Poor Moses.. pushed to his limit, and probably in exasperation, had his emotions take control of his heart and his hands. I really feel bad for him. He had a heavy burden to bear. This is a reminder that we should keep our emotions in check, especially when provoked by external circumstances. God takes his name, his Holiness seriously. Even Moses was not exempt.

But I wonder, Moses seemed to not be as affected by this as we expect him to be. If it was another Israelite, there would definitely be even more groaning and moaning. So Moses was taking this relatively well. Ah, there must be something different! It’s because Moses knows God. In a very real and personal way. The promised land? It is a gift, a physical one even, it was a task given to him. But his eyes were not on the gift, not on the task. His eyes were on the Giver, on the Master. Not being able to enter the promised land is a small setback compared to the greatness of knowing and serving God, and the closeness that they have shared, and will continue to share in eternity. He has the right perspective.

Their riches, possessions, land and even freedom was taken away from them, but they still have their music, their song. Music gives hope, and it allows the heart to speak much more than what can be said by just words. Our God understands this, and I believe He has a special heart for music as well. It is a very powerful thing.

The psalm ends quite violently, and I am sure people have used this line to show a very dark side of Christianity. But hold on, this is Christianity – real people with real issues dependent on a real God. The Israelites wished this much harm to their captors. If you have been wronged, you have experienced wishing that the person who wronged you receive the same level of pain you’ve experienced. It’s human nature. What would make the Israelites say such things? Unless they themselves have experienced such great pain and loss. If left on our own, humanity will be wiped out. We see it even now, when we are supposed to be wiser and put more value in human life. We need a Just God, we need a Merciful God, we need a Gracious God. A Powerful God, that can mold men’s hearts. Not by force, but by his amazing relentless grace.

that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, (‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ESV)

Flee from sin. Learn to be master over your body.
Love God and love others. As you are doing, do more and more.

Therefore encourage one another with these words. (‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ ESV)

There will come a time when our physical bodies will die. But just as Jesus rose from the dead, so too will those who have the Spirit of God in them.

“do righteousness” – so there is more to righteousness than just “not sinning”, more than just a state of mind. Righteousness is active, it is actionable. Do righteous things. What are those things… God says those who keep justice and do righteousness, holding fast until He comes is blessed.

“And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, “I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered.” (‭Isaiah‬ ‭56‬:‭6-8‬ ESV)

Praise the Lord, thank you Jesus.

I just realized, God speaks out against irresponsibility and laziness. He does not like it at all. I thought it was a gray area.. but it’s not.

“The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity; he enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness.” (‭Isaiah‬ ‭57‬:‭1-2‬ ESV)

Comfort in times of one of life’s greatest pains..

People’s faith will be tested – whether they believe in God, in idols, or in themselves. Those who humble themselves and turn to God will find him, and will find peace.

For every sin, the priests will perform the ceremony for the sin offering. At minimum. There are specific ceremonies for specific occasions, as well as thanksgiving offerings and freewill offerings. I imagine the first few times to be meaningful and sincere, but eventually over time the meaning can be lost. Despair, hopelessness on the human condition ( we just can’t keep up with the standard of holiness ), to maybe eventually, apathy. I wonder, now that we don’t have to do all these ceremonies because Jesus has already finished everything that needs to be done once and for all, are we susceptible to the same struggle? We still fall short, and we can feel helpless – but not hopeless. The act of love, Grace, is the answer to apathy. I cannot just give up on myself, on others, because someone – Jesus – didn’t give up on me.

The Israelites were commanded to distance themselves from the dead, physically. Touching or being in close proximity makes one unclean. I think there is a spiritual application to this. Don’t have anything to do with that which is spiritually dead. It can affect you even without you knowing. Don’t let any part of your body touch it, and don’t get into the same room as it. Instead, be an instrument for purification – Jesus’ love ( expressed through his blood sacrifice on the cross ) can purify, and even raise, the spiritually dead.