Thoughts on the readings for April 17th Numbers 3, Proverbs 27, John 9, 10

Numbers 36 completes Moses' record of the wanderings in the wilderness by a reiteration of the time when the daughters of Zelophehad had come to Moses to ask for his adjudication as to their future inheritance.On that occasion God told Moses that these women had spoken rightly concerning their situation; and that the daughters of Zelophehad had the right to their inheritance in the Promised Land. Chapter 36 informs us that the precedent must be applied to all similar cases of female inheritance. However daughters, who had no brothers, were told to marry within their own tribe. The daughters of Zelophehad did this and so the tribal inheritance remained undiminished. Proverbs 27 and 28 speak of the importance of friendship. Again, like the previous chapter in Proverbs, these sayings are often used by our Lord and the other New Testament writers. Time allows the referencing of only a few of them. Verse 1 is referenced by James in his 4th chapter and directly quoted by our Lord Jesus Christ at the conclusion of Matthew 6 - verse 34 note also the context of this verse by also looking at verse 33. God gives us only one day at a time. Yesterday has gone and can't be changed. Tomorrow is not ours - it is in our Sovereign's hands. Today is the Almighty's gift and Solomon's counsel in Ecclesiastes 9:1-10 is to live life to the fullest - but before our Creator and to walk well pleasing before Him - chapter 12:1; 13-14. Never be foremost in self promotion. Rebuking of a friend is a sign of faithfulness - flattering is false and deceptive. Our aim is to assist one other in attaining the kingdom of God. Be a faithful and true friend with your advice. Verses 11-22 speak of the consequences of friendship true and false. Verse 20 reminds us that the failure to correct another with humble and life imparting direction is total destruction. We are all in the crucible of the LORD's refining fire - compare Malachi 3:3-7 and Hebrews 12 verses 5-11; Galatians 6:1-8. True friendship requires persistence, foresight and diligence, as verses 23-27 tell us. In John 9 we have the 6th sign in the healing of the blind man. The discussion in this chapter is similar to the pattern established in chapter 5. Both the blind man and his parents are persecuted by the rulers for accepting Jesus. The formerly blind man gives a remarkable and compelling testimony that Jesus must be from God. The religious leaders spitefully cast out the man who has dumbfounded them with scriptural logic. Our Lord later finds this man in the temple so as to complete his restoration. These events most likely happened at the feast of the Dedication. John 10 is the magnificent account of Jesus being the door and the Good Shepherd. Christ had come that believers might have life and have it more abundantly verses 10-11. Our Lord by laying down his life for his sheep secured for believers that wonderful hope of eternal life in the kingdom of God. Once again the theme of chapter 10 is a repeat and elaboration of chapter 5 ie that his sheep will recognise his voice. In the purpose of bringing salvation to believers he and his Father are one ie united - but our Lord's power is derived from his Father. The Jews reacted to our Lord's words and by claiming that he was speaking blasphemy. Jesus proves from Psalm 82 that the judges of Israel were called "god" as they spoke God's Word. The chapter finishes with Jesus going across the Jordan for some months - in Perea - where he remains until the events of chapter 11 would bring him back. Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphianvideo.org See more Thoughts from the Christadelphian Dialy Bible Reading Planner (By R.Roberts) here... https://christadelphianvideo.org/thoughts-on-the-readings-for-april-17th-numbers-3-proverbs-27-john-9-10/?feed_id=89707&_unique_id=67ff612dd6ee5