Bible Pathways - Jan. 27, 2008
Highlights In Today's Reading:
Notice how precise each detail is given to fulfill God's will. Praise the Lord — He is also concerned with each detail of our lives. The amazing importance of the Ten Commandments can be seen in the fact that they are the only Scripture written by His own finger! The high priest foreshadows the ministry of Christ, our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16; 9:11-12,24-28).
There are many Scriptures which mention anointing oil or the act of anointing kings and priests with oil, which is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. However, there are only a few verses which indicated that the Holy Spirit actually came upon those chosen few and empowered them for the tasks for which they were anointed. An example of this was when Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him . . . and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David (I Samuel 16:13).
The anointing is symbolic of the indwelling Holy Spirit who enables Christians to serve the Lord. Christ, The Anointed One (Acts 10:38), said: I have not spoken of Myself. . . . whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto Me, so I speak (John 12:49-50). This too is the ministry of the Holy Spirit whom Christ sent as our Comforter, for Jesus declared: He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak (16:13).
The most notable instance of anointing and empowering by the Holy Spirit was what Jesus quoted from Isaiah 61:1, referring to Himself as He read: The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the Gospel (Luke 4:18).
The anointed recognize their purpose in life for God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit. . . . not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth (I Corinthians 2:10-13; compare John 14:26).
The Christ is Greek for the Hebrew title The Messiah (The Anointed One). From the first promise of a Deliverer in Genesis 3:15, through the promise of God's special Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15) and King (Psalm 2:1-9), the Israelites looked for The Anointed One to deliver them from oppression. To the shepherds was revealed God's message of true deliverance: For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11).
Thought for Today:
Pray for the boldness that the Holy Spirit gives to tell others about Jesus (Acts 4:31).
Christ Revealed:
Through the Laver, Christ is revealed as both the container and the dispenser of Living Water (Exodus 30:18; John 4:10). Jesus . . . cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. . . . ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you (7:37, 15:3; compare I Corinthians 10:4).
Word Studies:
29:2 unleavened bread =bread without yeast, a symbol of Christ as the sinless offering; 29:17 unto =on top of; 29:18 sweet savour =pleasant fragrance, acceptance; 29:27 heaved =set aside; 29:28 statute =perpetual obligation; 29:41 meat =grain, meal; 30:3 crown =molding; 30:18 laver =wash basin; 30:21 seed =descendants; 30:25 apothecary =perfume maker; 30:28 his foot =its base; 30:33 cut off =excluded; 31:6 wise hearted =understanding heart.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Officials: Rep. John Mica (FL), Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (CO), Chief Justice John Roberts, and Rep. Zach Space (OH) • Country: Belize (236,000) on the eastern coast of Central America • Major languages: English and Spanish • Religious freedom • 64% Roman Catholic; 26% Protestant; 2% spiritist/animist; 1% Hindu; 1% Muslim; 1% Baha'i • Prayer Suggestion: Cry and pour out your soul in prayer in time of affliction (Isaiah 26:16).
Optional Reading: Matthew 27
Memory Verse for the Week: Philippians 3:10
