Bible reading for May 2.
Numbers 9.
"Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out." (Num 9:22)
THE SECOND PASSOVER. The Israelites have remained camped at Mount Sinai for a year. They will soon set out for their new land. This Passover will be first anniversary celebration of the Passover deliverance in Egypt. For those ritually unclean at this time, a provision is made for them to celebrate it (exactly the same way) a month later. The Passover is an observance that is fulfilled in Christ (Jn 19:36; 1 Cor 5:7-8).
DIVINE GUIDANCE. The pillar of cloud and fire hovers over the tabernacle. When it lifts up, the people are to break camp and follow. Where it settles, they are to make camp. This is a picture of the Lord leading his people, at that time by the cloud (signifying God's presence) and now by the Holy Spirit whom Christ sent to indwell us (Rom 8:14; 2 Cor 3:18; Gal 5:16). We should not think that this relates primarily to things such as where we live or what job we take. Those are very important things about which we should seek the Lord's wisdom. But primarily, the leading of the Spirit -- for the church, as well as the individual Christian -- is guidance into holiness, that is, leading us on the paths of righteousness (Isa 30:20-22; Heb 5:14).
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Psalm 45.
"In place of your fathers shall be your sons; you will make them princes in all the earth." (Psalm 45:16)
A ROYAL WEDDING. The setting for this psalm is a wedding, likely that of King Solomon. Like Psalm 2 this is categorized as a "royal psalm." In it the king typifies (foreshadows) the Messiah. Not every detail pertains to the coming Messiah, but the psalm is like a shadow or a lens that allows us to glimpse something greater to come. Solomon had many wives, but the Lord Jesus, only one (Eph 5:25-27; Rev 19:7-9). Solomon apparently was physically impressive (v 2), but Isaiah tells us that's not what would attract us to Messiah (Isa 53:2). In his return, when he comes for his bride, Christ's full glory shall be seen (Rev 19:11-12). Like Solomon, only greater than Solomon, is Jesus' passion for truth, meekness, and righteousness (vv 4-5). Also, he shares God's divine nature and will rule forever (45:6-7; cited in Hebrews 1:8-9). This psalm is a celebration of Jesus, our glorious King and eternal Lord!
LEAVING THE PAST BEHIND. The bride is challenged (vv 10-13) to look to her glorious future rather than brood over what she left behind. Likewise, the Apostle Paul wrote to believers, "...one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:13-14). For Solomon's bride, as well as for us, one of the things which lies ahead is the new heritage we make for future generations: "In place of your fathers shall be your sons; you will make them princes in all the earth" (v 16). As Christian parents, grandparents, teachers, leaders and disciplers, we are setting an example and making an impact on generations to come. Our goal is not merely to produce progeny, but rather, to train children of royalty, that they might be heirs of glory.
NATIONS AND GENERATIONS. I have been privileged to be in a church where all ethnic groups are welcomed and children are valued. In our hallways mingle people of all ages and from different nations. We have a saying, that "we exist for the nations and for the generations." This is a theme that will be repeated in Psalms. Israel was called to teach their children and to be a light to the nations. In the new covenant, however, we now see the gospel of our Lord Jesus actually bring that to pass. Is this your heart, that the nations around us, and the generations to come, shall know our glorious King?
Image credit: photo above from ISO-Republic.
We are following the Robert Murray M'Cheyne (RMM) two-year reading schedule, as arranged by D. A. Carson.
Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The NET Bible is a free, online resource, and a ministry of bible.org.
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