Bible Pathways - Feb. 25, 2009
February 25
Highlights In Today's Reading:
You will be fascinated with the details of Israel's great Feasts (Festivals) since they reveal the sacrificial love of Christ and its many aspects. As all the offerings are precisely initiated, a second generation, after 40 years, prepares to enter the promised land.
The Feast of Trumpets summoned Israel to the presence of Jehovah who had blessed their labors. It was held on the first day of October, which began the Jewish civil New Year. By this time, the harvest was over and the silver trumpets called them from the busy cares and thoughts of earthly things that had occupied their time for many months. And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have a holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you (29:1).
Instead of blowing the trumpets at the time of offering the sacrifice, it was a day of blowing trumpets from morning to evening. In addition to the daily sacrifices, eleven animals were offered on the first of every month (28:11,15). They offered a young bullock, a ram, and seven lambs with the usual Meat (Meal) Offering, and an additional Sin Offering. Even in this scene of thanksgiving and worship, the sin offering was needed.
The longest period of time between any of the feasts was between the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) in the early part of Summer, our May or June, and the Feasts of the Trumpets in September or October. During the intervening months there was no fixed time appointed when God would meet with His people.
The long period of time between the Feast of Pentecost and the Feast of Trumpets is the design of God foretelling the long lapse of time from the arrival of the Holy Spirit as promised by our Savior on Pentecost to the return of Christ. Almost two thousand years have passed and we are reminded every time the sun sets that we are one day nearer to that great day:
When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound,
And time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair;
When the saved of the earth shall gather
Over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there.
Hymn by James M. Black
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory (I Cor. 15:54)
Thought for Today:
When we consider the trumpets sounding the end of time as we know it, the Word of God becomes all the more meaningful when He said: Be ye therefore ready (Luke 12:40).
Christ Revealed:
By the tabernacles (booths, temporary dwellings) (Num. 29:12-39; Lev. 23:34,42-43). The Word (Logos, i.e. the sayings of God) was made (became) flesh, and dwelt among us (John 1:14). The Greek word translated dwelt means to “tabernacle or live in a tent temporarily.”
Word Studies:
28:2 sweet savour =pleasing fragrance; 28:3 spot =defect; 28:6 ordained =instituted by God; 28:13 several =separate; 28:18 holy convocation =sacred assembly; 29:2 sweet savour =pleasing fragrance; 29:6 month =new moon; 29:7 afflict your souls =b> have a day of solemn fasting, soul searching, prayer, and repentance of all known sin; 29:10 several =separate; 29:17 spot =defect; 29:35 solemn =sacred.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Shortwave Broadcasts in memory of Iva Ann McElroy • Staff: Mike Moore • Government Official: Rep. Jim Gerlach (PA) • Country: Burkina Faso (11 million) in western Africa • Major languages: French and Sudanic tribal languages • Religious freedom • 48% Muslim; 33% belief in false gods, idolatry, and heathenism; 14% Roman Catholic; 5% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Do not worry about your material needs (Matt. 6:25-30).
Optional Reading: Luke 12
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:10
