Thoughts on the readings for February 13th (Exodus 23, Psalm 77, Mark 9)

Exodus 23 has three chapter directions - verses 1-9 are about honest dealings between Israelites and with strangers (the reason is stated in verse 9 to remember your powerless position when the Almighty became your protector). Verses 10-19 laws about the Sabbaths and the major Festivals; and two sundry laws about principles of living. Verses 20-33 the conquest of the Promised Land is guaranteed and some vital instructions about Israel's behaviour once they have taken the Land. The theme which ties this chapter together is the love and care of their Father for His children. This must be seen in their actions honouring Him and showing compassion in dealing with other people. Returning to the start of the chapter tells us that malicious tale bearers are not to be tolerated. Justice must equally apply to all, rich or poor. The care of property was essential among all Israelites. God will hold His people accountable to ensure these standards are applied throughout His kingdom. They must never take a bribe. The LORD had cared for them when no one else had. Verses 10-11 tell us agricultural laws which ensured that the land observed Sabbath principles, which benefited everyone. Verse 12 says that the Israelites were to keep a weekly Sabbath. Verse 13 forbids idolatry. Verses 14-17 speak of the observance of the three major Festivals - first the Passover, then the Feast of Weeks: called Pentecost and thirdly Tabernacles. These feasts, or convocations occurred at their set, ie appointed times. Verse 18 tells of matters relating to sacrifices (no leaven; ie corruption was not allowed to be present with the offering). Verse 19 is a curious one here - it speaks of the sensitiveness relating to what was to be eaten. This implied the need to preserve life; that it might be allowed to continue (since the life of human and animal all belong to God). In the next section the Almighty promises His people angelic protection during their journey to the Promised Land. The Israelites must not take this care for granted, but need to be obedient to all that their Creator has commanded. When Israel entered the Land they must not have anything to do with those nations that God had commanded to be utterly destroyed. Those nations were to be totally removed . The LORD would do it gradually so that the wild beasts, which shared the Land, would not take over. In verse 28 the Almighty promised to send hornets into the Land before their entry - this may be a reference to the Pharaoh Amenhotep the third (known as "the hornet"), who made many raids on Canaan at this time. The boundaries of the Land are given and verse 31 - these are the same boundaries as those promised to Abraham. Failure to follow God's instructions would result in Israel's destruction.

Psalm 77 is yet another from the pen of Asaph. He recounts the providence of the Almighty for His people Israel from the time when Yahweh, by the hand of Moses, led the people as a great shepherd through the paths of the Red Sea. It is remarkable how many of the  Levitical, ie Sanctuary Psalms of Asaph focus on the role of the shepherd. For indeed the role of the Sanctuary is to be that of the shepherd. Psalm 80 from the pen of Asaph (and most likely his sons) addresses God as Israel's supreme Shepherd. Why I included Asaph's sons is because of the time span covered by these psalms up to and including Psalm 83. The seventy seventh Psalm thematically speaks of the LORD's awesome past deeds when delivering His people from their origins until the deliverance from Egypt. The Psalm shows a pattern of behaviour that God's people may count on - since He is Yahweh Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He will always show His power to protect His covenant people. The Psalm is a plea, and a prayer, to the LORD for deliverance out of distress. The Psalm affirms God's past deliverance for the faithful and therefore is a Psalm in which the writer assures himself, and his listeners, that his Sovereign is near and will help him in his time of need. Asaph's reflections on the past reinforce his trust for the future. Verse 8 recalls the steadfast love of the Almighty. Though, in verse 9, he declares his occasional doubt. Verses 10-19 take Asaph's mind, by way of meditation, to ponder the past awesome delivery afforded to the people of the LORD as they passed through the paths of the sea. They were the flock of Israel's mighty Shepherd. The Almighty commissioned Moses to shepherd His people for the next 40 years. This is how the psalm finishes in verse 20. At the start of the Psalm the writer was miserable, but by its end he was elated. What had changed? Nothing, except his perception that his life was in God's right hand (verse 10). This a great lesson for all children of the Almighty for all ages.

Mark 9 deals with the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ in power and glory, as seen in his transfiguration. The three; Peter, James and John; were the witnesses of Jesus being seen with Moses and Elijah. Those three were asked to keep secret what they had seen until after Jesus' raising. In the meantime the remainder of the twelve were frustrated by their incapacity to heal a deaf and mute boy. Our Lord pointed out that miracles of healing were not automatic, but rather, were dependent on the involvement of the healer. Once more Jesus spake of his death and resurrection leaving them dumbfounded. A dispute as to who was the greatest arose and was answered via the lesson of the humility of a Jesus answered the question via the lesson of humility by a child being seen by them. Our Lord reminds those Apostles that without humility none can enter the kingdom. Christ next warns us not to categorise people who are not identical to ourselves. The chapter closes with the need for self examination and drastic action in order to enter the kingdom.