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April 3

Reading 1 - Numbers 17 & 18

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17:12 - Here we have a reminder of the attitude that we should have to the bad things that God sends us in our lives - a reminder that it is so easy for us to forget, as they did, that God chastens those that he loves, and we should not despair or be angry with him or feel that all is lost. Heb.12:5.
Peter Cresswell
18:3 - These rituals were to be observed on pain of death. See also ch.4:19-20. There would be great temptation involved here. Things which are covered and to which we are denied access suddenly become the greatest desire to see. It must have been just the same for them.
Peter Cresswell

17 v.8 bloomed blossom Hebrews 9:4 It is interesting to reflect on that fact that the things that Hebrews 9 says were in the ark all relate to contention and rebellion amongst Israel. The manna - 'our soul loatheth this light brad' Aaron's rod - To quell the spirit of envy The tables of stone were the second set that were made. The first being broken over the incident of the golden calf.

18 v.1 With the great honour of being priest in Israel came the equally great responsibility of ensuring that everything to do with tabernacle worship was done properly. If anything was not done properly the sons of Aaron had to accept the responsibility. Jesus said 'to whom much is given much shall be received' Luke 12:48.
Peter Forbes

17:10 Aaron's rod was put in the tabernacle by the ark. However it was not in the ark when it was put in Solomon's temple (1 Kings 8:9) - the rod had served it's purpose. Those rebels were now dead, and the wilderness journey over.

18:20 The Levites were to have no inheritance in the land of Israel. They were to live off the tithes that the nation were to give them. Therefore they had to believe that they would be provided for in return for their service to God. If the nation were not faithful, then, the Levites would suffer because the tithes would not be given.
Peter Forbes

17:5,10 So do we think that Israel never murmured again during the wilderness journey. You should be alert for signs in the rest of the book of Numbers.

18 - This chapter marks the beginning of a long journey in the wilderness so it is fitting that the instructions given at Sinai are re stated. I don't suppose anyone, when they were at Sinai, anticipated 40 years of wandering. But now it begins and it is important to keep faithful to the commandments all the time. Likewise we do not know the length of our pilgrimage in the wilderness. However it is just as important that the things of the gospel are kept all the time we are 'wandering' there is no room for complacency. Nadab and Abihu died only a short while ago because they failed to make a distinction between holy and unholy.
Peter Forbes

Reading 2 - Proverbs 13

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v. 1 - continues the theme from Numbers above. Again we are reminded to be amongst those that hear rebuke - and, of course, act upon it. The context is that of obedience to parents - but the obvious wider use of this concept in scripture refers to our response to God and the way we should treat him as a father and accept his rebukes. Prov.4:1-13, 10:1, Isa.28:14-15.
Peter Cresswell
v.4 - We are constantly reminded throughout scripture of the curse under which we live, that if we don't work we should not eat. The world around us will do anything to gain money in return for as little work as possible. Let us be careful not to fall into the same trap.
Peter Cresswell
v.3 The warning to keep one's lips from evil is a recurring theme in Scripture. here are some other places which develop the same idea. Psalm 34:13 141:3 Proverbs 5:2 22:18 Malachi 2:7
Peter Forbes
2002
:4 The 'sluggard' is mentioned often in Proverbs. We must be able to recognise that we are all sluggards at some time in our lives. Maybe we are sluggards from time to time and then snap out of that idle way of thinking. It is the thinking that expects benefits without any application - He desires but does nothing to achieve. Maybe we are the same with our reading of Scripture. We desire a good understanding and want to know how to please our Father but we do not bother to read the word regularly.
Peter Forbes
:12 'desire' and 'tree of life' are quoted from Genesis 3:6. Whilst for Adam and Eve took the short term view - hope was deferred. However because they despised the word (of God) (13:12) they were destroyed.
Peter Forbes

Reading 3 - Galatians 3 & 4

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v. 8 is one of the clearest indications in the New Testament to show us that it is inextricably built upon the Old. Here Paul is telling us that the dealings that God had with faithful men of old were there to point forward to a time when justification by faith would be a possibility through the atonement brought about by Jesus. v.22, 4:30, John 7:42, Rom.9:17, 2Tim.3:15-17, Acts 15:15-18, Heb.4:2.
Peter Cresswell

Chapter 3 draws heavily on the Old Testament.
v.6 'Abraham ... righteousness' quotes Genesis 15:6
v.8 'in thee ... blessed' quotes Genesis 12:3
v.11'just ... faith' quotes Habakkuk 2:4
v.13 'cursed ... tree' quotes Deuteronomy 21:23
v.16 'Abraham' 'seed' quotes Genesis 13:15
v.22 The Scripture which shows that all are under sin is Psalm 143:2
Reviewing these passages demonstrates how the gospel messages is rooted in Old Testament Scripture.

4:5 'adoption of sons' highlights the fact that Israel were not 'sons of God'. The position of those in Christ is so exalted. Whereas Israel's God was not their 'Father' He is ours because He has chosen us.This adopted sonship links us into the promise of 2 Samuel 7:14 as can be see by the way in which 2 Corinthians 6:18, using 2 Samuel 7, speaks of our position in Christ. With it come great responsibilities [see 2 Corinthians 6:14-18]
Peter Forbes

3:22-26 look for the key word 'faith' in all but v24

4:1-3 Bondage under the Law of Moses is contrasted with freedom in Christ
Peter Forbes

3:22 The 'Scripture' that concluded all under sin may well be Romans 3:9 - we should not always presume that 'Scripture' means the Old Testament.

4 :10 The 'days' and 'months' are the feasts of the law of Moses and the additions of the Scribes. In adhering to them the believer was shunning the freedom that comes to the 'son' who is no longer a 'servant'.
Peter Forbes