Skip to main content

Water, Water Everywhere

Today's reading is in Number 19, 20

The first part of this reading concerns the water of cleansing that is made from the sacrifice of a heifer - literally, a red cow - and in mixture with other materials: hyssop, other red components from trees, flowers, was all burnt, and its ashes was mixed with water to make up this water of cleansing. The resulting ashes when mixed were red in color, a symbol of the blood. It's interesting that this probably follows later than the next chapter, since Eleazer, Aaron's son is priest at this time. Perhaps it's the next chapter that creates the occasion for this to be put into place.

Now, why do it? Most of the laws concerned the cleansing from times of being unclean. This usually had to do with the death of another person. It might be within the family, in the same tent, or in some cases militarily in battles. The rituals all make sense in the context of health, sanitation, and respect for life.

The next chapter has to do with two main things: first, there is water provided miraculously in the desert from a rock. But, this water from the rock story - the second one in the Torah - is marked by the frustration, anger and disobedience of Moses and Aaron in striking the rock (twice) when God had told them to speak to it. What seems a bit trivial, and given all of the complaining that had been occurring, we can give Moses some room to understand his frustration, nevertheless it is crossing over a line before God.

"But the lord said to Moses and Aaron, 'Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.'"

The chapter ends with Israel's failed negotiations to take the nation through the land of Edom (which were descendants of Esau) and the death of Aaron on Mount Hor and the consecration of Eleazor, his son, as the new High Priest.

Moses' disobedience is a reminder that leadership has it's responsibilities that should stop us to make sure what we do is done for the honor and glory of God and not just for our own selves.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hands Full of Parcels

"A Man whose hands are full of parcels can't receive a gift."   - C. S. Lewis Romans 4:13-16 (ESV) 13  For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14  For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15  For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. 16  That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all... The last four days have been best described by the word "fatigue".  It's not an uncommon word in our vocabulary.  Listless, tired, sore.  1300 miles of car travel, being sick, not sleeping well, and eating poorly all add up to the word - fatigue.   Someone onc...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Tabernacle

The readings today are Exodus 36, 37, 38 I wanted to post some pictures of what these various parts of the Tabernacle looked like. It's not the easiest read in the world, but if you persevere through it, you can get a picture of all the different pieces that made up the tabernacle. It is a replica of the various parts of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness: First thing in the chapter listed is the outside of the tabernacle which consisted of curtains tied together and put on cross bars through loops. Next at the beginning of 37 is the table and lampstand: Also, the altar of incense: And, the altar for the burnt offering which was in the courtyard: Finally, the courtyard which made it all come together: Hope that helps with what it might have all looked like. Most importantly, this was their "place" of worship they were building. I hope you have a great day of worship. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
1 comment
Read more

The difference between defending and explaining

The news of recent has focused the suffering of Christians in the middle east who have been martyred for their faith in Christ at the hands of Islamic Terrorists. Through the centuries many Christians have lost their lives as a result of their faith. For us, who live in America, there is little chance that we would have this happen here - but it's entirely possibly that terrorism will strike out at Christians sometime.  But, for many Christians in the western world - especially here in the U.S. - being a Christians who believes God's word there is a form of persecution that is defined by words like "ostracized", "passed over", "ridiculed", and more. What do we do in the face of opposition to faith? When the Apostle Peter writes to the early believers who are undergoing great pressure, even persecution for their faith in Jesus, he gives them this charge. 1 Peter 3:8-18 8  Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly lov...
1 comment
Read more