THE LION OF JUDAH LEADS THE WAY Of the 12 tribes, Judah was given first position in the tribal encampment. They were to camp under their “family banners” emblazoned with a lion. This image came from Jacob, the father of the tribes, who had spoken over his sons, saying that Judah was like a “lion”
THE PRINCIPLE OF THE TITHE The first principle of the tithe, which is ten percent of the harvest, is that it “belongs to the Lord.” Therefore, bringing the tithe to the Temple was not an offering, but an obligation. To do otherwise would be “robbery” (Mal. 3:8). It reminded the people that God is owner
WHAT IS THE CALLING OF THE CHURCH AS LAMPSTAND? The golden Lampstand stood in the Tabernacle with its seven lamps filled with olive oil overlooking the Table of Presence. It was to be kept continuously lit by the high priest. Its light was to shine on the Bread of Presence and throughout the holy place.
HOW THE JEWISH FESTIVALS POINT TO JESUS The Lord instituted seven feasts for Israel. These feasts were to remind Israel of God’s provision and to prepare them for the Messiah. It can get a little overwhelming reading the description of these feasts, but they are worthy of our meditation as we see how they point
HOW TO ENCOURAGE YOURSELF IN THE LORD David learned to address his own soul in his prayers to God. Knowing that he was feeling “cast down” and “disquieted,” he encouraged himself in the Lord (1 Sam. 30:6), urging his soul to “hope in God.” We can learn from David’s prayer life. Sometimes we don’t even
HOLINESS A MARK OF BELONGING TO GOD’S FAMILY God explained to Moses the purpose behind the laws of personal conduct for the people of Israel, namely: Holiness. The Hebrew word for “holy” is qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ), literally meaning to be set apart for special use, to be consecrated, sacred, holy. God had chosen the Israelites to
COMPASSION THAT MOVES US TO ACTION Jesus felt compassion for the hungry. He noticed their need and then took action to address it. We don’t read that the disciples felt compassion. When faced with human need we learn to turn a blind eye. There is so much need and we are so concerned with our
HAVE YOU LAID YOU SINS UPON CHRIST JESUS? HAVE YOU LAID YOU SINS UPON CHRIST JESUS? Two male goats were offered by the high priest as a sin offering on the Day of Atonement (“Yom Kippur”). The first goat was slaughtered and its blood sprinkled on the mercy seat and on the altar for the
WHEN DO YOU GET ALONE TO PRAY? After a long day filled with teaching and miraculously feeding the 5,000, Jesus insisted that His disciples go on ahead while He excused the crowds. Jesus wanted some time alone to pray. For the Son did “nothing of Himself” (John 5:19). Everything He did was shown to Him
HOW BIG IS YOUR GOD? The disciples were afraid of the storm outside the boat until they awoke Jesus. Then, they feared the One inside the boat. We say that we believe and trust Jesus fully. Yet when life’s storms come, we discover the true measure of our faith. The disciples thought they knew the