Spiritual Training

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February 11 - Morning

“Say to the Israelites: ‘Any man or woman who wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to the Lord is guilty and must confess the sin they have committed. They must make full restitution for the wrong they have done, add a fifth of the value to it and give it all to the person they have wronged. But if that person has no close relative to whom restitution can be made for the wrong, the restitution belongs to the Lord and must be given to the priest, along with the ram with which atonement is made for the wrongdoer.’ ”
- Numbers 5:6-8

Make Your Wrong Right


Israel was marching towards the Promised Land in military formation and any division among brother Israelites would upset the unity of the community and the troops. They must be united and prepared to fight together for the cause of the Lord.
In the Israelite community an offense against one of the people was an offense against Yahweh, the mighty Suzerain King that had sealed a covenant that bound him to each individual in the camp. To mistreat an Israelite was to draw that Israelite’s covenant partner, Yahweh, into the conflict.
If the wronged person is no longer alive and has no close relative, then price of the restitution goes to the Lord, the wronged person’s covenant partner, by giving it to the priest.
Kohen (Hb) – Priest (Eng) – kohen is the Hebrew word that refers to a person who performs the duties of a priest.
Are their people that I need to repay? or, apologize to? or, make things right?
I will take responsibilities for my wrongs against others by asking forgiveness or repaying the debt.



Bible Reading Descriptions Here

Narrative

Complete Text

General Text




Personal

Greater desire to know God

Church

Be light in the darkness
Freedom of Religion
Albania



This is a view of the Eastern Gate, or Golden Gate, in the eastern wall of Jeruslem. The Temple Mount sets directly on the other side of this gate. (details.)
In Genesis 48 Jacob gives land near Shechem to his son Joseph. In Genesis 50 Jacob's body is taken from Egypt to Canaan to be buried with Abraham, Sarah and Isaac.




Someone to Quote

"The split in America, rather than simply economic, is between those who embrace reason, who function in the real world of cause and effect, and those who, numbed by isolation and despair, now seek meaning in a mythical world of intuition, a world that is no longer reality-based, a world of magic."
- Chris Hedges

Something to Ponder

A megachurch is defined as having a congregation with at least 2,000 people attending each weekend. By this standard there are 1,600 Protestant megachurches in the United States. There was a 25% increase in the number of megachurches in the United States between 2005-2012. The average Sunday attendance for these megachurches is 3,597. (Details here and here)

Here’s a Fact

The 2,000-year-old ossuary (bone box for burial) with, "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus" engraved in ancient Aramaic letters has been determined to be authentic after a five year trial. Though the names James, Joseph, and Jesus were common in Israel 2,000 years ago, statisticians estimate that there were 1.71 men named James who had a father named Joseph and a brother named Jesus.  Among the thousands of ossuaries recovered there is only one other instance of a brother?s name being inscribed along with the deceased. Listing a brother?s name on a man?s ossuary would only have been done if the brother was famous or important. Based on the tests, the culture and the statistical odds this ossuary of James belonged to Jesus brother James who became the leader of the Jerusalem church and was martyred in 63 AD by being pushed from the corner of the temple. (Details here and here. Photos.)

Proverb

"The integrity of the upright guides them, gut the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity." - Proverbs 11:3

Coach’s Corner

Paul told Timothy to be content with what he had but he told the Philippians he himself was pressing on because he was not content with who he was or what he had accomplished. So, an adequate amount of possessions can be attained, but we should never be satisfied with our level of personal development or accomplishment.

Genesis 45
New International Version (NIV)
Joseph Makes Himself Known
45 Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
“So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. 10 You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. 11 I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’
12 “You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. 13 Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.”
14 Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.
16 When the news reached Pharaoh’s palace that Joseph’s brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased. 17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, 18 and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.’
19 “You are also directed to tell them, ‘Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come. 20 Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.’”
21 So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey. 22 To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes. 23 And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey. 24 Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way!”
25 So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. 26 They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. 27 But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. 28 And Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”
Exodus 15
New International Version (NIV)
The Song of Moses and Miriam
15 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:
“I will sing to the Lord,     for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver     he has hurled into the sea.

“The Lord is my strength and my defense;     he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him,     my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

The Lord is a warrior;     the Lord is his name.

Pharaoh’s chariots and his army     he has hurled into the sea. The best of Pharaoh’s officers     are drowned in the Red Sea.

The deep waters have covered them;     they sank to the depths like a stone.

Your right hand, Lord,     was majestic in power. Your right hand, Lord,     shattered the enemy.

“In the greatness of your majesty     you threw down those who opposed you. You unleashed your burning anger;     it consumed them like stubble.

By the blast of your nostrils     the waters piled up. The surging waters stood up like a wall;     the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea.

The enemy boasted,     ‘I will pursue, I will overtake them. I will divide the spoils;     I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword     and my hand will destroy them.’
10 
But you blew with your breath,     and the sea covered them. They sank like lead     in the mighty waters.
11 
Who among the gods     is like you, Lord? Who is like you—     majestic in holiness, awesome in glory,     working wonders?
12 
“You stretch out your right hand,     and the earth swallows your enemies.
13 
In your unfailing love you will lead     the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them     to your holy dwelling.
14 
The nations will hear and tremble;     anguish will grip the people of Philistia.
15 
The chiefs of Edom will be terrified,     the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling, the people of Canaan will melt away;
16 
    terror and dread will fall on them. By the power of your arm     they will be as still as a stone— until your people pass by, Lord,     until the people you bought pass by.
17 
You will bring them in and plant them     on the mountain of your inheritance— the place, Lord, you made for your dwelling,     the sanctuary, Lord, your hands established.
18 
“The Lord reigns     for ever and ever.”
19 When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots and horsemen went into the sea, the Lord brought the waters of the sea back over them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. 20 Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing. 21 Miriam sang to them:
“Sing to the Lord,     for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver     he has hurled into the sea.”
The Waters of Marah and Elim
22 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) 24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”
25 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink.
There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test.
26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”
27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.
Exodus 36-37
New International Version (NIV)
36 
So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded.”
Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work. They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done.”
Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.
The Tabernacle
All those who were skilled among the workers made the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by expert hands. All the curtains were the same size—twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide. 10 They joined five of the curtains together and did the same with the other five. 11 Then they made loops of blue material along the edge of the end curtain in one set, and the same was done with the end curtain in the other set. 12 They also made fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on the end curtain of the other set, with the loops opposite each other. 13 Then they made fifty gold clasps and used them to fasten the two sets of curtains together so that the tabernacle was a unit.
14 They made curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle—eleven altogether. 15 All eleven curtains were the same size—thirty cubits long and four cubits wide. 16 They joined five of the curtains into one set and the other six into another set. 17 Then they made fifty loops along the edge of the end curtain in one set and also along the edge of the end curtain in the other set. 18 They made fifty bronze clasps to fasten the tent together as a unit. 19 Then they made for the tent a covering of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of the other durable leather.
20 They made upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle. 21 Each frame was ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide, 22 with two projections set parallel to each other. They made all the frames of the tabernacle in this way. 23 They made twenty frames for the south side of the tabernacle 24 and made forty silver bases to go under them—two bases for each frame, one under each projection. 25 For the other side, the north side of the tabernacle, they made twenty frames 26 and forty silver bases—two under each frame. 27 They made six frames for the far end, that is, the west end of the tabernacle, 28 and two frames were made for the corners of the tabernacle at the far end. 29 At these two corners the frames were double from the bottom all the way to the top and fitted into a single ring; both were made alike. 30 So there were eight frames and sixteen silver bases—two under each frame.
31 They also made crossbars of acacia wood: five for the frames on one side of the tabernacle, 32 five for those on the other side, and five for the frames on the west, at the far end of the tabernacle. 33 They made the center crossbar so that it extended from end to end at the middle of the frames. 34 They overlaid the frames with gold and made gold rings to hold the crossbars. They also overlaid the crossbars with gold.
35 They made the curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim woven into it by a skilled worker. 36 They made four posts of acacia wood for it and overlaid them with gold. They made gold hooks for them and cast their four silver bases. 37 For the entrance to the tent they made a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer; 38 and they made five posts with hooks for them. They overlaid the tops of the posts and their bands with gold and made their five bases of bronze.
The Ark
37 Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. He overlaid it with pure gold, both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it. He cast four gold rings for it and fastened them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other. Then he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. And he inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it.
He made the atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. Then he made two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. He made one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; at the two ends he made them of one piece with the cover. The cherubim had their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the cover.
The Table
10 They made the table of acacia wood—two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high. 11 Then they overlaid it with pure gold and made a gold molding around it. 12 They also made around it a rim a handbreadth wide and put a gold molding on the rim. 13 They cast four gold rings for the table and fastened them to the four corners, where the four legs were. 14 The rings were put close to the rim to hold the poles used in carrying the table. 15 The poles for carrying the table were made of acacia wood and were overlaid with gold. 16 And they made from pure gold the articles for the table—its plates and dishes and bowls and its pitchers for the pouring out of drink offerings.
The Lampstand
17 They made the lampstand of pure gold. They hammered out its base and shaft, and made its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece with them. 18 Six branches extended from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. 19 Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms were on one branch, three on the next branch and the same for all six branches extending from the lampstand. 20 And on the lampstand were four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. 21 One bud was under the first pair of branches extending from the lampstand, a second bud under the second pair, and a third bud under the third pair—six branches in all. 22 The buds and the branches were all of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold.
23 They made its seven lamps, as well as its wick trimmers and trays, of pure gold. 24 They made the lampstand and all its accessories from one talent of pure gold.
The Altar of Incense
25 They made the altar of incense out of acacia wood. It was square, a cubit long and a cubit wide and two cubits high—its horns of one piece with it. 26 They overlaid the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and made a gold molding around it. 27 They made two gold rings below the molding—two on each of the opposite sides—to hold the poles used to carry it. 28 They made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.
29 They also made the sacred anointing oil and the pure, fragrant incense—the work of a perfumer.


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