Justin Houtz

Leviticus 14, Psalm 17, Proverbs 28, 2 Thessalonians 2

DateVersionReading Plan
@April 10, 2024ESV (2016)M’Cheyne Plan 2024

Leviticus 14

Leviticus 14:33–35 (ESV) 33 The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 34 “When you come into the land of Canaan, which I give you for a possession, and I put a case of leprous disease in a house in the land of your possession, 35 then he who owns the house shall come and tell the priest, ‘There seems to me to be some case of disease in my house.’

In this chapter, the LORD provides Moses with laws concerning cleansing procedures for individuals and houses. However, verse 34 was particularly intriguing because in giving command regarding leprosy in a house, the LORD said, “…and I put a case of leprous disease in a house in the land of your possession”. This seems to indicate that the LORD put the leprous disease in the house, which naturally lends to asking why. Commentary reflection is bit sparse (at least among those I have), but the Jamieson, Fausset and Brown commentary offers a couple potential explanations:

The words, “I put the leprosy,” has led many to think that this plague was a judicial infliction from heaven for the sins of the owner; while others do not regard it in this light, it being common in Scripture to represent God as doing that which He only permits in His providence to be done.

Psalm 17

Psalm 17:15 (ESV) 15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

Contrasting those who close their hearts to pity and speak arrogantly, David beholds the Lord’s face in righteousness and is satisfied in His likeness upon waking. As with David, followers of Christ should awake every morning filled with the satisfaction that we are a child of God. The first breath upon opening our eyes open should be taken in gratitude that the Lord has gifted us with a new day in which we can live for Him.

Proverbs 28

Proverbs 28:12, 28 (ESV) 12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves. … 28 When the wicked rise, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.

The rule of the wicked vs. righteous is mentioned multiple times in this chapter. The people hide in fear when the wicked reign but there is great rejoicing when the righteous rise to power. For as long as we live in this fallen world, appointed authorities will run the gamut of integrity. However, it is in our exposure to the unscrupulous that we learn to appreciate the upright.

2 Thessalonians 2

2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 (ESV) 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

Paul prays that the hearts of the Thessalonian church would be comforted and endure through affliction. This is ours to receive as well, understanding that by His grace, our Lord loves us and gives us eternal comfort and good hope. From a position of sealed assurance, we are able to move forward in every circumstance, all the while striving to embody the truth of the gospel in our words and deeds.

Carson on Psalm 17

It is easy enough to absorb [retaliation] when things are going well. But when church members are unfairly attacking your ministry, when gossips are undermining your position in the company for their own advantage, when colleagues in the university department invariably attach the ugliest motives to everything you say and do — that is the test for leaving things in the hands of the God whose care for his own and whose passion for justice ensure final vindication.

This is a helpful word for leaving ultimate vindication to the Lord. So often we can respond to unjust actions with defensiveness or counter-attack, but we are to leave this to the Lord who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds.

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