tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112439593032667008.post8774788865288596963..comments2023-04-22T12:31:37.714-07:00Comments on Blogging the Bible: March 16Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15063678082377147197noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112439593032667008.post-36045792617064310022010-03-16T20:27:39.560-07:002010-03-16T20:27:39.560-07:00Numbers:
I wondered about the "star" to...Numbers:<br /><br />I wondered about the "star" too, and I also thought that it didn't necessarily sound like Christ. I'm not sure what to make of that, but I wouldn't rule out a double meaning.<br /><br />I thought it was interesting how beautifully Balaam describes the Israelites when then have been anything <i>but</i> beautiful. It makes me think of how God must see us sometimes even though we can be such wretched people.<br /><br />I think God's initial behavior must have been (I guess) for teaching purposes. Once they get to the Promised Land, He seems to give them a little space, some margin for error, waiting longer before doling out the discipline. In any case, Phinehas seemed to have gotten the message! And he made sure that the couple really got the "point" too. :)<br /><br />Luke:<br /><br />It is interesting, after having read those laws, to read about Mary and Joseph giving the "purification offering" and things like that that they are supposed to do.<br /><br />It is cool that the angels come out to spread the news, but I wonder... why did the angels care? Do they get any benefit from Christ's life and death? I know so little about the subject that I'm reluctant to speculate, but I wonder if they really care that much about <i>us</i> that they would celebrate that we would be redeemed.<br /><br />The thing with Simeon is really cool. It makes me wonder about some of the people who seem to be "crazy" to us. Maybe they really <i>do</i> know something that we don't know. (Well, some of them.) :)<br /><br />Psalm:<br /><br />Wow, David must get this "Do Not Destroy!" tune stuck in his head quite a bit. I noticed that Psalm 57 and 58 both have 11 verses, but this one has 17. My guess would be that these three psalms go together, with this one being the grand finale. In the least, these would have all come one right after the other on the CD.<br /><br />Proverbs:<br /><br />"Without wise leadership, a nation falls..." Yeah, sound advice from the leader of a nation. :) J/K That is good advice, though it is interesting in light of how God wanted to be Israel's king instead of them having a physical king.beksterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15724637942561747185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112439593032667008.post-81580418976871013232010-03-16T05:46:53.241-07:002010-03-16T05:46:53.241-07:00I love how "in your eye" Balaam was to B...I love how "in your eye" Balaam was to Balak ..you can see Balak getting really ticked off the more and more Balaam blessed Israel. I think it is interesting, too, how much merit was given a fella standing on a mountain and spouting words of blessing or cursing. The spoken word was so powerful! Because Balaam said he spoke for God, then he was. In so doing, Balak knew he was in for some trouble. <br /><br />Also, coming off the Esther study I caught when he prophesied that "Their king will be greater than Agag, their kingdom will be exalted."<br /><br />Agag, king of the Amelakites (whom King SAUL defeated later..though not how God intended him to ..Agag was the king Saul held onto until Samuel fussed at him, then killed him). Agag was the "father" (not directly, by ancestory) of Hamaan ...who sought to destroy the Jews in Persia. I would say the Jewish "kingdom" was certainly "exalted" then! <br /><br /><br />Luke - one reason I love Luke is that in his own intro he says, "since I myself have investigated everything very carefully from the beginning". That says to me that he probably did talk to the real players here! He could have had a real sit down with Mary, to know all about how Elizabeth was so excited when she got there, the song she sang when she learned of her task, her birth story, and how SHE felt when Simeon was talking about Jesus.<br /><br />I love the picture of her and Joseph (they were still very young!) watching wide-eyed as Simeon and in a bit, Anna, seem to really feel something about this baby they are learning to love. <br /><br />I thought for a moment too (totally random), did Joseph deliver baby Jesus? Did Joseph run and find someone when he found out they were about to deliver a baby? Remember, he hadnt "been with" Mary yet, so can you imagine the impact her birth would have made on him? Mary's (Luke ...I am assuming writing from Mary's info) story includes Joseph alot. He was a good guy, and I love the scene of them in the temple together as "parents".<br /><br />I am just sayin' :)Courtneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10842076898324199994noreply@blogger.com