| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| @April 17, 2024 | ESV (2016) | M’Cheyne Plan 2024 |
Leviticus 21
Leviticus 21:21-23a (ESV) 21 No man of the offspring of Aaron the priest who has a blemish shall come near to offer the Lord’s food offerings; since he has a blemish, he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God. 22 He may eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy and of the holy things, 23 but he shall not go through the veil or approach the altar, because he has a blemish, that he may not profane my sanctuaries
In order to maintain the purity and sanctity of God’s dwelling place among the people, no priest (a descendent of Aaron) with a physical defect was allowed to offer the Lord’s food offering or go through the veil to approach the altar. Such blemished priests could still eat the bread of his God but, as the the Faithlife Study Bible points out, “there were restrictions on eating when it involved sacred space”. These detailed stipulations help to showcase the holiness of our God and the utter perfection required to be in His presence.
Psalms 26–27
Psalm 28:13-14 (ESV)
13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! 14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
In David’s prayer to the Lord, he both expresses his belief that he will look upon His goodness and also exhorts one to wait for him in strength and courage. We see in this how faith and belief are both closely tied to patience. As we petition the Lord for a certain outcome or deliverance from circumstances, we should be reminded that we are requesting such things from the God who fulfills every promise and thus not be overcome by our desire for immediacy.
Ecclesiastes 4
Ecclesiastes 4 6 Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.
It is timely to read this because I think about work and busyness often. The concept of quietness has become so alien in our modern day. We live in a time where productivity is vehemently promoted with the mark of success is the acquisition of wealth and possessions. To this end we toil and find no satisfaction. The author here helps us to see that such toil is a striving after wind. He speaks of how a smaller amount of quietness holds more value than a larger amount of toil, a concept in radical opposition to the winds of our culture. This should be for us an encouragement to check our motivations, where our toil can be moderated and quietness promoted.
1 Timothy 6
1 Timothy 6:6-7 (ESV) 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
Paul’s words to Timothy regarding contentment serve to reinforce the words of the Preacher in Ecclesiastes. Contentment and quietness go hand-in-hand because to be content means to properly balance work and rest in such a way that we toil for only that which is essential. The heart of contentment is a restful fulfillment of basic needs. With the contentment of these needs supplied, our focus can be on the needs of others, loving and serving them for His glory.