BENEDICTION

Today’s Reading: Numbers 5-6

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).

In 1947, the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in these caves in the region known as Qumran, next to the Dead Sea. The scrolls are a collection of 972 texts, consisting of Biblical manuscripts from the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament). It has been considered the greatest archaeological discovery of the 20th Century. Many of the Scrolls date back to the first century and earlier. They attest to the accuracy of the Biblical text through the centuries.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verse: Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Quarantine for communicable disease is an example of the care God had for His people. God gave instructions for physical blessings. Restitution for wrongs committed is an example of the social care God has for His people. God blesses His people by love and mercy, and because He cannot and will not tolerate sin, He makes provision for forgiveness through atonement. In this way He provides for restoration of relationships. “At-ONE-ment” is gained through restitution and a sacrifice for sin. Jesus provides all this for us through His life and death.

We might want to read an example of the “Nazirite vow” in Judges 13:5, the story of Sampson. Let us also consider giving someone today a benediction. The meaning of benediction is to “say a blessing.” Our key verses are magnificent words of blessing.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, You promised that “When He the Spirit of Truth is come, He will guide you into all truth.” I’m reading from an English translation of Your Hebrew Bible. I have difficulty understanding all You are saying to me, Lord, so I ask for Your Holy Spirit to teach me. Thank You for speaking such a marvelous blessing over me as found in the key verses. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I was honoured to be the Pastor of a wonderful congregation in the northern city of Sudbury. I was blessed to find the great strength of love and unity among the people. This strength produced in me a confidence that God could and would do big things in Sudbury. My predecessor was the late Rev. Homer Cantelon. His ministry produced that strength I experienced. I was thinking of him as I read the Sampson story. Homer was not only strong spiritually but also physically. I was told lots of stories such as Homer picking up one end of a Volkswagen beetle. The men were suitably impressed. At one time, Homer worked in the nickle mines after returning from Europe as a WWII veteran. A miner came to our church looking for Homer to perform the marriage of his son. He reflected back on his former workmate and said, “The men would tease Homer about his faith. Homer was so strong that he could’ve beaten them easily in a fight, but he was kind to them instead.” He then said, “Homer is the only real Christian who is a minister in Sudbury.” I explained that Homer had moved away and offered my services. Against his better judgement, he agreed for me to do the marriage. Later, the whole family gave their lives to Jesus. Thank You Jesus, and thank you Homer.

Yours to help us all “say a blessing” on others,

David