Bible Pathways - Feb. 10, 2008
February 10
Highlights In Today's Reading:
Not only did the Lord speak, but in today's reading He commands. See what happened to a rebellious son who blasphemed the Name of the Lord (24: 11,16). Discover the significance of God's number for perfection (seven) and its eventual climax in the liberty of Jubile (25:8-55).
One of the Ten Commandments written by the finger of God states: Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain (Exodus 20:7). It's a very serious sin to take the Name of the Lord in vain, but it appears that to blaspheme the Name the Lord was much more serious. Cursing by the son of an Israelitish woman was active rebellion and it brought discredit to the Name of the Lord (Leviticus 24:11).
Every 50th year in Israel was to be proclaimed as a year of Jubile: Ye shall not sow, neither reap (25:9-11). For 12 months the land was to rest while the people lived on whatever grew spontaneously. The Jubile reminded the nation of their total dependence upon God and acknowledged, the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof (Psalm 24:1).
As the trumpet announced the Jubile year, a sacrifice for atonement was made. This informed the people that an acceptable offering had been presented for their sins. In this year every downtrodden Hebrew who lost his ancestral property because of debts, or who became a slave through poverty or misfortune, regained his freedom and all his former property rights and privileges. All debts had to be forgiven.
This is a type foreshadowing the Gospel (Good News) which Christ came to reveal. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed (John 8:36).
Jesus' death on the cross is the sinner's Jubile. He sets us free from the power of sin and Satan and forgives all sins as well as provides us equal access to all the blessings of God. We, in turn, are to forgive everyone even as God forgives us because His forgiving Spirit indwells our life. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses (Mark 11:25).
In the Synagogue, Jesus read: The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised (Luke 4:18; compare Isaiah 61:1-2).
Thought for Today:
Sin robs us of God's blessings, but the blood of Jesus provides a release from the bondage of sin and eternal life with Christ.
Christ Portrayed:
By the kinsman-redeemer (Leviticus 25:47-55). Christ is our Savior and Redeemer who made us His kinsmen: Jesus Christ. . . . In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Eph. 1:5-7).
Word Studies:
24:3 Testimony =ark of the Covenant; 24:6 pure table =table of pure gold; 24:8 covenant =commitment of Israel to be loyal to the Lord; 24:11 blasphemed =cursed; 24:15 bear his sin =be held responsible; 25:10 hallow =set apart, sanctify; 25:14 oppress =cheat, take advantage; 25:35 be waxen poor =cannot support himself; 25:36 usury =interest on loans; 25:37 victuals =food, supplies; 25:43 rigour =ruthless severity, oppression; 25:45 begat =fathered
Prayer Needs:
Pray for The English International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts in memory of Letha Hash • Government Official: Rep. Walter Jones, Jr. (NC) • Country: Cape Verde (405,000) 15 islands in the Atlantic Ocean, 390 miles off the coast of Africa • Major languages: Portuguese and Crioulo • Religious freedom • 91% Roman Catholic; 3% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Know that the Lord is loving and merciful to His children (Jeremiah 31:9).
Optional Reading: Mark 13
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 118:29
