Today’s annual Torah portion is Shelah lekha, “Send for yourself,” in Numbers 13:1-15:41.
Today’s triennial Torah portion is Terumah, “Offering,” in Exodus 25:1-26:30.
Today’s Hebrew Testament chronological reading is in 2 Samuel 13 and 14.
The Psalms/ Proverbs reading is in Proverbs 13.
No Greek Testament reading today.
TORAH.
The Annual Numbers 13:1-15:41 Shelah lekha Outline is here.
Finding Messiah in Shelah lekha is here.
Finding Messiah in Torah is here.
The Triennial Exodus 25:1-26:30 Terumah Outline is here.
ESSENTIAL STUDIES.
Numbers 14:11-25, The Ten Tests
Additional studies: Numbers Index
Please notice that complaints test YHVH. A complaint is an expression of grief, pain, or dissatisfaction, according to Webster’s. Proverbs teaches that a contentious wife causes contention: arguments, or tension resulting from a contest, struggle, or rivalry, exhibiting an often perverse and wearisome tendency to quarrels and disputes; having an aggressive or fighting attitude (Webster’s). Contention shares a root with contentment: satisfaction with one’s possessions, status, or situation. Contention and contentment are spiritual opposites—the contented wife is satisfied, while the contentious wife always has complaints. Wasn’t Israel YHVH’s contentious wife? Complaints … they were not satisfied with their leaders, water, food, Land—even with their God, in the instance of the golden calf. They coveted, really, whatever it was that they did not have. Covetousness means “always desiring more; not satisfied; avaricious.”
2 Samuel 14, Restoring Absalom
Additional studies: 1 and 2 Samuel Index
The two truths (God’s impartiality and favor) appear to contradict at first glance, but we know that if God is true, and His word is true, then they can not negate each other but complement each other. Consider that they are two sides of the same coin, which we might more broadly label Justice and Mercy. God’s impartiality in judgment reflects His justice, while His choice of Israel reflects His mercy and grace, considering that Israel’s election provided for an uncorrupted nation to bring forth the Messiah, whose sacrifice then opened the door for every nation, family, tribe, and tongue to enter into God’s family, fulfilling the promise to Abraham that in him all nations would be blessed (Gen 12:2-3).
Proverbs 13, The Complacent Fool
Additional studies: Proverbs Index
Hebrew has five different words to describe the foolish person, from the most innocent progressing to the most depraved. We saw that the most innocent is the simpleton, followed by the proud fool, next in the progression of foolishness. If a proud fool has not turned from his foolishness, he then descends to folly as this chapter describes, becoming a complacent fool.
THREE-YEAR BIBLE.
The three-year plan is here.
Today’s reading is in Micah 7.
Suggested study: Micah 7, Bible for Beginners.
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