Numbers 5,6 and Mark 4 - Today's Kindling

Begin your study with prayer for the Lord to open your eyes to see who He is more clearly and how to respond to Him more deeply in heart affections and horizontal, radical love toward others.

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S READING
Numbers 5 Summary
Incubation of the Diseased, Instructions for Restitution for Relational Wrongs, Dealing with Suspected Adultery

Number 6 Summary
The Nazirite Vow and the Priestly Blessing

Mark 4 Summary
The Parable of the Four Soils, the Lamp, the Growing Seed, the Mustard Seed; Jesus Has Power Over the Sea and Storms

CLICK BELOW TO READ
Numbers 5
Numbers 6
Mark 4

NOTES
GOD'S LAWS ARE WISE - Numbers 5:2
Separating those who would affect the others with disease that kills (probably speaking of leprosy) was loving to others. If my wife had contracted leprosy or my son was not careful to obey me and touched someone who had died with leprosy I would indeed struggle if I had to put them outside the camp. Yet, I would have to trust that God is God, he knows what is best for all. Faith in the God who delivered me from slavery on Egypt would have to override my feelings. 

LOVE DOES NO WRONG TO NEIGHBOR - Numbers 5:6
God gives very detailed information on what a person must do if he wrongs a neighbor. We see God making it to clear that you can not be right with Him and be doing wrong to a fellow brother or sister. The greatest way we evidence love for God is love for one another. The application we can take away from this section is seek forgiveness when you do wrong to another, both from them and God. Seek change and restoration of relationship by expressing sorrow through some type of practical restitution.

STANDING TRIAL BEFORE THE LORD - Numbers 5:16
Potential Adultery of a wife against her husband is in view here. God will not punish the innocent but he will in no means leave the guilty unpunished. The guilt of the woman in question would be determined by the Lord not man, He is the judge of Isreal.

FALSE ACCUSATIONS - Number 5:31
Though not detailed in this verse, we know bringing false accusations on someone in a court was a very serious sin (Deut 19:18). Note this text says the husband would not be guilty if the charge against the wife is found to be true.  Yet, if she is innocent of the accusation, the husband would be guilty of the sin of false accusation.

NAZARITE VOW - Num 6:21
"Nazarite" transliterates in Hebrew to meaning "dedication by separation." Taking such a vow was voluntary, it was for a specific purpose one took such a vow revealing deeper loyalty to the Lord. If you took such a vow with it came other commitments required by the Lord having to do with abstaining from grapes, cutting hair, and no contact with dead bodies.  Many times when the Spirit of God works in our hearts, we make a special vow of dedication to God.  Hearing these extra requirements from God on making such a special vow of dedication and separation would help a person not rush to vow impulsively - without counting the cost, without sincerity.

WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR EARS - Mark 4:9,11
If we have ears to hear and believe the words of Christ, let us be thankful for it is a work of grace.  Jesus makes it clear that the twelve hear because it has been granted to them to hear.  There are two kinds of hearing "physical" and "spiritual".  If you can be motivated by the words of Christ to live different, than thanks be to God.  Indeed if we have ears to hear let us hear and heed!

WHAT IS THE CONDITION OF YOUR SOIL? - Mark 4:19-20
(Footpath Soil?) Is it hard and not receptive to the Word that you hear? (Rocky Soil?) Is it full of things that crowd out time to reflect and consider deeply the truths you hear? (Thorny Soil?) Is your soul full of other loves and pursuits that when push comes to shove spiritual change do not last?  (Fertile Soil?) Is you soul receptive to the Word, deeply reflective on the Word, in love with the Christ of the Word so that your life conforms and changes in accordance with the Word  - and the changes bear lasting fruit?  Prepare your soil to receive the Word rightly - hunger and thirst after righteousness.

ASLEEP IN THE STORM - Mark 4:40
Jesus knew perfectly the Father, thus he knew that nothing happens apart from the Father's will. He could sleep in the middle of a storm. It is important to realize that no enemy, no disease, no impending doom, no demon is to be feared as more consequential than God, because God is in charge of all consequences. We should fear the Lord only and we will not be controlled by fear.

End with Prayers of:

• Adoration - Praise Him and Boast in Him for who He is in today's reading.
• Thanksgiving - Offer humble gratitude for big and small blessings in your life - at least 3 new things
• Confession - Admit to the Lord areas you have resisted him or grieved him privately or in relationship.
• Petition - Ask him for specific help for the many needs of others and you - that you may have power to do His will and see it today.