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The Bible Day 83: “Divine Justice & Mercy (Psalm 37:10-20, Luke 5:17-32, Numbers 16:36-18:32)


The Bible Day 83: “Divine Justice & Mercy (Psalm 37:10-20, Luke 5:17-32, Numbers 16:36-18:32)


Introduction:

Good evening, and welcome back to Bible Day 83; tonight, we will delve into the tapestry of God's divine justice and His divine mercy. Our voyage begins in Psalm 37:10-20, where David will emphasize the themes of divine justice, the transitory nature of wickedness, the security of the righteous, and God's ultimate sovereignty overall outcomes. While rooted in ancient scripture, these themes are relevant today. In Luke 5, we see the extraordinary healing where our Lord demonstrates His divine mercy and healing. This healing, a testament to God's compassion, can inspire us in our journeys, reminding us of the transformative power of God's mercy in our lives. Our journey in Numbers will teach us all the importance of respecting God's appointed leaders, the significance of the priesthood, and the faithful support of God's work through offerings and tithes. These lessons, though ancient, can guide us in our interactions with authority and our commitment to God's work.


Psalm 37 Study and Scripture Breakdown:

Verse 10: David vividly depicts the wicked's property, a fleeting mirage of success. Despite their temporary triumph, their downfall is not just a possibility but an expectedness that will be erased forever, reassuring us of God's ultimate justice.


Verse 11: Here, David contrasts the fate of the wicked and the meek. The meek, humble, and gentle will not just be spared from the evil's fate but will eventually inherit the blessings and peace of God's Kingdom, inspiring us with the promise of God's ultimate justice and mercy.


Verse 12: David is highlighting the hostility of the wicked towards all those who are righteous. Evil often schemes against the just, showing their hate through actions.


Verse 13: David writes that our LORD remains in control despite the wicked's evil intentions. The LORD knows their end and is never shaken by their evil plots, symbolized in scripture as laughter.


Verse 14: There is no surprise here. David informs us that the wicked always use violence and oppression against the vulnerable and all those who live with integrity, showing us the essential reflection of evil's disregard for righteousness and justice.


Verse 15: David portrays the downfall of the wicked, and their violence and deceit ultimately lead to their destruction. David uses the symbolism of their weapons turning against them.


Verse 16: David emphasizes the value of righteousness and contentment. Even though the righteous may have little in so-called material wealth, they have greater worth than the ill-gotten pains of the wicked.


Verse 17: David reinforces the theme of Divine justice: The wicked fall and the LORD sustains and supports the righteous.


Verse 18: The future is secure and eternal when we continue to focus on and reflect on God's faithfulness to those who follow Him.


Verse 19: David assures us that the righteous will never face disgrace or lack during challenging times. Our LORD will always provide for and protect us.


Verse 20: The wicked's fate is contrasted with the righteous's enduring presence. The evil will ultimately perish and fade away, while all those who are faithful will remain in God's presence forever.


Proverbs 24:19-20, this passage is a poignant reminder not to be concerned or envious of the wicked because their prosperity is only temporary and will ultimately come to an abrupt end. It also echoes the theme of divine justice and the fleeting nature of the wicked's success, a lesson that holds in our modern lives.

Luke 5:17-32 Study & Breakdown:

Verse 17-26: The paralytic's healing is a powerful testament to the importance of faith. Our Lord shows us that faith is collective and personal, as scripture reveals that the faith of the paralytic's friends also contributed to his healing. Jesus demonstrates three clear signs of His divinity: He knows the secrets of our hearts (1Samuel 16:7; and 2Chronicles 6:30). Second, He forgives sins, a power that is only held by God alone, and thirdly, he heals by the power of His word. This passage reminds us of the transformative power of faith and obedience in our lives.


Verse 22: Jesus asks the Pharisees, "Why are you reasoning in your hearts?" The Greek word for "reasoning," dialogizomai, also means to deliberate, meaning they were deliberating God in their hearts. Even though the Lord was right there before them, they remained blind.


Verse 23: Is Jesus using His rhetorical question to demonstrate His authority to forgive sins and heal? Deeper reflection: Jesus does not state whether forgiveness of sins is more vital than physical healing. His question could be pointing out that forgiveness of sins is more profound and has a more everlasting transformation than physical healing. Forgiveness of sins addresses the core of a person's heart, and physical healing addresses a temporary ailment. Our Lord's primary focus was faith for the man and the crowd; healing demonstrated His authority to forgive sins and physical and spiritual well-being.


Verse 27: Matthew/Levi could have been one of the tax collectors who may have been prepared by John the Baptist (Luke 3:12). Matthew did not hesitate. He just picked his things up and followed Jesus.

Verse 29: Matthew/Levi is overwhelmed with joy and happiness because he had a feast at his place. We see our Lord demonstrate the fruit of His love and forgiveness, considering who was invited.

Verse 30-32- See Hosea 6:6, it sums that up.


A parallel from the Old Testament could be 2 Kings 5, where Naaman the Syrian is healed of leprosy by Elisha. Both stories highlight the power of God working through a prophet to perform miraculous healings that reveal deeper theological truths about authority and faith.


Number 16:36-50:

Eleazar, son of Aaron, repurposed censers from rebellious men into an altar covering as a warning. Following more complaints against Moses and Aaron, a deadly plague struck. Aaron halted it with incense, standing between the living and the dead, saving many. Fourteen thousand seven hundred died in addition to Korah's followers.


A good New Testament parallel is Acts 5:1-11, where Ananias and Sapphira drop dead for lying to the Holy Spirit. Both passages demonstrate the seriousness of disobedience and deceit against God's order and the immediate divine judgment that follows.


Numbers 17 Study:

 To resolve disputes over leadership, God instructed Moses to collect rods from each Israelite tribe and place them in the Tabernacle. Aaron's rod for the tribe of Levi miraculously budded, blossomed, and produced almonds overnight, signifying God's choice. This rod was preserved as a sign against rebellion, highlighting the divine selection and quelling further complaints among the Israelites about their doom and proximity to the sacred.


A New Testament parallel is Matthew 16:13- 19. Peter's confession of Jesus as Christ leads to Jesus affirming Peter's role with the statement, "On this rock, I will build my church," similarly establishing leadership through divine selection.


Numbers 18 Study:

 In Numbers 18, God establishes the duties and privileges of the priests and Levites. Aaron and his sons are made responsible for any transgressions related to the sanctuary and priesthood. The Levites are appointed to assist them but are forbidden from touching the holiest objects or the altar to avoid death. The chapter also outlines the economic support for the priesthood and Levites: they receive a share of the Israelites' offerings, including the most holy gifts and first fruits, as well as the firstborn of animals, which are sanctified to God. The Levites, in turn, are given the tithes from the Israelites, of which they must offer a tenth to the priests. These provisions ensure that the priests and Levites can dedicate themselves fully to their temple duties, as they have no inheritance in the land and rely solely on offerings and tithes for sustenance.


A New Testament parallel is 1 Corinthians 9:13-14, where Paul discusses the rights of apostles and preachers to receive support from those they minister, directly comparing them to the Old Testament priests who lived off the offerings given to the temple.


In Christ, love Jared W. Campbell










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