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, your family, your church and the world.
Understanding to grow in
To be “old and full of years” is a mark of honour and blessing (Job 42v17). It was then that David made Solomon king, and gathered Israel’s leaders, priests and Levites in readiness for the temple being built. The Levites were divided according to branches of Levi’s family tree, but in three groups according to his three sons. The note on Jeush and Beriah being counted as one family because they didn’t have many sons shows a concern that workload was evenly spread. Under Aaron, whose descendents were set-apart as priests, we have a summary of the priestly role (23v13). In describing his descendents as having this role “for ever,” the author effectively means generation after generation as long as the covenant stands (Heb 7v11-28). He goes on to clarify that Moses’ descendents are to be normal Levites rather than priests. In our particularly laid back day, the concern with order and organisation not only highlights the importance of the temple, but the need for organisation if the church’s worship is to be fitting for our holy and orderly God (1 Cor 14v26-40). But now all God's people are priests (1 Pet 2v9), as we offer all we have to the Lord and seek to bless the world. The Levites no longer needed to pack and carry the tabernacle, and so were now to care for the temple and assist the priests (23v28-32). Noteable is the praise that was to accompany the morning and evening sacrifices and when burnt offerings were made on Sabbaths and festivals (see ch. 25). Ritual is only sincere when in the context of heartfelt thanks. The use of the lot to decide roles in chapter 24 shows that behind all the organising was reliance on the Lord (see also Acts 1v26). Chapter 25 records the Levites given to music. The word translated “commanders of the army” (25v1) could refer to chief Levites which makes more sense. The men were to “prophesy” in the sense of giving thanks and praise to God, no doubt for his acts and mercies to Israel (25v3, see Ex 15v20-21). This suggests every Christian prophesies in some sense when they praise God in church or in what they say to others. So Peter can explain the declaring of God’s wonders at Pentecost as an outpouring of prohecy (Acts 2v11, 16-18, 10v44-46). As you read consider in what ways the role of every Christian is like the roles here.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.