Lectionary Thoughts: April 15

Numbers 20: Having recently returned from Nepal where Hindus still regularly sacrifice animals to appease the gods, I am particularly (and almost daily) grateful for Jesus, the sacrifice "offered once for all" (Heb. 7:27). Previously, in Exodus 17:6, God had instructed Moses to strike the rock in order to provide the water necessary for Israel's survival in the wilderness. But in Numbers 20, God instructs Moses to "speak" to the rock for the same life-sustaining drink. So, it was necessary for the rock, who according to Paul was Christ himself (1 Cor. 10:4), to be struck in order for us to be saved. But it was only necessary for Christ to be stricken (Isa. 53:4) once never to be repeated. For after Jesus' "once for all sacrifice" words testifying to what he had accomplished would forever be sufficient to effect the salvation of those wandering in the wilderness of sin.

Numbers 22-24: Preachers in every age have much to learn from the pagan prophet, Balaam of Pethor, who, when called upon to curse the children of Israel, replied that he could not "go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more" even if given a "house full of silver and gold." Just like witnesses in American courts of law, faithful preachers are required by God to "speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." But in truth, this is very difficult to do week after week. Please remember to pray for those who preach God's Word to you.

Psalm 55: In times of treachery and deceit, it is a very great comfort to know that we are not alone; that many godly men and women before us have suffered the intense pain caused by the betrayal of people close to them. In verse 12 the psalmist says that he could have easily avoided the attack if it had come from a known enemy, or at least have borne the pain knowing that it came from the same. But in verses 13-14 the psalmist describes with anguish the devastation caused by an attack that came from an associate; a counselor; someone with whom he had taken "sweet counsel together" and even worshipped with. In verse 22 the psalmist gives us the only sufficient remedy for such a betrayal of trust: Cast your burden (literally, that which has been given to you) upon the broad shoulders of the LORD, believing that He will sustain you, and will never permit you to be jostled out of His perfect plan for you. True comfort indeed!