Andrew vonderLuft

Our Father has this way of doing things contrary to what is expected. Here in Genesis 48.13-20 Israel blesses Ephraim the younger son ahead of Manasseh the elder. God chose Isaac to be the son of promise, not his older brother Ishmael. Israel himself, as Jacob, become the heir of the promise of Abraham and Isaac, not his older brother Esau. Later on Gideon who was “least in his father’s house” is chosen to be the deliverer of Israel. And of course there is David, the youngest and “least” of Jesse’s sons, but who out of all his older brothers was the man after God’s own heart. And then there is you and me.

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. (1 Cor. 1:26-29)

In Numbers 6.24-26 the LORD gave these words to the Aaronic priests to bless God’s people and to put His name upon them. In Jesus Christ we are all His priests, a “royal priesthood” as Peter says. So as a holy priest to God, speak this blessing over your loved ones, over yourself, over your brothers and sisters.

In Numbers 2, the LORD gave Moses very specific instructions on how the 12 tribes of Israel were to pitch their camps around the Tabernacle in the wilderness. Why so specific? Check it out.

In his intercession, Abraham appeals to God’s character: “Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” We see the same approach throughout Scripture in Moses, David and others. This informs the way I pray for the lost. “You Lord are merciful and are not willing that any should perish…”

That is interesting, and it is certainly true that many are not mature enough to live a married life.
But it is not really what this text is saying. Jesus is talking about living a single life being a special gift from God. Paul is an example of this. Let the man who feels himself capable of forbearing to marry, and embracing the single life, embrace it; but none can do it but he to whom it is given. Read it again in a real translation, and you’ll see it.

After the Fall in Genesis 3, God set cherubim to guard the way to the Tree of Life.

In Exodus 35.30, the LORD called Bezalel by name. He is the first one in Scripture of whom it is said “He has filled him with the Spirit of God” In Exodus 36.35 Bezalel wove cherubim into the Veil of the Tabernacle which was the barrier into the Holy of Holies, where the Presence dwelt. The way in was still barred by the cherubim.

When Jesus died, the Veil of the Temple was rent asunder from top to bottom. The way to the Tree of Life which had been barred by the cherubim is now opened for all.

From Genesis 3.15 to Revelation 19.15 and following. It is the whole story of our world.

Exodus 29.37 “whatever touches the altar shall be holy” Pondering that in the light of Romans 12.1 “present your BODIES a living and holy sacrifice…” When we lay ourselves on the altar, He makes us holy, set apart for Him.

"for her house sinks down to death, and her paths to the ... Rephaim." Ponder that one.

Are you quoting Luther? He said something very much like that.

Moses 40 years in Midian, Israel 40 years in the wilderness, Moses forty days on the Mountain, Joshua was 40 when he was commissioned, Joshua's spies return after 40 days ... and more.

One thing to understand is that fundamentally people do not reject the Lord for lack of evidence. Consider Psalm 19 and Romans 1. It is for hardness of heart. "And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil." John 3.19

@jurgen the outer man is perishing, but the inner man is being renewed day by day...

Genesis 22, known as "the binding of Isaac" - verse 8 “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” אֱלֹהִ֞ים יִרְאֶה־לּ֥וֹ הַשֶּׂ֛ה The Hebrew is ambiguous - it can mean "God will provide for Himself the lamb", but it can also mean "God will provide Himself - (as) the Lamb." I believe the Holy Spirit is conveying both!

And it is here on Mount Moriah where the temple will be built, whose sacrifices will point forward to the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of world."