February 06, 2013 Exod 28:1–29:37, Matt 23:13–39, Ps
19:1–6, Prov 4:1–2
Exodus 28:1-29:37
Read
1 Peter 2:5, 9. What do we learn from these texts?
With
that in mind, we are called to be priests of God as Christians. How does this
section from Exodus apply to us today?
As
you read about the role of the High Priest, what role does Jesus take as our
ultimate High Priest?
Chapter
29
The
priests had to be washed. What is the New Testament equivalent?
There
were three means of cleaning in the Old Testament Law: water, blood, and fire.
The priests had to be cleansed by the blood. The blood of a ram was applied to the right ears, thumbs, and big
toes of Aaron and his sons, picturing their dedication to hear God’s Word, do
God’s work, and walk in God’s way.
We do not need the blood of any animal, because we
have been cleansed by the blood of Christ. However, we still need to dedicate
our ears, hands, and feet to God. Are you dedicated to God’s Word? Are you
dedicated to do God’s work? Are you dedicated to walk in God’s way?
Matthew 23:13-39
Jesus
gives eight woes to the religious leaders of the day. It is worthwhile to
contrast these with the eight beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12.
Eight Beatitudes Eight Woes
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“The poor in spirit” inherit the kingdom (5:3)
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The proud “shut up the kingdom” (v. 13)
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Mourners are comforted (5:4)
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The devourers receive damnation (v. 14)
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The meek “inherit the earth” (5:5)
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The proud send people to hell (v. 15)
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God fills those who are hungry for holiness (5:6)
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Those who are greedy for material gain go away empty (vv. 16–22)
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The merciful “obtain mercy” (5:7)
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The Pharisees rejected mercy as they focused
on trivialities (vv. 23–24)
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“The pure in heart” see God (5:8)
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The outwardly religious are inwardly corrupt (vv. 25–28)
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The peacemakers are “children of God” and
persecuted are the “children of God” (5:9)
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The murderers are called “children of the devil” (vv. 29–33)
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The
persecuted inherit heaven (5:10-12)
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The
persecutors inherit hell (vv. 29-33)
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They had killed
the prophets; they had permitted John to be murdered; they would crucify
Christ; they would imprison the apostles and slay Stephen and “fill up the
measure.” When we sin, we write our own sentence of judgment. This final word
of sorrow from Christ indicates that God had given the people many
opportunities to be saved, but they would not receive His offer. God does not
send people to hell; they send themselves there by their own stubbornness.
Psalm 19:1-6
Does
nature reveal the glory of God to you?
No
doubt David spent much of his life outdoors. As a boy he was a shepherd. As a
man he ran for his life and fought battles outdoors. He saw the majesty of God
through what he saw in nature.
How
does God reveal Himself through nature?
It
could be argued that, each day begins with light and moves to darkness, from
waking to sleeping, a picture of life without God. Each year moves from spring
to winter, from life to death. We see the grass mowed down (Isa. 40:6–8), the
tree cut down (Luke 13:6–9; Matt. 3:10), the fire destroying the waste (Matt.
13:40–42). The activities of nature, under the hand of God, are vivid object
lessons to the hearts of sinners but, too often many do not want to see or
hear.
Proverbs 4:1-2
We
are warned to not abandon the wisdom of what we are taught. Nevertheless, we do
this often. Why do you think this is the case?
Pray
about your role as a priest of God.
Consider
the 8 Beatitudes and the 8 woes, how can you have the right attitude today?
Take
time today to worship God through His creation.
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