April 5

Leviticus 8; Psalm 9; Proverbs 23; 1 Thessalonians 2

Daily Catechism

QUESTION 64: WHAT IS REQUIRED IN THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT?
Answer: The fourth commandment requires the keeping holy to God such set times as he has appointed in his word, expressly one whole day in seven to be a holy Sabbath to himself.
Scripture: Leviticus 19:30; Deuteronomy 5:12.

Leviticus 8

    In this chapter Moses consecrates Aaron and his sons as priests and they are to spend seven days at the tabernacle for ordination.  They are to be in the courtyard and remain at the entrance for seven days.  They made sacrifices and performed ordination rites that included placing blood on this earlobes and big toes and eating the boiled meat from the ram of ordination (the remaining meat from the sin offering was to be taken outside the camp and burned, while the ram from the burnt offering was completely burned up on the altar). 
     The LORD takes seriously this priesthood that Aaraon and his sons will serve under.  Aaron, as a federal head representing his people, will actually carry the guilt of the nation when he approaches God (Exodus 28:29-30).  Aaron will serve as vicar to come before the Lord seeking forgiveness and the covering of the sin of the people based upon the acceptability of the sacrifice and the service of obedience, by faith in the instructions given to Moses by God.  This priesthood is how the people of God had intimate communion with the creator and it took a serious effort of preparation in order that the priest would not die (Lev 8:35).  The presence of God annihilates sin and atonement (Exodus 30:10) is the only way to separate that sin, which must die in God’s presence, from the person.  Following the Lord’s directions on how a priest is prepared and how his sins must be atoned for first and how he is to be in right standing with the Lord in order to represent the people is critical.

Psalm 9

The psalmist speaks of recounting the mighty works of God and specifically it seems related to deliverance from wicked men and the work of God to judge and wicked.  The protection of the righteous because the Lord is a righteous and just judge and he is upright.  He does not forsake those who seek him so those that know his name are wise to put their trust in him (Psalm 9:10).  May the righteous, those who bear the very righteousness of God, enjoy his salvation and rejoice (Psalm 9:1-2, 14)! 

Proverbs  23

This proverb speaks to children and to fathers both.  We are called to discipline our children and we are called to honor and bless our fathers.  Our own wisdom, found in fear of the Lord by seeking him in his Word and by obedience, will benefit the next generation.  And when we see them walk in faithfulness and seeking the Lord and applying wisdom in their life, then we will rejoice (Prov 23:15-16, 24-25).  Our fathers will rejoice!  May we not live for wealth (Prov 23:4, 23) but may we buy all the truth and wisdom that we can in this life.  We are to be a living example of wisdom (Prov 23:26) and this means not being ruled by sexual temptation or substances (Prov 23:27, 31-32) and not being envious of those that life for these things (Prov 23:17; 24:1).

1 Thessalonians 2

Paul writes to the Thessalonians speaking of how Satan is hindering his coming to see them similar to how he spoke about being kept from Rome (Rom 1:10, 13).  Here though, he explicitly blames the enemy for thwarting him (1 Thess 2:18).  He speaks of how the apostles declared the gospel and taught them under tough circumstances (1 Thess 2:2) and how they labored to not be a burden upon these people while ministering to them spiritually (1 Thess 2:9-10).  Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy really cared for these people.  They did not merely shout some message of hell fire at them but they invested in their lives and they labored for the gospel.  True, they did not speak to please anyone but God (1 Thess 2:4), but they did this from a place of love and compassion (1 Thess 2:7-9).  The mission they had for the believers was that they would walk in a manner worthy of God (1 Thess 2:12).  This does not mean earning or meriting the favor of God but it means walking like the transformed believer that you are.  It means being the new creation that you are (2 Cor 5:17).  It means claiming the new life that is ours in Christ (Rom 6:4).  It means walking the walk (1 John 2:6).  These things come or else there is not evidence of the indwelling of God’s Spirit in us (Rom 8:5-6, 9-10).  God will accomplish our purification (1 Thess 5:23-24)!  Paul calls these believers, those who enjoy walking in a manner that expresses a trust in God and a preparedness for his coming (worthy), his glory and his joy.  Paul lives to see people grow in their knowledge and experience of God (Phil 1:23-25).  May we live to see others glad in God!

Soli Deo Gloria!