Today’s annual Torah portion is Matot + Masei, “Tribes” + “Journeys,” in Numbers 30:1-36:13.
Today’s triennial Torah portion is Ki tisa, “When you take,” in Exodus 30:11-38.
Today’s Hebrew Testament chronological reading is in Ecclesiastes 11 and 12.
The Psalms/ Proverbs reading is in Psalm 10.
No Greek Testament reading today.
TORAH.
The Annual Numbers 30:1-32:42 Matot Outline is here.
Finding Messiah in Matot is here.
The Annual Numbers 33:1-36:13 Masei Outline is here.
Finding Messiah in Masei is here.
Finding Messiah in Torah is here.
The Triennial Exodus 30:11-38 Ki tisa Outline is here.
ESSENTIAL STUDIES.
Whole Book Chiastic Structure
Additional studies: Numbers Index
The central axis is the annual Torah portion Korach. The theme of Korach is, YHVH testified via Aaron’s rod that budded, that he was the chosen and anointed priest. More specifically, Aaron’s rod, which was a dead stick, budded with new life, bringing forth flowers and fruit. YHVH’s testimony signifying His anointed (Mashiyach, or Messiah) High Priest is Resurrection Life!
Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Rom 1:3-4
Ecclesiastes 10 through 12, Prognosticators of doom
Additional studies: Ecclesiastes Index
There is great value in generosity, and in having several business ventures going. There is great value in putting your offerings, your money, or your time, effort, and labor, into many enterprises. If they all prosper, they will all come back to you. If evil befalls one or two, you have others to sustain you. If one business collapses, you will not be destitute. I have heard it commonly said among millionaires that the secret to success is having multiple streams of income. “Don’t put your eggs all in one basket” is the old wives’ wisdom taken from Ecclesiastes.
The center is interesting. It seems to be the antithesis to the above: not sowing, not investing. The reason seems to be that the sower looked at the wind and decided the time wasn’t favorable, so he held off. Then if he does get a crop planted, the same looks at the clouds and decides the time isn’t favorable to gather in the harvest, so he held off. I think the point is that: look, perhaps there will always be a reason to hold off, always a reason the times are not favorable. Go ahead and sow, go ahead and give, go ahead and invest your time and labor into your enterprises, because the works of God are past finding out (rain, forests, wind, pregnancy and childbirth), and things might turn out favorably after all, despite what the prognosticators and predictors of doom and gloom are saying.
Psalm 10, Do not forget the humble
Additional studies: Psalms Book One: 1-41 Index
What we see with our eyes today, is the mighty and powerful grinding the faces of the poor into the dust, and the righteous and humble being oppressed by the wicked schemes of the wicked. But these things are a temporary state of affairs in the history of the world. I do not envy the powerful politicians who ignore the established laws at the expense of the humble, in order to increase wealth and power to themselves. I look at their mansions and private jets, and pity them, really, because today they are living in their reward. In fact, I tremble for them, for I have seen in the pages of Scripture the depth of God’s wrath they are storing up for themselves. The longsuffering God is giving them a little window now to repent; but as the psalm reveals, most of the wicked use their window to deceive themselves into thinking that God will never require their wickedness of them, that they themselves will never see the adversity they inflict on others. But no matter how powerful they are, they can not escape their end, for it is YHVH who is King forever and ever, and the scepter of His kingdom is a scepter of righteousness, not injustice.
THREE-YEAR BIBLE.
The three-year plan is here.
Today’s reading is in Nehemah 6.
Suggested study: Nehemiah 6, Bible for Beginners.
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