March 17- Out With The Old, In With The New

March 17, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Numbers 26; Luke 2:36-52;
Psalm 60:1-12; Proverbs 11:15

Numbers 26

After the story of Balaam we are back to the nation of Israel and their need to reassess the number of fighting men in Israel.  The last time they did a census was in the 2nd chapter of Numbers.  Today we have a second census that reveals that the number of fighting men has been reduced by 1,820 persons.  These are men twenty years and older.  What happened?  What has happened is that the unfaithful generation that was too scared to go into the Promised Land has now passed away.  Only Joshua and Caleb remain from that group. 

What does this say to us?  Find your strength and courage to face your trials/enemies on earth in God.  God will lead you into the Promised Land (the blessed Christian life), if you will stand up and be counted for Christ. There is no doubt, according to Ephesians 6 that you must wear the whole armor of God for the spiritual battles you will face each day.

Luke 2:36-52

I am thankful that both of my children were good students.  Not to boast, but....both of my children received the honor of being National Merit Scholars.  I don't know if our home schooling during their elementary school years (and the junior high years for my son)  and our daily study of Scripture helped them to become scholars, but I suspect that absorbing the Word of God since childhood had an impact on their intelligence.

Today we see that Jesus is a scholar of the Bible by the time he is twelve years old.  That is middle school age for those of us who have kids in the United States.  Before we talk about Jesus at this age, we must review that Dr. Luke tells us that Jesus grew up to be strong and healthy. This is spoken like a true physician. Luke notes that he was filled with wisdom beyond his years and that God had placed special favor on him. Christ is so absorbed in learning that when his mother and Joseph take him to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast, Jesus stays behind to question the religious teachers of the Law in the Temple, discussing deep questions of the Scriptures with them. Everyone at the Temple is amazed at Jesus' wisdom and knowledge. Think back to the Psalms and the Proverbs as you read this.  Jesus is a living example of those books.

When Mary finds her son she asks how he could do this to them.  Meaning, how could you put us through the worry of wondering what had happened to you?  Jesus replies that she should have known that he would be in his Father's house. Notice that you could hear crickets chirping after this statement! Neither Joseph or Mary respond. Jesus does go back to Nazareth with them in obedience to them and as a way of honoring them as his parents. Jesus is keeping the 5th Commandment.  Dr. Luke reports that Jesus grew in height and wisdom and that he was loved by God and everyone who knew him.  Sounds like the perfect man to me!

I think a few middle schoolers need to look at Christ's example.  He was not rebellious and independent.  Jesus spent his childhood and young adulthood seeking knowledge and wisdom.  He embraced obedience as a lifestyle.  Do you embrace obedience?  Do you seek wisdom habitually?

Psalm 60:1-12

In this psalm the Israelites are still concerned with defeating Edom and the Philistines.  This is a cry for God to help them in their struggles.  Who are the enemies you face in your life?  Do you call to God to be your strong right arm in the fight? Put on your armor and always pray like David did in this psalm.

Proverbs 11:15

Guaranteeing a loan for a stranger is dangerous.  It is better to refuse than to suffer later.

What did you notice today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton
© 2011