Musings on the Tough Life Questions

  Day 55,  February 24 Num. 3:1-13  The role and duties of the Levites Num. 8:5-26  The purification and setting apart of the Levites Lev. 21 – 22:16     Rules for priests / Separation of priests Num. 3:1-13  The role and duties of the Levites Num 3:1-4 Summary of Aaron’s diary.  He had 4 sons, but his first 2 Nadab and Abihu were killed by God for offering profane fire, while the last two, Eleazar and Ithamar went into the family business of priesthood with their father Aaron. Num 3:5-10 The entire tribe of Levi were presented and given to Aaron and his sons, to do the work of the tabernacle. Any outsider who tries to come near shall be out to death. This begs the question why David was not killed later on when he entered the tabernacle, begging for bread. Num 3:11-13 The Levites were taken instead of every first born in Israel.  God owned them, as he redeemed all the firstborn as the price for freeing them from Egypt. Num. 8:5-26  Th...

Day 49,  February 18 Ex. 39:1-32 The Israelites make the priests’ garments Ex. 39:33 – 40:33 The inspection, set-up, and consecration of the tabernacle Ex. 40:34-38  The glory of the Lord fills the tabernacle As I read these passages I couldn’t help but wonder why Moses didn't save himself four chapters of documentation and just simply wrote, “..and Bezalel and Aholiab completed all that God commanded and the tabernacle was built. Amen ☺ “ As you read this passage, let us be reminded that the Melchizedek, the King of Kings was supposed to be BOTH King and Priest. Christ is Both King and High Priest. Later on as we read through the story of the Bible, we would see where that split occurred. After Ephraim and Judah, the Birthright of Kingship and Fruitfulness were transferred to the entire nation. The Levis were separated as representative of the fruitfulness, as they were taken and consecrated unto God instead of all the firstborn of Israel, as God redeemed the firstborn of...

Day 31,  January 31 1805 - 1446 BC Ex. 1 – 2:10 The Israelites are enslaved / Moses’ birth Ex. 2:11-25 Moses kills an Egyptian / Moses flees from Pharaoh Ex. 3 – 4:17 The burning bush / God’s charge to Moses / Aaron’s role Ex. 1-2:10 1:1-7 Several hundred years have passed, after the death of not only Joseph, but the original 70 descendants of Jacob who came to Egypt. Ex 1:8-14 A new Pharaoh out of xenophobia and fear, enslaved thee children of Israel,  The children of Israel built some important cities such as Pithom famously known as Heroonopolis and Raamses. Ex 1:15-22 To resolve the potential threat of the illegal immigrants, Pharaoh went straight to Hebrew midwives to kill every son but keep the daughters alive.  He wanted to kill the seed of Abraham. What was interesting to me was it was said that these midwives feared God so much that they did not do as Pharaoh commanded, saved the male children and basically lied to Pharaoh as to why the Hebrew sons are not ...

Day 30,  January 30 Gen. 47:28 – (chap)48     Jacob’s last wish / Jacob blesses Manasseh and Ephraim Gen. 49 – 50:14     Jacob blesses his sons / Jacob’s death and funeral Gen. 50:15-26       Joseph reassures his brothers / Joseph’s death Gen. 47:28-Gen. 48 47:28-31 Jacob put Joseph’s hand under his thigh (remember Abraham and his servant doing this also?) and made Joseph’s swear that he will not be buried in Egypt 48:1-8 Jacob elevated Joseph’s two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim to be his sons, and placed them as part of the blessings of Abraham, to be included in the inheritance of the land. They became one of the twelve tribes of Israel with the same status as those who came out of Jacob’s loins.  In this way Joseph received a double portion. Note also one of the things Jacob reminded Joseph was that the land would be an everlasting blessing.  This English word “everlasting” can be a bit misleading at times. OK, at ALL times. In the...

Day 29,  January 29 Gen. 45:1-20  Joseph reveals himself to his brothers / Pharaoh’s invitation Gen. 45:21 – 46:27   The second return / Jacob and his family move to Egypt Gen. 46:28 – 47:12   Joseph and Jacob are reunited / Jacob meets with Pharaoh Gen. 47:13-27       Joseph and the famine Gen. 45:1-20 45:1-8 Could you imagine the emotional release occurring here? If Joseph was a different man (ok like me), emotion would be held in check until I gave them a good “come to Jesus” lecture.  But sometimes as a man, a good cry to release all the inner hurt, can help with the reconciliation and inner healing. What if estranged brothers, siblings, did this? It is one thing to see a woman cry, but a man? That should happen more often.  As I write this (Jan 20), Biden was inaugurated.  A man who was about to be President weeps publicly , just as Christ weeped publicly for Jerusalem.  More men of God should be like this. It is interesting ...