“SO IT WILL BE ON THE DAY WHEN … “
It could be we are too familiar with the prophecies about events at the climax of the present process of human life upon this earth – could the words of Jesus which we read today in Luke ch. 17 become uncertain in our minds – too dramatic to be taken literally?
Jesus says, “For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will it be in his day.” [v.24] He adds, “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the daysof the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot … but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom … so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed.” [v.26-30]
Our world is in a mess, uncertainties about the future increase every year, indeed, every month! . Our world has, to some degree, got used to living with uncertainties about the future – so much so nearly all plan for the present, for this year and maybe next, especially if they have children.
The king of the promised kingdom was “in the midst of you” {v.21] Jesus told the Pharisees, but they were blind to this challenging fact. Similarly, the words of Jesus, and those written by the Apostles in their letters, are today available in every language, but how few are ‘awake’ to the message they contain about today!
It is not just a message about today! It is not just a message about the coming climax, but, but just as important, it is about the attitude of heart we must develop if we are to have total trust in God. We read in Proverbs today, “Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you … write them on the tablet of your heart … in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths.” [ch.3 v.3,5,6]
There are x3 diff Heb words translated "separated" in our Numbers ch6 reading today.
We have these words which start the outline of how the common people could separate themselves unto God, as the priests.
"Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD" (v2)
What is interesting, where is says "either man or woman shall separate themselves", that occ of "separate" is the only time that Heb is used in the chapter. And it lit means a wonder / a marvel, and majority of times is translated as such. The foundation on this vow of separation starts when a man or woman wanted to separate themselves to God and indeed what a wonderful and marvellous provision this is. One which we are able to also do through baptism.
With this in mind, it brings out wonderfully the words of Peter:
"But ye (we) are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Pet 2:9)
We have these words which start the outline of how the common people could separate themselves unto God, as the priests.
"Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD" (v2)
What is interesting, where is says "either man or woman shall separate themselves", that occ of "separate" is the only time that Heb is used in the chapter. And it lit means a wonder / a marvel, and majority of times is translated as such. The foundation on this vow of separation starts when a man or woman wanted to separate themselves to God and indeed what a wonderful and marvellous provision this is. One which we are able to also do through baptism.
With this in mind, it brings out wonderfully the words of Peter:
"But ye (we) are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Pet 2:9)
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