It is significant that after speaking about the blessing of the faithful Nazarite with the LORD’s countenance smiling on them, that the record next speaks of the consecration of the priests in Numbers 7. The consecration of the Tabernacle was accompanied by extraordinary generosity from the princes of the tribes who donated 70 wagons for the transportation of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. These princes also willingly gave silver plates and bowls, gold spoons, fine flour with oil, incense,bullocks, rams, lamb and goats for the stated offerings. Verses 34-38 tell the total weights and numbers for the offerings. After this Moses entered the Tabernacle to talk to Yahweh.

Proverbs 4 speaks of the superiority and power of wisdom. Verses 1to 9 tell of a father’s advice. Verses 10-19 outline the need for wise choices. Verses 20-27 speak of the need for concentration and application in order for the son to have success in what he chooses. The opening section shows the effort David made in the instruction of Solomon. Sadly this may have been lacking with his other sons. The intensity of David’s pouring wisdom into his son, Solomon, was matched by his wholehearted appeal for Solomon to heed the advice given. The benefits from taking his father’s advice, says Solomon, are boundless. In the next section Solomon is told that choosing wisdom will add length of days to his life. Yahweh Himself told this to Solomon when He appeared to Solomon in a dream. When we choose to walk in wisdom’s way the result will be eternal life in our Father’s kingdom. The section on the wisdom in choosing also gives warnings about avoiding evil and worthless people. The chapter finishes with the need for diligent application to wisdom’s words that will guide us in the path of life. We need, says Solomon to “keep our eyes on the prize” – to maintain a single-minded focus on the ways of the Almighty and to faithfully walk in His ways.

Luke chapter 18 commences with two contrasting parables about prayer. The first, an unjust judge, who fears neither God nor man is badgered into action because of a persistent widow woman. If her persistence was able to get results from an indifferent and unjust judge how much more would a loving Father respond to the powerful pleas of His devoted and loved children. The second parable deals with two men who went to the temple to pray. One man is a smug self righteousness. The rehearsals of the self satisfied Pharisee who is unable to recognise his sins. That man’s prayer did not even reach the roof. The other man was a publican who acknowledged his sinfulness and his need for God’s forgiveness. Let us recognise our true position before the LORD. We stand only because of his mercy: Psalm 130 verses 1 to 6. Read aloud slowly and contemplate the frame of mind we need in approaching our gracious Sovereign. Knowing that we are loved by our Heavenly Father and that our standing is only by His grace is the key to an effective life of prayer. Jesus implores the disciples to let the children come to him. The key to the kingdom is a humble and child-like reception of the King and his message. Our Lord was approached by a rich young ruler, who obviously loved God and wanted to please Him. This man thought that he was keeping all of the Ten Commandments from his youth until the present time. Jesus demonstrated by asking him to sell all and follow the Lord Jesus that he had failed to keep the first and the tenth commands. His riches were his prime god, and his covetousness was his idolatry: Colossians 3 verse 3. The Lord was sad that the loveable young ruler had failed the test; as was the young man himself, since he had just been shown his impediment to the Kingdom. The Apostles, who believed riches were an evidence of God’s favour, were astounded. Jesus tells them that things deemed impossible by men are not so to our Almighty Sovereign. Jesus foretells his sufferings and death for a third time. Many believe that Barnabas was the rich young ruler. If so he overcame his obstacle in Acts 4 verses 33 to 37. The chapter next says that a blind beggar had faith that Jesus was the son of David desired our Lord to have mercy on him and restore the beggar’s sight. Once Christ heals that beggar he follows Jesus in the way.

Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphianvideo.org

See more Thoughts from the Christadelphian Dialy Bible Reading Planner (By R.Roberts) here…