READING FOR SEPTEMBER 23, 2024:  NUMBERS 7, ACTS 11, PSALM 102:1-11

This chapter opens with Moses finishing setting up the tabernacle. As we read in Numbers 3 and 4, the priests and 8,580 Levites were involved in servicing the tabernacle in a variety of ways, each prescribed by God, Himself. Any fruitful work of the Lord takes many more faithful individuals than one leader or the leadership group. Although the ministry or church might be chiefly identified with one person, in this case Moses, that person and all those connected with the ministry must remember all play essential roles as directed by the Lord. 

Then it states Moses anointed and consecrated the tabernacle and all the furnishings and utensils to be used for worship. This is an old covenant action when as of yet there had been no atoning death of Jesus to pay for sins nor the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to set apart individuals from the sinful environment that surrounded them. Still often one hears of congregations dedicating a church building or an organ to God for His service. That was not done in the New Testament, possibly because believers met in homes. Such action seems appropriate today, though, as we utilize standalone facilities. There were actions in the New Testament, however, of special consecration for those desiring a deeper relationship with God or entering ministry to God. For example, as we recently studied in Acts 8:17, John and Peter laid hands on the Samaritan believers to receive the Holy Spirit. In Acts 6:6, the apostles laid hands on the seven deacons chosen to serve the widows. What all believers need to do is intentionally consecrate themselves as a sacrifice to God: "Present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God" (Rom.12:1). 

This thought leads to what happens next. The priest and Levites had been given their duties for how to serve God. The tabernacle, furnishings, and utensils had been consecrated to God. Now the rest of God's people were involved by bringing to Moses the offerings to the Lord to be used in God’s service directly or indirectly by supporting the Levities. Each of the leaders of the 12 tribes brought forward the offerings from his tribe. It might not have been riveting reading to have each of these offerings repeated verbatim 12 times, but isn’t great that God takes exact accounting of each person’s offering and service given to Him, no matter how mundane or similar to others? We all are needed in His Kingdom ministry. 

ACTS 11 There is a cliche that is often true: “No good deed goes unpunished.”  Peter, against his initial misgivings, entered a Gentile home, preached the Gospel, and baptized those who clearly had been born again. Once the word got out, he was criticized. To be fair to the critics, this was a deviation from the Old Testament, and they were not privy to the details of God revealing new truth. They were right to seek verification. Peter’s approach was also great.

READING FOR SEPTEMBER 23, 2024 CONTINUED: ACTS 11, PSALM 102:1-11

There was no defensiveness, but he calmly walked through all the events for them. This is a model for how the church should handle new directions. One detail worth considering relates to prophecy. Peter stated: “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit (vs. 15-16). This is what the angels said to the women at the tomb: ‘Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise from the dead.’ And they remembered His words” (Luke 24:6-8). Here the disciples recall Jesus’s prophecy: “So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken” (John 2:21-22). In each case, the prophecy from before was recalled as it was being fulfilled. Might that be the greatest value of prophecy? Recognizing God’s plan when being fulfilled, not guessing about details before they are fulfilled. This strengthens our belief.

Keep watching how the Gospel spreads. The persecution of Stephen led to the Jewish Christians fleeing Jerusalem. Those who went directly to Antioch only shared the Gospel to other Jews. However, some Jewish Christians came to Antioch from Cypress (Mediterranean Island) and Cyrene (northern Africa) and shared the Gospel to non-Jews. Folks started getting saved. Again, Jerusalem sent out a trusted person to investigate. This time Barnabus. He not only validated their faith, but he brought Saul from Tarsus to Antioch so together they could strengthen the church. Antioch also was notable for coining the word “Christian” and for being the site of Agabus's prophecy about an upcoming famine. This led to the Judean relief fund. 

PSALM 102:1-11 In the first two verses, the Psalmist asks essentially the same thing five times in five ways: “Please listen, God.”  Maybe he kept trying to get help from many other sources before or sensed God hadn’t listened. Either way, he’s desperate to be noticed. At the bottom of all our concerns, maybe we sense we aren’t noticed. Or maybe we think we are noticed only for how we can be used by others to get what they want, not for who we are. The Psalmist surfaces these feelings so they can be examined. He sees they have led to a loss of appetite, insomnia, destructive relationships, depression, and lack of purpose in life. He believes the cause of all this is spiritual and, somehow, he has provoked God’s wrath on him. Without evaluating each of these feelings, what does he certainly get right in the first eleven verses? 

1. Approaches God with his pain. 
2. Realizes that earthly life is short.
3. Considers his enemies as formidable opponents.
4. Believes that God’s wrath exists, and that God is ultimately in control. 

Keep in mind that there are 16 verses remaining, but the above points are good theology.