Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, yor family, your church and the world.
Wisdom to chew on
Understanding to grow in
Just as there may have been health benefits in the food laws, so there are in the laws about skin diseases and fabrics. Potential infection is contained. Nevertheless, the primary purpose remains keeping what is unclean, and so unacceptable to God, apart from what is holy. The person with a skin disease was to display the signs of mourning (13v45-46), cry “unclean, unclean” and live alone outside the camp. It would have been a terrible existence. However we should remember it was a necessary act of protection for the wider community. And Jesus showed such people were not greater sinners than others in Israel, stressing it was the heart that makes a man unclean (Mk 7v18-20). So these regulations are an analogy for those who will one day be excluded from God’s kingdom, pointing to the need of the one who can cleanse our hearts. The elaborate details of chapter 14 would have been an immense assurance to those previously unclean, and made a strong statement to the wider community that the person is now able to draw close to God. As you read note what those details are intended to protray and the greater assurances we have through Jesus.
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.