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March 26

Reading 1 - Numbers 7

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v.89 - Notice here how much sacrifice had to be made in order to allow Moses access to the voice of God that spoke to him from between the cherubims, enumerated for us in v. 84-88, a massive amount of work for the priests over this twelve day period in order to dedicate the altar for each tribe so that it might be available for further sacrifice. It created the way for man to speak to God, just like Jesus did later. Heb.4:16, 13:10.
Peter Cresswell
The detail given in this chapter, although very repetitive, has the effect, if no more, of making us recognise the degree of effort that is required to make man holy before God, and reflects to some extent the attitude we should have in creating our position of humility, but also the the amount of work that Jesus undertook on our behalf when he ended the need for all of this.
Peter Cresswell
v.1 This is the same time as that spoken of in Exodus 40:17 and Leviticus 8 when the sons of Aaron were consecrated and the tabernacle anointed. 8:10 The laying on of hands in this context shows an association with the work by the people who laid their hands on their heads. Acts6:6 13:3 and 1Timothy 5:22 in particular reinforce this point with examples of when this happened.
Peter Forbes
7:1 This day answers [as stated above] to Exodus 40:17 and also to Numbers 11. We are returning, in the record to issues relating specifically to tabernacle worship - how it was to be conducted. The princes of the tribes now had to show their association with the things offered to God, even though it was the specific responsibility of Levi to minister.

:12 Judah
:18 Issachar
:24 Zebulon
:30 Reuben
:36 Simeon
:48 Ephraim
:54 Manasseh
:60 Benjamin
:72 Asher
:78 Naphtali

Notice that there are 12 princes of tribes, even though Levi is not in the list. The two sons of Joseph are taken as two tribes not one.
Peter Forbes
In order to help to see the structure of the chapter you could mark the days
:12 first day
:18 second day
:24 third day
:30 fourth day
:36 fifth day
:42 sixth day
:48 seventh day
:54 eighth day
:60 ninth day
:66 tenth day
:72 eleventh day
:78 twelfth day
Peter Forbes

Reading 2 - Proverbs 4

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v. 12 - Here wisdom is going to keep us true to the right way - See also 2Sam.22:37, [Ps.18:36], 91:11-12, Pr.3:23, 6:22, Jer.31:9, John 11:9,10, 1John 2:10,11.
Peter Cresswell
v.7 - Here we see wisdom being presented as the ultimate for the man of God - like the pearl of great price of Jesus' parable - Matt.13:44-46 - See also Ecc.7:12, 9:16-18
Peter Cresswell
v.3 'only beloved' is the Hebrew word Strong’s number 03173 these are the only other occurrences of the same word in Scripture Genesis 22:2,16 'only son' Judges 11:34 'only daughter' Psalm 22:20 35:17 'darling' Psalm 25:16 'desolate' Psalm 68:6 'solitary' here 'only beloved' Jeremiah 6:26 'only son' Amos 8:10 'only son' Zechariah 12:10 'only son' Their presence in passages which clearly speak of the Lord Jesus Christ cause us to appreciate that the word is specifically related to Jesus in the context of his suffering.
Peter Forbes
:8,9 contains one of the rare occasions in Scripture where 'honour' and 'glory' appear in that order is verses close to each other. Peter [2 Peter 1:17] saw 'glory and honour' at the transfiguration in the transfigured Jesus but he has already told us [1 Peter 1:7] that if we are faithful we will also have 'honour and glory' - we will be like the glorified Christ. What a wonderful prospect.
Peter Forbes
:6-7 In Revelation 2:24 We learn that some had 'lost their first love' whilst we may wonder what this might be Proverbs 4:6-7 shows us. It is wisdom in the things of God.
Peter Forbes

Reading 3 - Luke 18

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v.5 - The purpose of this and other similar situations must be to show us that God expects us to repeat our petitions over and over to convince him that we care enough about it for him to act. The implication is that an isolated prayer may not be answered but a repeated prayer with conviction will be. Luke 11:8, Jud.16:16, 2Sam.13:24-27, Mark 10:47,48.
Peter Cresswell
v.18 - 43 The ruler was asked by Jesus to 'sell all ... and follow me' [22] However he 'went away' [Matthew 19:22] Later Jesus came near to Jericho V 35 and healed the blind man telling him to 'go thy way' [Mark 10:52]. However he 'followed him [Luke 18:43]. The contrast between the ruler who was blind to the call of the gospel and the blind man who could see the call of the gospel is marked.
Peter Forbes
18:18 We are now back with material found in other gospel records. This event is to be found in Matthew 19:16 Mark 10:17.
Notice that whilst the rich ruler has assented that he has kept all the commandment that Jesus outlines that Jesus has omitted one vital command. 'Thou shalt not covet'.
Peter Forbes
:12 That the publican stood 'afar off' reminds us of Luke 17:12. So the publican is to be brought near to Jesus whilst the Pharisee who thought he was near to God is actually a long way away!
Peter Forbes
PRAY AND DON'T GIVE UP
Jesus told this really cool parable that shows us how attentive God is to our prayers. It was about a widow who kept coming to a judge who didn't have time for her. She kept asking for justice against her adversary. He wouldn't listen but she kept on and on at him until he thought she would wear him out. Finally he granted her request. The lesson is this: God will bring justice for his chosen ones who cry out to him. Yet God is just - not at all like the unjust judge. We won't have to wear God down with our requests over and over so he will listen. People who worship idols think they have to.
When Elijah and the prophets of Baal had their contest, the prophets of Baal cried and prayed all day and Baal didn't hear. But Elijah prayed one small quiet prayer to God and her heard and acted straight away. We can be confident that God will hear our prayers first time and every time. This does not mean that he will always answer them first time - or even in the way we want, but we can rest assured that they have been heard and that God is now taking control of the matter. So don't give up - There is Power in Prayer!
Robert Prins