Leviticus 25
Initially I thought that the sabbaths that the people had to take meant that had to stock pile and not eat anything from the fields. But they don't actually have to do that. They just can't work the fields. They can't rely on their own efforts within that year. They trust in God and God's Creation to provide all that they will need for the year.
Leviticus 25:39-55
There are regulations and commands regarding the support of those who need support, and those who are so desperate that they sell themselves as slaves. But all is to be forgiven in the year of jubilee, so that oppressive debt or social structures don't continue on trough the generations.
Numbers 5:11-28
Is this combination of bitter water something that will actually, scientifically, affect the womb, or is it an act of God that brings on the results? Are there actual places in scripture where this is used to test for infidelity?
Numbers 6:22-27
This well known blessing was originally for Aaron and his sons, so that they might in turn bless the Israelites in and through the name of God.
Numbers 7
This chapter started to play through my head like the 12 Days of Christmas, but instead it was "on the the 12th day of offerings that the leaders brought to God". It got more than a little repetitive.
Mark 6:8-12
Again, examples of relying on God to provide.
Mark 6:34
Jesus teaches people because he has compassion for them. He's got to be exhausted and worn out from the constant crowds, but he knows they need the message and the healing that only he can provide.
Mark 7:6-8
In order to truly worship God, we have to have our hearts in the same place as our lips, meaning we have to walk the walk if we're going to talk the talk.
Mark 7:18-19
Mark makes a pretty big claim here, that Jesus declared all foods clean. That was a big thing for people to hear at that time.
Mark 8:23-25
Perhaps when we go to God and ask for something, ask for things to be revealed to us, but then don't take the time to look intently at hat God is doing, we miss what we are meant to see and we see things not as they really are.
Today's thoughts and wonderings:
How are we a blessing to others? How do we take the blessing that was originally given to Aaron and his sons, so that ALL of Israel could be blessed, and put it into action in our lives?
Do we look for the people in our own lives who are desperate for help, who may be about to make themselves slaves to something in exchange for a little help, and offer them assistance in any way we can?
I have had people do this a lot for me lately, whether family or friends, whether in the form of gifts or loans, and I am unbelievably grateful for them, and for their love, encouragement and support. I would not be making it today if it wasn't for them.
And I'm not saying that if you haven't helped someone out lately that you are ignoring need around you or that you're a bad person, but have you ever considered doing something extra, giving to someone who needs it, whether they deserve it or not? Because I don't necessarily DESERVE the help I have received. I know I could have put more into savings, or not bought that movie I wanted. But I didn't. And whether I got myself into this situation or not, I'm here.
Another passage that I read today talks about putting into action what you are saying, what you are promoting or teaching to others. I'm not going to pretend to know what this looks like for you, or even suggest ways to live your life better. I don't think that this is the place for that.
But let me offer this: consider those around you. Look out for small signs that someone else is struggling, because every person out there is struggling somehow, whether it's financially, physically, emotionally or spiritually. Take the blessing that we find in Numbers 6, and the commands to help others that we see in Leviticus 25, and the compassion and love of Christ that we see all over the Gospels and put them into practice. Because we live in a broken and hurting world that we have the opportunity to make a better place, even if it's for one person for one day.
Give what you can, where you can, to as many people as you can, as often as you can. You may have more opportunities to help than you realize.
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