One Year Bible Readings and Commentary for Thursday, April 21
Click Here to Listen to the Readings
Click Here to Read 22:21-23:16
The tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh come to the rest of the Israelites to explain the reason why they built the altar before they crossed the Jordan. They didn't build the altar to offer unauthorized sacrifices to the Lord. They certainly didn't do it to worship other gods. They built it specifically on the west side of the Jordan to remind the Israelites that they were true descendants of Israel, when they came to worship the Lord. In this way they built it more as a memorial or a "witness" to who they were and how they had kept their promises to go into the Promised Land to help conquer the land.
When Phineas and the elders listened to the leader, and that they weren't using the altar for sacrifices, they were pleased. They came back and told the Israelites, who were also satisfied and decided not to go to war against them.
The Israelites rested in the land on all sides, and now Joshua had grown old and was ready to die. He reminded the Israelites that the key to their success was their obedience to the Lord. He urged them not to turn to the right or the left from God's law. As they stayed focused on God's Word, they would not turn to the other gods still represented by some of the occupants of the land left behind.
But if they adopted any of the customs of these survivors or intermarried with their women, these people would become a snare to them and a thorny branch in their eyes. Joshua reminds them that not a single promise of the Lord has gone unfulfilled. God had kept all of them. They had no reason to trust in other gods, who never kept their promise, when they had one who ALWAYS did what He said he would do.
Joshua also warns them that just as the Lord had blessed them, if they turned to other gods the Lord's favor would depart.
Do you trust in God's promises? Has he ever let you down when you trusted in him?
Click Here to Read Luke 20:27-47
Once again the religious leaders, this time the Sadducees, try to trick Jesus. This time they try to trap him on his views on the resurrection. They present a scenario where a widow marries a man and he dies, and then remarries again and again. They ask him, "Who will be her husband at the resurrection".
Jesus corrects them by stating that in heaven relationships between men and women will be different. Most importantly Jesus reaffirms that those in heaven will never die. For the Sadducees, who didn't believe in the resurrection, he reminded them that even Abraham, Issac, and Jacob will live forever. They trusted in God by faith and were justified by faith having had the chance to trust in Christ alone.
After this the leaders decided not to ask any questions. Finally, they made a good decision.
Now it was time for Jesus to ask them a question. He asked them, "Whose son was the Messiah." He quoted Psalm 110 where David called the Messiah his Lord. How then could the Messiah be a son of David? Basically he is teaching them that the Messiah is fully human and fully God. This is the only way Jesus could be a descendant of David, but also David's Lord.
Jesus finishes with an indictment of the religious leaders. They are more interested in their own appearance rather than their doctrine. They liked the V.I.P. treatment and giving long prayers, while cheating widows out of their property.
Though it is easy to judge and criticize the Pharisees and other religious leaders, in what ways can we get prideful over our religious activity? Or, seek the attention of others for what we do for God? As followers of Jesus we are called to help the least and the lost and not seek to be served but serve and give our lives for others. This is the way for the follower of Jesus! Whoever exalts themselves will be humbled. Whoever humbles themselves will be exalted!
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