​ 
 
Key Verse
14 He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in bronze. And he was full of wisdom, understanding, and skill for making any work in bronze. He came to King Solomon and did all his work.
 
Meditation
Redemptive history is unified in a simple pattern: God’s people living in God’s place under God’s rule. Adam failed to live under God’s rule in the garden of Eden and Israel failed throughout history. Jesus came as the second Adam and representative of His people so everyone “in Him” can await the culmination of this pattern in the new heavens and new earth. Today’s reading describes the interior design of Solomon’s temple, the seat of God’s rule over God’s people in the place He had given them. 
 
The chapter is broken into three sections- First, details of the royal complex (1-12) including the houses of the forest of Lebanon, Solomon, and Pharaoh’s daughter alongside of the halls of Pillars and of justice. Second, Temple furnishings (13-51) including Hiram’s bronze work, pillar work, the sea, stands, and a summary. Finally, Solomon’s gold provision (48-51).
 
The building descriptions are not concerned with dimensions for reconstruction but delight in specific detail. For instance, the writer spends verses 29-37 describing liturgical equipment emphasizing that he rule of God centers on worship of God!
 
Jesus claimed to be greater than Israel’s temple (Matthew 12:6) because He was the fulfillment of God’s rule and God’s place for God’s people. Jesus is our representative, the true temple (John 7:37-38) and king David’s greater offspring  (Matthew 12:22-28) whose resurrection from the grave guaranteed God’s perfected kingdom will one day be consummated. Through the work of Jesus, God’s people know we will one day live in the place of God’s new creation, eternity marked with celebration and exaltation of King Jesus.
 
(For a simulation tour of today’s reading follow THIS LINK)

Today’s Reading
​Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished his entire house.
2 He built the House of the Forest of Lebanon. Its length was a hundred cubits and its breadth fifty cubits and its height thirty cubits, and it was built on four rows of cedar pillars, with cedar beams on the pillars. 3 And it was covered with cedar above the chambers that were on the forty-five pillars, fifteen in each row. 4 There were window frames in three rows, and window opposite window in three tiers. 5 All the doorways and windows had square frames, and window was opposite window in three tiers.

6 And he made the Hall of Pillars; its length was fifty cubits, and its breadth thirty cubits. There was a porch in front with pillars, and a canopy in front of them.
7 And he made the Hall of the Throne where he was to pronounce judgment, even the Hall of Judgment. It was finished with cedar from floor to rafters.
8 His own house where he was to dwell, in the other court back of the hall, was of like workmanship. Solomon also made a house like this hall for Pharaoh's daughter whom he had taken in marriage.

9 All these were made of costly stones, cut according to measure, sawed with saws, back and front, even from the foundation to the coping, and from the outside to the great court. 10 The foundation was of costly stones, huge stones, stones of eight and ten cubits. 11 And above were costly stones, cut according to measurement, and cedar. 12 The great court had three courses of cut stone all around, and a course of cedar beams; so had the inner court of the house of the Lord and the vestibule of the house.

The Temple Furnishings
13 And King Solomon sent and brought Hiram from Tyre.14 He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in bronze. And he was full of wisdom, understanding, and skill for making any work in bronze. He came to King Solomon and did all his work.

15 He cast two pillars of bronze. Eighteen cubits was the height of one pillar, and a line of twelve cubits measured its circumference. It was hollow, and its thickness was four fingers. The second pillar was the same. 16 He also made two capitals of cast bronze to set on the tops of the pillars. The height of the one capital was five cubits, and the height of the other capital was five cubits. 17 There were lattices of checker work with wreaths of chain work for the capitals on the tops of the pillars, a lattice for the one capital and a lattice for the other capital. 18 Likewise he made pomegranates in two rows around the one latticework to cover the capital that was on the top of the pillar, and he did the same with the other capital. 19 Now the capitals that were on the tops of the pillars in the vestibule were of lily-work, four cubits. 20 The capitals were on the two pillars and also above the rounded projection which was beside the latticework. There were two hundred pomegranates in two rows all around, and so with the other capital. 21 He set up the pillars at the vestibule of the temple. He set up the pillar on the south and called its name Jachin, and he set up the pillar on the north and called its name Boaz. 22 And on the tops of the pillars was lily-work. Thus the work of the pillars was finished.

23 Then he made the sea of cast metal. It was round, ten cubits from brim to brim, and five cubits high, and a line of thirty cubits measured its circumference. 24 Under its brim were gourds, for ten cubits, compassing the sea all around. The gourds were in two rows, cast with it when it was cast.25 It stood on twelve oxen, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south, and three facing east. The sea was set on them, and all their rear parts were inward. 26 Its thickness was a handbreadth, and its brim was made like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily. It held two thousand baths.

27 He also made the ten stands of bronze. Each stand was four cubits long, four cubits wide, and three cubits high.28 This was the construction of the stands: they had panels, and the panels were set in the frames, 29 and on the panels that were set in the frames were lions, oxen, and cherubim. On the frames, both above and below the lions and oxen, there were wreaths of beveled work. 30 Moreover, each stand had four bronze wheels and axles of bronze, and at the four corners were supports for a basin. The supports were cast with wreaths at the side of each. 31 Its opening was within a crown that projected upward one cubit. Its opening was round, as a pedestal is made, a cubit and a half deep. At its opening there were carvings, and its panels were square, not round. 32 And the four wheels were underneath the panels. The axles of the wheels were of one piece with the stands, and the height of a wheel was a cubit and a half. 33 The wheels were made like a chariot wheel; their axles, their rims, their spokes, and their hubs were all cast. 34 There were four supports at the four corners of each stand. The supports were of one piece with the stands.35 And on the top of the stand there was a round band half a cubit high; and on the top of the stand its stays and its panels were of one piece with it. 36 And on the surfaces of its stays and on its panels, he carved cherubim, lions, and palm trees, according to the space of each, with wreaths all around. 37 After this manner he made the ten stands. All of them were cast alike, of the same measure and the same form.

38 And he made ten basins of bronze. Each basin held forty baths, each basin measured four cubits, and there was a basin for each of the ten stands. 39 And he set the stands, five on the south side of the house, and five on the north side of the house. And he set the sea at the southeast corner of the house.

40 Hiram also made the pots, the shovels, and the basins. So Hiram finished all the work that he did for King Solomon on the house of the Lord: 41 the two pillars, the two bowls of the capitals that were on the tops of the pillars, and the two lattice works to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on the tops of the pillars; 42 and the four hundred pomegranates for the two lattice works, two rows of pomegranates for each latticework, to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on the pillars; 43 the ten stands, and the ten basins on the stands; 44 and the one sea, and the twelve oxen underneath the sea.

45 Now the pots, the shovels, and the basins, all these vessels in the house of the Lord, which Hiram made for King Solomon, were of burnished bronze. 46 In the plain of the Jordan the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarethan. 47 And Solomon left all the vessels unweighed, because there were so many of them; the weight of the bronze was not ascertained.

48 So Solomon made all the vessels that were in the house of the Lord: the golden altar, the golden table for the bread of the Presence, 49 the lampstands of pure gold, five on the south side and five on the north, before the inner sanctuary; the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs, of gold; 50 the cups, snuffers, basins, dishes for incense, and fire pans, of pure gold; and the sockets of gold, for the doors of the innermost part of the house, the Most Holy Place, and for the doors of the nave of the temple.

51 Thus all the work that King Solomon did on the house of the Lord was finished. And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, the silver, the gold, and the vessels, and stored them in the treasuries of the house of the Lord.
 
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the detail of interior design of Solomon’s temple?
 
-The temple was the seat of God’s rule over God’s people in the place (the promised land) where God had put them. How does this pattern help you see Jesus in a fuller reality?
 
-Where do you need to embrace the rule of King Jesus in the place where He has put you, anticipating the fullness of His rule in eternity? Be specific.
 
Key Verse
14 He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in bronze. And he was full of wisdom, understanding, and skill for making any work in bronze. He came to King Solomon and did all his work.

​Key Verse
26 You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.
 
Meditation
God’s covenant love welcomes His people to experience covenant blessings through the work of Jesus Christ. Jesus took the covenant curses so all who have faith in Him can experience covenant blessings (Galatians 3:10-14). Jesus was cut off for our sin so believers can be welcomed into fellowship with Him (Isaiah 53:8). Jesus died to satisfy God’s wrath against sin so all who trust His work can know and show God's love (2 Corinthians 5:15).
 
Leviticus 20 unpacks sins penalties to be paid. The gospel is the GOOD NEWS that the death of Jesus covered the cost of our sin, His grace freeing believers to embrace covenant blessings through His finished work.
 
Sin is a serious issue. “The wage of sin is death,” writes Paul (Romans 6:23). In today’s reading, Moses detailed the wage of sin by describing being cut off, your genealogy come to an end. Moses addressed specific sins and their consequences: worshipping in ways of the culture, sacrificing children, sexual immorality, dishonoring parents, and practicing divination. Sin is serious, must be addressed, and the penalty must be paid. God is holy, and His grace forgives His people and frees us to live holy lives for Him.
 
After salvation, believers are free for imitation- “Be holy as I am Holy,” says the Lord (26-27). When we reject God’s grace and embrace our culture’s ways then we forfeit the beauty and joy of God’s covenant blessings. God’s covenant love welcomes you to experience His covenant blessings through the person and work of Jesus. 
 
Today’s Reading
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Say to the people of Israel, Any one of the people of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech shall surely be put to death. The people of the land shall stone him with stones. 3 I myself will set my face against that man and will cut him off from among his people, because he has given one of his children to Molech, to make my sanctuary unclean and to profane my holy name. 4 And if the people of the land do at all close their eyes to that man when he gives one of his children to Molech, and do not put him to death, 5 then I will set my face against that man and against his clan and will cut them off from among their people, him and all who follow him in whoring after Molech.

6 “If a person turns to mediums and necromancers, whoring after them, I will set my face against that person and will cut him off from among his people. 7 Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. 8 Keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you. 9 For anyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death; he has cursed his father or his mother; his blood is upon him.

Punishments for Sexual Immorality
10 “If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. 11 If a man lies with his father's wife, he has uncovered his father's nakedness; both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them. 12 If a man lies with his daughter-in-law, both of them shall surely be put to death; they have committed perversion; their blood is upon them. 13 If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them. 14 If a man takes a woman and her mother also, it is depravity; he and they shall be burned with fire, that there may be no depravity among you. 15 If a man lies with an animal, he shall surely be put to death, and you shall kill the animal. 16 If a woman approaches any animal and lies with it, you shall kill the woman and the animal; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.

17 “If a man takes his sister, a daughter of his father or a daughter of his mother, and sees her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace, and they shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people. He has uncovered his sister's nakedness, and he shall bear his iniquity. 18 If a man lies with a woman during her menstrual period and uncovers her nakedness, he has made naked her fountain, and she has uncovered the fountain of her blood. Both of them shall be cut off from among their people. 19 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother's sister or of your father's sister, for that is to make naked one's relative; they shall bear their iniquity. 20 If a man lies with his uncle's wife, he has uncovered his uncle's nakedness; they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless. 21 If a man takes his brother's wife, it is impurity. He has uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.

You Shall Be Holy
22 “You shall therefore keep all my statutes and all my rules and do them, that the land where I am bringing you to live may not vomit you out. 23 And you shall not walk in the customs of the nation that I am driving out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I detested them. 24 But I have said to you, ‘You shall inherit their land, and I will give it to you to possess, a land flowing with milk and honey.’ I am the Lord your God, who has separated you from the peoples. 25 You shall therefore separate the clean beast from the unclean, and the unclean bird from the clean. You shall not make yourselves detestable by beast or by bird or by anything with which the ground crawls, which I have set apart for you to hold unclean. 26 You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.

27 “A man or a woman who is a medium or a necromancer shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones; their blood shall be upon them.”
 
Richly Dwelling
-Why is it necessary to highlight the severity of sin? How does the repetition of penalties drive this reality home?
 
-How does the fact of Jesus’s faithfulness on your behalf, paying the penalty for your sin, drive you to respond with obedience?
 
-After salvation, imitation! When we know God’s grace, we will grow in being holy as God is Holy. How can you grow in godliness today? Be specific.
 
Key Verse
26 You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.

​Key Verse
4 You have set up a banner for those who fear you, that they may flee to it from the bow. Selah
 
Meditation
“The darkest parts of your story will give birth to the strongest parts of your soul” when your hope is in Jesus and the banner of His gospel promises. 
 
Three stanzas offer three perspectives in today’s reading: the nation’s (1-4), God’s (5-8), and the king (9-12). Israel felt rejected, broken, and vulnerable (1). The earth felt like it was shaking under their feet (2). Hard things were happening (3). People were staggering (4), but their hope was under the Lord’s “banner.”
 
“Banner” transitions the worshipper from pain to promises. “Banners” were set up for those who feared the Lord, turning to Him for salvation (Exodus 17:15). “Banner” was a word of hope in judgment (Numbers 21:8), a signal of salvation for all who believe (Isaiah 11:10).
 
The beloved of God will be delivered (5), but not so His enemies (6-9). Jesus says He is the signal of God’s salvation, lifted up “…that whoever believes may be saved” (John 3:14-15). God’s faithfulness is seen when eyes of faith look up from struggles to see Jesus, the banner of His gospel promises.
 
God has not rejected His people (10). Jesus is our banner of hope, the signal of salvation. The situation of Israel described in verses 1-4 point to the work of Jesus as our representative. Jesus was rejected and broken and the earth shook after His death. Hard things happened to Him so hope can dawn in the hearts of all who look to Him for salvation. Jesus is God's gospel banner and He provides a path for people to move from pain to praise!
 
Today’s Reading
To the choirmaster: according to Shushan Eduth. A Miktam of David; for instruction; when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and when Joab on his return struck down twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt.
O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses; you have been angry; oh, restore us. 2 You have made the land to quake; you have torn it open; repair its breaches, for it totters. 3 You have made your people see hard things; you have given us wine to drink that made us stagger. 4 You have set up a banner for those who fear you, that they may flee to it from the bow. Selah

5 That your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by your right hand and answer us! 6 God has spoken in his holiness: “With exultation I will divide up Shechem and portion out the Vale of Succoth. 7 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet; Judah is my scepter. 8 Moab is my washbasin; upon Edom I cast my shoe; over Philistia I shout in triumph.” 9 Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?

10 Have you not rejected us, O God? You do not go forth, O God, with our armies. 11 Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! 12 With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.
 
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially in where you identify with Israel in verse 1-4?
 
-The Lord is gracious to lift a banner for His people, a signal of salvation. Take a moment to pray, asking the Father to turn your eyes from your struggles to Jesus, looking to Jesus alone for salvation and strength.
 
-Jesus says that “whomever” looks to Him can be saved. Do you know someone whose pain and problems are drowning them and they need help  seeing the signal of salvation? Pray the Lord will open a door in conversation with this person and call them sometime in the next few days.
 
Key Verse
4 You have set up a banner for those who fear you, that they may flee to it from the bow. Selah
 

Key Verses
2 And he said: “The Lord roars from Zion and utters his voice from Jerusalem…”
 
Meditation

Amos was an ordinary man “among the shepherds of Tekoa,” (1) a small town just south of Jerusalem. Amos was vocationally a “dresser of sycamore fig trees” with no formal training in prophetic ministry (7:14). God called ordinary Amos to speak His extra-ordinary word of revelation.
 
Amos is one of the earliest writing prophets, serving during the reign of king Jeroboam II, @ 793-753 BC (1). The strong international economy of Amos’ day provided fertile ground for idolatry and immorality to flourish. The roar of the Lord from Zion was prophetic warning to all who were rejecting God as Lord and King.
 
Ultimately, the words of Amos are targeted at Israel. But God began by speaking to the nations encircling the land (Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, and Moab). The unique messages in Amos 1 follow a formula, “transgressions” against God were named (3, 6, 9, 11, 13) and God’s sovereignty demonstrated by the promise of His just judgment of the nations was proclaimed (4, 7, 10, 12, 14).
 
Today’s reading details the judgement of Israel’s neighbors, a necessary aspect of God’s stated mission is to bless the nations (Genesis 12:1-3). Without prophetic proclamation to repent and return to the Lord the peoples would not know the sovereign grace of the Lord. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus took the judgement our sin deserves so we, including our neighbors, can repent and turn to Him for relationship. The Lion who roared through Amos (2) is the Lamb who took away the sins of the world!
 
 
Today’s Reading
The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.

Judgment on Israel's Neighbors
2 And he said:
“The Lord roars from Zion
    and utters his voice from Jerusalem;
the pastures of the shepherds mourn,
    and the top of Carmel withers.”
3 Thus says the Lord:
“For three transgressions of Damascus,
    and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,
because they have threshed Gilead
    with threshing sledges of iron.
4 So I will send a fire upon the house of Hazael,
    and it shall devour the strongholds of Ben-hadad.
5 I will break the gate-bar of Damascus,
    and cut off the inhabitants from the Valley of Aven,
and him who holds the scepter from Beth-eden;
    and the people of Syria shall go into exile to Kir,”
says the Lord.

6 Thus says the Lord:
“For three transgressions of Gaza,
    and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,
because they carried into exile a whole people
    to deliver them up to Edom.
7 So I will send a fire upon the wall of Gaza,
    and it shall devour her strongholds.
8 I will cut off the inhabitants from Ashdod,
    and him who holds the scepter from Ashkelon;
I will turn my hand against Ekron,
    and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish,”
says the Lord God.

9 Thus says the Lord:
“For three transgressions of Tyre,
    and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,
because they delivered up a whole people to Edom,
    and did not remember the covenant of brotherhood.
10 So I will send a fire upon the wall of Tyre,
    and it shall devour her strongholds.”

11 Thus says the Lord:
“For three transgressions of Edom,
    and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,
because he pursued his brother with the sword
    and cast off all pity,
and his anger tore perpetually,
    and he kept his wrath forever.
12 So I will send a fire upon Teman,
    and it shall devour the strongholds of Bozrah.”

13 Thus says the Lord:
“For three transgressions of the Ammonites,
    and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,
because they have ripped open pregnant women in Gilead,
    that they might enlarge their border.
14 So I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah,
    and it shall devour her strongholds,
with shouting on the day of battle,
    with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind;
15 and their king shall go into exile,
    he and his princes together,”
says the Lord.

 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the targeted accusations against the nations and God’s promised judgement?
 
-Judgment is a necessary aspect of God’s mission to bless the nations. The message of judgment should lead to repentance, people turning to the Lord for refuge and forgiveness. The work of the cross is Jesus receiving the judgment we deserve! How do you feel knowing that judgment is central to God’s mission? 
 
-Through the work of Jesus all who believe can be forgiven, and this extra-ordinary message should be carried by ordinary people like Amos. Who in your life needs to hear the gospel? Jesus did not come to condemn the world but that the world would be saved through Him.
 
Key Verses
2 And he said: “The Lord roars from Zion and utters his voice from Jerusalem…”

​Key Verse
2 “Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.
 
Meditation
A faithful response to God’s grace is obedience to God and His word. Belonging to a holy God precedes living a holy life for God.
 
Today’s reading takes God’s people beyond religious ritual by calling us to live holy lives. The command is rooted in God’s holy character and anchored in relationship. The Lord emphasizes His possession of His people by repeating, “I am the Lord your God” sixteen times. Because Israel belonged to the Lord, their lives should be holy in sabbath ritual, relationship to the poor, moral integrity in relationship to one another, loving neighbors, and living justly. This paradigm carries through all of scripture, quoted by Jesus in His summary of the law (Mark 12: 29-31) and exemplified by Peter in his pastoral leadership: 
 
“He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:15-16).


In His holiness, Jesus took the filth of our sin upon Himself so that all who belong to Him can be made holy, knowing God’s love to reflect God’s character through living holy lives. The blood of Jesus purchased a people for Himself- We are the Lord’s possession! With the purpose of living holy lives for God’s glory. 
 
Biblical holiness is rooted in God’s character- God is holy! Biblical holiness is a response of hearts regenerated by God’s work- Jesus makes us holy! Biblical holiness is participation in God’s work of resonating His glory throughout the earth (Isaiah 6:3).
 
 
 
 
Today’s Reading
And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. 3 Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep my Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God. 4 Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves any gods of cast metal: I am the Lord your God.

5 “When you offer a sacrifice of peace offerings to the Lord, you shall offer it so that you may be accepted. 6 It shall be eaten the same day you offer it or on the day after, and anything left over until the third day shall be burned up with fire. 7 If it is eaten at all on the third day, it is tainted; it will not be accepted, 8 and everyone who eats it shall bear his iniquity, because he has profaned what is holy to the Lord, and that person shall be cut off from his people.

Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
9 “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. 10 And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.
11 “You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another. 12 You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.

13 “You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired worker shall not remain with you all night until the morning. 14 You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.
15 “You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. 16 You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.

17 “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. 18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

You Shall Keep My Statutes
19 “You shall keep my statutes. You shall not let your cattle breed with a different kind. You shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed, nor shall you wear a garment of cloth made of two kinds of material.

20 “If a man lies sexually with a woman who is a slave, assigned to another man and not yet ransomed or given her freedom, a distinction shall be made. They shall not be put to death, because she was not free; 21 but he shall bring his compensation to the Lord, to the entrance of the tent of meeting, a ram for a guilt offering. 22 And the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the guilt offering before the Lord for his sin that he has committed, and he shall be forgiven for the sin that he has committed.

23 “When you come into the land and plant any kind of tree for food, then you shall regard its fruit as forbidden. Three years it shall be forbidden to you; it must not be eaten. 24 And in the fourth year all its fruit shall be holy, an offering of praise to the Lord. 25 But in the fifth year you may eat of its fruit, to increase its yield for you: I am the Lord your God.

26 “You shall not eat any flesh with the blood in it. You shall not interpret omens or tell fortunes. 27 You shall not round off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard. 28 You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.

29 “Do not profane your daughter by making her a prostitute, lest the land fall into prostitution and the land become full of depravity. 30 You shall keep my Sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord.

31 “Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.

32 “You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.

33 “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. 34 You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

35 “You shall do no wrong in judgment, in measures of length or weight or quantity. 36 You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt. 37 And you shall observe all my statutes and all my rules, and do them: I am the Lord.”
 
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the emphasis of the Lord to proclaim He is the Lord and His people are His possession?
 
-Why is it significant that we belong to a holy God before we live holy lives, that our possession precede our practice?
 
-Where do you need to respond to God’s grace more faithfully, living a holy life marked by obedience to His word and reflecting His character? Be specific.
 
Key Verse
2 “Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.
 

​Key Verse
14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 
 
Meditation
Jesus is King and His work compels disciples to worship. Jesus’ work climaxes in His death and resurrection, ultimate revelation that He is king and He will provide for His disciples in everything.
 
In today’s reading, a contrast of two kings sets the table for contrasting messages. King Herod threw a banquet marked with debauchery and death, motivated by sensuality and insecurity (1-12). King Jesus fed multitudes through a miracle and His banquet gives life, satisfaction, and truth (13-21). Kingdoms of this world will dis-order our lives and bring death to our world. King Jesus, motivated by compassion, will satisfy disciples with His steadfast love.
 
Three responses help diagnose how we receive Jesus’ kingdom proclamation and work: 

1. Herod heard the prophet of God and had John put to death.
2. The crowds consumed Jesus’ healing, teaching, and feeding but without gratitude. 
3. The disciples were afraid in the storm but after Jesus revealed Himself by His word calming the storm, the disciples worshipped Jesus.

 
Kings of our world are threatened by the King of the world. Crowds consume the things of Christ but do not gratefully crown Jesus as King. Disciples see Jesus work in storms through His word, discovering Jesus for who He truly is- the Son of God and King of Kings! We must worship Jesus!
 
Jesus calls you to come to Him and hear His word, “Take heart- It is I! Do not be afraid!” Jesus meets us personally and His work reveals His love, care, and compassion so we will worship Him as King.
 
 
Today’s Reading
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, 2 and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” 3 For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, 4 because John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. 6 But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, 7 so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” 9 And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. 10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way[b] from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret
34 And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick 36 and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

 
Richly Dwelling
-Which of the three responses to God’s word do you most identify with- Herod, the crowd, or the disciples?
 
-What kings of the world do you go to in storms rather than going to King Jesus? How is that working for you?
 
-Where do you need to believe the one key truth from today’s reading, that Christ loves you and He cares for you, desiring to meet you in the storm of life? Be specific
 
Key Verse
14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.