Today is Thursday, December 12th, 2013; Karen's Korner #2714
As a Bible reader, I tend to select a book of the Bible and then read a chapter or so every day. Right now, I am reading Exodus. The book tells about Moses leading the people of Israel out of Egypt, as God frees them for their slavery.
I'll have to admit some books of the Bible are more interesting to me than others. Exodus is good and holds my attention, but about mid-section, it turns in to be pretty statistical: instructions on how to build the tabernacle, what about the ark? the table? the lampstand? the tent? the curtains? the altar? I know that is probably pretty interesting to some; not so much to me!
But I keep moving. Then there is chapter 30; telling about 'procedures to prepare for worship'. God is instructing - verses 11 - 15:
"And Jehovah said to Moses,
'Whenever you take a census of the people of Israel,
each man who is numbered shall give a ransom to the Lord for his soul,
so that there will be no plague among the people when you number them.
His payment shall be half a dollar.
All who have reached their twentieth birthday shall give this offering.
The rich shall not give more
and the poor shall not give less,
for it is an offering to the Lord to make atonement for yourselves.
Use this money for the care of the Tabernacle;
it is to bring you,
the people of Israel,
to the Lord's attention, and to make atonement for you.'"
Bible Commentary: Whenever a census took place, everyone, both rich and poor, was required to pay a ransom. God does not discriminate between people on the basis of race, sex, wealth, or even past performance. All of us need mercy and forgiveness because of the sinful ways in which we act. There is no way the rich person can buy off God and no way the poor can avoid paying. God's demand is that all of us come humbly before Him to be forgiven and restored to His Family.
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Refreshing!? We work so hard to try to make people 'equal'. God, how does He see us?? Says to me that He sees all of us exactly alike...........regardless of our race, sex, wealth, good or bad past performance!
Same for His Love; what a plan! What an idea!!
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