For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

    Wisdom was there when God set up the heavens and laid out the oceans. The reason we can figure out the science of how the universe works is because God used wisdom and reason to create it in the first place.

    We have all sinned by disobeying God. If we stop trying to hide our guilt and instead confess our sins, God will forgive us and clear our record. I cannot do this psalm justice. Read it for yourself and meditate on its truth.

    When the armed men who accompanied Judas arrested Jesus, one of the disciples(John tells us it was Peter) fought back with his sword. This lends credence to what I said yesterday about the disciples anticipating joining in battle to defend Jesus against the authorities. Jesus responded to this effort in His defense by telling His disciples that it was unnecessary and unwanted.
    When Jesus was before the Council, the high priest asked Him if He was the Messiah. I have always felt the phrasing of the question and answer in the English translations did not quite match up. It seems to me that the high priest’s question to Jesus would have likely come across as, “You are the Messiah, aren’t you?” I perceive Jesus’ answer as being more along the lines of, “See, even you admit that it is so.” I am not phrasing this quite right. It seems to me that to those who spoke the language, the high priest’s question would have been an unintentional acknowledgement that Jesus was the Messiah.

    The tax described in this passage is significant in several ways. First, it is clearly stated that it is the same for everyone, rich or poor. It is not in any way a progressive tax. Every person has an equal share in the Tabernacle. Another interesting aspect of it is that it is to be collected when the leaders of Israel conduct a census so as to avoid plague. This suggests that the census is totaled by counting the coins rather than by people traveling from town to town counting people. There is an element of respecting the honour and honesty of the people when collecting the tax and counting the people.

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. In order to make that possible I read the passages and write my thoughts a day, or more. in advance. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.

     Wisdom has been with God from the creation of the universe. In addition, God built wisdom into the design of the universe. If you seek wisdom and follow the path that truly leads to it you will find God. In addition, you will only completely find wisdom when you come to God.

     This psalm gives us some great lessons for life. We will experience great joy when we accept the forgiveness which God offers to us. It is only when we confess our sins and admit our guilt that we can begin to heal from the damage our own sins have done to us. I will obey the Lord because He instructs me and guides me in the best path for my life. I will rejoice in the Lord and be glad.

     When Judas came with a crowd of armed men to arrest Jesus, one of the disciples (the Gospel of John tells us that it was Peter) drew his sword and began defending Him. Jesus immediately told him to put away his sword. Jesus continued by saying that He could call on thousands of angels for protection, but if He did that the Scriptures which had predicted what would happen would not be fulfilled. Jesus then turned and confronted those arresting Him, asking them why they waited to arrest Him in secret. Jesus was making it clear to those arresting Him that His arrest was irregular (I am using the term “irregular” here to indicates something that while not necessarily illegal is done to get around legal barriers to doing it).
     As I was reading this several thoughts crossed my mind about what to write, but as I began to write I realized something that I had never noticed before. Jesus’ response to the court is a model we should follow when people are tossing out various accusations against us because of our faith in Him. His opponents brought many witnesses out against Him, but their accusations were not consistent one to another. They finally found two whose testimony agreed, but it was not really much of an indictment. The point is that to all of these accusations, Jesus did not make a defense. He remained silent.
When the high priest finally pushed to where He had to answer, Jesus did not address the charges brought against Him. He, also, does not directly answer the question as to whether or not He is the Messiah. Rather, He tells them that they have said that He is (in a manner that the context suggests He is saying, “and you are right” without actually saying that). Then He goes on to tell them that certain distinctly Messianic Scriptures are about to be fulfilled. This should be our model. As long as our opponents are bringing inconsistent accusations against us, we should not dignify those accusations with an answer. When we finally need to offer an answer, let our answer be the Gospel.

     The passage lays out various preparations and regulations for the people of Israel. Each man is to pay a small tax each time they take a census of the people. This tax will prevent plague from spreading among them during the census and the revenue generated is to pay for the upkeep of the Tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting. The passage then explains how the priests must wash their hands and feet before they approach the altar. Followed by the formula for making an oil of anointing for priests and an incense for priests to use during worship.
     In the middle of this (well, not exactly in the middle, since it changes direction after this, but what comes before and after have more in common than they do with this next bit), the passage tells us that God has specifically chosen and appointed two men to head up the craftsmen making the items for the Tabernacle. God tells Moses that He has given these men special gifts and talents for the explicit purpose of making or directing the making of all of the items required to make the Tabernacle according to His plans. Furthermore, God tells Moses that He has given special skill to all of the craftsmen called to this project. The important lesson from this passage is that God has called us to some task and He has given us the gifts necessary to not only accomplish that task, but to accomplish it with excellence.