READING FOR SEPTEMBER 30, 2024: NUMBERS 12, ACTS 16, PSALM 104:1-9 NUMBER 12 Miriam and Aaron didn’t like that Moses had married a Cushite woman, likely from present day Ethiopia. We are missing some details, such as whether first wife Zipporah had died or not. But it seems likely that they were upset about either her nationality or her skin color, since her country of origin is mentioned twice. Notice that God had no problem with this marriage. This should have put to rest all the arguments against interracial marriage over the centuries, but it didn’t. Folks either don’t read the whole Bible or just don’t consider what doesn’t agree with their opinions.
Aaron and Miriam also complained about Moses’s thinking he had a special relationship with God. Moses thought this because God had a special relationship with him. We all need to come to grips with God’s sovereignty. He has a right to work through whom He chooses. In fact, the jealousy they expressed proves God made the right choice. Does God still choose those whom He wants for certain roles today? Consider 1 Cor. 12:27-28: “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it. And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, and various kinds of tongues.” A typical American view is that we can grow up to be anything we want. If we can dream it, we can achieve it. At least as regards to the church, the Bible says God does the appointing.
God called the three of them out to the tent of meeting. Reminds one of being called to the principal’s office. Here God explained to them that Moses was no ordinary prophet, but one to whom He speaks face-to-face. God then wonders why they weren’t afraid to speak to Moses in such a way. This is especially baffling after their having witnessed the fate of those who complained about food. Jealousy appears to overwhelm common sense. This is likely easier to perceive in others than notice when we harbor these feelings, ourselves. Let’s pray that the Lord will help us not be jealous of another’s role and never succumb to a rebellious spirit.
When God’s presence left, Miriam turned as white as snow with leprosy. It’s ironic that Miriam complained about Moses marrying a black woman and then God made her completely white. Aaron rightly sought mercy from Moses, who urgently appealed to God on her behalf. God made her comply with the normal cleansing processes for leprosy and separate herself for seven days. This was a rather public incident because the entire camp stayed in place while she served her cleansing period. It seems that those whom God places in positions of prominence need to repent in more public ways.
ACTS 16 Paul and his new partner Silas set off to visit the churches he had visited before. His former partner Barnabus disagreed about taking Mark along, so they decided to part ways.
READING FOR SEPTEMBER 30, 2024: ACTS 16, PSALM 104:1-9 Sometimes that’s necessary even with Christians; no need to waste time mourning about it. Paul and Silas appear to have met Timothy in Lystra. He was a believer and son of a believing Jewish mother and Greek father, apparently not a Christian.(Parents, take heart that your kids can become believers even if your spouse isn’t.) Timothy’s reputation was so strong among the churches that Paul wanted him to join his evangelistic team. What kind of recommendation would our fellow believers give us?Despite Paul’s super strong belief that circumcision wasn’t necessary for faith, he had Timothy circumcised to take that issue off the table for when they visited Jewish groups. Note the importance of adapting ourselves, even when it hurts, so we can be a more effective witness. Paul found the churches growing!
As they were traveling, the Spirit prevented them from preaching in Asia. Later the Spirit stopped them from entering Bithynia, so they hung a left and went past Mysia to Troas. At Troas, Paul had a vision of a man pleading with him to come to Macedonia to preach. So off they went. Now the narrative becomes first person plural, possibly meaning Luke joined the group then. They sailed to Samothrace to Neapolis and then traveled to Philippi, the leading city in Macedonia. Lydia, a local businesswoman, responded to the Gospel and was baptized, along with her family. Later a demon-possessed slave women followed them shouting that they were proclaiming salvation. She was right, but annoying. Paul cast out the demon.
This in turn upset her master because he was making money off her demon possession. Disgusting. Paul and Silas were accused of being Jews who subverted Roman authority (a lie of course). The horrified, but unjust, judge had them beaten and thrown into an inner cell with their feet in stocks. What would we do? Paul and Silas started singing hymns at midnight! Either they were crazy or had Spirit-led guts. This led to an earthquake breaking all chains and opening all doors. Paul stopped the jailer from killing himself, confirming everyone was still in place. The jailer, with astounding spiritual discernment, asked them how he could be saved.Could what we do in a stressful situation cause others to ask how to be saved? It could!
PSALM 104:1-9 The Psalmist opens by telling his soul to bless the Lord. And boy does he do this. It’s more, not less, than just a correct theological understanding. It’s more, not less, than a projection of all our wishes of what God should be. The Psalmist looks back on his experiences of God in times of silent meditation alone and ecstatic worship with others. He considers the blessings of God throughout his life and toward the people of God. He looks at the sea, clouds, and mountains. He feels the wind and hears the thunder. He reads of God’s creation in Genesis, faithfulness in Exodus, holiness in Leviticus, and victory in Joshua. He takes all this glorious input then tells His soul to bless the Lord. Should we join him?
