July 5 ▪ Day 186

Scripture Readings

Proverbs 18:18
Numbers 9–10
Matthew 5
Psalms 2

Verse Focus (Proverbs 18:18)

Casting the lot settles disputes
     and keeps strong opponents apart.

Meditation

Proverbs 18:18 says, “Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.” At heart, this proverb recognizes the sovereignty of God. And we have a very different mindset in today’s culture. We think of random happenings, and chance. We do not consider the toss of the dice to be directed by God. Nor could we imagine that a coin throw might settle a dispute between angry parties.

As I meditate on this verse, I think the lesson for me concerns my understanding of God’s sovereignty. I don’t see it as advice for how to handle disputes between factions — it’s not like I’m in a position to be such a negotiator. But the verse does challenge me as to whether or not I believe God controls every little detail. Does He actively direct whether the coin falls heads up or tails down?

When I stop to think about it, I believe the answer is yes. With all my heart, I believe that God is sovereign. But when I don’t stop to think about it, the answer can change. There’s a large part of me that doesn’t believe in God’s control of the universe. Likely we’re all this way, to one degree or another. It’s part of the divided heart that I was talking about the other day.

That’s why it’s important to take a verse like this and meditate on it. To sink it deep into my soul. I need the Scripture to reform those parts of me that are not convinced of God’s sovereignty. And, who knows if one day I might need to actually put this proverb to the test?

Father God, thank you that you are in control. Thank you that you are sovereign. As the worried father prayed, I believe; help my unbelief. Help me to understand how absolute your reign is. Let me see your hand at work in all the little details of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Numbers 9 tells about the celebration of the first Passover after leaving Egypt. As they were commanded, the Israelites celebrated the Passover at twilight on the 14th day of the first month. However, there were some men who were not able to celebrate the Passover because they were unclean due to a dead body. So they approached Moses and Aaron to ask about this. “Why should we be deprived of presenting the LORD’s offering at its prescribed time along with other Israelites?” they asked in verse 7. And so Moses went to the LORD to find out what to do.

The LORD decreed that if any one was unclean due to a dead body, or if a person was on a long journey, that person could still keep the Passover to the LORD — but they would do so on the 14th day of the second month at twilight. Verse 13 records a warning, however. “If anyone who is clean and is not on a journey fails to keep the Passover, that person shall be cut off from his people because he did not bring the LORD’s offering at its appointed time.” Again, the law specifies that foreign residents are allowed to celebrate the Passover, so long as they keep its rules and regulations.

The LORD traveled with the Israelites, appearing as a cloud during the day and like a fire by night. The cloud or the fire would rest above the Tabernacle. However, whenever the cloud lifted above the tent, then the Israelites would set out to journey. Twice the Scripture tells us, “At the command of the LORD the people of Israel set out, and at the command of the LORD they camped (v. 18, v. 23).”

Numbers 10 speaks of the silver trumpets that God commanded the Israelites to make and use. The trumpets were used to sound an alarm, or to sound a long blast. Only the priests were to blow the trumpets. In the camps, the alarm sound was blown once to call the leaders to assemble, but twice if the entire community was the assemble. The blast sound was used to signal when they would depart from camp. However, the trumpets were to be used perpetually. Once the Israelites were in the Promised Land, they were to use the long blast before they went into battle against an enemy that was oppressing them. They were also to use the trumpets on days of rejoicing — on festival and feast days. Curiously, the Scripture says that the trumpets’ sound is to be “a reminder of you before your God (v. 9).” The trumpets were like a prayer. But it wasn’t to remind the Israelites about God; rather, it was to remind God of His people.

The chapter describes how the Israelites set out from camp. The stages follow the order described in Numbers 2. First, Judah and the tribes in its section set out. Next, however, the Gershonites and the Merarites follow with their wagons as they carry the Tabernacle’s curtains and frames and other equipment. Then comes Reuben’s military groups. After that comes the Kohathites — those carrying the holy things by hand. By the time they reach the new camp, their brothers will have already set up the Tabernacle in place. Then comes the divisions of Ephraim, followed last by the divisions of Dan.

And so the Israelites finally leave Sinai to set out for the Promised Land. Moses’ brother-in-law, Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, intends to head back to Midian. But Moses implores him to stay since he values his knowledge of the wilderness. The text does not make clear what decision Hobab made in response to Moses’ request that he stay.

I love the prayers that Moses habitually used whenever the ark would set out, and when it would come to rest!

Matthew 5 records the beginning of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. From the Beatitudes, we learn that God has a special heart for those who are poor in spirit and for those who mourn. He cherishes the meek and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. He loves the merciful and those pure in heart. He calls peacemakers His own children. And those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, or who are persecuted on account of Jesus, will have a reward in heaven.

Jesus tells us that he has not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets, but “to fulfill them (v. 17).” Indeed, nothing will disappear from the Law until heaven and earth passes away and until “all is accomplished (v. 18).” With our new understanding of Revelation, we see that the Law will stand until God’s final judgment, until He sets up the new heavens and the new earth. With this in mind, one of the things we should be asking as we read the Old Testament is how Jesus fulfills the Scripture.

In verses 44 and 45, Jesus says, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” From this we learn that God loves even those who hate Him. Many of the blessings God provides are given to all people, regardless of whether or not they honor God. Life, air, sunshine, rain, plant life and crops — these are given to all. Yet because God gives these gifts to all, we take them for granted and often forget that He provides us with these things. But God is generous by nature; He gives whether people are grateful or not.

Verse 48 exhorts us, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Have you ever spent much time thinking about how God is perfect? I think about how Jesus is perfect. But the Father is perfect, too. Perfect in love. Perfect in generosity. Perfect in holiness. Perfect in power. Perfect in understanding. Perfect in glory.

Perfect.

Psalm 2 is a Messianic psalm. This psalm is about Jesus — God’s Anointed. It is about his rule of the nations. The psalm pictures Jesus sitting on his throne. The psalmist asks why the nations rage and try to break free from Jesus’ rule. Why do they fight against God and against God’s Anointed?

Verse 4 says, “He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.” However, this is Jesus who is laughing. (Note the text says “Lord” and not “LORD.”) Jesus laughs at their foolishness because there is no escape from his dominion. Jesus is the begotten Son of God the Father — God has given him authority over the nations and over the entire world.

It is the psalmist who warns us to fear the LORD and to kiss the Son. The psalmist is the one who warns us of the Son’s anger. In this, the psalmist is likely very wise. However, it is hard for me to think of Jesus as ever being angry. But he is capable of wrath, just as the Father is capable of wrath. And if nations and kings fight against Jesus, if they embrace wickedness and oppress the poor as they seek wealth and luxury — well, his patience will only last so long. At some point Jesus will judge the nations. This is part of our gospel message. And while I believe in the justice of his judgment, those being condemned will most certainly view that judgment as wrath.

The closing line of the psalm is the one that I hang onto. “Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”

Father God, help us not to rage or fight against your rule in our lives. This picture of Jesus on the throne focuses on how the enemies of Christ behave, and how Jesus will respond to them. We pray for hearts to repent, and for people to change. Let all people everywhere submit to your rule. Let them fear your anger if need be. Please send your Holy Spirit out to bring an awakening to this land. Thank you for your grace and for all the good gifts you give us. Thank you that you are perfect. Thank you for your steadfast love in Christ Jesus. In his name, Amen.