlight, a $437 tape measure, a $2,228 monkey wrench, a $748 pair of duckbill pliers, a $74,165 aluminum ladder, and a $659 ashtray” (from LA Times). Keep in mind our national debt at the time of this writing is over 35 trillion dollars, which means 17% of our federal budget goes to maintaining it. David further promises to get rid of slander and pride in his administration. (A tall order today.) His staff will be 100% blameless. (He must have had a small staff.) Each morning his agenda will be to root out evil in the land. Doesn’t this seem laughable? And yet, God deserves that kind of service from us. Let’s do it.
