Apr 13th

Leviticus 17     Proverbs 31     Psalms 20-21     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

Today brings us to the end of the book of Proverbs. I wonder which has been your favourite proverb? Or the one that’s had most impact on you? Is there one you’ve memorised and say to yourself?

‘The wife of noble character’ (v10-31) is a well known passage - and seemingly impossible. Even the most capable multi-tasking woman struggles to be devoted to her household and run her own business and have a ministry of giving to the poor and bring up her children well! The purpose of this description isn’t to make today’s already over-stretched working mothers feel inadequate. It’s to paint a picture of an ideal - a woman who lives out all the previous proverbs. It’s a way of saying, “Come on everyone, women and men, let’s put this all into practise now.”

I’m struck by how her husband (v11) and her children (v28-29) praise her so effusively - not for her beauty and charm, but because she fears the Lord (v30). In fact, everyone is called to honour and praise her (v30-31). As you look around your friends and family, who most characterises the woman / man of noble character? When did you last praise them for that?

I find verses 8 and 9 equally challenging: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Who do you need to speak up for today?

(member of ordained staff)

Apr 12th

Leviticus 16     Proverbs 30     Psalms 19     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

Yom Kippur (the day of atonement) is still the holiest day of the year for Jews. Leviticus 16 describes its origin. Two of Aaron’s sons have died (Lev 10) because they sought unauthorised access to the Most Holy Place. Now God warns Aaron not to make the same mistake, but gives very clear guidelines on how he may approach the Most Holy Place. It is to be done but once a year. Aaron (or his successors as High Priest) is to make sacrifices first for his own sin and the sin of his household, then to make a sin offering for the whole nation. Only after this would the nation be clean from all their sins (v30).

Leviticus reminds us of the seriousness of our sin - and the need for a sacrifice to be made to pay for it. Hebrews 9 points to Jesus as fulfilment of this chapter: “When Christ came as High Priest … he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle … He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption … The blood of Christ [will] cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” (v 11-14).

Give thanks for Jesus, and pray for our mission partner, Stephen Pacht, working amongst Jewish people. And serve the living God today!

(member of ordained staff)