Comments for February 18

v.14 - There are several references to this sin offering which was to take place 'without the camp'. Each time it was a bullock mentioned and the blood was to be sprinkled on the altar. It was the blood that did the atoning work in the tabernacle, and then the sin offering was burnt away from the camp, to symbolise sin having been removed - exactly the work of Jesus. Lev.4:11,12,21, 8:17, 16:27, Heb13:11,12.

v.31-32 - Provision is made here for the priests' food - Not from the results of what was burnt on the altar, but of special provision. To seethe is to boil, so this was not roast meat.

These chapters, in describing the consecration of Aaron and his sons, find their historical counterpart in Lev 8 - 10. Exodus describes what was to be done whereas Leviticus describes what actually happened.

:10 In putting their hands on the bullock the sons of Aaron were associating themselves with the death of the animal. The action of putting on of hands in Scripture always has this association - even when it was used for the passing on of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Exodus 29:9 – “Consecrate Aaron and his sons” – The margin has, ‘fill the hand of’ Aaron and his sons. A priest in the service of the Father was to always have his hands full with the service of the Truth. As the people brought forth their tithe offerings, so the priests had opportunity to look after the poor and the needy as they too came to the Tabernacle. The abundance given by God to His people, reflected in the tithe offerings, was able to support the priesthood, who having no inheritance in the land, were not able to grow their own crops or herds.

Exodus 29:45 – “And I will dwell among the children of Israel” – Why would God want to dwell among this people? They were an uncouth lot, always murmuring and complaining, wishing that they had stayed in Egypt. Why would God want to dwell among them? Answer – He called them out of Egypt to be His Family on earth. He was their Father. And as a Father He wants to dwell with His children, to experience their growth, watch their “first steps,” hear their “first words,” attend to their education and schooling, provide for their needs. Without saying so in so many words, God is telling Israel that He wants to move in with them, just as any parent likes to be in touch with their children and to experience the joys that raising a family can bring – 2 Corinthians 6:17.

29:24 Throughout this chapter Moses has been doing the work. Notice the repeated use of ‘thou shalt take’ – however the matter in hand was the consecration of Aaron and His sons. So they had to be involved as well – hence the bread was to be put in their hands. So even though the work was done by the man of God’s appointment the men had to be involved. In like manner, we cannot consecrate ourselves. Our consecration is through the work of Jesus. However we have to be involved in our consecration – in the way that we live.

Yesterday’s "thought" of consecrating all gifts, is extended in today’s chapter to making human priests acceptable to God.  Seven days of consecration had to be observed for Aaron and for his sons. The point is obvious, that however "special" Moses’ brother might have appeared, he still could not approach to God without being consecrated for seven days Exo 29:35

Exo 29:38   "day by day continually" Once again we read of one of the daily duties. Not unlike providing the olive oil for the lamp. (Exo 27:7) Also maintaining the fire upon the alter. (Lev 6:12-13) We too have many daily duties if we are to maintain and develop spiritually.

Blood was used to consecrate Aaron and his sons to the priesthood (v.20).  As well as sprinkling the altar, blood was placed upon the right ear, thumb, and large toe.  Literally, Aaron and his sons were consecrated from head to toe.
 
More specifically, the ear symbolized:
- Dedication to lifelong service.  Recall the bonding of the servant (Aaron) to his master (Yahweh) in lifelong service (Exo 21:6).
- Obedience of the people to Yahweh (via Aaron) (Jer 11:8).
- Mercy of Yahweh (Isa 59:1).
 
The thumb is the major component of the hand. To render it useless was to render the hand useless (Judg 1:7).
The hand is the greatest functional tool of the body.
The hand then symbolized:
- Divine power and authority (1Chron 29:12, Isa 64:8)
- Submission to Yahweh (2Chron 30:8 - note the phrase  yield yourselves literally means open your hand to).
 
As the thumb is to the hand, so is the large toe to the foot.
The foot was used for walking. 
The foot thus symbolized:
- Continual service to Yahweh (walk) throughout life's journey (wherever and whenever) (Gen 17:1, Lev 18:3,4).
- Victory (stamping out) over sin (Josh 10:24).
- Divine Grace (Isa 52:7).
 
It is significant that the ear, thumb, and large toe were on the right also.
The right position symbolizes:
- Divine power (Exo 15:6)
- Divine authority (Lev 7:32,33)
- Divine Grace and acceptance (Psa 110:1).
 
The above qualities were wrapped up in Aaron and the priest's office and all foreshadowed the Lord Jesus, our High Priest.

v.1 - It is clear from the NT teaching that we are no longer under the law. However, it is equally clear that we have lessons to learn from reading it - let us be sure that our offerings which we bring on our spiritual level are without blemish, and let us give glory to Him that made them so.

29:7     Moses anointed Aaron – but was not anointed himself! Moses was called of God, Aaron’s office was by descent. Moses was the basis for ‘that prophet’ – Messiah.

V.43 The tabernacle was the appointed place where God would meet with the Children of Israel. The erection of the tabernacle showed God's willingness to be approached by man seeking mercy, but not at the sacrifice of His holiness, or His authority, or His majesty. This would be done once a year, and that would be by shed blood, and presented by a man of His choice. We have a High Priest through whom we can approach God at any time.

It is interesting to notice the order of events in this chapter for the priests to be consecrated:  firstly they must be washed v4, secondly they must be clothed v5-6, then a series of sacrifices are to be made confirming them in service to the LORD. After this they are to share a meal v31,32 with the 'ram' that sealed their service to God. This sequence of events is very similar to how a disciple enters a relationship with God. Firstly the physical act of baptism is essential followed by the spiritual 'putting on the whole armour of God' Eph 6:11 and 'walking in love' Eph 5:2 as Christ did as a sacrifice to God. Following our calling we are commissioned to partake of the Lords feast Luke 22:19. In these events we are totally dependant on Christ, just as Moses was needed to perform the acts on his brethren. The many aspects of the law are extremely relevant today we should not neglect it, as we are to be priests with him in that day.

29:42The continual burnt offering was to teach that service to God was not to be spasmodic or intermittent. Each day the offering was to be made. In like manner we wake to each new day to service to our God. Not simply in going to the meeting or ding the readings but in total commitment to doing His will.

During the consecration we are told that they must take one bullock and two rams. The bullock, we see was used as a sin offering (10-14), then we have the first ram which is a burnt offering (15-18). The sin offering was made first, because until guilt had been removed no acceptable service could be performed. Finally we have the second ram offered as a peace offering "the ram of consecration"(19-22)

29:45    That God would ‘dwell among’ Israel is a foretaste of His involvement in the ecclesia – see 2Cor 6:16

The order of sacrifices is:

Sin offering

Burnt offering

Peace Offering

The sin offering must be given first, for, without the forgiveness of sins, nothing else matters.   And so it is for Christians.  Forgiveness of sins must first be obtained before salvation can be contemplated.  The prescribed way is belief in the Gospel (The Kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ  (Acts 8:12)), and baptism (Mark 16:16). Any of the following: erroneous beliefs; lack of baptism; reliance on good works alone, would make salvation unobtainable.

29:20 The ear signifies hearing, the thumbs is the most important digit on the hand for without the thumb much of the use of the hand is lost. The thumb represents working with the hand. The great toe signifies walking for if the foot has no toes balance is disrupted. Thus the putting of blood upon these extremities signifies that the priest is consecrated for the work of God.

V.6 The crown was a chaplet, a wreath-like adornment that circled the head, placed over Aaron’s turban.

The word crown is translated from nezer which means something set apart; consecrated (to the service of Yahweh). The root word of nezer is nazar from which comes Nazarite, a person separated and wholly dedicated to the service of Yahweh (e.g. Samuel; Samson; John the Baptist; Jesus).

29:37 Notice whatsoever touches the altar is holy. This is what is behind Jesus’ comment – Matt 23:19– where he speaks of the gift being sanctified by the altar

Time for reflection.

One of the reasons the 5 books of Moses seem so long is that there is repetition. First God tells Moses how to carry out His wishes, then later the actual event is recorded. In this particular chapter, Moses is still on Sinai (see 24:15-18, 25:1) receiving Gods instructions. So by the time of the golden calf incident (chapter 32), Aaron still hadn't been made a priest. This event, though recorded as the words of God in this chapter, didn't happen until later in Lev 8 & 9. So when Aaron did go through with this ceremony, what do you think he thought about while waiting 7 days outside the tent?

29:1  Notice the recurring command ‘thou’ in this chapter.  Moses was the one who had to prepare the priesthood.  The ‘one like unto Moses’ – Jesus – prepared his own priesthood.

Exo 29:10 - Aaron and his sons had to place their hands on the head of the sacrificial animal as part of this sin offering.  To atone for our sins we need to associate ourselves with our Head, Christ, who is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.  Note that this is not achieved by association just with the body (the ecclesia in our case) but with Christ as the head of that body.

29:44 Despite all the ceremony and special clothes and sacrifices Aaron and his sons still needed to be ‘sanctified’ by God. That is they were not separate just because of their attire and the sacrifices. It also required God’s intervention

29:7   The oil that was poured on Aaron’s head spread down his garments – Psa 133:2–speaks both of the separation of Aaron for the service of God and also the fellowship that was to exist between “brethren” –Psa 133:1.  An indication that the high priest was from among his brethren –Lev 21:10 so that fellowship could exist between the High Priest, God and men.

Exo 29:27

“And thou shalt sanctify the breast of the wave offering, and the shoulder of the heave offering, which is waved, and which is heaved up, of the ram of the consecration, even of that which is for Aaron, and of that which is his sons.”

The wave offering (t’nuwphah) and the heave offering (t’ruwmah) formed part of the provision made by the Lord for the priests and their families (Num 18:11; Neh 10:37-39; 12:44; 13:5).

The heave offering was a portion of their gifts; the wave offering the whole of the gift. The idea of the heave offering was the taking up a part to offer it to God, whereas the idea of the wave offering implied consecration to God for it was waved before the LORD. A gift might, therefore, be termed both a wave and a heave offering, but every wave offering could not be also called a heave offering.

The inwards were taken out and waved before the Lord, along with the breast and the right shoulder (or, perhaps more correctly, the right leg). In reference to these two wave offerings, the breast properly belonged to the Lord, and that He then gave it to His priests (Lev 7:30), while Israel gave the right shoulder directly to the priests (Lev 7:32). The ritual of the waving movement was to present the sacrifice, as it were, to the Lord, and then to receive it back from Him. The pieces were laid on the hands as follows: the feet, and then the breast, the right shoulder, the kidneys, the caul of the liver, and, in the case of a thank offering, the bread upon it all.

The Rabbinical suggestion, that there was a distinct rite of heaving besides that of waving, seems only to rest on a misunderstanding of such passages as Lev 2:2,9; Lev 7:32; Lev 10:15. The heave is, in reality, only the technical term for the priest's taking his portion.

The following were to be waved  before the Lord: the breast of the peace offering (Lev 7:30); the parts mentioned at the consecration of the priests (Lev 8:25-29); the first omer at the Passover (Lev 23:11); the jealousy offering (Num 5:25); the offering at the close of a Nazarite's vow (Num 6:20); the offering of a cleansed leper (Lev 13:12); and the two lambs presented with the bread of the first fruits at the Feast of Tabernacles (Lev 23:20). After the waving, the inwards (cf. Lev 3:3-5) were burnt on the altar of burnt offering, and the rest eaten either by the priests or worshippers, the longest term allowed in any case for the purpose being two days and a night from the time of sacrifice. Of course, the guests, among who were to be the Levites and the poor, must all be in a state of Levitical purity, symbolical of the wedding garment needful at the feast of the marriage supper of the Lamb.

29:2-6          It might seem a trivial detail that Moses was to dress Aaron and his sons. However a lesson is being taught. The beautiful garments were God given and as such were not garments that the priest could put on himself. They were being taught that they were unable to clothe themselves to cover their sins. It required a man of God’s selection to do that.  It typified Jesus’s sinless life and death and resurrection to provide the true covering. 

The Bullock was the 1^st offering and the greatest in size showing the camp of Israel and the priest himself forgiveness was the first requirement and the greatest when approaching God.

In all these examples of the priest’s consecration we have seen that the Priest was to have no sin in his life he was to separate from fleshly thinking and dedicate his life to Yahweh.

 Yet the priest could never fully attain to that life because he inherited a sinful nature a nature that would always hold him back and that was why he had to make this offering not for just his sin but for his nature.

And so too our Lord Jesus Christ though he was Begotten of God though he received the holy spirit he still had to atone for that nature he inherited from his mother.

A lovely point in this sin offering can be seen in Lev 4:11

And the skin of the bullock, and all his flesh, with his head, and with his legs, and his inwards, and his dung, Even the whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp unto a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn him on the wood with fire: where the ashes are poured out shall he be burnt.

After the blood was shed the Bullock was taken out of the camp and burnt in a clean place, remember flesh has no place before Yahweh and was taken outside the camp and destroyed completely. Signifying also that flesh profiteth nothing.

The head and inwards was offered on the altar but the body was taken away to be consumed and destroyed. So once again like the anointing it’s our heads where the flesh is controlled and destroyed.  

 Heb 13:11 tells us Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

He we see this typified beautifully in the sacrifice of our great high priest, after destroying his own sinful nature by giving his mind and emotions to his father in complete obedience, his body was then also taken outside the camp and it too was taken to a clean place to an unused tomb destroying once and for all his flesh nature.

The word for Bullock means to break forth in strength or power. A bullock relies on its own strength but the priest in humble service was to rely on god for strength coming through that anointing of his word.

29:4  The washing with water was not because of some physical dirtiness. Rather it was a ceremonial washing to cleanse them much as the way in which we are washed by God’s word – Eph 5:26

Exo 29:1

The consecration of the priesthood lasted 7 days and if anyone left this consecration they would die, so too we are to stay in our consecration.

It was conducted in full view of the people, the word hallow is the meaning to make clean this consecration was to remind Israel that they were unclean and in order to approach him they must be cleansed. The word consecrate means “fill the hand of” they were separated then unto Gods work, they had their hands full in performing Gods work we could say, again we see a great responsibility to perform Gods will the closer man comes before God.

Exo 29:6

in the coat we see order we see that the priests wore a simple coat and though the high priest also wore a coat his was to be arrayed in splendour, not to give glory to himself but to reflect the glory of God for the high priest was to be a representative of Yahweh on earth. In turn the priests simple coat reflected the high priest. And so as we put on Christ who was a true reflection of his father we should also be a reflection of our most high priest.

Exo 29:7

Though the priest may have been wearing those garments and washed he was still not fit to enter the priest’s office, he was to be first sanctified by oil along with the tabernacle itself including the altar and laver, this tabernacle and all things in it had been built to a great standard it would have looked wonderful yet it was created by unclean beings and so it still needed washing and anointing according to his will.

Psa 133:2 The oil then was poured upon the priests head, the head as we know directs the whole body. Rotherham translates the words skirts as openings or collars. The oil would run over the head down the collars and over the body itself and run out of the skirts. So this anointing of oil symbolising the Holy spirit pointed to the fact that in order for the high priest to fully consecrated and separated from the flesh he needed a rich endowment of Gods spirit to perform his role.

Heb 1:9

And so we see the Lord Jesus Christ was also given the holy spirit but it in greater measure so he could set apart his thinking from the flesh.

Exo 29:33 - "atonement" <3722>

Lev 23:27 - "atonement" <3725>

Rom 5:11 - "atonement" <2643>

29:9  The word “consecrate” has the meaning “fill the hand” and in realising this we realise that being made a priest was not simply a matter of giving him status. Rather the indication is that he had to work. The same is true for all of God’s servants. We should not just revel in the fact that we are His children. We should realise that such a privilege brings a responsibility to work for Him.

Exo 29:19-20  The blood of the second ram of the burnt offering was put on the tip of the right ear of Aaron and his sons and on their right thumb and great toe of their right foot and the remainder sprinkled on the altar round about.

The significance of this aspect of this offering was to symbolise the complete dedication of the High Priest and his sons to the service of the Lord.  They were to have an attentive ear to the commands of the Lord (Exo 15:26).  They were to keep the Lord on their right hand (Psa 16:8; Psa 121:5).  They were not to withhold their hand from doing good (Prov 3:27) and they were to walk in God’s ways (Deut 5:33; Psa 119:101).

The Apostle Paul reminds us that the body is not one member but many (1Cor 12:14-27). Out commitment to serving the Lord must be total, both as individuals and as an ecclesia.  The foot and hand (v.15), the ear and eye (v.16) are all vital parts of the body that should be devoted to the service to our Lord.

29:46  Notice the association between bringing Israel out of Egypt and God dwelling among them. God cannot dwell with people who are in Egypt. In our case if our hearts are in Egypt – the world’s way of thinking – God cannot dwell with us.

29:10  This is the first time that there is mention of the hands being put on the head of the animal that had to be sacrificed.  A pattern is set here – that of the offerer being associated with the sacrifice.

29:4      Jesus had sanctified his disciples so they did not need to “wash” John 13:10

Exo 29:1-14  The work of Moses in the consecration of Aaron and his sons as Priests points forward to the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Moses provided the sacrifice, washed and dressed the Priests and killed the sacrifice.  So we see a similar pattern in the ministry of Jesus in preparing a body of people to be kings and priests in the future Kingdom of God on earth (Rev 5:9-10).

29:21 Beautiful clothes have been made for Aaron and his sons. They have now been put on those men. It must have been a beautiful sight. And now, form a human perspective, those garments were going to be spoiled. Blood would be sprinkled on them! Thus that which man might see as beautiful still required cleaning with blood!

29:2 this is the first time unleavened bread is spoken of apart from in relation to the passover in Exodus.  So we see the passover meal is now introduced into elements of tabernacle worship in the wilderness. Every time Israel were told to take unleavened bread they were being reminded of the deliverance from Egypt

29:4-9 The way in which Aaron’s sons were prepared for their God given service to Yahweh speaks to us of the need for preparation on our part for involvement in the things of God. Diligence is required in everything we do for Him. Whilst others might not see the lack of preparation on our part our Father sees all.

29:9  There would, doubtless, from time to time, individuals who thought that they would like to be priests – we know of one Uzziah who tried to offer incense 1Chron 26:16-18

25:5-28 Notice the repeated “and thou” which are instructions to Moses as to what he, personally, had to do to Aaron. Up to this point, from the perspective of the nation, Moses was the man of God’s appointing. But now Aaron is not just Moses’ spokesman as he had been in Egypt. He stood in his own right – a right conferred by God –as high priest with all that entailed.

85 v.2 - it is very important that we keep these things in our minds at all times - especially when our lives are not going well - whatever else happens, God has forgiven our sins - and we must believe that. A number of examples from people who did believe that are recorded for us. Ps.32:1, 79:8,9, Jer.50:30, Mic.7:18, Acts 13:39, Col.2:13.

85:11 - The context of v.8-13 is that of salvation, and salvation is brought about by the marrying together of the mercy of God with the truth that springs out of the earth. It is a perfect way to describe Jesus, who sprang from earthy beginnings - being the son of a woman and therefore an inheritor along with all those who sprang from the earth, of sinful flesh. But in his work Jesus brings together this nature with the mercy and perfection of God, so becoming for us the way, the truth and the life. The word truth provides a fascinating and relatively simple study as there is essentially just one Hebrew word and one Greek word, which seem to be equivalent. Also note that by far the majority of occurrences of this word in scripture are to be found in the Psalms and the writings of John.

Psa 85 - That there are a number of Psalms for 'the sons of Korah' of itself is a wonderful testimony to them. Korah died before the Lord for his rebellion as outlined in Num 16. His sons forsook him and his tents and consequently were blessed for their faithfulness. They did not love 'father' more than God.

Psa 86 - In this Psalm David cries to God that He might hear him - Psa 86:1,2,3,6,7,16,17. But it not simply a call for God to answer him. Rather David is concerned that God will 'teach' him His ways [:11. It is so easy for us to just pray for what we want with no regard to trying to understand God's desire. We must realise that if we ask 'according to His will' [1John 5:14] He will hear us.

85:2-3 Notice the progression
forgive
covered
taken away

86 - Even though David is willing to call on God (:1-7) he is not above asking God to 'teach' him (:11) We should be like this. Realising that we have to call on God but not being so arrogant as to think that we do not need God's instruction when we are in trouble. As if we think we can sort things out ourselves.

Psalm 85 – begins “A Psalm for the sons of Korah.”

Psalm 85:10 – “righteousness and peace have kissed each other” – It is not usual for those who are ‘incompatible’ to spend time kissing. Truly God’s righteousness and His attendant peace are greatly compatible. The peace that the world seeks is not based on God’s righteousness, therefore mankind will wear himself out trying to devise ways to create compatibility – but to no avail. Only when God’s righteousness is in the earth will this world enjoy the Peace that the prince of Peace will then share.

Psalm 86:11 – “unite my heart to fear thy name” -  Make my heart one, is the plea of David in this Psalm. How often do we find that we too, possess a double heart? Because of our nature, we tend to be so duplicitous. But David’s prayer should be our prayer too – create within me, O God, ONE heart, for you are ONE, your purpose is ONE, your spirit is ONE, everything about you is united and focused – ARE WE?

85:10 The way that ‘mercy and truth’ ‘kissed’ shows that there is no conflict between mercy and truth. Truth must be the touchstone in any Ecclesial matter. Once the truth has been established then the ‘mercy’ of God can be shown correctly.

Psa 86 - Whilst  David calls on God it is not from the position of strength notice

Whilst we have bold access to the father (Heb 4:16) it is still in a position of need.

Psalm 85  This Psalm is one of thanksgiving after the return from the exile in Babylon. It would have been written possibly during the time of the rebuilding of the temple, under the leadership of Haggai and Zechariah.

Psalm 86  A Psalm of David showing his personal faith in God's present and future blessings.

The application of the ear, as we saw in Exodus 29 (see my note) is evident in these two psalms. 85:8 demonstrates  willingness to listen (incline the ear) to Yahweh's instruction. 86:1,6 makes the appeal to Yahweh to incline His ear (be merciful).

In Psa 85:10 it says that mercy and truth have met. I wonder if "Mercy" comes from Heaven, and "Truth" is on earth.  If that is so, then God's compassion from above, has combined with the truth on earth.  It's a vision of the Kingdom.  If that idea is true, then the remainder of the verse also implies that "Righteousness" has come from above, and has combined with the "Peace" on earth. Actually, the following verse (Psa 85:11) confirms this idea of things from above joining with things from below. "Truth" springs from the earth, while "Righteousness" looks down from Heaven.

86:5 - I was surprised to find that a search for forgive/forgiveness in the same verse as mercy yields but 2 results.  This one and also Num 14:19.  One wonders if the Psalmist is in fact drawing on the language of Numbers here.

85:11    Truth and righteousness appearing in the earth are ideas which are presented together in Isa 45:8.

86:17    We might think that the request that God would show David ‘a token’ is the behaviour of a man who lacked faith. However God specifically gave Abraham a token with the covenant of circumcision – Gen 17:11. When He told Moses that he would be with him when he went to Egypt God gave ‘a token’ – Exo 3:12.

86:12-17 - Perhaps this has a Messianic application: v12 Jesus glorified the name of his Father forever and this was the dominant theme in his ministry; v13 Christ was delivered from not only death but all the misery of the crucifixion; v14 violating the Sabbath, the Sanhedrin were "enlightened" rejectors of God's Law and Jesus, and demanded the violent crucifixion; v15 without the sacrifice of Jesus there would be no ultimate true mercy for mankind; v16 Jesus, who was strengthened in Gethsemane (Luke 22:42-43) was clearly the son of the Lord's only true handmaid, Mary (Luke 1:38,48); v17 the token or sign for good was the radiant Glory or countenance in the face of Jesus causing those who came to arrest him to stumble back and fall (John 18:6; Psa 27:1-2; 42:11).

Much of the above was gleaned from Psalms Studies Vol.2 by George Booker

86:11 The Psalmist asks God to teach him God’s way. It is a good thing to ask God for instruction. However we do well to reflect on how He teaches. His instruction is there for us to read in His word, as it was for the Psalmist. The instruction comes from the Scriptures. They are able to make wise unto salvation – 2Tim 3:16 - So we should be praying that our eyes be opened to see things in the word – Psa 119:18

86:7 Notice the Psalmist cries to God when in trouble – it is so easy to blame God for our problems rather than see in Him their solution.

Ps. 85 might be referring to the time after the Babylonian exile.  The captivity of v.1 could be speaking of this, although  restoration of Israel's fortunes could be applied to other times also.

85:8 speaking peace is one of the characteristics of Jesus – Zech 9:10 – showing that this Psalm is messianic.

85:8 In the KJV, the word saints is translated from the Hebrew word chasid which means pious, godly. In fact, chasid is translated godly (KJV) in Psa 4:3. Today, the Chasidim (pl. of Chasid) are very religious Jews who live and worship apart from other Jews (sometimes their name is spelled Hasid, but the H should be pronounced Ch, as in the Scottish lake, loch). The men can be easily spotted as they wear black coats and sport large hats. Sometimes their hats are ringed with a fur caplet to signify separateness (see my note on Exodus 29). Chasidic women are very moderately dressed with long skirts and head coverings.

86:2 The KJV has translated chasid as holy.

85:12 The land providing her increase is a picture of the kingdom when the earth will bring forth bountiful crops – Psa 72:16

86:2    Would we claim to be ‘holy’? We ought to be able to do so.  If we are ‘separate’ then we are ‘holy’ for that is what holiness is – separateness from all things ungodly.

Do we see God as being ready to forgive? In other words, He is predisposed to forgiveness, and waits for our confession? (Psa 86:5)

86:9     The Psalmist has been reflecting upon God’s goodness earlier in the Psalm. He now sees the final point of this goodness – the kingdom of God on earth with all nations recognising Israel’s God as the one true God.

It is thought by some that Psalm 85 could be a dual account of Hezekiah's days and the millenial day of rest when Christ returns.

Psa 85:1 - "Lord, thou hast been favorable unto thy land" (Isa 35:1-10).

Psa 85:2 - "Thou hast forgiven the iniquity<5771> of thy people, thou hast covered all their sins<2403>" (Acts 3:19-21).

Psa 85:6 - "Wilt thou not revive us again?" (Eze 37:21-24).

Psa 85:7 - There will be mercy and salvation when Christ returns to establish his Father's kingdom on earth.

Psa 85:9 - "Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land" (Eze 11:16-20;Acts 1:9-11).

Psa 85:11-12 - "Truth shall spring out of the earth...our land shall yield her increase" (Matt 5:5;9:38).

Psa 85:13 - "the way of his steps" (1Pet 2:21).

Psa 86:1-7 - perhaps this has application to Jesus in Gethsemane.

Psa 86:3,4,5,8,9,12,15 - "O Lord"<136>.

Psa 86:9 - "All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name" (Isa 56:7;Rev 15:4).

Psa 86:12 - "I will glorify thy name for evermore" (John 14:13).

Psa 86:13 - NIV "For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me<5315> from the depths of the grave<7585>."

86:1-3   God’s response to our situation is conditional. It is conditional on our response to His character and teaching.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Here is a prayer for the day: "Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." (Psa 86:11)

Have you ever looked at someone who seems to be completely devoted to the Lord and thought, I want to be like them? Sometimes it is hard to know where to start. After all, you want to have the same devotion but not necessarily be doing exactly the same things. If you are anything like me, you can get all inspired by someone who speaks about their mission work experience, but gradually it fades and we find ourselves in the same rut as last week. 

God can and God will help us if we want to change. We can grow to know him and serve him more. We can overcome sin, and the things that we trip up on now can become stepping stones to greater devotion, service and love.

So let's pray the prayer of David, and as we do so, maybe God will answer it for us the way he answered it for David. "Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name."

86:5      The qualities that the Psalmist describes here are like the qualities that God showed to Moses – Exo 34:6-7 – but, just as in Exo 34:7 His generosity is extended only to those who love and serve Him. 

86:8-9 This is what we are looking for, is it not? The end of the blindness of mankind and the recognition by all that Yahweh is God. However we will only see this when Christ returns if it is our desire and what we are striving for now.

Psalm 85

In the first three verses God has forgiven His people and restored them, but in v4 it is evident that this hasn't happened yet, so that in v5 the Psalmist asks:

"Will You be angry with us forever?
Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?"

So the first three verses are a reflection of the trust that the writer has in the unchangeable nature of God -- His forgiveness and mercy is not in question, so he writes of it as if it has already happened, but he recognises it's also a matter of whether the people were ready to turn away from their folly (see v8).

85:2    Notice the “selah” at the end of the verse. The word means weigh, or value. Do we value and appreciate the forgiveness of sins that we have received at the hand of God?

85         Verses :1-3 have the Psalmist reminding God how He acted to save Israel in the past. Verses :4-7 has the Psalmist asking God to do the same sort of thing now because of the trouble that they were in.

85:4   In speaking of God as “god of our salvation” we meet a phrase which does not occur often. However one occasion is 1Chron 16:35 when David brought the ark to Zion.

86:7      David’s plan to call on God is something that he actually did – Psa 77:2

86:16 this is the first of two occasions where the Psalmist calls himself “the son of thine handmaid”. The other is Psa 116:16. Mary calls herself the “handmaid of the Lord” – Luke 1:38. So we might conclude that this Psalm is Jesus speaking “in spirit”.

86:12 Notice David’s commitment – “with all my heart”. Jesus warned against partial commitment Matt 6:24 – How committed are we to serving God?

85:1-3 Notice the repetitive “thou”. The Psalmist recognised who was in control of events around him. Do we share his sentiments? Do we just give “lip service” with the phrase “God willing” to our understanding that God is in control (Dan 4:17) or is God’s involvement in all things around us a driving force in our lives.

86:3-6  We can plead, like the Psalmist for one good reason. God is willing to forgive! Surely this should  be sufficient motivation for us to pray to our Father.

86:2Whilst we may be disinclined to speak of ourselves as “holy” maybe we can identify with the way the margin renders the word “holy” – as “one whom thou favourest”.

v. 37-40 - The disciples could not be there for Jesus in his greatest hour of need, but Jesus, rather than be angry about this, turns it round as ever, to reflect his constant care for his disciples, as he has for us. He warns them not to fall from their position of alert watchfulness, and the reason - that they are not overtaken by temptation. He needed their minds focused on the events around them - the current signs of the times. And we must heed this warning too. Matt.25:5, 1Thess.5:6-8, and at times when it is difficult - Heb.12:3.

v.3 Simon was the father of Mary and Martha Lazarus and Judas Iscariot. Judas is called 'Simon's son' John 12:4 13:2 Mary and Martha were serving the meal because it was their father's house. Lazarus was Mary and Martha's brother as was Judas Iscariot. John 11:19
v.18 Jesus first taught his disciples that he would be betrayed at the time of the transfiguration. Matthew 17:22 He then speaks of it around the time of his death in the last week of his life and in the upper room. Matthew 20:18 26:2,21,23,45,46 Mark 14:41,42 Luke 22:21 John 13:21
v.31 Notice that it was not only Peter who had said that he was willing to lay down his life for Jesus.

14:37 Jesus seems distressed that the disciples were not able to stay awake whilst he was praying - even though they had no idea what he was praying about or what was going to happen next. David 'looked for comforters and found none' [Psa 69:20] and was distressed by this also. Have we thought about how we can support our brethren and sisters in their tribulation even if we do not fully understand their dilemma? It would seem that the simple presence of the disciples - or in David's case his friends - would have provided some form of sustenance.

"I WILL NEVER DISOWN YOU"

"But Peter insisted emphatically, 'Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.'"

But we know that eventually the words of Jesus, when he prophesied that Peter would disown him three times, came true, and Peter did the very thing he had promised not to do.

When Jesus was confronted by the soldiers and all the people in the garden, Peter came to the fore. He was the one that was going to defend Jesus to the bitter end. No way would he deny his Lord! It was Peter whose sword came out to fight for Christ, and Peter who had to be told to calm down. When the pressure was on Peter was Hot!

However, later, in a non threatening environment, Peter had lost his edge. Asked by a servant girl - not a soldier with a sword - Peter tried to save face and disowned his Lord. He did it three times when the pressure was off.

If we have the same resolve as Peter, that we will never disown Christ, let us remember to confess him in every small occasion as well as in the big challenges. Let us not back down to save face, but stand by our man at all times.

This chapter, whilst dealing with issues of one day has as its prime focus the meal in the upper room. The mention of Judas (:10-11) is setting the scene for the events that will follow the meal and provides an explanation as to why Jesus kept the location of the place of the 'last supper' secret.

Mark 14:3 – “And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the Leper” – Here Jesus is once more among friends. Judas’ father is named as Simon, and Judas was the only disciple of the twelve to domicile in or around Jerusalem. All the other disciples were Galilean. Is it possible that Mary, Martha and Lazarus were Judas Iscariot’s siblings? Judas certainly felt as though he could speak freely in regard to Mary pouring out the ointment at this time. Was Judas watching a family treasure being used on the Lord, as Mary poured out her love for Him? Judas certainly knew how much that vase of ointment was worth – more than 300 pence!! Now at a penny a day for the common wage, that would be equivalent to 1.5 years wages in our terminology. In Australia, 300 pence today would be worth about $50,000Aus. To make the conversion, it would be about $29,500 American or £16,300 English pounds.

Mark 14:5 – “For it might have been sold for more than 300 pence, and have been given to the poor” – The companion records state that Judas is leading the discussion. He was the “poor” that he had in mind. His companion disciples had no idea that he had his hand in the bag and was purchasing a retirement home for himself with the proceeds. But Jesus knew. And yet He continued to trust Judas with the common bag, AND He did not tattle on Judas to the other disciples. Indignant as Judas is here about the 300 pence, ultimately he betrayed the Lord (for He was never ‘his Lord’ to Judas) for just 30 pieces of silver – the price of a Jewish slave on the open market. Or was 30 pieces of silver a down payment, a deposit, for a greater sum of money to be handed over when the deed was fully done?

Mark 14:44 – “Whomsoever I shall kiss” – How wonderfully the readings tie together. We have just read in our Psalms reading, that there must needs be compatibility before a genuine kiss is exchanged. How hypocritical of Judas to kiss Jesus – he and Jesus are incompatible – yet our Lord graciously allowed Judas to take his part in this dastardly deed, that the thoughts of his heart might be made fully manifest to his fellows who had worked and walked with him for 3.5 years.  Notice Judas, in kissing the Lord, addresses Him as “Master, Master?”  Never does Judas ever address Jesus as Lord – Luke 6:46.

14:1 Now the public preaching of Jesus is over. He had spoken to the leaders Matt 23:39 telling them that they would not see him again -until Psa 118:26 is fulfilled. From this time on Jesus focuses on the needs of the disciples.

Mark 14:51-52  "A certain young man" Who was this young man?  We are not told who it was, but with Mark the only gospel writer to record this event. It makes us think that it was Mark. 

How would the disciples know which man to follow? (v.13).
The custom was that women were the ones who bore the pitchers of water, and so a man doing it would stand out.
 
V.24 says that the sacrifice of Jesus was for many not all. This dispels the notion that He was a substitutive sacrifice for all men and women.
 
The Lord's enemies had nothing with which to convict Him. If He  had continued to hold His peace (v.61), He could not have been condemned.  But He knew that scriptures had to be fulfilled, and so he gave His enemies an opening in v.62.

V.17 Before the betrayal of Judas, Jesus had some precious hours with the disciples, it was of utmost importance that they should not be disturbed, so once again we see his love to those who followed him. As he prepared them secretly for the events of the next few hours. The same love is available to each one of us to day. Love to the uttermost.

v.1  - It is only recently I have come to realise why the Chief Priests and the Scribes were so keen to kill Jesus.  I used to think it was an act of dreadful jealousy, but in fact it is because death was the punishment under the law for those who disobeyed, and in their eyes, Jesus had openly and unashamedly disobeyed their rules - their sacred law - and so was worthy only of death. Death (by stoning) was the punishment for working on the Sabbath, for example. Although this thinking is wrong, it makes much more sense than these men being jealous of his following.  Maybe everyone reading this comment realised this years ago, but there you go!

14:7      in saying 'you have the poor with you always' Jesus is not expressing a selfish sentiment. Rather he is stating a Divine truth for he is quoting Deut 15:11. Wickedness and poverty go hand in hand. Not that poor people are wicked. Rather the behaviour of mankind generates poverty in some through the greed of others.

v 5 we have to be careful about assessing what we do for others in purely selfish material terms. We remember that all that we have, whether material possessions or abilities, come from God, and the attitude of giving, without assessment of loss or gain to ourselves, is what we need to have.

May I put forward an idea about leavened or unleavened bread used for the Last Supper?  This is only a suggestion. From Mark 14:12 it looks as though the “First day of unleavened bread” had already come, so therefore the bread in Mark 14:22 would have been unleavened.  But I don’t think this is quite correct.  Look in Lev 23:5-14. The 14th of the first month is the Passover. The next day the feast of unleavened bread starts, and lasts for a week. In Lev 23:10 the firstfruits were offered. IF … the Passover was killed and eaten on the Thursday, the Unleavened Bread feast started on the Friday, the normal Sabbath would be on the Saturday, then the firstfruits were offered on the Sunday (on the morrow after the Sabbath – Lev23:11). If this is right isn’t it wonderful that Christ rose very early on the Sunday, just at the time when the farmers were taking their firstfruits to God. 1Cor 15:23 takes on a much greater significance.
To complete the suggestion started from our Mark reading, Mark 14:12 must mean the whole of the Passover/Unleavened Bread week, and strictly under the Mosaic Law the Passover night came first, then the Unleavened Bread started on the next day. So the bread used by Jesus would have still be leavened.

After Jesus' perceived blasphemous confession (v.62), Caiaphas, the high priest, self-righteously tore his clothes (v.63).  In doing this, he acted contrary to the Law (Lev 21:10).

14:2 That the leaders did not want to take Jesus ‘on the feast day’ indicates that they had been planning to take Jesus for some time. They are now getting anxious because they have not managed to take him and the feast is only two days away. When Judas went to see them that night they must have heaved a great sigh of relief. Of course the timing was not in their hands it was in the hand of the Father. It is Christ who is our Passover - 1Cor 5:7- that the Father had in His mind from ‘the foundation of the world’ Rev 13:8.

DOERS OR COMPLAINERS?
 
Two parts were played out at Bethany. At the meal table where Jesus was having dinner the first person played their part. "A woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head." (Mark 14:3) This perfume was worth a years wages.
 
On the part of this woman it was a very wonderful and self sacrificing thing she did. It was the best she had and she gave it all to her Lord. It wasn't even as if she opened the jar of perfume and poured it out, keeping some back for herself. She broke the jar and the perfume was poured on Jesus' head. The jar was now useless to use again.
 
The second part was played by others who were present. They said, "'Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a years wages and the money given to the poor.' And they rebuked her harshly." (v.4-5) These people were not the ones who had given the gift. They had not given gifts to the Lord of Life and yet they felt it appropriate to criticise the giver of this beautiful gift.
 
Which part do we play? Are we doers or complainers? Would we have been the one giving or the one complaining? Let's be sure that the sharpness of our tongues does not catch out the laziness of our hands. Let's be the movers and shakers - not those who sit down and criticise.

14:3  Mark along with Matt 26:7 speak of Mary anointing Jesus’ head. However John says it was his ‘feet’ - John 12:3 – there is no discrepancy. John focuses upon the feet because he then goes on to talk about Jesus washing the disciples ‘feet’ – John 13:5.

14:10 That Judas went to the chief priests means that he walked from Bethany into Jerusalem which is quite a walk, down into the Kidron valley and up the steep slope into the city and then to the palace of the high priest.

The ruling council of the Jews (the Sanhedrin) was made up seventy-one of the richest, most powerful elite of society. They were mainly Sadducees, although some prominent Pharisees were among them.  Under the direction of the high priest, they unanimously condemned Jesus to death (v.64), although they were not allowed to execute anyone (John 18:31).  Joseph of Arimathea (Mark 15:43) and Nicodemus (John 3:1) were members of the Sanhedrin.  However, they must have proclaimed their faith in Jesus before this event otherwise they would have been counted in the unanimous decision of the council.  They would have given up great wealth and power to follow their master, and would have certainly been shunned, and probably persecuted by the council.  Their faith is recorded as they cared for the body of the Lord (John 19:38-40).

Peter's conversion

In Mark 14 we have Peter's worst hour, and yet the best. Even though he had confessed Jesus as the Christ (8:29) he was not yet willing to accept him as such, because his own pride (dependence on self) wouldn't allow it. Nevertheless it was his betrayal that brought about his conversion as Jesus had prophesied beforehand in Luke 22:24-34. Notice how this passage is in the context of their argument about who would be the greatest. And the washing of the feet. The woman in v3-9 was the only one recorded for us in scripture who accepted him as her saviour before he died. Her act was one of submission, copied by Jesus in the washing of his disciples feet. He wanted them to be like her.

So in v27 we see why Jesus quoted Zechariah. He had prophesied they would need to be refined in the fire, as silver and gold is, before they truly submitted to the Lord (Zech 13:7-9).

14:26The singing of a hymn at this point is the same time as John 14:31when Jesus said ‘arise let us go hence’.

14:40  In not knowing what to answer Jesus the disciples manifest the same characteristic as they did on the mount of transfiguration – Mark 9:6

Summary of Chapter

14:1-2        Two days before the Passover Jewish leaders plot to take Jesus captive

14:3-10      In Bethany – Mary anoints Jesus

14:11         Judas Iscariot went to the chief priest to betray Jesus

14:12-16    Jesus sent two of his disciples go to prepare the Passover

14:17-25    In the evening Last Supper

14:26         After singing a hymn Jesus and the disciples went to the Mount of Olives

14:27-31    On way to Gethsemane Peter asserts undying loyalty to Jesus

14:32-42    In Gethsemane Jesus prays to god for strength

14:43-52    Judas and crowd arrive in the garden to take Jesus captive

14:53-65    Jesus before the High Priest

14:66-72       Peter denied Jesus three times

14:34-40      Jesus’ threefold prayer echoes the sad state of David as seen in Psa 42:5,6,11

 Mark 14:60-64.A couple today concerning the high priest presiding over Jesus' trial.

14:22  the invitation to “take, eat” contrasts the prohibition laid on Adam and Eve – Gen 3:22 – when they were driven out of the Garden of Eden. In this meal Jesus was showing his disciples that he was opening up the way back into fellowship with God. 

14:13-15     In the hearing of all the disciples Jesus gave this enigmatic instruction to two of his disciples. The purpose was to prevent Judas, who had already decided he would betray Jesus, from knowing where the meal would take place. If Judas had known the location beforehand he would have been able to advise the chief priests who could then have come and disrupted the important feast that Jesus was going to institute.

14:10 Judas’ mind was not on the celebrations for the raising of Lazarus. Rather, it seems, his focus was on the money that he might get from the chief priest. How often do we allow our minds to stray from what is important to trivial things?

14:43  In Psa 3:6 David speaks of his confidence I God when Absalom rose up against him with the people supporting Absalom.  Jesus is now placed in a similar situation. The confidence of David must have been an encouragement to Jesus – the greater so n of David

14:10  The chief priests wanted an opportunity to take Jesus – 14:1-2 – and now Judas meets their needs. It all happened so naturally. However it was all part of God’s plan. Jesus was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God – Acts 2:23

14:8 It was Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea who actually anointed the body of Jesus. Whilst the woman, including Mary, did go to the tomb after his burial there was no need to anoint his body as he was alive! So truly her actions were for his burial. Better early than not at all!

14:72  Peter’s despair on realising what he had doe echoes what the prophet said – Isa 50:11 –where he speaks of sorrow in the context of one being in the light of a fire like Peter must have been done that night.

14:4 When we read of “some” being indignant we should realise that this indignation was first raised by Judas –John 12:4-5. Doubtless others joined in Judas’ comments. See the danger of being easily led? 

14:3-10 the seemingly innocuous event of Jesus being anointed by Mary acted as the final trigger that prompted Judas to go to the chief priests offering to betray Jesus to them. We have to conclude that Judas already was aware of their plans. His visit to the chief priests was not a “cold call”.

There has never been such a devastating event consequent upon an act of kindness like that of Mary!

Mark 14:13

“And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.”

“In Palestine and Mesopotamia, water is only carried by women. For men to carry water would be considered effeminate, even were they suffering from thirst. However, as the women are not allowed to be employed in public places, keepers of lodging houses are obliged to hire male servants to perform this task of carrying water. It is customary in the East for relatives and friends to entertain each other when traveling. This decreases the demand for lodging houses. In some of the large cities, however, there is usually one or two public places, chiefly for native unmarried travelers and foreign merchants of a different creed, who are not welcome to stay over night in a family home.

Jesus instructed his disciples to follow the man who bore the pitcher of water because that was the easiest way for them to find a lodging house in a city like Jerusalem, where streets were irregularly laid out, with no names and numbers.”

A KEY TO THE ORIGINAL GOSPEL, George M. Lamsa, p. 102

14:19 The incredulity of the disciples – not one of them thought that he might be the betrayer – highlights the secretive nature of Judas Iscariot who had been stealing form the bag for quite some time and had shown negative attitudes to Jesus already.

vv 39, 41 Jesus prayed three times that the cup would pass from him. God must have said No, three times. While we don't give up petitioning God to reconsider His course, there comes a point where we accept that God has said No.

vv 51,52 Most commentators suggest that Mark was the man mentioned in these verses because  the incident is unique to Mark's gospel.  Another possibility is that the man was Bartimaeus. He is only ever mentioned by name in Mark's gospel and we know that he followed Jesus after he was healed (Mark 10: 52).

vv 71, 72 Peter swore that he did not know Jesus. This doesn't mean that he used foul language. It may mean that he used the name of God to strengthen his denial. This magnified the guilt and sorrow that he experienced. "He broke down and wept" (v72).

14:20  Jesus answer was rather enigmatic. It did not identify the traitor to the disciples, However when Judas dipped in the dish his mind would be reflecting on Jesus’ word more than the rest of the disciples would for he knew exactly what he had already promised to do.  So Jesus’ words were particularly for Judas to reflect on.