Tuesday, Ordinary 29, Proper 24, Oct 21
ChapLynne
Posts: 31 Member
Meditation
Tuesday, Ordinary 29, Proper 24 brought together some unique aspects of the story of Moses and the future tale of the destruction of Babylon. The Old Testament lesson in the Book of Numbers related the story of Aaron and Miriam criticizing their brother, Moses because of his choice in wives—he’d married an Ethiopian—a black woman. They suggested that they were better because God had also used them in a prophetic sense.
God reacted by calling them all to the tabernacle and then demanding Aaron and Miriam front and center like a military dressing down. The tall cloud pillared over the Tent of Meeting and God spoke out of the cloud.
Moses was humble. That was the first thing.
Miriam and Aaron’s complaints arose out of their pride that they were of equal caliber as prophets and yet they believed they were superior because they hadn’t married across cultural and ethnic lines.
God was furious. He noted that being a prophet was not in the same class as Moses. Prophets could occur in many instances—people who would have visions and interpret them; people who would hear the inner voice of God nudging them to direct others. Aaron and Miriam were prophets.
Moses was in a class by himself. Being humble—more so than anyone else—God could talk directly with Moses with a clarity and precision that was saved for him alone. No need to interpret, Moses received the straight truth. God did not speak in parables or stories with hidden meanings.
Two lessons: Be humble. Don’t criticize others.
So many have suggested that intermarriage between cultures was wrong, but God clearly didn’t think so. God did not reprove Moses for his choice of marrying an Ethiopian wife. On the contrary, God reproved Aaron and Miriam for their pride as prophets and their criticism of Moses’ choices, when he was the superior one, walking in the path God wanted for him.
The New Testament lesson in Revelation dealt with another rebuking of the city of Babylon—and all those in league with its commerce, government and society. All the things that Babylon was clearly proud of: music, dance, commerce, celebrations/marriages, entertainment, showmanship, construction—all of it would be obliterated, like the millstone the angel threw into the ocean never to be found again. Babylon’s days were doomed to being decimated.
Babylon thrived on pride, greed and self-indulgence. These attributes, which are esteemed by many around the world as qualities of successful corporate leaders, were what God despised. For a time, Babylon prospered and was admired, but God rained down judgment in St. John’s vision on Patmos, and her time was not only over, but there would be no traces of her.
The sin of pride and all the related associations, brought Aaron and Miriam to a dressing down (and we’ll learn more of Miriam’s punishment) and would bring annihilation to Babylon.
So what of us? Put away pride. Be humble before God like Moses and all the rest will fall into place.
Thanks be to God.
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Ordinary 29, Proper 24
Bible Readings
http://legacy.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 63:1-8;Numbers 12:1-9;Revelation 18:21-24&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;NIV#fen-GNT-3818a (multiple versions)
Tuesday, Ordinary 29, Proper 24
Psalm 63:1-8
Numbers 12:1-9
Revelation 18:21-24
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Philippians 4:4
King James Version (KJV)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Ordinary 29, Proper 24
Jesus The Very Thought of Thee – Douglas Marshall, organist
[embed]
http://youtu.be/hqectWAdfn4[/embed]
Single Bible Study chapter to study
Numbers 12:1-9
King James Version (KJV)
12 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.
2 And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.
3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)
4 And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out.
5 And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.
6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.
7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.
8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
9 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed.
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, Moses was an amazing example of humility when he had been given so much in leadership. Forgive us our pride and help us to see things as you do, with all humility, like Moses. In Jesus name, Amen
Conclusion
Tuesday, Ordinary 29, Proper 24’s lesson denounced pride and gave clear demonstrations of the consequences of its evil influence on lives. Miriam and Aaron received a mega-put-down from God for their criticism of Moses and their implications that they were on his level of receiving guidance from God.
People down the ladder often seem to think they have a clear view of what is going on, but miss out on the actual true nature of things. Moses was privy to God’s thoughts—face to face (or mouth to mouth)—with a specificity and clarity that was not given to the many prophets throughout history. God cited Moses’ humility as the first requisite for the unique nature of their interaction…and denounced Aaron and Miriam for their lack of that humility.
Babylon had all the appearance in the Book of Revelation, of a successful, city full of entertainment, commerce and prestige—but it was window dressing for the false-hood and arrogance that underscored Babylon’s activities. That arrogance became the stumbling block which tripped it into its ultimate demise. John’s vision of the downfall of Babylon was of a city that could not recover—ever. There would be no trace of it.
We have choices today: how are we to live? In prideful arrogance of our superiority that brings us success as the world sees it? Or in humble recognition that everything we have is a gift of God’s grace. Do we criticize those we think we are better than, while God’s view of them is that they are doing the more righteous job? Put aside pride. Put aside criticism. Wear humility and be accepting and appreciative of others.
We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
Tuesday, Ordinary 29, Proper 24 brought together some unique aspects of the story of Moses and the future tale of the destruction of Babylon. The Old Testament lesson in the Book of Numbers related the story of Aaron and Miriam criticizing their brother, Moses because of his choice in wives—he’d married an Ethiopian—a black woman. They suggested that they were better because God had also used them in a prophetic sense.
God reacted by calling them all to the tabernacle and then demanding Aaron and Miriam front and center like a military dressing down. The tall cloud pillared over the Tent of Meeting and God spoke out of the cloud.
Moses was humble. That was the first thing.
Miriam and Aaron’s complaints arose out of their pride that they were of equal caliber as prophets and yet they believed they were superior because they hadn’t married across cultural and ethnic lines.
God was furious. He noted that being a prophet was not in the same class as Moses. Prophets could occur in many instances—people who would have visions and interpret them; people who would hear the inner voice of God nudging them to direct others. Aaron and Miriam were prophets.
Moses was in a class by himself. Being humble—more so than anyone else—God could talk directly with Moses with a clarity and precision that was saved for him alone. No need to interpret, Moses received the straight truth. God did not speak in parables or stories with hidden meanings.
Two lessons: Be humble. Don’t criticize others.
So many have suggested that intermarriage between cultures was wrong, but God clearly didn’t think so. God did not reprove Moses for his choice of marrying an Ethiopian wife. On the contrary, God reproved Aaron and Miriam for their pride as prophets and their criticism of Moses’ choices, when he was the superior one, walking in the path God wanted for him.
The New Testament lesson in Revelation dealt with another rebuking of the city of Babylon—and all those in league with its commerce, government and society. All the things that Babylon was clearly proud of: music, dance, commerce, celebrations/marriages, entertainment, showmanship, construction—all of it would be obliterated, like the millstone the angel threw into the ocean never to be found again. Babylon’s days were doomed to being decimated.
Babylon thrived on pride, greed and self-indulgence. These attributes, which are esteemed by many around the world as qualities of successful corporate leaders, were what God despised. For a time, Babylon prospered and was admired, but God rained down judgment in St. John’s vision on Patmos, and her time was not only over, but there would be no traces of her.
The sin of pride and all the related associations, brought Aaron and Miriam to a dressing down (and we’ll learn more of Miriam’s punishment) and would bring annihilation to Babylon.
So what of us? Put away pride. Be humble before God like Moses and all the rest will fall into place.
Thanks be to God.
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Ordinary 29, Proper 24
Bible Readings
http://legacy.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 63:1-8;Numbers 12:1-9;Revelation 18:21-24&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;NIV#fen-GNT-3818a (multiple versions)
Tuesday, Ordinary 29, Proper 24
Psalm 63:1-8
Numbers 12:1-9
Revelation 18:21-24
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Philippians 4:4
King James Version (KJV)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Ordinary 29, Proper 24
Jesus The Very Thought of Thee – Douglas Marshall, organist
[embed]
http://youtu.be/hqectWAdfn4[/embed]Single Bible Study chapter to study
Numbers 12:1-9
King James Version (KJV)
12 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.
2 And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.
3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)
4 And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out.
5 And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.
6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.
7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.
8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
9 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed.
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, Moses was an amazing example of humility when he had been given so much in leadership. Forgive us our pride and help us to see things as you do, with all humility, like Moses. In Jesus name, Amen
Conclusion
Tuesday, Ordinary 29, Proper 24’s lesson denounced pride and gave clear demonstrations of the consequences of its evil influence on lives. Miriam and Aaron received a mega-put-down from God for their criticism of Moses and their implications that they were on his level of receiving guidance from God.
People down the ladder often seem to think they have a clear view of what is going on, but miss out on the actual true nature of things. Moses was privy to God’s thoughts—face to face (or mouth to mouth)—with a specificity and clarity that was not given to the many prophets throughout history. God cited Moses’ humility as the first requisite for the unique nature of their interaction…and denounced Aaron and Miriam for their lack of that humility.
Babylon had all the appearance in the Book of Revelation, of a successful, city full of entertainment, commerce and prestige—but it was window dressing for the false-hood and arrogance that underscored Babylon’s activities. That arrogance became the stumbling block which tripped it into its ultimate demise. John’s vision of the downfall of Babylon was of a city that could not recover—ever. There would be no trace of it.
We have choices today: how are we to live? In prideful arrogance of our superiority that brings us success as the world sees it? Or in humble recognition that everything we have is a gift of God’s grace. Do we criticize those we think we are better than, while God’s view of them is that they are doing the more righteous job? Put aside pride. Put aside criticism. Wear humility and be accepting and appreciative of others.
We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
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