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March 7

Reading 1 - Leviticus 14

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v. 5 - This seems an odd practice for God to implement. What are the significances here. Well, there are other instances of earthen vessels which certainly point us to Christ - 2Cor.4:7, Jud.7:20 - broken that the light might shine forth - Just as Jesus was broken that we might enjoy the everlasting view of that light. Also the running water has some significance - Ps.1:3, Rev.22:1,2.
Peter Cresswell
v14 This reflects the process by which the priests themselves were sanctified (Ex.29) so conferring on them the ability to pass this blessing on.
Peter Cresswell
14:4 'scarlet and hyssop' is only used in the cleansing of the leper, the red heifer in Numbers 19:6 and the law of the red heifer is referred to in Hebrews 9:19 marking the association with 'sin in the flesh' because the red heifer was used for 'purification for sin' Numbers 19:9. In Hebrews the red heifer is contrasted with the sacrifice of Christ. Whilst the red heifer could only purify the flesh the sacrifice of Christ can 'purge the conscience' Hebrews 9:14.
14:14 the placing of blood on the tip of the ear, the right thumb and right toe matches what was to happen with the consecration of the priest - see Exodus 29:20 thus showing that the cleansed leper is able to be in fellowship with and work for his God.
14:18 That atonement was made for the leper matches the law of the Nazarite Numbers 6:11
14:22 The two turtledoves match elements of the offering for the Nazarite Numbers 6:10
14:23 The 'eighth day' matches the Nazarite law in Numbers 6:10 Thus details of the link between leprosy - separation FROM God and the Nazarite separation TO God can be seen.
Peter Forbes
14:45 The breaking down of the house which is leprous is typical of the overthrow of Jerusalem by the Romans in AD70. The house was leprous and had been 'visited' by Jesus who is typical of the priest who assessed the state of the house deemed to be leprous.

Also notice the similar language
14:45 the stones Zechariah 5:4
14:45 the timber Zechariah 5:4
14:45 carry them forth Zechariah 5:4
Peter Forbes

In general terms leprosy is associated with sin. Miriam became 'white as snow' (Num 12:10). Sinfulness is the common lot of all mankind - no matter how we think we behave. All are Adam's children in his likeness (Genesis 5:3). We share Adam's flawed nature. So all of us need to be 'cleansed' This is achieved through the sacrifice of Christ.
Peter Forbes

Reading 2 - Psalms 115 & 116

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115 v.17- It is important to remember that there is no chance of altering our state as regards judgement after we have died. We can only do that now, and we don't know how long we have left. Ps.6:5, 30:9, 88:10-12, 31:17, Isa.38:18-19, 1Sam.2:9.
Peter Cresswell
116 v. 15 - Strange words indeed to the unbeliever - and yet for each believer, death is the ultimate aim, as it brings the kingdom of God with the next moment of our consciousness. It is a comfort to know that our death is precious in the sight of the Lord. - Psa.37:32-33, 72:14
Peter Cresswell

Psalm 115 Glory was to be given to God (v1) because His servants are blessed (15) by contrast to the inability of the idols of the nations to do anything (vs 4-7). So Israel - and we - should appreciate who is worthy of worship. The idols of our lives are as valueless as the idols of the nations around Israel.

Psalm 116 Isaiah (55:3) as God calling for His servants to listen to Him so that He can bless His people./ This echoes the psalm (78:1) where there is a call to listening to the Law. In this psalm we have the reverse. The Lord listens to His servants. This is why David blessed his God (v1). He realised that God listened to him! Now isn't that wonderful! The creator of the universe will listen to us - so shouldn't we want to listen to him?
Peter Forbes

115:3 Those who have faith - that is those who believe that God keeps His word recognise that God always does His own will. Abraham realised this - Romans 4:21 - this is why he was counted righteous - Genesis 15:6.

116:3 The only other place where sows of death is found in the Old Testament is Psalm 18:4,5 and 2 Samuel 22:6 Which speak of David's feelings at the uprising of Absalom and Ahithophel. We might think this Psalm is from that time as well. However whenever the Psalm was written we have to think about the 'sorrows of death' in what way is death a sorrowful vent for the one who has died? Surely it is because the one who has died is no longer able to praise his God.
Peter Forbes

115 - In speaking of glory being given to God and not man (:1-2) and then speaking about man's idols (:48) we see that God is telling us that those who make idols are, in fact, seeking honour for themselves.

116:16 The statement 'I am the son of thy handmaid' speaks of Jesus and Mary - his mother. It is Jesus who, in the ultimate sense, offered 'the sacrifice of thanksgiving' (:17)
Peter Forbes

Psalm 116 - I BELIEVED
I know at least five people who are struggling with serious health problems and cancer, and so when I read this Psalm this morning, it became a prayer for those people. But in this prayer is a major challenge to those of us who pray - and especially to those who are the subjects of the prayer. That challenge is to believe.
It is said that in any religion prayer is a powerful healing medium. It strengthens the mind and unites people together combining their strengths. The healing rate of people who pray or are prayed for is significantly higher than for people who don't pray. This is very encouraging for those of us who pray. However, we not only pray, but pray to the Living God, the God who can do miracles and who lives and works in our lives. We know he always hears and answers our prayers. They may not always be the answers we want or expect, but we can be sure that he will answer.
So as you read Psalm 116 take note of his perfect trust in God, his confidence that God would save him, his belief in the goodness and mercy of God, and then his response of praise and thanks.
Now, the only thing left is to do it yourself.
Robert Prins

Reading 3 - 2Corinthians 8 & 9

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8 v. 9 - If this verse doesn't give us reason to praise and thank the Lord God, where is there one that will? It is by grace that we are able to stand righteous before God, and that through the atoning work of Jesus. Paul concludes the letter (13:14) by wishing upon them the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. See also John1:14-17, Rom.5:20-21, 1Cor.1:4, Eph. 2:7, 3:8,19.
Peter Cresswell

ch 8 - Paul had been greatly concerned to collect money fr the 'poor saints in Jerusalem' (Romans 15:26). Some ecclesias had been very generous. Corinth, it seems, was a little tardy. However Paul is more concerned with the spirit of giving than the money itself. This is because the giving marked fellowship with the sufferers. The collection for the poor saints was a way of uniting the Jewish and gentile believers.

ch 9 - Whilst we might not think that talking about collecting money is something which we should do extensively the apostle spends a lot of time in 2 Corinthians doing just that. The Corinthians had said that they were willing 12 months ago (9:2). So they had actually, so to speak, 'vowed a vow' (Ecclesiastes 5:4) So Paul is discussing dishonesty in the Corinthians, not simply money.
Peter Forbes

8:15 The quotation from Exodus 16:18 is used to demonstrate that the benefit in giving is not the actual amount that is given. This is because it is the spirit in which the gift is made and not the amount that matter for 'God loveth a cheerful giver' (2 Corinthians 9:7)

9:2 and 8:10 The mention of 'a year ago' indicates that it appears that there was not a great sense of urgency in the collecting of money for the brethren in Jerusalem. Maybe this apparent lack of concern for the immediacy of the problem was because there was another issue at stake - fellowship. In giving to the Jewish brethren in Jerusalem the gentile Corinthians fellowshipped the suffering of their Jewish brethren - and we know that the issue of integrating gentiles into a predominantly Jewish community - the Christians - was a real problem.
Peter Forbes