Tag: priest

Jeremiah 20:1-6 – A Suffering Servant in a Fallen World

Read Jeremiah 20:1-6

statue's outstretched arm

What is the focus of our reading today? Is it the public suffering of Jeremiah or is it another example of how far God’s people have fallen? Both seem to be powerful. Especially when you remember that Jeremiah was a real person. What went through his mind as he was being beaten?

I couldn’t help but let my mind go to brutal scenes of Jesus’ own whipping. He is now referred to as being the ideal “Suffering Servant.” Isaiah, a prophet years before Jeremiah wrote about Jesus in Isaiah 32:13-14, “See, my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted. But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man.”

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Judges 17:1-13 – Micah’s Idols

Read Judges 17:1-13

We have a new character. Micah. What were your first impressions about him? I have to say the first thing I had trouble negotiating was talking about dedicating the money to the LORD, and then taking some to make idols as a way of honoring Micah. It seems very disconnected and nonsensical.

We are introduced to Micah the thief as we start a new section in the Book of Judges. We’re going to see up close and personal how far the Israelites have fallen. Even though Micah gave back the money, he had taken it. Maybe we should ponder why Micah took the money in the first place and what caused him to give it back. The return could very well have been motivated by the “curse” Micah asked his mother about.

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Deuteronomy 18:1-8 – Take Care of Your Priests

Read Deuteronomy 18:1-8

I wonder why God chose the Levites to be tribe appointed as priests. Levi wasn’t the first born of Jacob but the third to Leah. And interesting that the Levites received no land as the other descendants did. Instead, their inheritance was much richer. “The Lord himself is their special possession, just as he promised them.” That is a precious inheritance to be sure. God’s hand of protection was upon them.

I wonder if that’s why some churches moved to having parsonages for pastors. That is, a home provided by the church. It makes perfect sense to me. If those men of God are leading the church, similar to the Levites they would be cared for by the people. Having lived in a parsonage, I know the honor I felt for having that provided for us.

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