Shalom,
We begin with Psalm 69 in the Bible reading for today. As I was doing some research on Psalm 69 I read this in The Bible Exposition Commentary: "This Psalm is a Messianic psalm, an imprecatory psalm, and after Psalm 22 and Psalm 110, the most frequently quoted Psalm in the New Testament". Imprecatory means it is a Psalm where the author was calling for judgement on his enemies. A Messianic Psalm means it foretells of the coming Messiah of Israel. The verses that I am concerned with today are verses 30-31:
30I will praise the name of God with a song and will magnify Him with thanksgiving,
31And it will please the Lord better than an ox or a bullock that has horns and hoofs.
The word "praise" here is the Hebrew word we've looked at before, "halal", which means: to boast, to make a show, to be clamorously foolish. He says that to praise the Name of the Lord like this with song, and to magnify Him with thanksgiving, is more pleasing to the Lord than all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices! And verse 34 says this:
34Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and everything that moves in them.
The heavens, the earth, the seas and and every living thing is supposed to "praise", to boast about and be clamorously foolish over, the Lord! That brings up to me two other Scriptures! Psalm 150:6 and Luke 19:40:
6Let everything that has breath and every breath of life praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)
40He replied, I tell you that if these keep silent, the very stones will cry out.
Also, all of the Scriptures that speak of the trees clapping their hands ! Give him praise - ALWAYS and in ALL WAYS! AMEN!
In Mark 13 we see Jesus discussing End Time events with His disciples. Remember that in the Gospels Jesus is still talking to Jewish people under the Old Covenant. He is telling them what the last days will look like from a Jewish perspective. Remember that the Church will NOT be here during the Tribulation, but will be coming back WITH Jesus AFTER the 7 years of tribulation such as the world has never seen. We can read about the Church and what's in store for us in the Epistles, the Letters, written to the churches. Let's be about our Father's business of sharing the Gospel with all who will hear while there is still time for them to hear! AMEN!
In Leviticus 8-9 we see more of the instructions to Moses for preparing the priests for office. They had to follow the precise instructions and do everything as commanded or they would die! See Leviticus 8:33-36:
33And you shall not go out of the door of the Tent of Meeting for seven days, until the days of your consecration and ordination are ended; for it will take seven days to consecrate and ordain you.
34As has been done this day, so the Lord has commanded to do for your atonement.
35At the door of the Tent of Meeting you shall remain day and night for seven days, doing what the Lord has charged you to do, that you die not; for so I am commanded.
36So Aaron and his sons did all the things which the Lord commanded through Moses.
Then in Leviticus 9:6 we read this:
6And Moses said, This is the thing which the Lord commanded you to do, and the glory of the Lord will appear to you.
And the results of Aaron doing everything as commanded:
22Then Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them, and came down [from the altar] after offering the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offerings.
23Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of Meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord [the Shekinah cloud] appeared to all the people [as promised].
24Then there came a fire out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.
I am SO glad that I live in the days when the Spirit of God lives IN ME and I can go directly to the Throne of God, by His Spirit, and NOT have to go through all of this! Hebrews 4:16:
16Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].
Thank You , Lord Jesus! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
