So, you might have noticed the distinct lack of blog action here since the middle of August. This happened for various reasons which I won't go into here. But the further behind I got, the harder it became for me to start it all back up again. So I've decided not to bother trying to catch up with where I should be. This is now day 52, and I'm continuing as usual from here. Hope that's okay with everyone, 'cause I'm doing it anyway.
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Day 52
Exodus 29-30
(29 - 30)
God lays down the method for consecrating Aaron and his sons as priests; this consecration process might seem wasteful, ritualistic and barbaric to our modern sensibilities, but not so for the Israelites, who were used to the idea of making sacrifices. Apart from anything else, this whole thing is about obedience to the LORD; doing it because God wants you to, and because you want to draw close to him.
God gives further instructions; first he gives instructions for the altar of incense for the Tent. He then orders that every person aged twenty or over must pay a half shekel as an atonement offering. This is to be done every year, and everyone is to pay the same - one half shekel, regardless of whether you're rich or poor. God orders the construction of a basin in which Aaron and his sons are to wash when they enter the tent. God also gives instructions for making sacred anointing oil and incense, proclaiming it holy, and exclusively for use in the Tent of Meeting - no one is to make the oil or incense for personal or commercial use.
Mark 6:6b-29
(6:6-29)
Jesus sends out the twelve in twos. He tells them to take only the clothes on their backs and a staff with them. He instructs them to rely solely on hospitality, and to leave any place that doesn't welcome them. They are to wipe their feet as they leave any such place.
When Herod hears of the actions of Jesus and his disciples, he becomes distressed. He believes Jesus is actually the resurrected John the Baptist; this distresses him because he had John executed, and had his head presented on a platter to the daughter of his new wife, Herodias. I've had a go at explaining the messy situation surrounding John's arrest, and why Herod and his wife were less than keen on him in a previous blog.
Proverbs 5:15-23
(5:15-23)
The passage instructs us to be happy with what we've got - if we seek after that which doesn't belong to us, we risk sinning against God.
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Day 52
Exodus 29-30
(29 - 30)
God lays down the method for consecrating Aaron and his sons as priests; this consecration process might seem wasteful, ritualistic and barbaric to our modern sensibilities, but not so for the Israelites, who were used to the idea of making sacrifices. Apart from anything else, this whole thing is about obedience to the LORD; doing it because God wants you to, and because you want to draw close to him.
God gives further instructions; first he gives instructions for the altar of incense for the Tent. He then orders that every person aged twenty or over must pay a half shekel as an atonement offering. This is to be done every year, and everyone is to pay the same - one half shekel, regardless of whether you're rich or poor. God orders the construction of a basin in which Aaron and his sons are to wash when they enter the tent. God also gives instructions for making sacred anointing oil and incense, proclaiming it holy, and exclusively for use in the Tent of Meeting - no one is to make the oil or incense for personal or commercial use.
Mark 6:6b-29
(6:6-29)
Jesus sends out the twelve in twos. He tells them to take only the clothes on their backs and a staff with them. He instructs them to rely solely on hospitality, and to leave any place that doesn't welcome them. They are to wipe their feet as they leave any such place.
When Herod hears of the actions of Jesus and his disciples, he becomes distressed. He believes Jesus is actually the resurrected John the Baptist; this distresses him because he had John executed, and had his head presented on a platter to the daughter of his new wife, Herodias. I've had a go at explaining the messy situation surrounding John's arrest, and why Herod and his wife were less than keen on him in a previous blog.
Proverbs 5:15-23
(5:15-23)
The passage instructs us to be happy with what we've got - if we seek after that which doesn't belong to us, we risk sinning against God.
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